Kitchen Remodel Cost in Merton, WI
A kitchen remodel costs about $14,550 to $40,400 in This Old House's 2026 home renovation guide. For a smaller kitchen, the same publisher puts the average at about $16,000, with most projects between $9,000 and $25,000, and remodeling at $100 to $250 per square foot depending on how much changes. In the Town of Merton, building permit applications go to the Town Hall along with the electrical and plumbing applications, and a home on a private septic system needs a Waukesha County site evaluation before a building permit is issued.
Published 2026-10-29 · 6 min read · 1,299 words
Kitchen project - T&JHere is what a Merton kitchen remodel costs, where the budget goes, and the local steps that can set your start date.
Merton Kitchen Remodel Costs at a Glance
| Scope | Typical cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen remodel, most homes | $14,550 to $40,400 | This Old House, 2026 |
| Small kitchen, average | About $16,000; most $9,000 to $25,000 | This Old House, 2026 |
| Minor remodel | $7,000 to $20,000 | This Old House, 2026 |
| Major remodel | $17,500 to over $50,000 | This Old House, 2026 |
| Per square foot | $100 to $250 | This Old House, 2026 |
| Permits | $500 to $1,500 | This Old House, 2026 |
These are published national figures. Large lake-home kitchens with custom cabinetry and stone often land above them.
Cabinetry, countertops and flooring make up almost half (46%) of a kitchen budget in This Old House's breakdown, with cabinets and hardware alone at about 29%. Labor is usually 15% to 30%.
Where a Kitchen Budget Goes
This Old House prices the main parts of a small kitchen remodel, installed:
| Item | Installed cost |
|---|---|
| New cabinets | $4,875 to $10,000 |
| Appliances | $1,000 to $15,000 |
| Countertops | $1,485 to $4,200 |
| Lighting | $1,500 to $4,500 |
| Sink and faucet | $680 to $1,800 |
| Backsplash | $440 to $800 |
| Flooring | $280 to $1,200 |
Kitchen - T&JBecause cabinets are the largest share, deciding whether to replace, reface or refinish them sets most of the budget; see our guide to refinishing, refacing or replacing kitchen cabinets.
Want this priced for your kitchen?
John walks your space, measures it, and leaves a written itemized estimate. No cost, no obligation, no sales script.
What Moves the Price in a Merton Kitchen
Cabinets and counters.
New cabinets and stone counters are where budgets swing most; see our quartz countertop cost guide.
Layout changes.
Moving the sink, range or dishwasher means new plumbing, gas or venting runs.
Electrical.
New circuits, lighting and outlets are common in older kitchens; see our guide to kitchen remodel electrical requirements in Wisconsin.
Appliances.
The appliance line alone runs $1,000 to $15,000 installed; see what the rest costs in our guide to kitchen remodel cost without appliances.
Septic homes.
The U.S. EPA notes that using a garbage disposal means a septic tank needs pumping more often, and advises eliminating or limiting its use. If your Merton home is on septic, decide on the disposal before the sink base is built.
Lake lots.
Properties within 1,000 feet of a lake or 300 feet of a river or stream are in shoreland jurisdiction, and the Town directs owners to Waukesha County Parks and Land Use to find out whether a zoning permit is needed. It matters most if the project expands the house; see our guide to remodeling a lake home under shoreland zoning.
Permits for a Kitchen Remodel in Merton
Merton has two local governments, the Town of Merton and the Village of Merton, so check which one your address is in first.
Town of Merton.
- The town's building inspector handles building permits and inspections for new and existing structures.
- Building permit applications are submitted at the Town Hall in person or by mail, with the electrical, plumbing and HVAC applications alongside them when the work needs them.
- A home on a private septic system needs a Preliminary Site Evaluation from Waukesha County's Environmental Health Division before a zoning or building permit is issued.
- Inspections are scheduled by phone, not by email or text.
Village of Merton. The village handles its own permits; ask its office what your kitchen project needs.
For what a kitchen permit usually covers in Wisconsin, see our guide to kitchen remodel permits in Wisconsin.
On a septic home or a lake lot, the county steps come before the building permit. Start them while the kitchen is being designed so they do not hold up the cabinet order.
How Long a Merton Kitchen Remodel Takes
This Old House puts a kitchen remodel at three to nine weeks. Cabinet lead times, the county septic step and permit review all come before that clock starts, so the planning stage often takes as long as the build. Our kitchen remodel timeline guide walks through each phase.
Kitchen - T&JQuestions to Ask Before You Compare Bids
Is the quote itemized
with cabinets, counters, labor and allowances listed separately?
What cabinet line and construction
is priced, and what is the lead time?
Who handles the town permits
and, for a septic home, the county site evaluation?
Does the plan move the sink, range or dishwasher?
If so, how is the plumbing and venting priced?
What is the schedule,
and how long will you be without a working kitchen?
Getting a Kitchen Estimate in Merton
A free in-home estimate measures your kitchen, checks the plumbing, wiring and venting, talks through cabinets and counters, and prices the project in writing with labor and materials shown separately. For a first number, try our kitchen remodeling cost calculator.
T&J is a father-and-son team that has worked in Wisconsin since 1989. John is your single point of contact from the first call through the final walkthrough, Telli is on site running the work, and T&J gives a written 2-year warranty. Merton homeowners can also see our bathroom remodel cost in Merton and home remodeling cost in Merton guides, our kitchen remodeling services, or request a free in-home estimate.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a kitchen remodel cost in Merton, WI?
This Old House's 2026 figures put a kitchen remodel at about $14,550 to $40,400, and a small kitchen at about $16,000 on average. Custom cabinets, stone counters and layout changes push a project higher.
How much does a kitchen remodel cost per square foot?
About $100 to $250 per square foot, depending on how much of the kitchen changes.
What is the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel?
Cabinets. This Old House puts cabinets and hardware at about 29% of the budget, and cabinetry, countertops and flooring together at almost half.
Do I need a permit to remodel a kitchen in the Town of Merton?
Usually, when the work involves plumbing, electrical, HVAC or structural changes. Applications go to the Town Hall in person or by mail.
Does a septic system affect a kitchen remodel in Merton?
It can. The Town of Merton requires a Preliminary Site Evaluation from Waukesha County before a zoning or building permit for a home on a private septic system, and the EPA advises limiting garbage disposal use on septic.
Should I put a garbage disposal in a kitchen on a septic system?
The EPA advises eliminating or limiting garbage disposal use, because food waste adds solids and the tank will need pumping more often.
How long does a kitchen remodel take?
About three to nine weeks of construction, according to This Old House, after design, ordering and permits.
Pricing is based on our own recent projects. Written by John (PM, 14 yrs) and reviewed by Telli, who has been remodeling in Wisconsin since 1989. Published 2026-10-29.
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