
Kitchen Remodeling in Austin, TX
Owner-led kitchen remodels with fixed, line-item pricing - from cosmetic refreshes to full gut renovations. Licensed, insured, and building in Austin since 2012.
Kitchen Remodeling in Austin, TX
HN Construction & Remodeling is a licensed and insured, locally owned Austin remodeling contractor that has specialized in kitchen remodels across the greater Austin area since 2012 - 14 years in business as of 2026. Every kitchen remodel in Austin is owner-led, with one point of contact from the first phone call to the final walkthrough.
HN Construction handles the entire kitchen remodel in-house rather than subcontracting it out piece by piece. Design, demolition, plumbing, electrical, cabinetry, stone and countertop work, tile, and finish carpentry are coordinated by one team - covering everything from a cabinet-and-countertop refresh to a full gut renovation that moves walls, relocates plumbing, and reconfigures the layout.
Pricing is fixed and line-item: the written estimate itemizes every cost, the number you sign is the number you pay, and any change order is quoted in writing before work proceeds. Schedules are written, dated, and updated weekly, so homeowners always know which trade is on site and what comes next. HN Construction serves Austin proper - including Tarrytown, Zilker, Hyde Park, Mueller, and Circle C - along with Round Rock, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, Leander, Georgetown, Lakeway, West Lake Hills, and Bee Cave.
As of 2026, a kitchen remodel in Austin typically runs $25,000–$45,000 for a cosmetic refresh (cabinet refacing or new doors, countertops, backsplash, fixtures, and paint), $45,000–$90,000 for a full mid-range remodel with all-new cabinetry and appliances, and $90,000–$150,000+ for a high-end or structural gut renovation that moves walls, relocates plumbing or gas, and reconfigures the layout. A cosmetic refresh often wraps in 3–5 weeks, while a full or gut remodel typically takes 8–14 weeks of on-site work. Cosmetic, like-for-like updates usually need no City of Austin permit, but moving or adding plumbing, gas, electrical, or walls requires building and trade permits, which add review time to the schedule.
Why Austin Homeowners Choose HN Construction for Kitchen Remodeling
Austin homeowners choose HN Construction & Remodeling for kitchen remodels because of a few verifiable practices - owner-led management, fixed line-item pricing, written weekly schedules, and in-house trades - rather than marketing promises. The company is organized around the parts of a kitchen remodel that most often go wrong: unclear pricing, drifting timelines, and a rotating cast of subcontractors nobody owns.
- Owner-led projects: the owner runs the job and remains your single point of contact from first call to final walkthrough - not a salesperson who disappears after the deposit.
- Fixed, line-item pricing: your written estimate itemizes every cost, and the number you sign is the number you pay; change orders are quoted in writing before any work begins.
- Written, dated schedules: your timeline is documented and updated weekly, so you always know which trade is on site and what comes next.
- Licensed and insured: fully licensed and insured for remodeling work in the City of Austin and the surrounding metro.
- In-house trades: design, demolition, plumbing, electrical, cabinetry, stone, tile, and finish carpentry are coordinated by one team rather than handed between disconnected subs.
- Design-first with 3D sign-off: you review and approve the layout, materials, and finishes in a 3D rendering before demolition begins, so there are no surprises mid-project.
- Referral-driven: most projects come from past-client referrals and repeat homeowners, which keeps the focus on the finished kitchen rather than the next sale.
How Much Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost in Austin? (2026)
A kitchen remodel in Austin typically costs $25,000 to $150,000 in 2026, and most greater-Austin homeowners spend $45,000 to $90,000 on a mid-range renovation. A minor or cosmetic refresh - new countertops, refaced or repainted cabinets, an updated sink, faucet, backsplash, lighting, and appliance swaps in the same layout - usually runs $25,000 to $45,000. A full mid-range remodel with new semi-custom cabinets, quartz countertops, new appliances, and new flooring lands in the $45,000 to $90,000 range. High-end kitchens with custom cabinetry, natural stone, and professional-grade appliances run $90,000 to $150,000, and luxury or structural projects that move walls, relocate plumbing and gas, or reconfigure the footprint start at $150,000 and climb from there. Where an Austin kitchen lands depends far less on square footage than on three things: your cabinets, your countertop material, and how much of an older home's aging electrical and plumbing has to be brought up to current City of Austin code. HN Construction & Remodeling prices each kitchen remodel in Austin as a fixed, line-item written estimate, so every number below maps to a line you can see before you sign.
