Wilmington General Contractor Pros · Kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling and home additions for homeowners in Wilmington, Leland, Wrightsville Beach and nearby towns.
A national cost guide puts a typical kitchen remodel at $15,000 to $45,000, with an average near $27,000 (Fixr, updated 2026-01-27). That is a national range, not a Wilmington survey, so use it to plan and let written quotes set the real number. In Wilmington the permit comes from New Hanover County, not the city, and cabinets, flooring and paint need no permit, while structural work does. No sourced Wilmington timeline exists, so ask every company for dated start and finish dates in writing.
Wilmington General Contractor Pros is a referral service, not the remodeler. Call (804) 889-2677. We call you back within one business day and connect you with an independent local kitchen remodeling company.
What does a full kitchen remodel include, from design to cleanup?
First comes design: measuring the room, drawing the layout, choosing cabinets, counters and finishes, and setting the budget. The build covers stages each company names in its own order, in writing: demolition, plumbing and electrical rough-in, inspections where required, drywall, cabinets, countertops, flooring, backsplash, fixtures and cleanup.
When you ask for a kitchen remodel quote, ask the company to list every stage by name, plus who orders the cabinets and who pulls the permit. A quote that says only "kitchen remodel" with one lump sum cannot be compared with another bid. A turnkey kitchen remodeling quote should name what is not included, such as appliances you buy yourself or a new gas line.
How much does a kitchen remodel cost in Wilmington?
This kitchen remodel cost guide uses Fixr's national figures, updated 2026-01-27. It is not a Wilmington survey. Your own written quotes are the only true Wilmington price.
| Scope | Typical cost | What it usually means |
|---|---|---|
| Whole kitchen, national | $15,000 to $45,000 (average about $27,000) | Fixr's overall range |
| Per square foot | $75 to $250 (average $150) | Fixr's range for a whole kitchen |
| Cosmetic or small | $10,000 to $25,000 (average $15,000) | Fixr's cosmetic or small range |
| Mid-range | $25,000 to $60,000 (average $40,000) | Fixr's mid-range |
| High-end | $60,000 to $130,000 (average $80,000) | Fixr's high-end range |
The same Fixr guide prices the parts of a kitchen one by one. This table shows where a quote looks high or low. The parts will not add up to your total, because no kitchen needs every line at its top or bottom.
| Part of the kitchen | Typical cost (Fixr) |
|---|---|
| Stock cabinets | $100 to $300 per linear foot |
| Semi-custom cabinets | $150 to $650 per linear foot |
| Custom cabinets | $500 to $1,200 per linear foot |
| Countertops, installed | $15 to $200 per square foot by material (average total about $3,000) |
| Flooring | $3 to $20 per square foot (average total just under $5,000) |
| Backsplash | $500 to $1,500 in total (average $1,000) |
| Lighting | $20 to $400 per fixture (average total $1,350) |
| Appliances, major replacement | $2,500 to $15,000; one or two appliances about $1,600 |
| Plumbing and electrical | $1,000 to $4,000, higher with layout changes |
| Gas line for a gas stove | $200 to $1,300 |
This guide puts labor at 50 to 60 percent of the total. It can fall when the materials are high-end and rise when they are cheaper.
For a sense of scale, Wilmington's median home value is $428,900 (ACS 2024 1-year, Census Reporter). A $27,000 kitchen is about 6 percent of that figure (calculated). Use that as a check on how much kitchen your house can reasonably carry, not as a target.
What moves the price of a kitchen remodeling project
- Size. Cost is quoted by the square foot, so give every company the same measurements.
- Layout change. Fixr says plumbing and electrical cost more when the layout changes, so ask each company to price the sink and range in both places.
- Moving plumbing or gas. A gas line for a gas stove runs $200 to $1,300 in Fixr's guide.
- Wall removal. One cost guide (Inch Calculator, dated 2023) puts a non-load-bearing wall at $500 to $1,000 and a load-bearing wall replaced with a beam at $1,500 to $3,000. Ask who confirms which kind of wall yours is.
- Cabinet grade. Stock to custom is a spread of $100 to $1,200 per linear foot. This choice can move the whole budget.
- Countertop material. Laminate and quartzite sit at opposite ends of the per-square-foot table below.
