Kitchen Remodel Cost · Lexington, KY
Kitchen Remodel Cost in Lexington, KY: What to Expect in 2026
By Handy Manny's LLC — Lexington's Top-Rated General Contractor · 5.0 Stars · 56 Google Reviews · BBB A+ Rated · Minority-Owned & Operated
If you're planning a kitchen remodel in Lexington and you want straight numbers — not a runaround — you're in the right place.
I'm Manny Santos. I've been doing this work in Lexington for 25 years. I've remodeled kitchens in Hamburg, Chevy Chase, Beaumont, Griffin Gate, and everywhere in between. And the number one thing homeowners ask me before anything else is: “Manny, what's this going to cost me?”
Fair question. So let's get into it.
What Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost in Lexington, KY?
Lexington's kitchen remodel costs in 2026 break down into two main tiers for most homeowners doing a true renovation — not just a quick paint job. Here's where the numbers land in our market:
Mid-Range Remodel
$25,000 to $55,000
Real transformation on a responsible budget. Everything you see gets replaced and the systems behind the walls get updated.
Luxury / High-End Remodel
$60,000 to $120,000+
A full custom build. Nothing is off-the-shelf. Every detail is designed specifically for your kitchen and your life.
These aren't numbers I pulled from a national website. These reflect what we're actually seeing on job sites in Lexington right now — factoring in Central Kentucky labor rates, current material costs, and what your dollar realistically gets you here versus somewhere like Nashville or Cincinnati.
Mid-Range Kitchen Remodel: $25,000 to $55,000
This is where most Lexington homeowners land when they want a real transformation — not just new hardware — but they're also being responsible with their budget.
A mid-range remodel replaces everything you see and updates the systems behind the walls. You're not keeping anything just because it works. You're building a kitchen that looks great and functions the way it should.
What's Typically Included
- Demolition & Hauling
- Full tear-out of existing cabinets, countertops, flooring, and fixtures. We haul everything off; you don't have to deal with it.
- Cabinets
- Semi-custom or solid wood stock cabinets with updated hardware. Soft-close drawers, modern finishes, and functional storage layouts. Expect to spend $8,000 to $18,000 on cabinets in this range.
- Countertops
- Quartz or granite countertops. Durable, clean, and what buyers in this market expect. Budget $3,000 to $7,000 depending on square footage.
- Flooring
- LVP (luxury vinyl plank), tile, or engineered hardwood. New subfloor prep included where needed.
- Plumbing
- New sink, faucet, garbage disposal, and reconnection of dishwasher supply and drain lines. Minor line relocations if the layout stays similar.
- Electrical
- Updated outlets to code, under-cabinet lighting, new light fixtures, and GFCI compliance throughout.
- Appliances
- A standard four-piece package (refrigerator, range, dishwasher, microwave/hood) typically runs $3,500 to $7,000 in this tier. This is often owner-supplied, and we install.
- Backsplash
- Ceramic or porcelain tile backsplash. Classic, easy to clean, and adds visual polish.
- Paint & Trim
- Fresh paint on walls and ceiling, updated trim and molding for a finished look.
- Permits
- We pull all required City of Lexington permits. This is not optional, and any contractor who tells you otherwise is putting your home at risk.
Timeline: Mid-Range Remodel
Most mid-range kitchen remodels run 4 to 8 weeks from demo day to final walkthrough. That includes lead time for cabinets (which are typically the longest-lead item), countertop templating and fabrication, and all inspections.
I'll give you a realistic schedule upfront — not one that sounds good and then slips by three weeks.
Luxury / High-End Kitchen Remodel: $60,000 to $120,000+
This is a full custom build. Nothing is off-the-shelf. Everything from the cabinet layout to the edge profile on your countertops gets designed specifically for your kitchen and your life.
Homeowners who invest at this level are typically doing one of three things: staying in their home for a long time and want it exactly right, preparing a high-value home for market, or both. Either way, this is where you get the kitchen you've always envisioned.
What's Typically Included
- Full Demolition & Structural Work
- Everything goes. If the layout needs to change — a wall comes down, a window moves, an island gets added — we do it right with permits and proper structural support.
- Custom Cabinetry
- Built to your exact specs. Floor-to-ceiling, full-extension drawers, built-in organizers, custom finishes, specialty storage. Cabinetry alone at this level can run $20,000 to $45,000 depending on kitchen size and complexity.
- Luxury Countertops
- Quartz, natural marble, quartzite, or waterfall-edge granite. Specialty stones and full-slab applications. Budget $6,000 to $15,000 or more.
