Kitchen remodel questions from island homeowners

It depends on scope and building. A cabinet paint and new counters costs far less than moving plumbing. Compact rooms need less material, but access can add labor. The sourced ranges in the cost guide are a good starting point.

About 10 percent in a newer home, and 15 to 20 percent in a house built before 1980, where wiring, plumbing or framing may need work once the walls are open.

Smaller projects tend to recover more of their cost than big ones. In Cost vs. Value, a minor midrange kitchen did much better than an upscale rebuild. Ask a local real estate agent what buyers in your community expect.

The Town of Hilton Head Island, through its Community Development Department. Its information center is at (843) 341-4757. Your remodeler normally handles the application.

No. They are separate. A community review board looks after its own standards. The Town enforces building codes. One does not replace the other.

On the island, a horizontal property regime is the legal setup behind many villa and condominium buildings. A master deed and bylaws describe the units and common elements, and a board runs the shared parts.

The state requires a residential builder license for work on a home costing more than $5,000, and that license covers buildings of up to three floors. Check any name on the state lookup.

Solid stainless and solid brass are easier to live with than cheap plated parts. Brass will darken over time, which many people like. Ask about the base metal under any coating, not just the color.

Hard surfaces that handle grit and water, such as porcelain tile or a good luxury vinyl plank. Sand scratches softer floors. Check whether your building has any rules about hard floors and sound between units.

Use what your home and building can support. Many villas have no gas line, and adding one may not be possible. An induction range gives fast heat with no gas line. Check the electrical supply first.

A refresh in the same layout may take a few weeks on site. A full remodel can take a couple of months or more. Cabinet lead time, counter templating and permit review add to that, so plan well before the start date.

It can. The Atlantic season runs from June through November. Ask how materials and an open job site would be secured if a storm threatens, and how a delay would affect the schedule.

Two or three on the same scope is plenty. More than that rarely helps. Comparing clear, itemized quotes is what matters, not the number of them.

Independent local remodelers. Your contract is with the remodeler you choose, so check their license and insurance first. The about page explains more.