You’ve got a 12×12 kitchen. You’re probably thinking it’s a decent size – not tiny, not massive. Good bones. But now it’s dated. Maybe the cabinets are falling apart. The layout isn’t working. Or you’re just tired of it. So the question is: how much is it going to cost to remodel it?
For a full 12×12 kitchen remodel in Waukesha, you’re looking at anywhere from $26,000 to $50,000+.
And I’m not pulling that range out of thin air. I’ve priced these. I’ve done these. I’ve seen people try to do them for $15K and regret every inch of it six months later.
What Drives That Price
Let’s break down the 12×12 Kitchen Remodel Cost so you understand where the money goes. Because most homeowners only see cabinets and countertops. There’s more to it.
1. Cabinets – $8,000 to $20,000
If you’re doing stock cabinets from a box store, maybe you land on the lower end. But if you want real wood, soft-close, custom-built for your kitchen layout with full-depth drawers and no filler garbage, expect to be in the mid to upper end of that range.
We do both. We’ve installed cheaper cabinets when budgets were tight, and we’ve also built custom cabinetry that’ll last 30 years. You pick.
2. Countertops – $2,500 to $7,000
Laminate still exists. Not popular, but if you’re trying to save, it’s an option. Quartz is what most people go for now. Granite’s around, too. Just depends on color and cut. But you want that clean finish, good seams, real backsplash install – not DIY gaps? You pay for that.
3. Flooring – $1,500 to $4,000
LVP is most common. Durable and good-looking without the price of tile. Tile is higher labour and material costs. Hardwood in a kitchen is fine if you maintain it, but it’s more money upfront. We do a lot of LVP because it holds up to life.
4. Plumbing & Electrical – $3,000 to $10,000+
Here’s where folks get surprised. If you’re not moving things, maybe you save. But if you’re shifting the sink, relocating the stove, adding canned lighting or under-cabinet lighting, upgrading that 1980s panel – this is where the budget gets real.
Code matters. Permits matter. We don’t skip either. Because if we do, it’ll fail inspection worse, and you’ll have problems later.
5. Appliances – $3,000 to $12,000
You replacing everything? Just the range? Or going high-end? Again, your choice. But if you’re already remodeling, don’t cheap out on the stove if you cook every night.
6. Paint, Trim, Cleanup – $1,000 to $2,500
Not the biggest cost. But it matters. A good trim job makes the remodel look finished. A bad one makes your new cabinets look like they were installed in a rush.
When to Remodel Your 12×12 Kitchen
Here’s when it makes sense:
- You’ve got water damage or mold. Don’t wait. It spreads.
- Layout’s bad. If the stove is in a corner and you’re bumping into the fridge every time you turn, it’s time.
- Cabinets are failing, drawers are sticking, doors are not closing, and warped shelving.
- You’re selling in a year or two and want to increase value. A good kitchen sells homes. An ugly one kills deals.
Fall and winter are good times, honestly. Less backlog. Better availability. We get the job done quicker.
How We Remodel a 12×12 Kitchen
Not every job’s the same, but here’s the basic structure:
- Design & Estimate: We walk the space. Ask what you hate, what you like, and what your budget is. No BS. Just straight talk.
- Demo: We rip out the old kitchen. We do it clean, carefully. Not smash-and-trash. And we prep the space for new install.
- Rough-in: Plumbing and electrical changes happen here. This is where a lot of guys mess up. They rush or skip permits. We don’t.
- Cabinets & Counters: Installed level, secured tightly. Counters templated and fabricated after cabinets are perfect.
- Flooring, Trim, Paint: Clean finish work. No paint drips, no crooked baseboard.
- Final Touches: Hardware, caulking, sealing, and walk-through with you to make sure it’s right.
Start to finish can take 3–6 weeks depending on complexity and product lead times. We stay on it. We don’t bounce between ten jobs at once.
Common Mistakes That Cost People More
- Hiring the cheapest guy: You get what you pay for. We’ve been hired to fix botched remodels. Trust me, it costs more than doing it right from the start.
- DIYing half the job: Don’t install your cabinets unless you’ve done it before. We’ve seen shims on shims, crooked faces, and zero clearance for doors. And that quartz you ordered? It cracks when the cabinets are uneven.
- Skipping proper planning: Trying to buy appliances last-minute, not accounting for lead times, or changing layout mid-way? That’s how delays happen.
- Not leaving room for surprises: You open a wall and find mold, a leaking pipe, or old wiring that’s not to code. That’s real. Budget for 10–15% contingency, minimum.
What Happens If You Cut Corners
Here’s what I’ve seen:
- Cabinets that peel in a year.
- Flooring that swells from moisture because the underlayment was wrong.
- Electrical that sparks because the guy didn’t pull permits or know the code.
- Clients who now have to pay double to rip out and fix a job someone else did wrong.
So if you’re thinking, “Can I save a few grand?” yeah, you can. But it’s going to show. And it won’t last. If you’re already spending tens of thousands, don’t cheap out on the parts that hold it all together.
Final Thoughts
A 12×12 kitchen remodel is a big deal. It’s not a weekend project. It’s an investment in your home, your daily life, and your resale value. If you do it right, it makes your life easier. If you do it wrong, you live with it and pay to fix it later.
If you want it done right, by people who’ve done this a hundred times and still care about getting it right every single time, we’re ready when you are.
Contact T & J Remodeling or call me at +1 262-352-9525 and get a realistic budget for your dream kitchen.
