What Kitchen Remodels Actually Cost in Coeur D' Alene Idaho

So you're thinking about redoing your kitchen in North Idaho? Whether you're in Coeur d'Alene, Sandpoint, Rathdrum, or somewhere near the Spokane border, you're probably wondering what this is really going to cost you.

Here's the thing—there's no magic number. I know that's not the answer anyone wants to hear, but the truth is, kitchen remodels vary wildly depending on what you're actually doing. Let me break down what I've seen and what the data tells us.

The Real Numbers (What People Are Actually Spending)

Small Updates – If you're just doing cosmetic stuff like painting cabinets, swapping out fixtures, maybe new hardware and a backsplash, you're looking at somewhere between $10,000 and $30,000. This assumes you're hiring pros for at least some of it.

Midrange Remodels – This is where most people land. You're getting new cabinets (probably semi-custom), new countertops, upgraded appliances, new flooring, maybe tweaking the layout a bit. Budget-wise, think $25,000 to $75,000. From what I've seen in the Coeur d'Alene area, this range holds pretty true for the Idaho Panhandle.

Major Overhauls – Moving walls, completely changing the layout, custom cabinetry, high-end appliances, the works? These start around $75,000 and can easily push past $150,000 if you're going really custom and upscale.

Why There's Such a Big Range

Look, two kitchens that are exactly the same size can end up costing completely different amounts. Here's why:

What You're Actually Changing – Are you just updating surfaces and keeping everything where it is? Or are you moving plumbing, rewiring electrical, knocking down walls? A cosmetic refresh is one thing. A gut remodel where you're reconfiguring the entire layout is a whole different ballgame.

Your Material Choices – Stock cabinets from the big box store versus custom cabinetry made locally? Laminate countertops versus quartz versus natural stone? Basic appliances versus professional-grade? These decisions add up fast. Cabinets alone usually eat up the biggest chunk of your budget.

Labor Costs – This varies based on who's available, how busy contractors are, and what trade you need. Sometimes in smaller markets like ours, you get slightly better labor rates than in big cities, but then you might wait longer for specialty work or pay more to get certain materials shipped in. It's a trade-off.

The Surprises – And trust me, there are always surprises. Old wiring that's not up to code, plumbing issues hiding in the walls, structural problems you didn't know about. Budget for the unexpected because it's going to happen.

What the Money Actually Goes Toward

Here's a rough breakdown of where your dollars typically go:

• Cabinets and hardware – About a third of your budget, sometimes more. This is usually your biggest single expense.
• Countertops – Maybe 5-10%, depending on what material you choose.
• Appliances – Figure 10-15%, though if you're going luxury, this can jump quickly.
• Labor – This can be anywhere from 20-35% depending on how complicated the work is.
• Everything else – Flooring, lighting, permits, design work, and that contingency fund you definitely need.

So if you're spending $50,000, you might put around $15,000 into cabinets, $7,000 on appliances and counters, $12-15,000 on labor, and the rest on finishing touches and the inevitable "oops" fund.

The North Idaho Reality

A few things that affect costs specifically in our area:

Getting Stuff Here – If you want specialty cabinets or high-end finishes, they're probably coming from Seattle, Portland, or Spokane. That means shipping costs and longer wait times.

When You Schedule – Summer and fall? Everyone's busy. Winter or early spring? You might have better luck getting contractors and potentially better rates. Worth thinking about.

Local Market – We're not as expensive as Seattle or Boise, but we're not dirt cheap either. Spokane-adjacent areas sometimes run a bit higher than deep rural Idaho.

How to Actually Plan This Thing

Start with Your Scope – Are you doing a light refresh, a proper midrange remodel, or going all out? Be honest about what you actually want before you start getting quotes.

Get Multiple Bids – Talk to at least three local contractors and ask for itemized estimates. You want to see the breakdown for cabinets, countertops, appliances, demo, electrical, plumbing—all of it. This is the only way to compare apples to apples.

Add a Buffer – Set aside 10-20% for things that will go wrong. They always do. Anyone who's done a remodel will tell you this.

Make the Big Decisions First – Your cabinet choice (stock vs. semi-custom vs. custom) and whether you're changing the layout will determine most of your costs. Lock those in early.

Consider Doing It in Phases – If money's tight, you can break it up. Do the cabinets now, upgrade the counters later. Just know this might cost a bit more overall in labor.

Where You Can Actually Save Money

Don't Move Stuff – Seriously, if you can keep the sink, stove, and fridge in roughly the same spots, you'll save thousands in plumbing and electrical work.

Refinish Instead of Replace – If your cabinets are solid but just look dated, consider refinishing or painting them instead of ripping them out. The visual impact is huge and the cost difference is massive.

Shop Around Locally – Check out local suppliers for deals and watch for seasonal appliance sales. Sometimes local showrooms will cut you a deal if you're buying multiple things.

Go Midgrade – You don't need the absolute top-of-the-line everything. Good quality quartz-style counters, solid stock or semi-custom cabinets, and durable flooring give you great bang for your buck. The ultra-luxury stuff often doesn't pay off if you ever sell.

What About Resale Value?

If you're wondering about recouping costs when you sell, here's what the data shows: midrange remodels typically give you back more of what you spent (percentage-wise) than ultra-high-end remodels. That said, local market matters a lot. If you're planning to sell in a few years, talk to a local realtor about what buyers in Coeur d'Alene or Sandpoint actually expect to see.

Bottom Line

For North Idaho, plan on:

• $10,000-$30,000 for cosmetic updates
• $25,000-$75,000 for a proper midrange remodel
• $75,000+ for major work or high-end finishes

Whatever you do, nail down your scope, get detailed bids from local contractors you trust, and keep that contingency fund. And definitely ask for references and photos of their recent work around here—seeing what they've actually done in North Idaho kitchens tells you more than any estimate.

Happy to help if you need a budget breakdown for a specific dollar amount, questions to ask contractors, or help figuring out what counts as "minor" versus "major" work. Just let me know what would be most useful.