Kitchen Remodel Labor Cost 2026: Rates by Trade

Materials have a price tag you can look up. Labor is where bids diverge, and it's the part homeowners are least equipped to question — so here are the actual rates behind the line item.

2026 Trade Rates

• General contractor markup / management: 15–25% of project cost
• Finish carpenter (cabinet install): $70–$110 per hour, or $80–$160 per cabinet
• Plumber: $95–$165 per hour; sink and dishwasher hookup $350–$750
• Electrician: $85–$150 per hour; kitchen circuit rewire $1,100–$3,200
• Tile setter (backsplash): $12–$28 per sq ft installed
• Countertop fabricator/installer: $35–$75 per sq ft on top of slab cost
• Flooring installer: $3–$9 per sq ft depending on material
• Painter: $2.50–$5 per sq ft of wall and ceiling
• Demolition and disposal: $800–$2,400 including dumpster

Labor Share by Project Type

• Cabinet refacing and counters only: 30–35% labor
• Same-layout full replacement: 35–45% labor
• Layout change with plumbing and electrical moves: 45–55% labor

A bid without a labor/material split isn't a bid — it's a number.

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of a kitchen remodel is labor?

Typically 35–45%, rising above 50% when plumbing, gas or structural work is involved.

Is it cheaper to install cabinets yourself?

It saves $1,500–$3,500 on a typical kitchen, but out-of-level boxes ruin countertop templating, which costs far more to fix.

Do contractors charge hourly or fixed price?

Most kitchen remodels are fixed-price contracts with hourly rates applied only to change orders and unforeseen conditions.