Kitchen Remodel Cost in Maryland 2026: Real Prices From a Local Contractor
By Anton Sergeev, Owner — MHIC #113057
The average cost of a kitchen remodel in Maryland in 2026 is $30,000 to $60,000 for a mid-range remodel, with most homeowners in Anne Arundel and Howard Counties spending around $45,000 for new cabinets, quartz countertops, updated electrical, and new flooring in a same-layout kitchen. Minor refreshes run $15,000–$25,000, and full custom renovations start at $65,000 and can exceed $100,000 for large kitchens with premium finishes.
A kitchen is typically the largest single home improvement investment a homeowner makes, and the most variable — a refresh and a full custom renovation can differ by $60,000 in the same house. These are real numbers from jobs I'm bidding and building in 2026, broken down the way I break them down on an estimate sheet: by scope, by square foot, and by the line items that actually move the price.
How Much Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost in Maryland by Scope?
| Scope of work | Typical cost (Anne Arundel + Howard) | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Minor kitchen refresh | $15,000 – $25,000 | Cabinet doors/refacing, new countertops, backsplash, sink, faucet, lighting, paint. Same layout. |
| Mid-range kitchen remodel | $30,000 – $60,000 | New cabinets, quartz or granite counters, new appliances, updated electrical, new flooring. Minor layout tweaks. |
| Full custom kitchen renovation | $65,000 – $100,000+ | Layout changes, walls opened, plumbing and electrical rework, custom or semi-custom cabinetry, premium surfaces. |
Minor Kitchen Refresh ($15,000 – $25,000)
A minor refresh keeps your existing layout and cabinet boxes and updates the visible surfaces. This typically includes new cabinet doors and hardware, new countertops, updated backsplash, new sink and faucet, new light fixtures, and fresh paint. The layout stays the same — appliances remain in place and plumbing isn't moved. It's the most cost-effective way to significantly change the look of a kitchen.
Mid-Range Kitchen Remodel ($30,000 – $60,000)
A mid-range remodel replaces the cabinets entirely, upgrades countertops (often to quartz or granite), includes new appliances, updated electrical for additional outlets and lighting, and may involve minor layout adjustments that don't require moving load-bearing walls. This is the most popular scope for Maryland homeowners — it delivers a genuinely new kitchen without the cost of structural changes.
Full Custom Kitchen Renovation ($65,000 – $100,000+)
A full custom renovation may involve opening walls, moving plumbing, reconfiguring the layout, and specifying custom or semi-custom cabinetry with premium countertop materials like quartzite or marble. Large kitchens with high-end appliance packages (Sub-Zero, Wolf, Miele) and extensive custom work easily exceed $100,000.
Cost per Square Foot for a Kitchen Remodel in Maryland
Kitchen remodels in Maryland run $150 to $400 per square foot, with most mid-range projects landing around $250–$350/sq ft. A refresh scope sits near the bottom of that band; custom work with layout changes sits above it.
| Kitchen size | Refresh (~$150/sq ft) | Mid-range (~$300/sq ft) | Custom (~$400/sq ft) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 sq ft (small / galley) | $15,000 | $30,000 | $40,000 |
| 150 sq ft (typical) | $22,500 | $45,000 | $60,000 |
| 200 sq ft (large) | $30,000 | $60,000 | $80,000 |
| 250 sq ft (open concept) | $37,500 | $75,000 | $100,000 |
Measure your kitchen and multiply — it gets you within striking distance of a real bid for a same-layout project. Layout changes break the per-square-foot math, because moving plumbing and opening walls doesn't scale with area.
What Does Each Part of a Kitchen Remodel Cost?
Here's how the line items break down on a typical Maryland kitchen remodel. Prices are installed, including labor and standard materials.
