Marty's Home Improvement in Chattanooga: General Contractor for Kitchens and Bathrooms

Marty's Home Improvement is a licensed general contractor in Chattanooga specializing in kitchen and bathroom renovations for homeowners within a 30-mile radius of the city. The business operates as a single-owner firm with a small crew, positioning it between large construction companies and handymen, and it handles projects that require permitting, structural decisions, and coordination across multiple trades.

What Marty's Home Improvement actually is

A licensed general contractor in Tennessee (verification recommended through the Tennessee Contractor Licensing Board), Marty's operates on a project-basis model rather than a time-and-materials hourly system. The work centers on kitchen and bathroom remodels, from cosmetic updates to full gut renovations involving plumbing, electrical, and structural changes. The business does not handle new construction, roofing, or HVAC installation. Projects typically range from 3 to 12 weeks depending on scope, with most bathroom jobs running 4 to 8 weeks and kitchens 8 to 12 weeks.

Services and pricing

Marty's provides fixed-price bids rather than estimates with unknown variables. A bathroom renovation ranges from $18,000 to $45,000 depending on whether it includes custom tilework, fixture upgrades, and plumbing relocation. Kitchen work spans $35,000 to $80,000 for jobs involving new cabinetry, countertops, appliances, and electrical panel adjustments. The bid includes permits, labor, and materials; the homeowner pays 50 percent upfront and the remainder upon completion. Verify current pricing by phone, as material costs shift seasonally.

The contractor handles all permitting with the City of Chattanooga and coordinates inspections, which is not always the case with smaller operators. Permit fees in Chattanooga run roughly 1 to 2 percent of project cost and are included in the bid.

How Marty's compares to other Chattanooga contractors

Larger firms such as established kitchen and bath specialists in the Chattanooga area often charge 15 to 25 percent more for the same scope and may require longer lead times (2 to 4 months before work begins). They typically carry higher overhead and employ larger crews, which can accelerate timelines but reduces flexibility on start dates. Marty's trades faster turnaround for potentially longer project duration if complications arise mid-job.

Smaller handymen and unlicensed operators in Chattanooga often quote lower initial prices for kitchen or bathroom work, but they frequently cannot obtain permits or pull inspections themselves, leaving the homeowner responsible for code compliance and liability. Choose Marty's if your project requires a licensed contractor; choose a handyman only for cosmetic work (paint, cabinet refacing, fixture swaps) that does not touch plumbing, electrical, or load-bearing walls.

Who it suits and who it does not suit

Marty's suits homeowners planning a significant kitchen or bathroom renovation within Chattanooga or Hamilton County and willing to commit to a structured timeline and fixed-price contract. It works well for first-time remodelers who want permitting and inspection handled professionally and for homeowners who prefer working with one point of contact rather than coordinating multiple subcontractors themselves.

It does not suit customers seeking quick cosmetic updates (paint, new fixtures only), those with extremely tight budgets, or homeowners outside the 30-mile service radius. It is also not the fit for new construction or specialty projects like elaborate tile inlays or high-end custom cabinetry, which may require a designer-led firm.

What the first visit involves

Initial consultation is typically in-home and free. Marty reviews photos, existing conditions, and your sketch or written scope. Within 5 to 7 business days, you receive a written bid with a scope of work, timeline estimate, and payment schedule. If you accept, you sign a contract and schedule the project start date. No work begins until permits are applied for and the contract is signed.

Hours, parking, and logistics

Marty's office is accessible by appointment only; work crews arrive on-site at 7 a.m. Monday through Friday and typically leave by 4 p.m. Weekends and early mornings are available on request for an additional fee. Parking on your property during construction is your responsibility; the crew uses one vehicle and smaller equipment trucks that fit standard residential driveways.

Marty's Home Improvement earns a place in a Chattanooga contractor guide because it closes the gap between unlicensed operators and expensive larger firms, offering legitimate permitting and code compliance without unnecessary overhead costs for homeowners doing mid-range bathroom and kitchen work in the area.