Your North Texas Kitchen remodel cost breakdown

So, what does a kitchen remodel actually cost in North Texas? Let's cut right to the chase.

For a simple refresh in places like Granbury or Weatherford, you’re likely looking at a budget between $15,000 and $30,000. If you're planning a more thorough, mid-range overhaul, that figure usually climbs into the $50,000 to $90,000 range. For those truly show-stopping, high-end transformations, it’s not uncommon to see costs push well past $120,000.

These aren't just numbers; they represent different levels of transformation, from cosmetic updates to full-scale reconfigurations. Understanding where your project fits is the first step toward building a realistic financial plan.

Setting a Realistic North Texas Remodel Budget

Before you fall in love with that perfect island on Pinterest, getting real about the numbers is the most important first step. While national averages provide a ballpark, they don't capture the full picture for our local area. Costs here are shaped by North Texas labor rates, material suppliers around Glen Rose, and the specific style of homes we work on every day.

To build a budget that won’t give you sticker shock, it helps to understand what kind of project you’re actually planning.

Kitchens are a top priority for homeowners—in fact, the 2025 kitchen remodeling report from This Old House shows that more than half are planning a kitchen project this year. Those same studies peg a minor national renovation at about $16,000, with bigger projects easily hitting $71,000 to $137,000.

Understanding Remodel Tiers

Not every remodel means swinging a sledgehammer at the walls. Your project will almost certainly fall into one of three categories, each with its own scope and price tag.

• Minor Remodel (Cosmetic Refresh): Think of this as a facelift. You keep the kitchen's current layout but give it a serious style upgrade. We're talking about painting existing cabinets, putting in a new backsplash, swapping out countertops, and installing a new sink and faucet. It delivers a huge visual impact without a massive demolition bill.

• Mid-Range Remodel (Pull-and-Replace): This is the sweet spot for many families we work with in the Granbury area. It involves replacing nearly everything within the existing footprint—all-new cabinets, countertops, appliances, flooring, and light fixtures. Because you’re not moving plumbing or electrical, you get that brand-new kitchen feel while keeping labor costs in check.

• Major Remodel (Full Gut and Reconfiguration): This is the big one. Here, you’re completely reimagining the space. It could mean knocking down walls for an open-concept design, running new plumbing for an island sink, or adding a bank of windows. This level of remodel is a major investment that involves detailed architectural plans, permits, and a whole team of skilled trades.

Now that you have a better sense of these tiers, let's look at what that means for your budget right here in our corner of North Texas.

North Texas Kitchen Remodel Tiers At a Glance

To give you a clearer picture, we've broken down what these remodel tiers typically look like in the Granbury, Weatherford, and surrounding areas. This table outlines the common cost ranges and what you can generally expect for your investment.

Remodel Tier	Typical Cost Range (North Texas)	Common Features & Scope
Minor Remodel	$15,000 – $30,000	Cabinet painting/refacing, new countertops (laminate/entry-level quartz), new sink & faucet, backsplash, new light fixtures, fresh paint. Layout remains the same.
Mid-Range Remodel	$50,000 – $90,000	New semi-custom cabinets, mid-to-high-grade countertops (quartz/granite), new appliance suite, new flooring, upgraded lighting. Layout remains the same.
Major Remodel	$120,000+	Full gut, new layout (wall removal/relocation), custom cabinetry, professional-grade appliances, moving plumbing/electrical, new windows, structural changes.

Remember, these are starting points. The final cost will always depend on the size of your space, the quality of materials you choose, and the complexity of the work. With a clear understanding of these tiers, you can start matching your wishlist to a practical budget.

Ready to see how these costs apply to your specific project? Our team can help you create a detailed budget tailored to your home in Granbury, Weatherford, or the surrounding North Texas communities.

Deconstructing Your Kitchen Remodel Budget

When you start thinking about a kitchen remodel, the first question is almost always, "What's this going to cost?" The truth is, there’s no single answer. The total cost is a sum of many different parts, and understanding those individual line items is the key to building a realistic budget and knowing where every dollar is going.

Think of it less as one giant expense and more as a series of smaller, more manageable decisions. For instance, the cost difference between simply refinishing your existing cabinets and having a local Weatherford woodworker craft a fully custom set is enormous. The same goes for appliances—a standard package versus a high-end, professional-grade suite will drastically change the final invoice.

Breaking the project down this way puts you in control. It allows you to see where you can save and where you want to splurge, making smart trade-offs that fit your family’s needs and your financial comfort zone.

