Section 1 · Kitchen Remodeling
What a Full Brooklyn Kitchen Remodel Actually Costs in 2026
9 min read · Brooklyn, NY
By Joseph Ng
Co-Owner & Lead Estimator, Creative Home Decor
Written from real Brooklyn job notes. 15+ years on Utica Ave. · 9 min read
Brooklyn kitchen pricing in 2026 has not moved as much as people think. Cabinet costs are roughly flat year-over-year, quartz is down a hair on the volume brands, and labor is still the line that moves most. The numbers below are pulled from real quotes we wrote at 1831 Utica Ave in the last 90 days, not industry averages.
Key Takeaways
- Budget gut for a 10 by 12 kitchen lands at $32,000 to $48,000 all-in (supply plus install).
- Mid-range with semi-custom cabinets and quartz runs $55,000 to $85,000 all-in.
- High-end with custom cabinets, premium quartz or stone, and designer finishes runs $90,000 to $160,000.
- Supply is roughly 40 to 50 percent of the total, install is the other 50 to 60 percent.
- Appliances are almost never in the remodel quote, budget them separately.
Contractor Insight
Most homeowners underestimate two things, demo and disposal of the old kitchen ($1,500 to $3,500 in Brooklyn with the right dumpster permit), and the small electrical and plumbing changes a new layout triggers ($2,500 to $6,000 even when you keep things in the same wall).
Why Brooklyn prices look different than the national averages
Brooklyn labor runs 20 to 35 percent higher than the national Remodeling Magazine averages, partly because of parking, partly because of co-op rules, partly because the trades that show up on time get repeat work and charge for it. Supply pricing is the line where we are usually competitive because we stock locally, you are not paying for two truck moves from a Long Island warehouse.
Where the money actually goes in a Brooklyn kitchen
Here is the split we see on a typical mid-range job, a 10 by 12 L-shape with an island, in Marine Park, Park Slope or Ditmas Park. Total budget around $68,000.
Cabinets ($16,000 to $22,000 supplied)
Semi-custom shaker in maple or paint-grade. Soft-close included on every door and drawer. Pantry tower and a 36 inch base with rollouts. About 28 percent of the budget.
Countertops and backsplash ($5,500 to $9,000 installed)
40 to 50 sq ft of mid-tier quartz, eased edge, single undermount cutout. 32 sq ft of backsplash tile, installed. About 10 to 13 percent of the budget.
Plumbing rough and finish ($4,500 to $8,000)
Move the sink and dishwasher within the same wall, add a pot filler if you want one. Replace shutoffs, supply lines, traps. Brooklyn plumbers charge for the visit, the parking, and the time, in that order.
Electrical ($3,500 to $7,000)
Add a 20-amp small-appliance circuit if you do not have one, GFCI all counter outlets, add island outlets to code, add a hood circuit and disposal switch. Usually one full inspection.
Demo, drywall and paint ($4,000 to $7,500)
Remove the old kitchen, patch walls, prime, paint trim and ceilings. Add $1,500 if you are also doing the floor or removing a soffit.
Install labor for cabinets, stone, tile ($12,000 to $20,000)
Cabinet install runs 3 to 5 days. Stone install is 1 day. Tile is 2 to 4 days depending on pattern. This is the line that varies the most by contractor.
Permits, COI and disposal ($1,200 to $3,000)
Self-cert plumbing and electrical filings, dumpster permit for the parking spot, COI for the building if it is a co-op.
Budget vs mid-range vs high-end, side by side
Same 10 by 12 footprint, three different tiers we have actually delivered this year.
| Line item | Budget | Mid-range | High-end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabinets supplied | $7,500 to $11,000 | $16,000 to $22,000 | $32,000 to $55,000 |
| Countertops installed | $2,800 to $4,200 | $4,500 to $7,000 | $8,500 to $18,000 |
| Backsplash + floor tile | $1,800 to $3,000 | $3,000 to $5,500 | $6,000 to $14,000 |
| Plumbing + electrical | $6,500 to $11,000 | $8,000 to $13,000 | $12,000 to $22,000 |
| Demo, drywall, paint | $3,500 to $5,500 | $4,500 to $7,500 | $6,500 to $11,000 |
| Install labor | $8,000 to $12,000 | $13,000 to $18,000 | $22,000 to $38,000 |
| Permits + COI + dumpster | $900 to $1,800 | $1,500 to $3,000 | $2,500 to $5,000 |
| Total all-in | $32,000 to $48,000 | $55,000 to $85,000 | $90,000 to $160,000 |
- Budget tier uses stocked Forevermark or Fabuwood shaker and a level-1 quartz, no island.
- Mid-range uses semi-custom, an island, and a feature backsplash.
- High-end uses full-custom or inset cabinets, premium quartz or natural stone, and designer hardware.
How we price this for you
Joseph writes every quote out of the Utica Ave shop. The turnaround is 24 hours when you send measurements and a layout sketch.
- 1
Send photos and rough dimensions
Phone photos from each wall plus length, width, ceiling height. Window and door locations matter, even rough.
- 2
Pick a tier
We give you budget, mid, and high numbers for the same footprint, you pick which one to detail.
- 3
Itemized quote back in 24 hours
Line items, not lump sum. You can compare apples to apples against any other supplier or GC.
- 4
Refine after showroom visit
Once you pick door style, stone and tile, we tighten the quote to the exact SKUs.
Quick-look cost table by kitchen size
Mid-range tier, supplied and installed, current Brooklyn pricing.
| Footprint | Linear feet of cabinets | All-in mid-range |
|---|---|---|
| 7 by 9 galley | 10 to 12 | $28,000 to $42,000 |
| 10 by 10 L | 14 to 16 | $45,000 to $62,000 |
| 10 by 12 L with island | 16 to 20 | $55,000 to $85,000 |
| 12 by 15 open with island | 22 to 28 | $72,000 to $110,000 |
Add 15 to 25 percent for a co-op job with strict building hours and COI requirements.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Pricing the cabinets first, then realizing the plumbing and electrical eat the rest of the budget.
- Forgetting appliances, a basic package is $4,000 to $8,000, a higher-end set is $12,000 to $25,000.
- Skipping the soffit demo line, opening up to the ceiling adds $800 to $2,000 and sometimes reveals steel.
- Choosing a custom door style on a tight timeline, 8 to 12 week lead time can blow your move-in date.
- Not budgeting for a temporary kitchen, plan on $300 to $800 in microwave, hot plate, paper plates over 4 to 8 weeks.
FAQs
Why is my Brooklyn quote higher than the online calculators?+
Online calculators use national averages and assume single-family suburban access. Brooklyn adds parking permits, walk-up labor, co-op rules, and union plumber rates in some buildings. Plan on 25 to 40 percent above national mid-range.
Can I supply my own cabinets to save money?+
Yes, but most GCs charge a 10 to 15 percent coordination fee if you do, because if something is wrong with the order it is now their problem to fix. We are usually competitive enough on supply that the math works out the same.
What is the cheapest real way to refresh a kitchen?+
Cabinet refacing plus a new countertop. $12,000 to $22,000 in Brooklyn, lands in 3 to 5 weeks, looks brand new from across the room.
References
- Internal job notes, Creative Home Decor, 1831 Utica Ave, Brooklyn, NY
- NYC Department of Buildings renovation permits guidance, nyc.gov/dob
- Remodeling Magazine 2025 Cost vs Value Report, New York metro
- Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association installation specs
- Marble Institute of America natural stone care guidelines
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