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.

5.0★★★★★56 Google reviewsTerri Goff Google profile photo“Salomon and his team have built the kitchen of my dreams.”— Terri Goff, Kitchen remodel
Remodeled kitchen with island in Orem, UT
Licensed Utah general contractor · B100 · Lic. #13416777-5501
Free quote

Tell us about your project. We’ll take it from there.

5.0★★★★★56 Google reviews
  1. Tell us about your projectLeave your contact details and a short message about what you have in mind.
  2. We talk it throughWe get in touch to go over your ideas, your space and the details, by phone or email.
  3. Get your clear proposalOnce we know exactly what you want, we send you a clear quote.
Get a free quote
We'll get back to you within 24 hours.
Licensed Utah general contractor
B100 · Lic. #13416777-5501 · Verify on Utah DOPL
Prefer to talk? Call 801-428-9889
Testimonials · Google reviews
5.0
★★★★★
56 Google reviews
5
56
4
0
3
0
2
0
1
0
Angélica Salazar Google profile photo
Angélica Salazar
4 reviews · 9 photos
★★★★★Sep 2026

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.

Ryan Barton Google profile photo
Ryan Barton
9 reviews · 4 photos
★★★★★Mar 2026

Would recommend Jaar 100%. Salomon is a great communicator, detail-oriented, fair, and showed real urgency and passion in helping us execute the kitchen that we wanted. On top of that, Salomon and his crews were always kind, respectful and just a pleasure to work with.

Photo 1 in review by Ryan BartonPhoto 2 in review by Ryan BartonPhoto 3 in review by Ryan BartonPhoto 4 in review by Ryan Barton
Kelli Duthrie Google profile photo
Kelli Duthrie
7 reviews · 3 photos
★★★★★Oct 2025

Jaar Builders did a fantastic job on our bathroom remodel. Salomon was great at communication and held the results of every stage of the process to extremely high standards. We have used a lot of contractors over the years and see no reason to use anyone outside of Salomon and his crew for all of our future projects.

Photo 1 in review by Kelli DuthriePhoto 2 in review by Kelli DuthriePhoto 3 in review by Kelli Duthrie
Carlos Bennett Google profile photo
Carlos Bennett
★★★★★Oct 2026

Jaar Builders completely transformed our guest bathroom at my house in Provo. Professional crew, straightforward communication, and top-tier craftsmanship on the new walk-in shower. We will definitely use them for our next project.

Nico Carvajal Google profile photo
Nico Carvajal
★★★★★Oct 2026

We hired Jaar Builder for a bathroom addition to our home in Springville, Utah, and the project was completed in December 2022. The result was everything we had envisioned—a true dream bathroom! The space is not only beautiful but also incredibly functional and designed around our family's needs. It's the perfect combination of style, comfort, and practicality, and it has made a huge difference in our home. Even years later, we couldn't be happier with how everything turned out. The pictures truly don't do it justice! We're extremely pleased with the final result and would definitely recommend Jaar Builder to anyone considering a home renovation or addition.

Precision Closets and Garage Utah Google profile photo
Precision Closets and Garage Utah
11 reviews
★★★★★Sep 2026

Jaar Builders helped us with our showroom at our commercial spot and it was such a great experience! He was always keeping us in the loop, made sure his team was quick, efficient, trustworthy, and they all did a wonderful job! Salomon is great and we are so glad he helped us with this project!

Cameron Google profile photo
Cameron
Local Guide · 170 reviews · 73 photos
★★★★★Jul 2026

Salomon and his team were exceptional to work with! The attention to detail and obsessiveness over making sure that everything is PERFECT was greatly appreciated as we tackled this bathroom remodel. Salomon was also incredibly responsive -- If I messaged him at any hour of the day, he would respond almost immediately. Since it was our first remodel ever, we needed some guidance on fixtures, places to shop, etc... We had no problems getting what we needed with Salomon's help. Also, everything was demolished and removed within 1 day, which was important so that we didn't bug our neighbors with a trash trailer for multiple days. Overall, the team went above and beyond to make sure that every detail of our dream bathroom was perfect. Even if little changes needed to be made after the fact, they were fixed almost immediately. TL;DR: If you want the highest quality of work and don't want just "cheap out" on a contractor, Jaar Builders is for you!

Photo 1 in review by CameronPhoto 2 in review by CameronPhoto 3 in review by CameronPhoto 4 in review by Cameron
Nick Jackson Google profile photo
Nick Jackson
4 reviews · 10 photos
★★★★★Oct 2024

I had a phenomenal experience working with Salomon at Jaar Builders. He was extremely professional, gave constant communication about the progress and status of the project, took time to clearly understand my needs and goals for the project, kept the work area clean and tidy, and exceeded my expectations with the quality of the work and materials used. I would recommend Salomon and Jaar Builders to everyone I know.

