Allen is one of DFW’s fastest-growing suburbs, and most of its homes were built in the late 1990s through the 2010s. That means plenty of solid construction — but also plenty of builder-grade kitchens that families have outgrown. Here’s how we took one Allen kitchen from dated and cramped to custom and open.
The Challenge
Our Allen clients had lived in their home for years and loved everything about it except the kitchen. The cabinets were builder-grade particleboard with basic hardware. The countertops were scratched laminate. The layout wasted space. Storage was a constant frustration. They wanted a kitchen that matched the rest of their life: organized, beautiful, and built to last.
Our Approach
Custom cabinetry built for real life. We replaced every cabinet with full-overlay shaker doors, soft-close drawers, full-extension slides, and smart storage inserts — pull-out trash, spice racks, and deep pot drawers.
Quartz countertops + waterfall island edge. The new island became the centerpiece — more prep space, more seating, and a waterfall edge that makes the kitchen feel like a showroom.
Full tile backsplash. Hand-set subway tile from countertop to ceiling behind the range, tied together with brushed nickel hardware.
Upgraded appliances + proper venting. Professional-grade range, new dishwasher, and most importantly, a proper hood vent that actually exhausts outside (a shortcut many builder kitchens skip).
Layered lighting and under-cabinet LEDs. Recessed cans for general light, pendants over the island, and LED strips under every upper cabinet for task lighting.
Our custom kitchens meet NKBA design standards, with ENERGY STAR-rated appliances specified throughout.
Technical Project Details
Project Overview & Architecture
This project is a full custom kitchen remodel in Allen, TX — one of DFW’s fastest-growing suburbs, where most of the housing stock dates from the late 1990s through the 2010s. Homes of that era are typically solid construction delivered with builder-spec kitchens, and this one fit the pattern: particleboard cabinet boxes with basic hardware, scratched laminate countertops, a layout that wasted space, and chronic storage frustration. The owners loved everything about the house except the kitchen. The brief was to replace every builder-grade element with custom work and open the kitchen into the adjoining living space, with clear sightlines to the backyard pool.
The Structural Challenge
Open-concept conversions in North Texas homes like this one carry two structural realities. First, most DFW homes built since the 1980s sit on post-tension slab foundations poured over Blackland Prairie expansive clay — soil that swells and shrinks with moisture. Any work touching the slab must locate the stressed steel tendons first, because severing one is dangerous and costly to repair. Second, when the wall between kitchen and living area is load-bearing, projects of this type require an engineered beam — often set flush into the ceiling framing so the opened space reads as one continuous plane. Where a load-bearing wall is involved, UHS engineers the beam solution with licensed structural engineering and pulls the structural permit through the City of Allen. In this project, the kitchen was opened to create a smooth open-concept space with pool views.
Material Specifications & Execution
Every builder-grade cabinet box was replaced, and the finish package was specified to NKBA design standards:
Cabinetry: custom white oak with full-overlay shaker doors, soft-close drawers on full-extension slides, plus pull-out trash, spice racks, and deep pot drawers; a sage green display cabinet accents the run.
Counters: quartz throughout, with a waterfall edge on the new island for added prep space and seating.
Tile: hand-set subway tile from countertop to ceiling behind the range, with zellige tile at the backsplash, tied together by brushed nickel hardware and a farmhouse sink.
Appliances and venting: a professional-grade range and new dishwasher, ENERGY STAR-rated units specified throughout, and a hood vent that exhausts outside — a step many builder kitchens skip in favor of recirculating units.
Lighting: layered — recessed cans for general light, pendants over the island, and under-cabinet LED strips for task work.
All electrical and plumbing was performed by licensed trades in-house, with City of Allen permits and inspections handled by UHS and dust containment maintained through demolition.
