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It can be hard to find an honest answer when you’re looking for kitchen remodeling costs. Are the numbers you’re finding accurate for your location? Do they include every part of the remodel? Do they include the finishes you really want?

Keep reading to learn what a kitchen remodel actually costs in the Des Moines metro, where the money really goes and how to sanity-check any estimate you are given.

How Much Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost in Des Moines?

A kitchen remodel in the Des Moines metro typically costs $80,000 to $200,000+, with many projects landing between $100,000 and $150,000. 

The wider $30,000-to-$150,000 ranges you'll see online include cosmetic refreshes, IKEA installs and big-box-store packages. Those are real options, but they're not the same project. Red House Remodeling works on kitchens that are designed, planned, permitted and built with quality materials, a coordinated production calendar and professional project management. We handle every part of the design, planning and production to deliver you a remodeled kitchen designed specifically for you and your family.

Two Similar Kitchens Can Have Very Different Costs

Two kitchens with similar square footage can easily differ by $40,000 or more depending on layout, material selections and existing conditions.

The biggest cost drivers are usually:

Cabinetry and countertops: vary dramatically between stock, semi-custom and custom cabinets, or laminate versus hard surface counters
‍Appliances and fixtures: a standard appliance package and a premium appliance package can create a major cost swing
Layout changes: especially if the sink, appliances, windows, walls or traffic flow are changing
Behind-the-wall updates: such as plumbing, electrical, ventilation and code-related improvements
‍Structural work: including removing a load-bearing wall, changing window or door openings, or opening the kitchen to another room

Older homes may also bring existing-condition costs that are not obvious at first glance. Once walls, floors or ceilings are opened, older plumbing, outdated electrical, uneven framing or previous remodel work may need to be corrected before the new kitchen can be built properly.

Same-Footprint Remodel vs. Layout Change Remodel

Keeping the existing kitchen footprint is usually the most cost-efficient path. Moving plumbing, electrical, appliances, walls or windows adds labor, coordination and often extra permitting or structural work.

Kitchen Remodeling Costs Per Square Foot

A kitchen remodel in the Des Moines metro typically runs $400 to $750 per square foot of kitchen space, with most mid-range projects landing around $500 to $600. Larger kitchens don't double the cost, because the trade mobilization, design time and fixed costs stay roughly the same. They just spread across more linear feet of cabinet and countertop.

Per-square-foot pricing is a sanity check, not a quote. Anyone who hands you a fixed dollars-per-foot number before designing your kitchen is guessing.

What Drives the Cost of a Kitchen Remodel in Des Moines? 

The biggest cost drivers in a kitchen remodel are scope of work, cabinetry, labor, layout changes, appliance selections, countertops and the planning costs required to design and build the project correctly.

Cabinetry

Cabinets are often the largest cost in a kitchen remodel. At Red House Remodeling, we’re usually able to meet our customers’ needs with semi-custom cabinetry. Design matters: semi-custom cabinets in a thoughtful, well-planned layout can often function better than custom cabinets in a poorly planned one.

Labor, Layout and Behind-the-Wall Work

Labor is another major cost driver because a kitchen remodel involves multiple trades working in a specific sequence.

Plumbing, electrical, HVAC, framing, drywall, flooring, tile, cabinet installation, countertop coordination, finish carpentry and inspections all affect the final number. A same-footprint kitchen is usually more cost-efficient because the sink, range, refrigerator and dishwasher stay in roughly the same locations.

Costs rise when the remodel includes:

• Moving plumbing or gas lines
• Adding electrical circuits or changing lighting plans
• Removing walls or adding structural beams
• Updating ventilation
• Correcting older wiring, plumbing, framing or subfloor issues

This is especially important in older Des Moines-area homes, where existing conditions may not be obvious until planning begins or walls are opened.

Appliances, Countertops, Flooring and Fixtures

Finish selections also create budget swings.

Standard appliances and premium appliances can differ by thousands of dollars. Countertops can range from budget-conscious materials to premium quartz, quartzite or natural stone.

Flooring, plumbing fixtures, lighting, cabinet hardware and backsplash tile also exist along a vast price spectrum.

Design & Permitting & Contingency

Design and permits turn a wish list into a more realistic kitchen remodel budget.

A professional kitchen design often represents 5% to 10% of the construction cost, depending on project complexity. This should include floor plans, elevations, cabinet drawings, electrical and lighting plans, plumbing layouts, finish selections and detailed specifications. Comprehensive design helps homeowners make key decisions before construction begins instead of sorting through major layout, cabinet, lighting and finish questions during the build.

