Home/Services/Kitchen Remodeling
Custom kitchens designed and built by an owner-led general contractor with over 40 years of experience.
Specialty Improvements Unlimited handles complete kitchen remodels in Santa Rosa and across Sonoma County, from layout changes and custom cabinets to plumbing, electrical, permits, and finishes. Owner Eric Wilson, a CA licensed general contractor (Lic. #669482), runs every project himself, and because SIU also does structural repair, problems found behind old walls get fixed by the same team instead of stalling the job.
A good kitchen remodel isn't only about new cabinets and countertops. It's about where the sink sits relative to the stove, whether two people can cook without bumping into each other, and whether there's finally a place for everything. Specialty Improvements Unlimited has been remodeling kitchens in Santa Rosa and Sonoma County for more than 40 years, and we start every project by asking how you use the room.
From there, we handle the whole job: layout, cabinets, counters, plumbing, electrical, lighting, flooring, and finishes. Eric Wilson, the owner, meets with you, writes the proposal, and stays personally involved while the work happens. You have one contractor to call, and that person knows your kitchen.
Every kitchen is different, but most of our remodels in Santa Rosa and Sonoma County include some or all of the following:
Design consultation
we talk through your goals, budget, and how your household uses the kitchen.
Layout changes
moving the sink, range, or walls to improve flow, including opening up closed-off kitchens.
Custom cabinets and storage
new cabinetry, pantry space, and smart storage like pull-outs and corner organizers.
Countertops and backsplash
stone, quartz, and tile installed and finished cleanly.
Plumbing and appliances
sinks, fixtures, gas ranges, range hoods, dishwashers, and water heaters.
Electrical and lighting
new circuits, recessed lighting, under-cabinet lights, and code-required outlets.
Flooring and finishes
tile, hardwood, or luxury vinyl, plus paint and trim.
Many homes in Santa Rosa and along the Russian River were built decades ago, and older kitchens tend to hide problems: undersized wiring, worn plumbing, out-of-level floors, and sometimes framing that's sagged or been damaged by old leaks.
That's where SIU is different from a typical kitchen remodeler. Structural repair is part of what we do every day. If we open a wall and find rotted framing or a weak floor, we fix it properly as part of the job rather than handing you off to another contractor.
On one 1932 bungalow kitchen, Eric started by finding and repairing structural problems in the basement beneath the kitchen before any cabinets went in. The homeowner noted that the odd angles and imperfect measurements of an older house were exactly where his experience paid off.
A kitchen remodel touches almost every trade in the house: plumbing, electrical, carpentry, tile, and drywall. Working with one experienced general contractor means one schedule, one point of contact, and no gaps between trades.
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Step 1. Consultation:
Eric visits your home, looks at the space, and talks through what you want and what you want to spend.
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Step 2. Written Proposal:
You get a clear scope of work with honest recommendations, so you know what's included before anything starts.
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Step 3. Design and Selections
We finalize the layout and help you choose cabinets, counters, fixtures, and finishes.
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Step 4. Permits and Ordering
We handle permits and order materials early so the schedule isn't held up by long lead times.
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Step 5. Construction and Walkthrough
Demolition, rough work, inspections, then cabinets and finishes. We walk through every detail with you before calling it done.
1932 bungalow kitchen on the Russian River
A small vacation home needed a modern kitchen that still fit its casual river style. After structural work in the basement below, Eric built a kitchen around the home's odd angles and quirks. The owner said they sometimes talked several times a day and that Eric was constantly finding creative solutions.
New gas range, hood, and sink upgrade
Leslie Gossage hired SIU to install a new gas range and range hood and rework the kitchen sink with a small dedicated water heater. She called Eric organized, on time, and thorough.
Opening up a dining area before the holidays
Curtis Newsom needed columns, soffits, and flooring removed from an awkward dining room with only 30 days before the holidays. The job involved tile, drywall, electrical, doors, and a window, and was finished on time and within budget with no change orders.
Corner cabinet storage upgrade
Diane Putney had rotating storage shelves installed in a corner kitchen cabinet, a small job she said was done in a timely, professional way.
Most kitchen remodels that move plumbing, add electrical circuits, or change walls need a permit, from the City of Santa Rosa inside city limits or from Permit Sonoma in unincorporated areas. We handle the permit process and schedule the inspections, so the work is done to code and documented when you sell.
Cost depends on the size of the kitchen, whether the layout changes, and the cabinets and finishes you choose.
The best way to get a real number is a site visit and a written proposal.
We install fixtures and materials we trust to hold up to daily use, including Kohler and Moen faucets and sinks, Rinnai tankless water heaters, and Schluter tile systems, along with quality cabinets and countertops chosen to fit your budget.
We remodel kitchens in Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Windsor, Healdsburg, Sebastopol, Forestville, Kenwood, Bodega Bay, and the surrounding communities, from 1920s bungalows to newer homes in Oakmont and Fountaingrove.
A cosmetic update can take a few weeks. A full remodel with layout changes, permits, and custom cabinets usually takes longer, often depending on cabinet lead times and inspection scheduling. You'll get a timeline with your written proposal.
Usually, yes, if you're moving plumbing, adding electrical circuits, or changing walls. Simple cosmetic work like painting or swapping a faucet often doesn't. We handle permits as part of the job.
Most homeowners do. We set up dust protection, keep the site organized, and plan around water and power shutoffs so the disruption is as short as possible. It helps to set up a temporary kitchen in another room.
Cabinets are usually the biggest single cost, followed by countertops and any layout changes that move plumbing, gas, or electrical.
Yes, and it's one of our specialties. Because SIU also does structural repair, we can handle rotted framing, weak floors, or outdated wiring found behind old walls without bringing in another contractor.
Yes. Many clients have us remodel their kitchen and bathrooms together or one after the other. See our bathroom remodeling services.
Contact
Tell us about your kitchen and what you'd like to change. Photos help. Eric will get back to you to talk through next steps and set up a consultation at your home. Prefer to talk? Call or text (707) 328-3555.
Let's build the kitchen you've always wanted.
