One of the first questions homeowners ask us at Apex Point Services is: “What is this actually going to cost me?” After completing dozens of kitchen remodels across the Dallas-Fort Worth area, we’ve seen projects range from $28,000 for a focused refresh to well over $90,000 for a full custom renovation. The difference comes down to scope, materials, and what we find behind the walls.
This guide gives you a contractor’s honest breakdown of kitchen remodel cost in Dallas-Fort Worth — not a range pulled from a national website that has never set foot in a Garland, TX home. These are real numbers from real DFW projects.
Average Kitchen Remodel Cost in Dallas-Fort Worth
Based on our project history, here is what homeowners in the DFW metroplex typically invest at each tier:
- Minor refresh (paint, hardware, backsplash, fixtures): $8,000–$18,000
- Mid-range remodel (new cabinets, countertops, appliances, flooring): $28,000–$55,000
- High-end or full custom remodel: $60,000–$100,000+
These figures are specific to North Texas. Labor costs here tend to run 10–15% lower than national averages, but material costs — particularly for premium stone and custom cabinetry — are comparable to the rest of the country.
Where Your Kitchen Remodel Budget Actually Goes in DFW
On a typical mid-range kitchen remodel in Dallas-Fort Worth, here is how the budget breaks down across trades and materials:
- Cabinets: 25–35% of total budget. Semi-custom cabinets from Texas-based suppliers typically run $8,000–$20,000 installed. Full custom starts at $20,000.
- Labor: 20–30%. This covers demo, carpentry, tile work, electrical, plumbing rough-ins, and finish work. In DFW, skilled trade labor runs $65–$120 per hour depending on specialty.
- Countertops: 10–15%. Quartz (the most popular choice in DFW right now) runs $80–$140 per square foot installed. Granite is comparable. Laminate drops to $30–$50.
- Appliances: 10–15%. A mid-range appliance package (refrigerator, range, dishwasher, microwave) typically runs $4,000–$8,000. High-end brands like Wolf or Sub-Zero can add $15,000 or more.
- Flooring: 5–10%. Tile is the most durable choice for DFW kitchens given the humidity and heat cycling. Expect $6–$14 per square foot installed.
- Plumbing and electrical: 5–10%. If you are moving the sink, adding a gas line for a range, or upgrading to a 200-amp panel, costs rise significantly.
- Permits and inspections: 1–3%. In Garland and surrounding DFW municipalities, kitchen permits typically run $300–$800 depending on the scope of work.
What Drives Kitchen Remodel Costs Up — From Our Experience
In our work across Dallas-Fort Worth, the single biggest cost driver is what we call a “scope expansion” — discoveries made during demolition that change the plan. In older DFW homes (1960s–1980s), we regularly encounter outdated galvanized plumbing, aluminum wiring, or asbestos-containing floor tiles. These discoveries are not rare. In fact, on roughly 40% of our kitchen remodels in older homes, we encounter at least one condition that requires remediation before we can proceed.
Other common cost drivers include: moving the kitchen layout (which relocates plumbing and electrical rough-ins), adding a kitchen island where none existed, upgrading ventilation to meet current code, and increasing the lighting plan beyond the original scope. For more on planning your full renovation, see our guide on what to expect during a kitchen remodel in Dallas-Fort Worth.
How to Budget Accurately for a DFW Kitchen Remodel
Our recommendation: build a 15–20% contingency into your budget before you sign any contract. This is not padding for the contractor — it is your protection against the unexpected. We tell every homeowner this upfront. The clients who have a contingency built in experience far less stress when surprises arise mid-project.
Additionally, get at least three itemized bids. A bid that is significantly lower than others almost always means something has been excluded — either a trade (like a licensed electrician) has been left out, or inferior materials have been substituted. The National Kitchen & Bath Association provides guidance on evaluating contractor bids and specifications.
Ready to Get a Real Number for Your Kitchen?
At Apex Point Services, we provide detailed, itemized estimates — not ballpark ranges. We walk through your kitchen, discuss your goals, and give you a written scope of work before you commit to anything. We serve homeowners throughout Garland, Plano, McKinney, Frisco, Mesquite, and the broader Dallas-Fort Worth area. Contact us today to schedule your free kitchen remodel consultation.
