Answer 4 questions, get a realistic 2026 Chicago-area price range in seconds. Built from real local market data, not national averages.
Measure wall to wall, or estimate: a typical Chicago galley is 100–140 sq ft, an L-shape 150–220.
180 sq ft · Mid-Range Remodel · keep current layout · keep / selective appliances
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Base ranges come from our published 2026 Chicago kitchen cost guide: Budget $15k–$30k, Mid-range $30k–$75k, High-end $75k–$150k+, benchmarked to a 150 sq ft kitchen. Kitchen size scales the range (factor 0.65 + sqft÷430); layout and storage apply as multipliers; appliance packages add flat costs. Rounded to the nearest $500.
These are planning estimates, not a quote. Older Chicago housing stock, permit requirements, and hidden conditions (plumbing, electrical, plaster) move real numbers — which is exactly why we price every project fixed, in writing, after seeing your kitchen.
Send us your calculator result and we’ll schedule a free in-home consultation. You’ll get one fixed price, in writing — no allowances, no surprises.
It’s a planning tool, accurate to the level of published Chicago market ranges — most real projects land within about 15–20% of the range shown. What moves a project outside the range is almost always hidden conditions: 100-year-old plumbing, ungrounded electrical, or plaster walls that crumble on demo. Our fixed-price proposals account for those after an in-home visit, so the number we give you is the number you pay.
Three local factors: skilled-trade labor rates run 10–20% above national averages, Chicago’s permit and inspection process adds time and fees, and much of the housing stock predates 1940 — which means once walls open up, contractors routinely find knob-and-tube wiring, galvanized plumbing, or no insulation. Budget a 10–15% contingency on top of any estimate if your home is pre-war.
Keep the layout exactly where it is — moving plumbing and gas lines is the single biggest cost driver. Reface or paint existing cabinets instead of replacing them, choose butcher block or laminate counters, and upgrade appliances selectively rather than all at once. That’s the Budget Refresh path in the calculator above, and it’s how most Chicago condos get a transformed kitchen under $30k.
A budget refresh runs 3–5 weeks; a mid-range remodel with minor layout changes typically takes 8–12 weeks; high-end renovations with structural work run 4–6 months including design and permits. Chicago permit review alone can add 4–8 weeks for projects involving structural, plumbing, or electrical changes — start that clock early. Read our full breakdown: how long a kitchen remodel takes.
Licensed & insured design-build remodeler serving Chicago and the North Shore. Fixed-price proposals, dedicated project manager, 5-year craftsmanship warranty.