Kitchen Remodeling in Wilmington, DE
Full Kitchen Remodels · Countertop Replacement · Kitchenette & In-Law Suite Builds · KraftMaid · Wood-Mode · Quartz by Elegantly Set in Stone · $25K–$80K Project Range · 1-Year Warranty
Kitchen remodeling is the work Precision Home Worx is hired most often for, and the one we are working hardest to grow. From a counter-only refresh to a complete from-the-studs remodel, Jimmy Grubb has been remodeling Northern Delaware kitchens for the past two decades, sourcing quartz counters from Elegantly Set in Stone in Claymont, working with KraftMaid and Wood-Mode cabinetry, and delivering the kind of finish work that holds up after a decade of family dinners.
Most full kitchen remodels at Precision Home Worx run between $25,000 and $80,000, depending on cabinet tier, counter material, and whether the layout stays put or gets opened up. Kitchenettes and in-law suite kitchens are a featured specialty for multi-generational households. Counter-only replacements and faucet swaps run as quick, standalone jobs.
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Free in-home estimate, written quote within about a week, every selection linked, so you see exactly what we are ordering. Call (302) 321-3577 or use the contact form.
When Wilmington Homeowners Call About Their Kitchen
Most kitchen remodeling calls fit one of these:
Builder-grade kitchen from the 1990s or 2000s
Oak cabinets, laminate counters, vinyl floors. Functional, but every other room in the house has been updated and the kitchen still looks 25 years old. The remodel scope ranges from cabinet refacing plus new counters (the budget tier) to full from-the-studs (the premium tier).
Counter-only refresh
Cabinets are fine. Counters are not — laminate that's chipped, original Formica that's outlived its decade, or builder-grade granite that's no longer the homeowner's taste. We partner with Elegantly Set in Stone in Claymont for quartz fabrication, then handle the tear-out and installation.
Kitchenette or in-law suite kitchen — featured specialty
Multi-generational households adding a kitchenette to a basement or in-law suite. Compact layouts that need to fit a sink, fridge, microwave, and 2–4 feet of counter into a small footprint. We've done a lot of these — it's a featured specialty.
Tile backsplash installation or replacement
Dated 4-inch granite slab backsplashes coming out; subway tile, marble mosaic, or large-format porcelain going in. Often a standalone job for homeowners who just want the backsplash refreshed without a full remodel.
Layout opened up — wall removal, new island
Closed 1990s galley kitchens are becoming open-concept. Wall removal (where structurally feasible) plus a new island, peninsula, or breakfast bar. The structural piece requires careful framing work — load-bearing walls don't move without an engineer's input, and we'll tell you that before quoting.
Faucet, disposal, or appliance replacement
Standalone small jobs that don't need a full remodel. Kitchen faucet replacement ($150–$300 published), garbage disposal install ($500–$650), or appliance hook-up after a delivery.
Local Conditions That Affect Kitchen Remodels in Northern Delaware
Northern Delaware's kitchen housing stock spans more than 100 years of construction. The Wilmington row home from 1920 has different remodel constraints than the 1990s Bear development or the 2010s Hockessin custom build. Knowing the era changes the scope, the price, and what we find behind the wall.
Galley kitchens in post-war Claymont and Westover Hills
Homes built between 1945 and 1965 in Claymont, Westover Hills, and parts of Wilmington overwhelmingly used galley layouts — two parallel runs of cabinets with a narrow walkway. They're functional but feel cramped by 2026 standards. The opening-up remodel (one wall removed, a peninsula added) is the most common scope we quote for this era — typically $40,000–$60,000 with KraftMaid cabinets and quartz countertops. About 30% of these homes have a load-bearing wall between the kitchen and dining room, which requires an engineer's input and a structural beam in the budget.
Premium Hockessin, Greenville, Chadds Ford custom builds
Homes built between 2005 and 2020 in the premium Brandywine Hundred and Chester County markets typically came with semi-custom cabinets and stone counters from new construction. Remodels here are usually about updating the style — new door fronts, new counter, refreshed island — rather than fixing original-build deficiencies. Wood-Mode custom cabinetry shows up disproportionately on these projects.
