Highly recommend! He did an amazing job finishing our basement. Everything was done professionally, including all the licensing and permits, and the work passed the required inspections. Communication was clear and consistent from beginning to end, which was a key part of making the whole process go smoothly. He kept us informed every step of the way and was always easy to communicate with. He also kept everything clean and organized throughout the project. We are extremely happy with how our basement turned out. Great quality work, reliable, professional, and excellent communication.
Kitchen Remodeling in Orem: What to Decide Before Demo Day
Remodeling a kitchen in Orem, UT? Make these layout, cabinet, permit and electrical decisions first so demo day goes smoothly. Plain-English checklist.

- Tell us about your projectLeave your contact details and a short message about what you have in mind.
- We talk it throughWe get in touch to go over your ideas, your space and the details, by phone or email.
- Get your clear proposalOnce we know exactly what you want, we send you a clear quote.
Most kitchen remodel headaches don’t happen during demo. They happen because a decision got made late: a cabinet that doesn’t fit the fridge, an outlet nobody planned for, a permit nobody pulled.
We already have a page on kitchen remodeling in Orem that covers how we plan a project overall. This post is the checklist version: the things worth deciding before the first cabinet comes off the wall.
1. Decide how you actually use the kitchen
Forget Pinterest for a minute. Ask yourself:
- Who cooks, and how many people are in the kitchen at once?
- Do you entertain, or is it mostly weeknight dinners and homework at the counter?
- What drives you nuts today? Not enough counter space, a dark corner, a fridge that blocks traffic?
Your answers shape everything else. A kitchen that looks great but fights the way you live gets old fast.
2. Pick a scope: refresh or full remodel
There are two broad paths, and they run on very different schedules.
A refresh keeps the layout. You’d swap or reface cabinets, replace counters, add a backsplash, and update fixtures and lighting.
A full remodel changes the layout. Moving a sink, adding an island, taking out a wall or relocating the range all mean plumbing, electrical and sometimes structural work, plus more design time and more inspections.
If you’re not sure which one you need, that’s a good thing to talk through on a walkthrough. Sometimes a small layout tweak gets you most of what you want. For ideas on finishes and styles, see our 2026 kitchen remodel trends in Utah.
3. Lock the layout before you pick finishes
Layout first, pretty stuff second. That means settling:
- Where the sink, range and fridge go (the classic work triangle)
- Cabinet runs and island size, if there’s an island
- Appliance sizes and clearances. Pick the appliances early so the cabinets are built around them
- Lighting: overhead, under-cabinet and task lighting
If a wall might come out or plumbing is moving, this is where design and engineering matter. We coordinate that through our design and engineering partners so the plan is buildable before demo starts.
4. Know the electrical basics (they’re code, not preference)
Kitchens have more electrical rules than most rooms. The City of Orem’s residential remodel checklist includes items like:
- GFCI protection on outlets at kitchen countertops
- Outlets spaced along the counter so no counter space is more than 24 inches from one
- Tamper-resistant receptacles
- Smoke detectors required for alterations or repairs to a dwelling
That’s a sample, not the full list, and the city can have details beyond it. Planning outlets, lighting and appliance circuits up front beats finding out at inspection that something’s missing.
5. Permits and inspections: yes, even for a kitchen
The same Orem checklist says permits are required for all remodels, and the city takes applications through its online building permit portal. Work that needs a permit needs inspections, and the city’s guidance is to call before covering anything up. In a kitchen, that’s usually when plumbing and electrical are roughed in, before the drywall closes.
We pull the permit, schedule the inspections and keep the paperwork moving, so you’re not chasing the city. For reference, Utah’s state construction code currently adopts the 2021 International Residential Code (Utah Code 15A-2-103). Details and fees can change, so we confirm with the city on each job.
Homeowners are allowed to work on their own homes, but the city says work not done by the homeowner must be done by properly licensed contractors. You can check any Utah contractor’s license on the state’s license lookup.
6. Plan for life without a kitchen
Be honest with yourself about this one. For a while, you’ll be washing dishes in a bathroom sink or eating off paper plates.
- Set up a temporary kitchen: microwave, mini fridge, coffee maker and a folding table somewhere else in the house
- Ask your contractor for the sequence: demo, rough plumbing and electrical, inspection, drywall, cabinets, counters, tile, finishes, final walkthrough
- Ask when special-order items such as cabinets, counters and appliances need to be ordered, so nothing holds up the schedule
We’ll give you a schedule once the scope is clear, and tell you early if inspections or lead times move it. Want a peek at what finished jobs look like? Browse our projects.
7. Compare contractors on more than the number
When you’re comparing quotes, ask each contractor:
- Are you licensed and insured? Ask for proof.
- Will you pull the permits and handle inspections?
- Who handles design and engineering, and who’s actually on site each week?
- Who is my point of contact?
- Can I read reviews from past clients? You can read ours on the reviews page.
Orem kitchen remodel FAQ
Let’s plan your Orem kitchen
Jaar Builders is a licensed, insured remodeler in Orem, UT, working on projects since 2019. Learn more about our kitchen remodel services or our work around Orem.
Call us at (801) 428-9889 or send us a message, and we’ll walk your kitchen with you and talk through your options.































