Key takeaways
- For most Maryland homeowners doing a full kitchen renovation, a realistic budget is $55,000 to $100,000.
- Cost vs. Value 2025 (South Atlantic) puts a minor midrange kitchen at $28,567 and a major midrange kitchen at $81,076 in job cost.
- Minor remodels recouped approximately 109% in 2025, versus about 50% for major midrange remodels.
- Cabinets are the largest single line item, typically 30 to 40 percent of the total budget.
- Montgomery and Prince George's County projects draw from the Washington, D.C. labor market and often run at or above the regional benchmark.
For most Maryland homeowners doing a full kitchen renovation, a realistic budget is $55,000 to $100,000. A cosmetic refresh costs considerably less. A custom gut renovation with structural changes costs considerably more. The single biggest driver of where your project lands: whether you choose stock, semi-custom, or fully custom cabinetry.
How to read these numbers: figures credited to a named report are quoted from it. The ranges in the headings and the line-item costs are our planning estimates built from those reports, not quotes. Get written bids for your own kitchen before you set a budget.
Costs at a glance
Planning ranges are Renovexus estimates; job costs credited to a report are quoted from it.
| Scope | Typical job cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Minor kitchen remodel (Maryland) | $22,000 to $38,000 | Renovexus planning estimate |
| Minor midrange kitchen (South Atlantic region) | $28,567 | Cost vs. Value 2025, South Atlantic |
| Mid-range full remodel (Maryland) | $55,000 to $100,000 | Renovexus planning estimate |
| Major midrange kitchen, about 200 sq ft with island (South Atlantic region) | $81,076 | Cost vs. Value 2025, South Atlantic |
| Upscale remodel (Maryland) | $130,000 to $210,000 and above | Renovexus planning estimate |
| Upscale major kitchen (national benchmark) | $164,104 | Cost vs. Value 2025, national |
Minor kitchen remodel: $22,000 to $38,000
A minor remodel keeps the cabinet boxes in their existing locations. The update covers new door fronts and drawer faces, new countertops, a new sink and faucet, and appliance replacements. No plumbing or electrical lines move.
The 2025 Cost vs. Value report (South Atlantic region) puts a minor midrange kitchen remodel at $28,567 in job cost, with a resale value of $31,197, recouping approximately 109% of what was spent. Maryland falls within the South Atlantic region alongside Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.
Montgomery County and Prince George’s County projects draw from the Washington, D.C. labor market and often run at or above the regional benchmark. Projects in Frederick, Howard, and Anne Arundel counties typically land closer to the regional figure.
Mid-range full remodel: $55,000 to $100,000
A mid-range remodel replaces everything: new semi-custom cabinets, quartz countertops, a new sink and faucet, new appliances, updated lighting, and new flooring. The layout may shift modestly. A peninsula might become an island, or the sink might move to a window wall.
Cost vs. Value 2025 (South Atlantic) puts a major midrange kitchen at $81,076 in job cost for roughly a 200-square-foot space with an island. Resale value in the South Atlantic comes in at $40,660, recouping about 50%.
A full kitchen renovation in Maryland typically requires separate plumbing, electrical, and sometimes mechanical permits. Combined permit fees across Maryland counties range from a few hundred dollars to over $1,000 depending on the scope and county.
Upscale remodel: $130,000 to $210,000 and above
An upscale renovation means custom cabinetry built to your exact dimensions, stone countertops, professional-grade appliances, and often a structural change: removing a load-bearing wall for an open floor plan or reconfiguring a doorway.
Cost vs. Value 2025 puts the national benchmark for an upscale major kitchen at $164,104 in job cost, with a resale value of $58,561, recouping about 36%. South Atlantic figures have run 1 to 2 percent below the national number in recent years. This is the realistic benchmark for a high-specification renovation in a Montgomery County or Bethesda home priced above $900,000.
What drives cost
Cabinets are the largest single line item, typically 30 to 40 percent of the total budget. Stock cabinets from a home improvement store are the least expensive. Semi-custom cabinets (factory-built in many size configurations, with finish and hardware options) are the most common choice in the mid-range tier. Fully custom cabinetry means a local shop builds to your exact dimensions and specifications.
Layout changes. Keeping plumbing and electrical in their current positions is the most cost-efficient path. Every foot the sink moves adds plumbing cost. Adding a kitchen island with a prep sink and outlets adds cost well above the island itself.
Structural changes. Removing a load-bearing wall requires a structural engineer’s assessment and a structural beam. This typically adds several thousand dollars in engineering, framing, and finishing costs on top of the regular renovation budget.
Appliances. A builder-grade package (refrigerator, range, dishwasher) runs $4,000 to $8,000. A professional-grade setup with a 48-inch range, column refrigerator, and built-in microwave drawer can reach $20,000 or more before installation.
Labor in Maryland. Contractors in Montgomery, Prince George’s, Howard, and Anne Arundel counties operate in or near the D.C. metro labor market. Skilled trade labor in those counties tends to run higher than the South Atlantic regional average. Frederick County and Western Maryland projects typically run closer to or at the regional figure.
Return on investment
Cost vs. Value data consistently shows that minor kitchen remodels return more than major ones in the South Atlantic region. The minor remodel’s 109% return in 2025 means the resale value added exceeds what was spent. Major midrange remodels return about 50 percent. Upscale remodels return about 35 percent.
This does not mean major or upscale remodels are poor decisions. In a Bethesda or Potomac home priced above $1 million, buyers expect a finished kitchen. A $160,000 kitchen in a $450,000 house does not return what it cost at sale.
FAQ
Should I add permit costs to my budget?
Yes. A full kitchen renovation in Maryland requires plumbing, electrical, and sometimes mechanical permits. Fees vary by county. Montgomery County tends to run higher; Prince George’s and Howard counties typically run lower for standard residential work. Your contractor can estimate permit costs for your specific county and scope before you sign a contract.
How long does a Maryland kitchen renovation take?
A minor refresh (cabinet fronts, countertops, appliances) typically runs 2 to 4 weeks. A full renovation with layout changes typically runs 8 to 12 weeks. Permit processing adds time at the front end: plan for 2 to 4 weeks in most Maryland counties and 6 to 8 weeks in Montgomery County.
Should I remodel before selling?
Minor updates (new countertops, new cabinet fronts, new appliances in place) offer the strongest returns and can make a kitchen competitive for the price point. Full gut renovations before a sale are harder to justify financially unless the kitchen is severely dated. A local real estate agent who knows your Maryland market is better placed to advise on what buyers in your specific town expect.
How do I get an accurate quote?
The ranges in this guide are starting points, not bids. The only reliable way to price your project is to sit with a contractor who measures your kitchen, reviews what you want, and delivers a written, line-item proposal. Get at least two quotes from licensed MHIC contractors.
Planning a Maryland kitchen remodel and want to find a verified contractor? Send one request on Renovexus.
Sources
- Remodeling Cost vs. Value 2025: South Atlantic Region jlconline.com
- Angi: Kitchen Remodel Cost Guide 2025 angi.com
- Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) labor.maryland.gov
- Kitchen Remodel Cost in Maryland 2026 Guide gbckitchenandbath.com
