A kitchen remodel is one of the most rewarding investments you can make in your home—but only if it's done right, and at the right time.
At Morganco Design Build, we’ve spent decades helping homeowners across Greater St. Louis breathe new life into outdated kitchens. From historic homes in Kirkwood to modern renovations in Chesterfield, every remodel we take on is treated with the precision, care, and artistry you'd expect from a third-generation builder.
But many of our clients come to us with the same first question:
“How do I know it’s the right time to remodel?”
Whether you’re tired of cramped layouts, worn-out cabinetry, or you’re finally ready to create the dream kitchen you’ve been envisioning for years, this guide will help you understand when—and why—it might be time to take the next step.
Let’s walk through the key signs, seasonal timing, planning process, and what it’s like to partner with a builder who treats your home like their own.
Signs It’s Time to Remodel Your Kitchen
Not every kitchen cries out for a complete overhaul. But there are several clear indicators that your space may no longer be serving you—or your home’s value. Below, we break down the most common signs that it’s time to remodel, and what they mean for the long-term health, functionality, and style of your kitchen.
Layout Doesn’t Fit Your Lifestyle
We often see this in homes built before the 1990s—tight galley kitchens, isolated from the rest of the living space, with poor flow and limited functionality. If your kitchen doesn’t support how your family cooks, eats, and gathers, it's more than an inconvenience—it’s a space you’re settling for instead of enjoying.
Whether it's opening up the space for a large island, reworking the traffic flow, or integrating smart zones for cooking, prep, and entertaining, a thoughtful redesign can radically improve how you live in your home.
Outdated or Failing Appliances and Fixtures
If your appliances are over 15 years old—or if your dishwasher groans louder than it cleans—it might be time to look beyond quick fixes. Older appliances not only lack the energy efficiency of today’s models but often become liabilities when parts are discontinued or performance becomes unreliable.
A remodel gives you the opportunity to incorporate modern appliances seamlessly into the cabinetry and workflow of your kitchen, not just replacing them but integrating them into a whole new design system.
Worn-Out Cabinetry or Damaged Materials
Cabinets take more daily abuse than just about any other surface in your home. Over time, even the best-made cabinetry can show signs of wear—warping doors, chipping finishes, sagging shelves, or drawers that no longer slide properly. In many St. Louis homes, especially those built in the '70s or earlier, we see original cabinetry that simply wasn't built for long-term durability.
If your cabinets look tired, feel flimsy, or are visibly damaged, a full remodel allows us to replace them with custom-crafted cabinetry designed to withstand decades of use. At Morganco, we focus on precision installation and solid, furniture-grade materials—not box-store shortcuts. Your kitchen should look beautiful, but more importantly, it should feel solid and function smoothly every single day.
Lack of Storage or Counter Space
Cluttered counters, overflowing drawers, and a constant game of cabinet Tetris—these are common complaints we hear from homeowners living with outdated kitchens.
Many older homes in areas like Webster Groves and University City were designed with minimal storage, often assuming a formal dining room would carry the load. But today’s families need smarter solutions: deep drawers for pots and pans, pull-out pantry shelves, built-in spice racks, and cleverly hidden trash bins.
A well-planned remodel doesn’t just add more cabinets—it adds purpose-built space designed around how you cook, prep, and live. From oversized kitchen islands with integrated outlets to floor-to-ceiling pantry storage, we tailor every inch to suit your needs.
Poor Lighting or Inefficient Flow
Lighting and layout go hand-in-hand. We often walk into kitchens where the overhead lighting casts shadows exactly where you’re trying to prep dinner—or where navigating between the sink, stove, and fridge feels more like a maze than a workspace.
These aren’t just annoyances—they affect how well your kitchen performs. A well-executed remodel reimagines both the physical flow and the lighting design. We evaluate how natural light enters the room, where task lighting is needed, and how to layer ambient, accent, and under-cabinet lighting to bring both function and atmosphere.
For example, in a recent Ladue remodel, we eliminated a dark central soffit, added a coffered ceiling, and installed a combination of recessed cans and statement pendants. The transformation didn’t just make the kitchen brighter—it made it feel open, welcoming, and easier to use from morning coffee to evening meals.
Preparing for Resale or Increasing Home Value
Even if you’re not planning to sell tomorrow, remodeling your kitchen can be one of the smartest long-term investments you’ll make in your home.
In the St. Louis market, a well-designed, modern kitchen consistently ranks among the top features that influence buyer decisions. But there’s a big difference between a surface-level update and a true value-adding remodel. Potential buyers—and appraisers—notice thoughtful layout improvements, quality cabinetry, upgraded appliances, and seamless finishes.
We work with homeowners who want to enjoy their new kitchen now, and ensure it adds real value when it’s time to move on. That’s why we focus on timeless design, durable materials, and custom touches that elevate a space beyond builder-grade.
The Best Times of Year to Start a Kitchen Remodel in St. Louis
Timing a remodel isn’t just about your schedule—it’s about aligning planning, material availability, and build phases to ensure the least disruption and the best results. St. Louis has its own seasonal rhythms, and understanding them can help you plan your kitchen renovation more effectively.
Winter Planning, Spring Build
Winter may not feel like the season for construction, but it’s actually one of the smartest times to begin the design and planning process. At Morganco, we often spend the colder months working with clients on layouts, finish selections, and permits—so when spring rolls around, we’re ready to start building.