David Ruvalcaba Google profile photo
David Ruvalcaba
5 reviews · 4 photos
★★★★★Feb 2026

Hired this company after doing a lot of research to look for a great company. They did a really good job and really high quality work! I even asked in between work if they can make small adjustments and they were happy to work with me to make it look perfect! Would 100% work with them again and I have a lot of trust they will do quality work!

Photo 1 in review by David RuvalcabaPhoto 2 in review by David RuvalcabaPhoto 3 in review by David RuvalcabaPhoto 4 in review by David Ruvalcaba
Eric Mejia Google profile photo
Eric Mejia
7 reviews · 3 photos
★★★★★Oct 2025

Jaar builders exceeded our expectations. They provided options, insight and details of what our walk-in shower could be and turned out to be. Communication was professional and response time was quick. They pride in their detail and it definitely showed in the end result. We could not be more happier with the outcome. Thank you for making our vision a reality and more. We recommend Jaar builders 100%.

Photo 1 in review by Eric MejiaPhoto 2 in review by Eric MejiaPhoto 3 in review by Eric Mejia
Geoff Whatcott Google profile photo
Geoff Whatcott
1 review · 1 photo
★★★★★Oct 2024

Solomon was great to work with. He was very professional, involved, and attentive. He always kept us informed what was going on. Issues that came up in our fireplace remodel, he and his subs were able to come up with solutions that fixed problems from before the remodel. Really happy with the results. We will definitely use him again in future projects.

Photo 1 in review by Geoff Whatcott
Derek Welker Google profile photo
Derek Welker
Local Guide · 17 reviews · 4 photos
★★★★★Oct 2025

We needed someone in a pinch to assemble a trampoline for a client, and Jaar Builders stepped up and did an excellent job. They were on time, professional, and communicated clearly throughout the process. Their attention to detail really showed, and they handled the project smoothly even though it wasn’t their typical line of work. I’d definitely recommend them in the Salt Lake area and look forward to working with them again!

Photo 1 in review by Derek Welker
Daniel Campos Google profile photo
Daniel Campos
Local Guide · 41 reviews · 10 photos
★★★★★Oct 2024

Great service. Very responsive and knowledgeable. I highly recommended Salomon for any remodeling services.

Photo 1 in review by Daniel CamposPhoto 2 in review by Daniel Campos
Gabriel Rodriguez Google profile photo
Gabriel Rodriguez
9 reviews
★★★★★Mar 2026

We had a toilet leaking from the base that was starting to damage our floors, and Salomon was able to come out quickly, diagnose the issue, remove the toilet, and stop the leak before it caused further damage. He was professional, efficient, and took the time to explain what was going on and how to prevent it in the future. If you’re looking for a contractor you can trust—especially for bathroom work—I’d highly recommend Jaar Builders

cecil goff Google profile photo
cecil goff
2 reviews
★★★★★May 2026

Jaar Builders completed two major projects for me-a new roof and a deck. I have been more than satisfied with the entire process. He took the time to plan with me, keeping my budget in mind, answering questions, and addressing concerns along the way. One of Salomon Jaar’s strengths is his communication. Another is consistently following through and having hard working crews that are skilled snd got the job done to our satisfaction and in a very reasonable time line. I would use Jasr Builders again for future projects and recommend them to family and friends.

Zack Quenzer Google profile photo
Zack Quenzer
Local Guide · 61 reviews · 3 photos
★★★★★Oct 2025

Salomon and his team provide top quality work. I was impressed throughout the entire process. Solomon communicated with me often on the status of our shower renovation. He was honest and professional. He sent me pictures regularly of the project and I felt like he had my best interest in mind. As I made requests throughout the project, he was quick to meet my needs. I would definitely trust Jaar builders with your home renovations or construction needs.

Rebeca Stott Google profile photo
Rebeca Stott
1 review
★★★★★Oct 2025

I reached out to Salomon to get an estimate on a carpet replacement. There were some challenges in finding the same carpet, but he went above and beyond to help me. His communication was outstanding, he consistently kept me updated and took the time to explain every detail and issue he encountered. Thanks to his effort and expertise, he was able to resolve the problems and present me with the best possible options. Salomon truly goes the extra mile for his customers and gets things done.

Stephen Sharrah Google profile photo
Stephen Sharrah
5 reviews
★★★★★Oct 2025

I recently hired Salomon for full remodel, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the results. Within the first week after it was done i had 2 families offer to buy my place because it looked so good, I'm not even trying to sell it. From start to finish Salomon and his team were professional, reliable, and very attentive. I've worked with other contractors in the past, Jaar builders has been the best experience by far. Some of the many good things that stood out to me was Salomons honesty and knowledge to work within different budgets. In my opinion, there are no competitors to Jaar builders, Salomon is in a class of his own.

