How Much Does a Small Kitchen Remodel Cost in 2024?
By: Andrew Saladino | 
10 min
Last Updated: May 26th, 2024
The average small kitchen remodel cost in 2024 is $31,500. This varies based on the finishes you choose, appliances, and structural changes, among other factors.
You've probably considered remodeling if you’re tired of staring at an outdated kitchen with chipped countertops and old cabinets. But what does a small kitchen remodel cost in 2024? There are many variables to consider, including the cost of new kitchen cabinets, flooring, countertops, other finishes, appliances, and more.
In this post, we’ll provide you with a rough estimate of costs, help you decide whether you should do the work on your own or hire a professional contractor, and give you some tips for saving money and making the most of a tiny kitchen.
Table of Contents
The Average Cost of a Kitchen Remodel
According to the 2024 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study, the average cost of a small kitchen (any kitchen smaller than 150 square feet) remodel is $31,500. However, this figure can vary depending on how much work needs to be done, the finishes and appliances you choose, and where you live.
The scope of the remodel also plays a big part in the project's price. Doing minor renovations like resurfacing or painting cabinets and updating hardware will be much more affordable than changing your kitchen’s floor plan or bringing in new appliances and countertops.
Minor Kitchen Remodel Costs
Average cost: $13,000
A minor kitchen remodel focuses mostly on cosmetic changes, including:
- Painting or refacing cabinets
- Changing flooring
- Installing new countertops
- Changing or adding backsplashes
- Painting the walls
These are the least expensive types of remodels because there’s no structural, plumbing, or electrical work. Because the footprint of a kitchen in a minor remodel doesn’t change, you don’t need to pay an architect to design a new layout and you may not need to pay for permits.
Cost of a Major Kitchen Remodel
Average cost: $50,000
With a major kitchen remodel, there’s no limit to the number of changes you can make. Major remodels can include:
- Changing the layout of your kitchen
- Expanding the kitchen’s footprint
- Installing new cabinets
- Buying new appliances
- Installing new countertops
- Running new lights
- Changing the location of your sink or dishwasher
- Any of the work from a minor remodel
These remodels are expensive. In addition to buying materials and paying for labor, you may need to hire a designer and architect to draw up plans, and you’ll likely have to get permits to do the work.
High-End Kitchen Remodel Costs
A high-end kitchen remodel is a minor or major remodel with a focus on adding luxury finishes and appliances, including:
- Custom cabinets
- Tile
- Countertops
- Light fixtures
- Refrigerators
- Ranges
- Ovens
- Dishwashers
- Microwaves
While you can do some of these projects on your own, others can be time-consuming and require expert labor for the best results.
What Impacts Kitchen Remodel Costs
The size of your kitchen has one of the biggest impacts on the cost of a remodel because it directly affects the amount of materials needed. The square footage of the kitchen determines everything from flooring to paint to the number and size of cabinets.
Data gathered by the National Kitchen & Bath Association gives us a breakdown of the average costs of the different parts of a kitchen remodel. Using these figures as a guideline while you’re planning, you’ll be able to ensure you’re budgeting enough and aren’t overspending on any one part of the remodel.
| Average % of Budget | Average Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Appliances | 14% | $350-$10,000 per appliance |
| Cabinets | 29% | $100-$1,200 per linear foot |
| Cleanup | 2% | $130-$370 |
| Counters | 10% | $15-$70 per square foot |
| Demolition | 3% | $4-$7 per square foot |
| Design | 3% | $100-$800 |
| Drywall + Paint | 5% | $100-$1,400 |
| Electrical | 5% | $50-$4,500 |
| Flooring | 7% | $3-$22 per square foot |
| Labor | 17% | $1,900-$2,700 |
| Permitting | 4% | $500-$1,500 |
| Plumbing | 3% | $350-$2,000 |
Use our kitchen remodel cost estimator to start planning your budget for your small kitchen remodel project.
Appliances
Appliance costs can be a significant part of your remodel budget. Depending on the features and brands you buy, you could pay from $200 to more than $5,000 per appliance.
