It’s the first thing almost everyone asks me, and it’s a fair question. Nobody wants to fall in love with a design and then find out it’s twice what they budgeted. So here’s the straight answer, the same way I’d give it to you at your kitchen table.
The short version
At Equilibrium Builders we price kitchens in three tiers:
- Foundational, about $55K and up. A full, quality remodel that keeps your existing layout. New cabinets, counters, fixtures, lighting, and finishes, all done right and to code.
- Mid-range, about $90K to $110K. Where most of our clients land. Upgraded cabinetry, better appliances, some layout changes, and more custom touches.
- Luxury, $140K and up. Fully custom. Moving walls, a big island, premium appliances, and the kind of details you notice every time you walk in.
These aren’t teaser prices. They’re what it actually takes to do the job right with licensed trades, permits, and materials that hold up out here.
How our pricing compares
If you’ve gotten a few quotes around the valley, you’ve probably seen kitchens pitched at $25K to $55K, so our numbers can look high at first glance. Here’s some context.
The industry’s main cost survey, the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report, puts the national average for a midrange major kitchen remodel at about $83,000 and an upscale one at about $164,000. Our tiers land right in that range, and our luxury tier actually starts below the national upscale average.
When a quote comes in a lot lower, it’s usually leaving something out: permits, the code upgrades that show up once the walls are open, or cabinets and counters that aren’t what you’re picturing. None of that shows up on day one, but all of it shows up eventually.
I’d rather give you a real number up front than a low one that grows halfway through the job.
What really drives the cost
Layout changes. This is the biggest swing. Moving a sink, range, or wall means new plumbing, electrical, gas, and sometimes structural work. Keeping everything where it is saves real money.
Cabinets and counters. Semi-custom versus fully custom cabinetry, and quartz versus natural stone, can move your budget more than anything else you pick.
Appliances. A wide range on their own. A pro range and built-in fridge can cost as much as some people’s whole cabinet package.
What’s behind the walls. Older desert homes sometimes have outdated wiring or plumbing that has to be brought up to code once we open things up. I’d rather tell you that up front than surprise you mid-project.
Why desert kitchens are a little different
Heat, sun, and hard water are real here. I steer clients toward materials and finishes that won’t fade, warp, or scale up after a few summers. Sometimes that costs a bit more at the start, but it saves you from redoing things later.
Don’t forget permits and timeline
Any real kitchen remodel here needs permits. If you want to know what that looks like, I wrote about remodel permits in Palm Desert and how long a Coachella Valley remodel takes. And whoever you hire, make sure they’re licensed. Here’s why that matters in California.
Getting a real number for your kitchen
Every kitchen is different, so the tiers are a starting point, not a quote. We build kitchens in Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, and Indian Wells, and I’m happy to walk your space and give you an honest number.
Call me at (760) 888-8778, or see the full breakdown on our Pricing page.
Shawn Alexander, Equilibrium Builders, CSLB #1156974
