On this page
- 1How much does a kitchen remodel cost by scope?
- 2What “scope” means in a kitchen remodel
- 3Kitchen remodel costs by scope at a glance
- 4Cosmetic refresh cost
- 5Minor kitchen remodel cost
- 6Major kitchen remodel cost
- 7Full gut and upscale kitchen remodel cost
- 8Kitchen remodel cost per square foot by scope
- 9How scope changes permits and timeline
- 10What drives cost within each scope
- 11How to choose the right scope for your budget
- 12One scope, one quote
- 13How we price your kitchen by scope
- 14FAQs
- 15Know your scope, then get a quote
Kitchen remodel prices range from a few thousand dollars to well over $150,000. That spread is useless until you know which kind of remodel you are planning.
Scope is the single biggest driver of cost. Pin it down first.
How much does a kitchen remodel cost by scope?
In the Pacific region, a minor midrange kitchen remodel averages $29,728. A major midrange remodel averages $86,480. A major upscale remodel averages $171,950. A cosmetic refresh costs less than all three.
Those figures come from the Cost vs Value Report 2025 for the Pacific region. They are regional averages for a 200 square foot kitchen, not Bellevue quotes.
What “scope” means in a kitchen remodel
Scope is the list of what changes. It answers three questions:
- Do the cabinets stay, get refaced or get replaced?
- Do the sink, range and fridge stay in place?
- Do any walls, windows or doors move?
Each “yes, it changes” adds cost. Moving things adds the most, because it brings in plumbers, electricians, permits and inspections.
Here is a simple way to think about it. A refresh changes surfaces. A minor remodel changes parts. A major remodel changes the room. A full gut starts from bare studs.
Kitchen remodel costs by scope at a glance
Costs rise with each step up in scope. The biggest jump is from minor to major. New cabinets and layout work drive that gap.
| Scope | What usually changes | Average cost (source) |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic refresh | Paint, hardware, lighting, faucet | Below minor remodel range |
| Minor remodel (midrange) | Cabinet fronts, counters, sink, appliances, flooring | $29,728 Pacific; $28,458 national (Cost vs Value 2025) |
| Major remodel (midrange) | New semi-custom cabinets, island, appliances, flooring, lighting | $86,480 Pacific; $82,793 national (Cost vs Value 2025) |
| Major remodel (upscale) | Custom cabinets, stone, built-in and pro-style appliances | $171,950 Pacific; $164,104 national (Cost vs Value 2025) |
The Pacific figures run higher than national ones. Our post on Bellevue kitchen remodel cost vs the national average explains why.
How other sources compare
Different surveys measure different things. Here is how three common ones line up.
| Source | What it measures | Figures |
|---|---|---|
| Houzz 2026 Kitchen Trends Study | Median homeowner spend, U.S. | $20,000 minor; $55,000 major |
| HomeGuide | Cost per square foot, U.S. | $60 to $150 basic; $150 to $250 average; $250 to $350 high-end |
| HomeAdvisor | Typical range, Northwest region | $25,600 to $61,100 |
The Houzz 2026 study surveyed 1,780 U.S. homeowners. It found a $75,000 median for a major remodel of a larger kitchen. A smaller kitchen came in at $46,000.
Medians and averages are not the same. Treat all of these as a starting range, not a quote.
Cosmetic refresh cost
A cosmetic refresh changes surfaces, not structure. It is the lowest-cost scope because cabinets, layout and plumbing stay put.
A refresh often includes:
- Painting cabinets or walls
- New hardware and a new faucet
- New light fixtures in the same spots
- A new backsplash
No published survey gives a clean average for this scope. Get a written quote for your exact list.
Refreshes work best when your cabinets are solid and your layout works. They do not fix poor storage or a cramped workflow.
Minor kitchen remodel cost
A minor midrange kitchen remodel averages $29,728 in the Pacific region, per Cost vs Value 2025. The national figure is $28,458.
Think of a minor remodel as new parts in the same room. Cabinet boxes usually stay. The fronts, counters and fixtures change.
It typically covers:
- New cabinet doors and drawer fronts, or refacing
- New counters and a new sink and faucet
- New energy-efficient appliances
- New flooring and paint
The Pacific report says this project recoups 129.1% of its cost at resale. That makes it the best value scope in the report.
Major kitchen remodel cost
A major midrange kitchen remodel averages $86,480 in the Pacific region. That scope includes 30 linear feet of new semi-custom cabinets, an island and new appliances.
This is a full update of an outdated kitchen. The report’s scope keeps a functional layout but replaces almost everything in it.
It typically adds:
- All new cabinets, including an island
- New appliances, including a built-in microwave
- New lighting and flooring
- New paint, trim and ceiling finish
The Pacific report shows a 57.2% cost recouped at resale for this project.
Cabinets drive much of the jump. HomeGuide’s cost breakdown puts cabinets at about 25% of a kitchen budget. Your cabinet choice is the biggest single lever on a major remodel.
Full gut and upscale kitchen remodel cost
A major upscale kitchen remodel averages $171,950 in the Pacific region. It includes custom cabinets, stone counters, a built-in fridge and a commercial-grade cooktop and hood.
A full gut takes the room to bare walls. It often moves plumbing, wiring or walls as well.
Common cost adders in a full gut:
- Moving the sink, range or fridge
- Removing a wall, which may need an engineer and a structural permit
- New circuits or a panel upgrade
- Custom cabinets and stone slabs
HomeGuide lists $4,000 to $15,000 to remove a load-bearing wall. A non-load-bearing wall is $500 to $2,000.
