Kitchen Remodel Cost - Written Fixed Price, Finish Date in the Contract

Every visit starts with

Free written scope consultation - allowances, timeline, and change-order rules on paper before a single trade is scheduled

Your dream remodel for as low as $199/month*on approved credit; ask for current terms

Styles & brands we work with

‹

›

Before & after – our own jobs

‹

BeforeAfter

BeforeAfter

BeforeAfter

›

How Much Does Kitchen Remodel Cost in Fort Lauderdale?

A kitchen remodel in Fort Lauderdale typically costs between $14,000 and $45,000, depending on kitchen size, material selections, and whether the layout changes. Most homeowners in neighborhoods like Victoria Park, Coral Ridge, and Lauderdale-by-the-Sea land in the $22,000-$32,000 range for a mid-range update that includes new cabinets, countertops, and appliances without moving plumbing or walls. Full gut renovations with custom cabinetry and imported stone push toward the upper end of that range or beyond.

At Rowan Construction Group, every quote is a flat written price with a written scope delivered before anyone touches a tool. That’s not a process step - it’s Clause 1 of the Haven Standard, the framework every Rowan project runs on. If you want to compare a number you’ve already received, our Free Second Opinion on any written estimate is a standing offer: call (754) 254-7676 and we’ll review it line by line at no charge.

Kitchen Remodel Cost Breakdown (2026)

Fort Lauderdale’s labor market and material costs run higher than the national average, partly because of South Florida’s ongoing contractor demand, partly because of code requirements tied to hurricane impact standards, and partly because high-humidity conditions here demand moisture-resistant substrates and finishes that cheaper builds skip. The table below reflects what projects actually cost in Broward County in 2026, not a national median copied from a real estate blog.

What Pushes the Number Up - and What Keeps It Down

Cabinet cost is the single biggest line item in most kitchens. The gap between a stock KraftMaid run at a box store and a Wellborn full-custom order can be $6,000 to $8,000 on its own, before a single screw goes into the wall. If you’re open to semi-custom KraftMaid cabinetry - solid boxes, dovetail drawers, soft-close hardware - you can get a genuinely high-quality result without paying for bespoke lead times.

Countertops follow a similar pattern. Cambria and Caesarstone quartz both carry a stronger stain and scratch warranty than granite, and their consistency from slab to slab makes them a reliable spec in Fort Lauderdale’s rental and resale market. Expect to pay $60-$120 per square foot installed for either brand, which puts a standard 40-square-foot kitchen into the $2,400-$4,800 range before edge profiles and cutouts.

Layout changes are where budgets tend to jump unexpectedly. Moving a sink in Fort Lauderdale means cutting concrete slab - most of the city sits on a concrete pad foundation - which adds $1,500 to $3,500 in labor alone, separate from any permit or plumbing rough-in cost. That number surprises homeowners who got a quote in Atlanta or Charlotte and assume concrete slab work is standard everywhere. In Fort Lauderdale, it is standard, and it costs accordingly.

Permits are another Fort Lauderdale-specific line item. Broward County requires a building permit for any kitchen remodel that touches electrical, plumbing, or structural work. Permit fees run $400-$900 for a typical kitchen scope; expedited review can add another $200-$400. Rowan handles permit pulling as part of every applicable scope - it’s included in the written price, not billed as a surprise at the end.

