Kitchen Remodeling in Marietta, GA

Kitchen remodeling brings nearly every trade into one room: cabinets, counters, plumbing, wiring, lighting and flooring all have to meet cleanly. In Marietta, the project goes more smoothly when the first conversation settles what you want to change and what is worth keeping, because that line decides how far demolition goes.

Settling the cabinet layout before demolition

The cabinet plan is the backbone of the room. Keeping the sink and range roughly where they are lets more of the existing plumbing and wiring stay, while moving them can mean new drain lines, supply lines or circuits. Once the layout is fixed, it is clear where demolition stops and which walls will be opened.

Door and drawer swing paths belong in the same discussion. A dishwasher door that collides with a corner drawer is easy to fix on paper and costly to fix after the cabinets are set; filler strips at inside corners give handles room to clear. Cabinet construction matters too, since box material, framed or frameless styles, and painted or stained finishes all affect price and how the cabinets wear.

Appliance clearances and where the lights go

Appliances should be planned from their specification sheets rather than typical sizes. A refrigerator set against a side wall may not open far enough to pull out its crisper drawers, and a range hood has a mounting height and duct route set by the manufacturer’s instructions. Having model numbers before cabinets are ordered avoids reworked openings.

Lighting works best in layers. Ceiling fixtures sit behind you while you work, so your shadow falls on the counter; under-cabinet lights solve that. Pendants, the fixture above the sink and the switch locations should be marked before the walls are closed, since moving a box later means patching drywall.

Storage, the sink and backsplash details

Storage planning starts with how you cook. Deep drawers for pots beside the range or a trash pull-out next to the sink each change the cabinet order, so they are settled in design, not on installation day.

The sink location affects the window line, the dishwasher and the drain behind it, and the faucet you pick decides how many holes are drilled in the countertop. Backsplash choices follow: how high the tile runs, where it stops at a window or hood, and how outlets fall within the pattern. Our tile installation page for Marietta covers backsplash and floor tile in more detail.

What we look for in the existing room

Walls hidden behind old cabinets are often uneven, patched or never painted. A wall that is out of plumb changes how cabinets are shimmed and scribed and how straight the backsplash looks, so any correction that is actually needed should be in the written scope before finishes are ordered.

We also record the appliance openings, the current electrical and plumbing locations, and the floor level in adjoining rooms. A new floor that sits taller than the hallway needs a transition, and the floor height in the dishwasher opening must still let the machine slide out for service. Flooring, hardware and fixtures are best chosen before anything is ordered, so dimensions do not shift mid-project.

Permits for kitchen plumbing and electrical work in Marietta

Kitchen remodels often involve plumbing, and the City of Marietta Building Division says any work on a plumbing system requires a plumbing permit, including water supply and sewer lines. Applications go through the city’s online SagesGov system, and inspections are done in person since virtual inspections began phasing out on November 1, 2024.

The city’s homeowner permit page states that homeowners cannot apply for plumbing, electrical or mechanical permits; the professional doing the work must apply. It also explains how to confirm jurisdiction: a county parcel record showing tax district “(4) MARIETTA” means the home is inside city limits, while “(9) UNINCORPORATED” means Cobb County has jurisdiction.

Order of work and the final review

A typical order runs like this: protect floors and access paths, remove the finishes being replaced, complete approved rough plumbing and electrical work, repair walls and prepare the floor, set cabinets, template and install countertops, then add backsplash, fixtures, hardware and trim. The order shifts when a house calls for it.

Countertops are templated only after the base cabinets are installed and level. Last come the small adjustments: door hinges, drawer fronts and a check that the dishwasher and range still fit under the finished counters.

What the written estimate should spell out

A clear estimate separates included work from allowances, items you supply and anything that would need a change order. An allowance for tile or light fixtures covers a budgeted amount, so ask how the difference is handled if your pick costs more or less.

It should also say who empties the cabinets, receives deliveries, hauls debris and handles touch-ups. A mid-project change, such as a different faucet or an extra outlet, should be priced and agreed in writing first. Planning other rooms too? Our Marietta remodeling page covers them.

Frequently asked questions about kitchen remodeling in Marietta

Do I need a permit to move my kitchen sink in Marietta?

If the home is inside city limits, yes. Moving a sink changes drain and supply lines, and Marietta’s Building Division requires a plumbing permit for any work on a plumbing system. You cannot pull that permit yourself; the professional doing the plumbing applies through the city’s SagesGov system. If your county parcel record shows tax district “(9) UNINCORPORATED”, Cobb County has jurisdiction instead.

Where should lights go in a remodeled kitchen?

Plan at least two layers. Ceiling fixtures give general light, while under-cabinet fixtures light the counters where you chop and prep, because overhead lights behind you cast your shadow onto the work surface. Add a fixture over the sink and pendants over an island if you have one, and mark every box and switch before the walls are closed.

Why should I choose appliances before the cabinets are ordered?

Because cabinet openings, panel sizes and clearances are built around specific models. A refrigerator, range or dishwasher that differs from the plan by even a small amount can leave a gap, block a door or require a cabinet to be modified. Having model numbers and specification sheets in hand lets the layout account for door swings, hood height and ventilation from the start.

Talk through your kitchen plans

If you are thinking about a new kitchen, call 404-409-4448 and tell us what you would like to change. We can arrange a visit to measure the room, look at existing conditions and prepare a written estimate based on what your kitchen actually needs.