Kitchen remodel ROI calculator

A kitchen is the room buyers judge first — but the return depends entirely on how far you go. A refresh of the kitchen you have pays back more than it costs; a full gut rarely does. Pick the scope, set the budget, and see the resale math.

Drag to set$28,000
1,900 sq ft
Estimated value added
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Recoups—
Net gain / loss—
New home value—
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Directional estimate using national cost-vs-value recoup rates (2025 Cost vs. Value report). Returns vary widely by market, quality, and timing — not an appraisal.

How much value does a kitchen remodel add?

In the 2025 Cost vs. Value report, a minor midrange kitchen remodel — new cabinet fronts and hardware, a mid-priced countertop, energy-efficient appliances, new flooring and paint, about $28,000 — recouped roughly 113% of its cost at resale, the best return of any interior project. A major midrange remodel ($83,000: new semi-custom cabinets, an island, new appliances, lighting and flooring) recouped about 51%, and an upscale version recoups less still.

The lesson is not “don’t remodel”; it is that buyers pay for a clean, current, working kitchen, not for the last $40,000 of upgrades. Spend where it shows and stop before the budget outruns the neighborhood.

What drives kitchen ROI

Scope. Keeping the layout and plumbing where they are is what makes a minor remodel cheap and a major one expensive.

Neighborhood ceiling. A $100,000 kitchen in a $350,000 house cannot recover its cost; the same kitchen in a $1.2M house can.

Timeless over trendy. Neutral cabinets, quartz or stone, and classic layouts age well; strong colors and niche finishes narrow your buyer pool.

Condition before you start. If the existing kitchen is dated but functional, a cosmetic refresh captures most of the perceived value.

Minor vs. major: which one is worth it?

Minor remodel: you like the layout, cabinets are sound, and the goal is a current look — nearly always pays back and often more.

Major remodel: the layout is broken, cabinets are failing, or you will live with it for a decade — do it for the living, not the resale; expect to recover about half.

Put it in context

Compare this against other projects with the Increase Home Value calculator, check what your home is worth with the Home Value Estimator, and see local prices on the home values map.

Common questions

Kitchen Remodel ROI: FAQ

Does a kitchen remodel increase home value? +
Yes, but how much depends on scope. A minor midrange kitchen remodel recoups about 113% of its cost at resale (2025 Cost vs. Value), while a major midrange remodel recoups about 51%. A kitchen that is dated or broken drags value down, so a modest refresh usually pays.
How much does a kitchen remodel cost? +
A minor midrange remodel averages about $28,000 nationally; a major midrange remodel about $83,000; upscale remodels run well past $150,000. Labor and material costs vary by region, so expect ±25% around those figures.
What is the ROI of a $30,000 kitchen remodel? +
Spent as a minor refresh — cabinet fronts, counters, appliances, flooring, paint — a $30,000 kitchen remodel adds roughly $34,000 of resale value at the national 113% recoup rate. The same $30,000 spent on a partial gut recovers far less.
What kitchen upgrades add the most value? +
Refreshed cabinet fronts and hardware, a mid-priced stone or quartz counter, matching energy-efficient appliances, good lighting and new flooring — the visible, broadly appealing items. Moving walls and plumbing adds cost buyers rarely pay for.
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