Kitchen remodel cost breakdown

Where the money goes

A typical $40,000 mid-range kitchen remodel in the Iowa City corridor breaks down roughly:

Cabinets (30–40% of budget)

The single biggest category. Three tiers:

Stock cabinets

$100–$250 per linear foot installed. Available off-the-shelf from Lowe's, Home Depot, Menards, and IKEA. Limited sizes (3" increments), limited finishes, limited storage options. Best for budget rental kitchens, basement bars, and DIY remodels. Look at IKEA's SEKTION line for surprisingly good quality at this tier.

Semi-custom cabinets

$250–$500 per linear foot installed. The corridor standard. Manufactured to your kitchen's dimensions with extensive size, style, and finish options. Made by national brands (KraftMaid, Decora, Thomasville, Diamond) and sold through dealers like Cabinet Style or through home center kitchen design departments. 6–10 week lead time. The choice for 80% of corridor kitchens.

Custom cabinets

$500–$1,200+ per linear foot installed. Built by a local cabinet shop to your exact specifications. Premium woods, hand-applied finishes, unusual sizes, integrated appliances. Best for high-end kitchens and historic Iowa City homes where standard sizes don't fit. 10–16 week lead time. Several small shops in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City handle custom work.

Cabinet upgrades that add cost

• Soft-close hinges and drawers (often standard at semi-custom and above): $200–$600 total
• Pull-out drawers in base cabinets: $80–$200 each
• Lazy susan or blind-corner pull-out: $400–$900
• Pantry pull-outs: $300–$800
• Specialty drawers (cutlery dividers, knife blocks, spice racks): $50–$200 each
• Built-in trash/recycling pull-out: $250–$500
• Glass-front cabinets: $50–$150 per door
• Crown molding and decorative end panels: $40–$120 per linear foot

Countertops (10–15% of budget)

For a typical 40–60 sq ft of perimeter counter on a corridor kitchen: $2,000–$6,000 in counters for mid-range materials, $4,000–$12,000 for premium.

Appliances (10–15% of budget)

Where to buy in the corridor

• Lowe's (Coralville, North Liberty) — package deals, frequent sales, install included.
• Home Depot (Coralville) — similar to Lowe's. Pro Desk handles contractor orders.
• Menards (Iowa City, North Liberty) — competitive on basic models, 11% rebates frequently.
• Brad's TV and Appliance and other independent corridor dealers — better service, install expertise, competitive on mid-to-premium brands.
• Mike's TV and Appliance, K&M Appliance, and other independents — local options worth pricing against big-box.
• Cedar Rapids showrooms for premium brands — Sub-Zero, Wolf, Thermador, Miele dealers.

Typical appliance budgets

Don't forget: range hood ($300–$2,000), garbage disposal ($150–$400), wine fridge ($500–$2,500), under-cabinet beverage refrigerator ($500–$2,000), built-in coffee system ($2,000–$5,000) if you go premium.

Labor (15–25% of budget)

Skilled-trade rates in the corridor (2026):

• Electrician: $85–$150/hour
• Plumber: $90–$160/hour
• Tile installer: $75–$120/hour or $8–$18/sq ft installed
• Cabinet installer: $70–$120/hour or $50–$150/linear foot
• Finish carpenter: $65–$110/hour
• Painter: $50–$85/hour or $2–$6/sq ft of wall
• Demolition crew: $40–$70/hour per person

For a typical mid-range corridor kitchen, expect 80–150 hours of skilled labor across all trades, plus 20–40 hours of demolition. That's roughly $8,000–$15,000 in straight labor before any GC markup.

Flooring (5–10% of budget)

For a typical 150–250 sq ft kitchen footprint: $600–$4,500 in flooring.

Electrical + plumbing (5–10%)

• Permit-required electrical updates: $1,500–$4,000 for new circuits, outlets, lighting circuits, AFCI/GFCI updates, range circuit, microwave circuit.
• Plumbing rough-in: $800–$2,500 for sink/dishwasher relocation, ice maker line, possibly pot filler.
• Gas line modifications: $200–$800 if moving the range.
• Range hood ductwork: $300–$1,200.

Backsplash, hardware, lighting (3–8%)

• Backsplash tile + install: $600–$2,500 for 30–50 sq ft. Subway tile is cheapest; handmade Zellige, glass mosaic, or large-format porcelain are premium.
• Cabinet hardware: $5–$30 per knob/pull × 25–40 pieces = $150–$1,200.
• Lighting: $400–$2,000+ for recessed cans, pendant fixtures over island, under-cabinet LED strips.

Design fees (5–15% if design-build)

Design-build firms typically include design in their per-project fee — built into the cabinet quote or shown as a separate line item ($2,000–$6,000 for a mid-range kitchen).

Independent kitchen designers charge $80–$200/hour or 8–15% of project value. Worth it for complex projects where design quality matters. Cabinet showroom designers are often free if you buy the cabinets there — quality varies; some are excellent, some are order-takers.

Permits and soft costs (1–3%)

• Building permit: $100–$400
• Electrical permit: $50–$150
• Plumbing permit: $50–$150
• Dumpster rental (10–20 yard): $400–$700 per pull (you may need 1–2)
• Port-a-john if outdoor sub crews: $100–$200/month
• Increased restaurant spending: $600–$1,200/month during construction
• Temporary kitchen setup: $200–$500 (microwave, hot plate, coffee maker)

The contingency (always 10–15% on top)

This is held back, not included in the stated project cost. Things that hit the contingency in nearly every corridor kitchen remodel:

• Old wiring that doesn't meet current code (rewire kitchen circuits): $1,000–$3,500
• Undersized plumbing supply lines: $500–$1,500
• Water damage discovered behind cabinets: $500–$3,000
• Asbestos floor tile or popcorn ceiling (pre-1980 homes): $1,000–$3,000 for abatement
• Subfloor needs replacement: $1,500–$4,000
• Bowed walls require correction before cabinet install: $500–$2,000
• Change orders for things you discover during construction

Frequently asked questions