Kitchen and Bath Remodel Costs in 2026: From Refresh to Gut Remodel

Kitchen and bath remodel costs are where budgets go to grow. Plumbing hides behind walls, cabinets dominate costs, and one mid-project decision can add thousands. The good news is that the smartest-value projects are not the biggest ones. The data consistently shows that modest, well-planned updates return far more of their cost than luxury overhauls.

This guide breaks kitchen and bath projects into three tiers, shows where the money goes, and gives you a plan that keeps the budget intact.

The three budget tiers

The 2025 Cost vs. Value report, which prices tightly defined projects, puts a minor midrange kitchen remodel at $28,458 and a midrange bathroom remodel at $26,138 nationally. Angi's project data puts the average kitchen remodel at about $27,000, with most homeowners spending $14,600 to $41,600, and the average bathroom remodel at about $12,149, with a range of about $2,500 to $30,000, or $70 to $250 per square foot.

This Old House's 2026 homeowner survey found bath remodels for spaces of 40 to 150 square feet ranging from about $6,456 to $24,715.

What pays back at resale

The 2025 Cost vs. Value report, the industry's annual comparison of project cost and resale value, shows a clear pattern:

• A minor midrange kitchen remodel recouped about 113% of its cost nationally, the best return of any interior project in the report.
• Major kitchen remodels with new cabinets and layout changes recouped a much smaller share.
• A midrange bathroom remodel recouped about 80%.
• Upscale bathroom remodels recouped far less.

The lesson: buyers pay for kitchens and baths that feel updated and work well. They rarely pay back the premium for custom, high-end finishes. Match your finish level to your neighborhood and how long you plan to stay.

Where the money goes

In a kitchen

• Cabinets are usually the largest line item, often 30% to 50% of the budget. Refacing or replacing only doors and drawer fronts is one of the biggest ways to save. See cabinet refacing vs. replacing.
• Countertops vary enormously by material.
• Appliances can be reused, upgraded in stages or replaced together. See repair or replace appliances.
• Labor, plumbing and electrical grow quickly when you move the sink, range or walls.

In a bathroom

• The shower or tub is often the largest variable, from a prefabricated unit to a fully tiled custom shower.
• Tile labor adds up fast on walls and floors.
• Plumbing changes are the main cost driver. Keeping fixtures on existing "wet walls" controls cost.
• Labor often makes up 40% to 60% of a bathroom budget.

What changed in 2026

• Imported cabinet costs. A 25% federal tariff on imported kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities has applied since October 14, 2025. A scheduled increase to 50% was postponed to January 1, 2027, so imported cabinets ordered late in 2026 carry real price risk. Ask about country of origin and add a price clause to your contract.
• Material costs rose again. Remodeling costs have climbed steadily, so use current quotes rather than older price lists.
• No federal energy credits. Credits that once applied to heat pump water heaters and some efficiency upgrades ended for 2026 projects.

The budget plan that prevents overruns

About 1 in 3 homeowners in This Old House's 2026 survey said their bath remodel cost more than expected, often because of plumbing upgrades, water damage or structural repairs. Build your plan to absorb surprises:

1. Set a total budget, including a 10% to 20% contingency.
2. Decide on layout first. Keeping plumbing and gas where they are saves the most money.
3. Price the big-ticket items early: cabinets, counters, shower system and appliances.
4. Set realistic allowances for items you will choose later, so the quote reflects reality.
5. Get at least three itemized quotes that match on scope. Our guide to reading a contractor quote shows how.
6. Confirm permits. Kitchen and bath remodels that move plumbing or electrical almost always need them.

How homeowners pay

In This Old House's 2026 survey, 49% of homeowners paid for their bathroom remodel with cash or savings, and about 29% used credit cards for at least part of it. Credit cards are one of the most expensive ways to finance a remodel. Compare options in how to finance a home improvement project.

Where to spend and where to save

Worth spending on:

• Ventilation: a quiet, properly vented bath fan and range hood prevent moisture damage
• Waterproofing behind tile, which you cannot fix later without demolition
• Good lighting and enough outlets
• Durable, easy-to-clean surfaces

Easy places to save:

• Keep the layout
• Reface or paint cabinets instead of replacing boxes
• Choose mid-range fixtures with standard sizes
• Use tile strategically: a feature wall rather than floor-to-ceiling everywhere

More ideas are in kitchen remodel: where to spend and where to save and our bathroom remodel budget guide.

Accessibility and aging in place

If you plan to stay for many years, consider features that make the space safer: curbless showers, grab-bar blocking inside walls, wider doorways, lever handles and non-slip flooring. Adding blocking during a remodel costs little compared with retrofitting later. Our guide to walk-in tubs vs. showers compares options for limited mobility.

Mistakes that blow up budgets

• Moving plumbing without pricing it first
• Choosing finishes after demolition starts, which delays the crew
• Skipping the contingency
• Low allowances that look cheap on paper
• Paying large deposits up front; see questions to ask before hiring a contractor
• Ignoring signs of water damage behind old tile

Where to go next

• Bathroom remodel budget guide
• Kitchen remodel: where to spend and where to save
• Cabinet refacing vs. replacing
• Repair or replace appliances
• Walk-in tub vs. shower

Cost vs. Value data: © 2025 Zonda Media, a Zonda company. Complete data from the Remodeling 2025 Cost vs. Value Report can be downloaded free at www.costvsvalue.com.