- Permits. County fees are listed in the permit section below, and a missing permit brings penalties.
Layout and design planning: work triangle, traffic flow and storage
A layout change moves plumbing and wiring, which Fixr says raises those costs. Ask the designer how the sink, range and fridge sit in relation to each other.
Questions to put to a designer or kitchen remodeler at the first meeting:
- Which layout do you propose for my room: galley, L-shape, or a plan with an island, and why?
- Does the plan keep a work triangle between the fridge, sink and range? If not, what replaces it?
- Can you show the traffic flow: how a person walks from the fridge to the sink to the range, and where an open dishwasher or oven door lands?
- Do you recommend an open concept plan for this house, and what would it change?
- Can you price a kitchen layout redesign next to a same-footprint plan?
- If I want a kitchen island design and installation, does the island need power or plumbing, and what does that add?
- Where does the storage go: pantry, deep drawers, a place for small appliances?
Cabinets: custom, semi-custom or stock, and refacing vs replacing
Cabinets are a large line in the Fixr per-foot table. Fixr prices stock cabinets at $100 to $300 per linear foot, semi-custom at $150 to $650 and custom at $500 to $1,200. Ask what sizes and finishes each grade allows, including for custom kitchen cabinets.
| Option | Price signal (Fixr) | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Paint existing cabinets | $2,500 to $6,500 per kitchen | What the company checks in the boxes first |
| Cabinet refacing | Ask for a quote | Price it on your kitchen next to replacement |
| Cabinet replacement, stock | $100 to $300 per linear foot | Which sizes and finishes it allows |
| Cabinet replacement, semi-custom | $150 to $650 per linear foot | Which sizes and finishes it allows |
| Cabinet replacement, custom | $500 to $1,200 per linear foot | Which sizes and finishes it allows |
For refacing vs replacing, ask each company to price both on your kitchen, and ask what it checks about the boxes and the layout before it recommends one.
Ask whether the doors are inset, framed overlay or frameless and what each changes in the price. Ask also whether the boxes are solid wood, plywood or particle board, and how each material handles a leak under the sink. Ask to see a sample.
For kitchen cabinet installation, ask who measures, who orders, and who is on site when the boxes arrive. Check the delivery for damage before the old ones come out.
Countertops: quartz, granite, quartzite, marble, laminate and more
Countertop cost depends heavily on material; see the table. These are Fixr's per-square-foot ranges for the material with installation.
| Countertop | Per square foot (Fixr) |
|---|---|
| Laminate | $15 to $60 |
| Butcher block | $40 to $100 |
| Solid surface | $40 to $100 |
| Granite | $40 to $150 |
| Soapstone | $50 to $120 |
| Quartz | $50 to $200 |
| Marble | $50 to $200 |
| Quartzite | $60 to $200 |
For quartz countertops and granite countertops, the Fixr ranges overlap, so ask for the price of your actual layout, including the sink cutout and any seams. Ask the company when the countertop measuring visit happens and whether it comes before or after the cabinets are set.
Flooring, backsplash tile, lighting and the ventilation hood
Fixr puts a backsplash at $500 to $1,500 in total, with tile at $12 to $35 per square foot and marble at $30 to $150. Fixr's average total for a backsplash is $1,000.
For kitchen flooring installation, Fixr gives sheet vinyl at $3 to $10 per square foot, laminate $3 to $12, luxury vinyl plank or tile (LVP/LVT) $5 to $13, hardwood $6 to $20 and ceramic tile $10 to $20. Ask whether the floor goes under the cabinets or stops at them. Ask how that changes the price.
For kitchen lighting upgrades, Fixr lists recessed lights and pendants at $100 to $400 each, under-cabinet lights at $20 to $300 and LED strips at $70 to $400. Ask the company how it plans lighting over the counters and any island. Ask who plans the range hood and its vent, when that decision is needed, where the ventilation will run and who prices it.
Appliances, sinks, plumbing and electrical circuits
Fixr prices a major appliance replacement at $2,500 to $15,000, or about $1,600 for one or two appliances. Ask the company when appliance models must be chosen, and whether the cabinet plan depends on their sizes. Ask whether the company buys the appliances or you do, and who is responsible if a delivery is damaged.
