Kitchen Remodel Cost in Coastal SC 2026: Complete Pricing Guide

Kitchen Remodel Costs at a Glance

Before we get into the details, here is a quick summary of what homeowners in coastal South Carolina can expect to pay for different levels of kitchen remodels in 2026. These ranges include labor, materials, permits, and standard site preparation.

Your actual cost depends on the size of your kitchen, the finishes you choose, whether the layout changes, and the condition of your existing plumbing and electrical systems. We will walk through each level below.

Cosmetic Kitchen Refresh: $25,000 to $38,000

A cosmetic refresh is the most budget-friendly way to transform a dated kitchen without tearing it apart. You keep the existing layout, plumbing, and electrical — which eliminates the most expensive categories of work — and focus on the surfaces and fixtures that have the biggest visual impact.

A typical cosmetic refresh in the North Myrtle Beach area includes:

• Cabinet refacing or painting: $3,500 to $7,000. Professional cabinet painting with proper prep, primer, and a sprayed finish gives you a like-new look at a fraction of replacement cost.
• New countertops: $3,000 to $8,000 depending on material and linear footage. Quartz and granite are the most popular choices in our market.
• Backsplash: $1,500 to $3,500 for ceramic or porcelain tile installed.
• Updated hardware: $300 to $800 for new pulls, knobs, and hinges.
• Lighting: $1,500 to $4,000 for new under-cabinet lighting, pendant fixtures, and recessed cans.
• Sink and faucet: $800 to $2,500 installed.
• Fresh paint: $1,200 to $2,500 for walls and trim.

This level of remodel typically takes 2 to 4 weeks and causes minimal disruption to your daily routine. You may lose access to your kitchen for a few days during countertop installation, but otherwise the work can often be done in phases while you continue using the space.

Mid-Range Kitchen Renovation: $38,000 to $55,000

A mid-range renovation is the sweet spot for most homeowners along the coast. You are replacing rather than refreshing — new cabinets, new countertops, new flooring, and new appliances — but you are keeping the same general footprint. Minor layout adjustments like removing a small peninsula or adding an island are possible at this level without blowing the budget.

What a mid-range kitchen renovation typically includes:

• Semi-custom cabinets: $10,000 to $18,000 installed. Semi-custom lines from manufacturers like KraftMaid, Waypoint, or Diamond give you more size options, finish choices, and organizational inserts than stock cabinets.
• Quartz or granite countertops: $4,500 to $9,000 installed, including a standard edge profile and undermount sink cutout.
• New flooring: $3,000 to $6,000 for luxury vinyl plank (LVP) or porcelain tile. LVP is our top recommendation for coastal kitchens because it handles humidity and spills without expanding or warping.
• Appliance package: $4,000 to $8,000 for a mid-grade suite (refrigerator, range, dishwasher, microwave). Brands like GE Profile, KitchenAid, and Bosch are popular in this range.
• Backsplash, lighting, and fixtures: $3,000 to $6,000 combined.
• Minor electrical work: $1,500 to $3,000 for adding outlets, upgrading to GFCI receptacles, or running a dedicated circuit for a new appliance.
• Demo and disposal: $1,500 to $3,000.

A mid-range renovation typically takes 6 to 10 weeks from demo to completion. The biggest variable is cabinet lead time — semi-custom cabinets usually take 4 to 8 weeks to arrive after the order is placed. We always recommend ordering cabinets as early as possible so they arrive before demo day.

Full Gut Kitchen Renovation: $55,000 to $75,000

A full gut renovation means stripping the kitchen down to the studs and rebuilding it from scratch. This is the route to take when the existing layout does not work, the plumbing and electrical are outdated, or you want a completely different kitchen from what you have today.

At this level, the project involves:

• Complete demolition: Removing all cabinets, countertops, flooring, drywall, and sometimes subflooring. Demo costs run $2,500 to $5,000.
• Layout reconfiguration: Moving plumbing supply and drain lines, relocating electrical circuits, and potentially removing or modifying a wall. Plumbing relocation alone can add $3,000 to $8,000.
• New electrical: Bringing the kitchen up to current code with dedicated circuits for each major appliance, GFCI outlets, and adequate lighting circuits. Budget $3,000 to $6,000.
• Custom or premium semi-custom cabinets: $15,000 to $30,000 installed. Custom cabinets are built to your exact specifications and offer unlimited design possibilities, but they come with 8 to 14 week lead times.
• Premium countertops: $6,000 to $12,000 for higher-end quartz, natural stone, or waterfall edges.
• Professional-grade appliances: $8,000 to $15,000 for brands like Thermador, Wolf, or Sub-Zero.
• New drywall, insulation, and finishes: $4,000 to $8,000.

Full gut renovations take 10 to 16 weeks and require you to set up a temporary kitchen elsewhere in the house. We always help homeowners plan a temporary cooking station with a microwave, portable cooktop, and mini fridge so the disruption is manageable.

Can You Remodel a Kitchen for Under $30,000?

