Kitchen remodel cost in Denver, CO
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (120 sq ft)
- $18,900 – $32,100
- Per sq ft
- $153 – $255
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +2%
- US $25,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #51
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a kitchen remodel in the Denver area: $18,900 to $32,100 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 lands close to the US figure. Carpenters earn a median of $31.21 an hour in the Denver area, 7% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 120 sq ft in Denver, CO, standard level
$22,900 to $28,200
About $183 to $224 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 21% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $17,300 | $21,100 |
| Labor | $4,700 | $5,750 |
| Permits and fees | $850 | $1,250 |
| Total | $22,900 | $28,200 |
Cost breakdown for 120 sq ft in Denver, CO
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $14,400 | $19,200 | $24,000 | 75% |
| Labor | $3,950 | $5,250 | $6,550 | 21% |
| Permits and fees | $530 | $1,050 | $1,600 | 4% |
| Total | $18,900 | $25,500 | $32,100 | 100% |
What is behind the Denver number
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 45% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $31.21 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Denver is 1.05 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 21% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Denver is at 101.0 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $19,000 nationally becomes $19,200 here (midpoint, 120 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 105.8: $530 to $1,600.
Data note: 10% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Denver. The wage table below marks each row.
Who does the work: Denver 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 Denver the blend is 1.05.
Carpenters (47-2031), 45% of the weighting: a median of $31.21 an hour, 7% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $27.70 and $36.14 an hour. About 7,250 work in the metro. That is 45.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For electricians (47-2111, weighted 15%) the local median is $30.36 an hour, which is in line with the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $23.52 and $38.28 an hour. BLS counts 10,450 of them working in the area, 64.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 48.7), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152), 15% of the weighting: a median of $30.72 an hour, in line with the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $28.81 and $39.11 an hour. About 5,750 work in the metro. That is 35.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.0 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Tile and stone setters (47-2044) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Denver metro, so we used the Colorado statewide median: $27.74 an hour against $26.77 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $17.40 and $34.59 an hour.
For drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081, weighted 10%) the local median is $30.89 an hour, which is 9% above the national $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $24.44 and $33.81 an hour. BLS counts 1,110 of them working in the area, 6.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 5.3), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141), 5% of the weighting: a median of $27.92 an hour, 18% above the US median of $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $23.59 and $28.87 an hour. About 1,670 work in the metro. That is 10.4 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 $380 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $270. That is a swing of roughly 1.1% to 1.5% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Denver-Aurora-Centennial has 1,609,350 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 17th 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% | $27.70 | $31.21 | $36.14 | $29.12 | 1.07 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 15% | $23.52 | $30.36 | $38.28 | $30.38 | 1.00 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 15% | $28.81 | $30.72 | $39.11 | $30.67 | 1.00 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 10% | $17.40 | $27.74 | $34.59 | $26.77 | 1.04 | state |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $24.44 | $30.89 | $33.81 | $28.33 | 1.09 | metro |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 5% | $23.59 | $27.92 | $28.87 | $23.75 | 1.18 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.05 | |||||
Cost by quality level and size in Denver
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Denver. 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
$18,900 to $24,200
Update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout
Standard
$22,900 to $28,200
Full remodel, mid-range finishes, some layout changes
Premium
$26,800 to $32,100
Large or custom remodel, high-end finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small kitchen (100 sq ft) | $15,800 – $20,300 | $19,200 – $23,700 | $22,600 – $27,100 |
| 10x12 kitchen (120 sq ft) | $18,900 – $24,200 | $22,900 – $28,200 | $26,800 – $32,100 |
| average kitchen (200 sq ft) | $31,100 – $39,700 | $37,500 – $46,100 | $44,000 – $52,500 |
| large kitchen (300 sq ft) | $46,400 – $59,000 | $55,900 – $68,500 | $65,300 – $78,000 |
How Denver compares
Same job, same size (120 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Denver is the priciest of the group. Colorado Springs is the cheapest at $24,000.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver, COthis page | $18,900 – $32,100 | $25,500 | |
| Colorado Springs, CO45 miles | $17,800 – $30,300 | $24,000 | −6% |
| Boulder, CO55 miles | $18,000 – $30,700 | $24,400 | −5% |
| Greeley, CO80 miles | $17,800 – $30,400 | $24,100 | −5% |
| Fort Collins, CO90 miles | $17,900 – $30,400 | $24,200 | −5% |
| Pueblo, CO90 miles | $17,800 – $30,200 | $24,000 | −6% |
| Colorado (statewide) | $18,400 – $31,400 | $24,900 | −2% |
| United States | $18,500 – $31,500 | $25,000 | −2% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Denver ranks #51 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Denver is 2% above the Colorado figure.
Elsewhere in Colorado
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Springs, CO | 316,060 jobs | $17,800 – $30,300 | $24,000 | −6% |
| Boulder, CO | 192,390 jobs | $18,000 – $30,700 | $24,400 | −5% |
| Fort Collins, CO | 169,430 jobs | $17,900 – $30,400 | $24,200 | −5% |
| Greeley, CO | 119,540 jobs | $17,800 – $30,400 | $24,100 | −5% |
| Grand Junction, CO | 67,170 jobs | $17,800 – $30,300 | $24,100 | −6% |
| Pueblo, CO | 61,780 jobs | $17,800 – $30,200 | $24,000 | −6% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Denver against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $19,100 – $32,600 | $25,800 | +1% |
| San Diego, CA | 1,538,060 jobs | $20,400 – $34,700 | $27,600 | +8% |
| Detroit, MI | 1,904,530 jobs | $18,800 – $32,000 | $25,400 | level |
| Tampa, FL | 1,447,120 jobs | $17,300 – $29,600 | $23,500 | −8% |
What nearby projects cost in Denver
Jobs that often go together with kitchen remodel are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Denver wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, home addition comes out highest (+4%) and shower pan lowest (+2%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,350 – $14,600 | +4% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,850 – $24,100 | +3% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,700 – $15,500 | +3% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $39,500 – $80,100 | +4% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $950 – $2,850 | +2% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $310 – $1,550 | +2% |
Specs and site conditions that change a Denver bid
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).
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.
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Kitchen remodel in Denver: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a kitchen in Denver?
For 120 sq ft, expect $18,900 to $32,100 in the Denver area. A standard-spec job lands at $22,900 to $28,200. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for kitchen remodel in Denver?
About $153 to $255 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $530 to $1,600 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $150 to $250.
+Is kitchen remodel cheaper in Denver or Colorado Springs?
Colorado Springs is 45 miles away. The midpoint for 120 sq ft there is $24,000, which is 6% less than Denver ($25,500). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Denver?
About 21% at the midpoint, or $5,250 out of $25,500. Materials are 75% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 20%.
+What would average kitchen (200 sq ft) cost in Denver?
$31,100 to $52,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen remodel need a permit in Denver?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $530 to $1,600 for fees in the Denver area (our national range of $500 to $1,500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Denver expensive for kitchen remodel compared with the rest of Colorado?
Denver is 2% above the Colorado statewide estimate ($24,900 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Colorado; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Denver?
The BLS median is $31.21 an hour in the Denver area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $27.70 to $36.14.
+What do basic and premium kitchen remodel work cost in Denver?
For 120 sq ft, basic work runs $18,900 to $24,200 and premium work $26,800 to $32,100. Basic means: update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout. Premium means: large or custom remodel, high-end finishes.
Kitchen remodel near Denver
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.