Kitchen remodeling questions
Short answers from Kitchen Remodel Mountain View about kitchen remodeling in Mountain View and nearby, how permits work, and how free estimates work.
In-depth answers
- Do you need a permit to replace kitchen cabinets in Mountain View?
- How long does it take to get a kitchen remodel permit in Mountain View?
- What should you know before remodeling an Eichler kitchen?
- What does it take to switch from a gas stove to induction?
- How far apart do kitchen counter outlets need to be?
- Is it better to reface or replace kitchen cabinets?
- Do you need a permit to install a range hood?
- What should a kitchen remodel contract include?
- Do you need HOA approval to remodel a condo kitchen?
- How much space do you need around a kitchen island?
Kitchen remodeling in Mountain View
Does Mountain View require a permit for a kitchen remodel?
Yes when the remodel replaces cabinets: the City requires a building permit before construction begins. Swapping countertops or refacing existing cabinets does not need one. Depending on the work, separate electrical or plumbing permits may apply. The Building Division at City Hall, 500 Castro Street, (650) 903-6313, can confirm your scope.
What will my kitchen remodel cost?
That depends mostly on the cabinets you choose and whether anything moves. A published average can't price your kitchen; a written estimate after a site visit can. Get two or three for the same scope and compare them line by line.
Do I pay anything to use this site?
No. Matching and estimates are free for homeowners. Participating remodelers pay a referral fee.
Are the remodelers licensed?
Each one is an independent contractor with a California license. Look up any license number at cslb.ca.gov before signing a contract.
When will remodelers contact me?
Usually within 1 business day, to set a time to see the kitchen.
How long will the kitchen be out of service?
A surface update may take a couple of weeks. A remodel with new cabinets or a new layout runs longer because of plan review, cabinet lead times and inspections. Ask each remodeler for a written schedule with the bid.
Who handles the permit, me or the remodeler?
In most cases the licensed remodeler you hire submits the permit online and schedules the City inspections. Make sure the written estimate says so.
Will the City look at my electrical panel?
Mountain View asks for electrical load calculations with a kitchen remodel permit, so the panel's capacity gets checked either way. An induction range or added circuits are the usual reasons an older panel falls short.
What should I prepare before the estimate visit?
Photos of the room, a rough sketch with measurements, the appliances you plan to keep or buy, and a budget range. Giving every remodeler the same information makes the bids comparable.
Am I committed to hiring someone?
No. Estimates are free, and you decide whether to hire any of the remodelers.
Mid-century modern kitchen remodel
Can I move the sink in an Eichler kitchen?
Usually, but the drain runs through the concrete slab, and many Eichlers have radiant heating tubing in that slab. A remodeler locates the tubing before cutting, and the plumbing work needs a permit.
Do mid-century kitchens need special cabinets?
Not necessarily. Many owners pick flat-panel doors from stock or semi-custom lines; custom work helps when beams or glass walls leave odd dimensions.
Kitchen cabinet replacement
Is a permit needed if I only replace the cabinets?
In Mountain View, yes. The City's kitchen remodel page says replacing kitchen cabinets requires a building permit before work starts.
How long do new cabinets take to arrive?
It depends on the line. Stock cabinets can ship quickly, while semi-custom and custom orders take longer. Ask each remodeler for the current lead time in writing.
Cabinet refacing
Does refacing need a permit in Mountain View?
The City says refacing existing cabinets does not require a permit. Electrical or plumbing work done at the same time can.
Can refacing change the cabinet style completely?
Yes. Doors, fronts and veneer are all new, so the finish and door style can change. The box layout and sizes stay the same.
Countertop replacement
Do I need a permit to replace countertops in Mountain View?
Not for the countertops. The City lists countertop replacement as work that does not need a permit. Plumbing or electrical changes made at the same time can.
How long is the kitchen out of use during a counter swap?
Usually a few days around removal and installation. Fabrication between templating and installation can take longer, depending on the shop.
Kitchen island installation
Does an island need an outlet in Mountain View?
The City's kitchen requirements call for at least one outlet on an island counter that is 24 inches or longer and 12 inches or deeper. A sink or range on the island may require a second one.
Can a house on a slab have an island sink?
Yes, but the concrete is cut to run the drain, and in homes with radiant heating the tubing has to be located first. It is permitted plumbing work.
Kitchen wall removal
How long does a permit to remove a kitchen wall take in Mountain View?
The City lists 2 to 3 months as the typical time to receive a permit for a kitchen renovation that removes walls.
Can I remove a wall in a post-and-beam house?
Often, because many interior walls carry little roof load, but some brace the house against lateral forces. An engineer or an experienced remodeler confirms before demolition.
Kitchen layout redesign
Is it worth moving the sink?
It depends on how much the move improves daily use. Relocating the sink adds drain, vent and supply work plus a permit, so compare bids with and without it.