Timeline & Budget Realities
This project was completed in 8 weeks under a fixed-price contract of $65,000. Typical for this project type, a full custom kitchen remodel in Allen runs 8–14 weeks from demolition to final walkthrough, with custom cabinet lead times and layout complexity as the main schedule variables. Investment typically ranges from $55,000 to $150,000+, driven by cabinet material, countertop selection, appliances, and how far the layout changes — planning ranges, not quotes. UHS contracts fixed-price, so the number agreed before demolition is the number at walkthrough, and every project carries a written 3-year workmanship warranty plus manufacturer warranties on cabinets, appliances, countertops, and fixtures.
Project Facts
Location
Twin Creeks, Allen, TX
Project type
Kitchen Remodeling (full custom kitchen remodel)
Key materials & finishes
custom white oak cabinetry, full-overlay shaker doors with soft-close drawers and full-extension slides, quartz countertops with waterfall island edge, hand-set subway tile backsplash (countertop to ceiling behind range), zellige tile backsplash, brushed nickel hardware
Scope highlights
Replaced all builder-grade cabinets with custom cabinetry incl. pull-out trash, spice racks, deep pot drawers · New quartz-topped island with waterfall edge for prep space and seating · Full tile backsplash countertop-to-ceiling behind the range
Typical timeline for this project type
8–14 weeks
Typical investment for this project type
$55,000–$150,000+
Project investment
$65,000 (fixed-price contract)
Project duration
8 weeks
Warranty
Written 3-year workmanship warranty
What Verified Clients Say
“Mike kept things moving with text updates when cabinets were delayed and adjusted the schedule without drama. Results felt solid and well thought out, especially the lighting placement.” – Verified Google review, UHS Remodeling
“Alex and Louis did an excellent job on our bathroom renovation. They worked efficiently, kept the space very clean, and even left the hallway carpet cleaner than when they arrived.” – Verified Google review, UHS Remodeling
Why This Project Matters for Allen Homeowners
Allen homeowners in Twin Creeks, Waterford Parks, Bethany Lakes, Tatum Ridge, and the Watters Creek area have been some of our best clients over the years. Many come to us for their kitchen first and then bring us back a year later for a bathroom. If your Allen kitchen still has the builder-grade cabinets you inherited on closing day, there’s a better version of it waiting — and it probably costs less than you think.
Project Gallery – Allen Kitchen Remodeling
After – White oak island with sage green display cabinetAfter – Zellige tile backsplash and farmhouse sink
Frequently Asked Questions – Allen Custom Kitchen Remodel
How much does a custom kitchen remodel cost in Allen, TX?
Custom kitchen remodels in Allen typically range from $55,000 to $150,000+, depending on cabinet material, countertops, appliances, and layout changes. This full Allen kitchen included custom white oak cabinetry, a large island, zellige tile backsplash, and a farmhouse sink. Use our remodeling cost calculator for a personalized Allen kitchen estimate.
How long does an Allen custom kitchen remodel take?
Most Allen custom kitchen remodels take 8-14 weeks from demolition to final walkthrough, depending on cabinet lead times and layout complexity. UHS Remodeling provides a detailed timeline up front and proactively manages cabinet, appliance, and stone delivery schedules.
Can I keep my current kitchen layout or should I open it up?
Most Allen kitchens benefit from opening to the living area – it dramatically improves flow for entertaining and family time. If your kitchen has a load-bearing wall, we engineer a beam solution and pull the structural permit. In this Allen project, we opened the kitchen to create a smooth open-concept space with pool views.
What kind of warranty does UHS Remodeling offer on Allen kitchens?
UHS Remodeling provides a written workmanship warranty on all Allen kitchen remodels, plus manufacturer warranties on cabinets, appliances, countertops, and fixtures. We stand behind our work and are a quick call away if anything needs attention after the project is done.
Do you handle electrical and plumbing for kitchen remodels in Allen?
Yes. UHS Remodeling handles all trades in-house, including licensed electrical and plumbing work, for every Allen kitchen remodel. We pull all required City of Allen permits and schedule inspections as part of our fixed-price contract.
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