Kitchen remodel and renovation in St. George

What a kitchen remodel costs in St. George

Planning ranges for a St. George kitchen run from about $10,000 for a refresh to $120,000 or more for a custom kitchen. No national survey publishes St. George prices, so these planning ranges come from 2025 and 2026 cost studies.

The 2025 Cost vs Value report's report priced a midrange minor kitchen remodel at $28,271 in Las Vegas and $27,871 in Salt Lake City, the two closest cities it covers⁵⁶. Labor is 50% to 60% of a typical kitchen bill¹. The kitchen remodel cost guide has the full breakdown.

Why so many Southern Utah kitchens are due for an update

Homes here are young. The median Washington County home was built in 2003, and about 57% went up in 2000 or later⁷. In Washington City the median year is 2008⁸. So many kitchens still have the builder's original cabinets, counters and fixtures.

That's a common starting point for a kitchen remodel St. George homeowners plan: a builder grade kitchen that works but looks tired. If the layout is good, new or refaced cabinets and new countertops may cover it. Still, 52% of Houzz's 2026 renovators changed their layout³.

Older homes need a different plan

About 23% of Iron County homes were built before 1980⁹, and Cedar City's historic district east of Southern Utah University holds 172 homes from the 1880s to the mid 1960s¹⁰. Downtown St. George joined the National Register on April 6, 2026, and the city says listing brings no new restrictions¹¹.

Homes built before 1978 likely contain lead paint, and paid remodelers must follow Utah's lead safe rules¹². Asbestos can't be spotted by eye, so test suspect materials before demo¹³.

Second homes: about 1 in 10 Washington County homes is held for seasonal use⁷. If you're away part of the year, plan access and deliveries with the remodeler up front.

Hard water, gas and power: the local details

St. George's water report says most Southern Utah water is hard and suggests softener settings of 13 to 24 grains per gallon¹⁴; Ivins suggests 22¹⁵. Hard water leaves scale that can shorten the life of water heaters and clog pipes, though it isn't a health concern¹⁶.

• Dishwasher and softener lines. St. George's final inspection checklist for new homes looks for a dishwasher drain hose looped up under the counter and a 1 inch air gap on water conditioner drain lines¹⁷.
• Gas ranges. Enbridge Gas Utah is the only regulated natural gas utility in the state¹⁸. Gas line and gas appliance work takes a person certified for it, even on a small job¹⁹. Not every home has a gas line, so check before you shop.
• Power upgrades. St. George, Washington City, Santa Clara and Hurricane run their own city power departments²⁰. Hurricane asks people to check with its power department before a permit that changes power needs²¹.
• Kayenta lighting. In Ivins's Kayenta community, HOA rules say pendant lights over a kitchen island must be shielded from outside view, and remodels that need a dumpster need approval first²².

Do you need a permit for a kitchen remodel?

Usually not for cabinets and counters alone, but yes once plumbing, gas, wiring or walls change. Utah's statewide residential code lists painting, tiling, cabinets and counter tops as finish work that's exempt from a permit, while replacing or changing plumbing, gas or electrical systems needs one²³.

Cedar City's building FAQ says a permit is required to remodel a house²⁴. Washington City handles a water heater replacement or a new gas line as a "Simple Permit"²⁵. St. George takes permit requests online through CityInspect²⁶.

Rules vary, so the remodeler should check with your city's building office and pull any permit in their name. Cedar City needs the licensed contractor's information before it issues a permit, unless the owner files an owner builder form²⁷. Local notes: St. George, Washington, Hurricane and Cedar City.

How to compare kitchen remodeling contractors near you

Check three things before you sign: an active Utah license, a written contract and permits in the remodeler's name. Look up any Utah contractor free on the Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) search²⁸.

• The right license. Utah's general contractor licenses include B100 General Contractor and R100 Residential/Small Commercial²⁹, plus specialty classes such as S220 Carpentry and Flooring³⁰. Plumbing and electrical work goes to licensed plumbing or electrical contractors¹⁹.
• The $7,000 line. An unlicensed handyman can only take remodeling jobs under $7,000, labor and materials included¹⁹. A kitchen remodel almost always costs more.
• A written contract with the license number. Utah requires the license number on contracts and bids³¹. State law can also shield your home from liens by unpaid subcontractors when you hired a licensed contractor under a written contract and paid in full³². The home has to be a house or duplex you live in, and a second home can count³³.
• Insurance. DOPL requires licensed contractors to carry at least $1,000,000 of liability coverage per incident³⁴.

Whether you pick a big kitchen remodeling company or a one person shop, the rules are the same. Before you hire any contractor for kitchen remodel work, compare written estimates line by line. The how it works page explains what we check.

How long a kitchen renovation takes

Plan on 6 to 12 weeks of work for a full kitchen renovation, and 3 to 8 months start to finish for a big custom or structural job. A cosmetic refresh can take a week or two³⁵.

Cabinets usually set the pace: semi custom ones often take 4 to 8 weeks to arrive, and fully custom 3 to 6 months or longer³⁵. If plans need review, Utah law gives a city up to 14 business days after a 3 business day screening period for a one or two family home³⁶.

Houzz users report about 9.5 months of planning and 5.8 months of work on a kitchen². Start early if you want it done before the holidays or a summer trip north.

What happens after you send the form

Searching "kitchen renovation near me" can bring up a long page of names. Here it's one: we pass your request to one independent remodeler with an active Utah contractor license who serves your city.

1. You share a few details about your kitchen and your ZIP code.
2. We check that the remodeler's license is active and pass your request along.
3. The remodeler calls to set up a visit and looks at the room.
4. You get a free written estimate, with no obligation to hire.

Remodelers may pay us; you never do. Planning a bath too? See bathroom remodeling, walk in showers, bathroom remodel costs or the remodeling FAQ.