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Small Kitchen Remodel Cost: Everything You Need to Know


If yours is a small kitchen (70 square feet or less), a kitchen remodel project is quite tricky. However, even a kitchen with limited dimensions can efficiently serve as the functional epicenter of your dwelling. That said, you may have to keep certain points in mind if you consider renovating it. Many people are curious to know what an average small kitchen remodel cost is.

Among homeowners, kitchen remodeling is trendy and coveted. You can drastically improve your house’s aesthetics, and resale value with an adequately done kitchen remodel.

You should know that small kitchen remodeling can be more challenging than most people expect. Its limited space might give you the impression that a small kitchen remodel cost is lower than that of a larger kitchen. 

However, realize that every square foot of space in a small kitchen is valuable. Thus, it could be challenging to ascertain how to achieve an optimal level of style and functionality in a small kitchen. 

We will be giving you a fairly accurate idea of an average small kitchen remodel cost in this guide. We will also provide some tips to help you make the best out of your kitchen remodeling budget. 

What Is The Average Small Kitchen Remodel Cost?

average small kitchen remodel cost

On average, a small kitchen remodel cost is around $9,500 to $14,250. For an upscale small kitchen remodel, you will have to pay about $25,000 to $35,000 or even more. It includes the cost of replacing kitchen counters, sinks, cabinets, some appliances, flooring, lighting, kitchen backsplash, and much more.

Don’t worry – you will not have to make all these updates simultaneously. In fact, you will only have to pay a few thousand dollars at most if you choose to go only for cosmetic updates. These include elements like repainting, adding inexpensive flooring, and installing a new sink with a faucet.

There are quite a few factors that have a significant impact on a small kitchen remodel cost. The most important of these factors is the size of your kitchen, the materials you decide to buy, and whether you intend to alter the layout of your kitchen or not. Given below is a percentage-wise breakdown of how much every part of the kitchen remodel will take up from your budget:

  • Cabinetry and hardware – 29%
  • Professional installation procedures – 17%
  • Ventilation and appliances – 14%
  • Kitchen countertops – 10%
  • Flooring – 7%
  • Lighting – 5%
  • Walls and ceilings – 5%
  • Doors and windows – 4%
  • Faucets and plumbing – 4%
  • Design fees – 4%
  • Other miscellaneous costs – 1%

Cost of Kitchen Cabinets

cabinet small kitchen remodel cost

Kitchen cabinets are one of the most essential elements of your kitchen remodel. If they are outdated, you should definitely get them replaced. They also happen to be one of the most expensive parts of a small kitchen remodel. Keep in mind that there is an extensive price range in the market for kitchen cabinets. As such, they are available in many styles, quality, durability, and longevity.

Refurnishing and repainting your cabinets will generally cost you about $4-10 per square foot. On the other hand, merely replacing their doors (refacing them) will cost about $8-25 per square foot.

Pre-made stock cabinets of width ranging from 6″ to 42″, featuring increments of 3″, will have a price of around $120-380 per linear foot. Make sure you pay attention to the unit used here. When it comes to brand new cabinets, this is one of the cheapest options available for you.

Other similar options include semi-custom cabinets and customized cabinets. Semi-customized cabinets, whose drawers and door front can be resized for an additional price, cost about $145-950 per square foot.

On the other hand, custom cabinets are specifically designed for your kitchen remodel. Thus, they tend to be very expensive. If you are willing to invest in them, they will cost you around $500-1,425 per linear foot.

Keep in mind that we recommend you go for the latter when it comes to Chinese and American cabinets. American cabinets tend to be more durable than Chinese ones, free from harmful chemicals like formaldehyde, and offer extended warranty periods. Thus, they will save you a lot of money in the long run.

Kitchen Countertops

small kitchen countertops

After cabinets, kitchen countertops contribute a lot to the looks and functionality of your kitchen. Thus, they can potentially contribute a lot to a small kitchen remodel cost as well.

Most customers tend to go for countertops made of traditional materials like quartz and granite. However, countertops are made of new synthetic materials like paper-glass, WilsonArt, concrete, Silestone, Avonite, and many more in the current market.

The countertop’s heat resistance, maintenance, and sturdiness depend on the material it is composed of. Naturally, the costs vary accordingly as well.

For example, materials like bamboo, laminate, and tile will only cost you about $3 (bamboo) to $35-40 (bamboo and laminate) per square foot. They are also easy to clean and maintain but are highly prone to burns and scratches.

On the other hand, solid surface countertops will cost you around $52-12- per square foot and are vulnerable to staining and high temperatures. However, they are resistant to scratches and are eco-friendly. You should weigh all these pros and cons and then proceed to make an informed purchase.

Kitchen Flooring

small kitchen flooring cost

Many people tend to consider new flooring an integral part of the kitchen remodeling process. Widely used flooring materials for kitchens are laminates, hardwoods, tile, and natural stone.

Homeowners usually have to spend an average of $8-15 per square foot to get new kitchen flooring installed. In the case of a small 70 square foot kitchen, you will likely have to pay up around $720-1050. You should consider your kitchen’s functionality and requirements well while choosing flooring materials.

It is worth mentioning here that you should install the flooring material beneath your kitchen cabinets. At times, stingy homeowners and dishonest contractors try to save money by leaving out old flooring under the cabinets. That often leads to moisture accumulation and severe rots and damages over time.

If you do not want to pay thousands of dollars to fix that, make sure you pay due attention to this before you begin your kitchen remodel.

By choosing the right contractor and planning everything out from the start, you can turn your small kitchen into a highly functional and aesthetically pleasing space.