Kitchen remodel cost in South Bend, IN
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (120 sq ft)
- $17,800 – $30,200
- Per sq ft
- $144 – $240
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −4%
- US $25,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #137
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a kitchen remodel in the South Bend area: $17,800 to $30,200 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 4% lower than the US figure. Building materials run about 6% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 94.2).
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Estimated cost for 120 sq ft in South Bend, IN, standard level
$21,500 to $26,500
About $173 to $211 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 21% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,100 | $19,700 |
| Labor | $4,600 | $5,650 |
| Permits and fees | $740 | $1,100 |
| Total | $21,500 | $26,500 |
Cost breakdown for 120 sq ft in South Bend, IN
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,400 | $17,900 | $22,400 | 75% |
| Labor | $3,850 | $5,150 | $6,400 | 21% |
| Permits and fees | $460 | $930 | $1,400 | 4% |
| Total | $17,800 | $24,000 | $30,200 | 100% |
What is behind the South Bend number
Labor is 21% 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 South Bend the blended ratio comes out at 1.03.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. South Bend is at 94.2 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $19,000 nationally becomes $17,900 here (midpoint, 120 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 92.9: $460 to $1,400.
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 South Bend. The wage table below marks each row.
Cost by quality level and size in South Bend
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to South Bend. 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
$17,800 to $22,700
Update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout
Standard
$21,500 to $26,500
Full remodel, mid-range finishes, some layout changes
Premium
$25,200 to $30,200
Large or custom remodel, high-end finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small kitchen (100 sq ft) | $14,900 – $19,100 | $18,000 – $22,200 | $21,200 – $25,400 |
| 10x12 kitchen (120 sq ft) | $17,800 – $22,700 | $21,500 – $26,500 | $25,200 – $30,200 |
| average kitchen (200 sq ft) | $29,300 – $37,300 | $35,300 – $43,400 | $41,400 – $49,400 |
| large kitchen (300 sq ft) | $43,700 – $55,600 | $52,600 – $64,500 | $61,500 – $73,400 |
Who does the work: South Bend 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 South Bend the blend is 1.03.
Carpenters (47-2031), 45% of the weighting: a median of $29.66 an hour, in line with the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.63 and $33.69 an hour. About 500 work in the metro. That is 38.0 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 $35.65 an hour, which is 17% above the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $23.56 and $46.04 an hour. BLS counts 750 of them working in the area, 57.0 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 $35.67 an hour, 16% above the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $26.07 and $46.56 an hour. About 490 work in the metro. That is 37.2 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 South Bend metro, so we used the Indiana statewide median: $23.29 an hour against $26.77 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $20.64 and $27.66 an hour.
Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the South Bend metro, so we used the Indiana statewide median: $23.95 an hour against $28.33 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $22.04 and $30.49 an hour.
Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141), 5% of the weighting: a median of $23.47 an hour, in line with the US median of $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $20.23 and $29.17 an hour. About 170 work in the metro. That is 12.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 14.5 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $310 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $460. That is a swing of roughly 1.9% to 1.3% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
South Bend-Mishawaka has 131,670 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 165th 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% | $23.63 | $29.66 | $33.69 | $29.12 | 1.02 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 15% | $23.56 | $35.65 | $46.04 | $30.38 | 1.17 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 15% | $26.07 | $35.67 | $46.56 | $30.67 | 1.16 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 10% | $20.64 | $23.29 | $27.66 | $26.77 | 0.87 | state |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $22.04 | $23.95 | $30.49 | $28.33 | 0.85 | state |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 5% | $20.23 | $23.47 | $29.17 | $23.75 | 0.99 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.03 | |||||
Planning more than one job in South Bend?
Jobs that often go together with kitchen remodel are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same South Bend wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, home addition comes out highest (+1%) and kitchen backsplash lowest (−8%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,150 – $14,000 | −1% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,600 – $22,800 | −2% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,400 – $14,500 | −3% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $38,400 – $77,700 | +1% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $930 – $2,750 | −2% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $270 – $1,400 | −8% |
South Bend against nearby metros and the rest of Indiana
Same job, same size (120 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Kalamazoo is the priciest of the group at $24,100. Niles is the cheapest at $23,400.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Bend, INthis page | $17,800 – $30,200 | $24,000 | |
| Elkhart, IN20 miles | $17,600 – $30,000 | $23,800 | −1% |
| Niles, MI30 miles | $17,300 – $29,500 | $23,400 | −2% |
| Kalamazoo, MI45 miles | $17,900 – $30,400 | $24,100 | +1% |
| Fort Wayne, IN70 miles | $17,700 – $30,200 | $23,900 | level |
| Grand Rapids, MI85 miles | $17,600 – $30,000 | $23,800 | −1% |
| Indiana (statewide) | $17,900 – $30,500 | $24,200 | +1% |
| United States | $18,500 – $31,500 | $25,000 | +4% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, South Bend ranks #137 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, South Bend is 1% below the Indiana figure.
Elsewhere in Indiana
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis, IN | 1,105,170 jobs | $17,900 – $30,500 | $24,200 | +1% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | 225,520 jobs | $17,700 – $30,200 | $23,900 | level |
| Evansville, IN | 135,250 jobs | $18,000 – $30,600 | $24,300 | +1% |
| Elkhart, IN | 127,730 jobs | $17,600 – $30,000 | $23,800 | −1% |
| Lafayette, IN | 102,200 jobs | $17,700 – $30,200 | $24,000 | level |
| Bloomington, IN | 73,240 jobs | $17,900 – $30,500 | $24,200 | +1% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is South Bend against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| College Station, TX | 134,040 jobs | $16,800 – $28,600 | $22,700 | −5% |
| Fayetteville, NC | 131,430 jobs | $17,300 – $29,400 | $23,300 | −3% |
| Flint, MI | 135,040 jobs | $17,900 – $30,400 | $24,100 | +1% |
| Olympia, WA | 130,300 jobs | $20,000 – $34,100 | $27,100 | +13% |
Kitchen remodel: what moves the price in South Bend
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.
Counters
New countertops are $50-$150 per square foot installed; HomeGuide gives $1,500-$6,000 for an average kitchen.
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Kitchen remodel in South Bend: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a kitchen in South Bend?
For 120 sq ft, expect $17,800 to $30,200 in the South Bend area. A standard-spec job lands at $21,500 to $26,500. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for kitchen remodel in South Bend?
About $144 to $240 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $460 to $1,400 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $150 to $250.
+Is kitchen remodel cheaper in South Bend or Elkhart?
Elkhart is 20 miles away. The midpoint for 120 sq ft there is $23,800, which is 1% less than South Bend ($24,000). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in South Bend?
About 21% at the midpoint, or $5,150 out of $24,000. Materials are 75% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 20%.
+What would average kitchen (200 sq ft) cost in South Bend?
$29,300 to $49,400. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen remodel need a permit in South Bend?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $460 to $1,400 for fees in the South Bend area (our national range of $500 to $1,500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is South Bend expensive for kitchen remodel compared with the rest of Indiana?
South Bend is 1% below the Indiana statewide estimate ($24,200 at the midpoint). We cover 8 metros in Indiana; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in South Bend?
The BLS median is $29.66 an hour in the South Bend area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.63 to $33.69.
+What do basic and premium kitchen remodel work cost in South Bend?
For 120 sq ft, basic work runs $17,800 to $22,700 and premium work $25,200 to $30,200. Basic means: update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout. Premium means: large or custom remodel, high-end finishes.
Kitchen remodel near South Bend
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.