This is like asking "How much does a car cost?"

I'll do it for $99. I have a tail-light guarantee - my work is guaranteed for as long as you can see my tail lights.

Square foot? Um, contractors do not charge by the square foot. Thus the responses that you are getting.

I think you need to start by creating idea books here on Houzz. Then once you have done that, you need a workable design that a contractor can give you a bid to accomplish. That means finding a good K&B designer to help you and to create specifications for you.

The real question is: How much is your budget? How much do you want to spend?

Wait until you are ready to spend quadruple that. You are in a high cost of living area and just a kitchen in your area averages 70K. You need to be planning in the mean time. Start with the layout. Then start learning about materials.

You're on the first step. The more you learn yourself or with the help of people on this and the Appliance forum the less it'll cost and/or the better it will turn out if you use a general or do part yourself and hire subs. But this will take time. Start by drawing up a floorplan layout to scale of your first floor with windows and doors and all measurements. You may be able to use the software on Ikea's site for both a floorplan and cabinet face view of your space. There are plenty of ways of getting a good outcome at a reasonable price point if you're flexible and patient.

I'm in LA, which is expensive, but NYC has to be even more. I just paid $25K for LABOR ONLY to gut a small secondary bathroom (tub/shower, toilet and 36" vanity). When I did my large master bathroom a few years ago, labor only was around $40K.

Are you in an apt, condo, co-op? You might need to have the board or HOA approve any remodel plans. Your building might have unique requirements for any changes.

Ask neighbors who they have used. Get some quotes. Ask how busy they are and how far ahead do you need to get on their schedule. Start saving money.

Like chispa, I am also in LA. I was given a estimate of $20K for gutting and remodeling a 60 sq ft bathroom with a tub/shower combo. The estimate excluded cost for new vanity, countertop, plumbing fixtures (faucets, tub, toilet, sink), lighting fixtures, tile, cabinet knobs, mirror, and tub/shower glass enclosure. This was with no changes to the floor plan. The estimate excluded any potential repairs, e.g., replacing plywood on subfloor, repairing existing plumbing leaks, replacing a window, or replacing insulation in walls.

Some specialities base their labor estimate on square footage but the numbers may vary greatly; e.g., a fabricator may charge anywhere from $40 to $125 per square foot for fabricating a countertop. Plumbers and electricians typically charge per hour with a minimum two-hour fee and they provide some of the materials (e.g., recessed can lights, switches, pipes, plumbing connectors).

The cost of labor vs materials depends partly on your design choices; e.g., ready-made cabinets vs custom-built cabinetry? a solid-surface shower base vs a tiled shower base?

In my kitchen remodel, I purchased the appliances, tile, plumbing fixtures, lighting fixtures, and cabinet knobs. I needed all new appliances, and that was the biggest expense in my first kitchen remodel. Cabinetry was my second biggest expense in the kitchen (not counting labor).

Contractors warrantee the products they purchase and install. Some vendors sell only to contractors and not to consumers, e.g., stone yards sell stone slabs directly to fabricators for making countertops. Some vendors discount their products to contractors. It is usually less expensive to have the painter purchase the paint directly, unless painting is a DIY project.

Other expenses include an architect to prepare plans to submit to the city for approval and the cost of permits from the city. I needed a letter of approval from my HOA, but there was no charge for that.

If you hire a GC to oversee the work, there will be an additional contractor's fee of 15-20%. That's charged on labor and materials (not counting the materials you purchase directly).