There is no single sticker price for a kitchen remodel. Two homeowners on the same street in Webster Groves can spend wildly different amounts depending on the size of the room, the materials they choose, and whether walls and plumbing get moved. What we can do is show you exactly what moves the number up or down, so you walk into your project with realistic expectations instead of a rough internet average that has nothing to do with your kitchen.
What actually drives the cost of a kitchen remodel
Before you can estimate anything, it helps to understand the levers. These are the factors that have the biggest impact on the final figure:
- Size of the kitchen. More square footage means more cabinetry, more countertop, more flooring, and more labor. A compact galley kitchen costs far less to finish than an open great-room layout.
- Cabinets. This is usually the single largest line item. Stock cabinets cost less than semi-custom, and full custom cabinetry costs more again. If your existing boxes are solid, cabinet refacing can deliver a brand-new look for a fraction of full replacement.
- Countertops. Laminate sits at the bottom of the range; granite and quartz in the middle; exotic stone and thick waterfall edges at the top.
- Appliances. A builder-grade package and a pro-style suite with a 36-inch range and panel-ready refrigerator are not in the same universe price-wise.
- Layout changes. Keeping the existing footprint is the budget-friendly path. The moment you move plumbing, relocate gas, reroute electrical, or take out a wall, you add labor, materials, and sometimes structural work.
- Scope and finishes. Backsplash, lighting, hardware, flooring, paint, and trim all add up. The details that make a kitchen feel finished are also the ones that quietly grow the budget.
St. Louis reality check: Many homes around Webster Groves and Kirkwood are charming older brick bungalows with closed-off galley kitchens. Opening those spaces up is one of the most requested projects we see — and because it often involves moving walls and utilities in a vintage home, it's also one of the biggest reasons two "similar" kitchens can land at very different prices.
The three tiers — and where the money goes
It helps to think about a remodel in tiers. These ranges vary enormously by size, materials, and scope, so treat them as framing rather than quotes. The only accurate number for your home comes from a free consultation.
1. A focused refresh
This is the value end of the spectrum. You keep the existing layout and update the surfaces that make the biggest visual difference: refacing or repainting cabinets, new countertops, a fresh backsplash, updated hardware and fixtures, and maybe new flooring or lighting. Because you're not moving plumbing or walls, labor stays controlled and the project moves quickly. A refresh is ideal for a kitchen that works but looks dated.
2. A mid-range remodel
Here you replace cabinetry with quality semi-custom boxes, upgrade to granite or quartz, add a better appliance package, and may make modest layout tweaks — a larger island, a relocated sink, an improved work triangle. Most of the budget goes into cabinets and countertops, with the rest split across appliances, finishes, and labor. This is the sweet spot for homeowners who want a genuinely transformed kitchen built to last.
3. A high-end renovation
This is the full reimagining: custom cabinetry, premium stone, pro-style appliances, and significant structural changes such as removing a wall to open the kitchen to the living space. In an older St. Louis home, that can also mean updating electrical, plumbing, and HVAC behind the scenes. The result is a showpiece kitchen — and the price reflects the craftsmanship, materials, and complexity involved.
Across all three tiers, the lesson is the same: cabinets and countertops carry the budget, and every layout change you request adds cost. Knowing that up front helps you spend where it matters most to you.
How financing fits in
A kitchen remodel is an investment, and you don't have to pay for all of it out of pocket on day one. We offer financing through Hearth, so you can explore monthly payment options that fit your budget and get your project moving without draining your savings. It's a simple way to spread the cost of a project that will add comfort and value to your home for years.
How to get an accurate number
The fastest way to stop guessing is to talk through your kitchen with someone who builds them. During a free consultation, we look at your actual space, talk about how you cook and live, and walk through your priorities. Our in-house design process then turns that into a clear plan and an accurate estimate — no copy-paste averages, no surprises halfway through.
To get the most out of that conversation, it helps to come in with a sense of three things:
- Your wish list vs. your must-haves. Knowing what you'd love and what you truly need lets us guide your budget intelligently.
- Whether you want to change the layout. Even a rough "I'd love to open this wall" tells us a lot about scope.
- Your material leanings. Quartz vs. granite, painted vs. stained cabinets — small preferences that shape the estimate.
St. Louis homeowners have trusted us with their kitchens, and we're proud of our 5.0★ rating from our Google reviews. We back every project with quality materials and hands-on design from a team that's based right here in Webster Groves. Whether you're planning a streamlined update or a full kitchen remodel, we'll give you a number you can actually plan around.
Ready to see what your project might look like? We serve homeowners throughout the area, including Webster Groves and Kirkwood. Reach out for a free consultation and we'll help you turn a question into a plan.