Kitchen Remodeler in Chattanooga

June 14, 2026

A kitchen remodel is one of the larger projects a Chattanooga homeowner takes on, and unlike a piecemeal refresh ordered online, a full remodel coordinates cabinetry, countertops, plumbing, electrical, and sometimes structural changes into a single managed project. Working with a local kitchen remodeler lets a homeowner handle cabinet door samples and stone slabs in person and plan with a designer who understands Hamilton County housing, from older homes near the city center to newer construction across the metro and into North Georgia. Chattanooga has a population of roughly 185,783 as of 2024 (U.S. Census Bureau), and its steady renovation activity supports a competitive field of kitchen and bath specialists.

Cost is a defining feature of the kitchen category, and it carries direct regulatory weight in Tennessee. Full kitchen remodels frequently exceed $25,000 once cabinetry, countertops, appliances, and labor are combined, and any project at or above that threshold requires a license from the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors, typically under a residential or remodeling classification. Smaller jobs valued between $3,000 and $25,000 fall under the Home Improvement (HI) license, a license class that applies in Hamilton County along with Davidson, Shelby, and Knox, though not in every Tennessee county. For Chattanooga homeowners, this means most gut-and-replace kitchen projects sit squarely in contractor-license territory, while a more limited refresh may fall under the HI license instead.

Beyond licensing, a Chattanooga kitchen project moves through local permitting and inspection. Electrical, plumbing, and structural work are permitted and inspected through the City of Chattanooga and Hamilton County, and a remodeler that relocates a sink, adds a circuit for an island, or removes a load-bearing wall will pull the corresponding permits rather than skip them. Sales tax also applies to materials: Hamilton County’s combined state and local rate reaches 9.25%, so the tax line on cabinetry and countertops is a meaningful share of the budget. Tennessee’s mechanics’ lien law (TCA 66-11-145) allows contractors and suppliers to file a lien within 90 days of completion, which is worth understanding when structuring a payment schedule around milestones.

Homeowners also have consumer-protection tools and a few project-specific cautions. The Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs enforces the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA 47-18-104), which addresses deceptive trade practices, and a contractor’s license can be confirmed through the Board for Licensing Contractors at tn.gov before a contract is signed. For homes built before 1978, the federal EPA Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) rule may apply when work disturbs painted surfaces, an issue that can arise in Chattanooga’s older neighborhoods. Because the Chattanooga metro spans the Tennessee and Georgia state line, homeowners should also confirm that a firm is licensed for work in Tennessee, and ask for a written scope along with proof of license and insurance before a kitchen project begins.

Top Kitchen Remodeler Providers in Chattanooga

1. Sterchi Construction

Address: 26 W 20th Street, Chattanooga, TN 37408
Phone: (423) 266-4868
Website: https://www.sterchiconstruction.com
Services: kitchen remodeling, custom cabinetry, countertops, whole-home renovation, bathroom remodeling, custom home building, light commercial construction
Description: Sterchi Construction is a licensed Chattanooga general contractor that has operated since 1976 and uses a design-build approach for residential and commercial projects across East Tennessee and North Georgia. Based on West 20th Street near downtown, the firm handles new and renovated kitchens as part of a broader portfolio that includes whole-home renovations, bathrooms, custom homes, and light commercial work. Its kitchen work emphasizes quality materials, finishes, and appliances, with custom cabinetry as a recurring focus. With roots going back to the 1970s, Sterchi is among the longer-established remodeling and construction firms in the Chattanooga market.

