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Kitchen Remodeling in Tennessee

In Tennessee, we plan kitchen remodeling projects in Nashville and Memphis. 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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Renovated Knoxville Victorian kitchen with a tall window bay, soft-white cabinets, a walnut island, a navy range alcove and brass lighting.
Illustrative image

Tennessee context

Planning kitchen remodeling in Tennessee

  1. State minimum codes, local enforcement in larger cities

    Tennessee's State Fire Marshal's Office sets statewide minimum codes. On April 17, 2025, the state moved to the 2021 International Building Code with state amendments, while homes remain under the 2018 International Residential Code. Cities approved as exempt jurisdictions, including Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Clarksville, Murfreesboro, Jackson and Johnson City, do their own plan review and inspections for buildings that would otherwise need State Fire Marshal approval. They must adopt codes within seven years of the most current published edition, so the edition in force varies by city. Metro Nashville lists the 2024 International Codes, while Chattanooga, Clarksville and Johnson City list 2018 editions.

  2. Energy code and climate zones

    For homes, Tennessee's statewide energy code is the 2018 IECC with state amendments, in effect since July 16, 2020, and the commercial energy code moved to the 2021 IECC on April 17, 2025. On the 2018 map, 14 West Tennessee counties, including Shelby and Madison, are in climate zone 3A and the rest of the state is in zone 4A. The 2021 map moved 21 counties, including Davidson, Rutherford, Williamson and Hamilton, from zone 4A to 3A. Confirm the edition and zone your local building department applies before insulation, window and HVAC choices are made.

  3. Tornadoes and flash flooding

    On March 3, 2020, a tornado with a 60-mile path, the longest in Middle Tennessee since records began in 1950, reached EF-3 strength in East Nashville. In May 2010, 13.57 inches of rain fell at Nashville over two days and the Cumberland River crested at 52.55 feet. Plan roofing, windows and site drainage with storm exposure in mind, and check your address on FEMA's flood maps before planning additions, lower-level rooms or equipment locations.

Sources (11)

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

Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance)

Tennessee licenses contractors through the Board for Licensing Contractors, which also regulates home improvement contractors and limited licensed electricians and plumbers. A state contractor license is required for prime contractors on projects of $25,000 or more, for electrical, mechanical, plumbing, HVAC and roofing subcontractors doing $25,000 or more of work, and for masonry subcontractors when the masonry portion is $100,000 or more. Each license has a monetary limit per project, and projects may not be split into phases to get around the law. In Bradley, Davidson, Hamilton, Haywood, Knox, Marion, Robertson, Rutherford and Shelby counties, residential remodeling projects from $3,000 to $24,999 require a home improvement license. Some cities add their own contractor licensing, such as Metro Nashville. Before hiring anyone, look up the contractor's license and classification at verify.tn.gov and ask your local building department what it requires.

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

Building permits

Permits in Tennessee

Building permits in Tennessee come from local building departments or, where there is no local program, the State Fire Marshal's Office. The state residential permit program covers one- and two-family homes and townhouses in areas that have not opted out or been exempted; it applies to new construction and additions over 30 square feet, and renovations do not need a state permit. Larger cities, including Nashville, Memphis, Chattanooga, Clarksville, Jackson and Johnson City, issue permits through their own building departments under the code editions they have adopted. Their rules can reach further than the state program: Metro Nashville and Clarksville, for example, also permit renovation work. What needs a permit depends on the jurisdiction and the scope of work, so Tennessee Construction Pros confirms the permit path with the local office during planning, before work is scheduled.

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What’s included

Kitchen Remodeling in Tennessee: 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 Tennessee

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

Other communities

Related services in Tennessee

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 Tennessee?

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

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