Full Kitchen Renovation
Full Kitchen Renovation in Bethesda, Down to the Studs and Up to Code
A full kitchen renovation in Bethesda, MD takes the room down to the studs and rebuilds it: a new layout if you want one, new wiring, plumbing, cabinets, counters and floors. Walls in older Bethesda houses often hide wiring and plumbing that won't pass today's inspections. A full renovation fixes them under permit, so the new kitchen is sound behind the finishes too.
Key Facts
| Key fact | Full renovation |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | $75,000–$120,000+ |
| Construction | 10–18 weeks with a layout change |
| Permits | DPS building and electrical; WSSC Water plumbing and gas |
| Pre-1978 homes | Lead-safe work under the EPA RRP rule |
| Warranty | 1 year on workmanship |
How we work
What a Full Kitchen Remodel in Bethesda Includes
A full kitchen remodel covers 11 kinds of work, done in this order. It is part of our Bethesda kitchen remodeling service, and a kitchen renovation in Bethesda follows the same sequence whether the layout moves or not.
- Demolition to the studs. Cabinets, counters, drywall or plaster and old flooring come out under dust containment.
- Framing and wall changes. Openings are cut, walls moved and beams set to engineer drawings when needed.
- Electrical rough-in and panel work. New circuits, outlets and lighting boxes, plus a larger panel if the house needs one.
- Plumbing and gas rough-in. Supply, drain and gas lines run to the new sink, dishwasher and range locations.
- Range-hood ducting. A hood vented to the outside, sized for the range.
- Insulation and drywall. Exterior walls are insulated before new drywall goes up.
- Flooring. Installed before or after the cabinets, depending on the material.
- Cabinets. Set, levelled and fixed to the walls.
- Countertops and backsplash. Templated after the cabinets are in, then installed.
- Lighting and fixtures. Pendants, recessed and under-cabinet lights, faucets and switches.
- Appliances. Connected, tested and checked at the final inspection.
The layout itself is set in design first. See how we plan the new layout.
Full Renovation or a Refresh: Which Does Your Kitchen Need?
Choose a full renovation when the layout, wiring or plumbing has to change. A refresh is enough when the layout works and the cabinet boxes are sound.
| Signs you need a full renovation | Signs a refresh is enough |
|---|---|
| You want to open or move a wall | The layout already works for you |
| Breakers trip when appliances run together | The wiring handles your appliances |
| The sink or range needs to move | Plumbing stays where it is |
| Cabinet boxes are water-damaged or sagging | Cabinet boxes are solid; only doors look dated |
| Floors are uneven or damaged under the cabinets | Floors are sound and can stay or be covered |
If a refresh fits, cabinet refacing is a lower-cost option.
What's Behind the Walls in Older Bethesda Kitchens
Bethesda houses built from the 1930s to the 1960s often have undersized electrical panels, too few kitchen circuits, aging pipes and lead paint, and a full renovation is the time to fix them.
- Panel capacity. Older 60–100 amp panels may not carry a modern kitchen. We check the load and upgrade where needed under a DPS electrical permit.
- Kitchen circuits and GFCI protection. Old kitchens often share one or two circuits. New work brings circuits and outlet protection to current Montgomery County code.
- Old supply and drain pipes. Galvanized supply lines and cast-iron drains corrode from the inside. We replace what we expose.
- Plaster walls and lead paint. Plaster over lath is heavy and dusty to remove, and paint in pre-1978 homes may contain lead. We follow EPA RRP lead-safe practices.
- Range-hood venting. Many older hoods only recirculate air. We duct new hoods to the outside.
Kitchen Electrical and Lighting Upgrades
Most full renovations add circuits for appliances and new lighting, and many older Bethesda homes need a larger panel to carry them.
- Dedicated appliance circuits for the range, dishwasher, microwave and refrigerator
- A panel upgrade when the existing panel is full or undersized; a 200-amp upgrade runs $1,300–$2,000 nationally (HomeAdvisor, Jun 2026)
- Layered lighting: recessed, pendant and under-cabinet lights on separate switches
- Outlets on islands placed to meet code and stay out of the way
A licensed Maryland master electrician does the work under a DPS electrical permit. See what electrical work adds to the cost.
Countertops, Backsplash, Flooring and Appliance Installation
We install countertops, backsplash, flooring and appliances as part of the same contract, in the order that protects each finish.
Countertops. The fabricator templates after the cabinets are set, so the stone fits the boxes as built, not as drawn.
Backsplash and tile. Tile goes up after the counters, so it sits tight on the stone.
Flooring. Solid hardwood and tile usually go in before the cabinets. Floating floors go in after, so the cabinets don't pin them.
Appliances. Gas ranges connect under the WSSC Water permit, and hoods are ducted outside. Help with choosing countertops and finishes is part of design.
Pricing
How Much Does a Full Kitchen Renovation Cost in Bethesda?
A full kitchen renovation in Bethesda typically costs $75,000–$120,000 or more. A gut job that keeps the layout and uses semi-custom cabinets can come in lower, in the upper part of the $35,000–$75,000 tier.
| Scope | Typical tier |
|---|---|
| Gut, same layout | Upper mid-range ($35,000–$75,000) |
| Gut, new layout | Full custom ($75,000–$120,000+) |
| Gut, high-end | $120,000+ |
See the full kitchen remodel cost breakdown.
How Long Does a Full Kitchen Renovation Take?
Plan on 10–18 weeks of construction when the layout changes, after 4–12 weeks of design, permits and cabinet ordering.
| Phase | Typical duration |
|---|---|
| Design and selections | 2–8 weeks |
| Permits | 3–5 days (DPS Fast Track, eligible kitchens) to several weeks |
| Cabinet lead time | 4–15 weeks, running alongside permits |
| Demolition and rough-in | 1–2 weeks |
| Inspections, drywall and install | 4–12 weeks |
| Final inspection and walkthrough | About 1 week |
These are typical ranges. See our week-by-week remodeling process.
How we work
Permits and Inspections for a Full Kitchen Remodel
Yes, a full renovation needs permits. In Bethesda, DPS issues the building and electrical permits and WSSC Water issues the plumbing and gas permits. Inspections come in this order:
- Rough-in electrical and plumbing, before walls close
- Framing, if walls were changed
- Final inspection, before you use the kitchen
Removing a load-bearing wall needs engineer drawings. A HAWP applies only if a historic property's exterior changes. More on kitchen remodel permits in Bethesda.
How Do You Live at Home During a Full Kitchen Renovation?
Most families stay home and set up a temporary kitchen in another room. Six things make it work:
- The old refrigerator, moved to a dining room or garage
- A microwave
- An electric kettle
- A plug-in induction plate
- A washing station at a laundry or bathroom sink
- Paper plates and cups for the messiest weeks
We seal the work area with plastic barriers and protect the floors between the kitchen and the door.
Coverage
Full Kitchen Renovation Near Bethesda
We also handle full renovations in Rockville, Potomac, Chevy Chase and Kensington.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Many full renovations keep the layout and replace everything else.
Usually no for interior work. You need a structural engineer if a load-bearing wall moves, and we bring ours.
Yes, if they fit the new cabinet sizes and run safely. We check them during design.
Yes, when they're part of the kitchen scope. A HAWP applies only to exterior changes on historic properties.
Our labour and installation, from the final walkthrough. Products carry their makers' warranties.
Keep exploring
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Next step
Plan Your Kitchen Renovation in Bethesda, MD
A kitchen renovation in Bethesda, MD should leave the room right down to the studs and up to code. Book a visit and we'll send an itemized estimate covering permits, inspections and our 1-year warranty.