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Written by
Dan Simms
How Much Does Kitchen Remodeling Cost in New Jersey in 2025?
The average cost to remodel a kitchen in New Jersey is $25,830. Click below to find a certified contractor and get an accurate estimate for your project.
The average cost of a kitchen remodel in New Jersey is $25,830, with homeowners paying as little as $9,184 and as much as $229,600. The cost of your estimate will depend on the quality of materials you choose, whether you'll need structural changes, and labor costs in your neighborhood.
Quick Takeaways
The average cost of a kitchen remodel in New Jersey is $25,830.
Save money by keeping your existing kitchen layout, refacing or refinishing fixtures instead of replacing them, and DIYing any work you can.
To get the most value for your money, look for materials that have high durability in the humid subtropical climate of New Jersey.
Calculate Your Kitchen Remodel Costs in New Jersey
Kitchen remodels in New Jersey can cost anywhere from $9,184 to $229,600. With this wide a range, figuring out where your total will fall involves a lot of planning and material price comparisons. Let's break down the cost factors that will determine how much you'll pay to remodel your NJ kitchen.
Size of Kitchen
The average size of a kitchen in New Jersey is 160 to 240 square feet. With the average cost per square foot for a kitchen remodel in NJ at $165, the total average cost for a kitchen remodel in the state is $25,830. If your kitchen is smaller or larger, you can estimate your pricing based on the average cost per square foot.
Utilities
Adding and updating utility lines is another major cost to consider. These services will be needed if you're relocating your kitchen sink, installing a gas line for a new gas stove, or running electrical for a built-in microwave. Here are the average costs of certified plumbers and electricians in New Jersey.
Professional | Hourly Cost in New Jersey |
|---|---|
Plumber | $138 |
Electrician | $86 |
Most New Jerseyans pay between $1,148 and $4,592 to replace plumbing and electrical fixtures and to run a new gas line for a stove.
Kitchen Cabinetry
New kitchen cabinets cost an average of $9,184 in NJ, but the cabinet material you choose will affect your pricing. There are four main options: solid wood, plywood, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), and particle board.
Plywood is the best kitchen cabinet material in New Jersey. Summers in New Jersey are hot and humid, as much of the state falls in a humid subtropical climate. Plywood cabinets offer some of the best resistance to high humidity exposure and are the best option in New Jersey. Avoid more moisture-prone materials like MDF and particleboard, as these have a high risk of warping and have a lower overall lifespan.
Kitchen Appliances
Replacing appliances will cost you an average of $5,740 in New Jersey. The actual pricing will depend on the type and quality of appliances you choose.
New Jersey sees high levels of humidity in the summer, which puts added strain on your refrigerator if you don't have a dehumidifier in your home. It's very likely worth upgrading to a higher-end fridge for long-term value and performance.
Kitchen Countertops
New kitchen countertops cost an average of $4,592 to install in Jersey, but this can vary widely depending on the material you pick.
Granite is the most popular countertop material for kitchens in New Jersey. Not only is it a more durable and higher-end material, but it's mined nearby in Massachusetts. This helps keep shipping and delivery costs to a minimum, making the upgrade from quartz a more affordable one.
You do have other options, though, which you can price out based on the table below.
Material | Cost per Square Foot |
|---|---|
Granite | $70 to $140 |
Marble | $70 to $190 |
Quartzite | $60 to $100 |
Quartz | $50 to $75 |
Stainless | $50 to $150 |
Butcher block | $50 to $150 |
Laminate | $8 to $30 |
Kitchen Flooring
Flooring options in New Jersey range from just $3 per square foot for sheet vinyl and laminate, up to $25 per square foot for high-quality hardwood. Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is one of the best flooring options in NJ, which costs $4 to $16 per square foot.
The table below includes some other options you may want to consider, along with average costs.
Material | Cost per Square Foot |
|---|---|
Hardwood | $7 to $25 |
Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) | $4 to $16 |
Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) | $4 to $16 |
Sheet vinyl | $3 to $10 |
Ceramic tile | $15 to $20 |
Laminate | $3 to $11 |
Labor
Labor accounts for 50% to 60% of the total project cost for a kitchen remodel. In New Jersey, that’s about $6,000 to $20,700. Services tend to be more expensive in major cities where the cost of living is higher, so expect to pay closer to the upper end of that range for a kitchen remodel in Newark, Atlantic City, or Bayonne.
Other Kitchen Remodel Costs in New Jersey
While the size of your kitchen and the materials you choose will have the biggest hand in determining your New Jersey kitchen remodel cost, there are some other things to consider to get an accurate estimate.
Kitchen Add-Ons
Remodeling a kitchen is a massive undertaking, so many homeowners choose to tack on extra upgrades while the work is being done.
Below are some common remodel add-ons you may want to consider to get more value, functionality, and utility out of your kitchen.
Garbage disposal cost: $300 to $600
Trash compactor installation cost: $1,400
Custom backsplash cost: $800 to $1,500
Wine cooler addition cost: $500 to $1,500
Building Permits
Most kitchen remodels in New Jersey require building permits, and you may also need separate plumbing and electrical permits depending on the extent of your remodel. Building permits for a full kitchen renovation cost an average of $1,200 in NJ, but the total can vary based on your local municipality.
