How Much Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost in Arlington, MA? (2026)

Updated November 2026

Most kitchens we remodel in Arlington are in houses built long before open floor plans. That shapes what the work costs more than the town does.

Why Arlington kitchens land where they do

About 77% of Arlington homes were built before 1970. Many have a closed kitchen behind one doorway. Of the 67 projects we have built in Arlington, 18 were kitchens opened up to the rooms around them.

Opening a kitchen usually means taking out a load-bearing wall and carrying it on a new beam, often set flush so the ceiling stays flat. In some Arlington houses an old brick chimney comes out too. That structural work, not the cabinets, is what moves a kitchen from the first range to the second.

Most of the kitchens we open up in older homes here need a new beam, and many need an electrical panel upgrade. Those two items are usually what moves a kitchen from the lower range to the higher one.
— Geoff Shafer, owner

Is $100,000 enough for a kitchen in Arlington?

Often, yes, if the layout stays. Kitchens that kept their layout ran about $70,000 to $125,000. If you want to open walls, plan on $130,000 to $225,000. A bathroom done at the same time puts most projects at $165,000 to $360,000.

Within each range, cabinets, counters and how much electrical work the house needs move the price the most.

How long it takes

Design takes about 4–6 weeks. Construction on a kitchen runs about 3–5 months. Design is its own agreement: 1.5% of the construction estimate, with a $1,000 retainer to start.

Arlington kitchens we've built

• First-floor kitchen renovation: an old brick chimney came out to open the kitchen to the dining area.
• Modern open kitchen and family room: three closed rooms became one space under a vaulted ceiling.
• Kitchen, mudroom and powder room: the dining room wall came down and a small addition added a mudroom.
• Kitchen, bath and sunroom: a new kitchen and upstairs bath, and a sunroom made into year-round space.

More on permits, historic districts and our Arlington work: home remodeling in Arlington.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a kitchen remodel cost in Arlington, MA in 2026?

About $70,000 to $125,000 if the layout stays, and $130,000 to $225,000 if the kitchen opens to the next room, based on 21 kitchens we built from 2020 to 2025. Appliances are separate.

Does a kitchen cost more in Arlington than in nearby towns?

No. Our prices change with the scope of the work, not the town. What makes many Arlington kitchens cost more is the age of the house: load-bearing walls, chimneys and older electrical.

Does the price change during construction?

Only if you change the job or choose finishes above your allowances. Your agreement is a fixed price with allowances for the finishes you choose.

Are appliances included?

No. The ranges above are before appliances. We order and deliver everything except appliances and decorative lighting.

Planning a kitchen in Arlington?

Get a cost range, or tell us about your house. See our kitchen remodeling page for more.

Geoff Shafer has run PEGASUS Design-To-Build in Melrose for 25 years. He is a Massachusetts licensed Construction Supervisor and registered Home Improvement Contractor (HIC 137663).