Kitchen remodel cost in Bellingham, WA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (120 sq ft)
- $20,400 – $34,800
- Per sq ft
- $166 – $277
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +10%
- US $25,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #9
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to remodel a kitchen in Bellingham, plan on $20,400 to $34,800 for 120 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $166 to $277 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 10% higher than the national one. Carpenters earn a median of $35.22 an hour in the Bellingham area, 21% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 120 sq ft in Bellingham, WA, standard level
$24,700 to $30,500
About $199 to $243 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 24% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $18,000 | $22,000 |
| Labor | $5,950 | $7,250 |
| Permits and fees | $830 | $1,250 |
| Total | $24,700 | $30,500 |
Cost breakdown for 120 sq ft in Bellingham, WA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $15,000 | $20,000 | $25,000 | 72% |
| Labor | $4,950 | $6,600 | $8,250 | 24% |
| Permits and fees | $520 | $1,050 | $1,550 | 4% |
| Total | $20,400 | $27,600 | $34,800 | 100% |
Why Bellingham prices look the way they do
Labor is 24% 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 Bellingham the blended ratio comes out at 1.32.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Bellingham metro is 105.0 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 120 sq ft comes to $20,000, compared with $19,000 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (103.3) and land at $520 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 Bellingham. The wage table below marks each row.
Pick a size, pick a tier: kitchen remodel pricing in Bellingham
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Bellingham 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
$20,400 to $26,200
Update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout
Standard
$24,700 to $30,500
Full remodel, mid-range finishes, some layout changes
Premium
$29,000 to $34,800
Large or custom remodel, high-end finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small kitchen (100 sq ft) | $17,100 – $22,000 | $20,700 – $25,600 | $24,400 – $29,200 |
| 10x12 kitchen (120 sq ft) | $20,400 – $26,200 | $24,700 – $30,500 | $29,000 – $34,800 |
| average kitchen (200 sq ft) | $33,700 – $43,000 | $40,700 – $49,900 | $47,600 – $56,900 |
| large kitchen (300 sq ft) | $50,300 – $64,000 | $60,600 – $74,300 | $70,900 – $84,600 |
Bellingham 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 Bellingham is 1.32 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 45%) the local median is $35.22 an hour, which is 21% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $29.17 and $46.22 an hour. BLS counts 950 of them working in the area, 104.0 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 $46.92 an hour, 54% above the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $33.38 and $60.08 an hour. About 560 work in the metro. That is 61.3 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 $49.40 an hour, which is 61% above the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $30.53 and $69.49 an hour. BLS counts 540 of them working in the area, 59.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Tile and stone setters (47-2044) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Bellingham metro, so we used the Washington statewide median: $37.46 an hour against $26.77 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $30.33 and $46.80 an hour.
Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081), 10% of the weighting: a median of $29.80 an hour, 5% above the US median of $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $28.84 and $39.11 an hour. About 80 work in the metro. That is 8.8 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 5.3 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141, weighted 5%) the local median is $28.27 an hour, which is 19% above the national $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $22.66 and $30.69 an hour. BLS counts 280 of them working in the area, 30.6 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 14.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($46.22 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $850. At the 25th percentile ($29.17) it shrinks by about $470. The total moves by 3.1% or 1.7%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 91,390 jobs in the Bellingham area. That makes it the 217th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.06% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $29.17 | $35.22 | $46.22 | $29.12 | 1.21 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 15% | $33.38 | $46.92 | $60.08 | $30.38 | 1.54 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 15% | $30.53 | $49.40 | $69.49 | $30.67 | 1.61 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 10% | $30.33 | $37.46 | $46.80 | $26.77 | 1.40 | state |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $28.84 | $29.80 | $39.11 | $28.33 | 1.05 | metro |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 5% | $22.66 | $28.27 | $30.69 | $23.75 | 1.19 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.32 | |||||
Related projects, priced for Bellingham
Because every project leans on different trades, Bellingham's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, shower pan runs +30% and window replacement +8%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,750 – $16,400 | +16% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $5,750 – $28,500 | +22% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,900 – $16,200 | +8% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $45,500 – $92,000 | +20% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $1,300 – $3,550 | +30% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $360 – $1,750 | +19% |
Is Bellingham cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (120 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Seattle is the priciest of the group at $27,700. Yakima is the cheapest at $26,300.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham, WAthis page | $20,400 – $34,800 | $27,600 | |
| Bremerton, WA90 miles | $20,000 – $34,000 | $27,000 | −2% |
| Seattle, WA95 miles | $20,500 – $34,900 | $27,700 | level |
| Olympia, WA140 miles | $20,000 – $34,100 | $27,100 | −2% |
| Yakima, WA175 miles | $19,500 – $33,200 | $26,300 | −5% |
| Spokane, WA200 miles | $19,700 – $33,500 | $26,600 | −4% |
| Washington (statewide) | $20,200 – $34,500 | $27,400 | −1% |
| United States | $18,500 – $31,500 | $25,000 | −9% |
Across 300 US metros, Bellingham comes in at #9 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $30,000; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $22,100 (midpoints, 120 sq ft). Statewide, Bellingham is 1% above the Washington figure.
Other Washington metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | 2,086,210 jobs | $20,500 – $34,900 | $27,700 | level |
| Spokane, WA | 255,820 jobs | $19,700 – $33,500 | $26,600 | −4% |
| Olympia, WA | 130,300 jobs | $20,000 – $34,100 | $27,100 | −2% |
| Kennewick, WA | 129,490 jobs | $20,200 – $34,300 | $27,200 | −1% |
| Yakima, WA | 97,010 jobs | $19,500 – $33,200 | $26,300 | −5% |
| Bremerton, WA | 93,740 jobs | $20,000 – $34,000 | $27,000 | −2% |
Cities with a workforce like Bellingham's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Bellingham against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bremerton, WA | 93,740 jobs | $20,000 – $34,000 | $27,000 | −2% |
| Panama City, FL | 90,610 jobs | $17,300 – $29,500 | $23,400 | −15% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $18,600 – $31,700 | $25,100 | −9% |
| St. George, UT | 90,500 jobs | $17,300 – $29,500 | $23,400 | −15% |
Why two Bellingham quotes can differ
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.
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).
Get 3 local quotes
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Kitchen remodel in Bellingham: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a kitchen in Bellingham?
For 120 sq ft, expect $20,400 to $34,800 in the Bellingham area. A standard-spec job lands at $24,700 to $30,500. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for kitchen remodel in Bellingham?
About $166 to $277 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $520 to $1,550 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $150 to $250.
+Is kitchen remodel cheaper in Bellingham or Bremerton?
Bremerton is 90 miles away. The midpoint for 120 sq ft there is $27,000, which is 2% less than Bellingham ($27,600). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Bellingham?
About 24% at the midpoint, or $6,600 out of $27,600. Materials are 72% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 20%.
+What would average kitchen (200 sq ft) cost in Bellingham?
$33,700 to $56,900. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen remodel need a permit in Bellingham?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $520 to $1,550 for fees in the Bellingham area (our national range of $500 to $1,500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Bellingham expensive for kitchen remodel compared with the rest of Washington?
Bellingham is 1% above the Washington statewide estimate ($27,400 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Washington; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Bellingham?
The BLS median is $35.22 an hour in the Bellingham area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $29.17 to $46.22.
+What do basic and premium kitchen remodel work cost in Bellingham?
For 120 sq ft, basic work runs $20,400 to $26,200 and premium work $29,000 to $34,800. Basic means: update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout. Premium means: large or custom remodel, high-end finishes.
Kitchen remodel near Bellingham
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.