Kitchen remodel cost in Fargo, ND
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (120 sq ft)
- $17,800 – $30,300
- Per sq ft
- $145 – $241
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −4%
- US $25,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #129
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to remodel a kitchen in Fargo, plan on $17,800 to $30,300 for 120 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $145 to $241 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 4% lower than the national one. Building materials run about 4% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 95.7).
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Estimated cost for 120 sq ft in Fargo, ND, standard level
$21,600 to $26,600
About $174 to $212 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 21% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,400 | $20,000 |
| Labor | $4,500 | $5,500 |
| Permits and fees | $730 | $1,100 |
| Total | $21,600 | $26,600 |
Cost breakdown for 120 sq ft in Fargo, ND
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,600 | $18,200 | $22,700 | 76% |
| Labor | $3,750 | $5,000 | $6,250 | 21% |
| Permits and fees | $450 | $910 | $1,350 | 4% |
| Total | $17,800 | $24,100 | $30,300 | 100% |
What is behind the Fargo number
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 45% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $28.34 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Fargo is 1.00 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 21% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Fargo metro is 95.7 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 120 sq ft comes to $18,200, compared with $19,000 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (90.9) and land at $450 to $1,350.
Fargo labor market for kitchen remodel
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 Fargo is 1.00 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 45%) the local median is $28.34 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.34 and $31.06 an hour. BLS counts 880 of them working in the area, 59.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Electricians (47-2111), 15% of the weighting: a median of $36.99 an hour, 22% above the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $27.64 and $39.69 an hour. About 920 work in the metro. That is 61.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 48.7 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 15%) the local median is $30.46 an hour, which is in line with the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $23.88 and $37.98 an hour. BLS counts 670 of them working in the area, 45.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is deeper than average.
For tile and stone setters (47-2044, weighted 10%) the local median is $25.70 an hour, which is 4% below the national $26.77. The middle half of them earn between $18.15 and $29.68 an hour. BLS counts 50 of them working in the area, 3.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 2.3), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081), 10% of the weighting: a median of $23.05 an hour, 19% below the US median of $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $21.07 and $26.67 an hour. About 70 work in the metro. That is 4.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 5.3 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141, weighted 5%) the local median is $25.43 an hour, which is 7% above the national $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $22.59 and $29.02 an hour. BLS counts 210 of them working in the area, 14.1 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 ($31.06 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $210. At the 25th percentile ($23.34) it shrinks by about $380. The total moves by 0.9% or 1.6%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 148,660 jobs in the Fargo area. That makes it the 156th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.10% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $23.34 | $28.34 | $31.06 | $29.12 | 0.97 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 15% | $27.64 | $36.99 | $39.69 | $30.38 | 1.22 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 15% | $23.88 | $30.46 | $37.98 | $30.67 | 0.99 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 10% | $18.15 | $25.70 | $29.68 | $26.77 | 0.96 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $21.07 | $23.05 | $26.67 | $28.33 | 0.81 | metro |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 5% | $22.59 | $25.43 | $29.02 | $23.75 | 1.07 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.00 | |||||
Related projects, priced for Fargo
Because every project leans on different trades, Fargo's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, home addition runs −2% and kitchen backsplash −4%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,100 – $13,600 | −3% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,600 – $22,700 | −3% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,450 – $14,700 | −2% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $37,400 – $75,800 | −2% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $900 – $2,700 | −4% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $290 – $1,450 | −4% |
Is Fargo cheap or dear? The local comparison
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 $23,400 to $27,000 across Fargo and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo, NDthis page | $17,800 – $30,300 | $24,100 | |
| St. Cloud, MN150 miles | $18,300 – $31,100 | $24,700 | +2% |
| Bismarck, ND190 miles | $17,600 – $29,900 | $23,700 | −1% |
| Minneapolis, MN215 miles | $20,000 – $34,100 | $27,000 | +12% |
| Duluth, MN215 miles | $18,200 – $31,000 | $24,600 | +2% |
| Sioux Falls, SD235 miles | $17,300 – $29,500 | $23,400 | −3% |
| North Dakota (statewide) | $17,600 – $30,000 | $23,800 | −1% |
| United States | $18,500 – $31,500 | $25,000 | +4% |
Across 300 US metros, Fargo comes in at #129 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $30,000; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $22,100 (midpoints, 120 sq ft). Statewide, Fargo is 1% above the North Dakota figure.
Other North Dakota metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck, ND | 71,270 jobs | $17,600 – $29,900 | $23,700 | −1% |
Cities with a workforce like Fargo's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Fargo against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Killeen, TX | 150,580 jobs | $16,800 – $28,600 | $22,700 | −6% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | 146,260 jobs | $17,100 – $29,200 | $23,200 | −4% |
| Gainesville, FL | 152,670 jobs | $17,300 – $29,500 | $23,400 | −3% |
| Vallejo, CA | 144,130 jobs | $20,000 – $34,100 | $27,100 | +12% |
Why two Fargo 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.
Cost by quality level and size in Fargo
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Fargo 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
$17,800 to $22,800
Update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout
Standard
$21,600 to $26,600
Full remodel, mid-range finishes, some layout changes
Premium
$25,300 to $30,300
Large or custom remodel, high-end finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small kitchen (100 sq ft) | $14,900 – $19,200 | $18,100 – $22,300 | $21,300 – $25,500 |
| 10x12 kitchen (120 sq ft) | $17,800 – $22,800 | $21,600 – $26,600 | $25,300 – $30,300 |
| average kitchen (200 sq ft) | $29,400 – $37,500 | $35,500 – $43,600 | $41,600 – $49,600 |
| large kitchen (300 sq ft) | $43,900 – $55,900 | $52,900 – $64,800 | $61,800 – $73,800 |
Get 3 local quotes
Tell us about the job and we will try to connect you with up to three local contractors for written quotes. It is free and you are under no obligation to hire. Your estimate of $21,600 to $26,600 for Fargo, ND is attached.
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Multi-page report for Fargo, ND: low, typical and high cost, a line-item breakdown of materials and labor by trade, permit notes, the best months to schedule, a quote comparison sheet, red flags, questions for contractors, checklists and every source. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Kitchen remodel in Fargo: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a kitchen in Fargo?
For 120 sq ft, expect $17,800 to $30,300 in the Fargo area. A standard-spec job lands at $21,600 to $26,600. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for kitchen remodel in Fargo?
About $145 to $241 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $450 to $1,350 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $150 to $250.
+Is kitchen remodel cheaper in Fargo or St. Cloud?
St. Cloud is 150 miles away. The midpoint for 120 sq ft there is $24,700, which is 2% more than Fargo ($24,100). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Fargo?
About 21% at the midpoint, or $5,000 out of $24,100. Materials are 76% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 20%.
+What would average kitchen (200 sq ft) cost in Fargo?
$29,400 to $49,600. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen remodel need a permit in Fargo?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $450 to $1,350 for fees in the Fargo area (our national range of $500 to $1,500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Fargo expensive for kitchen remodel compared with the rest of North Dakota?
Fargo is 1% above the North Dakota statewide estimate ($23,800 at the midpoint). We cover 2 metros in North Dakota; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Fargo?
The BLS median is $28.34 an hour in the Fargo area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.34 to $31.06.
+What do basic and premium kitchen remodel work cost in Fargo?
For 120 sq ft, basic work runs $17,800 to $22,800 and premium work $25,300 to $30,300. Basic means: update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout. Premium means: large or custom remodel, high-end finishes.
Kitchen remodel near Fargo
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.