Interior
Kitchen Remodel: Cost, Permits & Timeline
Renovating a residential kitchen. Cosmetic work such as cabinet refacing and countertops is often permit-exempt, while moving plumbing, electrical or walls triggers a permit.
Model reviewed August 2026
Typical cost
$38,500
$18,000 – $92,000
per kitchen
$18,000 – $92,000
Permit
Depends
$200 – $950
Timeline
6-12 weeks
6-12 weeks
Do you need a permit for kitchen remodel?
It depends on scope
Cosmetic, like-for-like kitchen remodel work is often exempt. A permit is required as soon as you change structure, plumbing, electrical or the building envelope.
What drives the cost
- Cabinet grade: stock, semi-custom or custom
- Countertop material and square footage
- Whether plumbing or electrical is relocated
- Appliance package
- Flooring and any wall removal
Permit, inspections and documents
| Permit status | conditional |
|---|---|
| Typical permit fee | $200 – $950 |
| Licensed contractor required | Not always |
| Owner-builder allowed | Yes, on owner-occupied homes |
| Inspections | Rough plumbing and electrical, Framing where walls change, Final building inspection |
| Timeline | 6-12 weeks |
| DIY difficulty | 4/5 difficulty |
Documents typically required
- • Permit application
- • Floor plan showing changes
- • Electrical and plumbing scope
- • Contractor licensing
Kitchen Remodel cost by city
Local labor and material pricing applied to the national baseline.
| City | Typical range | vs national |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $28,100 – $143,600 | +56% |
| Los Angeles | $24,100 – $123,200 | +34% |
| Miami | $21,900 – $112,000 | +22% |
| Chicago | $21,800 – $111,500 | +21% |
| Phoenix | $18,500 – $94,300 | +2% |
| Dallas | $17,900 – $91,500 | -1% |
| Houston | $18,000 – $91,900 | 0% |
| Tampa | $19,100 – $97,800 | +6% |
| Denver | $20,200 – $103,300 | +12% |
| Orlando | $18,500 – $94,500 | +3% |
| Atlanta | $18,100 – $92,300 | 0% |
| Fort Lauderdale | $21,200 – $108,200 | +18% |
Kitchen Remodel across the country
National pricing, state-by-state pricing, and the tools behind both.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for a kitchen remodel?
Cosmetic replacement — cabinets in the same location, countertops, appliances, paint and flooring — typically does not require a permit. You do need one as soon as you move plumbing or electrical, add circuits, or alter walls.
How long does a kitchen remodel take?
A cosmetic refresh runs 3-5 weeks. A full gut with layout changes and permits typically runs 8-12 weeks, with cabinet lead time as the most common bottleneck.
How long does kitchen remodel take?
6-12 weeks. Permit review and inspection scheduling are usually the largest source of variation.
What changes the price the most?
The largest cost drivers are cabinet grade: stock, semi-custom or custom; countertop material and square footage; whether plumbing or electrical is relocated.
Sources
Sources & verification
Model vintage August 2026. The links above are the issuing agencies' own pages — we publish them so you can confirm the current rule yourself, not as evidence that each fact on this page was re-checked with them today. Cost figures are modeled estimates based on national baselines adjusted for local labor and material pricing, not quotes. Permit rules change; confirm with the building department before starting work.