Kitchen Renovation — Common Questions
A full kitchen renovation — from design consultation to finished installation — typically takes 10 to 18 weeks in the Charleston area. Here is the realistic breakdown: Cabinet lead time: 8–12 weeks for semi-custom; 14–20 weeks for fully custom Countertop template and fabrication: 2–3 weeks after cabinets are installed Demo and installation: 2–4 weeks depending on scope Appliance coordination: parallel with cabinet lead time if ordered simultaneously The most common mistake: waiting to start the conversation until after the decision is made to renovate. Every week of delay at the front end adds a week to the completion date. Walk-in or call (843) 806-4470 and we will give you an honest timeline for your specific scope.
Kitchen renovation costs in the Charleston area vary significantly with cabinet tier, countertop material, appliance package, and scope. Honest ranges based on our work: $25,000–$40,000: Builder-grade to mid-range semi-custom. Fabuwood or Homecrest cabinetry, quartz countertops, quality LVP or tile flooring, standard appliances. $40,000–$65,000: Mid-range to premium semi-custom. Fieldstone or Ultracraft cabinetry, quartz or quartzite countertops, premium LVP or engineered hardwood, quality appliance package. $65,000–$120,000+: Premium semi-custom to full custom. Grabill or Ultracraft custom cabinetry, quartzite or marble countertops, wide-plank engineered hardwood, Wolf/Sub-Zero/Thermador appliance tier. Use our Renovation Cost Calculator for a free estimate based on your specific scope, or come in for a complimentary consultation.
We carry a comprehensive range of cabinet lines to serve every project tier and aesthetic: Semi-custom lines: Fabuwood, Fieldstone, Homecrest, Fairmount Design Custom and semi-custom: Ultracraft Fully custom: Grabill Hardware: Jeffrey Alexander (knobs, pulls, decorative hardware) Every line is displayed in our showroom with working doors and drawers so you can experience the quality difference firsthand. Fabuwood is our most-specified semi-custom line for the Lowcountry market — plywood construction, dovetail drawers, soft-close standard, coastal humidity appropriate.
The right countertop depends on your lifestyle and property type: Quartz: Our most-specified countertop for Charleston-area kitchens. Non-porous, zero maintenance, no sealing ever. Perfect for busy family kitchens, vacation rentals, and any situation where maintenance is a concern. Available in hundreds of profiles from clean white to dramatic veined Calacatta looks. Quartzite: Natural stone with luminous depth that engineered quartz cannot replicate. Taj Mahal, Super White, Monte Bello, and Calacatta Macchia Vecchia are our most popular. Requires annual sealing. The choice for clients who love genuine natural stone in a primary residence. Granite: Natural stone at a more accessible price point. Heat resistant. Requires annual sealing. Every slab is unique. All three options are available as full-size samples in our showroom — not just 4-inch chips. Come compare them in real light before making your decision.
Yes. Through our EasySource renovation financing program, qualified buyers can finance kitchen renovations with flexible options: $2,500 to $100,000+ available 90-day same-as-cash options Monthly payment plans up to 84 months Multiple lending partners — improves approval rates Financing is available for the complete kitchen scope: cabinets, countertops, flooring, appliances, windows, and installation. Ask about your options during your consultation — no obligation to apply.
Yes — and coastal kitchen specification is one of our core competencies. We have completed kitchen renovations on Isle of Palms, Sullivan's Island, Kiawah Island, Folly Beach, Seabrook Island, Edisto Beach, and James Island. Coastal kitchens require specific attention to: cabinet box construction (plywood only — particleboard fails in coastal humidity), cabinet finish quality (catalyzed factory finishes resist humidity and salt air better than air-dried alternatives), hardware specifications (marine-grade stainless or coastal-rated finishes throughout), and countertop choices (quartz for low-maintenance properties; quartzite for owners who commit to annual sealing). For KICA-governed Kiawah Island properties and Sullivan's Island ARB-governed properties, we assist with specification documentation for the review process.
Sequencing is the most common source of renovation delays. Here is the correct order: 1. Design and specify cabinets first — cabinet dimensions determine everything else 2. Select appliances BEFORE ordering cabinets — a 36" range needs different cabinet configuration than a 30" range 3. Place cabinet and appliance orders simultaneously — both have long lead times 4. Select flooring, countertop material, and hardware during the lead time — these run parallel 5. Start contractor search and permits during the lead time — do not wait for delivery 6. Installation sequence: demo → rough-in updates → cabinet installation → countertop TEMPLATE → flooring → countertop installation → appliances → fixtures and trim The countertop is TEMPLATED after the cabinets are fully installed and level. Never before. This is the most common sequencing mistake we see.
Yes. Our online Renovation Cost Calculator at thecharlestondesigncenter.com/renovation-calculator allows you to select room type, cabinet tier, countertop material, and flooring type to generate a cost estimate based on real Charleston-area market pricing. The calculator is a starting point — actual quotes depend on your specific kitchen dimensions, cabinet configuration, and material selections. For an accurate estimate, the best next step is a complimentary in-showroom consultation with one of our designers.