Kitchen remodel cost in Richmond, VA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (120 sq ft)
- $17,600 – $30,100
- Per sq ft
- $143 – $238
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −5%
- US $25,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #148
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to remodel a kitchen in Richmond, plan on $17,600 to $30,100 for 120 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $143 to $238 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 5% lower than the national one. Building materials run about 3% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 96.8).
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Estimated cost for 120 sq ft in Richmond, VA, standard level
$21,400 to $26,300
About $172 to $210 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 19% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,600 | $20,200 |
| Labor | $4,000 | $4,900 |
| Permits and fees | $780 | $1,150 |
| Total | $21,400 | $26,300 |
Cost breakdown for 120 sq ft in Richmond, VA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,800 | $18,400 | $23,000 | 77% |
| Labor | $3,350 | $4,450 | $5,600 | 19% |
| Permits and fees | $490 | $980 | $1,450 | 4% |
| Total | $17,600 | $23,900 | $30,100 | 100% |
Why Richmond prices look the way they do
Labor is 19% 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 Richmond the blended ratio comes out at 0.90.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Richmond metro is 96.8 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 120 sq ft comes to $18,400, compared with $19,000 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (97.9) and land at $490 to $1,450.
Richmond 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 Richmond is 0.90 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 45%) the local median is $24.94 an hour, which is 14% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $22.42 and $28.84 an hour. BLS counts 3,070 of them working in the area, 46.5 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 $29.50 an hour, in line with the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $23.12 and $36.78 an hour. About 3,600 work in the metro. That is 54.5 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 $29.56 an hour, which is 4% below the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $23.32 and $34.63 an hour. BLS counts 2,340 of them working in the area, 35.4 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 $24.10 an hour, which is 10% below the national $26.77. The middle half of them earn between $17.66 and $29.59 an hour. BLS counts 120 of them working in the area, 1.8 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 $23.68 an hour, 16% below the US median of $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $22.80 and $28.23 an hour. About 360 work in the metro. That is 5.5 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 $22.92 an hour, which is 3% below the national $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $18.94 and $23.56 an hour. BLS counts 1,010 of them working in the area, 15.3 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 ($28.84 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $300. At the 25th percentile ($22.42) it shrinks by about $190. The total moves by 1.3% or 0.8%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 660,350 jobs in the Richmond area. That makes it the 45th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.42% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $22.42 | $24.94 | $28.84 | $29.12 | 0.86 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 15% | $23.12 | $29.50 | $36.78 | $30.38 | 0.97 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 15% | $23.32 | $29.56 | $34.63 | $30.67 | 0.96 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 10% | $17.66 | $24.10 | $29.59 | $26.77 | 0.90 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $22.80 | $23.68 | $28.23 | $28.33 | 0.84 | metro |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 5% | $18.94 | $22.92 | $23.56 | $23.75 | 0.97 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.90 | |||||
Related projects, priced for Richmond
Because every project leans on different trades, Richmond's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, window replacement runs −4% and home addition −10%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,000 – $12,900 | −7% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,400 – $21,900 | −6% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,300 – $14,400 | −4% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $34,300 – $69,700 | −10% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $870 – $2,650 | −5% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $280 – $1,400 | −6% |
Cost by quality level and size in Richmond
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Richmond 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
$17,600 to $22,600
Update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout
Standard
$21,400 to $26,300
Full remodel, mid-range finishes, some layout changes
Premium
$25,100 to $30,100
Large or custom remodel, high-end finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small kitchen (100 sq ft) | $14,800 – $19,000 | $17,900 – $22,100 | $21,100 – $25,300 |
| 10x12 kitchen (120 sq ft) | $17,600 – $22,600 | $21,400 – $26,300 | $25,100 – $30,100 |
| average kitchen (200 sq ft) | $29,100 – $37,100 | $35,100 – $43,100 | $41,100 – $49,100 |
| large kitchen (300 sq ft) | $43,400 – $55,200 | $52,300 – $64,100 | $61,100 – $73,000 |
How Richmond compares
Same job, same size (120 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Washington is the priciest of the group at $26,200. Lynchburg is the cheapest at $23,500.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond, VAthis page | $17,600 – $30,100 | $23,900 | |
| Virginia Beach, VA70 miles | $17,600 – $30,000 | $23,800 | level |
| Charlottesville, VA75 miles | $17,800 – $30,300 | $24,000 | +1% |
| Lexington Park, MD80 miles | $18,400 – $31,300 | $24,800 | +4% |
| Lynchburg, VA95 miles | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | −2% |
| Washington, DC100 miles | $19,400 – $33,000 | $26,200 | +10% |
| Virginia (statewide) | $18,300 – $31,200 | $24,800 | +4% |
| United States | $18,500 – $31,500 | $25,000 | +5% |
Across 300 US metros, Richmond comes in at #148 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $30,000; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $22,100 (midpoints, 120 sq ft). Statewide, Richmond is 4% below the Virginia figure.
Other Virginia metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA | 763,060 jobs | $17,600 – $30,000 | $23,800 | level |
| Roanoke, VA | 153,980 jobs | $17,300 – $29,500 | $23,400 | −2% |
| Charlottesville, VA | 114,780 jobs | $17,800 – $30,300 | $24,000 | +1% |
| Lynchburg, VA | 97,190 jobs | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | −2% |
| Blacksburg, VA | 74,070 jobs | $17,400 – $29,700 | $23,600 | −1% |
| Winchester, VA | 67,740 jobs | $17,500 – $29,900 | $23,700 | −1% |
Cities with a workforce like Richmond's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Richmond against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City, OK | 677,680 jobs | $17,000 – $29,000 | $23,000 | −4% |
| Memphis, TN | 611,670 jobs | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | −1% |
| Louisville, KY | 685,190 jobs | $17,800 – $30,200 | $24,000 | +1% |
| Hartford, CT | 599,770 jobs | $18,600 – $31,700 | $25,100 | +5% |
Specs and site conditions that change a Richmond bid
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.
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 $21,400 to $26,300 for Richmond, VA is attached.
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Multi-page report for Richmond, VA: 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 Richmond: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a kitchen in Richmond?
For 120 sq ft, expect $17,600 to $30,100 in the Richmond area. A standard-spec job lands at $21,400 to $26,300. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for kitchen remodel in Richmond?
About $143 to $238 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $490 to $1,450 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $150 to $250.
+Is kitchen remodel cheaper in Richmond or Virginia Beach?
Virginia Beach is 70 miles away. The midpoint for 120 sq ft there is $23,800, which is 0% less than Richmond ($23,900). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Richmond?
About 19% at the midpoint, or $4,450 out of $23,900. Materials are 77% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 20%.
+What would average kitchen (200 sq ft) cost in Richmond?
$29,100 to $49,100. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen remodel need a permit in Richmond?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $490 to $1,450 for fees in the Richmond area (our national range of $500 to $1,500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Richmond expensive for kitchen remodel compared with the rest of Virginia?
Richmond is 4% below the Virginia statewide estimate ($24,800 at the midpoint). We cover 8 metros in Virginia; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Richmond?
The BLS median is $24.94 an hour in the Richmond area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.42 to $28.84.
+What do basic and premium kitchen remodel work cost in Richmond?
For 120 sq ft, basic work runs $17,600 to $22,600 and premium work $25,100 to $30,100. Basic means: update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout. Premium means: large or custom remodel, high-end finishes.
Kitchen remodel near Richmond
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.