What is included
- Layout changes: opening a wall, moving the sink or range, adding an island
- Cabinets, countertops, backsplash and hardware
- Flooring, drywall, trim and paint
- Lighting, outlets and appliance circuits by licensed electricians
- Plumbing for sinks, dishwashers, pot fillers and gas lines by licensed plumbers
- Permits and city inspections where the work requires them
How much does a kitchen remodel cost in Austin?
A kitchen remodel in the Austin area typically costs $20,000–$40,000 for a cosmetic refresh, $45,000–$90,000 for a full remodel that keeps the layout, and $90,000–$165,000+ for a layout change or high end remodel, installed and before sales tax.
| Project | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Cosmetic refresh: same layout; paint or reface cabinets, new counters, backsplash and fixtures | $20,000–$40,000 |
| Full remodel, same layout: new cabinets, counters, flooring, lighting and appliances | $45,000–$90,000 |
| Layout change or high end: moving walls, plumbing or gas; custom cabinets | $90,000–$165,000+ |
Ranges for full service work by Tier One Builds in the Austin metro: design help, permits, licensed trades and cleanup, installed, before sales tax. They are not quotes; your quote is free and based on your home.
What raises the price in the Austin area
- Rock excavation on Hill Country limestone for pools, footings and plumbing
- Engineered foundations on expansive clay east of I-35
- Moving plumbing in a slab, or upgrading an undersized electrical panel in an older home
- Impervious cover limits, protected trees and historic review that change the design
- Permit, utility and impact fees, which are largest for new units and new homes
How long does a kitchen remodel take?
Plan on a few weeks for a cosmetic update (cabinets refaced or painted, new counters and backsplash) and roughly two to three months for a full remodel that moves walls, plumbing or electrical. The biggest variables are permit review time, the lead time on cabinets and counters, and how many decisions are still open when work starts.
We order long lead items before demolition whenever possible, so your kitchen is out of service for as short a time as we can manage.
What drives the cost of a kitchen remodel?
Four things set most of the price: whether the layout changes, the cabinet line (stock, semi custom or custom), the countertop material, and how much electrical and plumbing has to move. Removing a load bearing wall adds engineering and a beam. Your quote is free, and we walk you through where the money goes so you can decide what matters most.
Austin details we plan for
Many central Austin homes built before 1980 have undersized electrical panels and older branch wiring, which often need upgrading before a modern kitchen can run induction ranges, double ovens and more circuits. Homes on the expansive clay east of MoPac and I-35 can have floors that are out of level, which matters for long countertop runs and islands. Inside the City of Austin, structural, electrical, plumbing and mechanical work goes through the Development Services Department; suburbs such as Round Rock, Cedar Park and Georgetown each run their own building permits.
How your project runs
- Free consultationWe meet at your property, listen to what you want to change and look at the conditions that affect it: structure, soil, utilities, trees and the rules for your lot.
- Free quoteYou get a quote based on the scope we agreed, with the decisions that drive cost explained so you can adjust before anything is signed.
- Design and permitsDrawings, engineering and selections are finalized, and we submit the permits your city or county requires.
- BuildWe schedule every trade, order materials early, pass inspections and keep you updated at each phase.
- Final walkthroughWe walk the finished work with you, fix anything on the punch list and hand over the paperwork for your project.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a kitchen remodel cost in Austin?
A kitchen remodel in the Austin area typically costs $20,000–$40,000 for a cosmetic refresh, $45,000–$90,000 for a full remodel that keeps the layout, and $90,000–$165,000+ for a layout change or high end remodel, installed and before sales tax. Your quote is free.
Can I stay in my house during a kitchen remodel?
Usually, yes. We seal off the work area, keep a clear path through the house and can help you set up a temporary kitchen elsewhere in the home.
Do I need a permit to remodel my kitchen in Austin?
Replacing cabinets and counters in place usually does not need a building permit. Moving walls, adding circuits, relocating plumbing or adding a gas line usually does. We check with the city that governs your address and pull the permits the work requires.
Do you help with design?
Yes. We help you settle the layout, cabinet style, counters and finishes during the consultation and quote, so the price reflects the kitchen you actually want.
From our projects
A full gut renovation of a single story ranch home in north central Austin: an opened kitchen, a new primary bathroom built as an addition, a covered patio turned into a bedroom, and a new exterior. The finished home has four bedrooms and two bathrooms. Shown here as a design rendering. See the full project.
Permits
We pull the permits your project needs and schedule the inspections. To see what the city requires, read our kitchen remodel permit guide, with Austin review times, fees and the surrounding cities' portals.
Guides
- Do I Need a Permit to Remodel in Austin? A Plain Guide
- Renovating an Austin Flip or Rental: A Budget and Permit Checklist
Related services
Where we build
We offer kitchen remodeling across the greater Austin metro, including Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Lakeway and Kyle. See all service areas.