Kitchen pricing gets quoted in wildly different ways, which is why two bids for the same room can look thousands apart. This guide breaks a Vancouver, WA kitchen down the way a contractor actually builds the number — so you can compare bids on scope, not on the bottom line.
Where the money actually goes
Across almost every kitchen we scope in Clark County, the budget splits into the same buckets. The percentages move, but the order rarely does.
| Line item | Typical share of budget | What moves it |
|---|---|---|
| Cabinetry | 30–40% | Stock vs. semi-custom vs. custom; box material; soft-close hardware |
| Labor & project management | 20–30% | Number of trades, demo scope, inspection cycles |
| Countertops | 10–15% | Laminate vs. quartz vs. natural stone; edge profile; slab count |
| Appliances | 10–15% | Panel-ready and pro-style ranges push this fast |
| Flooring | 5–10% | LVP vs. tile; subfloor condition once demo opens the room |
| Electrical & plumbing | 5–10% | Any relocation of sink, gas, or added circuits |
Three realistic project tiers
1. The cosmetic refresh
Keep the layout and the cabinet boxes. Refinish or reface doors, replace hardware, install new counters and a backsplash, swap the sink and faucet, add lighting, and repaint. This is the highest return per dollar in almost every Vancouver home, and it is the tier most homeowners underestimate.
2. The mid-range remodel
New cabinets in the existing footprint, quartz counters, new appliances, new flooring, updated lighting and receptacles to current code. Nothing structural moves, so the timeline stays predictable and inspections are limited.
3. The full gut and reconfigure
Walls open, the sink or range moves, an island gets plumbed and powered, and sometimes a wall comes out entirely. This tier carries permits, engineering in some cases, and the widest cost spread — because what's behind the drywall is unknown until demo day.
The honest version: nobody can quote your kitchen accurately from photos. Any number you see online — including in this guide — is a planning range. A fixed written scope after a site visit is the only number worth budgeting against.
What quietly inflates a kitchen budget
- Moving water. Relocating a sink pulls in plumbing, drywall, flooring, and often electrical.
- Older subfloor. In homes built before the 1990s, demo often reveals soft spots that must be replaced before flooring goes down.
- Undersized electrical. Kitchens need dedicated circuits. If the panel is full, that's a separate scope.
- Cabinet lead times. A long lead time doesn't raise the price directly, but it stretches labor mobilization and can add cost.
- Change orders. Mid-project material swaps are the single most common reason a kitchen ends over budget.
How to compare two bids fairly
- Confirm both bids include demo, disposal, and daily cleanup.
- Check whether permits and inspection coordination are included or excluded.
- Look for named allowances on counters, tile, and fixtures — vague allowances are where bids diverge later.
- Verify who holds the subcontractors. One accountable contractor beats a cheaper bid with five separate vendors.
- Ask for the change-order process in writing before you sign anything.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a kitchen remodel cost in Vancouver, WA?
Most Vancouver kitchen projects land in three bands: a cosmetic refresh (paint, hardware, counters, fixtures) typically runs in the low five figures, a mid-range remodel with new cabinets and appliances is meaningfully higher, and a full gut with layout changes, electrical, and plumbing relocation sits at the top. Exact pricing depends on cabinet line, counter material, and how much is moved.
What part of a kitchen remodel costs the most?
Cabinetry is almost always the single largest line item, usually 30 to 40 percent of the total. Countertops, appliances, and labor follow. Moving plumbing or gas lines adds cost quickly because it pulls in multiple trades and inspections.
Is refacing or refinishing cabinets worth it?
If the boxes are solid and the layout works, refinishing or refacing can deliver most of the visual change for a fraction of a full cabinet replacement. If boxes are water damaged, particleboard, or the layout is wrong, replacement is the better long-term spend.
Do I need a permit for a kitchen remodel in Vancouver, WA?
Cosmetic work like paint, counters, and cabinet swaps generally does not require a permit. Once you move or add electrical circuits, relocate plumbing, or alter walls, a permit through the City of Vancouver or Clark County is required. Your contractor should pull it, not you.
How long does a kitchen remodel take?
A refresh can be done in one to two weeks. A mid-range remodel with new cabinets typically runs four to eight weeks once materials are on site. Full gut projects with layout changes take longer, largely due to inspection scheduling and cabinet lead times.
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