| Remodel tier | Typical Austin cost (2026) | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Minor / cosmetic | $25,000 – $45,000 | Cabinet refacing or repainting, new countertops, new sink and faucet, tile backsplash, updated lighting and fixtures, and appliance swaps. Same layout - no walls moved, no plumbing relocated. |
| Mid-range | $45,000 – $90,000 | New semi-custom cabinets, quartz or granite countertops, new mid-tier appliances, new flooring, updated electrical and plumbing fixtures, and a full tile backsplash. Mostly the same footprint with minor changes. |
| High-end | $90,000 – $150,000 | Custom cabinetry, natural stone or premium quartz, professional-grade appliances, hardwood or large-format tile floors, designer lighting, and select layout changes such as a relocated island or widened opening. |
| Luxury / structural | $150,000+ | Full gut with moved or removed walls, relocated plumbing and gas, new windows, custom millwork, and panel or service upgrades. Common in older central-Austin and Hill Country homes where structural and permit work is unavoidable. |
| Line item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cabinets | $12,000 – $40,000+ | The single largest line item, usually 25–35% of the budget. Stock runs $12k–$18k, semi-custom $18k–$28k, and fully custom $28k–$40k and up. |
| Countertops | $3,500 – $14,000 | Quartz and granite run roughly $60–$120 per sq ft installed; marble and premium quartz $100–$200+ per sq ft. A typical Austin kitchen has about 40–55 sq ft of counter. |
| Appliances | $5,000 – $25,000+ | Mid-range packages run $5k–$12k. Professional-grade brands (Sub-Zero, Wolf, Thermador) push a package to $15k–$25k and beyond. |
| Flooring | $2,500 – $9,000 | Luxury vinyl plank $6–$10 per sq ft; tile $10–$20 per sq ft; engineered and solid hardwood $12–$25 per sq ft installed. |
| Plumbing | $2,000 – $8,000 | Fixture swaps sit at the low end. Relocating a sink, adding a pot filler, or running a new gas line raises cost fast - especially in older homes with galvanized or cast-iron pipe. |
| Electrical | $2,500 – $9,000 | New circuits, GFCI/AFCI protection, recessed and under-cabinet lighting. Central-Austin homes built before the 1980s often need a subpanel or a 200-amp service upgrade to pass inspection. |
| Tile / backsplash | $1,500 – $6,000 | Roughly $15–$40 per sq ft installed. Handmade zellige, intricate mosaics, and full-height slab backsplashes cost more. |
| Lighting | $1,200 – $4,500 | Recessed cans, island pendants, and under-cabinet LED. Statement and designer fixtures add up quickly. |
| Labor / project management | 30–40% of total | In-house coordination of demo, plumbing, electrical, cabinetry, stone, tile, and finish work - the largest cost driver after cabinets, and where scheduling and quality control are won or lost. |
| Permits | $500 – $2,500 | City of Austin permits are required for electrical, plumbing, gas, and structural work; a like-for-like cosmetic refresh in the same layout often needs none. Older and historic central-Austin properties add review time and cost. |
Two Austin kitchens of identical size can differ by $50,000, and the gap almost always comes down to a handful of decisions rather than square footage. The factors that move an Austin kitchen remodel cost the most:
- Layout changes: moving or removing a wall, relocating the sink, range, or refrigerator, or opening the kitchen to a living area adds framing, plumbing, and electrical work - and often structural engineering and permits.
- Cabinet construction: the choice between stock, semi-custom, and fully custom cabinetry is usually the single biggest swing in the entire budget.
- Countertop material: jumping from standard quartz to marble, exotic granite, or a full-height stone backsplash can add $5,000–$15,000 on its own.
- Older-home electrical and plumbing: central-Austin homes built before the 1980s often need rewiring, a panel or service upgrade, and replacement of galvanized or cast-iron plumbing to pass City of Austin inspection.
- Permitting and inspections: City of Austin permits are required for most electrical, plumbing, and structural work, and review timelines and requirements are stricter for older and historic properties.
- Neighborhood and home age: kitchens in West Lake Hills, Tarrytown, and older central-Austin homes frequently carry structural, foundation, and permit considerations - plus higher finish expectations - that raise costs versus newer builds in Round Rock, Cedar Park, or Leander.
Want the full breakdown? See our Austin kitchen remodel cost guide with costs by component, size, layout, and neighborhood, plus how to save and financing options - or read the complete Austin kitchen remodel guide.