2. Kitchens of Chattanooga

Address: 600 Cherokee Boulevard, Chattanooga, TN 37405
Phone: (423) 267-3323
Website: https://www.kitchensofchattanooga.com
Services: kitchen design and remodeling, bathroom design, custom cabinetry, countertops, cabinet hardware, entertainment centers and home offices
Description: Kitchens of Chattanooga is a family-owned kitchen and bath design firm that has served the Chattanooga area since 1997, operating a showroom on Cherokee Boulevard on the city’s North Shore. The firm focuses on kitchen and bathroom design and remodeling, with custom cabinetry and countertop installation at the center of its work, and it also designs custom spaces such as entertainment centers and home offices. The team cites more than 100 years of combined kitchen design experience, and the showroom gives homeowners a place to compare cabinetry, countertops, and hardware. Kitchens of Chattanooga offers free estimates and financing options for remodeling projects.

3. Son of an Irishman Kitchen & Bath

Address: 5959 Shallowford Road, Suite 4312, Chattanooga, TN 37421
Phone: (423) 218-9028
Website: https://sonofanirishman.com
Services: kitchen remodeling, custom cabinetry, design and documentation, demolition and disposal, carpentry and construction, bathroom remodeling, laundry and mudroom remodeling, built-ins
Description: Son of an Irishman Kitchen & Bath is a Chattanooga remodeling company specializing in kitchen and bath renovations, located on Shallowford Road in the eastern part of the city. The firm follows a design-build process that covers custom cabinetry, design and documentation, demolition and disposal, project management, and carpentry and construction. Beyond kitchens and bathrooms, it remodels laundry rooms, mudrooms, bars, built-ins, and home offices. The company serves Chattanooga and surrounding communities including Ooltewah and Cleveland in Tennessee and Ringgold, Rossville, and Fort Oglethorpe across the Georgia line.

Frequently Asked Questions About Kitchen Remodeler in Chattanooga

Q: Does a kitchen remodel in Chattanooga require a contractor license?

Most full kitchen remodels do. Any project valued at $25,000 or more in combined labor and materials requires a license from the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors, typically under a residential or remodeling classification, and full kitchen remodels frequently exceed that threshold. Smaller projects valued between $3,000 and $25,000 fall under the Home Improvement (HI) license, which applies in Hamilton County. You can verify a contractor’s license through the Board for Licensing Contractors database at tn.gov before signing a contract.

Q: How much does sales tax add to a Chattanooga kitchen remodel?

Tennessee charges a 7% state sales tax, and Hamilton County adds a local option tax that brings the combined rate to 9.25% on materials such as cabinets, countertops, and fixtures. Because materials make up a large share of a kitchen budget, the tax line is significant, so ask your remodeler for an itemized estimate that separates materials, labor, and tax.

Q: Does the Tennessee-Georgia state line affect a Chattanooga kitchen project?

It can. The Chattanooga metro spans both states, and some firms work on both sides of the line. For a home in Tennessee, confirm the contractor is licensed for Tennessee work and that the project follows City of Chattanooga and Hamilton County permitting. Licensing and permit rules differ in Georgia, so a project just across the line may follow different requirements.

Q: What permits does a kitchen remodel need in Chattanooga?

Electrical, plumbing, and structural work are permitted and inspected through the City of Chattanooga and Hamilton County. A remodeler that relocates a sink, adds a circuit for an island, or alters a load-bearing wall will pull the corresponding permits and schedule inspections. Cosmetic-only work such as painting or swapping fixtures may not require a permit, but any change to systems or structure generally does.

Q: How should I structure payments for a kitchen remodel in Chattanooga?

Tie payments to completed milestones, such as demolition, cabinet installation, and countertop templating, rather than paying a large sum upfront. Tennessee’s mechanics’ lien law (TCA 66-11-145) allows contractors and suppliers to file a lien within 90 days of project completion, so keep records of payments and lien waivers. A written contract with a clear scope, allowance amounts for cabinets and stone, and a payment schedule protects both sides.

Q: How do I file a complaint about a Chattanooga kitchen remodeler?

Complaints about deceptive trade practices or contract disputes can be filed with the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs, which enforces the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA 47-18-104). Disputes involving a licensed contractor can also be directed to the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors. Keeping the signed contract, change orders, payment records, and photographs of any disputed work strengthens a complaint.