2026 Kitchen Remodel Costs: A finishes guide for Seattle homeowners
One of the first questions we get from new clients is, “How much does a kitchen remodel cost?”
While it depends on a number of factors, a custom kitchen in Seattle generally costs between $115,000 to $200,000+. This price range is for a kitchen using made-to-order materials and designed for your specific space and lifestyle — not a builder-grade remodel. We analyzed hundreds of bids we’ve helped coordinate for clients over the past couple of years as well as asked our construction partners for their input.
Most homeowners don’t realize the impact their finish selections have on the overall investment and how quickly seemingly small choices can add up. This guide breaks down the data for kitchen remodel projects, so you can start formulating a realistic budget for your renovation.
2026 Cost Benchmarks at a Glance
| Typical Cost Range | Key Features | |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Custom Kitchen Remodel | $115,000 - $140,000 |
|
| Mid-Range Custom Kitchen Remodel | $140,000 - $200,000 |
|
| High-End Custom Kitchen Remodel | $200,000+ |
|
Here’s how your finish selections in cabinetry, stone, and tile transform your budget from a modest refresh to a luxury space.
Cabinetry
After labor costs, cabinetry is the biggest line item in any kitchen renovation — and for good reason. Your cabinets are the workhorse of the room. Well-crafted cabinets last decades with hard, daily use. When designed around how you live, they’re the difference between a kitchen that simply looks done and one that makes your day run smoother.
Standard/Mid-Range (Semi-Custom or RTA): $30,000
This level typically offers better materials, like plywood boxes or solid wood doors. You gain access to more paint color options and door styles. You may also get more options for cabinet dimensions.
High-End (Custom): $40,000+
Custom cabinetry is built specifically for your dimensions and style preferences. These are made with plywood boxes and dovetail joinery. You have near endless options when it comes to color, wood species, dimensions, style, and more. Expect to pay about 50% more for inset cabinets instead of frameless. That means for a standard 60 linear feet (30 feet of uppers and 30 feet of lowers), frameless paint-grade cabinets will be about $40,000 and inset paint-grade cabinets will be around $59,000, not including installation.
Note: Stock cabinets run about $20,000 for a similarly sized kitchen. We don’t specify stock cabinets for a custom kitchen, but sharing for context.
Countertops
Stone shopping is one of our clients’ favorite meetings! The price of your stone is driven by rarity and the complexity of the fabrication. Most standard-size kitchens need at least two slabs or more if you plan to use it as a backsplash.
Standard/Mid-Range: Carrara, Soapstone, or Quartz
These stones typically cost about $2,500 per slab.
High-End: Calacatta or Quartzite
These slabs cost upwards of $10,000 each.
Pro Tip: Detailed edging will increase your labor costs. However, it can help add personality and visual interest to your kitchen, especially if you’re using a simpler stone.
Tile
As with bathrooms, many homeowners underestimate the amount of time and labor certain tile choices can add to a project. The complexity of the install can quickly add to your labor costs. Zellige tile, for example, is very fragile so you will need to order more overage than normal to account for breakage.
Standard: Under $15/sq ft
A standard “brick” lay is the baseline. This is where you’ll see lots of subway tile or square tiles that are the least complex to lay. If you want less expensive tiles in a more interesting pattern like herringbone or chevron, expect a 20-30% increase in labor costs because of the intricate cuts and increased waste.
Mid-Range: $15-$25/sq ft
You’ll start seeing tile with a lot more variation or handmade elements in this range. This can add a lot of character and visual interest to your backsplash.
High-End: Over $25/sq ft
Natural stone and mosaic tiles tend to be the most expensive materials and labor. Mosaic is more tedious to install, which increases the labor cost. Natural stone may need extra sealant when applied in a kitchen setting where it may get splattered with grease, acids, and water.
Plumbing
Plumbing fixtures are where you want to invest since they’re high-touch and high-use. Every fixture will eventually show age, so you want to select a finish that will endure, not chip.
Standard: Under $1,100 per fixture
Polished nickel or chrome from brands like Signature Hardware
Mid-Range: $1,100-$2,500 per fixture
Unlacquered brass from brands like Newport Brass
High-End: $2,500+ per fixture
Unlacquered brass or bronze from brands like Waterworks
Lighting
Lighting is extremely important in any kitchen. You can expect to allocate the below ranges per fixture. This budget does not include undermount lighting for any cabinetry.
Standard: Under $650 per fixture
Mid-Range: Under $900 per fixture
High-End: Over $1,150 per fixture
Appliances
Appliances need to be selected early in the design process so you can ensure your cabinetry can fit the options you choose. These prices do not include range hoods.
Standard: A standard appliance package is around $5,000 (e.g. GE or KitchenAid)
Mid-Range: Mid-tier appliances add up to $10,000 (e.g. Café, Bosch or Fisher & Paykel)
High-End: Panel-ready and designer ranges can be well over $30,000 (e.g. Sub Zero, Lacanche, or La Cornue)
Ready to start your next project?
When planning your 2026 kitchen remodel, remember that labor typically accounts for 50% to 65% of your total budget. High-end materials like marble and custom cabinets don't just cost more to buy; they typically cost more to install because they require more time and precision.
Ready to get started on your kitchen remodel? Contact us to get a detailed estimate for your project.