Nov 11, 2026 · @bela
Most kitchen remodels in Dallas–Fort Worth cost between $150 and $400 per square foot. The final price depends on scope, cabinets, and whether you move plumbing or walls. This guide breaks down the kitchen remodel cost per square foot in DFW by tier, size, and material, so you can build a real budget before you call a contractor.
Quick Answer: What Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost per Square Foot in DFW?
For a full remodel that keeps your current layout, plan on about $150 to $350 per square foot in Dallas–Fort Worth. If you move walls, plumbing, or gas lines, or you choose custom cabinets, the price climbs to $300 to $600 or more. Luxury kitchens can pass $700 per square foot.
| Remodel tier | Cost per sq ft | Typical total | Typical timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic refresh | $100–$250 | $15,000–$30,000 | 2–4 weeks |
| Mid-range remodel (same layout) | $150–$350 | $30,000–$65,000 | 4–8 weeks |
| High-end remodel (new layout) | $300–$600 | $70,000–$120,000+ | 8–16+ weeks |
| Luxury or fully custom | $450–$880 | $120,000–$150,000+ | 8–16+ weeks |
These ranges come from several 2026 DFW cost guides, including Fin Home Contracting, ALC Construction Pros, UHS Remodeling, and Swanson Renovations. We checked them against the Cost vs Value report for Dallas in November 2026.
Treat the table as a sanity check, not a quote. Two kitchens with the same square footage can land $40,000 apart. The rest of this guide explains why, so you can read any estimate with confidence. If you want a number for your own home, our team offers free written estimates for kitchen remodeling in Dallas.
What Each Remodel Tier Gets You
The tier you pick matters more than the size of your kitchen. Here is what you get at each level of DFW kitchen remodeling.
Cosmetic refresh ($100–$250 per square foot). You keep the layout and often the cabinets. The work is paint or cabinet refacing, new countertops, a new backsplash, fresh hardware, and better lighting. It is the fastest and cleanest option, and it works well when your layout already fits the way you cook. Our interior painting and custom finish carpentry crews often handle this level of work.
Mid-range remodel ($150–$350 per square foot). This is the most common kitchen remodel in Dallas. You get new semi-custom cabinets, quartz countertops, new appliances, a tile backsplash, new lighting, and new flooring. The sink, range, and gas lines stay where they are, which keeps plumbing and electrical costs down. If you want new floors in the same project, take a look at our floor remodel services.
High-end remodel ($300–$600 per square foot). Now you are changing the layout. You might move the sink, add an island, take out a wall, or run new gas and electrical lines. That means permits, more trades, and more days on site. It also means more surprises behind the walls, so you need a bigger cushion in the budget.
Luxury or custom ($450–$880 per square foot). Think fully custom cabinets, pro-style appliances, natural stone, built-in storage, and a custom lighting plan. The Cost vs Value report puts an upscale major kitchen remodel in Dallas at $148,271. On a 200-square-foot kitchen, that works out to about $741 per square foot.
Here is a simple tip before you choose a tier. Write down what bugs you most about your kitchen. If it is the look, a refresh may be enough. If it is the flow, you are in the high-end range, even if the finishes stay simple. Moving things costs more than upgrading them.
Why the Numbers Differ (and Why Cost per Square Foot Can Mislead You)
You may notice that DFW cost guides do not agree. One puts mid-range kitchens at $150 to $250 per square foot. Another says $250 to $400. A luxury calculator lands at $390 to $880. None of them is wrong. They assume different kitchen sizes, different finishes, and different things inside the price, like appliances or permits.
Cost per square foot is also a shortcut that breaks down fast. Another DFW guide makes the same point: the number gets less accurate as a project gets more complex. Here are the three biggest reasons.
- Cabinets are priced by the linear foot, not by floor area. Stock cabinets run roughly $150 to $350 per linear foot. Semi-custom cabinets run $350 to $650. Custom cabinets run $700 to $1,200 or more, based on DFW material pricing. A galley kitchen has cabinets on both walls, so it uses more cabinet run per square foot than an open kitchen of the same size.