Demolition and disposal
| Item | Cost in MD |
|---|---|
| Cosmetic demo (counters, backsplash, flooring only) | $300 – $900 |
| Full kitchen demo (cabinets, soffits, flooring, drywall as needed) | $1,500 – $3,500 |
| Debris haul-off and dump fees | $400 – $800 |
Cabinets
Cabinets are the biggest single line — typically 30–40% of total project cost.
| Cabinet tier | Installed cost (typical 150 sq ft kitchen) |
|---|---|
| Cabinet refacing (new doors/drawer fronts on existing boxes) | $9,000 – $18,000 |
| Stock cabinets (standard sizes, big-box lines) | $6,000 – $12,000 |
| Semi-custom cabinets (made to order, wider size/finish range) | $12,000 – $25,000 |
| Custom cabinets (built to spec by a cabinet maker) | $25,000 – $50,000+ |
Semi-custom is the sweet spot for most mid-range Maryland remodels — significantly better boxes, drawer hardware, and fit than stock, without the 3–5x premium of full custom. Custom earns its price when walls are out of square, ceilings are high, or you want a furniture-grade look.
Countertops
| Material | Installed cost per sq ft |
|---|---|
| Laminate | $25 – $45 |
| Butcher block | $35 – $75 |
| Granite | $45 – $85 |
| Quartz | $50 – $80 |
| Quartzite or marble | $80 – $150 |
A typical kitchen carries 40–55 sq ft of counter, so quartz — the most popular choice in this market for good reason — runs $2,500–$4,500 installed. Granite prices similarly with more slab-to-slab variation; quartzite and marble are premium materials that also demand more care.
Plumbing and gas
| Item | Installed cost |
|---|---|
| Sink and faucet swap (same location) | $400 – $900 |
| Moving the sink (re-routing drain and supply) | $2,000 – $5,000 |
| Gas line for a relocated or new gas range | $1,500 – $3,000 |
| Pot filler at the range | $600 – $1,200 |
| Dishwasher or ice-maker line | $200 – $500 |
Electrical and lighting
| Item | Installed cost |
|---|---|
| Recessed can lights (per can) | $150 – $300 |
| Under-cabinet LED lighting | $300 – $900 |
| New dedicated circuit (code requires two 20A small-appliance circuits) | $400 – $1,200 |
| Island receptacle with floor run | $300 – $700 |
| Panel upgrade from 100A to 200A (if required) | $1,800 – $3,500 |
Kitchens built before the 1990s frequently need electrical brought to current code once the walls are open — an inspector will require it, and a bid that doesn't mention it hasn't priced it.
Flooring and backsplash
| Item | Installed cost |
|---|---|
| Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) | $5 – $12 per sq ft |
| Ceramic / porcelain tile | $10 – $20 per sq ft |
| Hardwood (new or lace-in to existing) | $12 – $25 per sq ft |
| Ceramic subway backsplash | $800 – $2,000 |
| Stone, mosaic, or full-height backsplash | $1,500 – $4,500 |
Appliances
Appliances range from $3,000 for a basic package to $25,000+ for professional-grade. Mid-range packages from brands like KitchenAid, Bosch, or GE Café typically run $6,000–$12,000 for a full suite. Most clients buy appliances themselves during holiday-weekend sales and I install them — that's the cheapest route, and it keeps a retailer markup out of the project.
Layout changes and structural work
Moving the sink requires re-routing drain lines — add $2,000–$5,000 depending on complexity. Moving a gas range involves gas line work — add $1,500–$3,000. Opening a wall between the kitchen and dining room adds $5,000–$15,000 if structural work is required — a load-bearing wall needs an engineered beam, permits, and inspections, which is most of that number. Adding an island with electrical runs $4,000–$12,000 installed depending on size and cabinetry tier; plumbing in the island adds the sink-move cost on top.
What Percent of a Kitchen Remodel Is Labor?
Labor accounts for 35–50% of total cost on most Maryland kitchen remodels — lower than a bathroom's share, because cabinets, counters, and appliances are materials-heavy line items. On a $45,000 mid-range project, that's roughly $16,000–$22,000 in labor across demo, carpentry, cabinet install, tile, plumbing, electrical, and paint. Custom tile, layout changes, and structural work push labor toward the high end.
