Renovate Small Kitchen

Ideas, costs, tips and plans - the information you need for a successful Small Kitchen Renovation project

December 2021

Homeowners have many important questions about their Small Kitchen Renovation Project. How much will it cost? How long will it take? What problem areas do I need to watch out for? Can I recover my Small Kitchen Renovation investment when I sell? Can I do some of the work myself? What can I do to make sure that the work is done right?

Costs, materials and best practices for the example Small Kitchen Renovation project will help you answer these questions. Use this information to develop a budget, bid requirements, hiring contracts and a project plan.

Small Kitchen Renovation - Project Overview

The approximate costs and value of a typical Small Kitchen Renovation project are summarized below. Use higher estimates for larger metropolitan areas and the lower estimates where home prices are below the national average. Adjust costs for substitutions or refinements in the last section. For size differences of up to 25%, scale total costs in direct proportion to the size of your project. Use the adjusted costs as a basis for setting a material budget and for comparing contractor bids (if you choose to have a professional perform the work).

Project descriptionReplace cabinetry, flooring, window treatments, plumbing fixtures, and lighting. Replace appliances. Update molding and paint. Use better grade materials, fabrication and finishing detail.
Project size120 square foot kitchen
Material and labor cost$30,204 - $35,238
Material cost$15,282 - $17,829
Do-it-yourself assessmentThe typical Small Kitchen Renovation project involves tasks that are best performed by experienced professionals. Good quality Small Kitchen Renovation requires considerable experience, skill and attention to detail. Do it yourself mistakes are noticeable, may be difficulty to remedy and may actually reduce the market value of the project and your home.
First year Return on Investment - ROIResults vary widely and can be affected by the range of home prices in your neighborhood, the overall condition of your home and sensible design choices. A high quality Small Kitchen Renovation project in an appropriate neighborhood can return 93% or more of its initial cost.
First year Return on Investment - ROIActual returns vary widely and are affected by the range of home prices in your neighborhood, the overall condition of your home and sensible design choices. A good quality Small Kitchen Renovation project in the right neighborhoods can return 61% - 72% of its initial cost.
Green ratingSmall Kitchen Renovation projects can employ renewable resources and environmentally friendly construction materials. Efficient lighting, HVAC, insulation and appliance choices can significantly reduce the energy footprint of your home.

Small Kitchen Renovation - Project Plan and Details

The following list includes major work tasks commonly performed during Small Kitchen Renovation. Use this list to understand the timing and sequence of different steps in the Small Kitchen Renovation project. Click any Task name for a complete written specifications, FAQs and quality checklist for the task - this essential information will help you control Small Kitchen Renovation project cost and quality.

Do you expect to spend more than $250 on your Small Kitchen Renovation project? If so, it is important create and manage a detailed plan for all project activities.

TaskService ProviderTimeDifficultyBasic Cost Range
Produce Kitchen Remodeling PlansKitchen Designer5 to 15 d$771 - $1,288
Prepare Kitchen Remodeling BudgetGeneral Contractor3 to 5 d$578 - $966 per project
Remove CountertopsDemolition Laborer1 d$18.70 - $31.22
Remove CabinetsDemolition Laborer1 d$4.67 - $7.81 per linear foot
Re-Wire KitchenElectrician2 to 3 d$1,528 - $2,633
Install Kitchen Base CabinetsFinish Carpenter1 to 2 d$422 - $768
Install Wall CabinetsFinish Carpenter1 to 2 d$356 - $645
Install Concrete CountertopsInstaller6 d$92 - $168 per square foot
Install Track LightingElectrician1 to 2 d$369 - $628
Install Trim MoldingFinish Carpenter1 to 2 d$5.40 - $9.41 per linear foot
Paint KitchenPainting Contractor1 to 3 d$5.74 - $9.79 per square foot
Paint WallpaperPainting Contractor1 to 3 d$3.11 - $5.31 per square foot
Install Bamboo FlooringFlooring Contractor1 to 2 d$8.15 - $14.10 per square foot
Replace Kitchen FaucetPlumber1 d$325 - $572
Install RefrigeratorAppliance Service and Repair Technician1 d$1,057 - $1,939
Install Gas CooktopAppliance Service and Repair Technician1 d$1,023 - $1,871
Install Trash CompactorAppliance Service and Repair Technician1 d$1,029 - $1,886
Install Window ShadesFinish Carpenter1 d$127 - $223

Small Kitchen Renovation - Proven Ideas and Project Tips

Review these tips, design suggestions, options and lessons learned before finalizing your Small Kitchen Renovation project plan.

  • To maximize return on the Small Kitchen Renovation project, limit cost to no more than 11% of home's total, post project value
  • Match appliances and fixtures to electrical circuit, hot water and gas capacities
  • Perform major Small Kitchen Renovation work with permits to help protect value at resale time
  • To reduce Small Kitchen Renovation costs, do not install flooring under base cabinets or permanent appliances
  • Use bright lighting to make a small room appear larger
  • Raise the ceiling to increase the volume and feel of spaciousness in a small room
  • Use narrow depth, ceiling height cabinets to maximize storage space in a small room
  • Use recessed storage organizers to consolidate minimize storage space
  • Install built-in cabinet storage for trash and recycling

Hiring Local Professionals

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