Our Kitchen Remodeling Process, Step by Step
HN Construction & Remodeling runs every kitchen remodel in Austin through the same nine-phase sequence, with one owner-level point of contact from the first measurement to the final walkthrough. The design and a fixed, line-item price are locked before any demolition starts, and the work then follows a written, dated schedule updated weekly, so you always know what is happening in your kitchen and what comes next. The phases below describe a typical full kitchen remodel in the greater Austin metro, usually 3 to 5 months from signed contract to final walkthrough; a cosmetic refresh skips the permitting and rough-in phases, while a layout change or addition adds structural work.
| Phase | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Consultation & measure | We measure the existing kitchen on-site and document how you cook, store, and gather. We note load-bearing walls, plumbing and gas locations, electrical panel capacity, and any ceiling, floor, or moisture issues specific to the house. You share inspiration and a target budget, and we give honest feedback on what is realistic in the 2026 Austin market before anything is signed. |
| 2. Design & 3D signoff + fixed proposal | We produce a scaled layout and a 3D rendering so you can see the kitchen before it is built, then select cabinets, countertops, tile, fixtures, and finishes with you. Once the design is approved, you receive a fixed, line-item written proposal: the number you sign is the number you pay, and any later change is quoted in writing before we proceed. |
| 3. Permits & material ordering | For most Austin kitchen remodels that move plumbing, gas, electrical, or walls, we pull the residential building permit through the City of Austin Development Services Department using the Austin Build + Connect (AB+C) portal, plus the separate trade permits our licensed electricians and plumbers work under. A like-for-like cosmetic update (same layout, no wiring or plumbing changes) generally needs no permit, and homes in a local historic district or with a landmark designation add a Historic Preservation review step. In parallel we order long-lead items first, cabinets especially, since semi-custom typically runs 4 to 8 weeks and custom 8 to 12+ weeks, so materials arrive before demolition rather than after. |
| 4. Demolition | We protect floors, adjacent rooms, and HVAC returns with dust barriers, then remove old cabinets, counters, flooring, and finishes, going down to the studs and subfloor where needed. Debris is hauled off, and we inspect what is behind the walls: galvanized supply lines, cloth or aluminum wiring, hidden water damage, and subfloor rot are common in older Central Austin homes (Hyde Park, Tarrytown, Zilker) and are addressed before we build back. |
| 5. Rough-in (plumbing/electrical/framing) + inspections | Licensed trades relocate and update plumbing supply and drain lines, run new circuits and add outlets to current code (including the GFCI and AFCI protection kitchens require), move gas lines where needed, and frame any wall or opening changes. We then schedule the City of Austin rough-in inspections and do not close up walls until each one passes. |
| 6. Cabinets & countertops | Cabinets are set level and secured, then a fabricator templates the countertops off the installed cabinets for an exact fit. Quartz, granite, or other stone is cut and installed about 1 to 2 weeks after templating, followed by sink and cooktop cutouts. Getting the cabinets perfectly plumb here is what makes the counters, tile, and doors line up cleanly later. |
| 7. Tile, backsplash & flooring | We install the flooring and backsplash, whether porcelain, ceramic, or natural stone, with attention to layout lines, grout color, and transitions to adjoining rooms. Because Austin runs on hard, high-mineral water, we seal natural stone and grout where appropriate so surfaces resist staining and mineral buildup over time. |
| 8. Fixtures, finishes & paint | We set the faucet, sink, disposal, lighting, and cabinet hardware, connect and test appliances, and complete trim, doors and drawers, and paint. This is where the fine details get dialed in: soft-close alignment, clean caulk lines, outlet and switch covers, and under-cabinet lighting. |
| 9. Final walkthrough & punch list | We walk the finished kitchen with you, build a written punch list of anything to correct, and complete those items before the job is closed. We schedule the City of Austin final inspection, hand over warranty information and care guidance for your specific countertops and finishes, and confirm you are satisfied before final payment. |
How Long Does a Kitchen Remodel Take in Austin?
Most kitchen remodels in Austin take about 6 to 12 weeks of on-site work, with a typical mid-range project landing around 8 to 10 weeks; that clock starts at demolition, not at your first call. Adding design, permitting, and material ordering up front, the full project from signed contract to final walkthrough usually runs 3 to 5 months. Cosmetic projects with no layout or structural change can finish faster, while jobs with moved walls, additions, or fully custom cabinetry run longer. These are the main factors that decide where a given Austin kitchen remodel lands in that range:
- City of Austin permit review: like-for-like cosmetic work often needs no permit, but any project moving plumbing, gas, electrical, or walls goes through Development Services on the Austin Build + Connect portal, and review times shift with department workload and whether the home sits in a historic district.