Hidden Costs in a Maryland Kitchen Remodel
This is the section the marketplace sites can't write, because they're not the ones opening the walls. Here's what regularly shows up on demo day in Anne Arundel and Howard County kitchens:
| Hidden issue | Typical added cost |
|---|---|
| Floors out of level (cabinets and counters need a flat plane) | $500 – $1,500 |
| Subfloor rot at the sink base or dishwasher | $400 – $1,500 |
| Galvanized supply lines (pre-1965 homes) | $500 – $1,800 to re-pipe |
| Knob-and-tube or cloth-wrapped wiring in older Annapolis / Severna Park homes | $1,000 – $3,500 |
| Aluminum branch wiring needing remediation (late-1960s–70s homes) | $800 – $2,000 |
| Ducts, drains, or gas lines inside a wall planned for removal | $800 – $2,500 to re-route |
| Asbestos floor tile under existing flooring | $1,200 – $4,000 for abatement |
| Panel at capacity, no room for required new circuits | $1,800 – $3,500 to upgrade |
A good contractor builds a 10–15% contingency into the budget for exactly these. If your estimate is $45,000, plan for $50,000 in cash available. I write every contract with a defined change-order process — if something shows up behind the wall, you see the cost, you approve it, and the work moves forward without a surprise invoice at the end.
What the Cost Aggregators Don't Tell You
National cost sites quote national averages, which blend labor markets that have nothing to do with Anne Arundel or Howard County. The bigger problem is what they can't see: how kitchen bids are actually built. When two quotes for the same kitchen are $15,000 apart, check for these before assuming you found a deal:
- Cabinet allowances. A bid with a low "cabinet allowance" isn't cheaper — it's deferring the real cabinet price to a selection meeting after you've signed.
- Appliances and counters excluded. "Starting at" numbers frequently cover labor and boxes only. Confirm what's an allowance, what's excluded, and what's actually priced.
- Electrical code work missing. If the panel, circuits, and GFCI/AFCI requirements aren't in the bid on an older house, they'll be a change order later — the inspector doesn't negotiate.
- Permits skipped. Unpermitted plumbing, electrical, or structural work saves the low bidder a fee and an inspection, and leaves you explaining it at resale.
Compare scope line by line, not totals. A lower number for a narrower scope is a different, smaller project wearing the same name.
What Are Kitchen Permit Costs in Anne Arundel and Howard Counties?
Kitchen remodels involving electrical, plumbing, or structural changes require permits in both counties. Permit fees for a kitchen remodel typically range from $200–$600 depending on the scope and estimated construction value, with plumbing and electrical sub-permits included in that range on most projects. Cosmetic-only work — doors, counters, backsplash, paint — generally doesn't need one. See my Anne Arundel County permit guide and Howard County permit guide for what triggers a permit and how the process runs; I handle all permitting as part of every project.
The contractor you hire should be MHIC-licensed — required by Maryland law for any residential contracting work over $500. PRG Home Improvement LLC is licensed, bonded, and insured — MHIC #113057. Before hiring anyone, verify their license in the MHIC license database — see how to hire a licensed contractor in Maryland for the full vetting checklist.
What's the ROI on a Kitchen Remodel in Maryland?
Kitchen remodels consistently rank among the highest-ROI home improvements in the Mid-Atlantic region. A mid-range kitchen remodel in Maryland typically recoups 60–75% of its cost at resale. Updated kitchens are one of the top factors buyers consider — in competitive markets like Annapolis, Columbia, and Ellicott City, an outdated kitchen can meaningfully affect your sale price and time on market.
How to Save Money on a Kitchen Remodel in Maryland
- Keep the layout. Every fixture that stays put is $1,500–$5,000 of plumbing, gas, and electrical relocation you don't pay. Unless the layout genuinely doesn't work, leave the sink and range where they are.
