Quick answer
The average small kitchen remodel cost in Miami is $12,000 to $20,000 for a cosmetic refresh and $25,000 to $40,000 for a mid-range remodel with new cabinets, for kitchens under 100 square feet, according to Block’s 2026 kitchen remodel guide.
Layout changes add $3,000 to $15,000 on their own, and mid-range kitchen remodels in Miami run $30,000 to $70,000 at any size, so get a written quote for your kitchen.
Small Kitchen Remodel Cost by Scope
Your small kitchen remodel cost depends mostly on how much of the room changes. The small band covers kitchens under 100 square feet with 10 to 20 linear feet of cabinets. A 10×10 room sits on the line between the small and medium bands, so confirm which band a quote assumes before you compare totals.
| Scope | Typical range |
| Small kitchen, cosmetic refresh (under 100 sq ft) | $12,000 to $20,000 |
| Small kitchen, mid-range remodel | $25,000 to $40,000 |
| Small kitchen, gut renovation | $50,000 to $80,000 |
| Mid-range kitchen remodel in Miami (any size) | $30,000 to $70,000 |
A gut renovation strips the room to the studs and changes the layout, so it is a different project from a mid-range update, not a bigger version of one. Most small kitchens do not need that scope. If the walls, plumbing, and electrical are in good shape, a cosmetic or mid-range job may cover what the room needs.
Why Two Small Kitchens Cost Different Amounts
Square footage sets the band, but it does not set the final small kitchen remodel cost. Walls that move, the number of plumbing and electrical runs that change, and how much of the existing construction survives all move the total. Two kitchens of the same size can land in different bands for those reasons alone.
Labor adds another layer. Skilled trades run $75 to $120 per hour in major metros and $40 to $60 per hour in lower-cost markets, according to current labor rates for remodeling work, so the local rate matters as much as the scope. When you compare quotes, ask each contractor which rate its labor line assumes.
What a Cosmetic Refresh Keeps
A cosmetic refresh keeps the layout, the existing plumbing and electrical runs, and often the cabinet boxes. The money goes to visible surfaces: door and drawer fronts, countertops, backsplash, lighting, hardware, and paint. It is the lowest-risk path when the room works and the problem is appearance.
Before you commit to cosmetic work, ask a contractor to check the cabinet boxes for water damage. New doors hung on weak boxes will not last, and that check costs far less than a second job. Our kitchen remodeling services cover cabinets, countertops, flooring, and backsplash work, along with the plumbing and electrical coordination around it.
What a Mid-Range Remodel Adds
A mid-range remodel replaces cabinets, countertops, and appliances without changing the footprint. Cabinets are usually the largest single line, so compare cabinet quotes on the same basis: materials only or installed, and whether removal is included. Our kitchen cabinets services cover stock, semi-custom, and custom options, so you can match the tier to your layout.
Appliances also move the total. A basic package with a refrigerator, range, dishwasher, and microwave runs $1,200 to $2,100, a mid-range package $2,100 to $5,400, and a high-end package $5,400 to $13,000, according to appliance package price data. Choose the tier before you set the budget.
Layout Changes and Permits
Miami-Dade’s permit guidance says same-configuration cabinet replacement inside residential units does not need a building permit. Plumbing, ventilation, or electrical work that is relocated, reconfigured, or altered does. Moving a sink is a typical example, and so is changing the electrical for a range in a new position.
Layout changes typically cost $3,000 to $15,000 depending on what moves and how far, and permits run $500 to $1,500 in most markets. Build permit review time into the schedule before you order cabinets, because a layout change can hold up the rest of the job.
Where a Small Kitchen Budget Goes
Costs stack in a predictable order on a mid-range project. These are the lines to check in any quote.
- Demolition and disposal. Ask whether the quote includes hauling away the old cabinets, countertops, and flooring.
- Rough plumbing and electrical. Moving a sink or range adds this work. It is hidden once the walls close, so it is easy to leave out of an early quote.
- Cabinets and installation. The tier and the linear footage set most of this line.
- Countertops. Material choice and template fees vary, so ask for countertops as a separate line.
- Backsplash, lighting, and finish work. These items are often underpriced in early estimates.
- Appliances. Many owners buy these separately, so confirm whether the contractor installs them and whether that work is in the price.
On a $50,000 mid-range kitchen, cabinets and hardware take roughly 25% to 35%, labor 20% to 35%, appliances 10% to 20%, and countertops and backsplash 10% to 15%. A small kitchen will not match these shares exactly, but a quote that gives labor or cabinets a very small share deserves a question.
