Best Kitchen Remodel Options
for Older Tri-Cities Homes
What you need to know before remodeling a kitchen in a home built before 1995 — common issues, smart upgrades, and what to expect.
A large portion of the Tri-Cities housing stock was built between 1960 and 1995. These homes have kitchens that were designed for a different era — often closed off, dated, and built with materials that present specific challenges for renovation.
We've been working in these homes for 23 years. Here's what we find — and how we handle it.
Common Issues in Pre-1995 Homes
Galvanized or older copper plumbing
Homes from the 70s–90s may have plumbing that's reached the end of its service life. A remodel is often the best time to replace it before it fails inside a wall.
Aluminum wiring (pre-1975)
Some older homes have aluminum branch circuit wiring that requires special handling with modern fixtures. Your electrician needs to know.
Asbestos in floor tile and drywall compound
Pre-1978 homes can have asbestos in floor tile adhesive and joint compound. Disturbing it requires proper testing and handling — not just ripping it out.
Closed-off kitchen layouts
Most 1970s–1990s kitchens were built closed off from the living space. Opening them up is the single most-requested change — and it often requires understanding load-bearing walls.
Unlevel floors and out-of-square walls
Older homes settle. Floors that look flat aren't always. Custom cabinetry installs require scribing and shimming that a stock install can't handle.
What Works Well in Older Homes
- ✓Opening up the kitchen to the living/dining space (usually the highest-impact change)
- ✓New semi-custom or custom cabinetry that can be scribed to imperfect walls and floors
- ✓Quartz countertops — more forgiving of unlevel cabinets than natural stone
- ✓LVP flooring — handles minor subfloor imperfections better than tile
- ✓Updated electrical panel and dedicated circuits for modern appliances
Remodeling an older home in the Tri-Cities?
23 years of experience means we know what's in the walls. Free on-site estimate — no surprises.