Kitchen remodel cost in Birmingham, AL
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (120 sq ft)
- $17,400 – $29,600
- Per sq ft
- $141 – $236
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −6%
- US $25,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #196
- 1 = most expensive
Birmingham homeowners pay roughly $17,400 to $29,600 to remodel a kitchen at 120 sq ft, or $141 to $236 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Birmingham is 6% lower. Carpenters earn a median of $24.23 an hour in the Birmingham area, 17% below the US median of $29.12.
Estimate your kitchen remodel cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 120 sq ft in Birmingham, AL, standard level
$21,100 to $26,000
About $170 to $207 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 18% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,500 | $20,200 |
| Labor | $3,850 | $4,700 |
| Permits and fees | $730 | $1,100 |
| Total | $21,100 | $26,000 |
Cost breakdown for 120 sq ft in Birmingham, AL
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,800 | $18,300 | $22,900 | 78% |
| Labor | $3,200 | $4,300 | $5,350 | 18% |
| Permits and fees | $460 | $920 | $1,350 | 4% |
| Total | $17,400 | $23,500 | $29,600 | 100% |
Why Birmingham prices look the way they do
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 6 trades: carpenters at 45%, electricians at 15%, plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters at 15%, tile and stone setters at 10%, drywall and ceiling tile installers at 10%, painters, construction and maintenance at 5%. Weighted together, Birmingham wages are 0.86 times the national level. Labor makes up about 18% of the midpoint estimate (20% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Birmingham metro is 96.4 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 120 sq ft comes to $18,300, compared with $19,000 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (91.6) and land at $460 to $1,350.
Planning more than one job in Birmingham?
Because every project leans on different trades, Birmingham's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, window replacement runs −7% and home addition −11%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $3,950 – $12,600 | −10% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,300 – $21,200 | −9% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,100 – $13,900 | −7% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $33,700 – $68,200 | −11% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $830 – $2,550 | −9% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $270 – $1,350 | −10% |
How Birmingham compares
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 120 sq ft range from $23,200 to $23,600 across Birmingham and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, ALthis page | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | |
| Tuscaloosa, AL60 miles | $17,400 – $29,500 | $23,400 | level |
| Decatur, AL75 miles | $17,500 – $29,700 | $23,600 | level |
| Montgomery, AL80 miles | $17,200 – $29,300 | $23,300 | −1% |
| Huntsville, AL90 miles | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | level |
| Auburn, AL100 miles | $17,200 – $29,200 | $23,200 | −1% |
| Alabama (statewide) | $17,300 – $29,400 | $23,400 | −1% |
| United States | $18,500 – $31,500 | $25,000 | +6% |
Across 300 US metros, Birmingham comes in at #196 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $30,000; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $22,100 (midpoints, 120 sq ft). Statewide, Birmingham is 1% above the Alabama figure.
Other Alabama metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huntsville, AL | 266,650 jobs | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | level |
| Mobile, AL | 172,550 jobs | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | level |
| Montgomery, AL | 165,550 jobs | $17,200 – $29,300 | $23,300 | −1% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | 108,460 jobs | $17,400 – $29,500 | $23,400 | level |
| Daphne, AL | 87,120 jobs | $17,200 – $29,400 | $23,300 | −1% |
| Auburn, AL | 72,710 jobs | $17,200 – $29,200 | $23,200 | −1% |
Cities with a workforce like Birmingham's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Birmingham against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo, NY | 534,550 jobs | $18,800 – $31,900 | $25,300 | +8% |
| Omaha, NE | 498,100 jobs | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | level |
| Grand Rapids, MI | 598,260 jobs | $17,600 – $30,000 | $23,800 | +1% |
| Rochester, NY | 494,280 jobs | $18,700 – $31,700 | $25,200 | +7% |
Kitchen remodel: what moves the price in Birmingham
Cabinets
In a 10x10 kitchen, cabinets alone are $3,000-$11,000 for stock or semi-custom and up to $26,500 for fully custom.
Counters
New countertops are $50-$150 per square foot installed; HomeGuide gives $1,500-$6,000 for an average kitchen.
Structure
Moving or removing walls can need a structural engineer at $1,900-$3,700+.
Local wages behind the labor line
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 6 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Birmingham is 0.86 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 45%) the local median is $24.23 an hour, which is 17% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $22.00 and $28.95 an hour. BLS counts 1,660 of them working in the area, 31.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Electricians (47-2111), 15% of the weighting: a median of $27.23 an hour, 10% below the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $22.84 and $30.69 an hour. About 2,780 work in the metro. That is 53.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 48.7 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 15%) the local median is $28.89 an hour, which is 6% below the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $23.67 and $30.98 an hour. BLS counts 1,840 of them working in the area, 35.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is deeper than average.