Plumbing and electrical work runs $1,000 to $4,000 in Fixr's guide and more when the layout changes. Ask the company which circuits the new appliances need and whether the panel can carry them. Ask which trades are licensed for this work and who schedules the inspections. Under the county's permit costs, electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits are $60 each when pulled separately (see the next section). If you are adding a gas stove, a gas line runs $200 to $1,300.
Permits and inspections for kitchen work: electrical, plumbing, structural and who handles them
Do you need a permit for a kitchen remodel in Wilmington? Often yes, but not always. Two Wilmington-specific rules shape the answer.
The county issues the permit, not the city. The City of Wilmington says a building permit is required for construction, change of building use and demolition, and its Building Permits page lists alterations among the covered work. But permits for work inside city limits are issued by the New Hanover County Department of Permits and Inspections. You apply through the county's COAST online portal or in person. The city handles zoning and historic review.
The cosmetic list. The county's "Is It Really Cosmetic?" table lists paint, flooring, interior trim and cabinets as no permit needed. It lists structural work, new windows or doors, and HVAC replacement as needing a permit. So a new set of cabinets and a new floor in the same footprint is cosmetic. The county lists structural work as needing a permit; ask the county whether removing a wall counts. Ask the county, or ask the company to confirm in writing, whether moved plumbing or wiring needs a permit.
| County item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Minor remodel job, one building inspection | $60 |
| Major remodel, two or more inspections | $0.221 per square foot, $400 minimum, all trade permits included |
| Separate electrical, mechanical or plumbing permit | $60 each |
| Starting work without a permit | $100 penalty, plus $250 (first occurrence) or $500 (second) when the work is started and substantially completed without a permit |
| Expired permit, or no final inspection | $100 each |
| Site conference | $50 |
| After-hours inspection rate | $120 |
(New Hanover County permit cost page and Residential Fee Schedule.) Ask the county or the company to confirm the permit fee for your kitchen before you sign: the county does not say whether the per-square-foot charge counts the work area or the whole house. Refunds are cut by a 25 percent service fee or $60, whichever is larger, and are not given once work has begun.
Inspections are booked in the COAST portal. A request entered before 3:30 pm is scheduled for the next business day, each visit takes 5 minutes to 2 hours, and no arrival time is promised. The county also says inspectors do not carry ladders, so the contractor must provide one. The state-set order of inspections is enforced; ask the company which inspections your job needs. North Carolina delayed the 2024 State Building Code, so the 2018 State Building Code still applies (NC Office of State Fire Marshal, 2025-04-07).
Remodel steps and order of work
These are stages each company names in its own order, in writing, with its own dates. Ask each company to send its sequence.
- Design, selections and budget. Layout, cabinets, counters, flooring, lighting and appliances are chosen and written into the scope.
- Permit. If the scope needs one, it is applied for before work starts. The county penalizes starting without it.
- Ordering. Cabinets, stone, appliances and special items are ordered. Ask for the order dates in writing.
- Demolition. Old cabinets, counters and flooring come out. Walls come out only if the plan says so.
- Rough-in. Plumbing, wiring and venting are moved or added inside the open walls.
- Inspections. Ask the company which inspections your job needs and when each is booked.
- Drywall and paint prep.
- Cabinets, then countertops. Ask when the countertop measuring visit falls.
- Flooring, backsplash and fixtures.
- Final inspection, punch list and cleanup. Walk the kitchen with the company and list what is left.
How long does a kitchen remodel take, and what slows it?
The schedule comes from the company in writing. The county's inspection scheduling rule: it books inspections for the next business day when requested through COAST before 3:30 pm, with no arrival time promised.
Ask each company for a written schedule with a start date, the inspection steps and a target finish date. Ask for the lead times for cabinets and countertops, the order dates for each, and what happens if a delivery slips or the permit is late. A company that cannot give dates is telling you something.
Living at home without a kitchen: can I stay during a remodel?
The answer depends on the scope. Ask whether water, power or gas will be off, and for how long. Plan a temporary kitchen in another room with a microwave, a small fridge and a washing station. Ask the company how it controls dust and seals the work area with plastic sheeting, whether the floors on the path through the house are covered, and when the water and power will be off. Ask about work hours and noise if you work from home or have small children or pets.
