Expect granite countertop prices to range between $45 and $200 per square foot, including installation. One way to cut down on granite countertops' price is to opt for a thinner slab use a 3/4-inch-thick stone instead of the typical 1-1/4 inches.

The above figures place the kitchen update at $101.6 per square foot. This pricing structure assumes that carpenters charge an average of $70 per hour, electricians between $65 to $85 per hour, painters between $20 and $35 per hour and plumbers between $45 and $65 per hour.

On average, homeowners report that a kitchen remodel costs $21,986. A smaller project between $10,000 and $15,000 may include painting walls, refacing cabinets, upgrading the sink, and installing a tile backsplash.