How Much Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost in Oakland County, Michigan? (2026)
- costellodeclaire
- 4 days ago
- 9 min read
If you've been researching kitchen remodeling costs in Oakland County, you've probably already run into the problem: most of what you find online is either national averages that have nothing to do with Birmingham or Bloomfield Hills, or ranges so wide — "$10,000 to $150,000!" — that they're essentially useless for actual planning.
We're going to fix that.
At Costello & Co Construction, we're a women-owned design-build firm based in Birmingham, Michigan. We've completed kitchen remodels throughout Oakland County. In Beverly Hills, Bloomfield Hills, Royal Oak, Rochester Hills, West Bloomfield, and beyond...and we work with real budgets every day. The numbers in this guide reflect what kitchen remodeling actually costs in this market in 2026.
Not national averages. Not ballpark guesses. Real Oakland County numbers.
The Short Answer — Oakland County Kitchen Remodel Cost Ranges
Before we get into the details, here's the honest overview:
Kitchen Refresh: $25,000 – $50,000
Mid-Range Kitchen Remodel: $50,000 – $100,000
Full Custom Kitchen Renovation: $100,000 – $200,000+
In communities like Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, and Beverly Hills — where homes are larger, expectations are higher, and the market rewards quality — projects tend to land in the mid to upper end of each tier. In communities like Royal Oak, Ferndale, and Rochester Hills, mid-range projects are more common, though we regularly complete high-end work throughout the area.
What puts a project at the low end vs. the high end of each range? That's exactly what this guide covers.
Kitchen Remodel Cost Tier 1 — The Focused Refresh ($25,000–$50,000)
A kitchen refresh is for homeowners who like their existing layout and just want an updated look. You're not moving walls. You're not relocating the island. You're updating what's there and making it feel current.
What's typically included:
Cabinet refacing or semi-custom cabinet replacement
New countertops (quartz or granite)
Updated backsplash tile
New fixtures and hardware
Basic appliance updates
Paint and lighting refresh
What it won't include: Layout changes, custom cabinetry, structural work, or premium imported materials. If you want to move a wall, add an island, or spec handmade zellige tile throughout, you're moving into the next tier.
Who this is right for: Homeowners in Royal Oak, Ferndale, or Berkley who want a meaningful update without a full gut renovation. Also homeowners preparing to sell who want strong listing photos without over investing.
Real example from our portfolio: Our Ferndale investment property renovations fall into this category — focused, strategic updates that photograph beautifully and return more than they cost at resale.
Timeline: 4–8 weeks of active construction
Kitchen Remodel Cost Tier 2 — The Mid-Range Remodel ($50,000–$100,000)
This is where most Oakland County kitchen remodels land — and where the most meaningful transformations happen. You're updating the layout, the materials, and the overall feel of the space.
What's typically included:
Semi-custom or custom cabinetry
Premium countertops — quartz, quartzite, or marble
Layout modifications (island repositioning, partial wall removal)
New flooring throughout
Updated electrical and lighting plan
Backsplash tile including specialty options
Appliance package (mid-range to premium)
What affects where you land in this range:
Closer to $50,000 if:
Your layout changes are minor
You choose semi-custom cabinetry
Your appliance package is mid-range
You keep backsplash tile simple
Closer to $100,000+ if:
You're removing a wall or reconfiguring the layout significantly
You choose custom cabinetry
You spec premium countertops like quartzite or marble
You include a brass pot filler, specialty backsplash, and high-end appliances
Who this is right for: Most Oakland County families doing their first significant kitchen renovation. Bloomfield Hills homeowners updating a kitchen that was last done in the early 2000s. Rochester Hills families who need more function and better flow. Royal
Oak homeowners opening up a closed floor plan in a classic bungalow.
Real example from our portfolio: Our Bloomfield Hills kitchen remodel for a family of four lands in this range — white oak cabinetry, marble countertops, island repositioning, and a full layout redesign for a family with young children.
Timeline: 8–14 weeks of active construction
Kitchen Remodel Cost Tier 3 — The Full Custom Renovation ($100,000–$200,000+)
This is a complete transformation — every surface, every system, every detail. The kitchen is gutted and rebuilt from scratch with custom materials, custom cabinetry, and a level of craftsmanship that's designed to last for decades and anchor the value of a high-end Oakland County home.