Design fees, design-build and hiring a separate designer
Ask whether there is a design fee and what it covers. Ask whether it is credited if you hire the company for the build, and whether you keep the plans if you do not. If an offer says free kitchen design, ask what you must buy to get it.
Ask each company whether it designs and builds under one contract, and ask whether you could take the plans to another builder. For a wider look at hiring, see our general contractor guide.
Pre-1978 homes: lead-safe work and surprises behind the walls
Wilmington has many older houses. Of 67,186 housing units in the city, 26,074 (38.8 percent, calculated) were built before 1980, 14,337 (21.3 percent) before 1960, and 6,781 in 1939 or earlier. The median year built is 1990 (ACS 2024 1-year, Census Reporter). Census age groups stop at 1960-69 and 1970-79, so a pre-1978 count is not available.
Ask each company how a change order works for old wiring or plumbing found behind walls, and whether the quote includes an allowance for surprises.
For lead-safe work in a home built before 1978, the EPA recommends hiring a certified contractor for renovation work (EPA lead program page, updated 2026-06-17). Ask to see the company's certification before demolition starts.
If your house is in one of Wilmington's local historic districts (the Theater, Residential and Mixed-Use districts, the Downtown Commercial overlay, or the Carolina Heights and Winoca Terrace overlay), exterior changes may need a Certificate of Appropriateness from the city's Historic Preservation team, separate from the county permit. The city's page says exterior changes "may require" one and does not list which. National Register areas named by the city include Carolina Place, Sunset Park, Masonboro Sound, Westbrook-Ardmore and Brookwood. The city's page does not list which exterior work needs a Certificate of Appropriateness, so ask the city before you design any bump-out or window change.
Flood zones and storms: what to ask for a ground-floor kitchen
Wilmington runs its own floodplain ordinance, separate from the county's. The county says new construction and substantial improvements in a FEMA-mapped 100-year floodplain must meet standards, primarily by elevating the lowest floor. The county page does not give the substantial-improvement percentage, so ask the city's floodplain staff how your remodel is counted if your house is in a mapped flood zone and the kitchen is on the lowest floor.
Hurricane Florence made landfall near Wrightsville Beach on 2018-09-14, and Wilmington International Airport recorded 23.02 inches of rain and a 105 mph gust (National Weather Service). If your kitchen is near ground level, ask about cabinet and floor materials that tolerate moisture, and where the appliance outlets sit.
Do I need a licensed contractor in New Hanover County?
New Hanover County's permit FAQ says projects valued at $40,000 or more generally require a licensed General Contractor. Labor and materials both count toward the value, and splitting purchases does not avoid the requirement. Ask any company for its license number and check it with the state before you sign. Ask the state licensing board which license class covers your job's value.
The county's owner-builder exemption is generally intended for owners who will occupy the home as their primary residence for at least 12 consecutive months. It may not apply to LLC-owned, investment, resale or rental properties. About 52 percent of Wilmington's occupied homes are rented (ACS 2024, calculated), so landlords should ask the county before assuming they qualify.
How to compare kitchen bids and what the contract should say
Get two or three written quotes for the same scope. Give each company the same room measurements, cabinet grade, countertop material, appliance list and layout. Then compare line by line:
- Scope. Demolition, cabinets, counters, flooring, lighting, plumbing, electrical, permits and cleanup, each named.
- Allowances. If a number is an allowance for tile or fixtures, ask what it buys and who pays the overage.
- Permit. Who pulls it, and who pays the fee and any re-inspection charge.
- Payment schedule. Don't pay most or all of the work in advance, and get a written payment schedule (NC Department of Justice).
- Change orders. A written price before extra work, not after.
- Schedule. Start date, order dates, target finish.
- Warranty. What is covered, for how long, and who to call.
- Proof of insurance and license. Ask for the paper itself.
Ask the company to explain its deposit and lien waiver process in writing. Lowest price is rarely the right test. For more on hiring, read the general contractor guide, or contact us to be put in touch with a local company.
Does a kitchen remodel increase home value?
Use two checks. First, compare the kitchen budget with the value of the house, as in the cost section above. Second, ask a local real estate agent what a kitchen like yours adds in your neighborhood. Ask whether the agent uses Cost vs Value recoup figures, and what the source of each figure is.
