Most kitchen cost guides you’ll find online are built on national numbers. That’s fine if you live somewhere with cheap labor and newer houses. But here in Massachusetts, with older homes, strict licensed-trade rules and some of the highest local labor rates in the country, a national figure can leave you short by thousands of dollars before the project starts.
So let’s skip the guesswork. Below, I’ll walk you through what published data says a kitchen remodel costs in Massachusetts and New England, where the money goes, what pushes the final cost up, and how to keep a realistic budget from getting away from you. These are published regional figures, not our own prices, so you can use them as a fair starting point before you talk to any contractor.
How Much Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost? The Short Answer
In New England, a minor kitchen remodel with mid-range finishes runs close to $29,000, a full mid-range remodel runs around $84,000, and an upscale kitchen remodel can top $170,000. Those three figures come from the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report for New England, which prices the same projects in every region of the country each year.
For comparison, the national average kitchen remodel cost is $26,988 according to HomeAdvisor’s kitchen remodel cost guide, with most projects landing between about $14,600 and $41,600. HomeAdvisor says a minor remodel usually costs $10,000 to $20,000, a major remodel $20,000 to $65,000, and a total makeover $65,000 to $130,000 or more. In other words, major renovations with custom work can easily exceed $100,000.
Massachusetts homeowners should typically expect to land above those national figures. The rest of this guide explains why, and what you can do about it.
Minor Kitchen Remodel
The Cost vs. Value report puts a minor kitchen remodel at $28,936 in New England. That project includes new cabinet fronts and hardware on the existing cabinets, laminate countertops, a new sink and faucet, an energy-efficient range and cooktop, new flooring and fresh paint, all in the existing layout. It’s the kind of refresh most homeowners picture when they say they want to “update” a kitchen.
Major Kitchen Remodel
A major mid-range kitchen remodel averages $84,000 in our region. That’s a complete remodel: new semi-custom cabinetry, new countertops, an island, new appliances, new lighting and flooring.
Upscale Kitchen Remodel
The upscale version, with custom cabinets, top-tier appliances, stone counters and premium finishes, averages $172,718 in New England, above the national figure of $164,104 for the same project.
What Massachusetts Permit Data Shows
Another way to look at remodel cost is through permit filings. Block Renovation’s analysis of permit data puts the average declared value of a kitchen renovation at about $35,295 statewide and $31,347 in Boston. A permit lists a declared job value, which may not include everything a homeowner spends, such as appliances bought separately, so treat it as a floor rather than the full cost. Still, it’s a useful check on the average cost of real projects in our state.
Kitchen Remodel vs. Kitchen Renovation: Why the Words Matter for Cost
Contractors often use these two words as if they mean the same thing, but they don’t describe the same job, and the price gap can be big.
A kitchen renovation restores the space so it looks like new. Think painting or refacing cabinets, new countertops, updated appliances and a fresh tile backsplash, all without changing the layout. These cosmetic updates are generally the budget-friendly option.
A kitchen remodel transforms the space. It can mean moving walls, moving plumbing, adding an island or changing the whole floor plan. Because a remodel involves more trades, more structural work and more permits, it costs more. When you collect quotes, ask each contractor which one they’re pricing.
Why Kitchen Remodels Cost More in Massachusetts
Geographic location is one of the key factors in any kitchen remodel cost, and Massachusetts sits near the top of the scale.
Local labor rates are high. In the Boston area, a general contractor commonly bills $90 to $120 an hour, plumbers $110 to $140 and electricians $100 to $130, based on Block Renovation’s data. Local labor rates in the Merrimack Valley tend to follow the greater Boston market, so labor costs show up fast in every quote.
Licensed trades are required. Massachusetts requires licensed plumbers, gas fitters and electricians to pull their own permits and do the work themselves. That protects you, but it means you can’t cut costs by doing your own wiring or gas lines.
Our homes are older. Plenty of houses around Tewksbury, Lowell and the rest of the Merrimack Valley were built long before 1978. Opening walls can turn up outdated wiring, undersized drains or framing that needs repair, and pre-1978 homes bring lead-safe work rules into play.
