How Much Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost in 2026?

A kitchen remodel is the single best investment most homeowners make — and also the one that surprises them most at checkout. In the Wichita area, we're seeing 2026 projects land anywhere from $15,000 for a cosmetic refresh to well past $120,000 for a full luxury gut. The spread is huge because "remodel" means different things to different people.

Below we break down the three common tiers, then dig into where every dollar actually goes so you can build a realistic budget before you call a single contractor.

The three budget tiers

Budget refresh — $15K to $30K

This is a facelift, not a floor plan change. You're keeping cabinets in place (refacing or repainting them), swapping countertops for laminate or entry-level quartz, updating the sink and faucet, and installing new stock appliances. It's ideal for a kitchen that functions well but looks dated.

Mid-range remodel — $30K to $60K

The most popular tier. Here you get semi-custom cabinets, quartz or granite countertops, a tile backsplash, new flooring, updated lighting, and mid-tier stainless appliances. Minor layout tweaks — moving a range or widening an island — are on the table.

Luxury overhaul — $60K to $120K+

Full gut. Custom cabinetry, premium stone, professional-grade appliances, moved walls, new plumbing and electrical runs, and designer finishes throughout. If you're chasing a magazine kitchen with a hidden pantry and a 48-inch range, this is your lane.

Cost breakdown by component

For a typical mid-range Wichita kitchen (about 200 sq ft), here's how the budget usually splits:

Cabinets are almost always the biggest line item — expect them to eat a third of your budget. Labor is the second, and it's the one people most often forget to plan for when they fall in love with a countertop online.

The countertop is what you photograph. The cabinets and labor are what you pay for.

Where to save vs. where to splurge

Smart budgeting isn't about spending less everywhere — it's about spending where it counts.

• Save on: appliances (mid-tier brands perform nearly as well as luxury), the sink, cabinet hardware, and open shelving instead of upper cabinets.
• Splurge on: cabinet boxes (they hold everything together for 20 years), countertops you touch daily, and skilled labor.
• Never cut: plumbing and electrical done to code — a hidden leak or overloaded circuit costs far more later.

How long does it take?

A budget refresh runs 2–4 weeks. A mid-range remodel typically takes 6–10 weeks from demo to final walkthrough. A luxury gut with custom cabinetry can stretch to 12–20 weeks, largely because custom cabinets have long lead times. Order early.