Cabinets and counters: roughly 45% of the budget

Cabinetry is the single largest line — typically 30–35% of the total — because it is furniture, storage system and architecture in one. Semi-custom cabinets in painted maple or white oak land very differently than stock boxes, and the gap shows up every day for twenty years. Counters take another 10–15%: quartz and granite price by the slab and the fabrication, not just the square foot. This is where we tell clients to spend first — you touch cabinets and counters every single day.

Labor, trades and the work behind the walls: roughly 35%

Demo, framing, plumbing, electrical, drywall, tile, flooring and installation are the second block. Moving a sink or a range means moving pipes and circuits, and older Maryland homes regularly need panel upgrades or subfloor repair that nobody budgeted from a photo. Licensed trades cost what they cost; the savings from cutting them are imaginary and usually temporary. Our kitchen remodeling quotes line-item this work so you can see exactly what sits behind the finished room.

Appliances, fixtures and finishes: roughly 15%

A pro-style range and panel-ready refrigerator can add five figures by themselves; a solid mid-tier package keeps this block near 10%. Lighting is the most under-budgeted item in the category — recessed cans, pendants, under-cabinet and dimming together transform the room for a few thousand dollars. Faucets, hardware and the backsplash finish the list. Choose these early: appliance dimensions drive cabinet drawings, not the other way around.

Design, permits and contingency: the last 5–10%

Design time, permit fees and dumpsters are small but real. Then there is contingency — we recommend holding 5–10% for what the walls reveal, especially in homes built before 1980. A fixed-price contract like ours absorbs most surprises into the quote after the in-home visit, but the honest version of any breakdown keeps a cushion. See how your kitchen pencils out on our pricing guide, or call (240) 266-8317 and we will build the breakdown around your actual room.

Frequently asked questions

What is the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel?

Cabinetry, at roughly a third of the budget, followed by the combined trades labor. Counters and appliances trade places for third depending on the selections.

Can I save money by keeping the same layout?

Yes — a same-footprint remodel avoids most plumbing and electrical relocation and any structural work. It is the single biggest lever on a kitchen budget after cabinet grade.

Should I buy my own appliances for the remodel?

You can, and many clients do during sales events. What matters is that exact model dimensions reach the designer before cabinets are ordered — a half-inch error is an expensive one.