If you’re staring at a kitchen that needs work and wondering where to even start, you’re not alone — kitchen renovation covers everything from a $300 faucet swap to a $15,000+ full overhaul, and most homeowners land somewhere in between. Here’s what to actually expect.
The short version
Kitchen renovations in the Triangle range from a $300 faucet-and-backsplash refresh up to a $15,000+ full cabinet-and-countertop overhaul. A free in-home estimate is the fastest way to find out which end of that range your project falls on — and where it lands usually comes down to how much of the kitchen you’re actually touching.
What counts as a “kitchen renovation”?
It’s a wide net, and that’s the point — not every kitchen project needs to be a full gut renovation. Common Triangle-area kitchen jobs include:
- Cabinet replacement or refacing
- Countertop installation (laminate, tile, or quartz)
- Backsplash and tile work
- Sink and faucet replacement
- Lighting upgrades (under-cabinet, pendant, recessed)
- Full layout changes involving multiple trades
Planning it in phases
A full kitchen renovation doesn’t have to happen all at once — and for most homeowners, it shouldn’t. Working in phases means the kitchen stays usable in between visits:
- Phase 1 — surfaces and fixtures. New countertop, backsplash, faucet, and lighting. This alone transforms how a kitchen looks and usually takes 1–2 days.
- Phase 2 — cabinets. New cabinet boxes, doors, or a full replacement. Budget 3–5 days depending on the kitchen’s size.
- Phase 3 — layout changes. Moving a sink, adding an island, or reconfiguring the space. This is where plumbing and electrical coordination matters most, and it’s worth having a single point of contact managing the whole job.
What it costs
Every kitchen is different, but here’s the general range for Triangle-area jobs:
| Scope | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Faucet, backsplash, or lighting refresh | $300 – $500 |
| Countertop replacement | $800 – $3,000 |
| Cabinet replacement (mid-size kitchen) | $2,500 – $8,000 |
| Full kitchen renovation | $2,000 – $15,000+ |
These ranges assume you’re supplying the materials — cabinets, tile, countertops, fixtures — and paying for labor, coordination, and installation. Every job starts with a free, no-pressure estimate, and the quote you get is the price you pay.
Who handles what
For a kitchen renovation, the honest answer is: it depends on scope. Light electrical work — relocating an outlet, adding under-cabinet lighting — is handled directly. Major plumbing, like running new supply lines or moving a sink to a different wall, means bringing in a licensed plumber and coordinating the schedule so the whole project moves as one job instead of three separate headaches.
Ready to talk through your kitchen?
If you’ve got a kitchen project on your list — big or small — get a free estimate or call (919) 704-0373 to talk through what it would take. See the full breakdown of what’s included on the Kitchen Renovation service page.