How Much Does It Cost to Remodel a 10x10 Kitchen?

Reviewed by Dan Simms remodeling expert. Written by Fixr.com.

A 10x10 kitchen remodel costs an average of $15,000, and most homeowners pay between $10,000 and $25,000. You could pay as little as $7,500 if you cut costs by painting or refacing kitchen cabinets over replacing them and keeping your existing appliances. If you’re splurging on a luxury kitchen remodel, expect to pay $25,000 or more.

Quick Takeaways

• The average cost to remodel a 10x10 kitchen is $15,000, which includes replacing cabinets and installing new countertops and appliances.

• Keep costs as low as possible by maintaining your existing kitchen layout and keeping the square footage the same.

• The quality of the materials you choose will play the biggest role in your kitchen remodel costs, with prices ranging from $75 per square foot for budget materials up to $250 or more for high-end materials.

Cost Factors to Consider

The price to remodel a 10x10 kitchen ranges so much because there are a few major factors that contribute to your total cost.

Quality of the Remodel

The most crucial cost factor to consider is the quality of the remodel you want to complete, which dictates how much you’ll spend on each of the following cost factors.

A cosmetic overhaul will be the most affordable, at just $75 per square foot, but will have the smallest impact on your kitchen. Going with a budget or low-end remodel will cost an average of just $100 per square foot and will provide a more extensive facelift for the space. A mid-range remodel will push your cost per square foot to $150, and a high-end remodel to install a luxury kitchen will cost around $250 or more per square foot.

Deciding which tier you want to go for is an important first step that will inform all of your other decisions.

• Cosmetic repair only: Refinishing existing kitchen cabinets; keeping the same appliances and countertops; painting; replacing flooring, backsplash, and plumbing and electric fixtures

• Budget remodel: Replacing cabinets and countertops with budget materials; keeping existing appliances; painting; replacing flooring, backsplash, and faucets

• Mid-range remodel: Same as a budget remodel but replacing appliances and opting for higher-quality materials that look nicer and last longer

• High-end kitchen remodel: Can include changing the layout and placement of plumbing fixtures for added functionality; installing luxury materials and appliances; upgrading to high-end, commercial appliances

Kitchen Layout

The layout of your kitchen plays a big role in both the room’s utility and your remodeling costs. If you have a galley kitchen and want to open up the space by removing walls and installing an L-shaped kitchen, or you want to add new cabinetry at the end to create a U-shaped kitchen, your price will climb higher than the average of $15,000.

This is especially true if you want to move plumbing fixtures and appliance locations. Relocating a sink or an electric stove will require help from a plumber or electrician, which can add between $1,000 and $4,000 to your total.

Structural Changes

Similarly, making structural changes to your home to accommodate a different layout will add to your kitchen renovation costs. Knocking down a load-bearing wall to open up the space, for example, can bump up your total by $2,000 to $3,000.

Utilities

Aside from the $1,000 to $4,000 in added costs you’d pay to move appliances or plumbing fixtures, you may need to pay professionals for other utility-related work, like upgrading to GFCI outlets along your countertops — which cost $150 to $350 each — or installing gas lines to convert to a gas stove — which costs between $200 and $1,300.

Kitchen Cabinets

Close to 30% of your kitchen remodel budget will go toward cabinets in most cases, although that number can vary widely, depending on your kitchen remodel ideas. You can keep your project costs down by refinishing or painting your existing kitchen cabinets yourself, which is time-consuming but can save an average of $5,000.

Replacing your cabinets is a good way to modernize your kitchen and create a fresh new look, and in that case, the quality of the materials will be the biggest factor to consider. You could pay as little as $100 per linear foot for a low-end cabinet made of MDF. A plywood cabinet, which is more durable, will cost an average of $200 per linear foot. Selecting the best kitchen cabinets — high-quality, custom cabinetry — averages around $300 per linear foot but can climb as high as $500.

A 10x10 kitchen will typically have between 20 and 30 linear feet of cabinets, including upper and lower cabinets, so you can base your cabinet costs on that average and the quality of the materials you’re going for.

Kitchen Countertops

Countertops are another area where your 10x10 kitchen remodel costs can vary widely. The most affordable option, of course, is to keep your existing countertops, but if you’re replacing them, expect to pay between $8 and $190 per square foot. The cost of new kitchen countertops will depend mostly on the material you choose but also on the thickness, finish, and edge options.

A 10x10 kitchen will have an average of 30 square feet of countertop—15 linear feet at a depth of 2 feet—so you can use the table below for estimates based on countertop materials.

Kitchen Appliances

Replacing kitchen appliances in a kitchen costs an average of $5,000, and prices can fall anywhere between $2,500 if you keep some of your existing appliances and $7,000 or more if you’re replacing them all. Splurging on high-end appliances can increase your appliance package costs to $20,000 or more.

You can start your remodel plans by considering the average costs of the appliances you’ll need.

You may also need to budget for new appliance connections if your remodel involves relocating the existing ones or if you’re swapping from an electric stove to a gas stove or a gas stove to an electric one. Relocating appliances can add $1,000 to your total if it involves rerouting plumbing lines for an ice maker. Installing a 240-volt outlet for an electric stove will add $150 to $300 in electrical work, while installing a gas line for a gas range can add $800 to your appliance costs.

Flooring

Installing new flooring in your kitchen will cost an average of $11 per square foot for a total of $1,100 in a 10x10 kitchen remodel. However, the price will fluctuate based on the type of flooring you pick, with costs ranging from as low as $3 per square foot for laminate or sheet vinyl up to $25 per square foot for hardwood.

The table below includes average costs for new flooring in a 10x10 kitchen, but note that these can vary slightly based on the complexity of your kitchen layout.

Labor

Labor costs will account for between 50% and 60% of your kitchen renovation costs, or a total of between $7,500 and $9,000 for a 10x10 kitchen.

Hiring a general contractor to handle the project from start to finish is usually the least expensive route, while hiring individual subcontractors can add 10% to 20% to your total. If you want to hire a kitchen designer for the best finished product, allocate between $1,500 and $3,000 for design services.

Below are some additional service costs you may need to consider for your 10x10 kitchen remodeling project.

• Cost to hire a plumber: $75–$150 per hour

• Cost to hire an electrician: $170–$300 per hour

• Cost to hire an interior painter: $40–$60 per hour

• Cost to hire a tile specialist: $7–$14 per square foot

How to Save Money on Your Kitchen Remodel

Kitchen remodel costs can quickly get out of hand, even for a smaller-sized, 10x10 kitchen. Here are some tips to help keep your renovation as affordable as possible.

• Keep your layout the same: Knocking down load-bearing walls to open up your kitchen or changing the layout can add thousands to your total. Avoid these changes for the most affordable kitchen remodel.

• Choose mid-range materials: Low-end materials cost the least upfront, but they can cost more over time since they won’t last as long. Choose mid-range materials to balance upfront cost and durability.

• Keep what you can: Refinishing your cabinets and saving appliances that are in good condition can save a few thousand dollars on your remodel.

• Look for rebates: If you install energy-efficient appliances, look for rebates for efficiency improvements from your local government, the federal government, or your utility company.

FAQ: How Much Does It Cost to Remodel a 10x10 Kitchen?