- Small kitchens cost more per square foot. Every kitchen needs a sink, a range hookup, electrical circuits, cabinets, and counters. Those costs do not shrink much when the room is small. One DFW small-kitchen guide puts budget work at $200 to $350 per square foot and mid-range work at $350 to $550.
- Contractors measure square footage differently. Some count the whole room. Some count only the area being rebuilt. If your kitchen opens to a dining area, the two numbers can be far apart. Always ask which measurement your estimate uses.
A quick example. A 120-square-foot kitchen at $300 per square foot comes to $36,000. A 200-square-foot kitchen at $250 per square foot comes to $50,000. But if that small kitchen gets a new island and a moved sink, it can cost as much as the bigger one. Layout changes add more cost than extra floor space does.
So use the kitchen remodel cost per square foot as a starting point. Then let a written, line-by-line estimate give you the real number.
Kitchen Remodel Cost by Size in DFW
Size still matters, even if it is not the whole story. Most Dallas kitchens fall between 120 and 200 square feet, but older homes, condos, and townhomes often have smaller ones.
| Kitchen size | Typical area | Typical total (mid-range) | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 70–120 sq ft | $25,000–$45,000 | Higher cost per square foot, lower total |
| Medium | 120–200 sq ft | $35,000–$65,000 | The most common DFW kitchen |
| Large | 200+ sq ft | $75,000+ | More cabinets, counters, and flooring to buy |
Two outside numbers back this up. A mid-range 120-square-foot kitchen in DFW commonly lands between $30,000 and $48,000. And Houzz’s 2026 kitchen report, covered by CultureMap Dallas, found a median of about $75,000 for a major remodel in kitchens over 250 square feet. For smaller kitchens, the median major remodel was about $46,000. Those Houzz figures are national, so DFW prices may run a little different.
What about a 10×10 kitchen? A 100-square-foot kitchen is a common size for starter homes. One local guide says most full 10×10 remodels in DFW land between $25,000 and $40,000, including cabinets, counters, appliances, and labor. That is $250 to $400 per square foot, which shows how the per-square-foot number climbs as the room shrinks.
Not sure which size band you are in? Measure the floor from wall to wall, and then measure the length of your cabinet runs. Both numbers help when you ask for a quote.
Where the Money Goes in a Kitchen Remodel
Cabinets are the biggest single cost in almost every kitchen. Here is a typical split for a mid-range project, based on UHS Remodeling’s DFW cost guide.
| Cost area | Share of budget |
|---|---|
| Cabinetry | About 30–35% |
| Labor | About 20–25% |
| Appliances | About 14% |
| Countertops | About 10% |
| Everything else (flooring, backsplash, lighting, plumbing, electrical, permits, disposal) | The rest |
Sources do not agree on labor. Some DFW guides put it at 20% to 25%, while others say 30% to 40%. The gap usually comes from what counts as labor and how much plumbing and electrical work the job needs. Ask your contractor to show labor and materials on separate lines so you can see the split yourself.
Cabinet and countertop prices
These are typical installed prices in DFW. Your supplier and your layout will move them up or down.
| Item | Price range | Typical kitchen cost |
|---|---|---|
| Stock cabinets | $150–$350 per linear foot | $4,000–$8,000 |
| Semi-custom cabinets | $350–$650 per linear foot | $10,000–$18,000 |
| Custom cabinets | $700–$1,200+ per linear foot | $25,000–$50,000+ |
| Quartz countertops | $70–$140 per sq ft installed | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Granite countertops | $80–$160 per sq ft installed | $4,000–$8,000 |
Marble and quartzite cost more, often $120 to $300 per square foot or higher. All of these ranges come from this DFW material breakdown.
