What a kitchen costs in Central Ohio
2026 numbers for Columbus and the six counties around it. Central Ohio runs well below the national figures you'll find elsewhere, so most of what you have read is high.
One question decides most of your number
Before finish level, before cabinet tier, before anything else: are the sink, range and refrigerator staying where they are?
Same footprint. No plumbing or electrical relocation, no walls touched. Nearly every kitchen in Central Ohio sits here, and the spread inside it is cabinet tier and finish level.
Moving water, gas or walls brings in plumbing, electrical and sometimes structure. It is the single largest jump on this page, and it is a layout decision rather than a taste one.
The three bands most projects fall into
| Project | Typical investment | On-site time |
|---|---|---|
| Refresh — same layout, keep the boxes | $15,000 – $40,000 | 3–5 weeks |
| New kitchen, same layout | $40,000 – $80,000 | 6–10 weeks |
| New layout — walls or plumbing move | $80,000 – $120,000 | 10–16 weeks |
On-site construction time only. It does not include design or material lead times, which are usually the longer part of the calendar. Central Ohio runs roughly 10–15% below the national median for kitchen work.
Where the money goes
Rough share of a typical Central Ohio kitchen budget. Cabinetry is the biggest line, which is why the install matters.
Countertop cost, installed
| Material | Per sq ft installed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Granite | $50 – $100 | Durable, huge variety, still the value pick |
| Quartz | $60 – $120 | Most popular here. Consistent, low maintenance |
| Quartzite | $90 – $200 | Natural stone, marble look, harder than marble |
| Marble | $100 – $250 | True luxury. Needs sealing and care |
What moves the number, in order
The three that actually matter. Everything else is rounding by comparison.
Moving the sink, range or refrigerator. Plumbing, electrical and sometimes structural work follow it. This is the difference between the second and third band above.
Stock, semi-custom and fully custom are genuinely different products at genuinely different prices — and cabinetry is 35–45% of the budget.
Older Central Ohio homes turn up plaster, dated wiring, undersized panels and occasionally water damage. A good quote scopes for it instead of discovering it mid-demolition.
Where to save without cutting quality
Keep the layout. The biggest single saving available to you, and the one on the fork above.
Quartz over natural stone. The look, none of the sealing.
Reface rather than replace if the boxes are sound. New doors, hardware, counters and backsplash change the room for a fraction of a full replacement.
Spend where it shows. One statement element with sensible choices elsewhere reads better than spreading the budget evenly.
Plan around lead times, not install days
Fully custom cabinets run 10–14 weeks from approved drawings. Semi-custom, 4–8 weeks. Countertops are templated only after the cabinets are set, then about two weeks. Backsplash tile, 3–6 weeks. Special-order appliances, anywhere from 2 to 14.
That is why a kitchen is a months-long project even though the construction is measured in weeks. If you want it finished by a particular date, the conversation needs to start well ahead of it.
Is it worth it?
The 2025 Cost vs. Value Report found a minor kitchen remodel recoups roughly 113% of its cost nationally — the highest-returning interior project there is. A major upscale remodel recoups around 36%.
Selling within a year or two, a refresh is the smarter financial move. Staying five years or more, a full remodel is a lifestyle decision that still returns a meaningful share while you use it every day.
One local guardrail: keep a kitchen within roughly 5–15% of the home value. Over-improving for the block is real, and a contractor worth hiring will tell you when you are getting close.
Common questions
How much does a kitchen remodel cost in Columbus, Ohio?
What is the cheapest way to update a kitchen?
How much of a kitchen budget is cabinets?
How long does a kitchen remodel take?
Does a kitchen remodel add value in Central Ohio?
Do I need a permit for a kitchen remodel in Ohio?
Call and you'll get Thomas.
Not a call centre, not a scheduler — the person who'd be setting your cabinets. Fastest way to a real answer on price and timing.
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