More room to cook, gather and live.
Open up a narrow twin or rework a postwar kitchen, with the walls, utilities and finishes in one plan.
A narrow Drexel Hill twin, a radiator in the wall you want opened, a Springfield Cape with older wiring: Delco kitchens call for more than a new cabinet plan. NK brings structural work, heating, plumbing and electrical coordination into the design, then builds the finished kitchen under one contract.
NK is a licensed and insured contractor specializing in kitchens and structural remodeling across Delaware County. One project manager connects the design, engineering, permits, trades and finished room.
The wall you want opened may hide a steam pipe, a drain stack or wiring that belongs in the new kitchen plan. Finding those connections early helps us plan the whole job, rather than treating the beam, heating and cabinets as separate projects.
In Delco’s older twins, rowhomes and postwar houses, we assess the framing and services together. That gives the design and proposal a practical foundation before the walls are opened.
Twins
Shared wall stays put
The shared party wall and the interior wall beside your dining room do different jobs. We check the framing, loads, supports and services before designing an opening. Where an interior wall can change, an engineered beam can connect the rooms while the party wall is treated separately.
Heating
Rerouted, not ignored
A radiator or steam pipe in the proposed opening needs a plan. We coordinate compatible relocation or replacement, such as a toe-kick heater where the system supports it, and any required heating-system balancing with the appropriate heating trades before the cabinet layout is fixed.
Plumbing & power
Replaced while open
Cast-iron drains, galvanized pipes and older electrical panels deserve attention while the room is open. We inspect the actual condition and planned appliance loads, then include the appropriate replacement or upgrade work in the scope.
An illustration of the most requested Delaware County change: the wall and radiator come out, a beam goes in, and the kitchen gains a peninsula with seating.
Before
After
Design inspiration for the $75,000-and-up kitchens we build: custom cabinetry, natural stone, professional ranges and rooms connected with engineered openings. These are design illustrations; browse our project collection for completed NK work.
Our Delaware County kitchen budgets run from about $40,000 to $180,000 or more. Keeping the plan, rebuilding within the room or joining two rooms sets the scope. Cabinetry, stone and appliances shape the finish budget, while existing plumbing, heating and wiring can add work behind the walls.
$40,000–$60,000
4–6 weeks without the kitchen
Cabinets replaced in place, new stone counters and backsplash, sink and faucet, lighting refresh, paint
$60,000–$110,000
6–10 weeks without the kitchen
Room opened to the framing, new layout, island or peninsula, new drains and circuits, flooring, vented hood, appliances
$110,000–$180,000+
8–12 weeks without the kitchen
All of the above plus engineered beam and posts, stamped drawings, radiator and pipe relocation, continuous flooring and ceiling, expanded design concept
These are NK’s 2026 planning ranges. Your written, itemized proposal brings the structural work, trades and finishes together, with selections and allowances spelled out. Existing conditions, choices, lead times and approvals affect the final budget and schedule; the line items above are examples, not automatic extra charges. We confirm actual permit fees for your project.
Streetcar suburbs, postwar Capes and Main Line estates sit a few miles apart in Delco. These examples show how we can adapt the layout and services to the house you have.
Havertown, Drexel Hill, Upper Darby, Lansdowne, Clifton Heights
Upper Darby, Collingdale, Yeadon, Darby, Sharon Hill
Media, Swarthmore, Wallingford, Rose Valley, Ridley Park
Wayne, Villanova, Rosemont, St. Davids, Radnor
Springfield, Broomall, Marple, Folsom, Morton, Aston
Newtown Square, Glen Mills, Garnet Valley, Chadds Ford, Edgmont
Your mailing address may not identify your permit office. A Havertown address is in Haverford Township, while Wayne or Bryn Mawr can sit in different townships and even different counties. NK checks the actual municipality and responsible code administrator before filing.
We check the tax parcel, prepare and file the application, schedule required inspections and meet the inspector on site. If exterior changes affect a designated historic property, including in parts of Radnor, we confirm the additional review during planning.