Kitchen remodel cost per square foot by scope
HomeGuide puts a basic kitchen remodel at $60 to $150 per square foot. An average full remodel runs $150 to $250. A high-end one runs $250 to $350.
| Level | Cost per square foot | Typical total (HomeGuide) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic or small | $60 to $150 | $4,000 to $18,000 |
| Average or full | $150 to $250 | $15,000 to $50,000 |
| High-end | $250 to $350 | $50,000 to $70,000+ |
These are national figures. They help you sanity-check a quote, but they do not replace one.
Per-square-foot pricing also misleads in small kitchens. A small room still needs a sink, range, fridge and cabinets. Those fixed costs push the price per foot up.
How scope changes permits and timeline
A bigger scope adds permits, inspections and weeks. A same-layout remodel often needs few or no permits. A full gut usually needs several.
The City of Bellevue does not require a building permit to replace cabinets or countertops. Moving a sink, adding circuits or changing a gas line needs a trade permit. Moving a load-bearing wall needs a BU structural permit with plans.
| Scope | Likely permits in Bellevue | Time impact |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic refresh | Usually none | Shortest |
| Minor remodel | None, unless wiring or plumbing changes | Short |
| Major remodel, same layout | Possible electrical or plumbing permits | Moderate |
| Full gut with layout change | Trade permits, maybe a BU permit | Longest |
HomeGuide says most kitchen remodels take 6 to 9 weeks. Large or structural remodels often take 3 to 5 months with permits and orders.
More scope also means more inspection visits. Each one is a short pause in the work.
What drives cost within each scope
Cabinets, layout changes and appliance choices move the price most. Labor, counters and flooring follow.
HomeGuide’s breakdown of a typical budget:
| Item | Share of budget |
|---|---|
| Cabinets and shelving | 25% |
| Installation and labor | 15% |
| Appliances | 15% |
| Countertops and backsplash | 10% |
| Flooring | 7% |
| Other (lighting, paint, design, sink, plumbing, misc) | 28% |
Sales tax also matters in Washington. It applies to the full contract price. Bellevue’s combined rate is 10.3% for October to December 2026. That comes from the Washington Department of Revenue.
How to choose the right scope for your budget
Pick the smallest scope that fixes your real problems. Keep the layout if your budget is tight. Spend on cabinets and counters you touch every day.
What works:
- List your problems first. Storage, light, workflow or looks?
- Match scope to the problem. Dated looks need a refresh. Poor storage needs new cabinets.
- Keep the plumbing where it is unless the layout fails you.
- Get quotes on the same scope. Otherwise you compare apples to oranges.
- Add a written allowance for repairs found behind the walls.
Common mistakes:
- Starting with a minor budget and adding major features.
- Comparing your quote to a national average for a different scope.
- Forgetting sales tax and permit costs.
Unplanned extras can push any scope higher. Read our guide to the hidden costs of a kitchen remodel.
One scope, one quote
Ask every contractor to price the same scope in writing. Matching scopes is the only way to see real price differences.
How we price your kitchen by scope
Bellevue Kitchen Pros plans and builds kitchens from start to finish. We price each project from its scope, not from a national average.
We start by walking through what you want to change. Then we show you which scope fits, and what each choice adds to the price.
You get a written, itemized quote before any work starts. See how pricing works on our kitchen remodel cost in Bellevue page.
FAQs
What is the difference between a minor and major kitchen remodel?
A minor remodel replaces parts and keeps the cabinet boxes and layout. Think new fronts, counters, sink and appliances. A major remodel replaces the cabinets and most of the room. In the Pacific region, Cost vs Value 2025 puts a minor midrange remodel at $29,728. A major midrange one is $86,480.
How much does a full gut kitchen remodel cost?
A full gut usually costs more than a major midrange remodel. The Pacific upscale figure is $171,950, with custom cabinets and pro-style appliances. Your cost depends on layout changes, wall removal and finish level. Moving plumbing or removing a wall adds trades, permits and inspections, which raise the total.
Which kitchen remodel scope adds the most value?
In the 2025 Pacific report, a minor midrange remodel recouped 129.1% at resale. A major midrange remodel recouped 57.2%, and a major upscale one recouped 38.8%. Smaller scopes return more per dollar. Larger scopes buy you more change in how the kitchen works.
Can I do a major remodel without changing the layout?
Yes. Keeping the sink, range and fridge in place is a common way to control cost. You still get new cabinets, counters, appliances and flooring. You skip new drain lines, gas lines and some permits. The Cost vs Value major midrange project keeps a functional layout.
Is a cosmetic kitchen refresh worth it?
It is worth it when your cabinets are sound and your layout works. Paint, hardware, lighting and a new faucet can make a kitchen feel new. They cost far less than a remodel. It will not add storage or fix a cramped workflow. If those are your problems, a minor or major remodel fits better.
Know your scope, then get a quote
Kitchen remodel cost by scope runs from a low-cost refresh to over $170,000. That top figure is a Pacific upscale remodel. Define your scope first, and every quote becomes easier to judge.
Book a consultation. We will help you match your goals to the right scope and budget.
Written by
Daniel Brooks
Daniel Brooks has worked in kitchen remodeling since 2020. He leads the planning guides at Bellevue Kitchen Pros and focuses on Bellevue kitchen remodels: how layouts, cabinets and counters fit local homes, what the City of Bellevue requires for permits, and how costs break down from a minor refresh to a full remodel. He writes in plain steps, links every figure to its source, and updates guides when local rules or prices change.
Planning notes are general. Confirm engineering, permits, and price with a licensed Washington contractor.