At Red House Remodeling, kitchen design and planning happens with an experienced designer who holds a four-year design degree and who has a Certified Kitchen & Bath Designer professional designation from the National Kitchen & Bath Association.

Most kitchen remodels in the Des Moines metro also require permits when plumbing, electrical, mechanical or structural work is involved. Permit fees may range from $100 to $500, depending on the city and scope.

A realistic budget should also include a 10% to 15% contingency, especially in older homes. That contingency helps account for unknown conditions, scope refinements or upgrades selected during the process.

ROI: What a Kitchen Remodel Returns at Resale in Des Moines

The majority of our customers intend to remainin their homes and are seeking remodels that suit their preferences and lifestyle. A remodel is an investment in their home and in themselves. For homeowners staying in their home another decade, the real return isn't a number on a closing statement. It's the function and feel of the kitchen for the next 3,500 mornings.

The current Cost vs. Value Report consistently shows minor kitchen remodels (cabinet refacing, hardware, paint, light updates) recouping 62% of cost. Major mid-range remodels recoup roughly 26-34%. Upscale remodels recoup 26%.

Kitchen Remodel Budget Checklist

Before comparing estimates, make sure the budget includes real numbers for these major categories:

Finish Selections

• Cabinets priced at the correct tier: stock, semi-custom or custom
• Countertops based on the material you actually want
• Appliances at the quality level you plan to use
• Flooring, including tie-ins to adjacent rooms if needed
• Lighting fixtures, plumbing fixtures, cabinet hardware, paint, trim or wallpaper

Mechanical, Electrical and Structural Work

• Electrical updates, including panel needs, circuits, outlets and lighting changes
• Plumbing updates or relocation of the sink, dishwasher or refrigerator water line
• Ventilation or HVAC adjustments
• Structural work if walls are coming down or openings are changing

Planning, Permits and Protection

• Design fees
• Permit fees
• Project management and construction coordination
• Contingency of 10% to 15%

How Red House Remodeling Plans an Honest Kitchen Budget

We're a locally-owned owner-led team. The people you meet on day one are the ones who hand off your beautifully remodeled space at the end. We'd rather tell you a realistic number on day one than win the project full of allowances and a budget number nobody could ever hit.

Ballpark Estimate: During our first conversation, we’ll provide a ballpark estimate of what your project will likely cost, based upon size, scope and the hundreds of similar local remodels we’ve completed.

Written Estimate: After we’ve met in your home and fine-tuned the size and scope of your project, we provide a more specific estimate of the actual cost. You’ll use this estimate to determine if you want to move forward with planning your project or if you need to adjust the size and scope.

Planning Agreement: Once we’ve decided to work together, we enter into a planning agreement and begin to work together to design your kitchen and select all finishes.  

Fixed Price Contract: The work done during the planning process ultimately results in a fixed-price contract. You’ll know how much your project costs and exactly how it’s going to look before construction ever starts.

Are you ready to remodel? The first step in our process is a simple phone conversation. Reach out via our consultation form. We look forward to helping you love your home!

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Our logo is a red house for a simple reason: we help Des Moines families love their homes.

As the seasons change, it’s completely natural to get that itch to refresh your surroundings. When you truly love your home, it shows! Whether you are looking for a massive transformation or a quick weekend project, we’ve put together six ways you can demonstrate some affection for your home right now and throughout the year.

1. Remodel for Your Lifestyle

While it’s the biggest investment on this list, a remodel is the most guaranteed way to fall head-over-heels for your home again. The most common reason homeowners choose to remodel isn't just aesthetics—it’s to make a dated space work better for their family's changing lifestyle.

2. Plan for the Future

If you plan on staying in your home for the long haul, don't rush. Sit down and create a long-term home improvement roadmap.

Pro-Tip: List out your dream projects (kitchen, primary bath, hall bath, siding) and determine your priorities. Establish a realistic timeline and begin budgeting for one phase at a time.

It is incredibly common for our clients to tackle a wishlist over the course of several years. We can help you design a Master Plan from day one, and then work through it systematically as your time and budget allow.

3. Transform with Paint

Never underestimate the power of a fresh coat of paint. If you are willing to pick up a brush and do the work yourself, interior painting is a highly cost-effective way to spruce up a room. Repaint when walls start showing wear, when the color feels dated, or honestly—whenever you feel like a change! It’s just paint, but a new hue can completely transform the mood of a space.

