Kitchen remodel FAQ

Start with what is not working: storage, layout, counter space, lighting or worn finishes. Then decide whether you are keeping the layout or changing it. That one decision shapes the scope, the schedule and the cost more than any finish choice.

A refresh replaces surfaces such as counters, backsplash, paint and hardware while the cabinets and layout stay put. A full remodel opens the room up, with new cabinets, plumbing and electrical changes, and often new flooring and walls. The more you move, the more trades are involved.

Keeping the layout is usually simpler, because sinks, gas lines and electrical runs stay where they are. Move things when the layout itself is the problem, for example a refrigerator that blocks the walkway or no landing space beside the stove.

Sometimes. If the boxes are solid and the layout works, refacing or replacing doors and refinishing can make a big change. If the boxes are sagging, water-damaged or the wrong size, replacing them is the better move.

Think about how you cook and clean. Look at how each material handles heat, stains and scratches, how it is sealed or maintained, and how the seams will look in your layout. Ask to see full slabs or large samples, not just small chips.

Yes, ideally. Cabinet openings, electrical, gas, venting and plumbing all depend on the exact appliance sizes. Late changes mean reordering cabinets or reworking rough-in, which costs time.

It depends on the size, how much changes, and the materials you choose, so any single figure online is a guess. A written estimate that lists the scope and who buys which materials lets you compare fairly. Estimates from N. Abeyta Remodels are free.

It depends on the scope, lead times on cabinets and countertops, and what is found once the walls are open. Custom or special-order items usually set the pace. Ask your contractor for a written sequence of work and update it if anything changes.

Most people do. Plan a temporary kitchen in another room, with a microwave, a small refrigerator if you have one and a place to wash dishes. Expect dust, noise and periods when water or power to the kitchen is off.

Older houses hide surprises such as outdated wiring, old pipes, moisture damage and framing that was altered earlier. A good contractor tells you right away, shows you what was found and writes up any change before doing the work.

Usually yes. Brentwood's Development Services Division says building permits are required for almost all construction work, including plumbing and electrical, and its handout exempts only a short list, such as replacing countertops in the same spot without changing outlets or fixtures. Other cities differ, so check yours.

CSLB advises hiring a licensed B general building contractor when a project involves more than two kinds of work on a building, and it gives a kitchen remodel, with its plumbing, electrical and carpentry, as its example. You can check any license on the CSLB website.

California limits the down payment on a home improvement contract to the lesser of $1,000 or 10 percent of the contract price. If you pay in stages, the contract must include a schedule of progress payments tied to specific work.

Line them up by scope, not by total. Check whether each one includes demolition and disposal, plumbing and electrical, drywall and paint, flooring, and who supplies cabinets, counters and fixtures. A low number often means something was left out.