Permit review, with drawings and inspections as required
Permit review, with drawings and inspections as required
Permit review, with drawings and inspections as required
Permit review, with drawings and inspections as required
Permit review, with drawings and inspections as required
May be exempt when the work is limited to finishes
May be exempt when the work is limited to finishes
Each municipality sets its own rules; NK Construction & Design confirms yours before work begins.
Both warranties start on the day your final walkthrough is completed.
Our workmanship warranty covers the installed work described in your agreement, including plumbing, electrical, plaster, cabinet and countertop installation, tile, trim and paint.
Beams, posts, footings and framing repairs built from our licensed engineer’s design. Structure is our specialty, so we back it longer.
Cabinets, counters, fixtures and appliances retain their manufacturer warranties, and we hand you the paperwork at closeout. Normal wear, misuse and later changes by others are excluded. Your written project warranty sets out the coverage, exclusions and remedies.
Allow about 2–5 months from the first visit through construction and closeout. We review deliveries before demolition and agree temporary facilities for your home. Selections, approvals, lead times and concealed conditions all shape the final schedule.
Week 1
We measure the kitchen, review the proposed opening and accessible framing, and note radiators, drains and the electrical panel. We discuss a scope level and budget, identifying any investigation or engineering needed before a firm proposal.
Weeks 2–7
The kitchen plan and cabinet layout are drawn while NK Construction & Design's licensed structural engineer designs any beam, posts and footings.
Weeks 6–8
One document lists every trade, the structural work, the allowances in dollars and the schedule.
Weeks 8–12
NK submits the required drawings and checks cabinet, appliance and beam availability before agreeing demolition. Countertop templating and fabrication follow cabinet installation.
Construction preparation
Set up temporary facilities and dust-control/protection arrangements agreed for the home, then begin demolition on the agreed plan.
Construction weeks 1–4
Carry out the approved structural work and agreed heating, drainage, wiring and gas changes; coordinate required rough inspections and address corrections.
Construction weeks 4–10
Install cabinets, templated counters, tile, lighting and appliances; coordinate final inspections and corrections, and hand over permit records, warranty and care documents.
Four things to question in any bid, including ours.
With no mention of an engineer, a beam size or posts down to a footing. Ask who designs it and whether the township will get stamped plans.
You should be able to discuss a realistic scope and planning range before committing to design. NK publishes three budget bands here and explains what site information is needed to develop your proposal.
Ask who prepares and files the application, handles the agreed fees and meets inspectors. NK manages the permit process for its agreed kitchen scope, keeping that coordination with the team doing the work.
Ask when cabinets and appliances are expected, and how later countertop fabrication fits the schedule. NK reviews deliveries before agreeing demolition, so avoidable waiting is addressed while you still have a kitchen.
NK Construction & Design combines remodeling and structural construction expertise to coordinate kitchen design, structural modifications, construction and finishing work within one project.
Tell us what frustrates you about your kitchen and what you want to change. We’ll discuss the layout, structural work and likely budget, then agree the next steps for your home. After that conversation, NK may offer an estimate without charge, at its discretion.
Questions, answered
More questions about your kitchen? Explore the full FAQ collection for planning, construction and local guidance.
Permit requirements depend on the municipality and the work involved. Structural changes, new openings, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and other regulated scopes can require permits or inspections. NK Construction & Design identifies the applicable coordination while defining the project scope.
Our 2026 kitchen planning ranges are $40,000–$60,000 for a refresh on the current layout, $60,000–$110,000 for a full remodel within the room and $110,000–$180,000 or more for structural or open-plan work. Cabinetry, stone, appliances, existing services and the wall opening shape the price. Your written proposal brings the work together and identifies selections and allowances. Heating pipes, older drains, twin-house circulation and existing services can shape the scope.
Finish choices can bring together the practical and visual details of a kitchen. NK project examples include stone countertops, tile flooring, fixtures, pendant lighting, and cabinetry.
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