InstaBidsHow much for a small kitchen remodel?
Iowa Attorney General, written scope: “The contract should list the work, materials, price, start and completion dates, cleanup, permits, inspections, and change-order process.”
Source: Iowa Attorney General, read 5 November 2026.
EPA, paint-work containment: “When doing a DIY job that involves lead-based paint, you should contain your work area to prevent dust and debris from escaping into the rest of your home. The goal of your work area setup is to keep dust in your work area and keep family members and anyone not working on your DIY project out.”
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, read 5 November 2026.
Context: all "Remodeled kitchen" jobs
The survey figure below covers all "Remodeled kitchen" jobs, not a small kitchen refresh alone.
$12,000 was the median homeowner survey figure for data years 2021-2023 in the United States. For all jobs in the AHS category "Remodeled kitchen", households that hired out the work reported a typical range (middle half of 728 American Housing Survey data points, the United States, 2021-2023) of $5,000 to $28,500.
Updated 2026-11-05
InstaBids is an AI-run marketplace for homeowners and property managers: describe a home job once, by chat or through your own AI assistant, add photos, and get multiple written quotes on the same scope, compared apples to apples, with no phone calls or home visits before you pick.
For homeowners, property managers, landlords and HOA boards.
| What was measured | Median | Typical range (middle half) |
|---|---|---|
| For all jobs in the AHS category "Remodeled kitchen", households that hired out the work reported | a median of $12,000 | the typical range (middle half of 728 American Housing Survey data points, the United States, 2021-2023) was $5,000 to $28,500 |
How measured: hired-out finished jobs, survey-weighted, not adjusted for inflation. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Housing Survey 2023, data read 5 November 2026.
These figures are estimates from U.S. Census Bureau, American Housing Survey 2023, data years 2021-2023, read 5 November 2026, for the United States. They are not a quote, and they are not a promise of what any contractor on InstaBids will charge. Your price depends on your home, the materials and the contractor. Get written bids before you decide.
- Describe it onceBy chat, or through your own AI assistant, and add photos.
- Post it and send itContractors bid in writing on that scope.
- Compare line by lineEvery quote is written against the same scope.
- You chooseContact details stay hidden until you pick and they confirm.
At a glance
- fixture and appliance replacementsSan José minor-remodel scopeCity of San José, California, read November 5, 2026
- new countertopsSan José cosmetic-work exampleCity of San José, California, read November 5, 2026
- rough and final inspectionsSan José inspection stagesCity of San José, California, read November 5, 2026
For your AI assistant
MCP connector · REST API · plain HTMLHand any of these to your assistant and it can help you write this job's request; you send the request yourself. What you type in the job box above goes into the prompt these buttons carry. The connector asks you to sign in to your InstaBids account the first time.
- MCP connector URL
https://instabids.ai/api/agent/mcp - Agent API (OpenAPI)
https://instabids.ai/openapi.json - Start-request link
https://instabids.ai/intake?from=cost-minor-kitchen-refresh&utm_source=us&utm_medium=page&utm_campaign=cost&page_type=cost&job=minor+kitchen+refresh - Prompt for any AI, with your job
- ChatGPTOpens with the prompt
- ClaudeOpens with the prompt
- GrokOpens with the prompt
- GeminiCopies the prompt, then opens
Every page is plain HTML. Steps for every assistant: add to your assistant.
What a refresh includes
Where a quote below names a city or county, it is that office's own rule, shown as one example; the permit office for your home may set different rules.
| What the source says | Where it comes from |
|---|---|
| San José, minor remodel definition: “A minor remodel is defined as multiple fixture and appliance replacements that involve new electrical, plumbing, and/or mechanical work without changes to the location or quantity of such fixtures and appliances.” | City of San José, California, read 5 November 2026. |
| San José, major remodel definition: “A major remodel is defined as changing the configuration of walls or windows; modifying the framing of ceilings, walls, windows, or floors; and/or relocating or increasing the number of fixtures or appliances.” | City of San José, California, read 5 November 2026. |
On InstaBids, describe whether the kitchen layout stays in place so contractors bid on the scope you intend.
Line items a written bid should list
- Iowa Attorney General, written scope: “The contract should list the work, materials, price, start and completion dates, cleanup, permits, inspections, and change-order process.”
Source: Iowa Attorney General, read 5 November 2026.
- EPA, paint-work containment: “When doing a DIY job that involves lead-based paint, you should contain your work area to prevent dust and debris from escaping into the rest of your home. The goal of your work area setup is to keep dust in your work area and keep family members and anyone not working on your DIY project out.”
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, read 5 November 2026.
InstaBids lets you describe the kitchen finishes and paint-work containment in the same written scope.
How to compare written bids like for like
Ask every contractor to bid in writing on the same line items listed above, then compare the written bids line by line.
Iowa Attorney General, comparing written estimates: “Compare written estimates from more than one contractor.”
Source: Iowa Attorney General, read 5 November 2026.
On InstaBids, contractors bid in writing on your kitchen description so you can compare the materials each includes.
Do you need a permit for a refresh?
San José, cosmetic kitchen work: “Note that cosmetic work — such as painting, cabinet resurfacing, new flooring, and new countertops — does not require a permit.”
Source: City of San José, California, read 5 November 2026.
InstaBids lets you include countertop replacement and cabinet resurfacing in the description contractors receive.
Can you do a refresh yourself, or do you need a pro?
EPA, owner work: “Generally speaking, the RRP Rule does not apply to homeowners doing RRP projects in their own home. However, it does apply if you rent all or part of your home, operate a child care center in your home or if you buy, renovate and sell homes for profit (i.e., a house flipper).”
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, read 5 November 2026.
On InstaBids, describe the kitchen painting you plan to do yourself alongside the work you want contractors to bid on.
What inspections does a refresh need?
San José, inspection stages: “Both rough and final inspections may be required.”
Source: City of San José, California, read 5 November 2026.
San José, inspection record: “You will be issued a Permit Card that lists required inspections.”
Source: City of San José, California, read 5 November 2026.
On InstaBids, include the kitchen inspection steps in your written description for contractors to address.
Get written bids
Contractors who take part bid on one written scope card, so nobody visits before you see any prices.
Sources for the figures on this page
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Housing Survey 2023, https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/ahs/data/2023/ahs-2023-public-use-file--puf-.html, read 5 November 2026. U.S. government work; no endorsement implied.
- City of San José, California, www.sanjoseca.gov/businesses/development-services-permit-center/start-your-project/kitchen-bathroom-minor-remodels, read 5 November 2026.
- Iowa Attorney General, www.iowaattorneygeneral.gov/for-consumers/general-consumer-information/home-property/home-improvement-contractor-tips, read 5 November 2026.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, www.epa.gov/lead/renovation-repair-and-painting-program-do-it-yourselfers, read 5 November 2026.