How much does kitchen remodel cost in Chicago?
ZIP 60647 · Cook County · Chicago Metro · Data updated May 2026
Chicago is a pricier market for kitchen remodel, driven mostly by strong local wages. You pay a premium, but experienced tradespeople are easier to find.
It's also a strong investment in Chicago. Homeowners here get solid equity back at resale, making this one of the easier projects to justify financially.
Local Cost Estimate
$34,811 - $47,097
+2% seasonal adjustment (Normal season) · Base: $34,128 - $46,174
Strong ROI
Equity Gain
$40,633
Added at resale
+7.4% of home value
Good time to move forward
Strong ROI and steady market conditions. Timing is solid.
On this page
- National average
- $27,000
- Local cost index
- 1.5×
- Illinois median
- ROI score
- 99/100
- Lead time
- ~4.5 weeks
- Normal
- Permit activity
- Top 56%
- nationally
Built from Zillow ZHVI home values, BLS construction wages (May 2024), Cost vs. Value 2026 benchmarks, and US Census housing data · how this estimate is made
How We Calculate Chicago Kitchen Remodel Cost Estimates
What's driving the cost
Labor
$21,926
55% of total
Materials
$18,225
45% of total
Construction labor in Cook County is 48% above the US median (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Over 20 years: approx. $2,048/yr
Best Time to Book Kitchen Remodel in Chicago, Illinois ( September 2026)
Normal SeasonLead time now
~4.5
weeks
Season adjustment
+ 2%
vs annual avg
September is a normal-demand month for kitchen remodel in this climate. Lead times are around 4.5 weeks. No meaningful seasonal premium or discount right now.
Kitchen Remodel Permit Activity in Cook County, Illinois (Last 12 Months)
Typical ActivityPermits issued
280
last 12 months
National rank
44 th
percentile
280 kitchen remodel permits were issued in Cook County over the past year. That puts it in the 44th percentile nationally for this project type.
Contractor availability in Cook County is in good shape. Most projects can be scheduled within 2 to 4 weeks, and you'll have a solid pool of contractors to choose from.
Permit counts sourced from public open data portals. Updated monthly. Covers jurisdictions with available permit reporting.
Kitchen Remodel Cost by ZIP Code in Cook County, Illinois
Same project scope. Costs vary by ZIP based on local labor markets and home values.
Kitchen Remodel Costs in Chicago Metro, Illinois
The Chicago metro area includes Cook, DuPage, Lake, Kane, McHenry, and Will counties. Labor costs here run above the national average, reflecting the region's higher cost of living and strong union presence in the trades.
Kitchen Remodel in this region
Kitchen remodel labor in the Chicago metro runs above the national average, driven by strong contractor demand and skilled-trades costs. That said, the competitive suburban resale market rewards kitchen upgrades heavily. Buyers in collar counties like DuPage and Lake consistently prioritize updated kitchens when comparing listings.
Kitchen Remodel: Scope, Decisions & Permit Requirements in Illinois
Scope of work
A minor kitchen remodel (the highest-ROI version) replaces cabinet doors and drawer fronts, countertops, appliances, sink, faucet, flooring, and lighting without moving walls or plumbing. A major remodel adds full cabinet replacement, layout changes, and potentially opening walls to adjacent rooms. In Illinois, where homeowners spend more time indoors during long winters, kitchen usability upgrades tend to have strong buyer appeal. Open layouts and improved storage show particularly well in colder-climate markets.
Key decisions
Cabinet quality drives cost more than anything else. Stock cabinets are most affordable with 2-3 week lead times. Semi-custom adds flexibility. Custom adds 6-10 weeks and a significant cost premium. Quartz dominates mid-range remodels for durability and low maintenance. Granite offers a premium look at a similar price. In Chicago's higher-cost market, buyers expect premium finishes. Soft-close hardware, quartz or stone countertops, and quality appliances are baseline expectations for homes at your price point, not upgrades.
Timing & permits
Minor remodels take 2-4 weeks. Major remodels run 6-12 weeks. Permits are required if you move plumbing, electrical panels, or load-bearing walls. Plan for a temporary kitchen setup during construction. In Illinois, winter scheduling for kitchen remodels is actually a good strategy. Contractor availability improves in January-March, and there's no outdoor work competing for labor or your schedule.