Where Your Kitchen Remodel Budget Goes
Knowing how the money splits up helps you see where you have room to save. Here’s how published guides break down a typical kitchen remodel budget.
Cabinets
Cabinets are usually the biggest single expense. HomeAdvisor says cabinets take nearly 30% of the budget, and Bob Vila’s kitchen budgeting guide puts cabinets and hardware at about 40%, so plan on cabinets taking somewhere in the 29% to 40% range. Fixr’s kitchen remodeling cost guide lists new cabinets at an average cost of about $8,000, or roughly $300 per linear foot.
Your choice of cabinets moves the number more than anything else. Stock kitchen cabinets cost the least, semi-custom cabinets sit in the middle, and custom cabinetry costs the most per linear foot. Keeping your existing cabinets and painting them can run $750 to $3,400, and refacing cabinets (new doors and veneer on the existing boxes) lands between painting and buying new cabinets.
Labor
Labor is where published numbers disagree the most. HomeAdvisor puts installation labor at about 25% of the budget, while Fixr says labor expenses run 50% to 60% of the total once you count every trade. The difference comes down to what’s included: installation only, or demolition, carpentry, plumbing, electrical, drywall, tile and finish work together. In Massachusetts, expect your labor costs to sit at the higher end, and expect labor to be a bigger share of your cost than national guides suggest.
Countertops
New countertops often take 10% to 15% of a kitchen budget. For an average 30 square feet of counter, Fixr lists $1,500 to $5,700, with laminate at the low end and quartz or stone at the high end. The average cost of counters depends mostly on the material you pick. Precise measurements matter here, too, since countertops are fabricated to fit.
Appliances
Appliances often take 10% to 20% of the budget. A standard set of major appliances runs about $2,500 to $7,000, and a luxury package can pass $25,000. Keeping existing appliances that still work well is one of the easiest ways to save on cost. If you do buy new appliances, energy-efficient appliances can lower your utility bills over time.
Electrical, Lighting and Plumbing
HomeAdvisor puts electrical work at about 5% of the budget, and lighting and electrical together often land in the 5% to 10% range. Fixr suggests planning on $1,000 to $4,000 for plumbing and electrical work in a typical project, plus $200 to $1,300 if you need new gas lines for a range. New plumbing fixtures, like a faucet and sink, add to that.
Flooring and Tile Backsplash
Flooring and a tile backsplash usually take about 5% to 10% of the budget. Fixr lists new flooring materials for an average kitchen at $500 to $4,250, depending on what you choose.
Design, Delivery and Other Small Costs
Hiring an interior designer or kitchen designer usually adds about 3% of the budget, according to HomeAdvisor. Don’t forget delivery fees and transportation costs for cabinets, counters and appliances, dumpster rental and permit fees. These line items are small on their own, but together they can add a few thousand dollars to your total project cost.
Kitchen Remodel Cost per Square Foot
HomeAdvisor puts kitchen remodel cost at $75 to $250 per square foot, including materials, appliances and labor. Fixr’s average cost is about $150 per square foot, with roughly $100 per square foot for cosmetic updates and $250 per square foot for layout changes and luxury materials.
Using Fixr’s average, a 10×10 kitchen (100 square feet) lands around $15,000, and a 12×12 kitchen (144 square feet) around $21,600. Kitchen size has a big effect on both labor and materials, but price per square foot isn’t perfect, because small kitchens still need the same sink, appliances and permits as large ones. In Massachusetts, it’s smart to budget toward the top of the per-square-foot range.
What Pushes Your Kitchen Remodel Cost Up
Your total can vary based on a handful of choices. Here are the biggest ones.
Moving plumbing and gas. Keeping your sink, range and fridge in the existing layout is the single easiest way to control cost. Moving plumbing to a new spot, such as a new drain line for a kitchen island sink, can run $1,000 to $3,000 in the Boston area. Moving gas lines adds more.
Taking out walls. Removing a non-load-bearing wall may cost $1,500 to $4,000. A load-bearing wall can run $8,000 to $20,000 or more, plus $500 to $1,500 for a structural engineer. Major structural changes like these also bring more inspections and longer timelines.
