A complete 2026 breakdown of what Middle Tennessee homeowners actually pay — by scope, materials, and project tier.
Full kitchen remodel cost in Middle Tennessee: $70,000–$140,000.
This planning range reflects professional design-build scopes and premium finish expectations across the area. Focused cosmetic updates start around $28,000; high-end custom remodels with structural changes and luxury appliance packages run $140,000–$250,000 or more.
Not all kitchen remodels are the same. The table below shows what you get at each investment level in the Nashville and Middle Tennessee market.
| Tier | Typical Cost | What's Included |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic Refresh | $28,000–$50,000 | New cabinet doors and hardware, countertop replacement, new sink and faucet, paint, backsplash tile. Existing layout kept. No structural or plumbing changes. |
| Full Remodel | $70,000–$140,000 | Full gut renovation with semi-custom or custom cabinetry, quartz or granite countertops, new appliances, tile backsplash, updated lighting and plumbing fixtures. Layout stays mostly the same. |
| High-End Custom | $140,000–$250,000+ | Full custom cabinetry, layout reconfiguration or wall removal, premium appliances (Sub-Zero, Wolf, Miele), natural stone countertops, custom range hood, built-in refrigeration, full electrical and plumbing overhaul. |
Eight factors have the most impact on where your project lands within or beyond these ranges.
Cabinetry is 30–40% of your total budget. Stock cabinets run $150–$380 per linear foot installed. Semi-custom runs $380–$700. Full custom cabinetry starts at $700 per linear foot and goes up from there.
Granite typically runs $55–$120/sqft installed in Middle Tennessee, including material, fabrication, and installation. A typical full kitchen lands around $3,000–$7,500 for granite countertops; exotic slabs, waterfall edges, complex cutouts, and full-height backsplashes can push the total higher. Laminate is $25–$50/sqft installed, quartz runs $65–$120/sqft, and premium quartzite or marble commonly starts around $80–$120/sqft and rises with slab selection.
A standard appliance package (range, hood, dishwasher, refrigerator) runs $4,000–$8,000 for quality mid-tier brands. Professional-grade packages from Sub-Zero, Wolf, or Thermador range from $15,000–$40,000+.
Moving walls, relocating plumbing, or expanding the kitchen footprint adds $10,000–$40,000 depending on structural requirements. Keeping the existing layout saves significantly.
A 150 sqft kitchen costs considerably less than a 300 sqft open-concept space, even at the same finish level. More square footage means more cabinetry, more countertop, more flooring, and more labor.
Older homes in Franklin, Brentwood, and Belle Meade often have wiring or plumbing that requires upgrading to code. This can add $5,000–$20,000 in unforeseen work on top of the base scope.
Luxury vinyl plank runs $8–$14/sqft installed. Hardwood is $12–$22/sqft. Large-format tile can reach $18–$30/sqft depending on tile selection and pattern complexity.
Established design-build firms charge more than independent subcontractors — and deliver a managed process, single accountability, and documented timelines. The cost difference typically shows up in fewer change orders and a better finished result.
National cost guides frequently cite kitchen remodel averages of $25,000–$50,000. Those numbers underrepresent what Middle Tennessee homeowners actually pay, for three main reasons.
First, the Nashville metro is one of the fastest-growing housing markets in the country. Labor costs reflect that demand. Skilled tradespeople — tile setters, cabinet installers, finish carpenters — command premium rates because they have more work than they can handle.
Second, the housing stock in Williamson County (Franklin, Brentwood, Thompson's Station) skews toward larger, higher-end homes where cosmetic-only kitchens feel out of place. Most remodels in this market are full gut renovations, not cabinet-door swaps.
Third, material costs have risen substantially since 2022. Quartz countertops, custom cabinetry lead times, and appliance pricing have all increased. What a $60,000 kitchen bought in 2020 now costs closer to $75,000–$85,000.
Whether your project requires permits depends on the scope of work:
Permit fees in Williamson County typically run $150–$600 for a standard kitchen remodel scope. Processing time is generally 1–2 weeks. Brick & Beam Homes handles all permitting as part of every project — you don't interface with the county directly.
Online cost calculators give you a range, not a number. The only way to know what your kitchen remodel will cost is to have a design-build professional walk your space, understand your goals, and price the actual scope.
A good initial consultation should cover: your current kitchen's square footage and condition, your layout goals (keep or change), your priorities for materials and appliances, and your timeline. From there, a detailed proposal with line-item pricing is realistic within 1–2 weeks.
Be cautious of any contractor who quotes a lump sum without a detailed scope document. That's how surprise change orders happen.
This kitchen cost guide is written for homeowners in Nashville, Franklin, Brentwood, Arrington, Nolensville, Thompson's Station, Leiper's Fork, Spring Hill, College Grove, Fairview, Columbia, and surrounding Middle Tennessee communities.