Lehigh Valley, PA's Most Experienced Luxury Kitchen Remodeler

Lehigh Valley's Most Experienced Design-Build Kitchen Remodeler

If you live in Lehigh Valley, Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, or Northern Bucks County, count on Penn Contractors. Penn Contractors is an expert in kitchen remodeling, with more than 25 years of experience, creating kitchens that reflect the homeowner’s unique style and meet their specific needs. Exceeding your design goals, adhering to your budget, and meeting your timeline is more than our priorities, they’re our guiding principles.

Tell us about your kitchen project below and we'll be in touch soon to discuss scheduling a consultation!

Penn Contractors, Inc. is a family-owned and operated custom home remodeling and general contracting firm located in Emmaus, PA. We’re the premier high-end remodeling firm, serving Lehigh Valley. Penn Contractors recently celebrated our 25th anniversary and looks forward to celebrating many more milestones.

Our History

In 1990, Bruce Snyder, Penn's owner, formed Penn Contractors, Inc. to provide the Lehigh Valley with a full-service solution for high-end home improvements, custom remodeling, renovations, whole-house remodeling, additions, and period restorations.

Bruce recognized the need for a company that would have the intelligence, experience, and precision to protect the beautiful architectural design styles within the Lehigh Valley while infusing those homes with the modern components that homeowners were craving.

Our Full-Service Method

We focus on full-service, turn-key Design + Remodel solutions. For this reason, Penn Contractors is often referred to as Penn Design + Remodel. We serve both residential and commercial clients in Lehigh, Northampton, and Bucks counties.

The Penn Contractors Team specializes in providing you with comprehensive, beginning-to-end design and build solutions. From the start, you will notice that we’re focused on careful planning, frequent communication, and earnest collaboration to ensure that your design needs are fulfilled. We engage with you through regular correspondence and planning meetings. Early and immediate attention is placed on helping you envision your ideal finished space through conceptual drawings and design tools such as product samples, schematics, elevations, and renderings.

The Design-Build Difference

The design-build method centers on the client experience. It’s streamlined and prioritizes both efficiency and remodeling nuances as equally important. This focus results in the most effective use of your budget and time eliminate the extra steps required when you hire a designer and builder separately and increases accountability by working with one entity.

Better communication is an integral part of the design-build method. You aren’t risking a bad professional relationship between your designer and builder who aren’t familiar with one another. Our team works as a single unit to deliver a project that makes your home more functional and reflective of your personal style.

Here's What Our Customers Say

all white cabinets and countertop by Penn Contractors

We have used for at least four separate projects. We continue to go back to Penn because of their exceptional professionalism, service, and quality.

Multi-room Remodeling

Bethlehem, PA

grey and white kitchen remodel by Penn Contractors

Penn Contractors has completed two additions to our home as well as renovation of our kitchen and bathrooms. Customer satisfaction is of paramount importance to Penn. They never ended a job until we were 100% satisfied.

Two Home Additions

Allentown, PA

kitchen remodel with farmhouse sink, black countertops, and white countertops

Penn contractors handled a complex home addition for us with a kitchen, bathroom, master bedroom closet, laundry room, mudroom, and garage.

Whole House Remodel

Saucon Valley, PA

Our Process

At Penn Contractors, we follow a structured project plan that guides you through the renovation process. Our process not only informs you about the styles, designs, materials and color choices, but also provides you the comfort of knowing that you're in control every step of the way. All decisions go through you... it's your space and it's our job to make sure it's the way you want it.

Penn Contractors' Design & Build process emphasizes frequent communication with our client at every stage. This ensures customer satisfaction throughout the entire Design and Build process. We'll be there, at your side, from the beginning to the end. We'll help you choose the right wood, tile, stone, floor covering or wall paper. From countertops and cabinets to paint, molding and even hardware, we are there guiding your decision-making process to ensure that your new space exceeds your expectations.

1) Initial Site Visit (ISV)

Conducted in Your Home.
Consultation about your project needs.
Helpful if client has magazine clippings, notes, objectives and financial investment.
Recommendations, options, and discussions on financial investment.
Discuss Scheduling.