Custom work and luxury materials. Custom cabinets, oversized islands, high-end stone and premium materials raise the price quickly. These expensive components are worth it for some homeowners, but they’re the first place to look when a quote comes in high.
Surprises behind the walls. Outdated wiring, water damage or plumbing that doesn’t meet current building codes are common in older homes. Electrical systems that need upgrading can add thousands to a remodel cost.
Lead-safe rules. In homes built before 1978, contractors disturbing more than 6 square feet of painted surface per room must follow Massachusetts lead-safe renovation rules, which adds setup, cleanup and time.
Permits and Inspections
Most kitchen projects that go past paint, cabinets and counters need required permits, and permits and inspections can add anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars. HomeAdvisor puts typical permit costs at $460 to $2,770, depending on scope and local rules. Here in Tewksbury, the posted fee schedule lists a $30 minimum plus $10 per $1,000 of value for alterations, with separate plumbing, gas and electrical permit fees on top. Staying with the current layout often saves on both labor and permit fees.
Does a Kitchen Remodel Pay Off at Resale?
Here’s good news for New England homeowners. The Cost vs. Value report estimates a minor kitchen remodel recoups about 134% of its cost at resale in our region, compared with about 113% nationally. That means a smaller kitchen project can recoup its full cost and then some. Major mid-range remodels return about 50%, and upscale remodels about 37%.
The pattern is clear: smaller projects generally earn higher returns than complete remodels. If your home’s resale value is a big part of your decision, read our article on whether a kitchen remodel increases home value in Massachusetts.
How to Set a Realistic Budget and Cut Costs
Many homeowners start with a number in mind and then work backward. Here’s how to make that number hold up.
Build in a contingency. Set aside 10% to 20% of your budget for unexpected issues, so a surprise doesn’t stop the job or push your cost past what you can handle. In an older Massachusetts home, I’d lean toward the higher end.
Keep the layout you have. Layout changes drive the biggest jumps in kitchen remodel cost, because they add plumbing, electrical and structural work.
Compare materials before you commit. Look at a few price points for each item. Quartz versus laminate, or semi-custom versus fully custom work, can swing your budget by thousands.
Consider refacing cabinets. If your existing cabinets are solid, refacing or painting them is a budget-friendly way to get a new look.
Get detailed quotes from multiple contractors. Ask each general contractor for an itemized quote with the same scope, so you’re comparing apples to apples. Massachusetts law requires a written contract for home improvement work over $1,000, and you shouldn’t pay more than one-third up front unless special-order materials are involved, according to the state’s home improvement contractor resources.
Set realistic expectations. A high cost estimate isn’t always padding. In Massachusetts, licensed trades, permits and older homes simply cost more. A low quote that leaves things out can turn into a higher final cost once the work begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Average Cost of a Kitchen Remodel in Massachusetts?
Average kitchen remodel costs in New England run about $29,000 for a minor mid-range remodel and about $84,000 for a major mid-range remodel, based on the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report. Statewide permit data puts the average declared value at about $35,300.
How Much Does a Small Kitchen Remodel Cost?
Using Fixr’s figures of $100 to $250 per square foot, a 100-square-foot kitchen often lands around $10,000 to $25,000, depending on how much you change. In Massachusetts, plan toward the upper half of that range.
Is $50,000 Enough for a Kitchen Remodel in Massachusetts?
It can be, for a mid-size kitchen that keeps its layout and uses semi-custom options. A full major remodel in New England averages closer to $84,000.
What Takes Up Most of a Kitchen Remodel Budget?
Cabinets usually take the largest share, often 29% to 40%, followed by labor, appliances and countertops.
Getting a Real Number for Your Kitchen
Published averages give you a ballpark, but your kitchen’s size, layout and condition decide the real number. If you’re in Tewksbury or anywhere in the Merrimack Valley and want a clear, itemized estimate, take a look at our kitchen remodeling services. What’s the one thing you’d change about your kitchen first? That’s a great place to start the conversation.