The infographic below gives a great visual overview of how costs scale up based on the project's scope. These are national averages, but they line up well with the trends we see right here in our local market.

This chart makes it clear how much the scope of work drives the final investment. Now, let's dig into the specific pieces that make up that total.

The Major Cost Categories

Let's pull apart the biggest expenses you'll see on almost any kitchen remodel quote. While every project is different—especially on the unique rural properties you find around Glen Rose or Tolar—these four categories are the foundation of your budget.

• Cabinetry and Hardware (30-35%): This is almost always the biggest line item. Your options run from affordable stock cabinets to semi-custom choices and fully custom work. The material, finish, and features like soft-close drawers all factor into the final price.

• Labor and Installation (15-25%): Good craftsmanship is an investment. This percentage covers the skilled team—carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and painters—who bring the design to life. It includes everything from demolition to the final brush stroke, ensuring your kitchen is not just beautiful but also safe and built to last.

• Appliances (10-15%): The cost here can swing dramatically. A solid, reliable suite of appliances might run a few thousand dollars. On the other hand, high-end, built-in models with all the latest features can easily top $20,000.

• Countertops (8-12%): Your countertops have a huge impact on both the look and cost of your kitchen. Around North Texas, popular choices include durable quartz, timeless granite, and stunning quartzite, each carrying a different price tag per square foot.

Itemizing Your Expenses

Beyond those "big four," several other line items are crucial for a complete and accurate budget. Accounting for these from the very beginning helps prevent sticker shock later on.

To give you a clearer picture, here’s how a typical mid-range kitchen remodel budget might break down in our area. This isn’t a quote, of course, but it’s a realistic framework for planning.

Sample Kitchen Remodel Budget Breakdown

Expense Category	Percentage of Total Budget	Estimated Cost Range (Mid-Range Project)
Cabinetry & Hardware	30% - 35%	$15,000 - $26,250
Labor & Installation	15% - 25%	$7,500 - $18,750
Appliances & Ventilation	10% - 15%	$5,000 - $11,250
Countertops	8% - 12%	$4,000 - $9,000
Plumbing & Electrical	5% - 10%	$2,500 - $7,500
Lighting	4% - 8%	$2,000 - $6,000
Flooring	3% - 5%	$1,500 - $3,750
Design & Permits	6% - 12%	$3,000 - $9,000
Contingency Fund	10% - 20%	$5,000 - $15,000

As you can see, the materials you choose and the labor required to install them make up the lion's share of the budget. Let's look closer at those moving parts.

Materials and Finishes

Quality materials are what make a remodel last. While labor is a huge factor, the materials themselves are a massive investment. For example, quality cabinetry can run anywhere from $200 to $1,500 per linear foot, depending on how custom you go. Countertops are another significant choice; while a slab of beautiful marble can cost up to $200 per square foot, many homeowners in Granbury are choosing versatile and more affordable quartz. Flooring also moves the needle, with classic oak ranging from $7 to $28 per square foot installed. These decisions quickly add up, and you can read more about these cost variables on FloridaRealtors.org.

Expert Insight: Don't forget to budget for the finishing touches! New cabinet pulls, under-cabinet lighting, and a stylish faucet might seem small, but they make a huge difference in the final look and feel of your kitchen—and they all have a cost.

Mechanicals and Systems

• Plumbing and Electrical (5-10%): If your layout is staying the same, these costs will be on the lower end. But if you're moving the sink to a new island or adding dedicated circuits for a double oven, this part of your budget will naturally go up.

• Lighting (4-8%): A great lighting plan is non-negotiable. This includes a mix of recessed ceiling lights for general illumination, statement pendants over an island, and task lighting under the cabinets.

The "Hidden" Costs

Finally, a smart budget always accounts for the things you can't plan for. These are the costs that protect your project and keep it running smoothly.

• Design Fees (5-10%): Working with a professional designer or a design-build firm like Gemini Homes ensures your plan is cohesive, functional, and well-managed. This fee covers detailed drawings, material selection guidance, and overall project coordination.

• Permits (~1-2%): Any remodel that touches structural, electrical, or plumbing systems requires permits. Whether it's the City of Weatherford or Hood County, permits ensure the work is done safely and to current building codes.

• Contingency Fund (10-20%): This is your project's safety net, and it's absolutely essential, especially in older homes. This fund is set aside for the unexpected—like discovering old wiring or hidden water damage when we open up the walls. It’s what keeps a surprise from derailing your project.

When you see your kitchen remodel cost breakdown this way, it transforms a single, daunting number into a series of clear, manageable decisions.