Yes — and we do it regularly. The key is keeping the existing layout and focusing your budget on the surfaces and details that make the biggest visual impact. Here is a realistic breakdown for a sub-$30,000 kitchen remodel in coastal SC:

Total: $16,300 - $31,100

The critical rule for staying under $30,000 is no layout changes. The moment you move a sink, relocate a gas line, or knock out a wall, you are adding plumbing, electrical, structural, and permit costs that will push you well past the $30K mark. If your existing layout works reasonably well, a cosmetic refresh can make your kitchen look and feel completely new.

What Makes Kitchens the Most Expensive Room to Remodel

Kitchens cost more per square foot to remodel than any other room in the house. There is a reason for that: no other room packs this much infrastructure into such a small space. Here is where the money goes:

Cabinets: 30-40% of total budget

Cabinets are the single largest line item in most kitchen remodels. A 10-foot by 12-foot kitchen might need 20 to 30 linear feet of cabinets. Stock cabinets start around $5,000 to $8,000 installed, semi-custom run $10,000 to $18,000, and full custom cabinets can exceed $25,000. The quality difference is real — custom cabinets use solid hardwood frames, soft-close hinges, dovetail drawer boxes, and finishes that hold up for decades.

Countertops: 10-15% of total budget

At $50 to $150 per square foot installed, countertops add up fast in a kitchen with an island or L-shaped layout. Quartz is the most popular choice in our market, running $55 to $90 per square foot installed. Natural stone, waterfall edges, and thick mitered edges push costs higher.

Labor: 25-35% of total budget

Kitchen remodels require multiple skilled trades — plumbers, electricians, tile setters, cabinet installers, countertop fabricators, painters, and a general contractor to coordinate everything. Labor rates in the Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach area have increased 15-20% since 2023, driven by population growth and demand for skilled trades.

Appliances: 10-20% of total budget

A full appliance suite (refrigerator, range or cooktop, oven, dishwasher, microwave, and range hood) can run from $4,000 for mid-grade to $20,000 or more for professional-grade brands.

Kitchen Remodel Timeline: How Long Will It Take?

Here is a realistic timeline breakdown for kitchen remodels in the Grand Strand and Lowcountry:

Cosmetic refresh: 2 to 4 weeks

• Cabinet painting: 4 to 7 days
• Countertop fabrication and install: 1 to 2 weeks (after template)
• Backsplash, lighting, hardware: 2 to 4 days

Mid-range renovation: 6 to 10 weeks

• Demo: 2 to 3 days
• Rough plumbing and electrical (if needed): 3 to 5 days
• Cabinet installation: 2 to 4 days
• Countertop template and fabrication: 1 to 2 weeks
• Backsplash, flooring, and finish work: 1 to 2 weeks
• Appliance installation and punch list: 2 to 3 days

Full gut renovation: 10 to 16 weeks

• Demo: 3 to 5 days
• Structural work (if walls are being moved): 1 to 2 weeks
• Rough plumbing, electrical, and HVAC: 1 to 2 weeks
• Inspections: 3 to 7 days (depending on county scheduling)
• Drywall, tape, and paint: 1 to 2 weeks
• Cabinet installation: 3 to 5 days
• Countertop template and fabrication: 1 to 2 weeks
• Backsplash, flooring, trim, and finish work: 1 to 2 weeks
• Final inspections and punch list: 3 to 5 days

The biggest timeline variable is always cabinet lead time. Stock cabinets can be delivered in 1 to 2 weeks. Semi-custom lines take 4 to 8 weeks. Custom cabinets take 8 to 14 weeks. We build cabinet lead times into every project schedule from day one so there are no surprises.

Cabinet Options and Lead Times

Cabinets set the tone for the entire kitchen, and the choice between stock, semi-custom, and custom has a major impact on both your budget and your timeline.

Stock cabinets: $5,000 - $8,000 installed

Stock cabinets come in standard sizes (typically 3-inch width increments) and limited finish options. They are available in 1 to 2 weeks, which makes them the fastest option. Common brands include Hampton Bay (Home Depot), Diamond Now (Lowe's), and Wolf Classic. Stock cabinets work well for straightforward layouts without unusual dimensions. The trade-off is less durability — particleboard boxes, stapled construction, and basic hardware.

Semi-custom cabinets: $10,000 - $18,000 installed

Semi-custom cabinets offer more sizes, finishes, and interior accessories than stock while costing significantly less than full custom. Lead times run 4 to 8 weeks. We frequently use KraftMaid, Waypoint, and Diamond semi-custom lines for mid-range remodels. You get plywood box construction, soft-close doors and drawers, and a wider range of organizational inserts like pull-out shelves, lazy Susans, and tray dividers.

Custom cabinets: $18,000 - $35,000+ installed

Custom cabinets are built to your exact dimensions by a cabinet shop. Every detail — wood species, finish, door style, hardware, interior fittings — is specified to your preferences. Lead times are the longest at 8 to 14 weeks, and cost reflects the handcrafted quality. Custom cabinets make sense when you have unusual kitchen dimensions, want a specific wood species or finish, or are building a showpiece kitchen where every detail matters.

For most remodels in our market, semi-custom cabinets hit the best balance of quality, selection, and value. We walk every client through cabinet samples in person so you can see and feel the construction quality before making a decision.