Dumping Fees
With a major kitchen overhaul, you'll have to pay to remove and properly dispose of old materials. Expect to pay an average of $459 to haul away materials in New Jersey.
Dumping fees in more remote areas may cost more due to the distance from a dumping site, while dumping fees for kitchen remodels near major metros should average around $400-$500.
Financing Your New Jersey Kitchen Remodel
Kitchen remodels in New Jersey can cost north of $229,600 for a full luxury upgrade, but even with less-expensive remodels, many homeowners aren't able to cover the total in cash. If you fall into this boat, here are the major financing options that can help you cover your dream kitchen:
Home improvement loan: Home improvement loans have lower rates than personal loans, but they still give you cash to work with to get your kitchen remodel done.
HELOC: A home equity line of credit is a second mortgage that uses your equity as collateral. You can basically use your equity to finance building additional equity with a kitchen remodel.
FHA 203k loan: If you’re buying a home, consider financing extra for repairs with a 203k loan. Your principle will be higher, but you may be able to secure more immediate equity thanks to the repairs.
Saving Money on Your New Jersey Kitchen Remodel
NJ kitchen remodel prices giving you sticker shock? Here are some ways to keep your estimate to a minimum. Consider the following money-saving methods to get closer to your ideal budget.
Choose Your Materials Carefully
Certain materials for flooring, countertops, and cabinets can bring your kitchen makeover costs down significantly, but be wary of cheap options that will need to be replaced or refinished every few years. These will end up costing you more in the long run.
Of course, you also don’t have to splurge on the most high-end materials, but make your decision based on more than just the upfront cost. Mid-range materials often provide a balance between high quality and low cost.
Keep Your Kitchen Design the Same
Moving plumbing, electrical, and gas lines to change your kitchen layout can instantly add $1,200 or more to your total. Stick with the same floor plan to avoid these added costs.
If you’re adding a kitchen island, consider leaving the sink and appliances on the exterior and just using the island for storage and work space. You may be able to swap plumbing and electrical fixtures yourself to reduce labor costs — you’d save roughly $138 per hour on professional plumbers in New Jersey and $86 per hour on electricians.
Refinish Your Cabinets Rather Than Replace
If you have plywood or hardwood cabinets, you could save a few thousand dollars by refinishing or refacing your cabinet system instead of replacing it.
In addition to the normal physical wear and steam resistance, be sure to consider the high summer humidity in NJ when choosing a new finish. Something like a high-gloss polyurethane or polyaspartic coating should work well.
DIY Work
You’ll pay an average of $12,915 for labor to remodel your New Jersey kitchen, but you can lower that number by DIYing some of the work. Installing cabinets and new countertops should always be left to the pros, but consider laying new flooring, installing new plumbing and electrical fixtures, and painting the walls and ceiling yourself to bring down your costs.
Consider Efficiency Incentives
If you’re upgrading your electrical fixtures, plumbing fixtures, or appliances to more efficient models, you may qualify for grants, rebates, and other incentives for boosting efficiency.
Check out federal programs, like the Residential Energy Efficiency Tax Credit, to see if you can save with energy-efficient appliances or fixtures. And look for any available incentives from your local government or utility company.
Regardless of incentives, choosing Energy Star-certified appliances is always a better choice for the environment.
Finding Kitchen Remodelers in New Jersey
The first step when researching kitchen remodeling companies is to confirm they’re properly licensed in the state. The New Jersey State Board of Home Improvement and Home Elevation Contractors issues and manages contractor licenses in NJ, so you can check the board's website to confirm that you’re working with a licensed kitchen remodeling contractor.
If you need plumbing or electrical work done, be sure to confirm the contractor also holds those licenses.
Next, you should interview the professional. Ask about pricing and timeline, request references, and look at their past work to confirm they’re a good fit. If anything seems off, move on. There are plenty of contractors to choose from.
When in doubt, or to save time, you can the tool below to find certified and pre-qualified professionals to get your project underway in New Jersey.
FAQ: How Much Does Kitchen Remodeling Cost in New Jersey?
A kitchen remodel in Newark costs an average of $28,413, which is slightly higher than the statewide average of $25,830. This is mostly due to higher labor costs, which scale to account for the higher cost of living in more densely populated areas.
Cabinets, countertops, and a backsplash will usually account for the largest portion of your kitchen remodeling costs in New Jersey, sometimes totaling $8,000 to $12,000 or more. An appliance package is often the next biggest expense, totaling between $2,500 and $7,000, in most cases.
The off-season for kitchen remodelers in NJ is winter, so scheduling your project for that time will often save you some money. Most New Jerseyans start their kitchen remodeling projects in summer, so your prices may be 1% to 5% higher then, due to increased competition.
Dan was a property manager from 2015 to 2020, during which time he managed and oversaw the upkeep and repairs of over 2,000 residential properties. He uses that experience, as well as his extensive DIY knowledge, to bring reliable information to homeowners about renovations and home-related projects. Since 2020, he has been using his experience to write about home improvement, and his work has appeared on sites like USA Today, CNN, Angi, and Today’s Homeowner.