1980s oak-cabinet builds in Bear and Newark
Homes built between 1985 and 2000 in Bear, Newark, and the newer Wilmington developments overwhelmingly used the same oak-cabinet, laminate-counter, vinyl-floor builder spec. The cabinets are typically still structurally sound — which makes cabinet refacing ($8,000–$15,000) a real option here, not just a budget compromise. Quartz counters plus refaced cabinets plus a new backsplash transforms these kitchens for half the cost of a full remodel.
Pre-1978 Wilmington row home plumbing
Wilmington row homes built before 1978 often have galvanized-steel supply lines and cast-iron drain stacks. Galvanized supply pipes corrode internally and reduce flow — replacing the kitchen sink without addressing low water pressure means the homeowner still has the same complaint after the new faucet goes in. We test pressure at the estimate visit and quote pipe replacement separately when the supply is the actual issue. Pre-1978 homes also trigger EPA lead-paint protocols on any wall surface that gets disturbed during demolition.
Polybutylene supply lines (1985–1995 builds)
Same issue we flag on the shower and plumbing pages — homes built between 1985 and 1995 in Bear, Hockessin, and Newark sometimes have polybutylene supply lines under the kitchen sink. When we open the cabinet for a sink replacement and find poly, we recommend replacing the supply runs at the same time. Adds a few hundred dollars; saves a much bigger headache when the fitting eventually fails.
Our Reviews
What's Covered
Full Kitchen Remodel
From-the-studs or layout-preserved remodels. Demolition, structural and framing changes (where feasible), plumbing reroute, electrical updates, drywall, flooring, cabinet install, countertop template and install, backsplash, fixture install, and final finishing. Typical timeline: 4–8 weeks depending on cabinet lead time and scope.
Countertop Replacement
Quartz is our primary recommendation — fabricated and installed by Elegantly Set in Stone in Claymont. Template runs about a week after demo; installation is typically 10 days after template. Granite and butcher block are also available; laminate by request for budget jobs.
Tile Backsplash
Subway tile, mosaic, large-format porcelain, marble, or accent stone — we work with Avalon Flooring in Wilmington for tile sourcing. The layout is planned to line up cleanly with cabinet ends and outlet boxes.
Cabinet Installation
KraftMaid (semi-custom, stock-plus options) and Wood-Mode (true custom) are our two primary cabinet sources. Stock and semi-custom typically run 4–6 weeks lead time from order; full custom can run 8–12 weeks. We handle the design layout, ordering, on-site receiving, and installation.
Kitchenette/In-Law Suite Kitchen (Featured Specialty)
Compact secondary kitchens in basements, in-law suites, or accessory dwelling units. Typical scope: sink + small dishwasher OR full fridge, 2–4 feet of counter, upper and lower cabinets, electrical for a single circuit. Common in homes housing adult children, aging parents, or rental units.
Built-In Cabinetry
Built-in pantries, banquette benches, and custom-finished cabinet end panels are featured carpentry.
Faucet & Fixture Replacement
Kitchen faucet replacement is $150–$300 published. Brands we install: Kohler, American Standard, Moen, Delta. Touch-activated and pull-down sprayer models are standard; bridge faucets and farmhouse-sink fixtures are also in scope. Shut-off valves replaced on every install.
What's NOT included: We don't move gas lines (requires licensed Delaware plumber), don't handle whole-home electrical service upgrades, don't do carpet, and don't take on full-room HVAC redesigns. Engineered structural changes — load-bearing wall removal beyond simple openings — require a Delaware structural engineer's input before we quote.
Pricing
Kitchen remodel pricing varies more than any other service we offer. Below are typical ranges from real Precision Home Worx projects in Northern Delaware. Your free in-home estimate provides an exact written quote valid for 30 days.
| Service | Typical Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen faucet replacement | $150–$300 | Restrictions apply |
| Garbage disposal installation | $500–$650 | By HP tier |
| Tile backsplash installationl (standard kitchen) | $1,500–$3,500 | T&M based on tile choice |
| Countertop replacement — quartz, standard kitchen | $4,000–$8,000 | Elegantly Set in Stone |
| Cabinet refacing (existing boxes, new doors/drawers) | $8,000–$15,000 | Budget tier |
| Kitchenette/in-law suite kitchen | $12,000–$25,000 | Featured specialty |
| Full kitchen remodel — entry tier (stock cabinets, quartz) | $25,000–$40,000 | Layout preserved |
| Full kitchen remodel — mid tier (KraftMaid, quartz, backsplash) | $40,000–$60,000 | Most common range |
| Full kitchen remodel — premium (Wood-Mode, layout changes) | $60,000–$80,000 | Greenville/Hockessin tier |
What affects the price
Cabinet tier
Cabinet tier — stock (Home Depot/Lowes) vs. KraftMaid semi-custom vs. Wood-Mode custom can swing the price $15,000–$30,000.