What's typically included:
Full custom cabinetry and architectural millwork
Luxury countertop materials — marble, quartzite, natural stone
Structural modifications — wall removal, ceiling work, window additions
Complete electrical and plumbing reconfiguration
High-end appliance suite (Wolf, Sub-Zero, Thermador)
Custom tile work including specialty finishes
Integrated lighting design with layered ambient, task, and accent
Specialty details — brass pot filler, microcement range hood, custom hood
Who this is right for: Birmingham and Bloomfield Hills homeowners doing a full
primary residence renovation. Homeowners who've been in their home for 20+ years and are ready to do it right. Buyers who purchased a home specifically to renovate and want to maximize both their enjoyment and their long-term equity.
Real example from our portfolio: Our Beverly Hills kitchen remodel — white oak
cabinetry, full marble slab backsplash, brass pot filler, large island with custom seating — is a strong example of what a Tier 3 kitchen looks like and what it delivers.
Timeline: 14–24 weeks of active construction
What Affects Your Oakland County Kitchen Remodel Cost?
Two kitchens of identical square footage can have very different price tags. Here's what drives the difference:
1. Layout Changes
Keeping your existing layout — same plumbing locations, same wall positions — is always the most cost-efficient approach. The moment you start moving walls, relocating drains, or reconfiguring plumbing rough-ins, costs increase. Moving a sink across the kitchen can add $3,000–$8,000 to a project. Removing a load-bearing wall can add $5,000–$15,000.
That said, layout changes often produce the most dramatic transformations — and in older Oakland County homes where the kitchen was designed as a closed- off room, opening the floor plan is usually worth every dollar.
2. Cabinetry
Cabinetry is your single largest line item — typically 35–40% of your total kitchen budget. The difference between stock, semi-custom, and full custom cabinetry is significant both in cost and in outcome.
Stock cabinetry: $5,000–$15,000
Semi-custom: $15,000–$40,000
Full custom: $40,000–$100,000+
In Birmingham and Bloomfield Hills specifically, full custom cabinetry is the standard for primary residence renovations. It's designed for your exact space, your ceiling height, and your specific storage needs — and it shows in ways that semi-custom simply can't replicate.
3. Countertops
Countertop material choices span an enormous range:
Laminate: $2,000–$5,000 (not recommended for primary renovation)
Standard quartz: $5,000–$12,000
Premium quartz: $10,000–$20,000
Quartzite or marble: $15,000–$35,000+
Natural stone with book-matched veining: $25,000–$50,000+
For Oakland County homes, quartz is the most common mid-range choice. Marble and quartzite are increasingly popular in Birmingham and Bloomfield Hills where the design standard is higher and the long-term investment justifies the premium.
4. Appliances
Appliances are almost always quoted separately from the renovation itself. Budget ranges vary widely:
Mid-range package (Samsung, KitchenAid, Bosch): $8,000–$15,000
Premium package (Wolf range, Sub-Zero refrigerator, Miele dishwasher): $25,000–$60,000+
Decide on your appliances early — they affect cabinet sizing, ventilation requirements, and electrical planning. A late appliance change can mean reconfiguring cabinetry and electrical that's already been ordered.
5. The Age and Condition of Your Home
Many Oakland County homes were built between the 1950s and 1980s and what's behind the walls matters. Older plumbing and electrical that doesn't meet current code, water damage behind original tile, and structural surprises can all add cost once demo begins.
Our recommendation: budget a 10–15% contingency above your expected project cost for any home built before 1990. In our experience, the majority of older Oakland County homes reveal at least one condition during demolition that wasn't visible at the start.
6. Design-Build vs. Traditional Contracting
This one surprises a lot of homeowners. Hiring a designer and contractor separately creates a coordination gap that often results in cost overruns — design decisions that turn out to be expensive to build, change orders when the contractor finds problems the designer didn't anticipate, and delays from miscommunication.
As a design-build firm, we manage design and construction under one contract. Our design team works alongside our construction manager from day one, which means your budget is as close to accurate as possible before construction begins. Studies consistently show that design-build projects come in closer to budget than traditionally managed ones.
Where Your Kitchen Budget Actually Goes
Understanding the typical budget breakdown helps you make smarter decisions about where to invest and where you can save.
Typical mid-range Oakland County kitchen remodel breakdown:
Cabinetry & Hardware: 35–40%
Labor & Installation: 20–25%
Countertops: 10–15%
Appliances: 10–15%
Flooring: 5–7%
Lighting & Electrical: 5–7%
Plumbing: 3–5%
Design & Project Management: 5–10%
Where to invest: Cabinetry and countertops — they're what you see and touch every day, and they have the greatest impact on how a kitchen feels and how it performs at resale.
