Kitchen Remodel in Columbia, SC: Design Options, Timeline, and How the Process Works
Your kitchen is where the day starts and ends: coffee in the morning, homework at the island, dinner with the people you love. When it's not working for you anymore, you feel it every single day. Alzara Design & Build is a family-owned, veteran-operated builder helping homeowners across Columbia and the Midlands plan and complete kitchen remodels.
What a Kitchen Remodel with Alzara Design & Build Covers
Whether you want fresh cabinets and countertops or a completely new layout, we handle the full project:
01
Cabinet replacement and custom storage
02
Countertops and backsplash
03
Layout changes, including islands, opened-up walls, and relocated sinks or appliances
04
Lighting, electrical, and appliance upgrades
05
Flooring, trim, and paint
06
Permits and inspections
You work with one coordinated team. Alzara manages the project and the build, our design consultant helps you choose finishes, and our partner architect steps in when a layout change calls for new drawings. You won't have to hire and manage separate contractors yourself.
BEFORE WE MEET
How to Plan a Kitchen Remodel Before Your First Consultation
You don't need to have everything figured out before you call us. A little prep helps us get to the right plan faster, though.
Notice how you use your kitchen. Who cooks, how often, and where does everyone gather?
List what frustrates you. Not enough counter space, a cramped walkway, cabinets you can't reach, poor lighting?
Save photos of kitchens you love. Screenshots, Pinterest boards, or pictures from a friend's house all help.
Think about a budget range you're comfortable with. It doesn't need to be exact. A range helps us recommend options that fit.
Decide what has to stay. A favorite appliance, the current footprint, or original hardwood floors?
Bring whatever you have, and we'll take it from there.
DESIGN OPTIONS
Kitchen Upgrade Ideas That Fit Midlands Homes
The best kitchen upgrades are the ones that fit how your family actually cooks and lives. Here are the main decisions most homeowners weigh.
Cabinets and Storage
New cabinets make the biggest visual change in a kitchen. If your current cabinet boxes are solid and the layout works, refacing (new doors, drawer fronts, and hardware) can be a good middle ground. Either way, it's worth rethinking storage: deep drawers for pots and pans, pull-out trash, a pantry cabinet, or an island with storage underneath.
Layout Changes and Opening Up Walls
Sometimes the problem isn't the finishes but the layout itself. Adding an island, moving the sink, or removing a wall to open the kitchen to the living room can change how the whole home feels. These changes take more planning: moving plumbing or removing a wall can involve structural work, new drawings, and permits. This is where our experience with additions and whole-home renovations matters.
Countertops and Backsplash
Quartz is popular because it's durable and needs almost no upkeep. Granite offers natural variation but needs periodic sealing. Butcher block brings warmth but requires more care around water. For backsplashes, tile is the classic choice, and running your countertop material up the wall creates a clean, seamless look. Our design consultant will help you compare options in person.
Lighting, Electrical, and Appliances
Good kitchen lighting comes in layers: overhead lights for the whole room, under-cabinet lights for prep work, and pendants over an island. New appliances, added outlets, or an upgraded range may also need new circuits.
OUR PROCESS
Our Kitchen Remodel Process, Step by Step
Every kitchen remodel follows the same clear steps, so you always know what's happening and what comes next.
01
Design Consultation and Detailed Budget
We start by visiting your home, looking at your current kitchen, and talking through what you want. Then our design consultant helps you shape the design. Before any work begins, you get a detailed, line-item budget, so you know what's included and what it costs.
02
Selections, Ordering, and Permits
You finalize your cabinets, countertops, tile, fixtures, and appliances. We place orders before demolition starts, so your kitchen isn't sitting torn out while we wait on materials. If your project needs permits, we handle them.
03
Demolition, Rough-In, and Inspections
We remove the old kitchen and protect the rest of your home. Then plumbing and electrical work is roughed in, and any required inspections are completed. If we find something unexpected, we'll show you, explain your options, and agree on next steps before moving forward.
04
Installation, Finishes, and Final Walkthrough
Cabinets, countertops, backsplash, fixtures, and appliances go in. We work through a punch list, then walk through the finished kitchen with you. "Done" means every drawer closes right, every light works, and you're happy with it.
“My photography cannot capture how well they completely transformed our kitchen. We trusted them completely in our home, they were super friendly, honest, reliable and masters of their craft. Cannot wait to use them for new home projects!”
-- Ruth W
WHO YOU’RE HIRING
Why Midlands Families Hire a Veteran-Operated,
Family-Led Builder
Alzara Design & Build is led by Sam and Fernando, the family behind We Love Construction. For years, Midlands homeowners have trusted them with kitchens, bathrooms, and whole-home renovations. Now, under a new name, they bring the same team, the same communication, and the same care.
When you hire Alzara, you're working with people who show up when they say they will, keep you informed, and care about the result. We also give back through Fix It Forward, a program that donates skilled labor for home repairs to neighbors in need.
FAQ
Kitchen Remodel Questions
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It depends on the scope. Planning and ordering happen while your kitchen still works. Once construction starts, a typical remodel keeps the kitchen out of service for about 6 weeks.
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Yes. Most families do. We help you set up a temporary kitchen and keep dust and disruption contained.
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It depends on the work. Plumbing, electrical, and structural changes usually need permits. We handle permitting as part of your project.
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Often, yes. We’ll look at whether the wall is load-bearing and what’s inside it, then plan the right approach, including any drawings and permits.
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Yes. Our design consultant helps you choose cabinets, countertops, tile, fixtures, and finishes that fit your style and budget.
Schedule Your Kitchen Remodel Consultation
The first step is a conversation. We'll visit your home, look at your current kitchen, and talk about what you want it to become. Bring your photos, your wish list, and your budget range. We'll help you figure out what's possible.