Counter material
Counter material — laminate vs. quartz vs. premium quartz / quartzite varies $3,000–$8,000.
Layout changes
Layout changes — wall removal, plumbing relocation, electrical changes all add hours and may trigger engineer input.
Appliance package
Appliance package — included vs. homeowner-supplied vs. high-end (Wolf, Sub-Zero, Thermador) shifts the budget substantially.
Plumbing era
Plumbing era — pre-1978 galvanized or 1985–1995 polybutylene homes often need supply-line replacement at the same time.
How Your Kitchen Remodel Actually Happens
Cabinet and countertop selection — showroom + samples
KraftMaid has a showroom presence at most kitchen-bath dealers; Wood-Mode is dealer-only, and Jimmy will arrange a visit. Quartz selections happen at the Elegantly Set in Stone showroom in Claymont. Tile through Avalon Flooring.
Demolition day
Drop cloths and runners from your entry to the kitchen before any tools come out. Appliances disconnected (water shut off, gas shut off if applicable). Old cabinets, counters, backsplash, and flooring removed and hauled away. Dust barriers installed at any pass-throughs.
Backsplash and final tile work
Tile layout is confirmed with the homeowner before the mortar goes down. Outlet plates, switches, and accent rows are planned for clean alignment. Grout color confirmed in writing.
Detailed written quote — itemized, within about a week
Itemized estimate: cabinets line by line, counters, plumbing, electrical, appliances (if included), demolition, drywall, flooring, installation labor, and timeline. Every selection comes with a link to the exact product.
Cabinet install — floors first, then cabinets
Standard order: subfloor and flooring repairs → flooring install → upper cabinets → lower cabinets → counters → backsplash → appliances. Cabinets shimmed level, fastened to studs, and adjusted before the counter template.
Appliance reconnect
Garbage disposal, dishwasher, ice maker line, range gas (coordinated with licensed plumber). Every supply-line shut-off valve gets replaced as standard practice — not as an upcharge.
Final walk-through and warranty
Cabinet doors adjusted, drawers tested, soft-close verified. Hardware installed. Plumbing pressure-tested. Electrical tested at every outlet. Walk-through with Jimmy. Punch-list items scheduled within the week. One-year comprehensive warranty on workmanship and materials.
Discovery meeting (in-home, free)
Jimmy comes to your home with samples — cabinet door styles, quartz chips, tile boards. Booties on. You walk through what you want, what you don't, must-haves, hard nos, and budget alignment. No layout drawing yet — that comes after we know the scope.
Order lead-time — varies
Stock cabinets: 1–2 weeks. KraftMaid semi-custom: 4–6 weeks. Wood-Mode custom: 8–12 weeks. Quartz template: about a week after demo. Quartz install: 10 days after template.
Countertop template and install (about 10 days apart)
Once the lower cabinets are set, Elegantly Set in Stone templates the counters. About 10 days later, they deliver and install the cut stone. Sink dropped in, faucet installed, shut-off valves replaced on the supply lines.
Why Precision Home Worx for Your Kitchen
Real Partnership With Elegantly Set in Stone (Claymont)
Quartz countertops are the #1 customer request in Wilmington kitchen remodels. We partner with Elegantly Set in Stone, a local Claymont fabricator. You visit their showroom and pick the exact slab going into your kitchen — not a catalog image of "a quartz that looks like this." Most chain installers source quartz from out-of-state warehouses where the homeowner never sees the actual material.
KraftMaid and Wood-Mode — Semi-Custom and Custom Cabinet Sourcing
KraftMaid for the semi-custom tier ($40K–$60K projects). Wood-Mode for true custom work (above $60K). Both have warranties that pass through to you. We don't push you toward whichever brand has the best dealer kickback — we recommend based on your kitchen, your budget, and your timeline.
