How Much Does a Kitchenette Cost to Install? [2026 Data]

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Cost Insights:
  • Professional kitchenette installation costs between $9,750 and $19,500 depending on your space size and the materials you select.

  • Your total changes based on whether plumbing and electrical lines already exist near the installation area or need new runs.

  • Account for concrete removal and new slab work if you add a kitchenette in a basement or area with hard-to-reach plumbing.

  • Hiring a local kitchen remodeling professional ensures your kitchenette meets building codes and boosts your home resale value.

In 2026, the national average cost to add a kitchenette is $15,750, covering electrical systems, plumbing, cabinetry, walls, floors, and appliances. Most homeowners spend between $9,750 and $19,500, with the spread driven by project size, material and appliance quality, and whether existing electrical or plumbing connections are already in place.

How Much Does a Kitchenette Cost by Square Foot?

Kitchenette installation costs $150 to $300 per square foot, with existing plumbing and electrical lines keeping that figure toward the lower end. Kitchenettes are rarely built under 50 square feet, since the space must accommodate food prep and storage for cookware. Here’s how the size of the kitchenette in square feet influences the average installation cost:

Kitchenette Size in Square FeetCost Range in 2026Average Cost in 2026
50$7,500–$15,000$11,300
60$9,000–$18,000$13,500
70$10,500–$21,000$15,800
80$12,000–$24,000$18,000

Kitchenette Pro Costs: What Homeowners Pay

Most kitchenette installations require several types of professionals, and understanding each pro's rate helps you budget accurately before work begins. A local kitchen remodeler typically oversees the project, while specialists handle trades: 

  • General contractor: 10%–20% of the total project cost

  • Electrician: $50–$100 per hour

  • Plumber: $45–$200 per hour

  • Handyperson: $60–$140 per hour

  • Flooring Installer: $3–$7 per square foot

  • Tiler: $4–$25 per square foot

How Much Do Plumbers Cost for Kitchenette Installation?

New plumbing for a kitchenette costs $400 to $2,000, depending on the complexity of the runs and how far pipes need to travel. Plumbing costs beyond the main installation vary by task, including the following:

How Much Do Electricians Cost for Kitchenette Installation?

Electrical work for a kitchenette starts at $8 to $12 per linear foot for new wiring and $100 to $185 per outlet. Existing nearby lines keep costs lower, and longer runs for spaces like accessory dwelling units require $6 to $8 per linear foot to install grounding wires. If your project requires upgrading the service, installing a new electrical panel adds $520 to $2,100, and any disturbed walls will need hanging new drywall at $1.50 to $3 per square foot. For appliance wiring and other general electrical tasks, an electrician charges $50 to $100 per hour.

Kitchenette Cost Factors: What Affects the Price?

A kitchenette with blue tile backsplash
PC Photography / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images

The final cost of a kitchenette depends heavily on your material selections and the scope of mechanical work required, with countertops, cabinetry, flooring, appliances, plumbing, and electrical each contributing meaningfully to the total. Costs vary significantly by the type and quality you choose, so here is a breakdown of what to expect for each component.

Countertops

Total installed costs for countertops depend heavily on the type of countertop material you choose. Below is a breakdown of average countertop pricing across popular options:

Countertop MaterialCost Range per Square Foot in 2026Average Cost per Square Foot in 2026
Granite$25–$170$97
Soapstone$30–$100$65
Marble$25–$220$122
Quartzite$50–$200$100
Slate$30–$90$60
Limestone$20–$100$60
Travertine$21–$65$43
Engineered Stone Quartz$25–$100$62
Corian$30–$105$67
Acrylic$23–$60$41
Laminate$40–$80$60
Ceramic$11–$58$35
Concrete$60–$130$95
Wood$28–$68$48
Butcher Block$25–$65$45
Stainless Steel$70–$130$100
Copper$100–$175$137

Cabinetry

The cost to install kitchen cabinetry ranges from $100 to $1,500 per linear foot, including installation, with the type and style of cabinet driving where you land in that range. High-end hardwoods, rare reclaimed woods, and custom handcrafted units sit at the top end, and the labor for custom units costs at least three times as much as for stock units.

Backsplash

A stylish kitchen backsplash costs $25 to $36 per square foot, including materials and installation, with the material you choose determining your placement within that range. Here’s the average cost of a few common backsplash materials:

  • Ceramic tile: $25 per square foot

  • Stone: $30 per square foot

  • Glass: $32 per square foot

  • Stainless steel: $36 per square foot

Flooring

Common flooring options for a kitchenette include wood, laminate, linoleum, tile, wood-tile, and carpeting. Flooring type plays a major role in total cost, as shown in the table below:

Flooring TypeCost per Square Foot in 2026Average Cost per Square Foot in 2026
Wood$5.50–$21$13
Laminate$3.20–$9$6
Vinyl and Linoleum$3–$12$7
Tile$4.50–$22$13
Wood Tile$3–$13.50$8
Carpeting$4.50–$14$9

Appliances

A kitchenette's limited footprint means you'll only install a handful of appliances, but the price range for these appliances still varies considerably depending on the type and model you choose. Common options and their installed costs include.