Countertop Cost Comparison

Countertops are the second-largest material cost in most kitchen remodels. Here is what each option costs installed in coastal SC for a typical 40 to 50 square foot kitchen:

Quartz is the clear leader in our coastal market. It does not require sealing like granite, resists staining, and handles the humidity that comes with living near the coast. For homeowners who want the look of marble without the maintenance concerns, several quartz manufacturers now offer veined patterns that are nearly indistinguishable from Calacatta or Carrara marble at a fraction of the upkeep.

One note on butcher block: while it is popular for its warm, farmhouse aesthetic, it requires regular oiling and is more susceptible to moisture damage in our humid coastal climate. We typically recommend butcher block as an accent — an island top or a dedicated prep area — rather than as the primary countertop surface.

Coastal-Specific Kitchen Considerations

Remodeling a kitchen on the South Carolina coast comes with a few factors you would not face inland. These are the coastal-specific issues we account for on every kitchen project:

Electrical upgrades

Many older homes along the Grand Strand — built in the 1980s and 1990s — have 100-amp or 150-amp electrical panels and lack the dedicated circuits that modern kitchens require. Current code requires dedicated 20-amp circuits for the refrigerator, dishwasher, garbage disposal, and microwave, plus at least two 20-amp small appliance circuits for countertop outlets. If your panel does not have capacity for these circuits, you will need a panel upgrade ($2,500 to $4,500) before the kitchen work begins.

Moisture and humidity

Coastal humidity is the enemy of kitchen materials. We specify moisture-resistant drywall behind sinks and dishwashers, use LVP or porcelain tile flooring instead of hardwood, and recommend quartz over marble for its non-porous surface. Proper ventilation is essential — a kitchen without adequate exhaust will develop mold and mildew issues faster in our climate than anywhere inland.

Ventilation

A quality range hood is not optional in a coastal kitchen. Cooking generates moisture, grease, and heat, and in a humid environment, that moisture needs somewhere to go. We recommend a vented range hood (not recirculating) rated at a minimum of 300 CFM for standard ranges and 600+ CFM for professional-grade cooktops. Venting to the exterior adds $500 to $1,500 if ductwork does not already exist, but it is worth every dollar for air quality and moisture control.

Salt air and hardware

If your home is within a few miles of the ocean, salt air will corrode low-quality hardware and fixtures faster than you might expect. We recommend stainless steel, brushed nickel, or powder-coated matte black hardware for coastal kitchens. Avoid unfinished brass and iron pulls unless they are rated for marine environments.

Kitchen vs. Bathroom: Which to Remodel First

This is one of the most common questions we hear from homeowners planning renovations, and the answer depends on your situation:

Remodel the kitchen first if:

• You are planning to sell within the next 2 to 3 years. Kitchens have the highest buyer impact — a dated kitchen is the first thing buyers notice and the most common dealbreaker in our market.
• Your kitchen has functional problems (poor layout, insufficient storage, outdated appliances) that affect daily life.
• You entertain regularly. The kitchen is the social center of the home, and an upgraded kitchen transforms how you host.

Remodel the bathroom first if:

• You have a plumbing emergency or water damage that needs to be addressed immediately.
• Your primary bathroom lacks basic functionality (no shower, poor ventilation, single sink when you need double).
• You want a faster, less disruptive project. Bathroom remodels are typically faster and less expensive than kitchens.

ROI comparison in coastal SC

In the Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach market, mid-range kitchen remodels typically recover 55-75% of costs at resale, making them one of the best home improvement investments. Mid-range bathroom remodels recover 50-65%. Both outperform most other renovation types in terms of buyer appeal, but kitchens tend to have a slightly stronger impact on list price and time on market.

For a deeper comparison of kitchen and bathroom renovation costs, timelines, and ROI, see our kitchen vs. bathroom renovation guide.

Getting an Accurate Kitchen Remodel Estimate

A detailed, line-item estimate is the foundation of a successful kitchen remodel. Here is how we approach estimating at Baldwin Builders, and what you should expect from any contractor you are considering:

1. On-site measurement and assessment. No accurate estimate can be done from photos alone. We measure the kitchen, check plumbing and electrical conditions, inspect subflooring, and identify any potential issues that could affect cost. This visit takes 60 to 90 minutes.
2. Material selection. We walk you through cabinet, countertop, flooring, and fixture options at various price points so the estimate reflects the actual materials you want, not placeholder allowances.
3. Line-item estimate. Every cost is broken out separately — cabinets, countertops, flooring, plumbing, electrical, demo, labor, and permits. You should be able to see exactly where every dollar goes. Be cautious of contractors who provide a single lump-sum number without a detailed breakdown.
4. Timeline and scope document. The estimate should include a project schedule with milestones and a clear scope of work that defines what is and is not included.
5. Contingency. We always recommend building a 10-15% contingency into your budget. Once walls are opened up, there are often surprises — outdated wiring, corroded pipes, water damage, or structural issues that were not visible during the initial assessment.

For more on what to look for in a construction contract and how to protect yourself as a homeowner, see our guide to understanding construction contracts.