Hidden Costs and Contingency
Early estimates often miss a few costs. Hiring a contractor for kitchen demolition typically costs $1,000 to $3,000, and a dumpster rental runs $300 to $600. Ask whether the quote includes both, and who hauls away the debris.
Appliance storage and eating out during the job are real costs too. They are hard to price in advance, so ask whether either one is in the estimate.
Homes built before the 1980s are more likely to contain asbestos, and testing for it usually costs $250 to $850. Average removal runs $1,192 to $3,240 when hazards turn up. Ask for testing before demolition starts, not after the walls are open.
Designer fees are a separate line. Certified independent designers charge $65 to $250 per hour, or 10% to 20% of the total remodel cost. Ask for the fee in writing before the design work starts.
We recommend setting aside 15% to 20% of the line-item budget for surprises, and using the same range for large kitchens. Contingency is not a sign that a quote is padded. It covers the wall and subfloor problems that only appear once demolition begins.
Before You Request a Quote
- Decide the layout first. Changes to plumbing or walls add work beyond the finishes, so settle them before you compare bids.
- Ask for an itemized quote. Cabinets, countertops, labor, and permits should each appear as a line.
- Confirm what is included. Ask whether the quote covers demolition, disposal, and the permit fee.
- Keep a contingency. Opening walls in an older home can reveal plumbing or electrical problems, so budget for that possibility.
Once you have the layout and the tier, request a written estimate from our team for your kitchen in Doral, Miami, Hialeah, Kendall, Coral Gables or Miami Springs.
How to Read a Small Kitchen Quote
Compare quotes line by line, not by the total. A low total often leaves out demolition, permit fees, or appliance installation. If two quotes differ by a large amount, ask each contractor to explain the gap in writing. The difference usually sits in layout changes, cabinet tier, or what each quote assumes about the old floor and walls.
Timing a Small Kitchen Remodel
Cosmetic work can usually start soon after approval, because it avoids new permits. Layout changes need permit review first, so build that time into the schedule before the demolition date.
Cabinet delivery often sets the pace. Stock cabinets typically arrive in 1 to 5 weeks, semi-custom in 5 to 6 weeks, and custom in 8 weeks to 6 months, according to This Old House’s guide to kitchen cabinets. Order them before demolition is scheduled, so the crew is not waiting on boxes.
Working With a Local Remodeler
Suarez Home Solutions Corp is based in Doral and serves Doral, Miami, Hialeah, Kendall, Coral Gables and Miami Springs. Our Miami service area page lists the neighborhoods we cover, and a written estimate lets you check each line against the ranges above.
A small kitchen project is easier to control when one company handles the scope from start to finish. The kitchen remodeling service includes a free in-home estimate and permit guidance. To learn more about the company, read about our team. For more budget guides, browse our remodeling articles.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a small kitchen remodel cost in Miami?
A cosmetic refresh of a small kitchen usually runs $12,000 to $20,000, and a mid-range remodel $25,000 to $40,000. For kitchens of any size in Miami, a mid-range remodel is listed at $30,000 to $70,000. A written quote gives the exact number for your space.
Is a cosmetic refresh cheaper than a full remodel?
Yes. For a small kitchen, the cosmetic range is $12,000 to $20,000, against $25,000 to $40,000 for a mid-range remodel. The cosmetic option keeps the layout and plumbing in place.
Do I need a permit to remodel a small kitchen?
Not for cosmetic work or same-layout cabinet replacement. Moving plumbing, ventilation, or electrical work needs a permit under Miami-Dade’s rules.
Does a smaller kitchen always cost less?
The total is usually lower, but not in proportion. Demolition, permit fees, and a new plumbing run cost about the same in a small room as in a larger one, so fixed costs weigh more heavily on a small kitchen.
Does a kitchen remodel recover its cost?
A well-executed remodel typically returns 60% to 80% of its cost at resale, according to one guide’s general estimate. Smaller, broadly appealing projects tend to return the highest percentages, so the return can be higher on a small kitchen than on a large one.
How long does a small kitchen remodel take?
The construction schedule depends on scope, but cabinet delivery is often the longest wait. Stock cabinets typically arrive in 1 to 5 weeks, and custom cabinets can take 8 weeks to 6 months.
How much should I set aside for surprises?
We recommend 15% to 20% of the line-item budget. Opening walls in an older home can reveal plumbing or electrical problems, so that buffer matters most there.
Do appliances change the total much?
A basic package with a refrigerator, range, dishwasher, and microwave costs $1,200 to $2,100. A mid-range package runs $2,100 to $5,400, and a high-end package $5,400 to $13,000.
