Kitchen Renovations in Collingswood: What Older Homes Require

Collingswood is one of South Jersey's most desirable towns — walkable, full of character, and home to some genuinely beautiful older housing stock. It's also a place where kitchen renovations take a bit more planning than newer construction.

We've worked in dozens of Collingswood homes over the years. Here's what we consistently find, and how we plan for it.

Electrical systems

Homes built before 1970 often have 60-amp or 100-amp service panels — not enough to support a modern kitchen with a double oven, refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, and under-cabinet lighting all running at the same time. A kitchen remodel is often the right moment to upgrade to 200-amp service. It's not glamorous, but it prevents tripped breakers and, more importantly, fire hazards.

Knob-and-tube wiring still shows up in some Collingswood homes. When we find it during demo, it needs to be addressed — most homeowner's insurance policies require it.

Plumbing

Galvanized steel pipes were standard through the mid-20th century. They corrode from the inside out, reducing water pressure and eventually failing. If your home still has galvanized supply lines, a kitchen remodel is a good time to replace them with copper or PEX while the walls are already open.

Structural surprises

A lot of older kitchens were added onto or modified over the decades — often without permits. We've found load-bearing walls that weren't on any drawing, subfloor rot from decades-old leaks, and ceiling joists that were notched to run pipes. All of it needs to be corrected before new finishes go in.

What this means for your budget

None of this should scare you off a Collingswood kitchen renovation. It just means your budget needs a realistic contingency — typically 10–15% of the project cost — and your contractor needs to be experienced enough to spot these issues early and handle them without derailing the project.

We've been doing this work in South Jersey for more than 20 years. We know what to look for, and we know how to keep a project on track when surprises come up. Reach out at (215) 792-4108 or request a consultation online to talk through your project.