If you have started Googling — or searching with ChatGPT — ‘kitchen remodel cost’ and immediately closed the tab in mild panic, you are not alone. Here is what it actually costs in the Cary, Apex, and Morrisville area, and what drives the number.
- Are you moving anything? Keeping appliances and plumbing in their current locations is significantly cheaper than reconfiguring the layout.
- Structural changes. A non-structural wall removal runs $1,500 to $2,000. Add a load-bearing wall, steel beam, and new piers and you can quickly surpass $5,000 — reaching $10,000 or more depending on span and loads. The structural situation determines the cost, and you will not know which scenario you are in until an engineer looks at it.
- Material tier. Stock vs. semi-custom vs. full custom cabinetry alone can swing the budget by tens of thousands of dollars.
- Scope creep. What starts as just the kitchen often grows — plan your priorities before demo day, not during it.
There is no such thing as a complete custom kitchen remodel for $25,000 — maybe on a TV show, but not in the world Noble Renovation works in. Here is what a real investment looks like:
- Refresh (same layout, cosmetic updates): $60,000 to $75,000. New cabinets or fronts, countertops, backsplash, lighting, and flooring — no plumbing moves.
- Mid-range remodel (new layout, new everything): $100,000 to $140,000. Full gut with new cabinetry, countertops, flooring, lighting, and trade work.
- High-end / structural remodel: $150,000 to $250,000+. Wall removal, custom cabinetry, premium finishes, high-end appliances. We have completed kitchens in the Triangle at every point in this range — and above it.
Remodeling is full of moving parts. When you work with separate firms, you end up managing the chaos yourself. With design-build, you get:
– A single point of contact
– Clear communication
– Seamless scheduling and trade coordination
You stay informed — without being overwhelmed.
- Daily project management. Sequencing trades, scheduling inspections, managing deliveries, and keeping a job site livable while you live there is a full-time job — and a real line item in every Noble budget.
- Design fees. Noble’s design agreement runs 5% of the estimated project cost and comes before the construction contract. Industry research shows design-build projects cost 6-7% less and finish 33% faster — making the fee pay for itself. See noblerenovation.com/design-services.
- Any project involving electrical, plumbing, or structural work requires them in Wake County.
- Dumpster and disposal. Demo debris adds up fast on a full gut.
- Lead times. Custom cabinets and specialty appliances can take 8 to 14 weeks. Order early.
A kitchen remodel budget is a range — driven by scope, materials, and structural situation. The homeowners who feel best about the process are the ones who went in with realistic expectations and a partner who was upfront about costs from day one.
At Noble Renovation, we build fixed-price estimates and start with design so you can see your kitchen before it is built. If you are thinking about a remodel in Cary, Apex, or Morrisville, we are happy to have that conversation.
Want a Remodel That Runs Smoother – and ends Better? Our design-build process takes the guesswork out of remodeling and gives you the confidence to move forward.
Sources & Further Reading
- Noble Renovation Design Services — noblerenovation.com/design-services
- ResearchGate — Design Changes in Construction Projects: Causes and Impact on Cost
- Wake County Building Permits — Residential Projects: wakegov.com/departments-government/inspections-permits
- National Kitchen & Bath Association — Cost vs. Value Study 2025: nkba.org
- Remodeling Magazine — 2025 Cost vs. Value Report: remodeling.hw.net/cost-vs-value
