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Kitchen Remodeling in Michigan

In Michigan, we plan kitchen remodeling projects in Detroit and Grand Rapids. A kitchen remodel replaces or reworks the parts of the kitchen that no longer fit how you live: cabinets, counters, flooring, lighting, and sometimes the layout itself. A smaller update keeps the footprint and swaps surfaces. A larger remodel moves the sink, appliances or walls, which brings plumbing, electrical and ventilation changes. It makes sense when storage is short, work areas are cramped, surfaces are worn, or you plan to stay in the home and want the room to work better every day.
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Updated kitchen in a Metro Detroit Tudor Revival home with an arched doorway, leaded casement windows, navy cabinets and brass hardware.
Illustrative image

Michigan context

Planning kitchen remodeling in Michigan

  1. One construction code, enforced locally

    Michigan's construction code act and code apply throughout the state. A city, village or township can take on enforcement by ordinance. Where it does not, a county that administers the code may step in, and otherwise the state does. That is why the permit office for a project can be a city, a county or the state.

  2. Homes still use the 2015 residential code

    One- and two-family homes and townhouses up to three stories are built under the 2015 Michigan Residential Code. Updated residential and energy rules based on the 2021 editions were set to start in August 2025, but they are on hold because of a builders' lawsuit, which was still listed as ongoing in September 2026. Commercial buildings moved to the 2021 Michigan Building Code in 2025. Confirm the edition in force with the building department when you apply.

  3. Three energy-code climate zones

    Michigan's energy code climate table puts the state in zones 5A, 6A and 7. Southern Lower Peninsula counties such as Wayne, Macomb, Kent, Washtenaw, Ingham, Kalamazoo and Genesee are 5A, Grand Traverse and Marquette are 6A, and Houghton is 7. Residential energy rules are based on the 2015 IECC with Michigan amendments. Commercial energy rules are based on the 2021 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1-2019, effective April 2025.

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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.

Contractor licensing

Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA)

Michigan licenses residential builders and residential maintenance and alteration contractors under Article 24 of the Occupational Code, which LARA administers. The license applies to paid construction, remodeling, repair or demolition work on a residential structure, meaning a one- or two-family home or a townhouse up to three stories. The law exempts some work, including jobs under $600 in total value (unless the job is split up to evade the law) and owners working on a structure for their own use and occupancy. Electricians, plumbers and mechanical contractors are licensed separately under the Skilled Trades Regulation Act. Article 24 is written for residential structures, so for commercial work, ask the building department what contractor credentials it checks at permit time. Before you hire anyone, look up the company and license type in LARA's MiPLUS license search.

Check a contractor’s status (opens the official Michigan site in a new tab)

Building permits

Permits in Michigan

Building permits in Michigan come from the city, village or township that enforces the state code, or from the county or state where the local unit does not. For example, Grand Traverse County issues building permits for most of the county, while Garfield Township issues its own. Cities such as Grand Rapids issue a building permit plus separate electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits, and Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor let property owners apply for their own permits. Local historic district rules can add a review step before exterior permits. Permit needs vary by address and scope, so they are confirmed during planning, before work is scheduled.

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What’s included

Kitchen Remodeling in Michigan: 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. 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. 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. 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. 4

    Enjoy

    A final walkthrough, completion of any punch-list items, and a review of care for new surfaces, fixtures and appliances.

Service areas

Where we plan kitchen remodeling projects in Michigan

Availability is confirmed for each project address before anything is scheduled.

Other communities

Related services in Michigan

Questions

Kitchen Remodeling FAQs

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.

Can I keep my existing cabinets?

If the cabinet boxes are sound and the layout is staying, refacing or painting can update the look. If cabinets are damaged, poorly sized or the layout is changing, replacement usually makes more sense.

What happens if problems are found behind the walls?

Opening walls and floors can reveal water damage, rot or outdated wiring. The issue should be shown to you, documented, and priced as a written change order before the added work starts.

How do I choose a countertop material?

Compare heat, stain and scratch resistance along with upkeep. Quartz needs little maintenance, natural stone varies by stone and may need sealing, laminate is a lower-cost option, and butcher block needs regular oiling.

Ready to Plan Kitchen Remodeling in Michigan?

Share the scope and the address. We'll confirm availability and follow up to talk through options and next steps.

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