Small kitchens, phased projects, and kitchen and bath remodeling together
For a small kitchen remodel, one option is to keep the layout, replace the surfaces and lighting, and spend where you touch the room daily. A phased project spreads cost over time: cabinets and counters first, then flooring and backsplash. Ask the company to design the whole kitchen once and say what must be done first if you build in stages.
For kitchen and bath remodeling together, ask whether pricing both rooms in one contract changes the total. See our bathroom remodeling page for that side of the house. If you want to add square footage to the kitchen, see home additions; the county charges addition permits by under-roof square foot at $0.441 with a $400 minimum.
Kitchen remodeling questions answered
How much does a kitchen remodel cost in Wilmington?
Nationally, $15,000 to $45,000, averaging about $27,000 (Fixr, 2026-01-27). That is not a Wilmington survey, so get written quotes.
How long does a kitchen remodel take?
No sourced Wilmington total exists, so get dated start, order and finish dates in writing. The county books inspections for the next business day when requested through COAST before 3:30 pm. Each visit takes 5 minutes to 2 hours and no arrival time is guaranteed.
Do I need a permit for a kitchen remodel?
Only for part of it. New Hanover County lists cabinets, flooring and paint as no-permit work, and structural work, windows and doors, and HVAC as permit work. Electrical, plumbing or mechanical permits pulled separately are $60 each.
Who pulls the permit, and what does it cost?
The county issues it, not the city. A minor job with one inspection is $60. A major remodel is $0.221 per square foot with a $400 minimum, trade permits included. Ask the company who applies and pays.
What happens if work starts without a permit?
The county charges a $100 penalty, and $250 for a first occurrence or $500 for a second if work is started and substantially completed without one. A missing final inspection is another $100.
Can I stay home during a kitchen remodel?
It depends on the scope; ask the company. County inspections run 8:00 am to 5:00 pm on business days with no guaranteed arrival time, so ask who gives access. Ask how the work area is sealed, where you will cook, and when water and power are off.
Should I reface my cabinets or replace them?
Fixr prices painting existing cabinets at $2,500 to $6,500 per kitchen and replacement at $100 to $1,200 per linear foot by grade. Ask each company to price refacing and replacing on your kitchen, and to say what it checks in the boxes first.
Which countertop should I choose?
Laminate runs $15 to $60 per square foot, granite $40 to $150, quartz $50 to $200 (Fixr). Compare installed prices for your layout.
Why do some remodelers charge a design fee?
Ask whether there is a design fee, what it covers and whether it is credited if you hire the company for the build. The NC Department of Justice says to get a written contract detailing all the work, including price and payment schedule, so the fee should be its own line there.
Do I need a licensed general contractor?
New Hanover County says projects valued at $40,000 or more generally do. Labor and materials both count. Check the license for any size of job.
Is lead a concern in an older Wilmington house?
For a home built before 1978, the EPA recommends a certified contractor. About 38.8 percent of the city's homes were built before 1980.
Next step
Have your room size, a rough budget and your list of must-haves ready. Call (804) 889-2677. We call you back within one business day and connect you with an independent local kitchen remodeling company.
Sources
- Fixr, kitchen remodel cost (updated 2026-01-27, retrieved 2026-10-30)
- Inch Calculator, kitchen remodel cost guide (page dated 2023, retrieved 2026-10-30)
- New Hanover County, permit cost (retrieved 2026-10-30)
- New Hanover County, residential fee schedule (retrieved 2026-10-30)
- New Hanover County, permit FAQ (retrieved 2026-10-30)
- New Hanover County, inspections (retrieved 2026-10-30)
- New Hanover County, floodplain management (retrieved 2026-10-30)
- City of Wilmington, building permits (retrieved 2026-10-30)
- City of Wilmington, historic districts (retrieved 2026-10-30)
- NC Office of State Fire Marshal, 2024 code delay (retrieved 2026-10-30)
- National Weather Service Wilmington, Hurricane Florence (retrieved 2026-10-30)
- Census Reporter, ACS 2024 housing, Wilmington (retrieved 2026-10-30)
- Census Reporter, ACS 2024 value, Wilmington (retrieved 2026-10-30)
- US EPA, lead renovation, repair and painting program (updated 2026-06-17, retrieved 2026-10-30)
- NC Department of Justice, Safe to Rebuild (retrieved 2026-10-30)