Kitchen remodel cost in Fort Smith, AR
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (120 sq ft)
- $16,500 – $28,100
- Per sq ft
- $134 – $224
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −11%
- US $25,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #297
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a kitchen remodel in the Fort Smith area: $16,500 to $28,100 for 120 sq ft. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint runs 11% lower than the US figure. Carpenters earn a median of $20.39 an hour in the Fort Smith area, 30% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 120 sq ft in Fort Smith, AR, standard level
$20,000 to $24,700
About $161 to $197 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 16% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,000 | $19,600 |
| Labor | $3,300 | $4,050 |
| Permits and fees | $690 | $1,050 |
| Total | $20,000 | $24,700 |
Cost breakdown for 120 sq ft in Fort Smith, AR
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,400 | $17,800 | $22,300 | 80% |
| Labor | $2,750 | $3,700 | $4,600 | 16% |
| Permits and fees | $430 | $860 | $1,300 | 4% |
| Total | $16,500 | $22,300 | $28,100 | 100% |
Why Fort Smith prices look the way they do
Labor is 16% of the midpoint bill here, against 20% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is carpenters (45%), electricians (15%), plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (15%), tile and stone setters (10%), drywall and ceiling tile installers (10%), painters, construction and maintenance (5%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Fort Smith the blended ratio comes out at 0.74.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Fort Smith is at 93.6 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $19,000 nationally becomes $17,800 here (midpoint, 120 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 85.9: $430 to $1,300.
Data note: 20% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Fort Smith. The wage table below marks each row.
Planning more than one job in Fort Smith?
Jobs that often go together with kitchen remodel are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Fort Smith wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, window replacement comes out highest (−11%) and home addition lowest (−20%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $3,650 – $11,400 | −18% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $3,900 – $19,400 | −17% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $3,950 – $13,400 | −11% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $30,300 – $61,500 | −20% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $710 – $2,300 | −19% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $250 – $1,250 | −16% |
Who does the work: Fort Smith trade wages
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 6 trades. We compare each trade's local median with the US median, weight the ratios by how much of the job each trade does, and apply the blend to the national labor cost. For Fort Smith the blend is 0.74.
Carpenters (47-2031), 45% of the weighting: a median of $20.39 an hour, 30% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $17.84 and $23.62 an hour. About 240 work in the metro. That is 25.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For electricians (47-2111, weighted 15%) the local median is $25.24 an hour, which is 17% below the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $19.09 and $31.02 an hour. BLS counts 370 of them working in the area, 38.7 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 48.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152), 15% of the weighting: a median of $23.24 an hour, 24% below the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $18.23 and $28.84 an hour. About 250 work in the metro. That is 26.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.0 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
Tile and stone setters (47-2044) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Fort Smith metro, so we used the Arkansas statewide median: $18.74 an hour against $26.77 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $17.62 and $21.63 an hour.
Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Fort Smith metro, so we used the Arkansas statewide median: $21.42 an hour against $28.33 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $17.82 and $22.65 an hour.
Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141), 5% of the weighting: a median of $18.98 an hour, 20% below the US median of $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $17.01 and $21.63 an hour. About 50 work in the metro. That is 5.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 14.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $250 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $200. That is a swing of roughly 0.9% to 1.1% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Fort Smith has 95,560 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 210th by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $17.84 | $20.39 | $23.62 | $29.12 | 0.70 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 15% | $19.09 | $25.24 | $31.02 | $30.38 | 0.83 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 15% | $18.23 | $23.24 | $28.84 | $30.67 | 0.76 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 10% | $17.62 | $18.74 | $21.63 | $26.77 | 0.70 | state |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $17.82 | $21.42 | $22.65 | $28.33 | 0.76 | state |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 5% | $17.01 | $18.98 | $21.63 | $23.75 | 0.80 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.74 | |||||
Why two Fort Smith quotes can differ
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.
Scope
A full kitchen update is $15,000-$50,000, a large remodel $50,000-$70,000+, and a partial refresh $60-$150 per square foot (HomeGuide).