Luisa Campos Google profile photo
Luisa Campos
Local Guide · 28 reviews
★★★★★Oct 2023

I have used Jaar Builders for many projects for my business and my home and he has always done exceptional work! Salomon is always very responsive and keeps me in the loop at every step of the project. He ensures there is constant communication and that is key with a contractor! He does beautiful work and provides amazing service! Project management is challenging; Salo does a great job at resolving any issue must it arise. I would highly recommend Jaar Builders for any remodel project!

Jon Ostenson Google profile photo
Jon Ostenson
6 reviews
★★★★★Oct 2025

We wanted to remodel our living room and called Salomon from Jarr Builders to do the work for us. He walked us patiently through our options, sourced some nice reclaimed wood for our mantle and shelving, and brought in kind and respectful workers to do the job. He communicated well with us throughout the process, checked on the project many times, and was meticulous throughout the process. We’re very happy with the final result and would recommend him highly!

Geoff Seastrand Google profile photo
Geoff Seastrand
5 reviews · 2 photos
★★★★★Nov 2025

As a journeyman plumber, I’ve completed several projects with Jaar. So I’m coming at this from the sub-contractor side. That being said, Salomom Jaar would be my go to if I ever decide to build my beautiful wife the home of her dreams. I’ve seen him to turn some very old and dingy bathrooms into immaculate 5 star bathrooms, with free standing tubs, steam rooms, the works. I hope you trust me when I tell you, this is the company right here. Listens to both the homeowner and his subs, and as a result his projects always go to the top of my priority list. I only wish I was smart enough to have taken photos of some of the jobs I’ve seen Jaar do (especially the bathrooms 😁).

Tandy&Quinn Haddock Google profile photo
Tandy&Quinn Haddock
15 reviews
★★★★★Oct 2024

Salomon and Jaar Builders are very professional, communicated well throughout the project and care that the client is happy with the work done. I had other work done by a different contractor who did not stand behind his work and I’m dealing with sunken walls and crooked cement. The craftsmanship of Jaar Builders is top and they made sure the site was cleaned up thoroughly after completion. Thank you Salomon for your great work! I will be using Jaar Builders for my future projects !

Terri Goff Google profile photo
Terri Goff
Local Guide · 38 reviews · 57 photos
★★★★★Oct 2024

Salomon and his team have built the kitchen of my dreams. Jaar builders takes the time to really plan and figure out all the details so that when they come in and do the demo and remodel it goes like clockwork. Salomon was always willing to answer questions honestly and thoroughly. The Jaar builders team is detail oriented and all the finishes are top quality. Throughout the process, you the client are always informed at the beginning of a week who is coming, when and specifically what they are doing. All the workers were tidy and everyday when the crew would leave all materials and surfaces were swept and vacuumed. Salomon would then come after to also inspect cleanliness and work completed. I would highly recommend Jaar builders to anyone who wants a contractor who will come in on budget, on time, and will build out their dream kitchen, bathroom, basement, or any part of your home.

Tina Salmon Google profile photo
Tina Salmon
4 reviews
★★★★★Oct 2023 · edited

I would give Jaar Builders company 10 stars. Extremely professional and top quality. They have done many projects for me and never disappoints. Easy to work with, great communication, trust, and completes work in a timely manner. I looked into a lot of different companies and I was thrilled with Salomon Jaar. Seriously this is the best company for all building needs. It’s nice to have someone I can trust and does amazing quality work.

Benjamin Layman Google profile photo
Benjamin Layman
2 reviews
★★★★★Oct 2025

Salomon was great to work with because he communicated well and sent updates regularly. Also, because he is a general contractor, we did not have to find someone else for the electrical or plumbing- he was able to do it all. When asked for his license and insurance information he sent that right over. If we need anything else done, he will be the first one we call.

J. Simón Cantarero Google profile photo
J. Simón Cantarero
2 reviews
★★★★★Oct 2024

We hired Jaar Builders to remodel our home. It was a big project that took several months. This was our first experience in doing a remodel of this size and scope, and Salomon walked us through the process, letting us know of what we expected in the days and weeks ahead, working with our many changes, letting us know about materials and suppliers, and making sure our interior designer's concepts, drawings, and plans came to life. We're very happy with the results and would consider hiring him again.

Carl Whittaker Google profile photo
Carl Whittaker
7 reviews
★★★★★Oct 2024

JAAR Builders helped us with a closet remodel last month and did a fantastic job! They were responsive from the get go and turned the project around in the promised time frame, all while being remarkably flexible with our schedule and preferences. Initially, we found that our project was “too small” for others, but JAAR Builders were interested and willing to consider the improvements we wanted to pursue. The finished product was great! We were very happy with the results and the professional manner throughout the entire process. Will definitely be working with them in the future.