- Custom vs. semi-custom cabinet lead times: semi-custom cabinets typically arrive in 4 to 8 weeks and custom cabinets in 8 to 12+ weeks. This is usually the single biggest driver of the overall schedule, which is why HN Construction orders cabinets before demolition begins.
- Countertop templating and fabrication: stone cannot be templated until the cabinets are installed, and quartz or granite fabrication generally adds about 1 to 2 weeks after templating before the counters go in.
- Appliance availability: specialty, panel-ready, or high-end ranges and refrigerators can be back-ordered for weeks, and a missing appliance can hold up final connections and countertop cutouts, so we confirm delivery dates early.
- Structural or layout changes: removing or moving walls (especially load-bearing ones), relocating plumbing and gas, or adding square footage adds framing, sometimes a stamped engineering detail, and extra inspections to the schedule.
- Inspection scheduling: required City of Austin rough-in and final inspections must be booked and passed at set points in the job, and available inspection slots can add a few days between phases.
What's Included in an HN Construction Austin Kitchen Remodel
A full kitchen remodel in Austin from HN Construction & Remodeling includes design and 3D renderings, permitting, demolition, plumbing, electrical, cabinetry, countertops, tile and backsplash, flooring, lighting, paint, appliance installation, and a final walkthrough. Every stage is handled end-to-end by one in-house team, so a single point of contact carries the project from the first design meeting to the final walkthrough. HN Construction pulls the City of Austin (or the applicable municipal) permits, self-performs or directly coordinates each trade, and issues a written, dated schedule that is updated weekly. A typical full kitchen remodel covers:
- Design and 3D renderings - measured drawings, two to three layout options, and to-scale 3D views so you approve the finished look before demolition begins
- Permitting - preparing and pulling the required building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits with the City of Austin or your municipality, and scheduling inspections
- Demolition and haul-off - protecting floors and adjacent rooms, removing old cabinets, counters, flooring, and fixtures, and disposing of debris
- Plumbing - relocating or updating supply and drain lines for sinks, dishwashers, pot fillers, and refrigerator water lines, brought to current code
- Electrical - new circuits, code-required GFCI and AFCI protection, under-cabinet wiring, dedicated appliance circuits, and panel upgrades when the existing panel is undersized
- Cabinetry - semi-custom or fully custom cabinets, measured, ordered, and installed level and plumb, including trim and toe-kick
- Countertops - in-house templating, fabrication, and installation of quartz, granite, quartzite, or marble, with undermount sink cutouts
- Tile and backsplash - full backsplashes, feature walls, and tile flooring, set and grouted
- Flooring - new hardwood, engineered wood, tile, or luxury vinyl plank, or refinishing and blending into existing floors
- Lighting - recessed cans, under-cabinet lighting, pendants, and a switch and dimmer layout planned alongside the design
- Painting - walls, ceilings, trim, and doors, plus cabinet finishing where applicable
- Appliance installation - setting and connecting ranges, cooktops, wall ovens, vent hoods, dishwashers, and refrigerators
- Final cleanup and walkthrough - construction cleaning, hardware and fixture adjustment, and a punch-list walkthrough before you sign off
Cabinets, Countertops & Finishes for Austin Kitchens
Cabinets drive both the budget and the look of an Austin kitchen more than any other single choice, and HN Construction & Remodeling installs both semi-custom lines and fully custom cabinets. Semi-custom cabinets use standard sizes with a wide range of doors, finishes, and modifications and typically run about $200 to $600 per linear foot installed in the Austin market in 2026. Fully custom cabinets are built to exact dimensions - usually $600 to $1,200-plus per linear foot installed - and are the better fit for older, out-of-square Austin homes, tall ceilings, and non-standard runs. For finish, painted doors remain the most-requested look across Austin, while white oak and walnut have become the go-to for the warm, modern-organic kitchens common in Central Texas.
