Kitchen Remodeler in Knoxville

June 14, 2026

A kitchen remodel is one of the larger projects a Knoxville 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 Knox County housing, from established neighborhoods inside the city to newer construction across East Tennessee. Knoxville has a population of roughly 195,185 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 Knox County along with Davidson, Shelby, and Hamilton, though not in every Tennessee county. For Knoxville 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 Knoxville kitchen project moves through local permitting and inspection. Electrical, plumbing, and structural work are permitted and inspected through the City of Knoxville and Knox 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: Knox 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 Knoxville’s older housing. Some capable remodelers serve Knoxville from nearby communities such as Maryville, so confirming that a firm works in your part of the metro, and asking for a written scope and proof of license and insurance, helps a kitchen project stay on track.

Top Kitchen Remodeler Providers in Knoxville

1. Kitchen Sales

Address: 2500 Hoitt Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37917
Phone: (865) 524-5529
Website: https://www.kitchensales.net
Services: kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling, custom cabinetry, countertops, kitchen and bath design, accessories, new construction and commercial projects
Description: Kitchen Sales is a family-owned kitchen and bath remodeler that has operated in Knoxville since 1968, growing from a local cabinetry company into a long-established design and remodeling business serving East Tennessee families across generations. The company runs two Knoxville showrooms: its downtown location on Hoitt Avenue and a West Gallery at 8859 Town & Country Circle (37923), giving homeowners a place to compare cabinetry, countertops, and accessories in person. Kitchen Sales offers design services along with kitchen and bathroom remodeling and also takes on new construction and commercial projects. Its decades in the local market make it one of the area’s longest-running kitchen and bath firms.

2. Cabry Design & Cabinetry

Address: 8705 Unicorn Drive #114, Knoxville, TN 37923
Phone: (865) 556-9419
Website: https://www.cabrydesign.com
Services: custom cabinetry, Amish cabinetry, kitchen design and remodeling, bathroom remodeling, custom closets, outdoor cabinets, professional installation
Description: Cabry Design & Cabinetry is a Knoxville custom cabinetry and remodeling company on Unicorn Drive that pairs design services with installation for kitchen and bath projects. The firm is a member of the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) and builds custom and Amish cabinetry in a range of wood species, including maple, oak, hickory, cherry, walnut, and alder, with paint and stain finishes. Beyond cabinetry, Cabry handles full kitchen and bathroom remodels, custom closets, and outdoor cabinets, and it maintains a showroom for clients to review options. The company serves Knoxville and a broad East Tennessee area extending to Maryville, Lenoir City, and Sevierville.

3. Debuty Builders, Inc.

Address: 111 Nicole Court, Maryville, TN 37801
Phone: (865) 233-7290
Website: https://debutybuildersinc.com
Services: kitchen remodeling, custom cabinetry, countertops, bathroom remodeling, custom homes, home additions, basement finishing, roofing
Description: Debuty Builders, Inc. is a design-build remodeling firm that serves Knoxville and East Tennessee from Maryville, just south of the city. The company describes a one-team approach to kitchen projects, handling everything from planning the layout to building the finished kitchen, including demolition, cabinetry, countertops, plumbing, lighting, and flooring. Debuty offers a wide cabinetry selection, citing 11 cabinet lines with more than 100 door styles, and it emphasizes communication and project management throughout a remodel. In addition to kitchens, the firm builds custom homes and handles bathroom remodels, additions, and basement finishing for communities including Knoxville, Maryville, Farragut, and Alcoa.

Frequently Asked Questions About Kitchen Remodeler in Knoxville

Q: Does a kitchen remodel in Knoxville 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 Knox 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 Knoxville kitchen remodel?

Tennessee charges a 7% state sales tax, and Knox 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: Can a remodeler based near Knoxville work on my city home?

Yes. Some established kitchen remodelers serve Knoxville from nearby communities such as Maryville, and they routinely work on projects inside the city and across East Tennessee. State licensing applies regardless of where the firm’s office sits, so confirm the company works in your specific area and verify its license and insurance before signing.

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

Electrical, plumbing, and structural work are permitted and inspected through the City of Knoxville and Knox 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 Knoxville?

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 Knoxville 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.