Where you can save without sacrificing quality: Hardware (beautiful hardware at $5–$15 per piece rather than $30–$50), flooring (a great floor at $8–$12/sq ft rather than $20+), and appliances (a strong mid-range package photographs just as well as a professional-grade suite and performs similarly for most families).
How Much Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost in Specific Oakland County Cities?
Market matters. Here's what we typically see in the communities we serve most:
Birmingham ($60,000–$180,000+) Birmingham is the most premium market in our service area. Homes here command top Oakland County prices and buyers expect top Oakland County finishes. Full custom cabinetry, natural stone countertops, and specialty tile work are standard for primary residence renovations.
Bloomfield Hills ($65,000–$200,000+) Bloomfield Hills homes tend to be larger, which means larger kitchens and larger budgets. Whole-home renovations that include the kitchen as one component are common here, and the design standard is consistently high.
Beverly Hills ($55,000–$150,000) Beverly Hills sits in the sweet spot — premium enough to justify elevated finishes, practical enough that mid-range budgets still deliver excellent results. Our Beverly Hills kitchen projects consistently deliver outstanding value at the $70,000–$120,000 range.
Royal Oak ($45,000–$120,000) Royal Oak's bungalow and ranch homes often involve layout work — opening closed floor plans is one of the most common projects we do here. Budget for layout changes and you'll have room for strong materials throughout.
Rochester Hills ($50,000–$130,000) Rochester Hills families tend to prioritize function alongside aesthetics — large islands, smart storage, and layouts that support busy family life. Mid-range to full renovations are most common.
West Bloomfield ($55,000–$150,000+) West Bloomfield homes near the lakes tend toward larger footprints and premium finishes. Many projects here include adjacent spaces — opening the kitchen to the living room, adding a butler's pantry, or incorporating a breakfast nook.
How Long Does a Kitchen Remodel Take in Oakland County?
Timeline is one of the most common questions we get and one of the most underestimated parts of the planning process.
Here's the realistic breakdown:
Design phase: 5–8 weeks
Pre-construction (ordering materials, permits): 3–5 weeks
Active construction:
Kitchen refresh: 4–8 weeks
Mid-range remodel: 8–14 weeks
Full custom renovation: 14–24 weeks
Total from first conversation to final walkthrough:
Kitchen refresh: 3–4 months
Mid-range remodel: 4–6 months
Full custom renovation: 6–9 months
The most important planning insight: custom cabinetry has a 6–10 week lead time from order to delivery. If you want your kitchen done by the holidays, your design conversations need to start in late summer at the latest. If you want a spring remodel, start now.
Is a Kitchen Remodel Worth It in Oakland County?
Yes — consistently. Oakland County is one of Metro Detroit's strongest real estate markets, and kitchen renovations return meaningfully at resale.
According to the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report, mid-range kitchen remodels in the Detroit metro area return approximately 60–75% of their cost at resale. Major upscale renovations return 32–45%. But the return that's harder to quantify — the daily quality of life improvement, the kitchen that finally works for your family, the space you're proud to entertain in — is often the one that matters most to our clients.
The homeowners who feel best about their kitchen investment are the ones who planned carefully, chose materials they genuinely loved, and worked with a contractor they trusted. The investment tends to reflect the process.
Ready to Start Planning Your Oakland County Kitchen Remodel?
If you're researching kitchen remodeling costs in Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Royal Oak, or anywhere in Oakland County — we'd love to be a resource.
We offer a free 15-minute discovery call for homeowners who are in the planning stage. No pitch, no pressure. Just a real conversation about your project, your budget, and what's realistic for your home and your goals.
Or download our free 2026 Kitchen & Bathroom Remodeling Cost Guide for the complete breakdown — cost tiers, budget worksheets, timelines, and the questions to ask before you hire anyone.
The pricing ranges shared in this article are intended for informational purposes only and reflect general project tiers based on our experience. Actual remodeling costs can vary significantly depending on scope, material selections, structural conditions, labor, location, and market fluctuations. All pricing is subject to change and should not be considered a formal estimate.
Costello & Co Construction is a licensed, women-owned design-build firm headquartered in Birmingham, Michigan. We serve homeowners throughout Oakland County including Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Beverly Hills, West Bloomfield, Rochester Hills, Royal Oak, Ferndale, Troy, and the greater Metro Detroit area.
Comments