What Affects Kitchen Remodel Pricing in Fort Lauderdale

• Kitchen size and configuration. A 120-square-foot kitchen in a Coral Ridge ranch costs more to remodel than a 90-square-foot galley in a Las Olas condo, even if both use the same materials. More linear feet of cabinetry, more countertop square footage, and more tile all add up proportionally. A small kitchen remodel in Fort Lauderdale runs $9,000-$20,000; a larger L- or U-shaped kitchen with an island runs $28,000-$45,000.
• Concrete slab penetrations. Fort Lauderdale sits largely on a monolithic slab, so any plumbing relocation requires jackhammering concrete, rerouting drain lines, and patching. This is not optional, and it adds $1,500-$3,500 to any project that moves a sink or dishwasher. It’s one of the most consistent cost variables we see in Broward County kitchens.
• Material tier and brand selection. The spread between entry-level stock cabinets and Wellborn full-custom is roughly $4,000-$9,000 on a standard kitchen. Similarly, the spread between laminate countertops and a Cambria quartz slab is $1,500-$4,000 for a typical run. Choosing a material tier upfront, before demo starts, is the most reliable way to keep the project inside budget.
• Electrical upgrades and panel capacity. Older homes in Lauderdale Isles, Tarpon River, and parts of Edgewood often have 100-amp panels that don’t support a modern kitchen’s appliance load. Adding a dedicated 20-amp circuit for a microwave, dishwasher, and refrigerator, or upgrading the subpanel, adds $800-$2,500 depending on the panel’s age and location. We identify this during the initial walkthrough, not after demo.
• Ventilation and ductwork. South Florida’s humidity makes proper kitchen ventilation more important than it is in drier climates. A ducted range hood that vents to the exterior costs more than a recirculating unit, but it’s the right call in Fort Lauderdale’s climate for moisture control and air quality. Ducted installation adds $400-$1,200 depending on duct run length.
• Impact glazing on windows. If a kitchen remodel includes replacing a window, Florida’s hurricane code requires impact-rated glazing or panel shutters. Impact windows in a kitchen opening typically run $800-$2,500 per window depending on size and frame material. This is a code requirement, not an upsell - and it’s better to know before you budget than after you’ve committed to a scope.

Before

After

How to Save on a Kitchen Remodel in Fort Lauderdale

The most reliable way to control a kitchen remodel budget in Fort Lauderdale is to finalize every material selection before demo begins. Once walls are open, a change order to swap a countertop or reroute plumbing costs two to three times what it would have cost if you’d made the decision on paper. Rowan’s signed change-order discipline - no work proceeds on any change until both parties sign - exists precisely because mid-project decisions are expensive, and most of them can be avoided with enough upfront planning.

Keep the Plumbing Where It Is

If the current sink location works for how you use the kitchen, leave it there. Keeping the sink in its existing location avoids the slab penetration cost ($1,500-$3,500) entirely and can reduce plumbing labor by half. It’s one of the highest-value decisions you can make early in a project, especially in Fort Lauderdale where slab work is unavoidable once you move the drain.

Choose Semi-Custom Over Full Custom Cabinets

Semi-custom KraftMaid cabinetry gives you a wide range of door styles, finishes, and sizes without the lead time or markup of a full custom build. For most Fort Lauderdale kitchens, semi-custom hits the right balance: solid construction, real wood options, soft-close hardware standard, and a price that lands $4,000-$7,000 below a comparable custom run. The difference is mostly lead time and the ability to get unusual dimensions - most kitchens don’t need that.

Pick Quartz Over Natural Stone for Countertops

Granite requires sealing and can harbor bacteria if the seal degrades - a real concern in Fort Lauderdale’s high-humidity, high-use kitchen environments. Caesarstone and Cambria quartz are non-porous, don’t require sealing, and are priced comparably to mid-grade granite once installation is included. They also hold their finish longer in humid climates, which matters for resale in Broward County’s active real estate market.

Phase the Project If the Full Scope Is Over Budget

If a full remodel is outside your current budget, a well-sequenced phased approach can get you most of the way there at a pace that works. New cabinets and countertops in phase one, flooring and backsplash in phase two, appliances as they age out - each phase is quoted separately with a written scope and written price. The important thing is to rough in any electrical or plumbing you’ll need for phase two while walls are open in phase one. Doing it twice costs significantly more than doing it once in sequence.

Get a Second Opinion on Any Quote You’ve Already Received

If you’ve collected a written estimate from another contractor and something about the numbers or the scope description doesn’t feel right, bring it to us. Rowan offers a free second opinion on any written estimate - we’ll review the line items, check the scope against current Fort Lauderdale material and labor pricing, and tell you plainly what we see. Call (754) 254-7676 to schedule that conversation; it takes about 30 minutes and costs nothing.

Understand What the Permit Covers

Pulling a permit on a kitchen remodel in Broward County is not just a formality. The required inspections catch rough-in errors before they’re covered by drywall, which is exactly where expensive problems hide in kitchens. Skipping the permit to save $400-$900 in fees can create a disclosure problem at resale and, in some cases, require work to be opened up and redone when the unpermitted scope is discovered during a buyer’s inspection. The permit cost is included in our written price - it’s not a line item we cut.

FAQs: Kitchen Remodel Cost in Fort Lauderdale

How much does a kitchen remodel cost in Fort Lauderdale in 2026?