For tile and stone setters (47-2044, weighted 10%) the local median is $21.82 an hour, which is 18% below the national $26.77. The middle half of them earn between $17.94 and $23.89 an hour. BLS counts 70 of them working in the area, 1.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 2.3), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081), 10% of the weighting: a median of $23.44 an hour, 17% below the US median of $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $22.20 and $24.75 an hour. About 270 work in the metro. That is 5.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 5.3 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141, weighted 5%) the local median is $21.42 an hour, which is 10% below the national $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $18.25 and $24.98 an hour. BLS counts 380 of them working in the area, 7.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 14.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($28.95 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $360. At the 25th percentile ($22.00) it shrinks by about $170. The total moves by 1.5% or 0.7%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 520,290 jobs in the Birmingham area. That makes it the 50th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.33% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $22.00 | $24.23 | $28.95 | $29.12 | 0.83 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 15% | $22.84 | $27.23 | $30.69 | $30.38 | 0.90 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 15% | $23.67 | $28.89 | $30.98 | $30.67 | 0.94 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 10% | $17.94 | $21.82 | $23.89 | $26.77 | 0.82 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $22.20 | $23.44 | $24.75 | $28.33 | 0.83 | metro |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 5% | $18.25 | $21.42 | $24.98 | $23.75 | 0.90 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.86 | |||||
Cost by quality level and size in Birmingham
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Birmingham wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below prices the same bands at 4 common sizes.
Basic
$17,400 to $22,300
Update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout
Standard
$21,100 to $26,000
Full remodel, mid-range finishes, some layout changes
Premium
$24,800 to $29,600
Large or custom remodel, high-end finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small kitchen (100 sq ft) | $14,600 – $18,700 | $17,700 – $21,800 | $20,800 – $24,900 |
| 10x12 kitchen (120 sq ft) | $17,400 – $22,300 | $21,100 – $26,000 | $24,800 – $29,600 |
| average kitchen (200 sq ft) | $28,700 – $36,600 | $34,700 – $42,600 | $40,600 – $48,500 |
| large kitchen (300 sq ft) | $42,900 – $54,500 | $51,600 – $63,300 | $60,400 – $72,000 |
Get 3 local quotes
Tell us about the job and we will try to connect you with up to three local contractors for written quotes. It is free and you are under no obligation to hire. Your estimate of $21,100 to $26,000 for Birmingham, AL is attached.
Take this estimate with you: PDF report, $9
Multi-page report for Birmingham, AL: low, typical and high cost, a line-item breakdown of materials and labor by trade, permit notes, the best months to schedule, a quote comparison sheet, red flags, questions for contractors, checklists and every source. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Kitchen remodel in Birmingham: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a kitchen in Birmingham?
For 120 sq ft, expect $17,400 to $29,600 in the Birmingham area. A standard-spec job lands at $21,100 to $26,000. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for kitchen remodel in Birmingham?
About $141 to $236 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $460 to $1,350 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $150 to $250.
+Is kitchen remodel cheaper in Birmingham or Tuscaloosa?
Tuscaloosa is 60 miles away. The midpoint for 120 sq ft there is $23,400, which is 0% less than Birmingham ($23,500). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Birmingham?
About 18% at the midpoint, or $4,300 out of $23,500. Materials are 78% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 20%.
+What would average kitchen (200 sq ft) cost in Birmingham?
$28,700 to $48,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen remodel need a permit in Birmingham?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $460 to $1,350 for fees in the Birmingham area (our national range of $500 to $1,500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Birmingham expensive for kitchen remodel compared with the rest of Alabama?
Birmingham is 1% above the Alabama statewide estimate ($23,400 at the midpoint). We cover 9 metros in Alabama; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Birmingham?
The BLS median is $24.23 an hour in the Birmingham area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.00 to $28.95.
+What do basic and premium kitchen remodel work cost in Birmingham?
For 120 sq ft, basic work runs $17,400 to $22,300 and premium work $24,800 to $29,600. Basic means: update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout. Premium means: large or custom remodel, high-end finishes.
Kitchen remodel near Birmingham
Where these numbers come from
Base prices are national ranges from the sources below. We scale labor by local BLS wages, materials by BEA goods prices and permits by the BEA all-items price level. Full method on the methodology page.
- HomeGuide: How Much Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- Cost to Renovate: Renovation Labor Report 2026: Where the Money Goes (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
Note on derived figures: Materials = 70% of the low installed price and 85% of the high one, from HomeGuide's statement that professional labor is 15-30% of a kitchen remodeling budget. Cost to Renovate's mid-range kitchen split (45% labor, 50% materials) sits inside that band.