Texas homes tend to have big kitchens, so a small upgrade adds up fast. A countertop that costs $50 more per square foot can add several thousand dollars across a whole kitchen. If you are weighing flooring too, our floor remodel page is a good place to start if you want to pair new floors with the remodel.
DFW-Specific Costs Most Guides Skip
A kitchen in North Texas has a few extra cost factors. Knowing them up front keeps your budget honest.
Clay soil and foundation movement. North Texas sits on expansive clay. It swells when wet and shrinks when dry, so foundations can shift up and down through the year, as The Dallas Morning News explains. That matters in a kitchen. Heavy stone counters, tile floors, and tight cabinet runs show cracks and gaps when the floor moves. If you see cracked walls, sticking doors, or uneven floors, have the foundation checked before you spend money on tile or stone.
Slab foundations. Many DFW homes sit on a concrete slab. If you move a sink or dishwasher, plumbers may need to cut into the slab to reach the drain lines. That can add real cost. It is one reason keeping your sink where it is saves so much money. Our plumbing team can look at your layout and tell you what moving it would involve.
Older homes. A kitchen in a home built decades ago may have worn wiring, a small electrical panel, or aging pipes. New appliances draw more power than old ones. Plan for the chance that your electrical service needs an upgrade, and ask your contractor to check before demo day.
Open-plan changes. Taking out a wall makes the room feel bigger, but it can bring extra costs. You may need a structural check, a new beam, and changes to your air vents. With our hot summers, airflow matters, so ask how the new layout will be cooled.
Where you live changes the process. Permit rules, timelines, and inspection steps differ from city to city. If you are in Plano, Frisco, Richardson, Garland, or Irving, ask your contractor how that city handles kitchen permits. You can also see everywhere we work on our service area page.
Permits, Licenses, and Who Does What
A low price means little if the work skips permits or uses unlicensed trades. Here is what to check before you sign.
Permits in Dallas. Work that touches plumbing, electrical, gas, or structure usually needs a permit. Cosmetic updates like paint or new hardware usually do not. The City of Dallas posts its forms, including a remodel checklist, on its residential permits page. You can also call the city’s permit office at 214-948-4480. Other cities set their own rules, so always confirm with your city before work starts.
Licenses in Texas. Texas does not license general contractors at the state level. But some trades do need a state license:
- Plumbers are licensed by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners. You can look up a license on the state’s public search.
- Electricians are licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Their site has a license search too.
What to ask your contractor:
- Who is the licensed plumber and electrician on my job, and what are their license numbers?
- Who pulls the permit, and is the fee in the estimate?
- Can I see proof of general liability insurance?
- Will I get a written, line-by-line contract before work starts?
A good contractor answers these without hesitation. If you get vague answers, move on.
Editor note (fill in before publishing): Add BELA Construction’s plumbing and electrical license numbers, insurance details, and any warranty terms here in two or three sentences. Real proof builds more trust than any claim. Delete this note when done.
Real Kitchen Projects: What They Cost
Numbers on a page help, but real projects help more. Here are recent kitchens from our team, with the final price and the time each one took. You can see more photos on our latest work page.
| Project | Size | Scope | Final cost | Cost per sq ft | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plano kitchen | 10 sq ft | [Same layout, semi-custom cabinets, quartz] | [$2200] | [$220] | 1 weeks |
| Cedar Hill kitchen | 12 sq ft | Moved sink, new island | $2500 | $210 | 8 Day |
| Irving kitchen | 15 sq ft | Cabinet refresh and new counters | $4500 | $300 | 12 Day |
Editor note (required before publishing): Replace every bracket with a real BELA project. Add a before and after photo for each, and one sentence on what drove the price, such as a moved sink or a wall removal. Do not use estimated or borrowed numbers here. If you do not have three projects yet, publish with one real project, or delete this section. Fake or rounded project data hurts trust with Google and with customers.
How to Read a Quote and Save Money Without Cutting Quality
What a good estimate looks like
- Line items, not one lump sum. You should see cabinets, countertops, flooring, plumbing, electrical, labor, permits, and disposal listed separately.