A kitchen remodel in Fort Lauderdale costs $14,000-$45,000 in 2026, with most mid-range projects landing between $22,000 and $32,000. Small kitchens under 100 square feet can come in at $9,000-$20,000; high-end renovations with custom cabinetry, stone countertops, and structural changes run $38,000-$45,000 or more. Call (754) 254-7676 for a flat written price specific to your kitchen’s size and scope — estimates are free.

Is it cheaper to remodel a kitchen or move to a bigger home in Fort Lauderdale?

Given Fort Lauderdale’s median home prices in 2026, remodeling is almost always the more cost-effective path. A mid-range kitchen renovation at $25,000-$30,000 typically adds more market value than it costs in Broward County’s resale market, particularly in neighborhoods like Coral Ridge, Wilton Manors, and Victoria Park where buyers compare finishes closely. The transaction costs alone on a home purchase — realtor commissions, closing costs, moving expenses — usually exceed the cost of a full kitchen remodel.

How long does a kitchen remodel take in Fort Lauderdale?

A standard kitchen remodel in Fort Lauderdale takes 4-8 weeks from demo to final walkthrough, depending on scope and permit timing. Cabinet lead times are the most common variable: stock and semi-custom KraftMaid orders typically arrive in 2-4 weeks; Wellborn full-custom can run 6-10 weeks. Broward County permit reviews average 2-3 weeks for standard residential kitchen scopes. We factor all of this into the project schedule before work begins, so the timeline is written into the scope, not estimated verbally.

Do I need a permit for a kitchen remodel in Fort Lauderdale?

Yes, if the scope includes any electrical, plumbing, or structural work — which most kitchen remodels do. Broward County Building Division requires a building permit for these trades, and inspections are mandatory before work is closed in. Permit fees run $400-$900 for a typical kitchen scope, with optional expedited review adding $200-$400. Rowan pulls the permit as part of every applicable project; it’s included in the written price with no add-on billing. Unpermitted kitchen work in Fort Lauderdale can create complications at resale, so this step is non-negotiable on any project we run.

What is the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel?

Cabinets are typically the largest single line item, accounting for $4,000-$13,000 of a kitchen remodel budget depending on the brand and configuration. Countertops are second at $2,000-$6,500. In Fort Lauderdale specifically, any plumbing relocation adds $1,500-$3,500 because it requires cutting through the concrete slab foundation — a cost that surprises homeowners who’ve gotten quotes in other markets. Knowing these numbers before you finalize the layout is the most reliable way to keep the total inside your budget.

Why Fort Lauderdale Homeowners Work with Rowan Construction Group

Grant Rowan started this company in 2007 with a straightforward position: put the price in writing before anyone picks up a tool. Across more than 4,000 projects since then, that discipline has kept Rowan’s completed project costs within a few percent of the agreed number — not because surprises don’t happen in construction, but because the signed change-order system means no surprise ever turns into an unauthorized charge. If something changes, you sign before it starts. That’s not a talking point; it’s the administrative structure Haven acquired Rowan to apply at scale.

The 365-Day Done Right Promise is printed on every project document. If a finished kitchen doesn’t hold up — a cabinet door that won’t close right, a grout joint that cracks, a drawer that sticks — Rowan makes it right within that window. The terms are on a terms page, not buried in an asterisk. And every project leaves behind a documented photo record: what we found, what we did, and what it looks like finished. You get that record at the end of every visit, not on request.

Crews are background-checked and uniformed. A live person answers calls at (754) 254-7676 around the clock. And the sourcing depth — KraftMaid and Wellborn cabinets, Cambria and Caesarstone countertops, Kohler fixtures — means the written quote reflects honest material prices, not inflated placeholders that get adjusted later.

If you’re planning a kitchen remodel in Fort Lauderdale and want to see what a project like yours actually costs, start with our Kitchen Remodel in Fort Lauderdale service page, or come back to the home to explore the full range of trades we cover. When you’re ready for a number, call (754) 254-7676. The estimate is free, the price is in writing, and the scope is specific enough that you can screenshot it and compare.

Pricing reflects the Fort Lauderdale market as of 2026. Written by Grant Rowan, Owner at Rowan Construction Group, serving Fort Lauderdale since 2007. Rowan Construction Group Fort Lauderdale offers free estimates — call (754) 254-7676.