Shut-Off Valves Replaced On Every Installation
From Jimmy's verbatim on the current site: "It is appalling when other tradesmen will not go the extra mile and install a $25.00 shut-off valve when the existing one is in poor condition." Sink supply lines, dishwasher feed, ice-maker line — every connection gets a new valve. The valve adds 15 minutes and $25 in parts. Skipping it costs you $400 when the old valve fails 5 years later, and a plumber has to cut into your new cabinets.
Drop Cloths From Your Entry To The Kitchen — Every Job
Kitchens are often in the middle of the house. That's a lot of hardwood and carpet between the front door and the work area — often 30–50 feet of pathway across multiple rooms. We use about 250 square feet of canvas runners on a typical kitchen job, taped at the seams. The setup adds 40 minutes before any tools come out.
Every Selection Linked Before We Order
Cabinet door style, quartz slab, faucet finish, cabinet pull, backsplash tile — every selection in your written quote comes with a link to the exact product. You see what you're getting before we place the $30,000 cabinet order. No "you said brushed nickel, I assumed satin chrome" miscommunication six weeks into the project.
FREE Second Opinions On Outside Kitchen Quotes
Already have a quote from a kitchen-bath dealer, a big-box installer, or another local remodeler? Email it to Jimmy or have him stop by. He'll review it for free — walk through what's included, what's missing (typically the demo, the shut-off valves, the backsplash, or the appliance reconnect get "forgotten"), and tell you straight whether the price is fair.
Layout-Preserved vs. Layout-Change Kitchens — The $15K Decision Most Homeowners Don't Realize They're Making
Almost every kitchen remodel falls into one of two scope tiers, and the choice between them can swing the budget by $10,000–$20,000. Most homeowners don't realize they're making this decision until the estimate comes in higher than expected. Understanding it before the discovery visit helps you talk to any contractor — us or otherwise — about what you actually want.
A layout-preserved remodel keeps the existing footprint. Sink stays where the sink is. Stove stays where the stove is. Fridge stays where the fridge is. Cabinets, counters, backsplash, flooring, and appliances all get replaced, but no walls move, and no plumbing or electrical lines get rerouted. The work is fast (4–6 weeks once cabinets arrive), the price is predictable (entry tier $25,000–$40,000, mid tier $40,000–$60,000), and there's no structural or engineering risk. About 60% of our kitchen remodels are layout-preserved.
A layout change remodel moves things. Maybe the wall between the kitchen and dining room comes down. Maybe the island gets added where the dining table used to be. Maybe the sink moves from the wall to the island, which means rerouting the drain across joist bays. Each of those changes requires carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, and sometimes a structural engineer's input. Timeline extends to 8–12 weeks. Price typically lands $15,000–$25,000 higher than the layout-preserved version of the same kitchen.
How to tell which one you want: walk through your current kitchen with a piece of painter's tape. Mark where the sink, stove, and fridge are. If those three positions work for you and what you really want is new cabinets, new counters, and a refresh, that's a layout-preserved remodel. If you find yourself wanting the sink on a different wall, an island where there isn't one, or a wall removed to open up the room — that's a layout-change remodel. Both are great kitchens; they just have very different budgets and timelines. Knowing which one you are after before the estimate visit saves everybody time.
Real Precision Home Worx Kitchen Project
Case Study
Ashbourne Hills Kitchen + Bath Remodel (D.H.) "I can't say enough good things about James Grubb (Jimmy). His work is impeccable. He is so hardworking and is always professional. He single-handedly remodeled our bathroom, and it is Beautiful. He also worked on the remodel of a complete new Kitchen. Great at carpentry, electrical, and plumbing. If you need any work done on your home, don't hesitate to call Precision Home Worx. Friendly, reliable, reasonably priced. Excellent work!!!! Thanks, Jim.
D.H.'s project covered a full kitchen remodel from the studs out, plus a primary bath remodel — a multi-room scope managed by Jimmy directly with no estimator handoff, no sub-crew swap, and no surprise charges. The combined remodel ran across both spaces over about 8 weeks.
