How Much Does Kitchen Design Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $4,953 - $31,566
Most kitchen designers charge hourly or around 10% to 20% of your total kitchen design cost, typically between $4,953 and $31,566.
The kitchen design cost ranges between $4,953 and $31,566 or $17,535 on average.
Whether you’re visiting your most stylish friend or rewatching your favorite Nancy Meyers rom-com, it’s not unusual to see a beautiful kitchen and think, why can’t that be mine? With a good sense of your budget and some help from an interior designer who specializes in kitchens, it can be. This guide will tell you how much you can expect to pay to work with a pro who will help you plan the kitchen remodel of your dreams.
- Average
- $17,535
- Low end
- $500
- high end
- $65,000
What Do Kitchen Designers Do?
A kitchen designer is a type of interior designer who specializes in kitchen remodeling. They're the experts you want to talk to if you don't know where to start on your kitchen design but have an idea of what you'd like to change in your space. A kitchen designer can work with you on your kitchen layout, as well as themes, colors, countertops, and backsplash materials.
Kitchen designers often work with their clients to develop blueprints for the new kitchen, which will be passed on to the kitchen remodeler when it’s time to move to the next phase of the project.
However, kitchen designers aren't experts in more technical aspects such as structural design, electrical work, plumbing, and gas lines. You'll want to bring in a contractor specializingA in those areas when it's time to start building.
Cost Factors of Kitchen Design Costs
The wide range of potential costs for a kitchen remodel design reflects the varied options available from different designers and the different projects you can do. These include:
Level of Involvement
A kitchen design can cover everything from the overall plan to the last detail of every fitting—most designers will be flexible with different budgets, proposing options that involve more or fewer hours of work. If you hire a kitchen designer for each step of the design process, from choosing countertop materials to overseeing the appliance installations, you can expect to pay significantly more than only hiring a designer for select steps.
Scope of the Remodel
A kitchen design that only replaces appliances, countertops, and cabinetry will cost less than one that requires more extensive structural intervention, such as removing a wall or rerouting pipes. As with many other home projects, more square footage will also translate into a bigger price tag.
In-House vs. Collaborative
If your plan requires your designer to contract with architects, builders, or engineers, the cost will likely be higher than it would be from a design center that could handle these tasks in-house. Plus, you’ll have to cover the costs of each contractor in addition to kitchen designer labor fees.
Deliverables
Part of your design fee will cover the physical plans presented by the designer, from sketches to blueprints to 3D renderings. The more elaborate or specialized the plan, the more it will add to your costs. Be sure to review the kitchen designer’s deliverables and the cost of each service before hiring them.
Fee Structure
When you’re considering different kitchen designers in your area, you’ll need to consider their fee structure in addition to their aesthetic and their price. There are differences not only between what designers charge but how they charge.
No matter which model the designer chooses, you should also figure out when they expect to be paid. When starting a project, it’s common to request a deposit or retainer—typically between 25% and 65% of the total cost (50% is most common). Often an additional portion of the total sum (usually 30% to 50%) must be paid when cabinets are delivered to your home.
Hourly Rate
The most common approach, especially among independent kitchen designers, is to establish an hourly rate that will apply to everything from design time to site visits, meetings, and phone calls.
Flat Fee
Other designers or firms will establish a set charge from the beginning, whether for the whole job or for an initial proposal. This fee will likely be deducted from the final cost if you opt to work with the designer who made it.
Cost-Plus or Mark-up
Many designers work for companies that sell the fixtures you’ll be including your redesign, and others will directly source materials on your behalf. In this arrangement, the design fee may be included as markup or in additional costs per item.
Milestone Fees
Another option is for the designer to spread out fees over the whole course of the project so that you pay some portion to start, another when the plan is delivered, another once permits are approved, and so on.
Kitchen Design Costs by Different Types of Pro
Once you’ve decided to bring in a local kitchen design pro, you have a choice between three broad types of providers. All of these pros offer different levels and types of services:
In-Store Consultation
Some stores, including home goods retailers, high-end design firms, or those who sell cabinetry and countertops, will offer in-store kitchen design consultation services.
At larger national retail outlets, consultations are often provided for free, though the scope of the plans may be more limited and catered to the products carried by the store.
If it’s a specialty dealer that sells all or many of the pieces included in the design, the fee might be rendered as cost-plus or markup.