Do I need an architect for a new kitchen layout?
Not always. Mountain View accepts kitchen plans stamped by the designer, architect, contractor or homeowner who prepared them. Structural changes may also need an engineer.
Condo and townhome kitchen remodel
Do I need HOA approval to remodel my condo kitchen?
Most associations require written approval for anything beyond paint and hardware. Check the CC&Rs and get approval before work starts.
Can a townhome kitchen move to a different wall?
Sometimes, depending on where the drains and vents run. A remodeler can check the existing lines during the visit and tell you what the building allows.
Galley kitchen remodel
Should I keep my galley layout?
If one person usually cooks, a well-planned galley is efficient and avoids structural work. Opening a wall makes sense when you want the kitchen connected to the living space.
What is the minimum aisle in a galley?
Mountain View's kitchen requirements list a 36-inch minimum clear passageway between counter fronts and appliances or walls.
Small kitchen remodel
Is a small kitchen cheaper to remodel?
Often less in total, but not in proportion to its size, because the permit, the plumbing and electrical hookups and the fabricator's visits cost about the same. Bids for the same scope show the real number.
What adds the most storage in a small kitchen?
Usually drawers in the base cabinets and wall cabinets run to the ceiling. A remodeler can show options during the visit.
Gas to electric kitchen conversion
Will switching to induction require a new panel?
Not always. The load calculation that comes with Mountain View's kitchen permit shows whether the current service can handle the new circuit.
Does replacing a range hood need a permit in Mountain View?
A hood with an outside air vent needs a mechanical permit. A recirculating hood with no outside vent is a different case; check with the Building Division.
Kitchen lighting
Do new kitchen lights need a permit in Mountain View?
New fixtures, switches or circuits are electrical work and generally need a permit. The City lists replacing lamps as minor electrical work that does not.
Why do under-cabinet lights need their own switch?
It is one of Mountain View's kitchen lighting requirements. Separate switching also lets you light the counter without turning on the whole room.
Kitchen backsplash installation
Does a backsplash need a permit in Mountain View?
The City lists tiling as finish work that does not need a building permit, but that exemption does not cover tile that is part of a kitchen remodel. Outlet changes are electrical work. Ask the Building Division if you are unsure.
How long does a tile backsplash take?
Often one to two days of setting plus time for the grout to cure. A slab backsplash is fabricated and installed with the countertops.
Kitchen flooring
Can tile go over a radiant-heated slab?
Generally yes; tile and stone work well over radiant heat. The installer should confirm the slab is sound and use setting materials suited to heat.
Does new kitchen flooring need a permit in Mountain View?
The City lists carpeting, tiling and similar finish work as exempt, but not when the work is part of a kitchen remodel. Ask the Building Division if the floor is part of a larger project.
Aging-in-place kitchen remodel
Do ADA rules apply to my kitchen?
No. The ADA Standards apply to public accommodations, not private homes, though many owners use them as a design guide.
Can I lower just part of the counter?
Yes. A lowered section for seated prep is a common approach that keeps standard-height counters elsewhere in the kitchen.
Kitchen bump-out and addition
Does a kitchen bump-out need planning review in Mountain View?
A bump-out changes the exterior and adds floor area, so it goes to the Planning Division before the building permit submittal.
Is a cantilevered bump-out simpler?
It can avoid new footings for a small projection, but an engineer decides whether the floor framing can carry it.
Permits by area
Who handles permits through the City of Mountain View Building Division?
Mountain View requires a building permit, issued before construction starts, for any kitchen remodel that replaces the cabinets. Replacing countertops or refacing the existing cabinets does not need one. Contact: 500 Castro Street, (650) 903-6313.
Who handles permits through the City of Los Altos Building Division?
Los Altos accepts building plan check submittals electronically only: plans, supporting documents and the completed application are emailed to the Building Division, and hard copies are not accepted. Contact: 1 North San Antonio Road, (650) 947-2752.
Who handles permits through the Town of Los Altos Hills Building Department?
Since July 1, 2024, Los Altos Hills has required building permits to be submitted electronically through its eTrakit portal; smaller permits such as kitchen remodels can be emailed to the Building Department with the application and drawings. Contact: 26379 Fremont Road, (650) 947-2501.
Who handles permits through the City of Sunnyvale One-Stop Permit Center?
Sunnyvale requires a permit for a kitchen remodel that replaces the cabinets; replacing countertops or refacing existing cabinets does not need one. Contact: 456 W. Olive Ave., (408) 730-7444.
Who handles permits through the City of Palo Alto Development Services?
Palo Alto requires a building permit for home remodels and for mechanical, electrical and plumbing work; applications and documents are uploaded through the City's Accela Citizen Access portal. Contact: (650) 329-2496, building@paloalto.gov.