What Remodel Cost Per Square Foot Really Means in Seattle — And How to Use It Without Misleading Yourself
You'll hear contractors quote 'we charge $300 per square foot' or 'Seattle kitchen remodels run $450/sq ft.' These numbers sound authoritative and are often nearly meaningless. Here's how to interpret cost-per-square-foot data correctly — and why using it as a primary budgeting tool in the Seattle market will mislead you more than it helps.
What Cost Per Square Foot Actually Measures
Cost per square foot (psf) is calculated by dividing total project cost by total square footage. A $90,000 kitchen remodel in a 200 sq ft kitchen = $450/sq ft.
The metric is genuinely useful for one thing: rough order-of-magnitude comparisons between projects of similar scope and finish level. It starts breaking down the moment you try to use it for anything more precise.
The core problem: Not all square footage costs the same. In a kitchen, the first linear foot of cabinet run — which includes a corner cabinet, upper, and base — costs far more per sq ft of floor area than an open island. Cost per sq ft averages these differences away.
Why $/sq ft Misleads Seattle Homeowners
Kitchens and baths don't scale linearly. A 100 sq ft kitchen does not cost half as much as a 200 sq ft kitchen. The expensive elements — appliances, plumbing rough-in, permits, design fees — are largely fixed costs regardless of square footage. Smaller kitchens actually cost more per sq ft.
Finish level overwhelms size. A 150 sq ft kitchen with IKEA cabinets and laminate countertops might cost $180/sq ft. The identical 150 sq ft with custom cabinetry and Sub-Zero appliances might cost $900/sq ft. Quoting a single psf number obscures this entirely.
Structural conditions aren't in the formula. A $450/sq ft kitchen quote assumes clean, code-compliant infrastructure. Add a load-bearing wall removal, a knob-and-tube electrical upgrade, and a subfloor replacement, and the same 'scope' runs $580/sq ft — not because anything changed in the design, but because the house required it.
A more useful question: Instead of 'what's your per square foot rate,' ask contractors to give you a detailed line-item estimate for your exact project. That number is real; a psf average is statistical noise.
Seattle-Area $/sq ft Benchmarks as Rough Guides Only
With the above caveats firmly in mind, here are the ranges you'll encounter in the Seattle market. Use these to sanity-check bids, not to predict your actual cost.
Kitchen Remodels
Budget/cosmetic update: $150–$250/sq ft Full mid-range remodel: $300–$500/sq ft Premium/luxury remodel: $500–$900+/sq ft
Bellevue and Kirkland projects typically run 15–25% above Seattle ranges at equivalent finish levels.
Bathroom Remodels
Cosmetic refresh: $200–$350/sq ft Full mid-range gut: $400–$700/sq ft Upscale primary bath: $700–$1,200+/sq ft
Small bathrooms (35–50 sq ft) often run above $1,000/sq ft for full remodels because the fixed costs — permits, plumbing rough-in, waterproofing — are amortized over fewer square feet.
Whole-Home Remodels
Light cosmetic (paint, flooring, fixtures): $50–$120/sq ft Mid-range full renovation: $150–$300/sq ft High-end gut renovation: $300–$600+/sq ft
| Scope | Seattle | Bellevue | Redmond | Kirkland |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen — Mid-Range | $300–$500 | $350–$600 | $300–$520 | $330–$560 |
| Bathroom — Mid-Range | $400–$700 | $450–$800 | $400–$720 | $430–$750 |
| Whole-Home — Mid-Range | $150–$300 | $180–$350 | $155–$310 | $165–$330 |
Better Ways to Budget a Seattle Remodel
Line-item estimates are more accurate than psf for individual projects. A detailed scope with quantities — 22 LF of base cabinets, 45 sq ft of countertop, specific fixture allowances — lets you compare bids and understand where money is going.
Allowance-based budgeting works well for early planning. Estimate fixture allowances conservatively ($3,000 for tile, $4,500 for a vanity), build your estimate, then add a 15% contingency. You'll be closer to reality than any psf formula.
The 10% rule of thumb: For most Seattle homes built before 1980, budget an additional 10% of total project cost for hidden conditions discovered after demo. This isn't pessimism — it's what experienced Seattle contractors plan for internally.
The one time psf is useful: When a contractor's total bid is 40%+ above or below the psf benchmark for your project type, that's a signal to dig into why. It likely means the scope is different, not just the price.
Get Our Remodel Budget Planning Guide
A step-by-step guide to building a realistic remodel budget for Seattle-area homes — including how to set allowances, handle contingency, and structure your contractor conversations.