Cost Index / CO / Denver
$23,156
Lowest $18,824 — 2.2% below national average — avg overpay $4,332
$18,824
Lowest Price
$18,988
Resale Value
82%
% Back at Sale
$4,332
Avg Overpaid
What Denver homeowners should expect
Denver sits right at the national average for kitchen remodel — $23,156 — but that headline number hides a 23% contractor markup. The floor price is only $18,824. The gap between what most people pay and what the most competitive contractors charge is unusually large here, which means prepared buyers can save substantially.
Wide market, high margins. The Denver range runs from $19,683 to $26,629 — a 30% spread. Combined with 23% markups, this means contractor pricing is all over the map. Get at least three itemized quotes. The floor of $18,824 isn't a fantasy number — roughly 15% of verified bids already come in at or below it. Use it as your counter-offer anchor.
March is a transitional month. Denver is between peak and off-peak kitchen remodel seasons. Contractor availability is moderate — some crews are wrapping up backlog, others are looking for new work. This is a reasonable time to get quotes: you won't see the deep off-peak discounts, but you also won't face the scheduling pressure of peak season. Target the mid-range of $19,683–$26,629.
The gap between what Denver homeowners typically pay and what the market can support is $4,332 — one of the largest in our index. To put that in context: the floor price of $18,824 isn't a discount or a coupon. It's the P15 — the price point that 15% of verified contractors already charge. The other 85% are charging more, often significantly more, for the same scope of work.
Denver sits in the upper half of our pricing index — more expensive than 12 of 25 tracked metros but cheaper than 12. This mid-to-upper position reflects moderate regional labor costs. The $4,332 gap between average and floor pricing is where your negotiation leverage lives.
🔬 Show the Math — How Denver numbers are derived Click to expand
Derivation for Denver, Kitchen Remodel · Index 2026.Q1
Step 1: National Baseline
National average (all metros): $23,674
Sources: BLS, Remodeling Magazine, NKBA
Step 2: Regional Labor Adjustment
Denver regional multiplier: 0.978
$23,674 × 0.978 = $23,153 (Denver adjusted avg)
Derived from BLS NAICS metro-level wage indices. National = 1.000.
Step 3: Fair Range (P25–P75)
P25 (low): $19,683 · P75 (high): $26,629
25th–75th percentile of verified contractor pricing in Denver.
Step 4: Floor Price (P15)
P15 (floor): $18,824
15th percentile — 15% of verified bids come in at or below this price.
Step 5: Markup Calculation
markup = ($23,156 − $18,824) / $18,824 × 100 = 23%
Step 6: Derived Contractor Margin
margin = 1 − ($18,824 / $23,156) = 18.7%
The implied margin if a contractor charges the average ($23,156) and their cost-to-deliver is the floor ($18,824).
Step 7: Savings Potential
savings = $23,156 − $18,824 = $4,332
Gap between what the average Denver homeowner pays and the verified floor.
All formulas applied identically across 25 tracked metros. Updated 2026.Q1. Full methodology →
Check a Denver Quote
Check Your Quote →Permit Costs in Denver
Building Permit$83
Electrical Permit$43
Plumbing Permit$51
HVAC Permit$59
Estimated Total
$236
Verified from published fee schedule
Source: Community Planning and Development (CPD)
Denver uses same valuation-based fee formula for ALL trade permits (building, plumbing, electrical, HVAC). Plan review is 50% of permit fee for projects over $2,000. Quick permits (water heaters, roof coverings, light fixtures) have no plan review fee.
Do I Need a Permit?
No — Paint, new fixtures (same location), cosmetic updates
Yes — Moving plumbing ($51 permit)
Yes — New electrical circuits ($43 permit)
Yes — Structural changes / wall removal ($83 permit)
Yes — Gas line modifications ($59 permit)
How Denver Compares
| City | Avg Cost | Lowest Price | vs Denver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver, CO | $23,156 | $18,824 | — |
| Phoenix, AZ | $22,835 | $18,582 | -$321 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $23,662 | $19,197 | +$506 |
| Springfield, MO | $22,312 | $18,205 | -$844 |
| Kansas City, MO | $24,163 | $19,566 | +$1,007 |
Frequently Asked · Denver
How much does a kitchen remodel cost in Denver?
The average standard kitchen remodel in Denver costs $23,156, which is 2.2% below the national average of $23,674. The typical range runs from $19,683 to $26,629.
What is the lowest reasonable price for a kitchen remodel in Denver?
The lowest reasonable price in Denver is $18,824. 15% of licensed contractors complete the work at or below this price. It is your counter-offer starting point.
How much will I get back when I sell in Denver?
Denver homeowners get back approximately 82% of their kitchen remodel investment at resale. A $23,156 remodel adds roughly $18,988 to your home's value.
Do I need a permit for a kitchen remodel in Denver?
Most kitchen remodels in Denver require permits. Building permit: $83, electrical: $43, plumbing: $51. Total estimated: $177. Cosmetic-only work typically does not require a permit.
How do I know if my Denver contractor's quote is fair?
Use our Quote Fairness Calculator. If your quote falls between $19,683 and $26,629, it is in the typical range. Above $26,629, you have grounds to negotiate. The lowest reasonable price of $18,824 is your counter-offer anchor.
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