Estimate your 2026 Seattle kitchen remodel — pick scope, cabinet tier, countertop material, and appliance package to get an itemized material and labor breakdown typically within 10-15% of a quoted project. The calculator uses current Seattle supplier pricing for cabinets (IKEA through full custom), quartz and granite slabs, and appliance packages from Whirlpool up through Sub-Zero.
This is the tool version of our Seattle kitchen remodel cost guide, which covers cost drivers, design tradeoffs, and Seattle-specific pitfalls (galvanized supply lines in older homes, undersized 100A service entrances, asymmetric layouts in craftsman kitchens). Read the guide for context; use the calculator below for a number.
Specify the size and scope of your kitchen remodel
Total kitchen floor area (minimum 40 sq ft, maximum 600 sq ft)
Major Components
Choose materials and finishes for your kitchen
Add-Ons
Optional upgrades and additions
Add tile backsplash (~$2,000)
Relocate plumbing for layout changes (~$5,000)
Upgrade electrical panel and outlets (~$3,000)
Add a kitchen island (~$6,000)
Install recessed and under-cabinet lighting (~$2,000)
Your Estimate
Configure your project and click Calculate
Enter your project details to get started
How Our Kitchen Remodel Cost Calculator Works
Scope-based kitchen renovation estimates for Seattle homeowners
Scope-Based Estimation
Kitchen remodels involve many interdependent variables — cabinets, countertops, appliances, plumbing, electrical, and flooring all affect each other. Our calculator uses a scope-tier approach: you choose your overall remodel level (cosmetic refresh, standard remodel, or full gut renovation), then select specific components. This mirrors how professional contractors actually price kitchen projects, giving you a realistic planning estimate rather than a falsely precise number.
What The Calculator Covers
Each estimate includes base scope costs (demolition, general construction, finishing), cabinet work (from keeping existing to full custom), countertop materials (laminate through marble), appliance packages, flooring, and optional add-ons like backsplash, island, plumbing relocation, electrical upgrades, and lighting. Permit costs are automatically included for standard and full-gut renovations per Seattle SDCI requirements.
Seattle-Specific Considerations
Seattle kitchen remodel costs run 15-25% above national averages due to higher labor rates, strict energy code requirements (Washington State Energy Code), and seismic considerations for structural changes. Our estimates reflect current 2026 Seattle-area contractor rates. Full gut renovations in Seattle typically require SDCI permits ($500-1,500) and may trigger additional requirements for homes built before 1978 (lead paint) or in historic districts.
Timeline & Planning
Kitchen remodels are among the most disruptive home projects since you lose daily kitchen access. Cosmetic refreshes (5-10 days) keep disruption minimal. Standard remodels (15-25 days) require temporary kitchen setups. Full gut renovations (30-45+ days) may benefit from scheduling during vacation or temporary relocation. Our timeline estimates account for Seattle's permitting process, which can add 2-4 weeks for plan review on larger projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate is this kitchen remodel estimate?
Our calculator provides planning-level estimates typically within 15-25% of final costs. Kitchen remodels have more variability than simpler projects because hidden conditions (outdated wiring, water damage, structural issues) are common. We recommend adding a 15-20% contingency budget. For a precise quote, contact us for a free in-home assessment.
What scope level should I choose?
Cosmetic ($75/sqft) covers paint, hardware, minor updates — great for refreshing a functional kitchen. Standard ($175/sqft) includes new cabinets, countertops, and appliances — the most popular choice. Full gut ($325/sqft) means tearing down to studs and rebuilding — necessary for layout changes, old homes with outdated systems, or complete design overhauls.
Why Trust Our Calculator?
Our interior painting cost calculator is built by Kolmo Construction, a licensed general contractor (License #KOLMOC*852PL) serving Seattle since 2008. We've completed over 500 interior painting projects throughout King County, from single-room refreshes to whole-home transformations. Our estimates reflect real-world costs from actual projects, not theoretical calculations. We maintain relationships with major paint suppliers, understand Seattle's permit requirements intimately, and employ only licensed, insured professionals. Every estimate includes a detailed breakdown of materials and labor, showing you exactly where your money goes. We stand behind our estimates - when you request a formal quote, we honor the calculator's projections for projects matching the described conditions.
What this calculator captures
Three Seattle kitchen scope bands priced against current labor rates, supplier pricing, and our own bid history. Ranges assume a roughly 10x12 kitchen; larger or U-shape footprints scale linearly with cabinet linear footage.
Cosmetic refresh
~$9,000
Paint, new hardware, appliance swap (same location), new light fixtures, sometimes cabinet reface. No plumbing or electrical relocation.
Mid-range semi-custom
$55,000-$85,000
New semi-custom cabinets (Kraftmaid-tier), quartz counters, tile backsplash, mid-range appliances, new sink and disposal, fresh flooring. The Seattle sweet spot.
Full gut + custom
$175,000+
Gut to studs, custom millwork, premium appliances (Sub-Zero, Wolf), marble or exotic stone, structural changes to open the layout, new electrical service if needed.
Using this calculator
What's the difference between cabinet reface, prefab, semi-custom, and full custom?
Reface keeps cabinet boxes in place and replaces doors, drawer fronts, and hardware — cheapest option, typically $4,000-$8,000 on a 10x12 kitchen. Prefab stock cabinets (IKEA, HD in-stock) run $8,000-$15,000 installed. Semi-custom (Kraftmaid, Schrock) lands at $18,000-$35,000 and is the Seattle sweet spot. Full custom millwork starts around $45,000 and scales with door style and finish complexity.
Does relocating the sink or range significantly increase the estimate?
Yes. Plumbing relocation adds roughly $2,500-$5,000 for new rough, venting, and subfloor patch. Moving a gas range adds $1,500-$3,500 for new gas line routing. In older Seattle homes with galvanized supply lines the relocation often triggers a full re-pipe of the kitchen branch — another $2,000-$4,000.
Are permit costs included in the estimate?
No — the calculator returns material and labor only. Cosmetic-scope kitchens typically don't need a permit in Seattle. Moving plumbing, rerouting gas, or adding circuits requires Subject-to-Field-Inspection (STFI) permits. Use our Permit Assessment tool at /permit-assessment for expected permit cost and timeline.
How does the calculator price the appliance package tiers?
Budget tier assumes stainless from Whirlpool, GE, or LG at roughly $4,000 for a four-piece set. Mid-range uses Bosch, KitchenAid, or GE Cafe at $7,500-$11,000. Premium prices Sub-Zero, Wolf, or Thermador at $18,000-$35,000+. If you're bringing your own appliances, subtract the package line from the total.
Why does full-gut scope jump so much higher than standard?
Full gut means studs — removing drywall, re-plumbing, re-wiring to current code, new HVAC registers, subfloor replacement if needed, and potential structural work if you're opening walls. In 1920s-1960s Seattle housing stock the full gut almost always surfaces knob-and-tube, galvanized plumbing, or undersized service entrance that all have to be corrected. The calculator adds a 10-15% contingency on full-gut scope for those common discoveries.