How Project Scope Shapes Your Final Cost

More than anything else, the scale of your vision will dictate the final cost of your kitchen remodel. Two kitchens in North Texas, even if they're the exact same size, can have wildly different price tags. It all boils down to one simple question: are we just swapping out the old for the new, or are we completely reimagining the entire space?

Getting clear on that distinction from the very beginning is the key to building a realistic budget.

Pull-and-Replace vs. Full-Gut Renovation

A "pull-and-replace" project is the most straightforward path. We work within the kitchen's existing footprint—the sink, stove, and refrigerator all stay in their current spots. We're still replacing just about everything you can see (cabinets, countertops, appliances), but because we're not touching the walls or moving plumbing and electrical, we keep labor costs contained.

On the other hand, a "full-gut renovation" is a total transformation. This is where we take the room down to the studs and start fresh, often with a completely new layout. It's how you get those dramatic, life-changing results, but it naturally brings more complexity and cost into the equation.

A Real-World North Texas Example

Let’s picture a family in a typical 1980s Granbury home. Their kitchen is closed-off and dated, and they dream of an open-concept space. The big idea? Take down the wall separating the kitchen from a rarely used formal dining room.

That single decision instantly transforms the project from a simple cosmetic update into a full-gut renovation. Suddenly, we have several new, significant cost layers to account for:

• Structural Work: There's a good chance that wall is load-bearing. If it is, we bring in an engineer to calculate the load and design a solution, typically a massive laminated veneer lumber (LVL) beam to support the floor above. This isn't just a framing job; it's a major structural change that requires permits and specialized expertise.

• Plumbing Rerouting: To get the big, beautiful island they want, the sink and dishwasher have to move from the old exterior wall into the center of the new space. This means a plumber has to cut into the concrete slab foundation to run new water and drain lines—a messy, labor-intensive process.

• Extensive Electrical Work: The new plan calls for recessed can lights, stylish pendants over the island, under-cabinet task lighting, and new dedicated circuits for a double oven. A licensed Weatherford electrician will have to run all new wiring, install a new sub-panel, and bring the entire space up to today's electrical code.

Key Takeaway: Moving walls, plumbing, and electrical lines is the true dividing line between a mid-range refresh and a high-end, major renovation. Every one of these changes adds not just for materials, but for skilled trades, engineering, and permits that can easily add tens of thousands of dollars to the bottom line.

The Age of Your Home Matters

The age of your house can also expand the scope, especially in historic areas like Glen Rose or on older rural properties. When we open up the walls in a home built decades ago, we often find things that must be fixed to meet modern building codes and keep your family safe.

Some common discoveries include:

• Outdated Knob-and-Tube Wiring: A known fire hazard that must be completely replaced by law during a major renovation.

• Galvanized Steel or Cast-Iron Plumbing: These old pipes corrode from the inside out, causing terrible water pressure and creating a risk for leaks. A gut renovation is the smartest time to upgrade to modern PEX or copper.

• Zero Insulation: We see it all the time. Older homes often have no insulation in the exterior walls. Adding it while the walls are open is a no-brainer for improving your home's comfort and lowering utility bills.

These "surprises" might not be part of your initial vision, but they are critical investments in your home's long-term health and value. This is exactly why a healthy contingency fund is an absolute must-have. Looking into the different types of home remodels can give you a clearer idea of what these larger-scale projects often involve.

By having an honest conversation about your project’s true scope, you can plan effectively and ensure your budget is right-sized for the beautiful, functional kitchen you've been picturing for your North Texas home.

Choosing Materials for Your Budget and Lifestyle

Picking out materials is where the fun really begins. It’s about striking that perfect balance between the look you love, what your budget allows, and how you actually use your kitchen every day. You're choosing the surfaces and finishes that will serve your family for years to come.

A busy family in Weatherford, for instance, is going to prioritize durability and easy cleanup above all else. On the other hand, a couple building their dream retirement home in Granbury might focus more on timeless style and accessible design. It’s all about matching the material to the mission.

Countertops: Where Durability Meets Design

Your countertops are a huge visual statement and, without a doubt, the hardest-working surface in your kitchen. The right one for you comes down to your cooking style, how much maintenance you’re willing to do, and your budget.

• Quartz: Engineered for real life, non-porous quartz naturally resists stains, scratches, and heat. It’s a fantastic choice for families because it never needs to be sealed and is a breeze to clean. You can get anything from simple solid colors to stunning slabs that perfectly mimic the look of marble.

• Granite: A classic for a reason. Granite delivers natural beauty and serious durability. Every slab is unique, giving your kitchen one-of-a-kind character. It needs to be sealed periodically to prevent staining, but it holds up wonderfully to daily wear and tear.

