Kitchen Remodelers in Bergen County, NJ
A kitchen remodel involves a contractor plus licensed plumbing and electrical work. Every remodeler listed here is a registered New Jersey Home Improvement Contractor with insurance we've seen.
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Pros serving Bergen County, NJ
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What kitchen remodelers cost in Bergen County
| Job | Typical cost | Data from |
|---|---|---|
| Minor kitchen remodel, midrange (average job) | about $31,419 per project | NY metro |
| Major kitchen remodel, midrange (average job) | about $90,252 per project | NY metro |
| Major kitchen remodel, upscale (average job) | about $183,172 per project | NY metro |
| Quartz countertops, installed | $50–$75 per sq ft | NJ |
| Granite countertops, installed | $70–$140 per sq ft | NJ |
"National" figures are US averages, not local prices. Last updated November 4, 2026. Sources: JLC Cost vs. Value, 2025; Fixr, 2025. Full cost guide
How to choose a kitchen remodeler in Bergen County
Your kitchen remodeler must be registered as a New Jersey Home Improvement Contractor. Ask for their New Jersey Home Improvement Contractor registration number and look it up on the state's license lookup (Business Search, license type "Home Improvement Business Contr"). The number must appear on their ads, contracts and work vehicles. Ask for a certificate of insurance too: registered contractors must carry at least $500,000 per occurrence in general liability coverage.
Plumbing and electrical work in the kitchen must be done by licensed trades, so ask who your remodeler uses and get those license numbers too. Most kitchen remodels that move or add plumbing, wiring or walls need permits, and state rules bar a contractor from starting work before the required permits are issued.
Ask for a written quote that separates cabinets, countertops, appliances, and labor, and says what happens if they find hidden damage behind the walls. Any job over $500 needs a written, signed contract that lists the work, the main materials, start and finish dates and the total price. You can cancel for any reason until midnight of the third business day after you get your copy.
Questions to ask
- What is your HIC registration number?
- Which licensed plumber and electrician will work on my kitchen?
- What permits does this job need, and who pulls them?
- How are change orders priced and approved?
Red flags
- No HIC registration number on the contract, estimate, ads or truck. N.J.S.A. 56:8-144 requires it on all of them (source).
- No written contract for a job over $500, or a contract missing the bold “NOTICE TO CONSUMER” three-day cancellation box (N.J.S.A. 56:8-151, source).
- Won’t attach a copy of its $500,000 general liability insurance certificate and the insurer’s phone number to the contract, which state law requires (source).
- Asks for final payment, or a signed certificate of completion, before the work is finished. State consumer rules prohibit this (N.J.A.C. 13:45A-16.2).
- Won’t name the licensed plumber and electrician doing those parts of the job. Those trades must be licensed (N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.15).
- Plans to take down a wall without engineering review or a permit. Cutting a loadbearing wall is never ordinary maintenance (N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.7).
New Jersey licensing
What to check: New Jersey Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration number (format not confirmed), plus the licenses of the plumber and electrician on the job.
New Jersey has no separate state license for kitchen remodelers. Instead, under the Contractors’ Registration Act the business must register every year with the Division of Consumer Affairs as a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC). It must also carry at least $500,000 per occurrence in commercial general liability insurance, plus workers’ compensation unless exempt. The registration number has to appear on its contracts, ads, business documents and commercial vehicles. A 2024 licensing law will add individual licenses once its new board adopts rules. The plumbing and electrical parts of a kitchen remodel must be done by licensed trades, and their seals go on those permit applications (N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.15). Ask for each subcontractor’s license number. To verify, use the Consumer Affairs license lookup (Business Search, license type “Home Improvement Business Contr”).
Permits
Several kitchen tasks are ordinary maintenance under the Uniform Construction Code and need no permit: replacing cabinets, other built-in furnishings, flooring and trim; painting; interior finishes on less than 25% of the wall area; replacing a dishwasher; and replacing a range hood within the code’s airflow limits (N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.7). Renovating a one- or two-family home without altering primary structural members, adding fixtures within the existing pipe capacity, or adding up to five outlets on adequate circuits is minor work, which needs a permit but can start after notice (N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.17A). Removing a loadbearing wall needs a full permit first (N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.14) from your local construction office.
Kitchen Remodelers by town
Common questions
Do I need a permit to remodel my kitchen in New Jersey?
It depends on scope. Swapping cabinets, flooring, trim and a similar dishwasher, and painting, are ordinary maintenance with no permit. Renovating a one- or two-family home without altering primary structural members is minor work, which needs a permit but can start after the construction office is notified. Moving plumbing, adding circuits beyond minor-work limits, or removing loadbearing walls needs a permit first. (Source)
Can my kitchen contractor do the plumbing and electrical work?
Only if those workers hold the right state licenses. The Uniform Construction Code says plumbing, electrical and HVACR work may be done only by people licensed for it, except a single-family homeowner on their own home. Each licensed contractor’s seal and signature go on the matching permit application. A remodeler usually subcontracts these trades. (Source)
Do I need a permit to replace a range hood?
Not for a like-for-like swap in most cases. The Uniform Construction Code treats replacing a kitchen range hood in a dwelling unit as ordinary maintenance if its exhaust rate doesn’t exceed the old hood’s, or doesn’t exceed 400 cubic feet per minute. The hood must also recirculate or vent independently to the outdoors. Larger hoods or new ductwork through walls may need a permit. (Source)
What does New Jersey require in a written home improvement contract?
Any home improvement contract over $500, and every change to it, must be in writing and signed by all parties. It must list the contractor’s legal name, address and registration number. It must include a copy of the liability insurance certificate and the insurer’s phone number, and the total price including finance charges. Consumer Affairs rules also require a description of the work and main materials, start and completion dates, and any warranty terms. (Source)
Can I cancel a home improvement contract after I sign it in New Jersey?
Yes. You can cancel a home improvement contract for any reason before midnight of the third business day after you receive a copy. The cancellation must be in writing, sent by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested) or delivered in person to the address in the contract. The contractor must refund everything you paid within 30 days of receiving your notice. Contracts must print this right in a bold notice. (Source)
How long does a construction permit take in New Jersey?
Under the Uniform Construction Code, the local construction official must approve or deny a complete permit application within 20 business days, unless you agree to an extension. Once work is ready, inspections must be done within three business days of the request, or another time within 30 days that you agree on. For minor work, the contractor can start after notifying the office and file the application within five business days. (Source)
How do I check whether a kitchen remodeler is registered in New Jersey?
Use the Division of Consumer Affairs license verification site. Choose Business Search and the license type “Home Improvement Business Contr”, then search by business name or city. Make sure the name matches the contract and the registration is current. Registered contractors must also print their registration number on contracts, ads and commercial vehicles, so compare that number with the lookup result. (Source)
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