Cabinet box construction matters for longevity in a Texas kitchen: HN Construction recommends plywood boxes over MDF, especially near sinks and dishwashers, because plywood holds screws better and resists swelling if it ever meets water. On countertops, the right stone depends on how you cook and how much upkeep you want. The table below compares the four surfaces used most in Austin kitchen remodels, with typical 2026 installed cost ranges that cover material, fabrication, and installation:
| Countertop material | Best for | Maintenance | Typical installed cost (Austin, 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quartz | Busy family kitchens wanting the lowest upkeep | Non-porous; never needs sealing | $60–$120 / sq ft |
| Granite | Heavy cooks who want natural stone and high heat tolerance | Reseal periodically (roughly yearly) | $55–$110 / sq ft |
| Quartzite | A white, marble-look veining in a hard, durable stone | Seal periodically; far harder than marble | $90–$180 / sq ft |
| Marble | The classic veined look in lower-traffic zones | Etches and stains; develops a lived-in patina | $100–$200+ / sq ft |
For cabinetry and finishes, the practical choices break down like this:
- Semi-custom cabinets - factory sizes with broad door, color, and modification choices; the value sweet spot for most Austin kitchen remodels
- Custom cabinets - built to exact measurements for older Tarrytown and Hyde Park homes, tall ceilings, and non-standard runs
- Painted finish - timeless and easy to color-match and the most popular choice, though painted surfaces can show wear at high-touch edges over the years
- White oak or walnut - natural wood tones for a modern-organic look; they hide everyday wear well and pair cleanly with Austin's contemporary builds
- Plywood boxes - HN Construction's recommended default: stronger, better at holding screws, and more moisture-resistant than MDF
- MDF boxes - a lower-cost option that is fine for painted cabinetry away from water, but not the first choice around sinks or dishwashers
Austin Neighborhoods & Areas We Serve
HN Construction & Remodeling is based in Austin and remodels kitchens across the city and the greater Austin metro, from Tarrytown and Hyde Park to Round Rock, Cedar Park, and Bee Cave. Because Austin's housing stock ranges from 1930s bungalows to 2010s master-planned homes - and because several of these communities run their own permitting departments separate from the City of Austin - the right approach changes by neighborhood. Areas served regularly include:
- Tarrytown and central Austin - 1930s–50s homes where remodels usually mean reconfiguring closed-off kitchen layouts, rerouting aging galvanized or cast-iron plumbing, and upsizing undersized electrical panels to current code
- West Lake Hills and Lakeway - high-end kitchens on hillside lots; both cities run their own building departments, so setback, tree, and permitting review is stricter and timelines run longer than in the City of Austin
- Zilker and Barton Hills - compact bungalows near Barton Springs where the common goal is opening the kitchen to living space on a tight lot while keeping the home's original character
- Hyde Park - 1920s cottages, many inside the local historic district, where exterior-affecting work can trigger historic design review; interior kitchen updates focus on layout and modernizing systems
- Mueller - newer, energy-efficient homes with open plans already in place; projects here lean toward cabinet, countertop, and finish upgrades under the Mueller POA design guidelines
- Circle C Ranch - 1990s–2000s southwest Austin homes with builder-grade kitchens that are prime candidates for cabinet, countertop, and island reconfiguration
- Round Rock - Williamson County family homes permitted through the City of Round Rock rather than the City of Austin
- Cedar Park - suburban homes across Williamson and Travis counties, permitted through the City of Cedar Park; typically first-time remodels updating original builder finishes
- Leander - one of the metro’s fastest-growing cities, permitted through the City of Leander, with newer homes getting their first kitchen upgrades and layout tweaks
- Pflugerville - value-focused remodels that swap builder-grade cabinets and counters for more durable, updated finishes
- Georgetown - a mix of historic downtown homes under city overlays and newer Sun City builds, permitted through the City of Georgetown
- Bee Cave - upscale Lake Travis-area kitchens permitted through the City of Bee Cave, often paired with high-end stone and custom cabinetry
Austin Kitchen Remodeling - Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a kitchen remodel cost in Austin?
How long does a kitchen remodel take in Austin?
Do I need a permit to remodel my kitchen in Austin?
Can I live in my home during a kitchen remodel, or should I move out?
Quartz vs. granite countertops: which is better for an Austin kitchen?
What is the difference between semi-custom and custom cabinets, and what do they cost?
What kitchen upgrades add the most resale value in Austin?
Can you move walls or open up my kitchen?
Is HN Construction licensed and insured?
Do you offer kitchen design, or do I need to hire a separate designer?
How do payments and change orders work?
What areas of Austin do you serve?
How do I get a quote for a kitchen remodel?
What is the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel?
What is the difference between a budget and a high-end kitchen remodel in Austin?
How long do kitchen cabinets take to arrive?
Do you handle plumbing and electrical, or do I hire those separately?
What are the steps in a kitchen remodel?
How much does a kitchen island cost, and can I add one?
Should I reface or replace my kitchen cabinets?
How do I choose a good kitchen remodeler in Austin?
What flooring works best in an Austin kitchen?
Do you offer a warranty on kitchen remodels?
Remodeling a bathroom too? See our full kitchen & bathroom remodeling services in Austin, TX.
Ready to remodel your Austin kitchen?
Call (512) 956-8583, email hnconstructiontexas@gmail.com, or request a free quote - we respond within 24 hours with a fixed, line-item estimate.