At a high-end storefront design studio, you will likely pay between $150 and $450 per meeting, which typically includes a home visit for measurements. In most cases, this expense is deducted from the final total if you proceed with their plan.
Professional Design Center
Professional design centers employ many different designers with whom you can work. It’s often the most expensive option but also the most thorough, providing you access to specialists in all aspects of the design.
At one of these companies, you can expect to pay between $100 and $750 per hour. In most cases, this will be the most expensive option, but the plans you end up with are typically very thorough, covering everything from materials to fittings to color schemes.
Certified Independent Kitchen Designer
Instead of opting for a larger firm, you could also hire an individual designer accredited by the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA). Costs can be lower or higher than a design center, and there’s often more room for flexibility in the designer’s approach.
There are many great independent kitchen designers out there—many of them formally certified by the NKBA—giving you confidence that the person you’re hiring is an expert in their field.
In addition to making sure your kitchen layout meets your needs, these contractors will usually coordinate between architects, suppliers, and builders, saving you a lot of time and energy.
Certified designers usually charge $65 to $250 per hour, or alternately, 10% to 20% of the total redesign cost. For a mid-range project, expect a final charge between $1,500 and $3,000.
What our customers are saying:
"Working with a designer is definitely the way to go. My pro has so much experience and made so many dreams come true...all the tidbits she shared made all the difference from my having a cookie cutter, big-box store kitchen to one that's a showplace and a dream to work in...at the end of the day I feel I got much more than I paid for. The kitchen is everything I'd hoped for and more...I feel like I have had a knowledgeable friend by my side throughout this entire redo. I had someone who understood how the little things can make one crazy. My pro worked tirelessly to get everything perfect (and so did her crew)."
— Carol H., Baltimore, MD
Designing a Kitchen Yourself vs. Hiring a Pro
You can save about $5,000 on your kitchen remodel if you forego hiring a kitchen designer and instead make the plans yourself. However, designing a kitchen involves a fairly complex set of considerations, including the kitchen’s functionality. A professional kitchen designer will bring extensive experience to help navigate these tricky issues.
If your redesign is simple and cosmetic, it makes sense to invest the money you would otherwise give to a designer in new cabinet paint or curtains. However, hiring a designer may save you money in the long run if the remodel is more elaborate.
Not only is it more expensive to fix a mistake than to pay for a pro who will help you avoid it, but a design might keep your overall costs down by recommending and hiring trusted contractors, scoring deals on materials, and suggesting changes that will help you increase your home’s resale value.
Cost of Common Kitchen Design Add-Ons
When it comes to redesigning your kitchen, there are seemingly endless add-ons features to consider. Work with your professional kitchen designer to budget for the additional expenses you may incur.
Installing new countertops: $1,900–$4,400
Installing new backsplash: $500–$1,700
Installing new cabinets: $2,000–$10,500
Painting cabinets: $400–$1,400
Installing new kitchen sink: $200–$700
How to Save on Kitchen Design Costs
Whether you hire a kitchen remodeling pro or DIY your kitchen remodel, the costs can add up quickly. However, there are ways you can save money while still designing the kitchen of your dreams. For instance, you can obtain quotes from a variety of remodeling pros or shop around for the best bargains. You might also consider opting for less costly materials and upgrading your existing hardware and decor, as opposed to replacing it.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on the scope of the project and your confidence in your own design capabilities. If you’re simply replacing a few appliances or want to change the cabinetry, you most likely do not need a designer. If you’re doing a full reno, you should bring in a pro unless you have a very strong design sense and want to spend hours laboring over the various technical details.
A certified kitchen designer (or CKD) is a certification given by the National Kitchen and Bath Association. These designers have completed the necessary hours of training and education to specialize in kitchens, and therefore understand the wide variety of project needs (like plumbing, electrical, appliances, and more). Most pros will make their certifications known on their website, but you can also ask during your search for a local kitchen designer.
How long it takes a kitchen designer to complete their work ranges greatly, from just a few hours, to a couple of weeks. Their timeline depends on how complex the design is and the scope of your kitchen remodel. Some remodels are aesthetic and can be as simple as adding new countertops or different cabinets. Those designs will take less time than, for instance, a full gut of your kitchen with a whole new layout and all new appliances.