  • Microwave: $60–$1,440

  • Toaster Oven: $25–$800

  • Mini Refrigerator: $100–$300

  • Dishwasher: $250–$3,500

  • Electric Cooktop: $360–$1,800

  • Under-Cabinet Lighting: $230–$300

Prep

Adding a kitchenette in a basement or in any area with hard-to-reach plumbing may require your contractor to run pipes underground, which can add significant cost to the project. Concrete removal runs $540 to $1,680, and pouring a concrete slab adds another $3,600 to $7,200.

Permits

Structural changes to your kitchenette, such as moving a load-bearing wall, may require a permit that costs up to $1,000. Whether a permit is required and what it costs depends on your location and the specific scope of your project.

Why You Should Hire a Kitchen Remodeling Pro

If you hire local kitchen remodeling pros for your kitchenette installation, labor accounts for between 10 and 20% of your total project cost. While significant, the cost is worthwhile to ensure an efficient, stress-free installation that adheres to building codes and delivers quality craftsmanship that adds value to the home.

Here's why it's ideal to hire a kitchen remodeling pro

Installing a kitchenette is a complex project comparable to building a full-sized kitchen. Here are some of the reasons why it's best to leave it to a pro:

  • Kitchen remodelers can expertly manage every aspect of a complex project, including plumbing and electrical.

  • They have the experience to know how to use your space most efficiently.

  • Experts will complete your kitchenette efficiently, saving you stress and time.

  • Only licensed pros should handle electrical, plumbing, gas, and structural changes.

  • Pros will ensure the work adheres to local building codes.

  • A professionally installed kitchenette will add greater resale value to your home.

  • Kitchen contractors often have relationships with various quality material suppliers, offering potential discounts.

  • DIY mistakes can result in misaligned cabinets, plumbing leaks, and electrical hazards.

  • A reputable contractor will carry insurance and offer warranties for their work.

If you want to DIY a kitchenette

While the major elements of a kitchenette are best left to the pros, there are several smaller tasks you can complete on your own:

  • Painting walls and ceilings

  • Installing cabinet hardware

  • Installing a peel-and-stick backsplash

  • Installing floating shelves and other décor

Tips to Reduce the Cost of Adding a Kitchenette to Your Home

Although adding a kitchenette to your home can become cost-prohibitive, there are ways you can save, including:

  • Opt for less cabinetry

  • Select pre-made cabinets instead of custom cabinetry

  • Go for less countertop space

  • Choose less expensive countertop materials

  • Eliminate the number of appliances

  • Choose less expensive appliances

  • Don't add costly upgrades, such as a wine fridge

  • Forego a backsplash or stencil your own

  • Get at least three quotes from local kitchen remodelers

Does Adding a Kitchenette Add Value to a Home?

Any kind of kitchen remodel increases your home's value, including a kitchenette. Adding a kitchenette offers a return on investment (ROI) of about 50% to 90%. When the time comes to sell your home, it can be a major selling point to future buyers.

This means that if you build an average-sized kitchenette, you'll likely be able to increase the value of your home by at least $7,000.

Next Steps: Finalize Your Project With a Pro
  • Have a budget in mind before calling a pro, as this will determine the scope and materials they suggest.

  • Remodelers will know how to use your space most efficiently, but you should have an idea of the footprint you want your kitchenette to occupy.

  • Decide in advance what appliances and other functionality you want your kitchenette to have.

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. 

Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Generally, a food preparation space under 80 square feet is classified as a kitchenette. To be classified as a full-size kitchen, the space should be greater than 80 square feet. Another significant difference is the cost. While a kitchenette averages $9,750 and $19,500, a full kitchen remodel will cost $14,615 to $41,420.

Usually, a kitchenette does not have a stove. But if you have the space, you could add a small stove. If you choose to install a stove, you’ll also need to add an exhaust fan. You can expect to pay an average price of $750 to install an exhaust fan. That’s why you'll commonly see kitchenettes with countertop hotplates instead.

Yes, you can add a kitchenette to a basement. However, you’ll have to consider the costs associated with basement kitchenettes. If you’re starting from scratch in an unfinished basement, you’ll need to account for brand-new plumbing, electrical, flooring, and more in addition to the cost of the kitchenette. If you’re putting a kitchenette in an already finished basement equipped with plumbing and electrical, you’ll save considerable money.

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