Introduction

A kitchen renovation can transform your St. Louis home into a space where style meets function, perfect for cooking, gathering, and making memories. At McDermott Remodeling Contractors, we specialize in crafting kitchens you’ll love, tailored to your vision and budget. 

But how much does a kitchen remodel cost in St. Louis in 2025? Costs depend on several factors, from the project’s scope to your material choices. In this guide, we’ll break down what drives costs, typical budget ranges, and smart ways to invest, helping you plan a kitchen that fits your lifestyle.

What Drives Kitchen Renovation Costs?

The cost of a kitchen remodel hinges on a few key factors, with scope and products being the primary drivers. Here’s what shapes your budget:

1. Scope: Size, Layout, and Complexity

The scope of your project is the biggest cost factor. Are you refreshing the existing space, replacing elements within the same footprint, or making structural changes?

• Facelift: A refresh might involve replacing countertops, sinks, faucets, or backsplashes, or refinishing cabinets by sanding, painting, or professionally redoing doors and drawers at a shop.
• Pull and Replace: This involves removing all cabinets and installing new ones in the same layout, avoiding structural changes to keep costs lower.
• Structural Changes: Removing walls, adding windows, or relocating fixtures (e.g., sinks, stoves) increases complexity, requiring additional work like HVAC for high-CFM hoods (needing makeup air for 400–600 CFM, depending on the municipality) or engineering for code compliance.

Larger spaces or multi-room flooring updates further expand the scope of the project, pushing costs higher.

2. Product Choices: Cabinetry, Countertops, and Backsplashes

Materials play a major role in costs, with quality and customization driving the price:

• Cabinetry:
  • Builder-Grade: Stock, out-of-the-box cabinets are the most affordable but offer limited customization.
  • Semi-Custom: Lines like Wellborn or Crestwood, used by design-build firms like McDermott, provide flexibility and quality, ideal for many remodels.
  • Custom: Built off-site and often finished on-site, custom cabinets represent the highest investment, offering unique designs and premium craftsmanship.
• Countertops: Basic countertops are budget-friendly, while rare or exotic stones significantly increase costs.
• Backsplashes: Costs vary based on tile type and layout. A simple backsplash might have a hard cost of $2,500 (before markups), while intricate designs, like herringbone patterns or hard-to-cut tiles, can reach $8,000 due to material and labor demands.

3. Appliances and Upgrades

Appliances can substantially impact your budget, especially if you’re upgrading to high-end, luxury, or professional-grade brands. Costs rise when replacing existing appliances, and additional expenses may include:

• Electrical upgrades to support new appliances, like induction stoves.
• Plumbing upgrades for gas lines, pot fillers, or prep sinks.
• Ensuring accessibility for new fixtures or sinks in different locations.

4. Hidden Costs and Project Needs

Other factors can add to your budget:

• Flooring: Options include tile, hardwood, or luxury vinyl plank (LVP), each with different cost implications.
• Trades and Engineering: Structural changes require electricians, HVAC specialists, plumbers, painters, drywall experts, and engineering fees for code compliance (e.g., for wall removals or window additions).
• Timeline: A faster turnaround requires greater coordination, increasing costs due to the need for precise scheduling and resource allocation.
• Job Site Protection: Floor protection, plastic barriers, and dust control measures ensure a clean process but add to expenses.

Typical Budget Ranges in St. Louis for 2025

Based on scope and finishes, here are typical kitchen remodel costs in St. Louis for 2025:

• Facelift: $20,000–$80,000, covering countertops, sinks, faucets, backsplashes, new cabinet pulls, or cabinet refinishing (sanding, painting, or professional door/drawer redoing). Lower-end projects focus on surface updates, while higher-end facelifts include extensive cabinet work.
• Pull and Replace: $90,000–$150,000, replacing cabinets, countertops, and appliances within the existing footprint.
• Full Remodel with Structural Changes: $150,000–$250,000 for high-end projects involving wall removal, window additions, flooring across multiple spaces, or complex HVAC needs. A very nice kitchen with semi-custom cabinets, quartz countertops, and minor layout adjustments typically costs $120,000–$200,000 depending on size and age.
• Basement Kitchenette: $15,000–$25,000 for compact setups, often including wine storage, under-cabinet refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens, warming drawers, or ice makers, typically excluding cooktops.

Smart Areas to Invest and Save

To balance your budget, consider where to splurge and where to save:

• Invest Wisely:
  • Quality Cabinet Layout: A well-designed, durable cabinet setup enhances functionality and longevity.
  • Structural Changes: If removing walls or adding windows, invest now for lasting impact.
  • Lighting: Relocating or adding lighting (e.g., under-cabinet or overhead) improves both aesthetics and utility.
• Save Smartly:
  • Avoid overly trendy appliances or statement backsplashes that may lose appeal quickly.
  • Choose semi-custom cabinets over full custom to manage costs while maintaining quality.
  • Opt for simpler backsplash designs to reduce tile and labor expenses.

Key Considerations for Your Investment

When deciding how much to invest, think about how long you’ll stay in your home:

• 3–5 Years: A facelift-style remodel maximizes appeal without over-investing, focusing on updates like countertops, backsplashes, or cabinet refinishing.
• 5–10+ Years or Forever Home: A full remodel with structural changes or high-end materials is worthwhile, as you’ll enjoy the benefits long-term.

A kitchen remodel is an investment in your quality of life, not just a financial return. It’s about creating a space where you, your family, and friends can connect, enhancing the time spent at home.

The McDermott Design-Build Process

Our design-build approach ensures a transparent, seamless remodel:

• Listen & Dream: We explore your vision—layout changes, material preferences, budget, and goals.
• Assess the Space: An in-home visit evaluates layout, plumbing, electrical, and structural needs to provide an accurate estimate.
• Design & Plan: Our designers craft a detailed plan with a preliminary estimate, outlining cabinetry, countertops, backsplashes, appliances, and code-compliant features.
• Build with Care: We manage material delivery, job site protection (e.g., floor protection, plastic barriers), dust control, and permits, coordinating with trade partners like electricians and HVAC specialists to meet municipal codes and avoid costly change orders.

Our detailed proposals include line items for all costs, from protection measures to trade work, ensuring transparency. Our returning clients trust us to deliver projects without surprises.

Pro Tips for Your 2025 Kitchen Remodel

• Get a Detailed Proposal: Ensure your contractor includes job site protection, trade coordination, and code compliance to prevent unexpected costs.
• Plan for Code Compliance: Address electrical, plumbing, or HVAC needs early, especially for high-CFM hoods or new appliances.
• Balance Trends and Timelessness: Choose quality materials and layouts over trendy features that may date quickly.

Ready to Plan Your Kitchen Renovation?

A 2025 kitchen remodel with McDermott Remodeling Contractors can create a St. Louis home you love, blending style, function, and lasting value. Contact us at (314) 948-5568 or visit our website to schedule a consultation and start planning your dream kitchen today.