Kitchen remodeling questions, answered plainly

Prices overlap and depend on the slab, the edge and the layout. Published local guides show both as mid to upper parts of a kitchen budget. We list quartz and granite side by side on our countertops page, and the estimate prices the exact stone you pick.

Granite is porous, so it is usually sealed, and the sealer is renewed over time. Quartz is engineered and generally does not need sealing. Ask for the care instructions for the specific slab you choose.

Per-square-foot figures vary widely with slab grade, edge profile, cutouts and how many seams the layout needs. We do not quote a single number here because it would mislead. The free estimate prices your counters from your measurements.

Published figures put installed cabinets at $100 to $1,200 per linear foot. The average kitchen has about 24 linear feet, so $2,400 to $28,000. Custom cabinets add 50 to 100 percent. See our <a href="/kitchen-cabinet-installation/">kitchen cabinet installation</a> page for stock, semi-custom and custom.

Usually 8 to 14 weeks in 2026. One source cites 2 to 3 weeks for stock cabinets and 16 or more for semi-custom. The cabinet order sets the calendar for the whole job.

It depends on what changes. Swapping cabinets alone is treated differently from work that moves plumbing, electrical or walls. Your town's building department decides, and we go through it with you at the estimate.

It depends on the tile, the pattern and the wall. Small areas behind a stove cost more per square foot than large ones because the labor is mostly setup and cutting. The estimate prices your wall as drawn.

Porcelain is the usual choice because it is dense and handles water well. Ceramic works in lighter-use rooms. Tile installed costs more than vinyl plank and often more than hardwood at $8 to $15 per square foot installed.

Old 9x9 vinyl tiles and the adhesive under them may contain asbestos. Testing comes first, and removal needs a licensed abatement contractor. That cost is separate from the tile work.

Plumbing and electrical work need licensed tradespeople and permits, even in your own home. If a homeowner pulls their own permit, they give up protections under the home improvement contractor law.

Published 2026 figures by scope: refresh $25,000 to $45,000, mid-range $50,000 to $85,000, and a full gut with a new layout $90,000 to $175,000 and up. The state average cited is $33,053 and Boston's is $36,358, though local contractors often quote higher than national averages.

Boston-area costs run about 22 percent above the national average because of old housing, trade wages and permits. Greater Boston suburbs see most jobs at $60,000 to $150,000. Cambridge and Somerville mid-range work runs $85,000 to $160,000.

A cosmetic refresh can fit, since refresh work is published at $25,000 to $45,000. New layouts, semi-custom cabinets and stone counters usually push the price above that.

A refresh is often 3 to 5 weeks on site and mid-range 6 to 9 weeks. Add 8 to 14 weeks of design and cabinet lead time. From first call to finish it can run 3 to 9 months.

Whether it includes appliances, design, permits, lead-safe work, asbestos testing or abatement, electrical upgrades and cabinet lead time. Our estimate is free, with no design fee.

Usually yes, because a wall may be structural. Layout changes and wall removals need a Construction Supervisor License holder. Mid-range kitchens with new plumbing and electrical add permits with rough and final inspections. See <a href="/kitchen-layout-changes/">kitchen layout changes</a>.

Look up the Home Improvement Contractor registration with the state. The number must appear on a contractor's website and ads. Ask for the Construction Supervisor License number too.

Lead rules apply to paid work in homes built before 1978 once a job disturbs more than 6 square feet of painted surface in a room. Contractors need a Lead-Safe Renovation Contractor licence. Most kitchens in Concord, Lexington, Weston and Lincoln fall under it.

Massachusetts caps the deposit at one-third of the price unless materials are special-ordered. Custom cabinets usually qualify for more.

Homes north and west of Boston from our base in Stoneham, including Somerville, Cambridge, Melrose, Winchester, Reading and Peabody. Read about full <a href="/kitchen-remodeling/">kitchen remodeling</a> or send your town with the form.