Kitchen remodel cost in Asheville, NC
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (120 sq ft)
- $17,500 – $29,800
- Per sq ft
- $142 – $236
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −5%
- US $25,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #174
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a kitchen remodel in the Asheville area: $17,500 to $29,800 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 5% lower than the US figure. Carpenters earn a median of $24.66 an hour in the Asheville area, 15% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 120 sq ft in Asheville, NC, standard level
$21,200 to $26,100
About $170 to $208 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 18% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,500 | $20,200 |
| Labor | $3,850 | $4,700 |
| Permits and fees | $770 | $1,150 |
| Total | $21,200 | $26,100 |
Cost breakdown for 120 sq ft in Asheville, NC
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,800 | $18,400 | $23,000 | 78% |
| Labor | $3,200 | $4,300 | $5,350 | 18% |
| Permits and fees | $480 | $970 | $1,450 | 4% |
| Total | $17,500 | $23,600 | $29,800 | 100% |
Why Asheville prices look the way they do
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 45% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $24.66 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Asheville is 0.86 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 18% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Asheville is at 96.6 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $19,000 nationally becomes $18,400 here (midpoint, 120 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 96.5: $480 to $1,450.
Why two Asheville quotes can differ
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.
Related projects, priced for Asheville
Jobs that often go together with kitchen remodel are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Asheville wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, window replacement comes out highest (−7%) and home addition lowest (−11%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $3,950 – $12,700 | −9% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,300 – $21,400 | −8% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,150 – $14,000 | −7% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $33,700 – $68,400 | −11% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $850 – $2,600 | −7% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $280 – $1,400 | −7% |
Cost by quality level and size in Asheville
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Asheville. 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
$17,500 to $22,400
Update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout
Standard
$21,200 to $26,100
Full remodel, mid-range finishes, some layout changes
Premium
$24,900 to $29,800
Large or custom remodel, high-end finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small kitchen (100 sq ft) | $14,600 – $18,800 | $17,800 – $21,900 | $20,900 – $25,100 |
| 10x12 kitchen (120 sq ft) | $17,500 – $22,400 | $21,200 – $26,100 | $24,900 – $29,800 |
| average kitchen (200 sq ft) | $28,800 – $36,700 | $34,800 – $42,700 | $40,700 – $48,700 |
| large kitchen (300 sq ft) | $43,000 – $54,700 | $51,800 – $63,500 | $60,500 – $72,300 |
Who does the work: Asheville 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 Asheville the blend is 0.86.
Carpenters (47-2031), 45% of the weighting: a median of $24.66 an hour, 15% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $20.76 and $29.67 an hour. About 750 work in the metro. That is 41.5 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 $26.25 an hour, which is 14% below the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $23.01 and $29.79 an hour. BLS counts 860 of them working in the area, 47.6 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 48.7), so the local bench is about average.
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152), 15% of the weighting: a median of $28.46 an hour, 7% below the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $22.37 and $29.78 an hour. About 460 work in the metro. That is 25.5 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.0 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
Tile and stone setters (47-2044), 10% of the weighting: a median of $23.65 an hour, 12% below the US median of $26.77. The middle half of them earn between $20.92 and $27.94 an hour. About 50 work in the metro. That is 2.8 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 2.3 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081, weighted 10%) the local median is $22.28 an hour, which is 21% below the national $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $17.71 and $29.15 an hour. BLS counts 60 of them working in the area, 3.3 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 $20.66 an hour, 13% below the US median of $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $18.06 and $23.28 an hour. About 210 work in the metro. That is 11.6 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 $390 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $300. That is a swing of roughly 1.3% to 1.6% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Asheville has 180,620 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 127th 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% | $20.76 | $24.66 | $29.67 | $29.12 | 0.85 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 15% | $23.01 | $26.25 | $29.79 | $30.38 | 0.86 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 15% | $22.37 | $28.46 | $29.78 | $30.67 | 0.93 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 10% | $20.92 | $23.65 | $27.94 | $26.77 | 0.88 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $17.71 | $22.28 | $29.15 | $28.33 | 0.79 | metro |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 5% | $18.06 | $20.66 | $23.28 | $23.75 | 0.87 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.86 | |||||
Asheville against nearby metros and the rest of North Carolina
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 120 sq ft range from $23,100 to $23,600 across Asheville and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville, NCthis page | $17,500 – $29,800 | $23,600 | |
| Johnson City, TN45 miles | $17,100 – $29,100 | $23,100 | −2% |
| Hickory, NC65 miles | $17,200 – $29,300 | $23,300 | −2% |
| Greenville, SC65 miles | $17,300 – $29,500 | $23,400 | −1% |
| Spartanburg, SC70 miles | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | −1% |
| Kingsport, TN70 miles | $17,300 – $29,400 | $23,300 | −1% |
| North Carolina (statewide) | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | −1% |
| United States | $18,500 – $31,500 | $25,000 | +6% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Asheville ranks #174 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Asheville is 1% above the North Carolina figure.
Elsewhere in North Carolina
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte, NC | 1,358,370 jobs | $17,500 – $29,800 | $23,600 | level |
| Raleigh, NC | 743,120 jobs | $17,500 – $29,800 | $23,600 | level |
| Greensboro, NC | 365,410 jobs | $17,500 – $29,700 | $23,600 | level |
| Durham, NC | 344,020 jobs | $17,500 – $29,800 | $23,700 | level |
| Winston, NC | 271,980 jobs | $17,300 – $29,400 | $23,400 | −1% |
| Wilmington, NC | 191,280 jobs | $17,500 – $29,800 | $23,600 | level |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Asheville against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln, NE | 182,620 jobs | $17,200 – $29,300 | $23,300 | −2% |
| Davenport, IA | 180,450 jobs | $17,900 – $30,400 | $24,100 | +2% |
| York, PA | 183,590 jobs | $18,800 – $32,000 | $25,400 | +7% |
| Lafayette, LA | 179,570 jobs | $16,900 – $28,700 | $22,800 | −3% |
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Kitchen remodel in Asheville: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a kitchen in Asheville?
For 120 sq ft, expect $17,500 to $29,800 in the Asheville area. A standard-spec job lands at $21,200 to $26,100. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for kitchen remodel in Asheville?
About $142 to $236 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $480 to $1,450 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $150 to $250.
+Is kitchen remodel cheaper in Asheville or Johnson City?
Johnson City is 45 miles away. The midpoint for 120 sq ft there is $23,100, which is 2% less than Asheville ($23,600). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Asheville?
About 18% at the midpoint, or $4,300 out of $23,600. Materials are 78% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 20%.
+What would average kitchen (200 sq ft) cost in Asheville?
$28,800 to $48,700. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen remodel need a permit in Asheville?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $480 to $1,450 for fees in the Asheville area (our national range of $500 to $1,500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Asheville expensive for kitchen remodel compared with the rest of North Carolina?
Asheville is 1% above the North Carolina statewide estimate ($23,500 at the midpoint). We cover 11 metros in North Carolina; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Asheville?
The BLS median is $24.66 an hour in the Asheville area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $20.76 to $29.67.
+What do basic and premium kitchen remodel work cost in Asheville?
For 120 sq ft, basic work runs $17,500 to $22,400 and premium work $24,900 to $29,800. Basic means: update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout. Premium means: large or custom remodel, high-end finishes.
Kitchen remodel near Asheville
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.