§ 01
The short answer
There's no single price for a kitchen, but there are clear tiers. One Northern Colorado contractor's 2026 breakdown puts a cosmetic refresh at $15,000–$28,000, a mid-range remodel with new cabinets and quartz in the same layout at $45,000–$75,000, and a full remodel with layout changes at $85,000–$140,000 or more (Integrity Stamp of Approval). Custom design-build kitchens in the region run higher: one local design-build firm publishes an all-in range of $100,000–$200,000 including design and project management (Hutch Design Build).
| Scope | What's included | Typical 2026 range |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic refresh | Paint, hardware, backsplash, appliances; cabinets stay | $15,000–$28,000 |
| Mid-range remodel | New cabinets, quartz counters, lighting, same layout | $45,000–$75,000 |
| Full remodel | Walls moved, island added, higher-end finishes | $85,000–$140,000+ |
| Custom design-build | Design, custom cabinetry, full project management | $100,000–$200,000+ |
Ranges compiled from published Northern Colorado contractor guides listed below. They're planning numbers, not quotes.
§ 02
What drives the cost
Cabinetry is the biggest line. Cabinets typically account for 30–40% of a kitchen budget (eHeart Design; Homework Build). Local 2026 pricing runs roughly $110–$200 per linear foot installed for stock cabinets, $220–$400 for semi-custom, and $450–$750+ for shop-built custom (Integrity Stamp of Approval).
Counters and appliances come next. Installed quartz runs about $75–$135 per square foot in Northern Colorado, and quartzite or premium natural stone $120–$200+. A mid-range appliance package is about $8,000–$14,000; a premium package can run $18,000–$45,000 or more (Integrity Stamp of Approval).
Layout changes multiply everything. Moving a sink, a range, or a wall adds plumbing, electrical, structural work, and often engineering. Keeping the existing footprint is the single biggest lever for controlling cost.
The age of the house matters. Older homes in central Fort Collins, Loveland, and Greeley often reveal wiring, venting, or framing that has to be brought up to current code once walls are open. Newer homes rarely have those surprises but often need better ventilation and lighting than the builder installed.
§ 03
Permits and timeline
In Fort Collins, remodels that move walls or add plumbing or electrical work generally require a permit through Building Services (City of Fort Collins); surrounding towns are similar. Permit fees are a small share of the budget, but the review time needs to be in the schedule.
Construction on a full kitchen typically runs 6–12 weeks, plus design, selections, and ordering beforehand (eHeart Design). Custom cabinetry is usually the long lead item — ours typically needs 8–12 weeks from final design approval, so we order it during design rather than after demolition.
§ 04
How to budget
Decide your scope tier first, then set a number, then add a contingency. Local builders commonly recommend holding 10–15% above your target for conditions you can't see until the walls are open (Homework Build). Choose appliances early — their sizes and utility needs shape the cabinet design, and changing them late is expensive.
When you compare bids, make sure they include the same things: design, permits, cabinetry grade, counters, appliances, electrical, plumbing, flooring, and cleanup. A low number that leaves out design or allowances isn't a lower price — it's a different project.
§ 05
Where Bastian projects land
We build at the custom end of the market: kitchens designed around shop-built cabinetry, with design, permitting, and construction managed by one team. Our published bands start at $55,000–$95,000 for a refresh within the existing footprint and run $120,000–$220,000 for a full renovation, with wall-out architectural kitchens above that. The kitchen remodeling page explains each tier and what's included.