Complete guide
Everything you need to know about kitchen remodel: materials, hiring, red flags, and what to expect.
How We Calculate Chicago Kitchen Remodel Cost Estimates
Step 1
National benchmark
We start with the national average cost for kitchen remodel from the Remodeling Magazine Cost vs. Value report. Base cost: $27,000.
Step 2
Local cost index
We apply a ZIP-level cost multiplier. Labor is derived from BLS construction wage data by metro area; materials from Zillow home value data. Chicago's effective multiplier is 1.5× the Illinois median.
Step 3
Regional ROI
The Cost vs. Value report shows that kitchen remodel recoups 101% of its cost at resale in this US Census region. That's an equity gain of $40,633, not counting seasonal adjustment.
Step 4
Seasonal adjustment
September is normal season for kitchen remodel in cold-climate markets. Demand is running +2% vs. the annual average. Base $34,128 - $46,174 → $34,811 - $47,097.
Base estimate
$34,128 - $46,174
Normal season
$34,811 - $47,097
All estimates carry a ±15% range to reflect real-world contractor variance in labor, materials, and project scope. Always get 2-3 quotes before committing.
Is a kitchen remodel worth it in Chicago?
Strong ROIWith an ROI score of 99/100, a kitchen remodel in Chicago recoups an estimated $40,633 at resale. In a market like Chicago, buyers generally expect quality finishes, so this kind of investment makes sense.
You invest
$40,954
Recouped at resale
$40,633
Cost per year
$2,048
over 20 yrs
Finding Kitchen Remodel contractors in Chicago
When you're getting quotes in the 60647 area, expect labor rates to reflect the 1.5× local cost index. Chicago runs higher than the state average, and you'll see that in contractor bids. Always verify your contractor is licensed to work in Cook County and ask whether your project scope requires local building permits.
Median home value in Chicago: $552,119. This project adds 7.4% to your home's value.
More cost estimates for 60647
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a kitchen remodel cost in Chicago, IL?
Based on 2026 data, a kitchen remodel in Chicago (60647) currently runs $34,811 - $47,097, which includes a +2% seasonal factor for September (Normal season). Without that, the base range is $34,128 - $46,174. That's using a 1.5× local cost index applied to the national benchmark from the Remodeling Magazine Cost vs. Value report.
Is a kitchen remodel worth it in Chicago?
With an ROI score of 100/100, a kitchen remodel in Chicago is expected to add about $40,633 back at resale. A lot of that depends on Cook County's local market, where median home values sit at $552,119.
How do Chicago remodeling costs compare to the rest of Illinois?
Chicago remodeling costs are running at 150% of the Illinois state median. Local home values of $552,119 are the main driver. Higher home values generally track with higher local wages and material costs.
What's the difference between a minor and major kitchen remodel for ROI?
A minor kitchen remodel (cabinet fronts, countertops, appliances, sink, faucet, and flooring without moving walls or plumbing) recoups roughly 96% at resale nationally. A major gut remodel with full layout changes recoups around 38-50%. For most homeowners in Chicago, a well-executed minor remodel delivers better return than a full overhaul.
How long does a kitchen remodel take in Chicago?
A minor kitchen remodel takes 2-4 weeks. A major remodel with full cabinet replacement and layout changes typically runs 6-12 weeks, depending on cabinet lead times and permit processing in Cook County. Custom cabinets add 6-10 weeks of lead time before work even starts.
Do premium kitchen finishes pay off in Chicago's market?
In Chicago's higher-value market (median home value: $552,119), buyers have elevated expectations. Quartz countertops, soft-close hardware, and quality appliances are baseline expectations, not premium upgrades. Skimping below that tier in this market can actually hurt your sale price relative to comparables.
What permits does a kitchen remodel require in Cook County?
In Cook County, permits are required if you move plumbing supply or drain lines, relocate electrical panels or add circuits, or modify load-bearing walls. Cosmetic work (new countertops, cabinet refacing, appliance swaps, flooring) typically doesn't need a permit. Your contractor should clarify the permit scope upfront. Unpermitted plumbing or electrical work can delay or kill a home sale.
You have the numbers. Now get the quotes.
Most homeowners go into contractor conversations blind. You know what kitchen remodel should cost in Chicago, what drives the price, and whether now is a good time to move. Use that.