5 min read

OCTOBER 7, 2025

If you own a home in Greenwich, you’re not planning a basic facelift. Kitchens here tend to be larger, finishes are higher caliber, and projects involve more coordination with trades and the Town. Below is a clear, honest view of what a luxury kitchen in Greenwich typically costs in 2025, what drives the number up or down, and how permitting works in town.

• Planning range for a full, luxury gut-and-rebuild: $225k to $450k for most projects, with truly estate‑level kitchens sometimes above $500k.
• Why that range: The national benchmark for an Upscale Major Kitchen is about $164,000 in 2025. Greenwich projects often land higher due to room size, custom cabinetry, premium stone, and integrated appliances.
• For additional CT context, our statewide guide places upscale kitchens around $200k to $400k, with Greenwich typically at the upper end.

WHAT DRIVES THE BUDGET?

BIG LEVERS

• Layout changes that move plumbing, gas, or structural walls
• Custom cabinetry (inset construction, furniture-grade finishes, specialty interiors)
• Premium appliance package (built-in refrigeration, dual fuel ranges or induction with pro ventilation, column freezers, speed ovens)
• Stone (full-height slab backsplashes, mitered edges, exotic materials)
• Lighting and controls (layers of task and accent lighting, control systems)
• Electrical service upgrades if the home’s panel or service isn’t sized for modern loads

TYPICAL PLANNING RANGES (LUXURY SCOPE)

• Custom cabinetry and install: $55k–$120k+
• Countertops and slab backsplash, fabrication and install: $12k–$35k+
• Appliance package: $24k–$50k+
• Tile and stone labor (floors, specialty areas): $8k–$25k
• Plumbing fixtures and install: $4k–$12k
• Lighting, controls, and electrical rough-in: $6k–$20k
• Ventilation and HVAC adjustments: $2k–$8k
• Flooring (wood or stone) and finishing: $8k–$25k
• Paint, wall finishes, and millwork: $6k–$15k
• Design, engineering, and permits: see permitting section below

These are planning bands, not quotes. They assume a high-end finish level consistent with Greenwich homes.

Three sample budgets

1) High‑end refresh: ~$125k–$200k
Keep layout, replace cabinets with custom or semi‑custom, new counters and tile, premium but not top‑of‑line appliances, minimal electrical and mechanical changes.

2) Luxury reconfiguration: ~$225k–$350k
Move the range wall or island, new custom cabinetry, slab backsplash, premium appliance suite, upgraded lighting and controls, moderate electrical panel work.

3) Estate‑level kitchen: ~$400k–$650k+
Full redesign with scullery or catering pantry, built‑in refrigeration columns, pro ventilation, slab stone everywhere, bespoke millwork, extensive structural and MEP work.

Greenwich permitting: what to expect

You do need a building permit for a kitchen remodel. Greenwich states that most interior renovations, including kitchens and bathrooms, require a building permit. Minor cosmetic work like painting or simple cabinet swaps without moving utilities can be exempt.

Permit fees. The Town’s current schedule for residential building permits is $13.26 per $1,000 of project valuation, with a $40.26 minimum. Homes built before 1940 pay a 5% surcharge on the permit fee.

Examples:

• $225,000 kitchen → fee about $2,984
• $300,000 kitchen → fee about $3,978
• $450,000 kitchen → fee about $5,967
  Pre‑1940 surcharge adds roughly 5% to those permit fees.

How the Town processes permits:

• The Building Inspection Division enforces the Connecticut State Building Code, reviews plans, and issues building and trade permits.
• To apply, Greenwich describes getting a group number and sign‑off sheet at Town Hall. Some limited permit types can be filed by email. The Town notes processing can take several days or weeks depending on scope and completeness.
• Inspections are scheduled through the City Squared portal once work is underway.

Trade and utility notes that can affect design

• Electrical: if your project pushes the service above 400 amps, Greenwich requires engineer load calculations with the electrical permit. That is rare but can come up in estate kitchens with added loads.

State code horizon: Connecticut periodically updates its building and energy codes. A 2026 code package is in development, so plan to follow the current CT State Building Code in effect when you apply for your permit.

TYPICAL TIMELINE

Every project is different, but here’s how most Greenwich kitchens flow:

1. Design and preconstruction: selections, drawings, early budgeting
2. Permit prep and submittal: gather plans and sign‑offs, submit to the Town
3. Procurement: order cabinetry, slabs, appliances
4. Construction and inspections: demo to finish, schedule inspections via City Squared

The Town notes permit processing time can range from days to weeks depending on complexity and whether sign‑offs are complete. Building with a complete package is the best way to keep things moving.

Smart ways to control spend without losing the look:

• Hold the layout where it performs well. Moving water, gas, or structure adds cost fast.
• Mix counter materials. Use your dream slab on the island and a complementary stone on the perimeter.
• Customize where it counts. Go fully custom on high‑visibility cabinetry and use semi‑custom in the scullery or pantry.
• Plan ventilation early. Proper make‑up air and duct routing avoids late changes.
• Lock selections before ordering. Substitutions during procurement create delays and change orders.

FAQ

Do I really need a permit for my kitchen?
Yes. Greenwich lists kitchens as work that generally requires a building permit. Cosmetic work like painting or installing cabinets without moving utilities may be exempt. When in doubt, we’ll verify with the Town.

How much should I set aside for permitting and design?
As a simple rule of thumb: permit fees are roughly 1.326% of construction value in Greenwich, plus 5% surcharge on that fee for pre‑1940 homes. Design and engineering vary by scope; we’ll price those with your proposal.

Who handles inspections?
Inspections are scheduled online through City Squared after the permit is issued. We handle scheduling and coordination.

What if my project requires larger electrical service?
If the design pushes service above 400 amps, the Town requires a professional engineer’s load calculation with the electrical permit. We factor that into planning when needed.