- Clear allowances. An allowance is a set amount for something you have not picked yet, like tile. If it is too low, you will pay the difference later.
- A change-order process. Changes happen. The contract should say how they are priced and approved in writing.
- A contingency of 10% to 15%. Walls and floors hide surprises. Set this money aside, and do not count it as part of the price.
- A payment schedule tied to progress, not a large deposit up front.
Ways to lower your kitchen remodel cost
- Keep the layout. Leaving the sink, range, and gas lines where they are is the biggest money saver in most DFW kitchens.
- Pick semi-custom cabinets or refacing. You get good quality at a much lower price than fully custom.
- Plan before demo. Finish your design and choose your materials first. Late changes cost the most. The National Kitchen & Bath Association publishes free kitchen planning guidelines that help you check your layout, such as keeping the sink, stove, and fridge close enough to work well together.
- Time your project. According to Thumbtack, Dallas-area contractors are often less busy in late fall and winter, which can help with scheduling and pricing.
- Spend where it counts. Splurge on cabinet quality, good plumbing and electrical work, and proper ventilation. Save on paint, hardware, and backsplash. If you want built-ins or trim that look custom, our finish carpentry crew can add them to a mid-range budget.
What not to cut
Skip the cheapest bid if it leaves out permits, uses unlicensed trades, or has no written scope. Fixing bad work costs more than doing it right once.
Is a Kitchen Remodel Worth It in Dallas?
A new kitchen improves daily life first and resale value second. Most remodels do not return 100% of their cost when you sell. In the 2025 Cost vs Value report, an upscale major kitchen remodel in Dallas cost about $148,000 and recovered only around 34% of that at resale. In general, smaller and mid-range updates tend to give a better return than very high-end ones.
If you plan to stay five years or more, build the kitchen for how you live. If you plan to sell soon, a focused refresh with new counters, paint, lighting, and hardware often makes more sense than a full gut. A local real estate agent can tell you what buyers in your neighborhood expect.
Kitchen Remodel Cost in DFW: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average kitchen remodel cost per square foot in DFW?
Most DFW kitchen remodels run $150 to $350 per square foot when the layout stays the same. Projects with layout changes or custom cabinets often reach $300 to $600, and luxury kitchens can go higher.
How much does a 10×10 kitchen remodel cost in DFW?
A full remodel of a 100-square-foot kitchen commonly costs $25,000 to $40,000 in DFW. A simple refresh costs less, and a remodel with a new layout or custom cabinets costs more.
Why do small kitchens cost more per square foot?
Every kitchen needs a sink, appliance hookups, electrical work, cabinets, and counters. Those basics cost about the same in a small room, so the price per square foot goes up.
How long does a kitchen remodel take?
A cosmetic refresh often takes 2 to 4 weeks. A mid-range remodel usually takes 4 to 8 weeks. A high-end remodel with layout changes can take 8 to 16 weeks or more, depending on permits and material lead times.
Do I need a permit for a kitchen remodel in Dallas?
Usually yes, if the work involves plumbing, electrical, gas, or structure. Paint and cosmetic updates often do not need one. Check the City of Dallas permit page, or your own city’s page if you live in a suburb.
How much should I set aside for surprises?
Plan for 10% to 15% on top of your estimate. Older homes and layout changes tend to need the higher end of that range.
What is the cheapest way to update a kitchen?
Keep the layout, and focus on cabinet refacing or paint, new countertops, a new backsplash, better lighting, and new hardware. That gives the biggest change for the lowest cost per square foot.
Get a Real Number for Your Kitchen
A per-square-foot figure gets you in the right range. A walk-through of your actual kitchen gets you the real price. BELA Construction offers free written estimates for kitchen remodeling in Dallas and nearby cities. You can contact us to set up a visit, or learn more about our team first. Planning more than a kitchen? See our home remodeling services and our bathroom remodeling in Dallas.