How much does a small kitchen remodel cost in 2024?

Planning a small kitchen remodel can transform one of the most used spaces in your home into a more functional and welcoming area. 

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from understanding what a kitchen remodel entails to cost factors, material choices, and the differences between DIY and professional renovations.

Whether you're simply upgrading or going for a full remodel, understanding the costs and planning the details will help you achieve a beautiful kitchen without any unnecessary stress. 

What are we going to talk about?

• What is a kitchen remodel?

• How much does it cost to remodel a small kitchen?

• What factors affect a small kitchen renovation cost?

• The most common remodel material and their cost

• What are the differences between a DIY and a professional?

What is a kitchen remodel?

A kitchen remodel involves updating and improving the look, layout, and functionality of your kitchen when you want it to be better. 

For a small kitchen, a remodel might include changing the cabinetry, replacing countertops, updating appliances, or reworking the kitchen layout to make the most of limited space. 

The goal is to create a space that is both practical for cooking and enjoyable for spending time in, whether with family or friends.

A kitchen remodel is not something really needed, unless the person wants the kitchen to have a freshened and modern look. In this situation, a kitchen remodel is the main choice for those who want to have a better looking space.

How much does it cost to remodel a small kitchen?

The cost of remodeling a small kitchen varies widely depending on the scope of work, choice of materials, and labor expenses. 

Each person may have to solve a specific problem, or simply wants a material that’s expensive, which means that the price is going to increase a little bit.

On average, small kitchen remodels in the U.S. can cost between $5,000 to $20,000. 

For a budget-friendly refresh, sticking to cosmetic updates like painting cabinets and updating light fixtures may keep costs closer to the lower end, while a more extensive remodel with high-end finishes can reach the higher end of that range.

But we got to say that there’s a few differences between the types of a small kitchen remodel. It depends if you want just a minor kitchen remodel or a major kitchen remodel. Basically, the differences are:

Cost of a Minor Kitchen Remodel

It’s alright if you’re happy with your kitchen’s layout, but once in a while the kitchens need a few improvements, mostly cosmetic.

This includes repainting the cabinets, installing new countertops or even painting the wall. Everything that includes just a small improvement and not substituting everything, is a minor remodel.

The cost varies based on the size of your kitchen, but the average costs for a minor kitchen remodel may vary between $5,000 to $20,000. 

But remember, the price depends on how many new appliances you want and how expensive the materials that’s needed for the work you need.

Cost of a Major kitchen Remodel

When we talk about a major kitchen remodel, like changing everything in your kitchen (tiles, painting, cabinetry, countertops, electrical system, making a kitchen island etc) the price will certainly increase.

An expensive remodeling job may cost between $17,500 to over $50,000, even for a small kitchen. 

But, of course, the price will depend on the size of your kitchen, if it’s an apartment, for example, the kitchen will cost even less than $5,000 (depending on how many improvements you want), as it is smaller than it can be in a house.

What factors affect a small kitchen renovation cost?

There are a lot of factors that can affect the renovation of a kitchen, and some of these costs are not related to the kitchen sizes (which obviously will increase the price), but with the materials on its own.

A lot of external factor can change the price, such as:

• Materials

• Labor

• Design

• Appliances

• Kitchen layout

• Permits

So even if it’s a small kitchen, layouts and square footage vary, affecting how much material and labor are needed.

Not everything has to be expensive, you just have to adapt your budget to the price. If you choose marble as your countertop or for flooring, for example, it is much more expensive than laminate or tile. 

Understanding these factors can help you prioritize where to allocate your budget based on what matters the most to you.

The most common remodel material and their cost

When looking at the price of the material, it’s going to depend on the type of material that you need. We say that because there are a lot of phases when it comes to a remodel (Labor, design, kitchen layout, permits etc). 

So you have to look at your project, see what you’re going to do in your kitchen (or what you’re planning to do), and then summarize all the costs.

All of the processes can include the costs of:

Labor

When it comes to a kitchen remodel, hiring a professional is the most adequate so you don’t have any problem or, if you do, they repair it to you without any additional costs.

But, of course, you have to pay the professional’s hour, which can vary a lot depending on the region or the professional. But, in average, these costs should be around: 

Expert Hourly Rate

Cabinet installer: $65–$110

Carpenter: $65–$85

Electrician: $50–$120

General contractor: 10%–20% of total project

Painter or drywaller: $25–$75

Plumber: $50–$150

Design

The design of your kitchen differs from what is your kitchen layout. Imagine if you have everything planned in your head, you know exactly the way you want your kitchen. 

The kitchen designer is a professional that will help you bring this project to reality, and they may charge $50 to $250 per hour, depending on the professional, because some of them charge a flat flee or a percentage of the overall cost.

The value can be even higher if you’re going to hire an independent specialist, which regularly charges around $1,500 to $2,500 for a full service, even with 3D rendering.

Kitchen Layout

A kitchen layout is determined by the size of your kitchen and where you want to put the things.

Galley kitchens, designed with one or two parallel rows of cabinets, tend to be the most budget-friendly option and work well for smaller areas. 

An L-shaped layout, ideal for kitchens with at least 100 square feet, also remains affordable.

Adding a peninsula or additional lower cabinets can drive up costs. U-shaped layouts and designs with islands are among the most costly options and are typically reserved for larger kitchens where more space is available.

Permits

When you’re doing a renovation in your house, you need some permits to avoid any future problem. These permits cost normally around $500 to $1500, depending on where you live

What are the differences between a DIY and a professional?

Whether you’re going to opt for doing it yourself (DIY) or hiring a professional, the choice can impact both your budget and the final outcome.

A DIY is indicated for smaller projects, such as painting cabinets or installing a new backsplash, a DIY approach can save money. 

However, DIY requires time, skill, and a willingness to troubleshoot unexpected issues. Issues can happen, when hiring a professional, you can be sure that he’s going to fix the problem.

Hiring a professional expert is also good because you’re going to have a professional team, which brings experience, especially with more complex tasks like electrical or plumbing work. 

Although the cost is higher, the quality of work and time saved often make it worth the investment.