You’re not remodeling your kitchen just to check a box. You’re doing it because the layout doesn’t work anymore, the cabinets are falling apart, or you’re tired of cooking in a space that feels stuck in 1987.
When the job’s finished, you’ll have a kitchen that actually functions the way you need it to. Countertops that give you room to prep. Cabinets that close properly and store what you actually use. Lighting that doesn’t make everything look dim and dated. And if you’re planning to sell in the next few years, you’re looking at recovering up to 80% of what you spend.
But here’s what matters more than resale value: you’ll stop avoiding your own kitchen. You’ll have a space where cooking doesn’t feel like a chore and where people naturally gather when they come over. That’s the real return on investment.
The work takes about six to eight weeks once we start. Your kitchen will be out of commission during that time, but the timeline stays on track because we manage the schedule, handle the inspections, and keep you updated without you having to chase us down.
Ray Coleman Home Improvement has been handling kitchen remodels and large-scale renovations across Nassau County for over five decades. We’re a general contractor, but our focus is on the bigger projects—full kitchen renovations, bathroom remodels, first-floor overhauls, dormers, extensions.
What sets us apart in West Hempstead isn’t just experience. It’s that we actually answer the phone. We respond to texts. If something goes wrong at 3 a.m.—like a frozen pipe in the middle of a Long Island winter—we show up. That’s not marketing talk. That’s what we did for a customer last January.
We keep job sites clean, our crews show up when they say they will, and Ray is on-site managing the work. Not every day, but enough that you’re not dealing with a rotating cast of subcontractors who don’t know your name. You’re working with people who’ve done this thousands of times and understand what West Hempstead homeowners expect.
The planning phase takes one to two months. That’s where we walk through your space, talk about what’s not working, and figure out a design that fits your budget and your life. We’re not trying to upsell you on features you don’t need. We’re trying to build something that makes sense.
Once the design is locked in and materials are ordered, the actual construction takes six to eight weeks. We demo the old kitchen, handle any plumbing or electrical updates, install new cabinets and countertops, and finish with flooring, lighting, and paint. If permits are required, we manage that process. If they’re not, we move faster.
You’ll know the timeline upfront, and we stick to it. The job site gets cleaned at the end of every day because we’re not interested in leaving your house a mess. And if something comes up—a delayed shipment, an unexpected issue behind the walls—we tell you immediately, not three days later.
When the work is done, you’ll have a kitchen that looks like the one you planned, finished on the timeline we gave you, without the runaround you’ve heard about from other contractors. That’s the process.
Ready to get started?
A full kitchen renovation covers everything from cabinets and countertops to plumbing, electrical, flooring, and lighting. We handle the design work upfront so you’re not guessing what the finished space will look like. You’ll see layouts, material options, and cost breakdowns before anything gets ordered.
In West Hempstead, most of our clients are working with kitchens between 100 and 150 square feet. The average investment for a mid-grade remodel in Nassau County runs around $350 per square foot. That gets you quality cabinets, durable countertops like quartz or granite, updated appliances, and professional installation. If you’re going high-end with custom cabinetry and premium finishes, expect closer to $689 per square foot.
We’re seeing a lot of requests for transitional designs—spaces that blend traditional warmth with clean, modern lines. Two-tone cabinetry is popular right now: dark lowers with light uppers, or a contrasting island. Energy-efficient appliances are standard, especially with rising utility costs on Long Island. And if your home was built before 1990, there’s a good chance we’ll need to update wiring or plumbing to meet current code.
Winter is actually a smart time to remodel your kitchen. The weather doesn’t affect interior work, and contractors tend to have more availability between November and March. Plus, if you’ve dealt with frozen pipes or outdated plumbing, a renovation gives us the chance to winterize your system properly so you’re not dealing with emergency calls next January.
For a typical kitchen remodel in West Hempstead, you’re looking at somewhere between $26,967 and $36,925 for a mid-grade renovation. That assumes a kitchen around 120 square feet with quality materials, professional labor, and updated appliances.