If you’re looking for ways to reduce your budget, consider replacing only your oldest appliances (or the ones that are in the worst shape).
| Appliance Type | Low End | High End |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | $500 | $8,000+ |
| Range | $650 | $5,000+ |
| Cooktop | $600 | $2,000+ |
| Wall Oven | $1,000 | $6,000+ |
| Dishwasher | $300 | $5,000 |
Cabinets
Your kitchen cabinets will be a significant expense during your remodel. Cabinets cost between $100 and $1,200 per linear foot. The style of your cabinets, how many you need, and the materials will impact the price. If you’re adding an island, you’ll likely need more cabinets, which could push that price higher.
Ready-to-assemble (RTA) and pre-assembled cabinets are more affordable than custom cabinetry and make a great choice for DIYers who want to save money while still getting new cabinets.
For a deep-dive price breakdown, check out our kitchen cabinet costs guide.
Looking for design ideas? Browse our kitchen and bathroom cabinet gallery.
Get InspiredCleanup
Cleaning up after a small kitchen remodel is one of the smallest lines on your budget, but it’s still important to plan for it. Depending on how much needs to be hauled away, you might spend from $130 to $400.
If you hired a contractor, check your quote to see if cleanup is included. If you’re working on your kitchen yourself, you may need to rent a dumpster or be prepared for some runs to the dump.
Countertops
New countertops are one of the most common kitchen upgrades. At $15 to $70 per square foot (depending on the material), counters have one of the largest price tags during a remodel. If you choose a durable, high-quality material, you may never have to replace your countertops again, so paying a little extra now can save you money over the coming years.
You’ll find materials like marble at the top of the price range and butcher block or concrete at the lower end. Weigh maintenance costs when considering the real lifetime cost of a counter.
Demolition
Demolition costs in a small kitchen remodel are usually minimal, ranging from $4 to $7 per square foot. Demolition includes removing old cabinets, flooring, and countertops, but may include walls and plumbing if you’re changing the layout of your kitchen.
Design
Design costs range from $100 to $800 and include space planning, creating design schemes, and picking out materials. If you’re tackling a remodel on your own, you don’t need a designer, but they can help you make a space feel unified and professional. If you’re expanding your kitchen, an architect or engineer may need to develop plans that meet local codes and will keep your home safe. That can increase these costs.
Drywall and Paint
Painting and drywall for small kitchen remodels are relatively inexpensive, typically costing between $100 and $1,400. This covers patching minor imperfections, priming, and painting the walls and ceiling. Extensive drywall replacement or adding entirely new walls will drive this cost up.
Electrical and Lighting
Electrical and lighting upgrades in a small kitchen remodel typically means installing new outlets, switches, and light fixtures. The price for this work ranges from $50 to $4,500. The higher end of that range may include running new wiring for under cabinet lights, new pendants or a chandelier over an island, and wiring up a new island.
Flooring
Flooring for a small kitchen remodel can range from $3 to $22 per square foot, depending on the material. Popular options include hardwood, tile, and luxury vinyl plank (LVP). Hardwood floors are the most expensive (average cost of $4,000) and require the most upkeep, while linoleum and LVP are less expensive (average cost of $1,000-$1,500) and designed to handle lots of traffic without needing much maintenance.
Labor
Labor is one of the most expensive parts of any home project, including kitchen remodels. You can expect to spend anywhere from $1,900 to $2,700 on labor for a small kitchen remodel. Most contractors include demolition as well as cabinet, countertop, appliance, lighting, plumbing, and flooring installation.
The complexity of your project and your location can influence this cost. If you hire different professionals to work on your home instead of having a contractor do it, labor costs may be higher.
Permitting
Permits ensure your project meets safety and building codes. Not every remodel will require permits, but If you do need permits for a remodel, you can expect to pay between $500 and $1,500. In some areas, and for some projects, an inspection may be required, which can increase the cost — and your timeline — slightly.