Brands & Partners
These are the kitchen brands Precision Home Worx installs and partners with:
KraftMaid — semi-custom, stock-plus door styles and finishes. Mid-tier price point.
Wood-Mode — true custom cabinetry. Premium tier for Hockessin, Greenville, Chadds Ford projects.
Quartz Partner: Elegantly Set in Stone (Claymont) — local fabricator with full-slab selection available at their showroom.
Granite, butcher block, and laminate available by request.
Kohler · American Standard · Moen · Delta (including Touch2O models).
Avalon Flooring (Wilmington) — primary tile supplier for backsplash and flooring work.
Garbage Disposal
InSinkErator — Badger entry tier, mid-tier 1/2 HP, and premium 3/4 HP sound-shield models available to fit different kitchen needs and budgets.
FAQs
Layout-preserved remodels typically run 4–6 weeks once cabinets arrive. Layout-change remodels with wall removal, plumbing reroute, or full structural work can run 8–12 weeks. The biggest variable is cabinet lead time — Wood-Mode custom alone can be 8–12 weeks.
Most full kitchen remodels at Precision Home Worx land between $25,000 and $80,000. Entry tier (stock cabinets, quartz counters, layout preserved) starts around $25,000. Mid tier with KraftMaid semi-custom and full backsplash is typically $40,000–$60,000. Premium with Wood-Mode custom and layout changes runs $60,000–$80,000.
Mostly yes — once demo starts, the kitchen is out of service until appliances reconnect. Most homeowners set up a temporary kitchen in a basement, garage, or family room with a microwave, mini-fridge, and coffee setup. We'll talk through the staging plan at the estimate.
Both. Cabinet refacing — new doors, new drawer fronts, new hardware on existing cabinet boxes — runs $8,000–$15,000 and is the budget-tier option when the existing box layout works but the look is dated. Full cabinet replacement is included in our full-remodel pricing.
Both options work. Most homeowners buy their own appliances (Best Buy, Pacific Sales, local dealers) and we coordinate delivery dates with the installation schedule. We can also source appliances through trade channels for a small surcharge.
Sink relocations within the existing wall — yes, in handyman-scope plumbing. Refrigerator relocations within the existing layout — yes. Stove relocations involving gas line work require a licensed Delaware plumber; we coordinate the gas work with a partner. Wall removal beyond simple openings requires a structural engineer's sign-off.
Sometimes. If we're keeping the existing flooring and the layout is preserved, the floor stays. If cabinets are moving, the floor either comes up or gets worked around. Per Jimmy's standard answer: "yes — however, it will be reinstalled and be as if it never was removed."
Not currently. We accept major credit cards, Zelle, checks, and cash. Standard payment terms for projects over $5,000: 50% on order (when cabinets get placed), balance due at completion.
Our work is backed by a one-year comprehensive warranty dated at end of project completion. The warranty covers workmanship and the materials we supply. Manufacturer warranties on KraftMaid, Wood-Mode, Kohler/Moen/Delta fixtures, appliances, and the Elegantly Set in Stone countertop pass through directly to you.
Where We Do Kitchen Remodels
Precision Home Worx serves Northern Delaware and southern Chester County, PA — within roughly a 15-mile radius of Wilmington. Most-frequent kitchen remodel markets:
Wilmington (19801–19809)
Older homes, historic district considerations.
Claymont (19703)
Post-war housing, layout-preserved galley-opening remodels.
Greenville / Centreville / Montchanin
Premium tier, Wood-Mode custom.
Winterthur / Rockland / Yorklyn
Premium Brandywine Hundred.
Hockessin
Pike Creek and Hockessin Greens mid-to-premium tier.
Newark
University area + Pencader Hundred, mid-tier KraftMaid.
Bear • New Castle • Delaware City
1990s–2000s homes, refacing-tier refreshes.
Garnet Valley • Glen Mills • Chadds Ford (PA)
Brandywine Valley premium.
Ready for a New Kitchen? Call Precision Home Worx
Call Jimmy directly at (302) 321-3577, or fill out the contact form. We respond within 24–48 hours and schedule your free in-home discovery visit within about a week.
Monday – Sunday, 7 AM – 8 PM
221 New York Ave, Claymont, DE 19703
