Kitchen remodel quote checklist

Cabinet installation is typically quoted per linear foot of run, separate from the cabinets themselves. A single number for "cabinets" with no breakdown makes it impossible to tell whether you're paying for the boxes, the installation, or both.

Ask for the brand, line, and finish specified — cabinet pricing swings enormously by material and construction quality, and "cabinets" alone tells you nothing.

A fair countertop line names the material (quartz, granite, laminate), the square footage, and often the edge profile — upgraded edges add cost. If the quote just says "countertops: $6,000," ask what's included.

Many kitchen quotes include an "appliance allowance" — a placeholder budget, not a firm price. That's normal, but the allowance should be realistic for the appliances you actually want. A low allowance can mean a big change order later once you pick real models.

Moving a sink, dishwasher, or range to a new location means rerouting supply lines, drains, and often gas or 220V electrical — real work, and it should be its own line item, not buried in "labor."

If your layout is changing significantly, ask whether permits are included for the plumbing/electrical work specifically, not just the general remodel permit.

Demo and removal for a kitchen typically runs a few thousand dollars depending on square footage — not a five-figure number unless there's asbestos abatement, structural work, or a much larger footprint involved. If demo looks unusually high, ask why.