Carlos Huerta Google profile photo
Carlos Huerta
11 reviews
★★★★★Oct 2025 · edited

Great to work with! I’ve done a few projects with them and always a great experience! 5 stars ALWAYS! Salomon did our downtown salt lake remodel and guided us in the budget we had and modified what we needed in order to stay within and still have great results!!

Mike Chamberlain Google profile photo
Mike Chamberlain
1 review
★★★★★Oct 2024

Jaar Builders recently helped with a home project. We were very impressed with their professionalism and commitment to doing a great job. We will be getting their help with larger projects at our home and referred family for work at their homes as well. We highly recommend them.

albert Chavez Google profile photo
albert Chavez
3 reviews
★★★★★Oct 2023

Jaar builder’s did an amazing job. This being my first basement I didn’t know what to really pick or ask for. Solomon gave multiple option to pick from the floors, cabinets, doors, carpet, and tile. Even during the build things were asked to be changed or added and they were done without complaint. The amount of detail that went into finishing the basement was more than I could ask for. I also work from home and was worried about the nose but they came through the basement and not the main level not to disturb my office hours. I would definitely recommend them for any new basement.

Kyla Ostenson Google profile photo
Kyla Ostenson
6 reviews · 2 photos
★★★★★Oct 2024

Jaar Builders listened to what I needed and got it done beautifully! Solomon was great at texting back and communicating well. I will definitely use them again for any project I may have.

Kong Cuellar Google profile photo
Kong Cuellar
4 reviews · 1 photo
★★★★★Oct 2025

Called a few businesses to get a quote on some repairs on our roof after the hailstorm. Left a message and got back as soon as he could. Let me know that texting was a lot quicker response. I’m happy in the way that the procedure was handled. Very satisfied with the finished product. Having them take a look at our siding as well.

Alexis Kaufusi Google profile photo
Alexis Kaufusi
5 reviews
★★★★★Oct 2024

Jaar Building did an amazing job doing some projects around my home. They were quick and efficient and were able to get it done in a timely manner. Will definitely be using them for future projects.

Jim Bradley Google profile photo
Jim Bradley
2 reviews
★★★★★Oct 2024

I was very fortunate to find this business and to work with Solomon on reviewing my options on making space to accommodate a new ice machine on my existing freestanding quartz countertop. They were terrific in responding to my needs in a timely and professional manner. I highly recommend their services. J. Bradley

Rachel Salmon Google profile photo
Rachel Salmon
4 reviews · 1 photo
★★★★★Oct 2024

They did an amazing custom job on the shower of my townhome! Other contractors said it couldn’t be done but Salomon and his team got it done! Highly recommended!

Johanna Chamberlain Google profile photo
Johanna Chamberlain
Local Guide · 27 reviews
★★★★★Oct 2024

This guy is amazing!! I cannot day enough good things about him! He was doing some work on my neighbors home and it started to rain hard. He noticed me and my kids frantically trying to get all of the water out of our window well. He ran over to help, stood knee deep in water, and threw buckets out for what felt like an hour. He has done amazing work on the neighbors home and we will definitely be using him in the future. He went above and beyond! A real stand up guy!!

CIndy Hansen Google profile photo
CIndy Hansen
6 reviews
★★★★★Oct 2024

They did a great job. The owner also came back to check the work was done properly. They also said “give us a call if you have any future problems”. Charged a fair price. Very satisfied. Thank you!

Todd Salmon Google profile photo
Todd Salmon
2 reviews
★★★★★Oct 2023

10/10 Recommend! I’ve used them for multiple projects on my home now. They always deliver high quality work and the customer service was extremely professional.

Jeremiah Robison Google profile photo
Jeremiah Robison
4 reviews
★★★★★Oct 2023

Awesome ability of turning a dream vision into a reality. Quality work on our kitchen and flooring. Highly recommended ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

katie pond Google profile photo
katie pond
3 reviews
★★★★★Oct 2023

We were having a closet redone and needed an electrician and a plumber. The company recommended Salomon Jaar of Jaar Builders to help us with that. Since then we have used them for many other home repairs including gutters, roof, drywall, painting, stucco work, etc. Salomon is very prompt and the turn around time is excellent. We ask him about an issue we are having and he gets his people in to fix the problem much quicker than anyone else we have dealt with in the past. We highly recommend Jaar Builders!

kalia ignatius Google profile photo
kalia ignatius
3 reviews
★★★★★Oct 2023

I was very pleased with the professionalism, skill, timeliness, and communication from JAAR Builders. The work they did exceeded my expectations. Additionally, during the final walk-thru, we noticed a small oversight/hiccup, that was immediately addressed and completed before they would accept my final payment. I have already recommended JAAR Builders to my extended family who have multiple properties and on-going projects, and I will definitely call them for any future building projects of my own. Great company!

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

Orem’s residential remodel checklist says permits are required for all remodels. We handle the application and schedule the inspections.

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.