Kitchen Remodeling in Atlanta

The three decisions that set your price

1. Keep the layout, or change it

If the sink, range and refrigerator stay where they are, a kitchen remodel is mostly cabinets, countertops, backsplash, lighting and appliances. Move any of them and you add plumbing, gas or electrical work behind the walls, usually a permit, and inspections. Changing the layout is often worth it in a closed-off older kitchen. Just know it's where the budget grows.

2. Cabinet grade

Cabinets are usually the single biggest line in a kitchen budget: about 25% of the total in HomeGuide's 2026 cost breakdown, ahead of labor and appliances (15% each). Stock, semi-custom and custom cabinets each cost substantially more than the tier below. Refacing (new doors and fronts on the existing boxes) is an option when the boxes are solid.

3. Countertops

Laminate, quartz, granite and butcher block all perform differently and price differently. Countertops and backsplash together run about 10% of a typical kitchen budget (HomeGuide 2026). Stone, a larger island, waterfall edges and more cutouts all push that share up.

What a kitchen remodel costs in Atlanta

Project (as defined by the report)	Atlanta	National avg.	Resale value recouped (Atlanta)
Minor kitchen remodel, midrange	$28,359	$28,458	111.8%
Major kitchen remodel, midrange	$79,591	$82,793	52.5%
Major kitchen remodel, upscale	$157,713	$164,104	36.1%

(Note: Prices are for reference only, not what your project will cost.)

Source: Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report 2025 (Atlanta, GA).

The national cost guides give a wider range because they include smaller and simpler jobs. HomeGuide's 2026 guide puts a basic or small refresh at $4,000 – $18,000, an average full remodel (same layout) at $15,000 – $50,000, and a high-end or layout-changing remodel at $50,000 – $70,000+. See the full kitchen cost guide for cost by size and by component.

What a good kitchen estimate includes

Demolition and haul-off (and whether a dumpster is included; in Decatur, a dumpster in the street needs a right-of-way permit)
Cabinets by brand and line, not just "cabinets"
Countertop material, square footage, edge profile and number of cutouts
Plumbing and electrical scope, and who pulls the permits
Allowances, clearly labeled, for anything you haven't picked yet
A timeline, a payment schedule tied to progress, and a written change-order process

Kitchen remodeling by area

Kitchen remodeling questions

How long does a kitchen remodel take?

A cabinet, counter and backsplash replacement without layout changes often takes a few weeks once materials are on site. Full gut remodels with new plumbing or electrical runs take longer, and permit review adds time before work starts (Peachtree City, for example, quotes 3–5 business days for residential reviews).

Can I keep my kitchen usable during the remodel?

Partly. Plan on a temporary kitchen setup (fridge, microwave, a folding table) in another room. The sink and range are usually out of service for most of the job.

What adds the most cost to a kitchen remodel?

Moving things. Relocating the sink, range or a wall means new plumbing, gas or electrical runs and usually a permit with inspections. Keeping the layout and spending on cabinets and counters gets you the most visible change per dollar.

Do I need a permit for new cabinets and countertops?

Swapping cabinets and counters in the same layout is often cosmetic, but any new electrical circuits, plumbing changes or wall changes typically need a permit. Rules differ by city. Check our permit guide and ask your remodeler to confirm.