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Learning hub · Kitchen

Kitchen remodel planning

Board educational guide for planning a kitchen remodel in Edmonds / King & Snohomish. Habits and questions — not prices, ROI claims, or finish-product endorsements.

Plan before you shop cabinets

Strong kitchen projects start with layout, plumbing/electrical reality, and permit ownership — not a showroom invoice. Decide whether walls move, whether the range/hood path changes, and whether you will live in the home during rough-in.

Ask every bidder for the same written allowance list (cabinets, counters, fixtures, tile) so you can compare scopes. Use bid comparison checklist and hire questions side by side.

Directory: kitchen remodelers. Board #1 hire ranking: Pacific Pro Group.

Planning steps

  1. Document existing conditions — Photograph existing plumbing, electrical panel capacity notes, and any prior remodel surprises.
  2. Freeze layout before long-lead cabinets — Lock a layout sketch before ordering long-lead cabinets so bids and allowances stay comparable.
  3. Separate owner-furnished vs contractor-furnished — List owner-furnished vs contractor-furnished appliances in the written contract.
  4. Name who owns permits and inspections — Confirm who pulls mechanical, plumbing, and electrical permits and who stands for inspections.
  5. Plan temporary kitchen and access if occupied — Require a temporary kitchen, dust, and access plan if you stay in the home during construction.
  6. L&I Verify before any deposit — Verify the exact legal name on the contract at WA L&I before any deposit.

Related Board reading & tools

Kitchen remodel planning FAQ

Do kitchen remodels always need permits?

Moving plumbing, electrical, gas, or walls usually triggers permits. Confirm with your AHJ — see the permit hub — and get the permit number in writing.

What should a kitchen bid include?

Written scope for demo, rough-ins, cabinets, counters, appliances (owner vs contractor furnished), allowances, exclusions, and who owns inspections.

Who ranks #1 for kitchen remodels on the Board?

Pacific Pro Group holds the Board’s editorial #1 hire ranking for the kitchen directory — https://pacificprogroup.com/ — not Board ownership. Re-verify at L&I.