If you want high-end finishes—custom cabinetry, premium countertops, designer lighting—the cost can push past $60,000. On the lower end, a basic refresh with cabinet refacing, new countertops, and updated hardware might come in around $12,000 to $15,000. But that’s not a full remodel. That’s cosmetic.
The price depends on the size of your kitchen, the materials you choose, and how much structural work is involved. If we’re moving plumbing or electrical, tearing down walls, or dealing with outdated systems, the cost goes up. We give you a detailed estimate upfront so there’s no guessing. And we stay on budget. That’s part of the job.
Plan on about six months total if you’re counting the design phase. The upfront planning—where we work through layouts, pick materials, finalize the budget—takes one to two months. Once construction starts, the actual remodeling work takes six to eight weeks.
Your kitchen will be out of commission during those six to eight weeks, so you’ll need a temporary setup for meals. Most of our clients use a microwave, toaster oven, and cooler in another room. It’s not ideal, but it’s manageable for a couple of months.
The timeline can shift if there are permit delays or if we find issues once the walls are open—old wiring that needs replacing, water damage behind cabinets, that kind of thing. But we don’t drag projects out. We set a schedule, we communicate what’s happening, and we finish on time. If something changes, you’ll know immediately.
A well-done kitchen remodel typically recovers about 70% to 80% of its cost when you sell. In West Hempstead, where the median home value is strong and most buyers expect updated kitchens, that number can be even higher if the work is done right.
But here’s the thing: a poorly executed renovation can actually lower your home’s value by up to 20%. That happens when contractors cut corners, use cheap materials, or don’t pull permits for work that requires them. Buyers notice. Inspectors definitely notice.
If you’re planning to sell within the next few years, focus on updates that appeal to the broadest audience—neutral colors, durable materials, functional layouts. If you’re staying in the house, build the kitchen you actually want. Either way, the investment makes sense as long as the work is done professionally and the finishes hold up over time.
It depends on the scope of work. If you’re replacing cabinets, countertops, and appliances without moving plumbing or electrical, you typically don’t need a permit. If you’re relocating a sink, adding new electrical circuits, moving walls, or doing anything structural, permits are required.
In West Hempstead, building codes are enforced, and inspectors do check. Skipping permits might save time upfront, but it creates problems when you sell. Buyers’ attorneys and home inspectors will ask for proof that work was done legally. If you can’t provide it, the deal can fall apart.
We handle the permit process when it’s necessary. We know the local codes, we know what inspectors look for, and we make sure everything passes the first time. If the job doesn’t require permits, we move faster. Either way, you’re covered.
Start with whether they actually answer the phone. If you’re calling three times before someone gets back to you, that’s how the whole project will go. You want a contractor who responds quickly, shows up when they say they will, and keeps you updated without you having to chase them down.
Check their experience with projects similar to yours. A contractor who mostly does small repairs isn’t the right fit for a full kitchen remodel. You want someone who’s handled large-scale renovations, understands the process from design through final inspection, and has references you can actually talk to.
Ask about their crews. Are they using subcontractors they’ve worked with for years, or are they hiring whoever’s available? A good contractor keeps job sites clean, manages the timeline, and makes sure the people working in your home are professional. And make sure they’re licensed and insured. In Nassau County, that’s not optional.
Yes, and winter is actually one of the better times to do it. Kitchen remodels are interior work, so cold weather and snow don’t slow things down the way they would for exterior projects like roofing or siding.
Contractors tend to have more availability between November and March because outdoor work slows down. That means you’re more likely to get your preferred start date and faster turnaround times. Plus, if your home has older plumbing that’s vulnerable to freezing, a winter remodel gives us the chance to upgrade pipes and add insulation before the next cold snap.
The one thing to plan for: heating and ventilation. If we’re working on exterior walls or need to open windows for ventilation during demo, the house will get cold. We do our best to contain the work area and minimize heat loss, but you’ll want to keep the rest of the house warm. Other than that, winter remodels run just as smoothly as projects we do in spring or summer.
Local Resources
Useful Links
Other Services we provide in West Hempstead
