Kitchen remodel cost in Washington, DC
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (120 sq ft)
- $19,400 – $33,000
- Per sq ft
- $157 – $262
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +5%
- US $25,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #43
- 1 = most expensive
Washington homeowners pay roughly $19,400 to $33,000 to remodel a kitchen at 120 sq ft, or $157 to $262 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Washington is 5% higher. Building materials run about 5% above the US average here (BEA goods price index 104.8).
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Estimated cost for 120 sq ft in Washington, DC, standard level
$23,500 to $28,900
About $188 to $230 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 20% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $17,900 | $21,900 |
| Labor | $4,650 | $5,700 |
| Permits and fees | $870 | $1,300 |
| Total | $23,500 | $28,900 |
Cost breakdown for 120 sq ft in Washington, DC
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $15,000 | $19,900 | $24,900 | 76% |
| Labor | $3,900 | $5,200 | $6,500 | 20% |
| Permits and fees | $540 | $1,100 | $1,650 | 4% |
| Total | $19,400 | $26,200 | $33,000 | 100% |
Where the Washington price comes from
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, Washington wages are 1.04 times the national level. Labor makes up about 20% of the midpoint estimate (20% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Washington metro is 104.8 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 120 sq ft comes to $19,900, compared with $19,000 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (108.9) and land at $540 to $1,650.
Why two Washington quotes can differ
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.
How Washington compares
Of the five closest metros, all are cheaper than Washington. Winchester is the lowest at about $23,700 (midpoint, 120 sq ft), 60 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington, DCthis page | $19,400 – $33,000 | $26,200 | |
| Hagerstown, MD55 miles | $17,600 – $30,000 | $23,800 | −9% |
| Baltimore, MD60 miles | $18,800 – $32,000 | $25,400 | −3% |
| Winchester, VA60 miles | $17,500 – $29,900 | $23,700 | −10% |
| Lexington Park, MD65 miles | $18,400 – $31,300 | $24,800 | −5% |
| Chambersburg, PA75 miles | $18,300 – $31,200 | $24,800 | −6% |
| District of Columbia (statewide) | $20,000 – $34,100 | $27,100 | +3% |
| United States | $18,500 – $31,500 | $25,000 | −5% |
Across 300 US metros, Washington comes in at #43 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $30,000; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $22,100 (midpoints, 120 sq ft). Statewide, Washington is 3% below the District of Columbia figure.
Washington is the only District of Columbia metro we cover, so the statewide page is the only in-state comparison. It uses statewide wages, which include rural areas.
Cities with a workforce like Washington's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Washington against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston, TX | 3,289,720 jobs | $18,100 – $30,800 | $24,400 | −7% |
| Philadelphia, PA | 2,897,830 jobs | $18,400 – $31,400 | $24,900 | −5% |
| Dallas, TX | 4,049,800 jobs | $18,400 – $31,400 | $24,900 | −5% |
| Atlanta, GA | 2,889,670 jobs | $18,200 – $30,900 | $24,500 | −6% |
Cost by quality level and size in Washington
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Washington 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
$19,400 to $24,800
Update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout
Standard
$23,500 to $28,900
Full remodel, mid-range finishes, some layout changes
Premium
$27,600 to $33,000
Large or custom remodel, high-end finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small kitchen (100 sq ft) | $16,200 – $20,900 | $19,700 – $24,300 | $23,200 – $27,800 |
| 10x12 kitchen (120 sq ft) | $19,400 – $24,800 | $23,500 – $28,900 | $27,600 – $33,000 |
| average kitchen (200 sq ft) | $31,900 – $40,800 | $38,600 – $47,400 | $45,200 – $54,000 |
| large kitchen (300 sq ft) | $47,700 – $60,700 | $57,400 – $70,400 | $67,100 – $80,100 |
Related projects, priced for Washington
Because every project leans on different trades, Washington's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, window replacement runs +5% and kitchen backsplash −2%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,450 – $14,600 | +5% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,900 – $24,200 | +4% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,750 – $15,800 | +5% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $39,700 – $80,500 | +5% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $940 – $2,900 | +3% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $290 – $1,500 | −2% |
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 Washington is 1.04 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 45%) the local median is $29.23 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $26.62 and $35.56 an hour. BLS counts 13,280 of them working in the area, 42.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is about average.
Electricians (47-2111), 15% of the weighting: a median of $36.50 an hour, 20% above the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $28.40 and $49.65 an hour. About 16,580 work in the metro. That is 52.9 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 $34.55 an hour, which is 13% above the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $26.82 and $45.22 an hour. BLS counts 9,420 of them working in the area, 30.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is about average.
For tile and stone setters (47-2044, weighted 10%) the local median is $23.65 an hour, which is 12% below the national $26.77. The middle half of them earn between $19.22 and $31.25 an hour. BLS counts 450 of them working in the area, 1.4 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 $28.40 an hour, in line with the US median of $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $24.59 and $30.77 an hour. About 2,210 work in the metro. That is 7.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 5.3 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141, weighted 5%) the local median is $24.31 an hour, which is in line with the national $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $22.85 and $28.43 an hour. BLS counts 4,380 of them working in the area, 14.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 14.5), so the local bench is about average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($35.56 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $490. At the 25th percentile ($26.62) it shrinks by about $200. The total moves by 1.9% or 0.8%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 3,136,190 jobs in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria area. That makes it the 6th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 2.02% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $26.62 | $29.23 | $35.56 | $29.12 | 1.00 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 15% | $28.40 | $36.50 | $49.65 | $30.38 | 1.20 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 15% | $26.82 | $34.55 | $45.22 | $30.67 | 1.13 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 10% | $19.22 | $23.65 | $31.25 | $26.77 | 0.88 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $24.59 | $28.40 | $30.77 | $28.33 | 1.00 | metro |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 5% | $22.85 | $24.31 | $28.43 | $23.75 | 1.02 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.04 | |||||
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Kitchen remodel in Washington: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a kitchen in Washington?
For 120 sq ft, expect $19,400 to $33,000 in the Washington area. A standard-spec job lands at $23,500 to $28,900. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for kitchen remodel in Washington?
About $157 to $262 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $540 to $1,650 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $150 to $250.
+Is kitchen remodel cheaper in Washington or Hagerstown?
Hagerstown is 55 miles away. The midpoint for 120 sq ft there is $23,800, which is 9% less than Washington ($26,200). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Washington?
About 20% at the midpoint, or $5,200 out of $26,200. Materials are 76% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 20%.
+What would average kitchen (200 sq ft) cost in Washington?
$31,900 to $54,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen remodel need a permit in Washington?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $540 to $1,650 for fees in the Washington area (our national range of $500 to $1,500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Washington expensive for kitchen remodel compared with the rest of District of Columbia?
Washington is 3% below the District of Columbia statewide estimate ($27,100 at the midpoint).
+What do carpenters earn in Washington?
The BLS median is $29.23 an hour in the Washington area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $26.62 to $35.56.
+What do basic and premium kitchen remodel work cost in Washington?
For 120 sq ft, basic work runs $19,400 to $24,800 and premium work $27,600 to $33,000. Basic means: update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout. Premium means: large or custom remodel, high-end finishes.
Kitchen remodel near Washington
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.