4. Commit to a Deep Clean

There is nothing quite like the feeling of a crisp, clean house. Throw open the windows, let the fresh air in, and tackle the spots that usually get overlooked:

• Dust ceilings, walls, casing, and trim.
• Wipe down doors, doorknobs, and light fixtures.
• Wash windows, window screens, and window treatments.
• Schedule a professional carpet cleaning and launder all throw rugs.

Because this list can feel overwhelming, break the tasks into manageable chunks over the course of a week or a month so you don't burn out.

5. Stay Ahead of Repairs

Regardless of how long you plan to live in your home, keeping up with maintenance always pays off. If you do eventually decide to sell, you won't be stuck sinking a fortune into deferred maintenance. Remember, a leaky faucet or a cracked window pane isn't just annoying—it's actively costing you money. Plus, little things like a broken doorknob or a cracked tile send the wrong message about how your home is cared for.

6. Accessorize and "Shop Your Home"

Way more fun than deep cleaning, right? If your budget allows, shop for a few season-appropriate accessories like pillows, throws, or artwork to keep your spaces feeling fresh as the weather changes. Short on cash? "Shop your home!" Swap decor, rugs, or lamps from one room to another to give them a completely new lease on life.

Ready to Fall in Love?

Whether you're ready to show your home some love with a major remodel, a spacious addition, or a stunning exterior project, we are here to help. Contact the team at Red House Remodeling today, and we’ll have you head-over-heels for your space in no time.

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Regardless of your home’s age or how long you’ve lived there, your bathroom layout should work seamlessly for your daily routine. For these West Des Moines homeowners, their primary bath presented a host of functional and practical challenges. It was ready for far more than a simple cosmetic glow-up.

On the list of must-haves: a double vanity with plentiful storage, an expanded shower and a private water closet. On the list of absolute must-not-haves: a large, dated jetted tub that took up valuable real estate. With these directives in mind, our team worked closely with the homeowners to create a custom layout tailored to the way they live today.

Resolving a Separated Layout

Before: The original layout lacked cohesion. His vanity was located inside the bathroom, while her vanity was tucked away in an adjacent hallway. Compounding the choppy flow were dated finishes—think brass hardware, arch-top mirrors and Hollywood-style vanity lighting—that contributed to a tired, older aesthetic.

Fortunately, the space boasted excellent bones, including a vaulted ceiling that added beautiful architectural height and an abundance of natural light from existing skylights and windows.

A Unified Double Vanity and Smart Storage

After: Following the remodel, the primary bath exudes a sense of calm sophistication. By removing the bulky jetted tub, we unlocked enough floor plan flexibility to give the homeowners an expansive, double vanity.

We designed the cabinetry with a deliberate configuration of doors, drawers and open storage. Drawers are generally much more efficient and accessible for bathroom storage than deep lower cabinets. The adjacent, former hallway vanity area was seamlessly converted into a dedicated dressing zone complete with sleek, built-in storage.

To complete the look, a luminous feature wall tile makes the entire vanity area feel brighter and more open, contrasting sharply with the heavy, all-beige tones of the "before" look.

High-Design Finishes: Goodbye Dated Brass, Hello Modern Gold

Rich, updated gold tones have firmly made their way back into mainstream design, and we are fully here for it. Softly opulent, modern gold tones warm up a space in a way that cool silver finishes simply cannot.

For this project, the homeowners embraced vibrant brushed moderne brass, incorporating it thoughtfully across lighting, plumbing fixtures and cabinet hardware to tie the entire room together.

Creating a Spa-Like Shower Experience

Sitting side-by-side opposite the new vanity area are the expanded shower and the private, enclosed water closet.

The shower features a striking, blue-gray marble-look tile that perfectly illustrates how a thoughtful material choice can transform a functional space into a lavish, spa-like retreat. When designing your own space, don't be afraid of a darker, more dramatic tile. It can actually make a bathroom feel larger by blurring the visual edges of the room.

The designer's secret? Contrast is key. Pairing a cool-toned tile with a warm metal finish like brushed brass creates a dynamic, engaging and balanced design.

Ready to Transform Your Space?

Are you ready to personalize your primary bath for the way you live today? Whether you are looking for targeted aesthetic upgrades or a complete footprint redesign, the design-build team at Red House Remodeling is here to guide you through the process. We handle both the design and construction to deliver a well-planned renovation that increases your daily comfort and long-term home value.

Reach out today for a consultation or join us at one of our upcoming local Kitchen & Bath Remodeling Seminars. Let's work together to help you Love Your Home.

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