What is the average cost per square foot for a galley kitchen remodel?

For a mid-range remodel, most homeowners spend $150 to $250 per square foot. Budget remodels with basic materials can be as low as $100 per square foot, while high-end remodels with custom cabinets and premium stone can exceed $300 per square foot.

How do I calculate the square footage of my galley kitchen?

Measure the length and width of the room in feet and multiply them. For example, a kitchen 8 feet wide and 12 feet long is 96 square feet. Use this number as the basis for per-square-foot cost estimates.

Why does a larger galley kitchen sometimes cost more per square foot?

Larger galley kitchens require longer cabinet runs and more countertop area, which increases material costs. The linear footage of cabinetry grows faster than the floor area, so the per-square-foot price can rise for very long layouts.

Can I reduce the per-square-foot cost by doing some work myself?

Yes, doing demolition, painting, or installing flooring yourself can lower the total cost. However, you should leave cabinet installation, countertop fabrication, and electrical or plumbing work to professionals, as mistakes can be costly and unsafe.

Galley Kitchen Remodel Cost Per Square Foot: Estimating by Footprint

Why Square Footage Matters in a Galley Kitchen

In a galley kitchen, the footprint is the single most useful starting point for a budget because the layout is fixed: two parallel runs of cabinets and counters with a walkway between. Unlike an L-shaped or U-shaped kitchen, there is no island or peninsula to add cost, so the total price tracks closely with the floor area and the length of the cabinet runs.

Per-square-foot pricing is a rough tool, not a precise quote. A 100-square-foot galley with stock cabinets and laminate counters will cost far less per square foot than a 100-square-foot galley with custom cabinetry and quartz. Still, knowing your footprint lets you compare apples to apples across contractor bids and helps you spot an estimate that is unrealistically low or high.

To use the per-square-foot method, measure the length and width of your kitchen in feet and multiply them. For example, a kitchen that is 8 feet wide and 12 feet long is 96 square feet. That number becomes the basis for every estimate in this article.

A simple floor plan drawing of a galley kitchen with parallel counters and measurement arrows

Cost Ranges for Small, Medium, and Large Footprints

Small galley kitchens, typically under 80 square feet, are the most common in older apartments and condos. Because the cabinet run is short, you can often keep costs down by using stock cabinets and standard-sized appliances. Expect to pay in the range of $150 to $250 per square foot for a mid-grade remodel, which includes new cabinets, counters, flooring, and a basic appliance package.

Medium galley kitchens, roughly 80 to 120 square feet, are where most full remodels fall. You have more linear feet of cabinetry and more countertop area, so the per-square-foot cost often drops slightly to $130 to $220 per square foot because the fixed costs (like demolition and permits) are spread over more space. A typical 100-square-foot remodel at $175 per square foot lands near $17,500.

Large galley kitchens, over 120 square feet, are less common because the layout becomes a long corridor. Per-square-foot costs can rise again to $200 or more because the extra length requires more cabinetry, longer countertop seams, and possibly additional lighting and electrical work. A 150-square-foot remodel with premium finishes can easily exceed $30,000.

A galley kitchen with white cabinets and dark countertops on both sides

How Finish Level Shifts the Per-Square-Foot Price

The finish level is the biggest variable within any footprint. A budget remodel using stock cabinets, laminate counters, and vinyl flooring might cost $100 to $150 per square foot. These materials are readily available, install quickly, and are a good fit for a rental property or a first-time flip.

A mid-range remodel, the most common choice for homeowners, uses semi-custom cabinets, quartz or solid-surface counters, and tile or hardwood flooring. This tier typically runs $150 to $250 per square foot. You gain more door styles, better hardware, and a wider color palette, but you also pay for the upgrade in materials and installation labor.

At the high end, custom cabinetry, stone slabs, and premium appliances push the cost to $300 or more per square foot. Custom cabinets are built to your exact dimensions, which matters in a galley where wall irregularities are common. The per-square-foot price climbs because you are paying for design time, specialty fabrication, and top-tier brand names.

Breaking Down the Budget by Component

To build a realistic estimate, divide the total cost into five main categories. Cabinetry is the largest, usually 30 to 40 percent of the total. In a galley, that means paying for both sides of the walkway, so the linear footage of cabinets is roughly double the length of the room.

Countertops are the next biggest expense, about 15 to 20 percent. The total square footage of countertop is easy to calculate: multiply the length of each run by the depth (typically 25 inches). A 12-foot-long run gives you about 25 square feet of countertop, so two runs add up to 50 square feet. At $50 per square foot installed for laminate, that is $2,500; at $100 for quartz, it is $5,000.

Appliances, labor, and flooring each take roughly 10 to 15 percent of the budget. Labor in a galley is slightly lower than in other layouts because the work is concentrated, but the narrow space can slow down cabinet installation and countertop templating. Flooring is straightforward: multiply the footprint by the material cost per square foot plus installation.

Comparing Your Footprint to Typical Galley Dimensions

Before you finalize a budget, compare your measurements to the typical galley dimensions in the table below. These are common ranges seen in residential construction, not exact standards. If your kitchen falls outside these ranges, expect your per-square-foot cost to differ from the averages.

A galley that is 7 feet wide or less is considered narrow; the walkway will be tight, and you may need to choose shallower cabinets to keep the aisle usable. A width of 8 to 10 feet is more comfortable and allows for deeper counters and standard appliances. Length varies more, from 8 feet in a small apartment to 20 feet or more in a large house.

The table below shows typical square-foot ranges and the corresponding mid-range remodel cost you might plan for. Use your own measurement to interpolate between these points.