Georgia Construction Pros
Kitchen Remodeling in Savannah, GA
Savannah kitchen remodels often happen in older houses, and some of those houses sit in one of the city's nine historic and conservation districts or in the 100-year floodplain. Georgia Construction Pros plans a kitchen remodel around what the house allows and tracks the project cost against the flood-zone threshold where it applies.
- Written scope before work starts
- Permits identified in planning
- Availability confirmed for your address
- Updates when decisions come up
Local considerations
Planning kitchen remodeling in Savannah
The 50 percent rule in flood zones
Under federal flood rules, an improvement whose cost equals or exceeds 50 percent of the structure's market value is a substantial improvement. In Savannah, new and substantially improved structures in the 100-year floodplain must be built two feet above the base flood elevation, so a large kitchen remodel combined with other work is priced and checked against that line early.
New openings can bring historic review
The MPC describes the Certificate of Appropriateness as covering exterior changes visible from the public right-of-way. A kitchen plan that adds a window, door, vent or small addition on a visible wall can bring the project into historic review, which is built into the schedule.
Permits through eTRAC
Savannah takes building, trade and site permit applications online through its eTRAC system. The city also holds an informal Building Plan Review meeting on Thursdays, which can help sort out questions on a remodel before plans are submitted.
Sources (4)
- 44 CFR 59.1, National Flood Insurance Program definitions (via Cornell LII) · checked 2026-09-24
- City of Savannah Development Services Department · checked 2026-09-24
- City of Savannah · checked 2026-09-24
- Chatham County-Savannah Metropolitan Planning Commission · checked 2026-09-24
Permits
Kitchen work that changes plumbing, electrical circuits, gas lines, ventilation or walls commonly needs a permit and inspections. Purely cosmetic work, such as painting or replacing cabinets in the same place, may not. Requirements vary by city and county, so the local building department confirms what applies before work begins.
Local permit office: City of Savannah Development Services Department
What’s included
Kitchen Remodeling in Savannah, GA: scope and options
- Layout planning for work zones, walkways, storage and seating
- Removal of old cabinets, counters, flooring and fixtures
- Cabinet installation, whether new, refaced or partly replaced
- Countertop templating and installation, plus backsplash tile
- Plumbing and electrical updates for sinks, appliances and lighting, coordinated with licensed trades where required
- Range hood and kitchen ventilation installation
- Appliance placement, clearances and hookup planning
- Drywall repair, flooring, trim and paint to finish the room
Common options
- Keep the layout or change it
- Leaving the sink, range and refrigerator where they are limits plumbing, gas and electrical changes. Moving them can fix a poor workflow but adds rough-in work and inspections.
- Cabinet approach
- Stock, semi-custom or custom cabinets, or refacing boxes that are still sound. The choice affects lead time, available sizes and finish options.
- Countertop material
- Quartz, natural stone, solid surface, laminate or butcher block. Each differs in heat and stain resistance, seams and upkeep.
- Island or peninsula
- An island adds prep space and seating but needs walking room on every side. A peninsula can give similar counter space in a tighter room.
- Lighting plan
- Layered lighting with ceiling fixtures, under-cabinet task lights and pendants, set on separate switches or dimmers so each can be used on its own.
What this service does not cover
- Appliance purchases, unless they are written into the agreed scope
- Asbestos or lead-based paint abatement, which is handled by certified specialists
- Removing load-bearing walls without engineered plans where the jurisdiction requires them
- Repairs to hidden damage found during demolition, such as rot or outdated wiring, until the work is reviewed with you and added by written change order
- Work in other rooms that is outside the agreed scope
Budget planning
What affects cost
Layout changes
Moving plumbing, gas lines or walls takes more labor and inspection than keeping the current footprint.
Cabinets
Construction quality, finish, and whether they are stock, semi-custom or custom.
Countertops
Material, thickness, edge profile, number of seams and the cutouts needed for sinks and cooktops.
Electrical capacity
Older homes may need new circuits or panel work to support current appliances and lighting.
Ventilation
Venting a range hood outdoors through a wall or roof adds labor compared with a recirculating hood.
Conditions behind walls and floors
Water damage, rot or outdated wiring found after demolition adds work before new finishes go in.
Finish selections
Tile, hardware, faucets, sinks and light fixtures range widely in price and installation effort.
Scheduling
What affects the schedule
- Lead times for cabinets, counters and special-order appliances
- Countertop templating, which can only happen after cabinets are installed
- Permit review and the timing of required inspections
- Selections made late or changed after ordering
- Conditions found once walls and floors are opened
How to prepare
- Empty cabinets, drawers and counters before demolition day
- Set up a temporary kitchen in another room with a microwave, small refrigerator and coffee maker
- Write down what you store and how you cook so the plan fits your habits
- Choose appliances early so cabinets can be sized around them
- Plan to keep children and pets away from the work area
- Clear a path from the entry to the kitchen for deliveries and debris removal
Process
How Kitchen Remodeling Projects Work
- 1
Consult
We walk the kitchen with you and talk through how you cook, store food and gather. We note what works, what does not, and the plumbing, electrical and ventilation that could shape the plan.
- 2
Plan
We set the layout, choose cabinets, counters and finishes, and put the scope in writing. Long-lead items are ordered and any permits are requested before demolition starts.
- 3
Build
Demolition, rough-in work and inspections come first, then cabinets, counters, backsplash, fixtures and trim. The work area is kept separated from the rest of the home to limit dust.
- 4
Enjoy
A final walkthrough, completion of any punch-list items, and a review of care for new surfaces, fixtures and appliances.
Questions
Kitchen Remodeling in Savannah: FAQs
Could a kitchen remodel trigger flood elevation rules in Savannah?
It can if the home is in the 100-year floodplain and the cost of the improvement reaches 50 percent of the structure's market value. Then Savannah's two-foot freeboard rule for substantially improved structures applies. We check the flood zone and track costs against that threshold during planning.
Can I stay in my home during a kitchen remodel?
Most people do. Plan on a temporary kitchen elsewhere in the house and expect dust, noise and limited use of the kitchen sink while work is underway. Separating the work area helps keep dust out of the rest of the home.
Should I pick appliances before or after the design?
Early. Appliance sizes, venting and electrical needs affect cabinet sizes and the layout. Changing an appliance after cabinets are ordered can force changes to cabinets, counters or wiring.
Is it worth changing my kitchen layout?
It depends on how well the current layout works. If moving between the sink, range and refrigerator is awkward or prep space is short, a new layout can help. If the flow is fine, keeping it lets more of the budget go to cabinets and surfaces.
Keep planning