Plan on $10,000–$25,000 for a small kitchen remodel, or roughly $150 per square foot.
Moving the sink, range or dishwasher is what breaks that range, since it pulls in plumbers at $75–$150 an hour and electricians at $170–$300. Keep the current footprint, reface the cabinets, and hold 10%–20% in reserve.
What a Small Kitchen Remodel Costs
Most small-kitchen remodels land between $10,000 and $25,000, and the spread comes from where each estimate draws the line on "small" and how much work it counts. Kitchens under 70 square feet run $5,000–$15,000; at 70–100 square feet, the range is $10,000–$25,000.
Angi’s number sits in the middle of that band:
Small kitchen remodels run between $10,500 to $20,000 for your 70 to 100 square foot kitchen.
— Angi
Start there, at roughly $150 per square foot.
A DIY cosmetic refresh costs $1,500–$5,000. A full 10×10 remodel averages around $15,000, and a galley full remodel runs $17,000–$21,000.
The $10,500–$15,000 figure excludes appliances; most others never say, so ask. The outliers, a median around $26,000 and an average of $26,268, cover kitchens of every size, so skip them.
Where the Money Goes
Cabinets are usually the biggest line, at 29%–40% of the budget.
Labor swings from 25%–40% to 50%–60% depending on how much you hire out, and no one publishes a single total, so treat these as pieces. The big lines:
| Line | Low option | High option |
|---|---|---|
| Cabinets | Refinish: $400–$1,800 | Custom: $6,000–$15,000+ |
| Countertops | Laminate: $240–$900 | Granite: $2,100–$4,200 |
| Flooring | Sheet vinyl: $300–$1,000 | Hardwood: $700–$2,500 |
| Appliances | n/a | Package: $2,100–$5,400 |
Backsplash runs $600–$1,300, sink and faucet $380–$1,400, and lighting about $150 per fixture.
Permits add $500–$1,500. Keep 10%–20% in reserve for whatever turns up behind the walls.
What Moves the Price
Layout moves the price more than anything else. Shifting a sink, range or dishwasher means moving the plumbing, gas or wiring behind it, which opens walls and brings in trades that bill by the hour: plumbers at $75–$150, electricians at $170–$300.
Keep the current footprint and most of that bill never arrives. I’d spend the savings on materials, because marble counters and custom cabinets inflate a total fast, and a wider scope stacks more labor on top.
Location adds 20%–30% in expensive cities. Size works in your favor: kitchens in homes under 1,500 square feet average about 103 square feet, so you buy fewer cabinets and less flooring.
Resale runs roughly 50%–70%+. Smaller remodels recoup more, as much as 81%, while upscale ones land near 54%.
Where to Save
Keeping the layout and reusing what already stands is where a small kitchen saves the most.
- Reface cabinets instead of replacing them. Refacing can cost 50% or more below new custom cabinets, and a pro paint job runs $400–$1,400.
- Swap the hardware. New pulls and knobs come in under $200 at DK Hardware.
- Peel-and-stick backsplash goes up in an afternoon, and many options cost under $15 per square foot.
- Laminate counters and vinyl flooring are what I’d pick over stone and tile in a small room.
- Do the cosmetic work yourself. Acting as your own general contractor could save up to 30%.
- Hand off plumbing, electrical and anything needing a permit. Permits run $500–$1,500, and demolition, plumbing and electrical often need them, so check local rules early.
- Renters and condo owners can stick to non-permanent upgrades.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to remodel a small kitchen?
Most small kitchen remodels cost $10,000–$25,000 for a kitchen of 70–100 square feet, and kitchens under 70 square feet run $5,000–$15,000.
Angi’s midpoint is $10,500–$20,000, or roughly $150 per square foot. A lighter mini remodel with paint, new hardware and a DIY refresh can come in at $1,500–$5,000.
What is the most expensive part of a small kitchen remodel?
Cabinets, which usually take 29%–40% of the budget.
Labor can rival them at 25%–40% of the total, and up to 50%–60% if you hire out everything. Moving the sink, range or dishwasher pushes the labor share higher.
How much should a 10×10 kitchen remodel cost?
A full 10×10 remodel averages around $15,000, within a broader range of $10,000–$25,000.
Scope and materials decide where you land. Add a 10%–20% reserve for surprises behind the walls.
Can you remodel a small kitchen for $5,000?
Yes, if the work is mostly cosmetic: a DIY refresh costs $1,500–$5,000.
A full remodel at that price only works for kitchens under 70 square feet, where the range starts at $5,000. In a 70–100 square foot kitchen, a full remodel starts closer to $10,000.
What is the most affordable way to renovate a small kitchen?
Keep the current layout and refresh what is already there.
Refinishing cabinets costs $400–$1,800, new pulls and knobs come in under $200, and peel-and-stick backsplash is often under $15 per square foot. Laminate counters and sheet vinyl flooring keep the rest of the bill low.
Can you renovate a small kitchen in a rental or condo?
Yes, by sticking to non-permanent upgrades such as new hardware, a peel-and-stick backsplash or peel-and-stick tile. Skip anything that needs a permit, like plumbing and electrical changes.
