Kitchen budget worksheet

What this worksheet is for

A kitchen remodel can get expensive fast when the scope is fuzzy. The worksheet is a simple planning tool you can fill out before you start collecting estimates.

Use it to organize the parts of your project that affect price most:
- cabinet work
- countertops
- flooring
- appliances
- lighting
- plumbing fixtures
- labor
- permits and cleanup
- contingency for surprises

It is not a quote, bid, or guarantee. It helps you build a realistic starting budget. The real price depends on the size of your kitchen, the scope of work, the materials you choose, and your area.

If you are still figuring out the big picture, start with our kitchen remodel costs guide, then use this worksheet to put your own numbers in one place.

What to budget for in a real kitchen remodel

Most homeowners do better when they break the project into buckets instead of chasing one single number.

Typical ranges in the US are:
- Minor refresh: about $5,000-$25,000
- Mid-range remodel: about $25,000-$60,000
- Full gut remodel: about $60,000-$150,000+

A few honest rules of thumb:
- Cabinets are often 25-30% of the total budget. That is why cabinet choices matter so much.
- Quartz countertops are often around $60-$120 per square foot installed, depending on thickness, edge profile, cutouts, and your area.
- Moving plumbing, gas, or walls usually raises the price more than swapping finishes in the same layout.
- Older homes can hide water damage, old wiring, or out-of-code work. That is why a contingency line matters.

Your worksheet should include both the obvious items and the side costs people forget:
1. demolition and debris haul-away
2. permit fees if required locally
3. delivery charges
4. temporary kitchen setup or takeout costs
5. touch-up painting and trim
6. a contingency fund, often around 10-20% for older homes or bigger remodels

If cabinets or counters are your biggest decisions, these guides can help before you fill in your numbers: cabinet buying guide and countertop material guide.

How to use the worksheet step by step

You do not need perfect numbers on day one. Start rough, then tighten the budget as you learn more.

1. Write down your must-haves. Keep this short. Example: more storage, new counters, better lighting, same layout.
2. Separate needs from nice-to-haves. This is how you protect your budget when prices come back higher than expected.
3. Add rough material ranges. Use online research, showroom visits, and contractor estimates to fill in likely costs.
4. Leave labor as its own line. Labor can vary a lot by area and by project complexity.
5. Add permit and contingency lines. Do not bury these inside other numbers.
6. Compare estimates side by side. Put each remodeler's scope and price into the worksheet so you can spot what is missing.

The goal is simple: compare scope to scope, not just bottom-line price. A cheaper estimate is not really cheaper if it leaves out demo, disposal, plumbing changes, or finish work.

When you start talking to remodelers, hire licensed and insured pros, verify the license and insurance yourself, get the price and scope in writing before any deposit, and follow local permits and building code. This checklist can help: how to vet a kitchen contractor.

Download it and use it when you get estimates

Download the free file here: kitchen-budget-worksheet.pdf.

Best time to use it:
- before you request estimates
- after your first design ideas are clear
- anytime a remodeler changes the scope or materials

CopperSill is a free matching service for homeowners. We can help you get matched with licensed, insured kitchen remodelers so you can compare options yourself. Participating remodelers pay a flat fee. You compare estimates, you choose who to hire, and you hold the final payment.

When you are ready, you can get matched for free.