Updated September 2026. If you are planning a kitchen remodel in Islip, East Islip, West Islip or anywhere on Long Island’s South Shore, the first question is always the same: what is this going to cost? Here is an honest breakdown of what Long Island homeowners are paying in 2026, what drives the number up or down, and how to set a budget that holds.
What does a kitchen remodel cost on Long Island in 2026?
Long Island kitchens cost more than the national average. Local pricing guides put the premium at roughly 20% to 30%, because labor rates sit closer to New York City than to the rest of the country, permits and inspections are handled town by town, and many homes here are decades old and need electrical, plumbing or structural updates once the walls are opened.
Most published 2026 Long Island ranges fall into three tiers:
- Kitchen refresh: about $20,000 to $35,000. Same layout, stock or builder-grade cabinets, standard countertops, new lighting and finishes.
- Mid-range full remodel: about $45,000 to $75,000. This is the most common project. Semi-custom cabinets, quartz or granite counters, new appliances, updated lighting and flooring.
- High-end or custom: $75,000 to $120,000 and up. Custom cabinetry, premium appliances, moved walls or structural changes, designer tile and lighting.
Some contractors on Long Island quote higher, especially for reconfigured layouts in larger homes. Treat any range as a starting point. The only number that matters is the one written into an estimate for your kitchen after someone has walked the space.
Where the money goes
A typical kitchen budget breaks down like this:
- Cabinets: 30% to 40%. The single biggest line item.
- Labor and installation: 20% to 35%.
- Appliances: 10% to 20%.
- Countertops: 10% to 15%.
- Flooring: 5% to 10%.
- Electrical and lighting: 5% to 10%.
If a budget looks off, check these percentages. A quote where cabinets are only 15% of the total, for example, usually means something else has been under-scoped.
Seven things that move the price most
- Moving walls, plumbing or gas lines. Keeping the sink and range where they are is the easiest way to save. Relocating them adds plumbing, electrical and often structural work.
- Cabinet quality. Stock, semi-custom and fully custom cabinets can differ by tens of thousands of dollars on the same layout.
- Countertop material. Quartz, granite, quartzite and natural stone vary widely per square foot, and so does fabrication.
- Appliance package. A standard package and a professional-grade package can be a five-figure difference.
- Older-home surprises. Outdated wiring, galvanized pipes, uneven floors and hidden water damage are common in Islip-area homes. Good contractors build a contingency for them.
- Electrical upgrades. New circuits for modern appliances, recessed lighting and under-cabinet lighting add up quickly.
- Permits and inspections. Required for most kitchen work that touches plumbing, electrical or structure. See our guide to remodeling permits in the Town of Islip.
Layout changes: the biggest decision in the budget
Many Long Island homes were built with small, closed kitchens that are walled off from the dining and living areas. Opening them up is the most common request we hear, and it is also the biggest swing factor in the budget. Taking out a wall can transform a kitchen, but if the wall carries load it needs an engineered beam, temporary support and a permit. That is real structural work, and it belongs in the estimate from day one.
It is worth seeing what this looks like in practice:
- In an Islip kitchen on Grace Court, a load-bearing wall came out to join a cramped, closed kitchen with the dining and living areas, creating one open space for a family with young kids.
- A Hicksville galley kitchen became an open-concept kitchen with a custom island after two walls were removed, one of them load-bearing.
- In an East Islip kitchen, removing a partial divider wall and adding a quarter-pie-shaped island with seating for three or four turned an undersized kitchen into a space for everyday cooking and entertaining.
- A family of seven in Islip wanted barriers removed so that cooking, dining and living could flow together.
Cabinets: where quality and cost meet
Cabinets are the largest line in nearly every kitchen budget, so the choice between stock, semi-custom and custom matters. Stock cabinets come in set sizes and finishes and are the most affordable. Semi-custom lines offer more sizes, finishes and storage accessories at a middle price. Fully custom cabinetry is built to your exact space and is the most expensive. For many homeowners, semi-custom delivers most of the look of custom for far less, particularly in a standard layout.
Whichever you choose, pay attention to the details that you will notice every day: soft-close hardware, pull-out trays, deep drawers for pots and pans, a real pantry, and lighting under the upper cabinets.
What happens during a kitchen remodel
- Design and selections. Layout, cabinets, counters, appliances, tile and lighting are chosen and documented.
- Ordering and permits. Long-lead items such as cabinets and special-order appliances are ordered, and the permit application is filed when required.
- Demolition and protection. The old kitchen comes out and the rest of the home is protected from dust.
- Structural, electrical and plumbing work. Walls, wiring, plumbing and gas are installed, then inspected.
- Cabinets, counters and finishes. Installation begins once the rough work passes inspection and countertops are templated and fabricated.
- Final connections, punch list and inspection. Appliances, lighting and fixtures are completed and the project is walked room by room.
Learn more about how we run projects on our design process page, or follow a real one in our behind-the-scenes Hicksville kitchen remodel.
What to ask before you sign a kitchen proposal
- Which items are included, and which are allowances for you to choose later, such as appliances, tile or lighting?
- Who handles design, permits and inspections?
- What happens if hidden problems are found behind the walls?
- How are changes handled, and how are they priced?
- What is the payment schedule, and how is it tied to progress?
- Are the contractor’s Suffolk County license and insurance current? See our permit and licensing guide.
How to get a number you can trust
Online ranges are useful for planning, but they cannot see your kitchen. Three steps will get you to a real budget:
- Use a calculator for a first pass. Our Islip kitchen cost calculator gives you a ballpark based on size and finish level in about two minutes.
- Decide your non-negotiables. Layout changes, cabinet style and appliance brand drive most of the cost. Know which ones matter most to you.
- Get a written, itemized estimate. It should list cabinets, countertops, labor, electrical, plumbing, permits and an allowance for unknowns, so you can compare proposals line by line.
How to save without hurting the result
- Keep the existing layout and plumbing locations.
- Spend on cabinets and countertops, where quality shows every day, and save on backsplash and hardware.
- Choose semi-custom cabinets, which often deliver 80% of the custom look for much less.
- Finalize every selection before demolition. Changes mid-project are the most common cause of budget overruns.
How long will it take?
A full kitchen remodel typically takes several weeks of construction after design, ordering and permits are complete. Cabinet lead times are often the longest wait, so ordering early keeps the schedule tight. We cover the full sequence in How Long Does a Remodel Take in Islip?
Why homeowners in Islip choose design-build
With design-build, one team handles design, permits, construction and management. That means one price, one schedule and one point of contact, instead of coordinating a designer, a general contractor and several trades on your own. Kuhn Construction has been remodeling kitchens for homeowners across Suffolk and Nassau County since 1986, and you can see completed work on our kitchen remodeling page and in our project spotlights.
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth remodeling a kitchen before selling?
A focused refresh of cabinets, counters, lighting and paint usually returns more than a full gut renovation. A larger remodel makes sense when you plan to stay and enjoy it.
Do I need a permit to remodel my kitchen in Islip?
If the work moves or adds plumbing, electrical or gas, or changes walls or structure, yes. Purely cosmetic updates in the same locations usually do not. Always confirm with the Town of Islip Building Division.
Can I stay in my home during the remodel?
Most homeowners do. Plan on a temporary kitchen setup for the duration of construction.
Ready for a real number?
Try the kitchen cost calculator or contact Kuhn Construction to schedule a consultation. We will walk your space, talk through your goals and give you an itemized estimate.
Cost ranges reflect published Long Island pricing guides in 2026 and will vary with scope, materials and site conditions. They are estimates, not quotes.
