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Kitchen remodel cost in Fairfax, VA (2026)
What kitchen remodels cost in Fairfax and Northern Virginia, what moves the price, and where you can save. Every figure comes from a published source listed at the bottom.
Kitchen remodel cost at a glance
| Level | What's included | Typical cost in NoVA |
|---|---|---|
| Refresh | Same layout. Reface or paint cabinets, new counters, sink, faucet, hardware | $25,000–$45,000 |
| Full mid-range remodel | New semi-custom cabinets, quartz or granite, flooring, lighting, appliances | $55,000–$95,000 |
| High-end / custom | Custom cabinets, layout changes, moved walls or plumbing, premium appliances | $100,000–$165,000+ |
For the Washington, DC area, the 2025 Cost vs Value Report puts a minor mid-range kitchen remodel at $27,308, a major mid-range remodel at $79,988, and a major upscale remodel at $160,104. USA Cabinet Store's 2026 Northern Virginia guide puts a kitchen refresh at $25,000 to $45,000, and Best Version Media's 2026 Northern Virginia guide puts mid-range kitchens at $28,000 to $45,000 and larger remodels at $55,000 to $95,000.
Where the money goes
| Item | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cabinet refacing | $5,000–$13,000 | Kitchen Cabinet Kings; keeps the existing boxes |
| Quartz counters | $50–$150 per sq ft installed | MSI Surfaces 2026; most kitchens $5,000–$20,000 |
| Granite counters | $40–$200+ per sq ft installed | MSI Surfaces 2026 |
| Moving plumbing | $3,000–$9,000 | Elegant Kitchen & Bath 2026 Northern Virginia guide |
| Permits and fees | About $1,800 on a $40,000 kitchen | USA Cabinet Store 2026 Fairfax County example |
What drives the price
- Cabinets. Usually the biggest single line. Stock, semi-custom and custom can differ by tens of thousands.
- Layout changes. Moving the sink, range or a wall adds plumbing, electrical, possibly a beam, and permits.
- Size. More linear feet of cabinets and counters means more material and labor.
- Appliances. Professional ranges and built-in refrigerators can cost more than the counters.
- House age. Fairfax homes from the 1950s–70s can need wiring or plumbing updates once walls are open.
How to keep the cost down
- Keep the sink, range and refrigerator where they are.
- Reface or paint solid cabinets instead of replacing them.
- Choose semi-custom over custom cabinets.
- Pick a mid-range quartz and spend on the pieces you touch every day: faucet, drawers, lighting.
- Decide on finishes before work starts. Changes mid-project cost the most.
Permits in Fairfax
Replacing cabinets and counters in place usually doesn't need a permit. Moving walls, plumbing, wiring or gas usually does. Fairfax County issues permits for most addresses; the City of Fairfax issues its own. The remodeler pulls them.
Sources
- Zonda, 2025 Cost vs Value Report, Washington, DC: minor kitchen remodel (mid-range) $27,308; major kitchen remodel (mid-range) $79,988; major kitchen remodel (upscale) $160,104; bathroom remodel (mid-range) $25,936; bathroom remodel (upscale) $80,994; universal design bathroom $41,832.
- USA Cabinet Store, 2026 Northern Virginia kitchen remodel cost guide: refresh $25,000–$45,000; permits and fees about $1,800 on a $40,000 Fairfax County kitchen.
- Best Version Media, 2026 Northern Virginia kitchen remodeling guide: $28,000–$45,000 mid-range; $55,000–$95,000 larger remodels.
- Elegant Kitchen & Bath, 2026 Northern Virginia remodeling guide: plumbing relocation $3,000–$9,000.
- Kitchen Cabinet Kings: cabinet refacing $4,500–$13,000.
- MSI Surfaces, 2026 countertop pricing: quartz $50–$150 per sq ft installed, projects $5,000–$20,000; granite $40–$200+ per sq ft.
Common questions
How much does a kitchen remodel cost in Fairfax?
About $25,000 to $45,000 for a refresh, $55,000 to $95,000 for a full mid-range remodel, and $100,000 to $165,000 or more for high-end kitchens.
Why do kitchen estimates vary so much?
Different scopes and different cabinets. Compare line by line: cabinet line, counter material, what's included for plumbing and electrical, and permits.
Does a kitchen remodel add value?
The 2025 Cost vs Value Report finds minor kitchen remodels recoup more of their cost at resale than major upscale ones.
Is the estimate free?
Yes. The in-home visit and written estimate are free.