This lead time is crucial. Custom cabinetry often takes 8–12 weeks to fabricate. Specialty fixtures and appliances can have long lead times. By starting in winter, we can get ahead of supply delays and be ready to break ground just as the weather improves.
Plus, St. Louis springs are ideal for construction—temperatures are moderate, humidity is low, and homeowners are often more comfortable living through temporary disruptions after the holidays have passed.
READ: Smarter Remodeling Process for Busy Homeowners
Summer Construction for Maximum Flexibility
Summer is when many families travel, kids are out of school, and the daily routine is more flexible. It’s also one of the most popular times to schedule the build phase of a kitchen remodel.
If you're planning to be out of the house for part of the summer, we can schedule demolition and heavy construction during that window. This minimizes disruption and helps our crews move efficiently.
In St. Louis neighborhoods like Wildwood and Town & Country, we often plan remodels around family summer vacations—so by the time clients return, the mess is behind them, and their new kitchen is well underway.
Why Fall May Be Too Late for the Holidays
One of the most common things we hear?
“We’d love to have the new kitchen ready by Thanksgiving.”
While it's absolutely possible, it requires starting early—as in, summer or sooner. Fall may be too late to ensure cabinetry, countertops, and appliances arrive on time, especially with shipping delays and holiday backlogs.
If hosting for the holidays is important, we recommend locking in your design plan by early summer at the latest. That gives us—and you—the best chance to enjoy a fully functional, beautifully finished kitchen by the time guests arrive.
How to Plan for a Kitchen Remodel
A successful kitchen remodel doesn’t start with swinging hammers—it starts with smart planning. At Morganco, we believe thoughtful preparation is what separates a good project from an exceptional one. Here’s how we help St. Louis homeowners lay the foundation for a smooth, successful transformation.
Start with Your Goals and Lifestyle
Before looking at tile samples or paint colors, take a step back and ask:
What do you want this kitchen to do for your home and your life?
We walk every client through a needs assessment that looks beyond aesthetics. Maybe you need better flow for entertaining. More functional storage for a growing family. Or simply a kitchen that reflects your taste and lifestyle.
In a recent project in Clayton, the homeowner told us, “We don’t host dinner parties—we host brunches.” That shaped everything from the appliance choices to the breakfast nook layout. When your remodel starts with you, it leads to a space that doesn’t just look good—it works beautifully, too.
READ: How to Pick Materials for Your Kitchen Remodel
Working with a Design-Build Firm vs. Piecemeal Contracting
There are two ways to remodel: piece it together yourself with a designer, contractor, and trades—or hire a team that does it all, seamlessly.
As a design-build firm, Morganco handles every phase under one roof. That means your design is developed with the build in mind. Your project manager, architect, and craftspeople are in constant communication. And you have one point of accountability from concept to completion.
We’ve found this approach is especially valuable for busy St. Louis professionals who don’t have time to coordinate multiple vendors, chase down schedules, or worry about costly miscommunication. We handle it all—so you don’t have to.
Timelines, Permits, and Product Lead Times
Kitchen remodels are detailed projects with many moving parts. Depending on the scope, timelines can range from 8 to 14 weeks once construction begins. Add time for design, material selections, and permitting—especially in municipalities like Ladue or Kirkwood, where historic considerations may apply.
We help our clients build realistic timelines from the beginning, taking into account lead times for:
Custom cabinetry (8–12 weeks)
Countertops (templating after cabinet install)
Specialty lighting or fixtures
Appliance delivery schedules
By managing this process in-house, we minimize delays and ensure each phase flows into the next with precision.
Why Choose Morganco for Your Kitchen Remodeling?
There are plenty of remodeling companies in the St. Louis area. But when your home deserves more than a surface-level upgrade, you need a team that brings craftsmanship, precision, and deep respect for design integrity. Here’s why homeowners choose Morganco—and why they stay with us for future projects.
Precision Craftsmanship Meets Thoughtful Design
At Morganco, we’re builders and designers. That dual perspective allows us to approach every kitchen with both artistry and engineering in mind. Every measurement matters. Every material is considered. Every finish is intentional.
We don’t follow trends—we tailor. A client in Frontenac wanted a sleek, modern kitchen, but with warmth. We integrated white oak cabinetry with a waterfall quartz island, concealed appliance panels, and soft lighting to balance minimalism with comfort. The result was striking—and entirely custom.
Our carpenters are career craftsmen. Our designers know how to balance beauty with function. And our project managers make sure it all runs like clockwork.
Materials That Are Built to Last
We don’t settle for builder-grade shortcuts. From hardwood cabinetry to stone surfaces, premium hardware to lighting systems, we source materials that look exceptional and hold up to daily life.
And because we’re hands-on from start to finish, we ensure everything is installed properly—not just fast. A beautiful backsplash isn’t worth much if the grout lines crack in two years. We build it right the first time.
A kitchen remodel isn’t just about upgrading a space—it’s about improving the way your home works for you, every day. Whether you're tired of outdated finishes, struggling with a layout that doesn’t fit your life, or finally ready to create the kitchen you’ve always wanted, the right time to remodel is when you're ready to do it right.
At Morganco Design Build, we don’t believe in shortcuts or one-size-fits-all solutions. We believe in craftsmanship that stands the test of time, design that reflects who you are, and a process that respects your home as much as you do.
If you're in the Greater St. Louis area and thinking about a kitchen remodel, we’d be honored to help you explore what’s possible. Let’s talk about your goals, walk your space, and create something extraordinary—together.