• Quartzite: Often mistaken for quartz, quartzite is a natural stone that’s even harder than granite. It features breathtaking, often dramatic patterns and is incredibly scratch-resistant. Just like granite, it requires sealing to protect its natural good looks.

Local Tip: Here in North Texas, we see a lot of homeowners choosing light-colored quartz or quartzite. These materials brighten up a room and have a clean, timeless feel that works beautifully with the modern farmhouse and rustic styles popular in our area.

Cabinets: The Foundation of Your Kitchen

Cabinets are typically the biggest line item in a kitchen remodel budget, and they absolutely set the tone for the entire space. Your main decision here really boils down to how much you want to customize.

Stock CabinetsThese are your most budget-friendly choice. They come pre-made in standard sizes and are ready for quick installation. While the selection of styles and colors is more limited, today’s stock cabinets offer surprisingly good quality and can be a phenomenal value.

Semi-Custom CabinetsOffering a great middle ground, semi-custom cabinets let you have the best of both worlds. You start with standard cabinet sizes but get a much wider menu of finishes, door styles, and clever storage solutions, like pull-out spice racks or corner lazy Susans.

Custom CabinetsIf you need a perfect fit and a truly unique look, custom is the only way to go. These cabinets are built from scratch to your exact specifications by a skilled woodworker, making it possible to maximize every inch of your kitchen. This is often the best route for older homes in places like Glen Rose with quirky layouts, or for anyone who wants a specific wood species or a unique hand-painted finish.

The cost difference here is significant. A kitchen with high-quality stock cabinets might run $8,000, while a full custom job in the same kitchen could easily top $30,000.

Flooring: Style Underfoot

Kitchen flooring has a tough job. It has to handle constant foot traffic, spills, and the occasional dropped pan. Luckily, modern flooring options deliver on both toughness and style.

• Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP): LVP's popularity has exploded for good reason. It's waterproof, scratch-resistant, and more comfortable to stand on for long periods. The latest designs offer incredibly realistic wood and stone looks, making it a smart choice for families and pet owners.

• Engineered Hardwood: If you love the authentic look and feel of real wood, engineered hardwood is an amazing option. Its layered construction makes it more stable than solid hardwood, which means it handles the temperature and humidity swings of a North Texas climate much better.

• Tile (Porcelain or Ceramic): When it comes to pure durability, tile is the undisputed champ. It's waterproof, a snap to clean, and practically indestructible. With an endless variety of styles, from wood-look planks to intricate patterns, you can create a floor that’s gorgeous and built to last forever.

When you’re ready to see these options in person, we can connect you with our trusted local suppliers in the Granbury and Weatherford areas. Nothing beats seeing and touching the materials to feel confident you're making the right choice for your home.

Smart Ways to Manage Your Remodeling Budget

Understanding where the money goes is one thing, but learning how to control those costs is where the real magic happens. A smart budget isn’t about being cheap; it's about being strategic. It’s about making savvy decisions that give you the biggest bang for your buck without sacrificing the quality or the kitchen you've been dreaming of.

With a thoughtful approach, you can get a stunning result that feels high-end but stays firmly grounded in financial reality.

Keep Your Layout Intact

Want to know the most effective way to keep your remodeling budget from spiraling? It's simple: work with your kitchen’s existing footprint. The moment you decide to move the sink, relocate the stove, or knock down a wall, you open a Pandora's box of new expenses.

Suddenly, you're not just paying for cabinets and countertops anymore. You’re also on the hook for:

• Plumbers: Who have to cut into the slab or crawlspace to run new water and drain lines.

• Electricians: To pull entirely new wiring for outlets, appliances, and lighting.

• HVAC Technicians: Needed to reroute ductwork that's almost always hidden in the exact wall or soffit you want to remove.

• Structural Engineers: To figure out if a wall is load-bearing and design the right support to replace it.

By leaving your major appliances and plumbing right where they are, you sidestep all of these significant mechanical costs. That frees up more of your budget for the beautiful finishes you'll see and touch every single day.

The Myth of "Cheaper" DIY

It’s tempting to think you can save a ton of money by doing parts of the remodel yourself. Sure, handling the final coat of paint can be a great way to save a little cash. But taking on major tasks without professional experience often ends up costing you more in the long run.

A professional builder is your insurance against expensive mistakes. A countertop mis-measured by a fraction of an inch or a cabinet installed slightly out of level can mean throwing out expensive materials and paying to have it all redone.

