What a Kitchen Renovation Actually Looks Like
Kitchens are the most popular renovation we do, and for good reason. A well-done kitchen upgrade makes your house more enjoyable to live in every single day. It also tends to return 60 to 80% of its cost at resale, which makes it one of the smarter home improvement investments out there.
What Kitchens Cost in Central Florida
Prices depend heavily on the scope. A cosmetic refresh and a full gut-job are two very different animals.
- Cosmetic refresh: $15,000 to $30,000. New cabinet faces, counters, backsplash, and maybe updated fixtures. You're keeping the existing layout.
- Mid-range remodel: $30,000 to $60,000. New cabinets, new countertops, updated flooring, new appliances, and some layout changes.
- Full renovation: $60,000 to $100,000+. Walls coming down, plumbing and electrical getting moved, custom cabinetry, premium everything.
Where the Money Goes
- Cabinetry eats up the biggest chunk, usually 30 to 40% of the total budget. Semi-custom vs. fully custom makes a huge difference in price.
- Countertops vary wildly. Quartz runs about $50 to $100 per square foot installed. Marble and exotic granite push past $150.
- Appliances for a full suite (fridge, range, dishwasher, microwave, hood) typically cost $5,000 to $15,000 depending on brands.
- Flooring is usually tile or luxury vinyl plank in Central Florida kitchens. Both hold up well to moisture and heavy foot traffic.
- Plumbing and electrical work can blow up a budget fast if you're moving the sink, adding an island with a cooktop, or relocating outlets.
What's Trending in 2025
- White or light-colored cabinets paired with warm wood accent pieces
- Large-format porcelain tile backsplashes, sometimes running all the way to the ceiling
- Waterfall-edge countertops on kitchen islands
- Integrated smart appliances with Wi-Fi connectivity
- Pot fillers above the range and touchless faucets at the sink
How Long It Takes
Plan on 6 to 10 weeks from demo day to the final walkthrough:
- Week 1: Demolition and any rough-in work
- Weeks 2 to 3: Electrical updates, plumbing changes, and drywall patching
- Weeks 4 to 5: Cabinet installation
- Weeks 6 to 7: Countertop templating, fabrication, and installation
- Weeks 8 to 10: Backsplash, fixtures, appliance install, and final touch-ups
Countertop fabrication is the usual bottleneck. Templates can't happen until cabinets are in, and fabrication takes 1 to 2 weeks after that.
Making It Go Smoothly
- Set up a temporary kitchen somewhere else in the house. A folding table, a microwave, and a coffee maker in the garage goes a long way.
- Make every single material selection before demolition starts. Changing your mind on cabinet color in week 3 will push your timeline back by weeks.
- Budget 15% above your base estimate for contingencies. Older homes in places like Winter Park, College Park, and Maitland almost always have surprises behind the walls.
- Make sure your contractor is licensed and pulling permits. Kitchen renovations in Florida require them.
J&N StructureWorks handles kitchen renovations across Central Florida from design through final walkthrough. We keep the process organized so your kitchen isn't torn up any longer than it needs to be.