2) Professional Services Agreement

Conducted in Penn Contractors' Office.
Discuss initial design and budget. Develop an investment goal.
If investment goal and project parameters are approved, sign PSA and begin the conceptual design process.

3) Preliminary Review Meeting

Conducted in Penn Contractors' Office.
Review Conceptual Plan.
General material choices made.

4) Refining the Plan

Conducted in your home.
More detailed floor plans and elevations will be reviewed, accessories, etc.
Assignments may be given to the client (choose appliances, cabinet, etc. )

5) Working Drawings

Finalize conceptual plans.
Selection of building materials.
Develop allowances for fixtures, cabinetry, etc.
Finalize construction investment.
Complete specifications and product selections.

6) Signing the Contract

Conducted in Penn Contractors' office.
Final blueprints, specifications, and contract are reviewed and signed.
10% deposit due at contract signing.
At this time client receives final plans and specifications Selections.
Meetings conducted at Penn Contractors' office & various area show rooms.
Specific choices of products, materials, colors, etc. i.e. plumbing fixtures, light fixtures, siding colors, shingle colors, cabinets and tops.
Review options to price and compare to allowances.

7) Pre-Construction Conference

Conducted in your home.
Penn's production coordinator, lead carpenter and sales personnel meet with you to walk through your project prior to production.
Any job-site challenges are discussed.
Housekeeping questions addressed (children, pets, security system, lock box, dust/environmental protection, donate or recycle removed items, porta-john, etc.)
Production Coordinator will review Schedule.

Top Kitchen Remodeling FAQS

What Do I Need to Know Before Remodeling a Kitchen?

The kitchen is a complex room to remodel, and complexity tends to cost more. A kitchen requires durable surfaces that will last a long time, so you won’t have to make repairs and replace materials for many years. When you’re looking at your available project budget, keep in mind that cutting corners on finishes and materials will show in the end result.

Remodeling a kitchen will, of course, mean you won't have access to this daily necessity. If living without your kitchen for months at a time seems like it will cause too much frustration, you’ll need to make alternative living arrangements. It’s also important to work your arrangements into your budget to avoid overextending yourself.

You’re going to be making a lot of decisions throughout the design process. At times, it might seem like the decisions will never end, but keep your eyes on the end result: a custom kitchen that will meet your demands and reflect your style.

It’s helpful to approach your design-build team with visual examples of the design you’re after, like magazine clippings, internet images, or even pictures of a friend’s kitchen that you like. Any imagery helps with the design process because your designer will be able to narrow down which materials and finishes fit your design goals.

How Long Does a Kitchen Remodel Take?

The length of time your kitchen remodel will take depends on the extent of the project. At Penn Contractors, we focus on major kitchen remodels. A major kitchen remodel could include changing the layout, removing a wall, installing an island, and replacing all of the finishes. The former will take less time than the latter.

Timing will also depend on the age of your home if any other repairs beneath the surface need to be addressed, and how many change orders are made. To get a better idea of how long your remodel may take, contact Penn Contractors, describe your remodeling goals, and the team will help you understand an appropriate timeline.

What Costs The Most In A Kitchen Remodel?

Kitchen cabinets are estimated to take up around 30% to 40% of a typical budget. This isn’t a hard rule, of course, but a good understanding of how much of your budget will go to this one aspect. Kitchen cabinets are a large portion of your kitchen, set the style tone, and should be high quality because of their frequent use and the weight they carry. The cost of labor, kitchen appliances, and countertops follow.

How Much Does It Cost To Update An Entire Kitchen?

The standard amount you will spend on your kitchen remodel should be around 15% to 20% of your home’s total current value. Spending more may mean you are choosing materials that are out of sync with the quality of materials in the rest of your home and you won’t get a return on investment (ROI) that’s in keeping with the area standard.

Of course, there are circumstances where spending more than 15% is warranted, such as replacing compromised subflooring, replacing the wiring in an older home, or removing load-bearing walls to create an open concept.