US Contractor's Guide to Quoting Kitchen and Bathroom Renovations

Kitchen and bathroom renovations are the bread and butter of American remodeling contractors.

They're also where the most money is made — or lost — depending on how you quote.

The American Kitchen Renovation Quote

Kitchen Renovation Tiers

Budget Kitchen ($15,000-30,000)

• Cabinet refacing or stock cabinets
• Laminate countertops
• Basic appliances
• Cosmetic updates only
• No layout changes

Mid-Range Kitchen ($30,000-75,000)

• Semi-custom cabinets
• Quartz or granite countertops
• Mid-tier appliances
• Minor layout changes
• New flooring

Upscale Kitchen ($75,000-150,000+)

• Custom cabinets
• Premium countertops
• High-end appliances
• Major layout changes
• Structural modifications

Kitchen Quote Components

Demolition

• Cabinet removal: $500-1,500
• Countertop removal: $200-500
• Flooring removal: $2-4/sq ft
• Wall removal (non-structural): $500-1,500
• Wall removal (structural): $2,000-5,000+

Cabinets

• Stock cabinets: $100-300/linear ft
• Semi-custom: $300-600/linear ft
• Custom: $600-1,200/linear ft
• Installation labor: $50-100/linear ft

Countertops

• Laminate: $15-40/sq ft installed
• Butcher block: $40-80/sq ft installed
• Quartz: $60-150/sq ft installed
• Granite: $50-200/sq ft installed
• Marble: $75-250/sq ft installed

Appliances (Allowances)

• Budget package: $2,000-4,000
• Mid-range package: $5,000-10,000
• Premium package: $15,000-30,000+

Plumbing

• Sink and faucet install: $300-600
• Dishwasher connection: $150-300
• Gas line for range: $300-800
• Relocate plumbing: $1,000-3,000

Electrical

• Upgrade panel (if needed): $1,500-3,000
• New circuits: $200-400 each
• Under-cabinet lighting: $500-1,500
• Pendant lighting: $300-800

Flooring

• Vinyl/LVP: $4-8/sq ft installed
• Tile: $8-15/sq ft installed
• Hardwood: $10-20/sq ft installed

The American Bathroom Renovation Quote

Bathroom Renovation Tiers

Budget Bathroom ($5,000-15,000)

• Cosmetic updates
• Fixture replacements
• New vanity and mirror
• Paint and accessories

Mid-Range Bathroom ($15,000-35,000)

• New tile (floor and shower)
• New vanity with countertop
• New fixtures throughout
• Lighting updates
• Minor layout changes

Upscale Bathroom ($35,000-75,000+)

• Custom tile work
• Freestanding tub
• Walk-in shower with multiple heads
• Heated floors
• Custom vanity
• Layout reconfiguration

Bathroom Quote Components

Demolition

• Fixture removal: $200-500
• Tile removal: $3-6/sq ft
• Vanity removal: $100-300
• Tub/shower removal: $300-800

Plumbing

• Rough-in (new layout): $1,500-4,000
• Fixture installation: $150-400 each
• Shower valve: $300-800
• Tub installation: $500-1,500

Tile Work

• Floor tile: $8-20/sq ft installed
• Wall tile: $10-25/sq ft installed
• Shower tile: $15-35/sq ft installed
• Custom patterns: Add 25-50%

Fixtures (Allowances)

• Budget fixtures: $500-1,500
• Mid-range fixtures: $2,000-5,000
• Premium fixtures: $5,000-15,000+

Vanity

• Stock vanity: $300-800
• Semi-custom: $800-2,000
• Custom: $2,000-5,000+
• Installation: $200-500

Change Order Management

Change orders make or break renovation profitability.

Change Order Process

1. **Document the request** — Written description from customer
2. **Price the change** — Labor + materials + markup
3. **Present in writing** — Formal change order document
4. **Get signature** — Before any work begins
5. **Update contract** — Running total of changes

Change Order Pricing

Always include:

• Direct labor cost
• Material cost
• Overhead (15-20%)
• Profit margin (10-20%)
• Impact on timeline

Change Order Template

**Change Order #[X]**

**Project:** [Address]

**Date:** [Date]

>

**Description of Change:**

[Detailed description]

>

**Reason for Change:**

[ ] Customer request

[ ] Unforeseen condition

[ ] Design modification

>

**Cost Impact:**

Labor: $[X]

Materials: $[X]

**Total Addition: $[X]**

>

**Schedule Impact:** [X] days added

>

**Signatures:**

Contractor: _____________ Date: _______

Customer: _____________ Date: _______

Payment Schedules

Typical Renovation Payment Schedule

Kitchen Renovation

• Deposit: 10-20%
• Cabinets ordered: 30%
• Rough-in complete: 20%
• Cabinets installed: 20%
• Completion: 10-20%

Bathroom Renovation

• Deposit: 20-25%
• Demolition complete: 25%
• Rough-in complete: 25%
• Completion: 25-30%

State-Specific Considerations

Licensing Requirements

• California: CSLB contractor license required
• Texas: No state license (local requirements vary)
• Florida: State contractor license required
• New York: NYC requires specific licenses

Sales Tax on Labor

• Some states tax labor, some don't
• Know your state requirements
• Quote tax separately

Using QuoteOS for Renovation Quotes

1. **Select renovation type** — Kitchen, bathroom, or both
2. **Enter room dimensions** — AI calculates quantities
3. **Choose finish levels** — Budget, mid-range, upscale
4. **Add allowances** — Fixtures, appliances
5. **Generate professional quote** — With payment schedule

Try QuoteOS free → [Builder Quoting Software](/trades/builders)