Final Touch Contracting

What a Kitchen Remodel Actually Costs in the St. Louis Area (And Why the Cheapest Bid Should Scare You)

Every kitchen remodel starts the same way: a homeowner gets three bids, and they're wildly different. One contractor says $22,000. Another says $41,000. A third won't even give a number until they've seen the space twice.

So what gives? Are two of them ripping you off, or is one of them about to ruin your kitchen?

After years of remodeling kitchens around Arnold and the greater St. Louis area, here's the honest answer: the spread is real, and the lowest bid is almost never the bargain it looks like.

The three tiers, roughly

Costs move with scope, not square footage alone. But in broad strokes:

A refresh ($15k–$30k): New cabinets (often stock or semi-custom), new countertops, sink, faucet, paint, and fixtures. Same footprint, same plumbing and electrical locations. This is the sweet spot for a lot of homes.

A mid-range remodel ($30k–$60k): Everything above, plus moving some plumbing or electrical, semi-custom or custom cabinetry, nicer counters (quartz), better appliances, maybe taking out a non-load-bearing wall.

A full gut or layout change ($60k+): New layout, relocated plumbing and gas lines, structural work, high-end finishes, custom everything.

These ranges shift with material choices and what we find once the walls open up. The only number that means anything is the one tied to your kitchen after a real walkthrough.

Why the cheap bid is usually the expensive one

When a bid comes in way under the others, one of a few things is happening:

They left things out. No allowance for the stuff hiding behind drywall — old wiring that isn't to code, plumbing that has to move, subfloor rot under the dishwasher. You'll meet those costs later as "change orders," and they won't be cheap.

They're not pulling permits. Skipping permits saves time and money right up until you sell the house and the inspection flags unpermitted work.

They're cutting the subs. Licensed plumbers and electricians cost money. Guys working without a license cost less — until something leaks inside a wall.

A real estimate is itemized. You should be able to see what's allocated for cabinets, counters, the electrical rough-in, the plumbing, demo, and finish work. If a bid is one number on one line, that's not a plan. That's a guess.

What a good process looks like

A walkthrough where the contractor actually measures and asks what bugs you about the current kitchen.

An itemized estimate with allowances for materials, so you know what's a fixed cost and what flexes with your selections.

A clear conversation about what's behind the walls and how surprises get handled.

Licensed subs for plumbing, electrical, and mechanical — not a buddy with a truck.

A kitchen is the most-used room in the house and the one buyers judge hardest. Spend the money once, with someone who shows their math.

Final Touch Contracting remodels kitchens, baths, and interiors throughout Arnold and the St. Louis area. If you're weighing bids and want a second set of eyes on the scope, reach out — we're happy to walk through what should be on the list.