Blending existing cabinets with new ones.
Project Start Date: Feb. 4th 2025 Project Completion Date: March 25th 2025
Finished 1 Week Ahead Of Schedule. Click here for detailed cost and timeline breakdown.
This kitchen hadn’t changed since it was built in 1987. The homeowner liked the layout and wanted to keep most of her cabinets, but needed better function and a fresh look. She needed a kitchen remodel on a budget.
The oven and cooktop needed replacing, the wall oven was not used and wasted space. The desk area was not useful and the storage around the fridge was not effective. The homeowner did not like the raised bar on the peninsula.
During design, we talked through how she actually uses the space:
Where she drops groceries, the daily routine for her and her kids, how often she cooks, meal preps, entertains etc...
That conversation guided the design process. The goal wasn’t just to update the look—but to make the space fit her daily routine.
Replace the desk area with pantry storage and a hidden bar
Added Pantry cabinets around the fridge
Replaced the wall oven with a more useful Speed Oven and more storage
Lowered the raised bar to be flush with the rest of the countertops
Now she's got better flow, and a brighter space—all without starting from scratch. It’s a great example of a kitchen remodel on a budget—where good design made the most of what was already there.
Drag the slider to see this project transformation!
Added storage with tall cabinets, new counters and backsplash, new speed oven and fixtures
We spend a lot of time in design and planning so we avoid any surprises. But remodeling is unpredicatble and a few things tend to pop up.
On this project there were just a few minor challenges to resolve.
Challenge: Hidden condition: The existing floor tile didn’t run under the old desk cabinets. When we pulled the desk out, the new cabinet footprint didn’t cover the bare subfloor.
Solution: Fortunately, the client had leftover tile from when the floors were installed, and we were able to patch the area. This was not included in the original scope of work, but we covered the cost anyway. This did not delay the schedule.
Challenge: Design Oversight: Soffit over the wall oven needed more work than expected. The soffit above the wall oven wasn’t framed properly to fit the new cabinet.
Solution: This was an oversight on our part during the design process. We reframed and drywalled the soffit to fit properly at our cost. It did not delay the schedule.
The project wrapped early.
Good planning, clear communication, and a simple scope kept everything moving. Even with a few small surprises—like tile patches and a soffit adjustment—we stayed ahead of schedule the entire time.
Proposed Start Date: February 5, 2025
Actual Start Date: February 4, 2025
Proposed Completion Date: April 21, 2025
Actual Completion Date: March 25, 2025
Play video for a detailed breakdown of costs
Initial Estimate: $79,632
Contract Price: $87,671 (after the design process)
Client Change Orders: $937.50 (client requests)
Total Cost: $89,385 (final price including change orders)
Cost Increase
The contract price was roughly $8000 more than the initial estimate due to an increase in cabinet costs and additional labor added to the scope.
Change Orders
There were just two minor change orders on this project. 1. For a new dining room light, she picked out mid project and asked us to install and 2. Tile repair on the existing floor.
Tall custom pantry...
... with custom pull outs
Beverage station...
... with pocket cabinets
WiFi-compatible gas stove
Large porcelain sink
Original and new custom cabinets...
...with honey-bronze knobs
Cabinets and Counters
Flooring and Tile
Fixtures and Accessories
For more information on these subs, go to our Subcontractor Directory.
We’ve worked with most of these partners for years—and we trust them in our own homes.
This project shows how thoughtful design can go a long way—without tearing everything out.
By keeping the layout and cabinets, the homeowner saved where it made sense and spent where it mattered. Updates like better storage, modern finishes, and layout tweaks made the kitchen feel new again.
The end result? A space that fits her routine, works better day to day, and still came in under the cost of a full renovation. It’s a great example of how to approach a kitchen remodel on a budget—smart choices, not shortcuts.
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What you'll get:
