How Much Does a Kitchenette Cost to Install? [2025 Data]

Kitchenette Cost per Square Foot

The cost of a kitchenette varies from $150 to $300 or more per square foot. If you already have plumbing and electrical lines and outlets nearby, you'll save significantly on this figure. However, if you want a high-end kitchenette with extra features and luxury appliances, expect to pay more.

While there's no minimum size for a kitchenette, they're rarely under 50 square feet because there must be enough room to prepare food and store cookware. Here's what you can expect to pay to install a kitchenette.

Contractor Costs

You’ll likely need to hire several types of professionals to complete your kitchenette installation. Aside from hiring a local kitchen remodeler, consider the cost of hiring these pros to complete your project:

• General contractor: 10%–20% of total project cost

• Electrician: $50–$100 per hour

• Plumber: $45–$200 per hour

• Handyperson: $60–$140 per hour

• Flooring Installer: $3–$7 per square foot

• Tiler: $4–$25 per square foot

Plumber Costs

Installing new plumbing runs anywhere from $400 to $2,000. Other plumbing costs may include:

• Plumbing pipework installation: $2–$10 per linear foot

• Sink installation: $100–$1,600

• Hiring a plumber for other tasks: $45–$200

Electrician Costs

New electrical wiring costs $8 to $12 per linear foot, and adding new outlets costs $100 to $185 each. If there are already electrical lines running close to where you're adding your kitchenette, the kitchenette build-out will be faster, simpler, and cost you less. If new wiring runs a significant distance, such as for an accessory dwelling unit (ADU), you can expect to pay between $6 and $8 per linear foot to install grounding wires. You may also need to install a new electrical panel, which will run between $520 and $2,100. Not only will the cost of installation increase, you may also need to replace affected drywall.

Hanging new drywall costs $1.50 to $3 per square foot, including installation. For any other electrical work, such as wiring in new appliances, hiring an electrician costs $50 to $100 per hour.

Additional Kitchenette Installation Cost Factors

When adding a kitchenette, you should factor in the price of materials such as countertops, cabinetry, and flooring—all of which have various price points based on the type you choose.

You’ll also need to consider the additional costs for appliances, plumbing, electrical, and more. Here is what you can expect to pay for these upgrades.

Countertops

Countertops vary in price based on the type of countertop material. The table below shows how much you can expect to pay per square foot, including installation for some of the most popular countertop materials.

Cabinetry

The cost to install kitchen cabinetry ranges from $100 to $1,500 per linear foot, depending on the type and style of cabinet. This estimate also includes the price of cabinet installation. High-end hardwoods, rare reclaimed woods, and custom, handcrafted units sit at the top end of this range. The labor for custom units costs at least three times more than the labor associated with stock units.

Backsplash

When choosing a stylish kitchen backsplash, you’ll need to consider the costs of different materials. For tile backsplashes, you'll pay $25 to $36 per square foot, including materials and installation. Standard ceramic tile backsplashes cost the least, at an average of $25 per square foot. Stone and glass both fall in the middle, with a typical cost of $30 and $32, respectively. Stainless steel tile backsplashes are the most expensive, at an average price of $36 per square foot.

Flooring

The flooring installation price for your kitchenette ranges from $3 to $22 per square foot.

Appliances

Because space is limited, a kitchenette usually includes only a handful of appliances. The price range for these appliances varies considerably. Here are some of the most common appliances and their price ranges (including the cost of installation):

• Microwave: $60–$1,440

• Toaster Oven: $25–$800

• Mini Refrigerator: $100–$300

• Dishwasher: $250–$3,500

• Electric Cooktop: $360–$1,800

• Under-Cabinet Lighting: $230–$300

Prep

If you plan to add a kitchenette to your basement or in an area with hard-to-reach plumbing, your contractor might need to run pipes underground. If so, you’ll pay additional labor fees and costs. For example, concrete removal costs between $540 and $1,680, and pouring a concrete slab will cost an additional $3,600 to $7,200.

Permits

If you are making any structural changes to your kitchen, such as moving a load-bearing wall, you may pay up to $1,000 for a permit. Whether you need any permits and how much they'll cost depends on where you live, and the project’s scope and location in (or out of) your home.

Building a Kitchenette Yourself vs. Hiring a Pro

Anything involving electricity or plumbing requires a licensed professional, especially if the work in question requires a permit. Because installing a kitchenette involves significant plumbing and electrical work, plus a fair amount of construction work for the cabinetry and countertops, it's worth outsourcing the project to a professional kitchen remodeler. 

Handy homeowners can save some money by DIYing certain aspects of the project. For instance, you can do some finishing work yourself, such as laying flooring, adding a tile backsplash, and installing cabinets or countertops. Doing so can save as much as $45 to $200 per hour in labor fees.

However, hiring a kitchen remodeler will ensure that all parts of your kitchenette installation run smoothly and that the job is done correctly from the get-go. If you make a mistake during a DIY installation, you'll have to hire a professional to fix your mistakes, so it's best to lean on the pros from the start.

Tips to Reduce the Cost Of Adding a Kitchenette to Your Home

Although adding a kitchenette to your home can become cost-prohibitive, there are ways you can save, including:

• Opt for less cabinetry

• Select pre-made cabinets instead of custom cabinetry

• Go for less countertop space 

• Choose less expensive countertop materials

• Eliminate the number of appliances

• Choose less expensive appliances

• Don’t add costly upgrades, such as a wine fridge

• Forego a backsplash or stencil your own

• Get at least three quotes from local kitchen remodelers

Does Adding a Kitchenette Add Value to a Home?

Any kind of kitchen remodel increases your home’s value, including a kitchenette. Adding a kitchenette offers a return on investment (ROI) of about 50% to 90%. When the time comes to sell your home, it can be a major selling point to future buyers. 

This means that if you build an average-sized kitchenette, you’ll likely be able to increase the value of your home by at least $7,000.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.