Kitchen Remodeling in Westlake, TX: Costs & Process 2026
A kitchen remodel in Westlake runs $45,000 to $70,000 if we keep the existing footprint, $70,000 to $110,000 once walls or plumbing move, and $110,000 and up for a studs-out kitchen with custom cabinetry and high-end appliances. Most Westlake kitchens take 6 to 10 weeks of construction. You get a fixed price in writing before demolition starts — not an estimate that drifts.
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What a Westlake Kitchen Remodel Actually Costs
We publish three ranges because kitchens fall into three buckets, and the difference between them is how much of the house you disturb.
A refresh at $45k–$70k keeps the sink, range and refrigerator where they are. You get new cabinets, quartz or stone counters, new lighting, fixtures and finishes. Plenty of Westlake homes from the 1990s and 2000s already have workable layouts and just need everything above the subfloor replaced.
The $70k–$110k range is where the layout opens up. Removing the wall between kitchen and living room, relocating the sink to an island, adding a run of cabinetry — that means plumbing, electrical and often a structural header. Older Rob Roy and Davenport-area homes with closed-off kitchens usually land here.
Above $110k is a studs-out kitchen: custom cabinetry built by our in-house carpenters, stone slab work, high-end appliance packages, and frequently a structural change or an expanded window opening toward the hill country view.
- $45k–$70k — existing footprint, new cabinets, counters, lighting, fixtures
- $70k–$110k — wall removal, plumbing relocation, new island, structural header
- $110k+ — down to studs, custom cabinetry, high-end appliances, stone slabs
- Appliances, if you buy them separately, are typically $8k–$30k depending on the package
Permits and Inspections Around Westlake
Westlake isn't one jurisdiction. Homes in West Lake Hills and Rollingwood are under their own city building departments; addresses in the 78746 area outside those city limits fall under Travis County and, in some cases, City of Austin ETJ review. We confirm the jurisdiction from your address before we price the job, because review timelines differ.
A cosmetic kitchen in the same footprint usually needs an electrical and plumbing permit. Move a wall, relocate the gas line, or change a window opening and you're into a full building permit with structural review. West Lake Hills in particular reviews impervious cover and tree protection closely, so if your project touches anything outside the exterior walls we flag it early.
We handle the permit applications, plan submittals and inspection scheduling — City of Austin, West Lake Hills, Rollingwood or Travis County. Design and permitting are finished before demolition, which is why the construction calendar we hand you is the one we build to.
How Our Fixed-Price Design-Build Process Works
Design and construction sit under one contract, so nobody gets to blame the other when something doesn't line up. We measure, draw the kitchen, select cabinetry, counters, tile, lighting and fixtures with you, and price every line item.
Then you get a fixed price in writing. That number covers labor, materials, permits and our in-house carpentry. It changes only if you change the scope — you approve any change order in writing before we act on it. No allowance games where the tile budget quietly doubles at week six.
Our carpenters are employees, not a rotating subcontractor crew. That's how we control cabinet fit, trim work and the finish quality you're paying for. Every job carries a 5-year workmanship warranty. Financing is available if you'd rather not pull the full amount out of savings.
- Site visit and measurements at your Westlake home
- Design, selections and a written fixed price
- Permit submittal to the correct jurisdiction
- Demolition and construction, 6–10 weeks for most kitchens
- Final inspection, punch list, 5-year workmanship warranty
Timeline: What 6 to 10 Weeks Looks Like
Construction on a typical Westlake kitchen runs 6 to 10 weeks. Add design and permitting ahead of that — usually several weeks depending on jurisdiction and whether structural review is involved.
Weeks 1–2 are demolition and rough-in: framing changes, plumbing, electrical, HVAC adjustments, then inspections. Weeks 3–5 cover drywall, paint, flooring and cabinet installation. Weeks 6–8 are counter templating and install, backsplash, plumbing and electrical trim-out, appliances and punch list. Studs-out projects with custom cabinetry and imported stone push toward the ten-week end.
We order cabinetry and counters before demolition so the crew isn't standing around waiting on material. If you're also doing a bathroom while the kitchen is down, budget 3 to 5 weeks for that; a whole-home renovation runs 4 to 8 months.
Choosing a Contractor in Westlake
Ask for a fixed price, not a range with allowances. An allowance-heavy bid looks cheaper on day one and gets expensive on day forty. Ask who is actually swinging the hammer — employees or whoever was available that week. Ask who pulls the permit; if the contractor asks you to pull it as an owner-builder, that's a liability transfer to you.
Ask what happens in year three when a cabinet door sags or a joint opens up. We carry a 5-year workmanship warranty and we're a local Greater Austin design-build firm, so we're still here to answer the phone.
Get the construction schedule in writing before you sign. Ours is built after permitting is done, which is why we can commit to it.
Westlake homeowners also ask
What does a kitchen remodel cost in Westlake?
$45,000 to $70,000 for a refresh in the existing footprint with new cabinets, counters, lighting and fixtures. $70,000 to $110,000 when the layout opens up and plumbing moves. $110,000 and up for a studs-out kitchen with custom cabinetry and high-end appliances. You get a fixed price in writing before work starts.
Do I need a permit to remodel my kitchen in West Lake Hills?
Almost always. Even a same-footprint remodel typically requires electrical and plumbing permits. Moving a wall, relocating gas or plumbing, or changing a window opening requires a full building permit with structural review. We confirm whether your address falls under West Lake Hills, Rollingwood, Travis County or City of Austin, and we handle the submittal and inspections.
How long will my kitchen be out of commission?
Construction runs 6 to 10 weeks for most Westlake kitchens. Design and permitting happen before demolition, so we're not starting the clock and then waiting on plan review. We'll set you up with a temporary kitchen area before the first day of demo.
Can I keep my existing cabinets and just replace the counters?
Sometimes, if the boxes are solid and level and you're happy with the layout. But if the cabinets are particleboard or the layout is the reason you're remodeling, you'll spend real money on stone and still have the kitchen you didn't like. We'll tell you straight after we look at them.