Here is the short answer for the Houston and Katy area as of 2026. A refresh (painted cabinets, new counters, backsplash, hardware, lighting) runs roughly $10,000 to $25,000. A mid-range full remodel with new cabinets, quartz counters, appliances and flooring runs roughly $30,000 to $65,000. A major or custom remodel that moves walls and plumbing runs roughly $60,000 to $150,000. Those are honest orientation, not a quote, because a kitchen remodel is not one product with one price. It is dozens of choices, and each one moves the number. Here is what moves it, and how to set a realistic budget for your own kitchen.
What actually drives the price
- Scope. A cosmetic refresh (paint, hardware, counters, backsplash) is a different universe from a full gut that moves walls and plumbing.
- Cabinets. Usually the biggest single line. Refinishing, new doors, stock, or full custom each land at a different level.
- Countertops. Material choice - laminate to quartz to natural stone - swings the total meaningfully.
- Layout changes. The moment you move a sink, a gas line, or a wall, you add plumbing, electrical, and sometimes structural work.
- Appliances and fixtures. Your selections here are largely in your control and can flex the budget up or down.
What kitchens actually cost around Houston and Katy
Every kitchen is different, but it helps to think in tiers. A refresh keeps the layout and updates surfaces. A mid-range remodel replaces cabinets and counters and updates lighting and flooring. A full remodel reworks the layout, and a high-end project brings custom cabinetry and premium materials. Where you land depends far more on your choices than on the contractor.
With those tiers in mind, here is where projects in the Houston and Katy area generally land as of 2026. Treat these as honest orientation, not a quote. Your kitchen is its own project, and the written scope is what turns a range into a number.
- Refresh (painted cabinets, new counters, backsplash, hardware, lighting): roughly $10,000 to $25,000, with most landing between $15,000 and $20,000.
- Mid-range full remodel (new or heavily refaced cabinets, quartz counters, appliances, flooring): roughly $30,000 to $65,000, with most landing between $40,000 and $55,000.
- Major or custom remodel (layout changes, walls moved, high-end finishes): roughly $60,000 to $150,000, and true luxury builds can go beyond that.
A few line items worth knowing on their own: professionally painting a full kitchen of cabinets typically runs $3,000 to $8,000, replacing them entirely runs $8,000 to $40,000 installed depending on stock versus custom, quartz counters land around $60 to $120 per square foot installed, and a tile backsplash usually falls between $800 and $2,500. Small kitchens often cost more per square foot than big ones, because the plumbing, electrical and appliances do not shrink with the room.
The kitchens on our project pages run the same spread, from painted-cabinet refreshes to a layout that opened a wall for a custom island and a chef’s kitchen with stone carried to the floor. To see what each tier looks like finished, start with kitchen remodeling in Katy and Houston and the project pages linked from it.
Why the cheapest bid usually is not
A low number often means thin allowances, cut corners on prep, or work that gets "discovered" mid-project and billed as extras. We would rather give you an honest, itemized scope up front, even if it is not the lowest, than surprise you later. If you want to understand how to compare bids, read how to compare remodeling bids and what a written scope should include.
Financing and phasing
A remodel is a real investment, and you do not always have to pay for it all at once. We offer financing so you can spread the cost, and for larger projects we can phase the work sensibly. Ask about both when we scope your kitchen.
The right question is not "what does a kitchen cost" but "what does my kitchen cost." The only way to know is to have someone measure it and put it in writing.
We will walk your kitchen, talk through your goals and budget honestly, and follow up with a clear written quote at no cost. Get your free quote or explore our kitchen remodeling services.