Kitchen remodel cost in Decatur, AL
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (120 sq ft)
- $17,500 – $29,700
- Per sq ft
- $142 – $237
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −6%
- US $25,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #187
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to remodel a kitchen in Decatur, plan on $17,500 to $29,700 for 120 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $142 to $237 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 6% lower than the national one. Building materials run about 4% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 96.4).
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Estimated cost for 120 sq ft in Decatur, AL, standard level
$21,100 to $26,000
About $170 to $208 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 19% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,500 | $20,200 |
| Labor | $3,950 | $4,800 |
| Permits and fees | $700 | $1,050 |
| Total | $21,100 | $26,000 |
Cost breakdown for 120 sq ft in Decatur, AL
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,800 | $18,300 | $22,900 | 78% |
| Labor | $3,300 | $4,350 | $5,450 | 19% |
| Permits and fees | $440 | $870 | $1,300 | 4% |
| Total | $17,500 | $23,600 | $29,700 | 100% |
Why Decatur prices look the way they do
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 45% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $24.50 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Decatur is 0.88 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 19% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Decatur 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 (87.2) and land at $440 to $1,300.
Data note: 25% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Decatur. The wage table below marks each row.
Pick a size, pick a tier: kitchen remodel pricing in Decatur
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Decatur 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
$17,500 to $22,400
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 $29,700
Large or custom remodel, high-end finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small kitchen (100 sq ft) | $14,600 – $18,800 | $17,700 – $21,900 | $20,800 – $25,000 |
| 10x12 kitchen (120 sq ft) | $17,500 – $22,400 | $21,100 – $26,000 | $24,800 – $29,700 |
| average kitchen (200 sq ft) | $28,800 – $36,700 | $34,800 – $42,700 | $40,700 – $48,600 |
| large kitchen (300 sq ft) | $43,000 – $54,700 | $51,800 – $63,500 | $60,600 – $72,300 |
Planning more than one job in Decatur?
Because every project leans on different trades, Decatur'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 | −9% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,300 – $21,300 | −9% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,150 – $14,000 | −7% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $34,000 – $68,800 | −11% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $820 – $2,550 | −10% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $270 – $1,350 | −10% |
Decatur labor market for kitchen remodel
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 Decatur is 0.88 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 45%) the local median is $24.50 an hour, which is 16% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $21.75 and $28.48 an hour. BLS counts 190 of them working in the area, 31.0 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 $30.74 an hour, in line with the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $24.38 and $50.66 an hour. About 480 work in the metro. That is 78.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 48.7 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 15%) the local median is $28.81 an hour, which is 6% below the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $23.04 and $35.82 an hour. BLS counts 210 of them working in the area, 34.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is about average.
Tile and stone setters (47-2044) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Decatur metro, so we used the Alabama statewide median: $21.54 an hour against $26.77 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $17.91 and $22.86 an hour.
Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Decatur metro, so we used the Alabama statewide median: $23.08 an hour against $28.33 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $20.04 and $24.75 an hour.
Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) carry 5% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Decatur metro, so we used the Alabama statewide median: $21.12 an hour against $23.75 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $18.00 and $24.24 an hour.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($28.48 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $310. At the 25th percentile ($21.75) it shrinks by about $210. The total moves by 1.3% or 0.9%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 61,240 jobs in the Decatur area. That makes it the 283rd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.04% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $21.75 | $24.50 | $28.48 | $29.12 | 0.84 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 15% | $24.38 | $30.74 | $50.66 | $30.38 | 1.01 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 15% | $23.04 | $28.81 | $35.82 | $30.67 | 0.94 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 10% | $17.91 | $21.54 | $22.86 | $26.77 | 0.80 | state |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $20.04 | $23.08 | $24.75 | $28.33 | 0.81 | state |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 5% | $18.00 | $21.12 | $24.24 | $23.75 | 0.89 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 0.88 | |||||
How Decatur 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 $23,400 to $23,800 across Decatur and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decatur, ALthis page | $17,500 – $29,700 | $23,600 | |
| Huntsville, AL30 miles | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | level |
| Birmingham, AL75 miles | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | level |
| Tuscaloosa, AL105 miles | $17,400 – $29,500 | $23,400 | −1% |
| Chattanooga, TN105 miles | $17,400 – $29,700 | $23,500 | level |
| Nashville, TN115 miles | $17,600 – $30,000 | $23,800 | +1% |
| Alabama (statewide) | $17,300 – $29,400 | $23,400 | −1% |
| United States | $18,500 – $31,500 | $25,000 | +6% |
Across 300 US metros, Decatur comes in at #187 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $30,000; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $22,100 (midpoints, 120 sq ft). Statewide, Decatur is 1% above the Alabama figure.
Other Alabama metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | 520,290 jobs | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | level |
| 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 | −1% |
| Daphne, AL | 87,120 jobs | $17,200 – $29,400 | $23,300 | −1% |
Cities with a workforce like Decatur's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Decatur against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe, NM | 61,770 jobs | $17,600 – $30,000 | $23,800 | +1% |
| Dothan, AL | 60,720 jobs | $17,000 – $28,900 | $22,900 | −3% |
| Pueblo, CO | 61,780 jobs | $17,800 – $30,200 | $24,000 | +2% |
| Sheboygan, WI | 60,630 jobs | $18,100 – $30,800 | $24,400 | +4% |
Why two Decatur quotes can differ
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+.
Permit
Kitchen remodel permits are $500-$1,500 and are usually based on project value.
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 Decatur, AL is attached.
Detailed kitchen remodel report for Decatur, AL, $9
Multi-page report for Decatur, 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 Decatur: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a kitchen in Decatur?
For 120 sq ft, expect $17,500 to $29,700 in the Decatur 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 Decatur?
About $142 to $237 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $440 to $1,300 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $150 to $250.
+Is kitchen remodel cheaper in Decatur or Huntsville?
Huntsville is 30 miles away. The midpoint for 120 sq ft there is $23,500, which is 0% less than Decatur ($23,600). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Decatur?
About 19% at the midpoint, or $4,350 out of $23,600. Materials are 78% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 20%.
+What would average kitchen (200 sq ft) cost in Decatur?
$28,800 to $48,600. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen remodel need a permit in Decatur?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $440 to $1,300 for fees in the Decatur area (our national range of $500 to $1,500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Decatur expensive for kitchen remodel compared with the rest of Alabama?
Decatur 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 Decatur?
The BLS median is $24.50 an hour in the Decatur area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.75 to $28.48.
+What do basic and premium kitchen remodel work cost in Decatur?
For 120 sq ft, basic work runs $17,500 to $22,400 and premium work $24,800 to $29,700. Basic means: update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout. Premium means: large or custom remodel, high-end finishes.
Kitchen remodel near Decatur
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.