- Reface instead of replace if your boxes are sound. $9,000–$18,000 for refacing versus $12,000–$25,000+ for new semi-custom cabinets — with most of the visual impact.
- Semi-custom cabinets, quartz counters. The mid-tier combination that holds up and sells — full custom and exotic stone rarely return their premium at resale.
- Buy your own appliances on sale, have them installed as part of the project. Holiday-weekend appliance pricing beats any allowance a contractor can offer.
- Bundle with other work. Sharing permits and mobilization with a bathroom or basement project on the same job saves real money.
- Hire an owner-operator licensed contractor. Design-build firms with showrooms and project managers run 15–25% higher on the same scope. The trade-off is a smaller schedule of available start dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a kitchen remodel cost in Maryland in 2026?
A kitchen remodel in Maryland costs $15,000 to $100,000+ in 2026 depending on scope. Most mid-range remodels in Anne Arundel and Howard Counties land between $30,000 and $60,000, with a typical project around $45,000. Minor refreshes run $15,000–$25,000 and full custom renovations start at $65,000.
How much does a 10x10 kitchen remodel cost in Maryland?
A 10x10 kitchen (100 sq ft) typically costs $15,000–$25,000 for a refresh scope and $30,000–$40,000 for a mid-range remodel with new cabinets and quartz counters in the Anne Arundel and Howard County market — the low end of the mid-range band, but not below it, because cabinets and appliances don't scale down with floor area the way square footage does.
What is the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel?
Cabinets — typically 30–40% of total project cost. On a $45,000 mid-range remodel that's $14,000–$18,000. Countertops and appliances are usually the next two largest line items.
How long does a kitchen remodel take in Maryland?
A minor refresh takes 2–3 weeks. A mid-range remodel typically takes 4–8 weeks of construction once permits are in hand and materials are ordered. A full custom renovation can take 10–16 weeks. Add 2–4 weeks for permit approval before construction begins, and factor in material lead times — custom cabinets often have 6–10 week lead times.
What's the most cost-effective kitchen upgrade?
Cabinet refacing or replacing cabinet doors and hardware while keeping existing box frames is the most cost-effective way to significantly change your kitchen's appearance. Paired with new countertops, it delivers most of the visual impact of a full remodel at roughly half the cost. We offer dedicated refacing service in Howard County — typical projects run $9,000–$18,000 for a standard builder kitchen.
Do I need a permit for a kitchen remodel in Anne Arundel or Howard County?
If your remodel involves electrical work, plumbing changes, or structural modifications, yes — you need a permit. Cosmetic-only updates (new cabinet doors, countertops, backsplash, paint) typically don't require permits. We handle all permitting as part of every project.
Should I remodel my kitchen before selling my home in Maryland?
It depends on the current condition and your market. In Anne Arundel and Howard Counties, an obviously outdated kitchen can affect buyer perception and sale price. A targeted refresh — new countertops, paint, hardware, fixtures — often delivers better ROI than a full remodel before selling.
What kitchen layout changes add the most value?
Opening the kitchen to an adjacent dining or living area is the layout change that delivers the most value in Maryland's current market. Open-concept kitchens are strongly preferred by buyers. Adding an island where space allows is the second most impactful layout change.
Get a Personalized Kitchen Remodel Estimate
Every kitchen is different. The cost depends on your layout, the condition behind the walls, the cabinet tier you choose, and how far you take the scope.
- Get a rough range in 60 seconds with my free kitchen estimate calculator.
- For a detailed line-item quote, schedule a free in-home consultation or call me at 443-856-5379. I come out personally, measure the space, and write the estimate myself.
PRG Home Improvement LLC is licensed, bonded, and insured — MHIC #113057, based in Gambrills. I serve homeowners across Anne Arundel and Howard Counties for kitchen remodeling, including Gambrills, Crofton, Odenton, Annapolis, Columbia, Ellicott City, and surrounding areas.