How Fort Smith compares
Same job, same size (120 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Joplin is the priciest of the group at $23,400.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Smith, ARthis page | $16,500 – $28,100 | $22,300 | |
| Fayetteville, AR50 miles | $16,800 – $28,600 | $22,700 | +1% |
| Tulsa, OK110 miles | $16,900 – $28,800 | $22,900 | +2% |
| Joplin, MO115 miles | $17,400 – $29,500 | $23,400 | +5% |
| Little Rock, AR125 miles | $16,700 – $28,400 | $22,500 | +1% |
| Texarkana, TX135 miles | $16,700 – $28,400 | $22,600 | +1% |
| Arkansas (statewide) | $16,700 – $28,400 | $22,500 | +1% |
| United States | $18,500 – $31,500 | $25,000 | +12% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Fort Smith ranks #297 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Fort Smith is 1% below the Arkansas figure.
Elsewhere in Arkansas
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Rock, AR | 358,210 jobs | $16,700 – $28,400 | $22,500 | +1% |
| Fayetteville, AR | 275,180 jobs | $16,800 – $28,600 | $22,700 | +1% |
| Jonesboro, AR | 60,620 jobs | $16,500 – $28,100 | $22,300 | level |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Fort Smith against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athens, GA | 95,800 jobs | $17,200 – $29,300 | $23,300 | +4% |
| Macon, GA | 95,030 jobs | $17,100 – $29,100 | $23,100 | +3% |
| Yakima, WA | 97,010 jobs | $19,500 – $33,200 | $26,300 | +18% |
| Barnstable, MA | 94,110 jobs | $18,800 – $32,000 | $25,400 | +14% |
Pick a size, pick a tier: kitchen remodel pricing in Fort Smith
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Fort Smith. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from small kitchen (100 sq ft) to large kitchen (300 sq ft).
Basic
$16,500 to $21,200
Update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout
Standard
$20,000 to $24,700
Full remodel, mid-range finishes, some layout changes
Premium
$23,500 to $28,100
Large or custom remodel, high-end finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small kitchen (100 sq ft) | $13,900 – $17,800 | $16,800 – $20,700 | $19,700 – $23,700 |
| 10x12 kitchen (120 sq ft) | $16,500 – $21,200 | $20,000 – $24,700 | $23,500 – $28,100 |
| average kitchen (200 sq ft) | $27,300 – $34,800 | $32,900 – $40,400 | $38,500 – $46,000 |
| large kitchen (300 sq ft) | $40,700 – $51,800 | $49,000 – $60,100 | $57,300 – $68,400 |
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Kitchen remodel in Fort Smith: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a kitchen in Fort Smith?
For 120 sq ft, expect $16,500 to $28,100 in the Fort Smith area. A standard-spec job lands at $20,000 to $24,700. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for kitchen remodel in Fort Smith?
About $134 to $224 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $430 to $1,300 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $150 to $250.
+Is kitchen remodel cheaper in Fort Smith or Fayetteville?
Fayetteville is 50 miles away. The midpoint for 120 sq ft there is $22,700, which is 1% more than Fort Smith ($22,300). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Fort Smith?
About 16% at the midpoint, or $3,700 out of $22,300. Materials are 80% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 20%.
+What would average kitchen (200 sq ft) cost in Fort Smith?
$27,300 to $46,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen remodel need a permit in Fort Smith?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $430 to $1,300 for fees in the Fort Smith area (our national range of $500 to $1,500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Fort Smith expensive for kitchen remodel compared with the rest of Arkansas?
Fort Smith is 1% below the Arkansas statewide estimate ($22,500 at the midpoint). We cover 4 metros in Arkansas; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Fort Smith?
The BLS median is $20.39 an hour in the Fort Smith area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $17.84 to $23.62.
+What do basic and premium kitchen remodel work cost in Fort Smith?
For 120 sq ft, basic work runs $16,500 to $21,200 and premium work $23,500 to $28,100. Basic means: update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout. Premium means: large or custom remodel, high-end finishes.
Kitchen remodel near Fort Smith
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.