Kitchen and Bath Renovation Costs in Charleston and Charlotte

Kitchen and bathroom renovations are the most requested projects in the residential renovation market, and for good reason. They are the spaces homeowners use most, and they are the spaces that most directly affect resale value. They are also the spaces where cost surprises are most common — because the variables are numerous and the decisions compound quickly.

Kitchen Renovation: What Drives the Number

A kitchen renovation in the Charleston or Charlotte market ranges from $45,000 for a mid-range refresh to $150,000 or more for a full high-end gut renovation. The spread is wide because the variables are wide. We have completed kitchen renovations across the market — from Summerville and West Ashley to Mount Pleasant, Daniel Island, and Kiawah Island — and the cost drivers are consistent regardless of submarket.

Cabinetry is typically the largest single line item, often representing 30 to 40 percent of the total budget. Stock cabinetry from a big-box supplier costs a fraction of custom or semi-custom millwork. The difference in quality, fit, and longevity is substantial. In a high-end renovation — the kind we build on Sullivan's Island, Isle of Palms, and in the premium neighborhoods of Mount Pleasant — we use custom cabinetry as a matter of course.

Countertops are the second major variable. Quartz runs $80 to $120 per square foot installed. Natural stone — marble, quartzite, soapstone — runs $100 to $200 or more depending on the slab. Butcher block and concrete are lower cost but require more maintenance in a coastal climate, where humidity and salt air accelerate wear on porous surfaces.

Appliances can range from $8,000 for a respectable mid-range package to $40,000 or more for a full professional suite. This is a personal decision, but it is one that needs to be made before the design is finalized — appliance dimensions drive cabinet layouts.

Layout changes are where costs escalate quickly. Moving a sink requires moving plumbing. Moving a range may require relocating a gas line and a hood vent. Removing a wall to open the kitchen to a living space may involve structural work. None of these are prohibitive, but all of them add to the number — whether the home is in Folly Beach, Johns Island, or a Seabrook Island estate.

Bathroom Renovation: What Drives the Number

A primary bathroom renovation in the Charleston or Charlotte market ranges from $25,000 for a focused refresh to $80,000 or more for a full luxury renovation. Guest baths and powder rooms are less — typically $12,000 to $30,000 depending on scope and finishes. In the premium coastal communities — Kiawah Island, Sullivan's Island, Wild Dunes — primary bath renovations at the high end of the range are the norm, not the exception.

Tile is the dominant material cost in most bathrooms. Large-format porcelain, natural stone, and handmade tile vary enormously in price. The labor to install them varies as well — intricate patterns and large-format slabs require more time and skill.

Plumbing fixtures are a place where homeowners consistently underestimate cost. A quality freestanding tub runs $3,000 to $8,000. A thermostatic shower system with body sprays runs $2,500 to $6,000. These are not luxury indulgences — they are the standard in a high-end renovation.

Waterproofing is where corners get cut and problems emerge years later. In a coastal climate — James Island, Folly Beach, Isle of Palms, Seabrook Island — proper waterproofing behind tile is not optional. We use systems that are warrantied and proven — not the minimum required by code.

The Sequencing Question

Kitchen and bath renovations are often done together as part of a larger whole-home renovation. When that is the case, the sequencing matters. Kitchens and baths share trades — plumbers, electricians, tile setters — and coordinating them efficiently affects both cost and timeline. A builder who manages all trades under one contract eliminates the coordination friction that drives cost up when homeowners manage multiple contractors independently. This is true whether the project is in Summerville, Daniel Island, or Charlotte.