Kitchen and Bath Remodeling in Puget Sound: Costs, Permits and How to Hire
A mid-range kitchen remodel in the Seattle area costs $60,000 to $120,000 and a high-end one $120,000 to $220,000; a hall bathroom runs $35,000 to $60,000 and a primary bathroom $60,000 to $110,000. The biggest cost driver is not the countertop but the layout: moving plumbing, walls or windows multiplies the work behind the finishes.
What kitchen and bath remodels cost here
| Project | Installed range | Typical duration on site |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen refresh: cabinets, counters, appliances, same layout | $40,000 – $70,000 | 4 – 6 weeks |
| Mid-range kitchen, minor layout changes | $60,000 – $120,000 | 6 – 10 weeks |
| High-end kitchen, reconfigured, wall removed | $120,000 – $220,000 | 10 – 16 weeks |
| Hall bathroom, same layout | $35,000 – $60,000 | 4 – 6 weeks |
| Primary bathroom, reconfigured | $60,000 – $110,000 | 6 – 10 weeks |
Ranges include design, permits where required, demolition, rough-ins, cabinets, counters, tile, fixtures and finishes. Appliances are often separate.
Where remodel money goes
- Layout changes. Moving a sink, range or toilet means new drain lines, venting and sometimes framing changes. Keeping plumbing where it is saves more than any finish choice.
- Walls and windows. Removing a wall between kitchen and living room is the most requested change in older houses; if it is load-bearing, it needs an engineered beam and a permit.
- Cabinets. Stock, semi-custom and custom cabinets can differ by a factor of three for the same kitchen.
- Electrical. Older houses often need a panel upgrade to support modern kitchens, induction ranges and heat pumps.
- Tile and stone. Large-format tile, slab backsplashes and stone counters add labor as well as material.
What older houses hide
Opening walls in a house built before the 1970s often reveals galvanized steel water pipes, cast-iron drains, knob-and-tube or ungrounded wiring, and framing modified by earlier owners. A good remodeler includes an allowance or a plan for these. Lead paint is likely in pre-1978 houses, requiring a certified lead-safe contractor. Old flooring, mastic, plaster and duct wrap can contain asbestos; the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency requires an asbestos survey before many renovation projects.
Kitchen and bath permits
Replacing cabinets, counters and fixtures in place usually needs no building permit. Moving plumbing or walls, adding circuits, changing windows or removing a wall does, along with plumbing and electrical permits pulled by those trades. Check the rules through the Permit Checker.
Design-build or designer plus contractor
Some remodelers offer design and construction under one contract; others build from a designer's plans. One contract usually means fewer surprises between drawing and building and a price developed alongside the design. A separate designer gives you more independence in style and the option to bid the drawings. Both work if the scope is fully drawn before construction.
How to vet a remodeler
- Confirm L&I registration, bond and insurance.
- Ask to see two finished projects similar to yours and speak to those owners.
- Ask who will be on site daily and who your single point of contact is.
- Ask how they handle hidden conditions and change orders, and get it in the contract.
- Ask for a detailed schedule, including when you will be without a kitchen.
- For pre-1978 houses, ask for their lead-safe certification.
Remodel quote red flags
- Allowances for cabinets, tile or fixtures far below what the materials you picked cost.
- No line for permits on a job that moves plumbing or walls.
- A payment schedule weighted toward the start.
- No mention of protecting the rest of the house from dust.
- A start date that depends on "as soon as we finish another job" with no fixed window.
Kitchen and bath guides by city
Questions about remodeling kitchens and baths
Can I live at home during a kitchen remodel?
Most people do, with a temporary kitchen in another room. Bathroom remodels are easier if the house has a second bathroom.
How far ahead should I plan?
Two to four months for design, selections and permits before construction starts is typical. Cabinets often take six to ten weeks to arrive.
What adds the most value?
A kitchen that works for how you cook and connects to the living space, and a primary bathroom with a good shower. Luxury finishes add less value than layout and light.
Are curbless showers practical in older houses?
Yes, but the floor must be lowered or the room raised to get drainage, which adds cost and sometimes engineering.
Should I do the kitchen and bathrooms at once?
It saves on mobilization and permits, and doubles the disruption. Many families do them together only if they can move out.