Kitchen remodel cost in Portland, ME
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (120 sq ft)
- $18,400 – $31,400
- Per sq ft
- $149 – $249
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- Level
- US $25,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #84
- 1 = most expensive
A kitchen remodel in Portland, ME usually costs $18,400 to $31,400 for 120 sq ft. That works out to about $149 to $249 per sq ft before permits. That is within a few percent of the national midpoint, so there is little local premium or discount. Building materials run about 3% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 97.2).
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Estimated cost for 120 sq ft in Portland, ME, standard level
$22,300 to $27,500
About $179 to $219 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 22% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,600 | $20,300 |
| Labor | $4,900 | $6,000 |
| Permits and fees | $810 | $1,200 |
| Total | $22,300 | $27,500 |
Cost breakdown for 120 sq ft in Portland, ME
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,900 | $18,500 | $23,100 | 74% |
| Labor | $4,100 | $5,450 | $6,800 | 22% |
| Permits and fees | $510 | $1,000 | $1,550 | 4% |
| Total | $18,400 | $24,900 | $31,400 | 100% |
What is behind the Portland number
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 45% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $30.91 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Portland is 1.09 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 22% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Portland is at 97.2 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $19,000 nationally becomes $18,500 here (midpoint, 120 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 101.9: $510 to $1,550.
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 Portland. The wage table below marks each row.
Kitchen remodel: what moves the price in Portland
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.
What local crews earn in Portland
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 Portland the blend is 1.09.
Carpenters (47-2031), 45% of the weighting: a median of $30.91 an hour, 6% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $28.45 and $35.95 an hour. About 2,230 work in the metro. That is 77.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For electricians (47-2111, weighted 15%) the local median is $34.45 an hour, which is 13% above the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $30.72 and $38.12 an hour. BLS counts 1,870 of them working in the area, 64.8 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 $31.01 an hour, in line with the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $30.51 and $36.97 an hour. About 1,740 work in the metro. That is 60.3 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 Portland metro, so we used the Maine statewide median: $34.00 an hour against $26.77 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $31.33 and $44.08 an hour.
For drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081, weighted 10%) the local median is $28.72 an hour, which is in line with the national $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $26.59 and $31.76 an hour. BLS counts 70 of them working in the area, 2.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 5.3), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141), 5% of the weighting: a median of $30.35 an hour, 28% above the US median of $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $26.05 and $31.01 an hour. About 1,550 work in the metro. That is 53.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 14.5 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $390 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $190. That is a swing of roughly 0.8% to 1.6% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Portland-South Portland has 288,480 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 89th 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% | $28.45 | $30.91 | $35.95 | $29.12 | 1.06 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 15% | $30.72 | $34.45 | $38.12 | $30.38 | 1.13 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 15% | $30.51 | $31.01 | $36.97 | $30.67 | 1.01 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 10% | $31.33 | $34.00 | $44.08 | $26.77 | 1.27 | state |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $26.59 | $28.72 | $31.76 | $28.33 | 1.01 | metro |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 5% | $26.05 | $30.35 | $31.01 | $23.75 | 1.28 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.09 | |||||
Pick a size, pick a tier: kitchen remodel pricing in Portland
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Portland. 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
$18,400 to $23,600
Update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout
Standard
$22,300 to $27,500
Full remodel, mid-range finishes, some layout changes
Premium
$26,200 to $31,400
Large or custom remodel, high-end finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small kitchen (100 sq ft) | $15,500 – $19,900 | $18,800 – $23,100 | $22,000 – $26,400 |
| 10x12 kitchen (120 sq ft) | $18,400 – $23,600 | $22,300 – $27,500 | $26,200 – $31,400 |
| average kitchen (200 sq ft) | $30,400 – $38,800 | $36,700 – $45,100 | $43,000 – $51,400 |
| large kitchen (300 sq ft) | $45,400 – $57,700 | $54,600 – $67,000 | $63,900 – $76,300 |
What nearby projects cost in Portland
Jobs that often go together with kitchen remodel are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Portland wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, kitchen backsplash comes out highest (+9%) and window replacement lowest (−3%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,250 – $14,400 | +2% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,950 – $24,600 | +5% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,350 – $14,500 | −3% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $38,900 – $78,800 | +2% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $1,050 – $2,950 | +7% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $330 – $1,600 | +9% |
Is Portland cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (120 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Boston is the priciest of the group at $26,500. Manchester is the cheapest at $24,700.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland, MEthis page | $18,400 – $31,400 | $24,900 | |
| Manchester, NH85 miles | $18,300 – $31,100 | $24,700 | −1% |
| Boston, MA85 miles | $19,600 – $33,400 | $26,500 | +6% |
| Worcester, MA120 miles | $18,900 – $32,100 | $25,500 | +2% |
| Barnstable, MA135 miles | $18,800 – $32,000 | $25,400 | +2% |
| Providence, RI140 miles | $18,300 – $31,200 | $24,800 | −1% |
| Maine (statewide) | $18,400 – $31,300 | $24,800 | level |
| United States | $18,500 – $31,500 | $25,000 | level |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Portland ranks #84 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Portland is 0% above the Maine figure.
Elsewhere in Maine
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor, ME | 72,270 jobs | $18,100 – $30,700 | $24,400 | −2% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Portland against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stockton, CA | 289,660 jobs | $19,700 – $33,600 | $26,700 | +7% |
| Lexington, KY | 286,910 jobs | $17,500 – $29,800 | $23,600 | −5% |
| Toledo, OH | 291,530 jobs | $17,600 – $30,000 | $23,800 | −4% |
| New Haven, CT | 281,410 jobs | $18,600 – $31,700 | $25,200 | +1% |
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Kitchen remodel in Portland: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a kitchen in Portland?
For 120 sq ft, expect $18,400 to $31,400 in the Portland area. A standard-spec job lands at $22,300 to $27,500. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for kitchen remodel in Portland?
About $149 to $249 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $510 to $1,550 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $150 to $250.
+Is kitchen remodel cheaper in Portland or Manchester?
Manchester is 85 miles away. The midpoint for 120 sq ft there is $24,700, which is 1% less than Portland ($24,900). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Portland?
About 22% at the midpoint, or $5,450 out of $24,900. Materials are 74% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 20%.
+What would average kitchen (200 sq ft) cost in Portland?
$30,400 to $51,400. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen remodel need a permit in Portland?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $510 to $1,550 for fees in the Portland area (our national range of $500 to $1,500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Portland expensive for kitchen remodel compared with the rest of Maine?
Portland is 0% above the Maine statewide estimate ($24,800 at the midpoint). We cover 2 metros in Maine; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Portland?
The BLS median is $30.91 an hour in the Portland area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $28.45 to $35.95.
+What do basic and premium kitchen remodel work cost in Portland?
For 120 sq ft, basic work runs $18,400 to $23,600 and premium work $26,200 to $31,400. Basic means: update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout. Premium means: large or custom remodel, high-end finishes.
Kitchen remodel near Portland
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.