Plumbing
Plumbing costs vary depending on the complexity of the job. Most basic plumbing changes, such as re-routing lines for new locations or installing new fixtures like a sink or dishwasher, can cost $350 to $2,000. More extensive plumbing work, like adding a new water line for an ice maker, will increase the cost.
Other costs
Because every kitchen is different, you may have other parts of your remodel that cost money. If you’re moving or replacing a window or door, you’ll need to include the price of those materials and labor in your budget.
Do I DIY or Hire a Professional?
If you’re an experienced DIYer, you might be champing at the bit to transform your kitchen into a fresher, more functional space you’ll love spending time in. Luckily, there are plenty of tasks you can do on your own to create a beautiful and functional traditional or modern kitchen, including:
- Painting or refinishing cabinets
- Installing new cabinet hardware
- Replacing a faucet
- Putting up a new backsplash
- Painting walls
- Installing under cabinet lighting
Pre-assembled and RTA cabinets are another DIY opportunity with outstanding results. These types of cabinets offer great build quality and easy installation without the need for carpentry skills.
However, if you aren’t comfortable doing a project on your own, you should consider hiring professional help. Leave electrical work, plumbing that involves rerouting pipes or running new lines, and any structural changes (knocking down walls or installing an island) to licensed professionals. These tasks require specialized knowledge and skills to make sure everything is up to code and safe for your home.
10 Tips for Saving Money on Your Small Kitchen Remodel
Now that you have a budget in place for your remodel, let’s take a look at some tips that can save you money as you remodel your kitchen. Use your savings to pay for professional help on some parts of the project, or take the extra cash and splurge on nicer cabinets or appliances.
- Keep the existing layout: Stick with your current kitchen layout to avoid expensive demolition, electrical, and plumbing changes.
- Revamp, not replace: Refresh cabinets with paint or new hardware instead of a full replacement.
- Be strategic with splurges: Invest in highly visual impact areas, like countertops, flooring, or a statement sink, while saving on less-noticeable elements.
- DIY what you can: If you're handy, tackle painting, demolition, or installing backsplashes to save on labor costs.
- Shop around: Get quotes from multiple contractors and compare appliance prices at different retailers.
- Consider lower-priced finishes: Explore affordable countertop options like laminate or butcher block instead of high-end stone.
- Think timeless style: Classic styles and neutral colors help you avoid trends that may make your kitchen look dated quickly.
- Embrace salvaged materials: Look for gently used appliances, tile, or decor online or at architectural salvage stores.
- Don’t skimp on lighting: Invest in good task lighting for prep and cooking areas, and layer ambient lighting in areas where you eat or hang out.
- Choose RTA or pre-assembled cabinets: If you’re replacing standard-sized cabinets, RTA or pre-assembled cabinets look great and can save you a lot of money.
Small Kitchen Remodel Cost FAQs
Have more questions about the cost of a small kitchen remodel? We have answers.
How much should I spend on a kitchen remodel?
While some recommend spending 15% of your home's value on a kitchen remodel, that might be more than necessary for a small space. A more manageable approach for a small kitchen refresh is to target 5% to 10% of your home's value for the remodel itself. Set aside an additional 5% as a buffer to cover anything that might arise during the project. That way, you'll have a realistic budget that reflects the scale of your small kitchen remodel.
What parts of a small kitchen remodel should be handled by professionals?
Anything involving electrical or plumbing is probably best left to the professionals. Plumbing and electrical work is complicated, and permits may require the work to be completed by a licensed professional.
Should I remodel my kitchen before selling my home?
Smaller remodels help refresh your kitchen and update the styling, which can be a great investment if you’re trying to sell your home. But if you are going to stay in your home for several years, you should consider a larger remodel for your kitchen to make it more useful for you and to fit your style.
Now that you have an idea of the cost to remodel a small kitchen, are you ready to start planning for the kitchen of your dreams? Start gathering inspiration for the design, reach out to contractors, and start budgeting for new cabinets, flooring, and anything else your new kitchen needs to be the beating heart of your home.
