How Much Does a Small Kitchen Remodel Cost? [2026 Data]

In 2026, the national average cost for a small kitchen remodel is $15,250. Most homeowners spend between $10,500 and $20,000, with the cost driven by cabinet choices, appliance upgrades, and whether plumbing or electrical fixtures need to move. Be sure to budget for labor, permits, repairs, and finishing touches like paint.

Small Kitchen Remodel Cost: What Is the Average?

A small kitchen remodel costs around $10,500 on average, with the final price shaped by the scope of your renovations, materials, labor, and permits. A small remodel typically involves aesthetic upgrades and minor layout changes rather than major structural transformations.

The following upgrades will impact your price:

• Cabinet replacement

• Countertop refinishing

• New sink

• Appliance upgrades

• Backsplash installation

• Painting walls

• Adding storage

Small Kitchen Remodeling Cost Factors: What Affects the Price?

Various cost factors impact the price of your small kitchen remodeling project, with the biggest being size, materials, and labor. The larger, more in-depth, and labor-intensive the project is, the higher the costs.

Here’s a breakdown of each of these components and their role in the average small kitchen remodel cost:

Size

Remodeling a kitchen costs about $150 per square foot, so a small kitchen in the typical 70 to 100 square foot range will run $10,500 to $15,000.

Costs scale up from there, reaching $22,500 for a 150-square-foot kitchen and $25,500 for a 170-square-foot space, as shown in the breakdown by square footage below:

Project Scope

For a major or complete overhaul that includes moving plumbing and electrical work, structural changes, custom cabinetry, luxury finishes, and a new kitchen island, expect to pay at least $20,000.

Your project's scope and complexity directly shape what you spend on a small kitchen remodel. Minor remodeling refreshes the space without changing the layout, covering tasks like refinishing cabinets, replacing countertops or flooring, painting walls, and upgrading appliances, while a small remodel with full cabinet replacements will cost significantly more than one limited to painting and plumbing fixes with only a cabinet refacing. 

Cabinets

Kitchen cabinets cost $1,900 to $9,400 for a small kitchen, making them roughly 50% of your total project budget. Per-linear-foot pricing runs $100 to $1,200, depending on the size, depth, and material you choose, and most small kitchens require around 15 linear feet of cabinets.

Appliances

Home appliances cost $350 to $8,000 per appliance on average, including installation, with the lower end covering smaller items like microwave ovens and the upper end reflecting high-tech options like stainless steel smart refrigerators. If your new appliance requires new electrical wiring or plumbing, installation costs will push toward the higher end of that range.

Countertops

The cost of countertops in a small kitchen runs $1,050 to $7,000, or $15 to $70 per square foot, with material choice being the primary cost driver. Granite, marble, and stainless steel sit at the higher end, while laminate, wood, and Corian offer more budget-friendly alternatives.

Backsplash

Small kitchen backsplash installation costs $600 to $1,300, with per-square-foot pricing ranging from $15 to $40. Ceramic and porcelain tiles are the most budget-friendly options, while glass and stainless steel backsplashes carry a higher price tag.

Flooring

For a small kitchen, flooring costs $1,000 to $1,250 on average, with material choice having the biggest impact on where you land in that range. Vinyl and linoleum come in at the lower end, while ceramic, stone, porcelain tile, and hardwood flooring push costs toward the higher end.

Plumbing, Sinks and Faucets

Installing or replacing plumbing fixtures can add $350 to $2,000 to your small kitchen remodel, with costs varying by the specific work involved. Installing a kitchen faucet costs $160 to $360, and installing a sink costs $200 to $650 on average. If your plumbing work requires a permit, budget an additional $500 to $1,500 for that expense.

Here's how the costs break down:

Lighting

Enhancing your kitchen lighting typically costs $50 to $500, covering options like pendant lighting, recessed lights, under-cabinet lighting, chandeliers, and flush-mount fixtures. If you want a more high-end look with premium or high-tech kitchen lighting, expect to spend $2,000 to $4,500.