- Premium Flooring
- Hardwood, large-format porcelain tile, or custom tile work. Heated floors if desired.
- Plumbing Upgrades
- Pot filler, farmhouse sink, touchless faucets, relocated drain lines for island sinks, full replumbing if needed.
- Electrical & Lighting Design
- Panel upgrades, dedicated circuits for high-draw appliances, recessed lighting, statement pendants, under-cabinet LEDs, and smart lighting integration.
- High-End Appliances
- Brands like Wolf, Sub-Zero, Thermador, Bosch, or Café series. Built-in refrigerators, dual ovens, induction cooktops, wine coolers, and drawer dishwashers. Appliance packages at this level typically run $10,000 to $30,000+.
- Full-Slab or Designer Backsplash
- Slab-to-ceiling stone, handmade tile, or imported ceramic. This is a statement, not a filler.
- Layout Changes
- Island additions, peninsula removals, wall relocations, and window or door modifications.
- Finishing Details
- Crown molding, custom range hood built-ins, open shelving, butler's pantry integration, and paint by a professional painter — not a construction crew with a roller.
- All Permits & Inspections
- Fully permitted and documented. You'll have a paper trail for every trade.
Timeline: Luxury / High-End Remodel
Plan for 8 to 16 weeks, sometimes more for highly custom builds. Custom cabinets alone have 6 to 10 week lead times in today's market. Structural work, custom countertop fabrication, and trade sequencing all factor in.
I set the timeline honestly from day one. If you've been told 4 weeks on a full custom kitchen, get a second opinion.
What Affects Kitchen Remodel Cost in Lexington?
No two kitchens are the same. Here's what moves the needle on your final number:
1. Kitchen Size
The more square footage, the more cabinets, countertop linear feet, flooring, and labor. A 100-square-foot galley kitchen and a 300-square-foot open-concept kitchen are very different projects even with the same finish level.
2. Layout Changes
Keeping your existing layout is the most budget-friendly move. The moment we start relocating plumbing stacks, moving load-bearing walls, or repositioning a gas line, costs go up — and they should. That work requires licensed tradespeople, engineering in some cases, and permits. If you want the open-concept kitchen you saw on TV, factor that in.
3. Material Selections
The gap between semi-custom cabinets at $12,000 and custom cabinetry at $35,000 is real. Same goes for laminate countertops versus natural quartzite. Your selections are the single biggest lever you have over your budget.
4. Appliances
Appliances are often the wild card. A standard package runs $3,500 to $7,000. A pro-grade setup from Sub-Zero and Wolf can run $20,000 to $35,000 on its own. We can work with whatever you supply or help you source at trade pricing.
5. Permits & Structural Work
In Lexington, any work involving electrical panels, plumbing line moves, or structural changes requires permits. Don't let anyone skip this step. Unpermitted work causes problems when you sell — and it's a liability while you live there. We pull every permit, every time.
6. Condition of Existing Kitchen
Older homes sometimes have surprises behind the walls: outdated wiring, galvanized plumbing, subfloor damage, or asbestos-containing materials in older flooring or drywall. We assess this during our initial walkthrough and flag anything that could affect your budget before we start.
Why Lexington Homeowners Choose Handy Manny's LLC
- 5.0 Stars on Google — 56 Reviews.We don't pay for reviews. We earn them.
- BBB A+ Rated. We stand behind our work and our word.
- 25 Years of Experience.I've been doing this in Lexington since before most of the new developments were built.
- Owner-Supervised.I'm not a salesperson who hands your project to a crew you've never met. I'm on the job. I know what's happening at every stage.
- Minority-Owned Business. We bring a different perspective — and a real stake in the communities we work in.
- Licensed, Insured, and Permitted. Every trade. Every time.
We've completed kitchen remodels in Hamburg, Chevy Chase, Hartland, Griffin Gate, Masterson Station, Andover Hills, Midway, and across Central Kentucky. We know how Lexington builds and how Lexington inspects.
Ready to Get Your Kitchen Remodel Started?
The best thing you can do before you start making material selections or calling subcontractors is sit down with someone who can give you a real number — not a range so wide it's useless.
Schedule a consultation with me. I'll walk your kitchen, ask the right questions, and give you a clear scope and honest price range before you spend a dime.
Or email manny@handymannys.biz
Frequently Asked Questions
Handy Manny's LLC is a licensed, insured, BBB A+ rated, minority-owned general contractor serving Lexington, KY and surrounding Central Kentucky communities. 5.0 Google rating based on 56 reviews.