“How much does a kitchen remodel cost in Northern Virginia?” It’s one of the first questions homeowners ask us—and for good reason. Remodeling your kitchen is one of the best ways to improve how your home functions and feels. Whether you cook nightly or entertain occasionally, an updated kitchen enhances how you live and increases your home’s value.
Kitchen remodeling costs in Fairfax, Arlington, and Loudoun County can range widely, and understanding what goes into the price of a full kitchen remodel can help you plan smarter and avoid surprises.
Why Kitchen Renovation Costs Vary in Northern Virginia
No two kitchen remodeling projects are alike. That’s especially true in Northern Virginia, where home styles range from 1970s colonials to newer transitional homes and everything in between.
A major remodel is one of the most complex and personalized remodeling projects you can undertake. That’s because so many decisions impact your budget—from cosmetic finishes to structural changes behind the walls.
What’s Driving the Cost of Kitchen Remodeling in Northern Virginia?
Here are the biggest factors that affect your overall cost:
- Size of your kitchen and layout (the square feet of the project)
- Scope of the project (minor remodel vs. structural reconfiguration)
- Cabinetry choices (stock, semi-custom, or custom cabinets)
- Countertop materials (laminate, quartz, granite, soapstone)
- Flooring (vinyl, tile, wood, or engineered wood)
- Appliances and fixtures (basic to high-end appliances)
- Plumbing, HVAC, and electrical changes
- Labor costs in the Northern Virginia market
A small kitchen remodel could cost less than $100K, while a custom kitchen renovation that opens up your floor plan and flows into adjacent spaces can exceed $200K.
How Much Do Materials Impact the Kitchen Remodel Budget?
One of the biggest drivers of kitchen remodeling costs is the type of material you choose. Even if you keep the layout the same, your selections for cabinets, new appliances, countertops, flooring, and lighting can significantly affect the final price.
For example:
- Countertops: Laminate and solid surfaces are budget-friendly (but never chosen), whereas quartz, granite, or soapstone are popular choices and will increase your investment.
- Cabinets: Stock cabinets are more affordable, while semi-custom or full custom cabinetry offers more flexibility, at a higher price point.
- Flooring: Vinyl and laminate are cost-effective, but many homeowners prefer other kitchen flooring options, such as tile or hardwood, for a more refined look.
- New appliances: Basic models cost less upfront, but high-end appliances or built-in models can elevate both performance and cost.
Our NARI-certified kitchen designer can help you balance cost, durability, and aesthetics to align your material choices with your goals and budget.
Popular Kitchen Upgrades Northern Virginia Homeowners Are Choosing
Homeowners in Arlington, Fairfax, and Loudoun counties aren’t just replacing finishes—they’re rethinking how their kitchens function. Today’s kitchen renovation projects prioritize improved layout, storage, style, and performance. Some of the most requested upgrades include:
- Removing soffits to make room for taller, more elegant cabinetry
- Opening up walls to improve flow between the kitchen and adjoining spaces, such as the living room
- Adding large kitchen islands with seating, storage, and workspace
- Installing upgraded countertops in quartz, granite, or soapstone
- Incorporating layered lighting using recessed, pendant, and under-cabinet fixtures
- Improving ventilation with sleek, high-performance range hoods
- Replacing old flooring with wood, tile, or luxury vinyl plank for a more polished look
- Choosing semi-custom or custom cabinets with soft-close doors, better organization, and popular finishes
- Upgrading appliances to stainless steel or high-end brands for better performance and aesthetics
- Adding specialty appliances like wine fridges, ice makers, beverage centers, or built-in coffee systems
- Integrating workstation sinks or under sink reverse osmosis water filter for added convenience and functionality
While every renovation project is unique, we often find that even modest upgrades in the quality of materials and kitchen appliances can significantly elevate the space. Understanding the true cost of a kitchen remodel comes down to the scope of work and the selections you make.
RELATED: Unique Kitchen and Bathroom Features to Include in Your Next Remodel
Mid-Range Kitchen Remodels: What to Expect
According to the Remodeling 2024 Cost vs. Value Report, the average cost of a kitchen remodel (midrange) in the Washington, D.C./Northern Virginia metro area is $79,982. But in our experience, this number underestimates what most local homeowners actually spend.
This is a good starting point, but this does not include many of the popular modifications that people in our region have come to expect as standard.
In reality, a midrange kitchen project typically includes:
- Granite, soapstone, or quartz countertops (as opposed to laminate, which the report assumes)
- Tile backsplash
- Stainless steel appliances
- Upscale faucets
- Painted or stained wood cabinets, such as modern white-oak cabinets
- LVP, tile, or wood floors (not vinyl flooring, as the report assumes)
- Recessed lighting and upgraded fixtures
- Minor changes to the existing layout (like removing a soffit or non-load-bearing wall)
In Arlington, Fairfax, and Loudoun counties (the areas we serve), homeowners often select a mixture of high-quality products and make some structural modifications, such as removing non-load-bearing or load-bearing walls, the cost to remodel a kitchen is slightly higher.
Generally, the price range is between $105,000 and $120,000. Still, it can quickly move into the $135,000-$150,000 range when the project affects more square footage and includes soffit removal, a fair number of upgrades, and structural modifications. This investment reflects not just material upgrades but also thoughtful design, improved functionality, and long-term satisfaction with how your kitchen works.
If your project does not require structural changes, tile backsplashes, stainless steel appliances, and you are okay with laminate countertops and vinyl floor, then a realistic budget is in the low-to-mid $90’s.
Beware of Scope Creep
It’s not uncommon for kitchen remodels to expand in scope as the project unfolds. Once homeowners see how much their new kitchen improves the space, they often decide to update nearby areas—like repainting, extending new flooring, or upgrading the family room fireplace.