Electrical

You'll need to hire an electrician near you to install your new kitchen lighting, and hiring an electrician costs $50 to $100 per hour. Costs vary depending on the fixture type, as shown in the table below:

Paint

The cost to paint kitchen cabinets and drawers runs $400 to $1,400, while painting the walls costs $2 to $6 per square foot, or $140 to $600 for the average small kitchen. If you take on the painting yourself, you'll pay only for materials, with paint averaging $25 per gallon.

Drywall

Installing drywall costs $105 to $300 on average for a small kitchen, or $1.50 to $3 per square foot. Thicker, moisture-resistant panels carry a higher price than standard drywall, so your material choice will determine where you land in that range.

Labor

Labor for a small kitchen remodel averages $1,900 to $2,700, representing roughly 18% of your total project costs. Projects that require new electrical wiring or plumbing will sit at the higher end, since those tasks call for separate specialized contractors.

Permits

Permits for a kitchen remodel cost $500 to $1,500, with the final amount depending on your location, the size of the remodel, and the type of work involved. New wiring, plumbing, and any foundation or structural work will push permit costs toward the higher end of that range.

Design Work

Why You Should Hire a Kitchen Remodeling Pro

Hiring a local kitchen remodeling company costs more upfront, but you benefit from faster results, less risk of damage or complications, and a professional finish. Pros bring specialized equipment and experience, making the process smoother and often saving you money in the long run.

Here’s why it’s ideal to hire a kitchen remodeling company

Remodeling a kitchen is an extensive project that requires specialized expertise. Here are some of the top reasons to work with a pro:

• Pros have the experience to handle intricate installations, from plumbing to electrical work, and ensure precision and lasting results.

• Working with a pro prevents costly errors in planning, material selection, and installation that could become costly to fix mid-project.

• A professional remodel team streamlines your kitchen project, completing the renovation more quickly and minimizing disruption to your life.

• Local kitchen remodel companies know and follow all building codes and regulations, ensuring your renovation is safe and legally compliant.

If you want to DIY a kitchen remodel

If you want to take on some aspects of the project yourself, here are a few DIY tasks that can help save time and labor costs:

• Empty all cabinets and drawers, storing your items out of the way and keep essential kitchen tools accessible in another location.

• Set up a temporary cooking area in another room with smaller, portable appliances, such as a microwave, coffee maker, and mini-fridge.

• Cover any furniture or items in adjoining rooms that could be affected by dust or debris.

• Measure doorways and hallways to ensure there is a clear path for workers and new appliances to get in and out.

Signs Your Kitchen Needs to Be Remodeled

If you recognize any of these signs, it’s time to consider a small I’m kitchen remodel:

• Outdated Appearance: Your kitchen isn’t up to par with your tastes or feels stuck in a different decade.

• Inadequate Storage Space: You find yourself doing a dance to get around because there’s not enough space for pots, pans, and pantry essentials.

• Wear and Tear: Cabinets are falling apart, countertops are chipped, and flooring could use a refinish.

• Inefficient Appliances: Your appliances are past their prime, leaving you with high energy bills or difficulty with cooking and cleaning.

• Safety Concerns: You’ve spotted some kitchen hazards like faulty wiring or slippery flooring.

• Resale Value: If you plan to sell your home, an updated kitchen is a great way to attract buyers and increase the value of your property.

How to Save When Remodeling a Small Kitchen

Since kitchen remodeling is largely a matter of personal taste, you can easily go over budget if you’re not careful or start picking out high-end materials. If you’re working with a smaller budget, you can still make the most out of your remodel by following these tips for saving money:

• Since cabinets take up half of the project’s cost, choose stock cabinets over custom cabinets. 

• Avoid purchasing high-tech appliances with big price tags. 

• Select cost-friendly materials for your countertops, floors, and cabinets like wood, laminate, and porcelain. 

• DIY simple projects like painting existing cabinets and installing a backsplash.

• Try to install appliances that use the same plumbing and electrical system you currently use.

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. 

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