Delays are another hidden cost of DIY. A project that drags on for months while you're learning on the job means more time eating takeout and living in a construction zone. An experienced builder in the Weatherford area keeps the project on a tight schedule, which saves you time, stress, and, ultimately, money.

Expert Insight: A design-build firm’s greatest value is our established network. We have long-standing relationships with suppliers and trade partners across North Texas. This often translates into better pricing on materials and more reliable scheduling—savings we pass directly on to you.

Invest Where It Matters Most

Not every element in your kitchen needs to be top-of-the-line. The real key is putting your money where it has the biggest impact on function and durability.

• Cabinets: Think of them as the foundation of your kitchen. Opting for well-constructed cabinets with quality hardware is an investment that ensures they’ll stand up to daily use for decades.

• Installation: Flawless installation is what separates a good kitchen from a great one. Professional craftsmanship means tight seams, perfectly level countertops, and doors that hang just right.

When you prioritize these areas, you're building a kitchen that’s meant to last. You can always upgrade a light fixture or a faucet down the road, but the core elements need to be solid from the very beginning. By focusing your budget this way, you can learn more about maximizing your home remodel return on investment in our North Texas guide.

Your Kitchen Remodel Cost Questions Answered

Even after mapping out budgets and materials, a few lingering questions are bound to pop up. A kitchen remodel is a major investment, and you should feel confident about every detail. We’ve pulled together some of the most common questions we hear from homeowners across Granbury, Weatherford, and North Texas to give you the straight answers you're looking for.

How Long Does a Typical Kitchen Remodel Take?

The timeline for a kitchen remodel boils down entirely to its scope. A cosmetic update—painting cabinets and swapping out a backsplash—can often be wrapped up in 2 to 4 weeks. A more involved mid-range remodel, where we're pulling out old fixtures and putting new ones back in the same spots, typically takes 6 to 10 weeks.

For a major overhaul in an older Weatherford home, especially if we’re moving walls or rerouting plumbing, the project can easily stretch to 3 to 5 months or more. The biggest variables are always material lead times (custom cabinets aren't built overnight!), permit approvals, and the sheer complexity of the job. We always build a detailed project schedule from the get-go so you know exactly what to expect.

Do I Need a Permit for My Kitchen Remodel?

More often than not, the answer is yes. In Hood and Parker Counties, and within city limits like Granbury, permits are required for any work that touches your home's structural, plumbing, electrical, or mechanical systems.

This means if your project involves any of the following, a permit is almost certainly needed:

• Moving or taking down walls

• Adding or relocating electrical outlets or light fixtures

• Changing where your sink, dishwasher, or gas range lives

Simple cosmetic tweaks, like painting or replacing a faucet in the same location, usually don't need a permit. A professional design-build firm takes care of the entire permitting process, ensuring all work is up to code and passes inspection. This isn’t just red tape; it's about keeping your family safe and protecting your home's value.

What Is a Contingency Fund and How Much Should I Budget?

A contingency fund is a non-negotiable part of any remodeling budget. It's a pool of money, usually 10% to 20% of your total project cost, that's set aside purely for the surprises that can pop up during demolition.

In older homes across North Texas, it’s not uncommon to open up a wall and discover old wiring, hidden water damage, or structural problems nobody could have seen. Your contingency fund is the project's financial safety net, letting us fix these critical issues the right way without blowing up your budget or forcing you to cut corners elsewhere.

For a $75,000 mid-range kitchen, we’d advise setting aside a contingency of at least $7,500 to $15,000. This buffer provides priceless peace of mind, ensuring your project stays on track no matter what’s hiding behind the drywall.

What Is the Return on Investment for a Kitchen Remodel?

A thoughtfully designed kitchen remodel consistently delivers one of the best returns on investment (ROI) you can make in your home. While the market always shifts the exact numbers, homeowners here in North Texas can expect to get back a healthy chunk of what they put in when it’s time to sell.

A minor kitchen remodel tends to have the highest percentage ROI, sometimes recovering over 80% of its cost. For a major, high-end renovation, that figure is typically closer to 60% or 70%.

But the real value isn't just about the money. The immediate upgrade to your family's daily life—the improved flow, modern features, and joy of cooking in a space you love—is a return you feel every single day. When you work with a trusted local builder to create a timeless, quality kitchen, you’re investing just as much in your happiness as you are in your property value.

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Planning a kitchen remodel can feel like a massive undertaking, but you don’t have to go it alone. If you're ready to talk about your vision and get a real-world idea of the costs for your North Texas home, we'd be happy to walk you through the process.

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