Salem’s housing ranges from the post-war ranches and capes that went up as the town grew in the 1950s and ’60s to newer colonials on the west side and condos near the commercial areas. A lot of those kitchens are ready for a change.
Dom’s Workshop, Inc. is a residential general contractor, and we remodel kitchens for Salem homeowners from planning through the final punch list. One point of contact coordinates the carpentry, cabinets, counters, electrical, plumbing, and inspections. We can take care of the Salem permits for you and give you a written scope before work starts.
Call (978) 775-8642 Request an estimate
Kitchen remodeling services
- Layout changes. We open walls where the structure allows and confirm what’s load-bearing before anything comes down.
- Cabinets. New cabinets, refacing where it makes sense, pantry storage, and organizers.
- Countertops, backsplashes and tile.
- Islands and peninsulas sized to the room, with seating where it fits.
- Lighting, electrical and plumbing updates by licensed trades: recessed and under-cabinet lighting, new circuits for appliances, and sink and dishwasher relocation.
- Ventilation. A range hood that’s properly ducted to the outside.
- Flooring and trim that connect the kitchen to the rest of the house.
Salem kitchens by house type
Ranches and capes from the 1950s and ’60s
These kitchens tend to be small and closed off, with a doorway on every wall. A common fix is removing or opening the wall to the dining room so you get one larger room with an island or peninsula. Wiring in these homes often needs updating to handle modern appliances, and we plan for that up front.
Split-levels and raised ranches
Kitchens in these homes are often tucked in the middle of the house with little light. Opening them to the living or dining area, adding a larger window or a slider, and layering the lighting can make a big difference.
Newer colonials
Here the layout usually works and the finishes don’t: builder-grade cabinets, laminate counters, and a small island. The project is mostly about better cabinetry, counters, lighting, and storage, and sometimes enlarging the island or adding a pantry.
Condos and townhomes
Interior kitchen remodels in condos have to work within association rules, approved work hours, and shared walls and plumbing. We plan those details before anything is ordered.
How we plan a Salem kitchen
- How do you cook and gather? How many cooks, how often you entertain, where kids do homework, and where groceries land.
- What’s in the walls? Structure, plumbing locations, venting, and electrical capacity.
- Layout options. Usually more than one, so you can compare.
- Selections. Cabinets, counters, flooring, fixtures, lighting, and appliances. We’ll note which items have long lead times.
- A written scope and estimate. It spells out what’s included and what allowances cover.
- Permits. Required permits from the Town of Salem. We can take care of these for you.
- Construction. Demolition, rough work, inspections, then cabinets, counters, and finishes.
- Final walkthrough.
Our kitchen remodeling planning guide for Rockingham County goes into layout and selection decisions in more detail.
Design details that make a kitchen work
Looks matter, but a kitchen that works day to day comes down to a few practical decisions:
- Clearances. Leave enough room between the island and the counters so two people can pass and the dishwasher and oven doors can open at the same time.
- Landing space. Have counter next to the fridge, the cooktop, and the microwave so you always have somewhere to set things down.
- Storage that fits what you own. Deep drawers for pots, a tall pull-out for sheet pans, a spot for small appliances, and a pantry, whether it’s a closet or a cabinet.
- Layered lighting. Recessed lights for the room, under-cabinet lights for prep, and pendants over the island.
- Outlets where you use them. Code requires outlets along the counters, and putting them in the right places means fewer cords across your workspace.
- Ventilation. A ducted hood sized for your cooktop keeps grease and moisture out of the new cabinets.
Living through a kitchen remodel
You’ll be without a working kitchen for part of the project. We can help you plan a temporary kitchen in another room with a microwave, a coffee maker, and a folding table, and we’ll go over the sequence so you know when the kitchen will be back in use.
Bathrooms, too
Many Salem homeowners pair a kitchen with a bathroom update. We handle full bathroom remodeling: showers and tubs, tile, vanities, ventilation, and layout changes. For whole-house projects, see home remodeling.
What does a kitchen remodel cost?
It depends on the size of the kitchen, how much the layout changes, and your finish selections. Our Rockingham County kitchen remodel cost guide has planning ranges.
More for Salem homeowners
See our main Salem, NH remodeling page and our kitchen remodeling service page. See all areas we serve.
Salem kitchen remodeling FAQ
Can you remove the wall between my kitchen and dining room?
Often, yes. We confirm whether the wall is load-bearing and what runs through it. If it’s structural, a beam can usually carry the load.
Should I reface my cabinets or replace them?
Refacing can work when the cabinet boxes are sound and the layout is staying the same. If you want a new layout or more storage, new cabinets usually make more sense.
Do I need a permit for a kitchen remodel in Salem?
Electrical, plumbing, and structural changes generally require permits. We can take care of permits for you.
Do you remodel condo kitchens?
Yes. We plan around association approvals, work hours, and shared building systems.
Can I stay in the house during the remodel?
Usually, yes. We’ll help you plan a temporary kitchen setup.
How do I get an estimate?
Call (978) 775-8642 or use the contact form.
Call (978) 775-8642 Request an estimate
Dom’s Workshop, Inc., serving Rockingham County, NH · (978) 775-8642 · Dom@doms-workshop.com