How Much Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost in the DC Metro? (Washington DC, Maryland & Northern Virginia) 2026 Guide
The short answer
Typical DMV ranges, reviewed by Excell, put a full kitchen remodel in the Washington DC metro area (Washington DC, the Maryland suburbs, and Northern Virginia) at $32,000–$180,000 as of October 2026, from a small kitchen at builder grade to a large custom-built one. A medium kitchen at builder grade runs $45,000–$75,000. Where yours lands depends on size, how much of the layout changes, and the finish level.
These are general market ranges to help you plan, not a quote. Every kitchen is different, and the only honest number comes from a walkthrough of your specific space.
Typical DMV ranges, by kitchen size
These are typical DMV ranges, reviewed by Excell, as of October 2026, for a full kitchen remodel at two finish levels. Builder grade means stock or semi-custom cabinetry and standard finishes; custom built means custom cabinetry and premium selections.
| Kitchen size | Builder grade | Custom built |
|---|---|---|
| Small (70–120 sq ft) | $32,000–$52,000 | about $70,000, up to $90,000 |
| Medium (121–200 sq ft) | $45,000–$75,000 | about $99,000, up to $125,000 |
| Large (201–350 sq ft) | $65,000–$105,000 | about $140,000, up to $180,000 |
Excell Homes planning ranges, October 2026, built from DMV market data. These are planning figures, not bids: layout changes, hidden conditions, permits, and premium selections can change the cost materially.
What drives kitchen remodel cost in the DC metro
Kitchen remodels here are shaped by three things:
- Size and finish level, which is why the ranges above are split by kitchen size and by builder-grade versus custom-built cabinetry.
- How much moves. Relocating plumbing or gas, removing a wall, or upgrading an old electrical panel adds work that a same-layout remodel does not.
- Permitting, which differs by jurisdiction (compared below).
Kitchen remodel cost: DC vs Maryland vs Northern Virginia
This is the part most cost guides miss, because most only cover one jurisdiction. The ballpark is similar across the metro (this is one expensive market), but the permitting path, the housing stock, and the premium submarkets differ. In our experience building across all three, here is how they compare.
Washington, DC
DC is full of older row houses and condos, so remodels often mean updating decades-old electrical, plumbing, or framing, which can add cost. Permits for electrical, plumbing, or structural work go through DC’s permitting office, and condo projects usually carry building rules on top of city requirements. Older historic districts can add review steps.
Maryland suburbs (Montgomery County: Bethesda, Rockville, Chevy Chase)
Permits run through Montgomery County’s Department of Permitting Services, where Homeowners may apply for an alteration permit in their own name, and a contractor must hold a Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) license to obtain one. For a Gaithersburg-based builder, this is home turf.
Northern Virginia (Fairfax County and nearby)
Older homes across Fairfax County often need electrical or plumbing updates as part of a kitchen project. Permits go through the county, which uses its PLUS portal.
The bottom line: your ballpark is similar across the metro, but the permit process and the submarket shift the specifics. A builder who works in all three handles those differences without a learning curve on your project.
Where your kitchen budget actually goes
In Excell Homes’ planning ranges, a typical kitchen budget breaks down as cabinets 25% to 30%, labor 20% to 25%, and countertops 8% to 12%, with appliances, flooring, lighting, other finishes, and permits making up the balance. Cabinets are usually the largest single line, and refacing is the lower-cost path when the cabinet boxes are sound.
How to control your kitchen remodel budget
- Reface cabinets instead of replacing when the boxes are sound.
- Keep the existing layout where possible, moving plumbing and walls is where budgets climb.
- Choose and order appliances early: the cabinetry is sized around them.
- Get detailed, itemized quotes, not lump-sum numbers.
- Explore financing so your timeline is driven by your plans, not just cash on hand.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a kitchen remodel cost in Northern Virginia?
Typical DMV ranges, reviewed by Excell, put a full kitchen remodel at $32,000–$180,000 as of October 2026, from a small kitchen at builder grade to a large custom-built one; a medium kitchen at builder grade runs $45,000–$75,000. Your exact number depends on size, scope, and finishes.
How much does a kitchen remodel cost in Maryland (Montgomery County)?
In the Maryland suburbs like Bethesda and Rockville, kitchen remodels fall within the typical DMV ranges, reviewed by Excell, of $32,000–$180,000 as of October 2026, with affluent areas trending higher. Montgomery County requires permits for electrical, plumbing, and structural work, and your contractor must hold an MHIC license.
How much does a kitchen remodel cost in Washington, DC?
Kitchen remodels in DC fall within the typical DMV ranges, reviewed by Excell, of $32,000–$180,000 as of October 2026, and older row houses or condos can add cost when electrical, plumbing, or framing needs updating. Condo projects may carry additional building requirements.
Do you need a permit to remodel a kitchen in the DC area?
In DC, Maryland, and Virginia, permits are generally required when a kitchen remodel involves electrical, plumbing, or structural changes. Purely cosmetic updates like paint, hardware, or a like-for-like cabinet swap usually do not. A good contractor handles the permitting for you.
How long does a kitchen remodel take?
It depends on the project: how much of the layout changes, cabinet and appliance lead times, permit review, and what turns up once the walls are open. As a reference, homeowners in Houzz's 2026 renovation study reported an average of 9.5 months of planning and 5.8 months of construction for a kitchen (national averages (Houzz 2026), varies by project).
Is a kitchen remodel worth it in the DC metro?
It depends on your goals. For daily living, the kitchen is the room most households use most. For resale, we do not publish a return-on-investment figure; a local real estate agent can tell you how updated kitchens affect sale prices in your neighborhood.
What is the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel?
Cabinets are usually the single largest expense. In Excell Homes' planning ranges, a typical kitchen budget breaks down as cabinets 25% to 30%, labor 20% to 25%, and countertops 8% to 12%, with other finishes and permits making up the balance.
Related guides
- Our kitchen remodeling service, design through build
- How much does a home addition cost in the DC metro?
- How much does an ADU cost in Northern Virginia?
- Can you build an ADU in DC, Maryland, or Virginia? 2026 rules by jurisdiction
See recent kitchen remodels across the DC metro: Kitchen Remodel in Virginia, Kitchen Remodel in Washington, DC (2022), Kitchen Remodel in Leesburg, VA, Kitchen Remodel in Fairfax, VA, White Kitchen Remodel in Washington, DC, and Walnut Kitchen Remodel in Washington, DC.
Where we build
Excell Homes remodels homes across the DC metro. Explore our work by area:
This guide is for general informational purposes only. All figures are broad market ranges, not quotes, and actual costs vary by project, property, materials, and scope. Prices and market conditions change over time. The only way to get an accurate number for your project is a detailed in-home estimate.