Every homeowner who calls us about a kitchen remodel asks the same question in the first five minutes: “What’s this gonna cost me?” Most articles on the internet give you HomeAdvisor-style ranges so wide they’re useless — $25K to $150K. Cool, very helpful.
Here are the honest numbers, sorted by the four tiers we actually quote in Atlanta in 2026. Tile, fixture, and cabinet prices are based on what we’re paying suppliers this quarter — not last year’s estimates.
Tier 1 — The refresh. $8K–$18K
This is when the layout is fine and the bones are solid — you just hate how it looks. We’re talking: cabinet repaint, new hardware, new countertops, new backsplash, maybe new lighting. No moving plumbing, no new appliances, no demo of walls.
Typical scope: spray-painted cabinets in a new color (about $4–6K depending on cabinet count), quartz counters ($3–6K installed), tile backsplash ($1–2K), brass hardware ($300–800), a few new pendants ($400–1500). Two to three weeks from start to finish. Biggest visual change for the smallest investment.
Tier 2 — The mid-scale remodel. $30K–$60K
This is most kitchens we do. New cabinet boxes (not just paint), new counters and backsplash, new flooring in the kitchen, new lighting, new appliances if needed, and minor layout tweaks like adding an island or relocating the sink.
Typical breakdown: cabinets $14–25K (semi-custom from Diamond/Fabuwood/KraftMaid level), counters $5–10K (quartz or mid-range marble), backsplash $2–4K, flooring $3–7K, electrical and plumbing rework $3–6K, appliances variable (if client-supplied, $0; if we source, $8–20K). Total project: 5–7 weeks.
Tier 3 — The full remodel. $70K–$130K
This is when we take it down to studs. Walls might move. The layout gets reconfigured. Custom cabinetry, premium counters, hand-laid tile, real wood floors throughout, custom range hood, professional-grade appliances. Pendant lighting, sconces, the whole electrical lighting plan redone.
Most full remodels we do in Atlanta in this tier come in around $85–110K for a typical 200-square-foot kitchen. Add in a Wolf range plus Sub-Zero fridge and you’re closer to $130K. Timeline: 7–10 weeks if there are no permit surprises.
Tier 4 — The showcase. $150K+
Rare, but it happens. Imported slab counters with bookmatched veining, fully custom inset cabinetry, professional appliance suite (Wolf range + Sub-Zero fridge + Miele dishwasher), custom plaster range hood, dramatic lighting, integrated millwork tying the kitchen to dining and family rooms.
At this tier, the kitchen is also moving structural elements — load-bearing walls coming out, beams getting installed, sometimes adding square footage. Engineering and permits add real cost. Timeline: 12–16 weeks.
What drives the price up the fastest.
Three things, in order: (1) custom cabinetry vs. semi-custom — easily a $15–30K swing. (2) Slab choice — quartz vs. marble vs. exotic marble can be a $10K swing on the same counter area. (3) Layout changes — moving plumbing rough-ins, electrical runs, and especially load-bearing walls adds engineering, permits, and labor.
What doesn’t matter as much as people think.
Fancy faucets. Designer hardware. Pre-rinse pot-fillers. These are all under $1K each. Save the splurge for big-impact items (the counter slab, the range, the lighting) and the budget hardware stuff will still look great.
What you actually get from a written quote.
When we quote, you get every line itemized — cabinets, counter slab cost, tile cost, labor day-by-day, dump fees, permits. No “miscellaneous.” No “contingencies for change orders.” You see the number on day one, and unless we open a wall and find a 1970s water leak we couldn’t see, that’s the number you pay.
If you’ve been quoting kitchens around Atlanta and want a real apples-to-apples written quote — call or text us. We come out free and don’t push anything on you. Honest numbers, no pressure.