These updates improve overall flow and cohesion but add to the total project cost. For example, fireplace refacing in an adjacent room can range from $4,500 to over $15,000.
To summarize, we see your neighbors investing in the $115,00 range for a nice kitchen renovation without changes to the structure. However, we see a lot of people investing $135,000 – $150,000 for a nice kitchen remodel with some changes to the structure, such as removing soffits or taking down a non-load bearing wall and some flow of the project into the adjacent spaces.
What Goes Into a High-End Kitchen Remodel?
In the same report, a high-end or upscale major kitchen remodel costs $158,530. This is consistent with our experience with an upscale kitchen remodel that includes some minor structural changes.
However, most upscale kitchen remodeling projects include structural changes to the kitchen space, relocating plumbing and/or appliances, and remodeling work that flows into adjacent spaces, so the cost to remodel your kitchen can quickly exceed $165K.
In reality, an upscale kitchen remodel typically includes:
- Custom cabinetry to maximize storage and style
- Waterfall-edge quartz or natural stone countertops
- Built-in appliances with cabinet panels
- Specialty appliances such as ice makers, wine fridges, beverage centers, and built-in coffee systems
- Professional-grade cooktops, ranges, and refrigerators
- Integrated smart-home technology, lighting and automation
- Plumbing and electrical work that’s relocated for better flow
- Expanding the kitchen footprint or removing structural walls
When homeowners combine these types of changes with the selection of commercial-grade appliances, stone floors, top-of-the-line custom cabinetry, and layered lighting fixtures, the kitchen remodeling budget can easily exceed $200,000.
If your upscale remodel stays within the kitchen footprint and doesn’t involve major structural changes, a starting budget of $160,000–$180,000 is typical in Northern Virginia.
📥 Want a deeper breakdown of what homeowners in our area spend on their kitchen remodels?
Budgeting for a kitchen remodel can feel overwhelming, especially when every decision affects cost.
Download our free Remodeling Cost Guide for Northern Virginia. It includes pricing ranges, potential costs of mid-upper to upper-end finishes, and helpful tips to plan your budget with confidence.
Which Kitchen Remodeling Decisions Add the Most Cost?
If you are trying to reduce renovation costs, you may want to know which remodeling choices are the most expensive.
With 35+ years in the remodeling business, experience has shown us that the following items tend to drive up cost the most:
- Removing soffits
- Removing walls and creating openings
- Relocation of exterior windows or doors
- Blending the surrounding living spaces to match the newly remodeled kitchen (scope creep)
- Significant electrical work and HVAC modifications
- Relocation of plumbing
- Selection of high-end or luxury appliances, finishes, and other luxury items
Why a Kitchen Remodel Is Worth the Investment
A kitchen remodel is a major undertaking, but one that delivers long-lasting value. Whether you’re updating an outdated space or preparing your home for the future, a well-designed kitchen renovation can transform how your home looks, functions, and feels.
Practical Benefits
- Improved functionality and storage – Say goodbye to daily frustrations with smarter layouts, better cabinetry, and upgraded storage solutions.
- Better flow and natural light – Reconfigure your layout to improve traffic flow and increase visibility between spaces.
- Energy-efficient appliances and lighting – Lower your utility bills with ENERGY STAR-rated appliances and modern LED lighting.
- Increased home value – A remodeled kitchen remains one of the top features that can boost your home’s resale value.
Lifestyle Benefits
- A kitchen that fits your life – Create a space tailored to how you cook, gather, and live every day.
- Enhanced aesthetics and enjoyment – Updated finishes, coordinated colors, and modern design details make your kitchen a space you truly enjoy.
- Better use of space – Maximize every square foot with a layout that balances beauty, function, and flow.
Most of our clients tell us the same thing after completing their project: “We wish we had done it sooner.”
Quick Kitchen Remodel Planning Checklist
Not sure where to start? Use this quick checklist to think through your project:
✅ What’s prompting your remodel—function, style, or both?
✅ Will you keep the current layout or reconfigure the space?
✅ Are you planning to upgrade appliances and lighting?
✅ What level of cabinetry do you want: stock, semi-custom, or custom?
✅ Do you need to update adjacent spaces for better flow?
✅ What’s your ideal investment range?
Even answering just a few of these questions will help you plan smarter and get more accurate estimates from your remodeling team.
Kitchen Renovation Considerations in Fairfax, Arlington & Loudoun
In Northern Virginia, the character of the housing stock varies from county to county, and so do the opportunities and challenges of remodeling a kitchen. Understanding these differences can help you plan a kitchen renovation that fits your home and your goals.
Fairfax County
Many homes in Fairfax were built in the 1970s and 1980s, often with compartmentalized floor plans and smaller kitchens. Homeowners here frequently want to open up walls, improve flow to adjacent family rooms, and create more usable space within the existing footprint.
Arlington County
Due to limited lot sizes and older construction, Arlington homes tend to have smaller kitchens. This often leads to creative interior design solutions, such as built-in cabinetry, clever storage features, and high-end finishes that maximize form and function in compact spaces.
Loudoun County
With newer developments and larger floor plans, kitchens in Loudoun County often serve as central gathering spaces. Homeowners here are more likely to expand into adjacent areas or invest in luxury features like oversized islands, two-tone cabinetry, and walk-in pantries.
Ready to Start Planning Your Kitchen Remodel?
A kitchen remodel is one of the most valuable investments you can make to your home—especially here in Northern Virginia, where thoughtful design and quality craftsmanship can make a big difference in how your home looks, functions, and feels.
Whether you’re considering a few strategic upgrades or a full kitchen remodel, learn how our expert kitchen remodeling services can bring your vision to life. And when you are ready, schedule a consultation with us.