Free written scope consultation - allowances, timeline, and change-order rules on paper before a single trade is scheduled
Unilock Kitchen Remodeling: The Fort Lauderdale Owner’s Guide
Unilock kitchen remodeling in Fort Lauderdale typically runs $14,000-$45,000 for a full project, with partial updates like cabinet refacing or countertop replacement starting lower. We stock and install Unilock-compatible pavers and hardscape elements for kitchen-adjacent outdoor spaces, patios, and grilling areas - the surfaces that take the most abuse in South Florida’s salt air and afternoon downpours. Most Fort Lauderdale homeowners discover their Unilock surface is failing when they notice pooling water after rain, shifting pavers that catch a heel, or the white haze of efflorescence creeping across what used to be a clean finish.
Which Unilock Models This Applies To
Unilock’s product lines break into three tiers, and the repair approach differs for each. The U-Cara multi-face wall system and Beacon Hill flagstone-style pavers are what we see most in Fort Lauderdale’s Victoria Park and Coral Ridge kitchen patios - these use a proprietary clip system that demands exact OEM alignment or the face plates gap. Copthorne and Courtstone permeable pavers, popular in newer Las Olas Isles builds, require specific bedding layer depths (minimum 6 inches of open-graded aggregate in flood-prone zones) or they sink unevenly.
To identify your model, flip a loose paver and check the molded stamp - Unilock marks the series name and manufacturing plant code. The date stamp matters: pre-2018 Umbriano pavers used a different color-through mix than current stock, so patching with new material creates a visible patch. We carry both OEM Unilock and vetted equivalents from Belgard and Techo-Bloc for lines that are discontinued or back-ordered, and we note the substitution in writing before any work starts. Under Clause 1 of the Haven Standard, the material brand and spec are listed on every quote - no “comparable material” language without your initials.
Signs Your Unilock Kitchen Remodeling Is Failing

- Pavers rock or wobble underfoot. The bedding sand has washed out or compacted unevenly, often from Fort Lauderdale’s intense rain events overwhelming a patio without proper edge restraint. What feels like a loose paver is usually a failed base layer beneath it.
- White powdery residue on the surface. Efflorescence - calcium carbonate migrating through the paver body - is common in Unilock’s concrete-based products during the first wet season after install. Persistent haze after two years signals moisture trapped below, not normal curing.
- Joint sand disappearing between pavers. Polymeric sand breaks down faster in South Florida’s UV exposure and salt air than the manufacturer specs suggest. Once the joints go, the interlock fails and pavers drift independently.
- Standing water 30 minutes after rain stops. Unilock permeable pavers need clean joints and an uncompacted base to drain. Fort Lauderdale’s afternoon deluges will pool on any surface where organic debris has clogged the voids or where the base was installed with standard aggregate instead of open-graded stone.
- Chipped or spalled edges near the grill or kitchen prep area. Thermal shock from hot cookware set directly on the surface, combined with salt spray from coastal lots, accelerates surface degradation beyond normal wear. Unilock’s EnduraColor products resist this better than standard lines, but no concrete paver is immune to thermal cycling.
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AfterReplacement Cost & What’s Included
| Service | Fort Lauderdale Price Range |
|---|---|
| Full kitchen-adjacent patio replacement (Unilock or equivalent) | $14,000-$45,000 |
| Partial paver reset and re-leveling (under 200 sq ft) | $3,500-$8,500 |
| Joint sand replacement with polymeric stabilization | $800-$2,500 |
| Base repair and drainage correction (per section) | $2,000-$6,500 |
| Countertop installation (indoor kitchen, Cambria/Caesarstone) | $2,000-$6,500 |
The wide range on full replacements reflects three variables: how much of the base has failed, whether Fort Lauderdale’s flood zone requires engineered drainage (check your FEMA zone - we pull permits to match), and whether you’re staying with Unilock or substituting a stocked equivalent. We itemize each line - demolition, base prep, material, labor, permit - so you see where the money goes before anyone lifts a paver. Our 365-Day Done Right Promise covers the installation; manufacturer defects on the Unilock product itself run through Unilock’s own warranty, which we document and file on your behalf.
We’ve kept projects within 3% of the written quote across 4,000-plus jobs. The discipline is simple: no work proceeds on a change until the change order is signed. Measure twice, write it down, then say it once.
DIY or Call Us?

What a Fort Lauderdale homeowner can safely check: lift one paver at the edge and inspect the base layer. Clean aggregate with visible voids means drainage is working; mud or compacted fines mean water is trapped. You can also sweep fresh polymeric sand into joints and mist it - a $40 fix if the base is sound.
Where DIY goes wrong: re-leveling without checking the base slope. Fort Lauderdale’s flat terrain means water has nowhere to go without intentional grade - 1/4 inch per foot minimum, which sounds subtle but requires a laser level and experience reading how the existing patio was originally set. Resetting pavers on an ungraded base guarantees they’ll shift again within a season. For any base repair or drainage correction, the excavation depth and compaction sequence matter more than the surface finish. Call (754) 254-7676 and we’ll scope it, photograph the substrate condition, and give you a written price before any work starts.
FAQs
Unilock pavers typically carry a lifetime structural warranty, but the surface appearance degrades faster in South Florida than in northern climates. Expect 15-20 years of clean color on standard lines before UV fading and salt exposure become noticeable; EnduraColor products extend this by roughly 30% due to the thicker wear layer. The base and joint system usually need attention at the 8-12 year mark in Fort Lauderdale’s wet-dry cycling. Call (754) 254-7676 for an exact assessment - estimates are free.
Individual paver replacement is straightforward if you have matching material and the base is sound. Surface spalling or staining can sometimes be addressed with specialized cleaners or color-matched repair compounds, though the fix is usually visible on close inspection. When the failure is base-related - sinking, pooling, or widespread joint loss - spot repairs waste money because the underlying problem continues. We photograph the substrate and show you which category you’re in before quoting either approach. Call (754) 254-7676 to schedule.
A partial reset under 200 square feet takes 1-2 days including cure time for polymeric sand. Full patio replacement runs 3-5 days for standard access, longer if we need to protect mature landscaping or work within tight Victoria Park lot lines where equipment access is constrained. Permit timelines add 3-10 business days in Fort Lauderdale depending on whether drainage modifications trigger a site plan review. We build permit time into our written schedule, not as a surprise. Call (754) 254-7676 for a timeline specific to your property.
We stock Belgard and Techo-Bloc equivalents on our Fort Lauderdale trucks for emergency stabilization, and we maintain a running order with Unilock’s regional distributor in Miami for common colors and sizes. Specialty orders - U-Cara face plates in discontinued colors, for instance - typically ship within 10-14 days. We verify stock status before quoting so your project isn’t held up by material delays. Call (754) 254-7676 and we’ll confirm availability against your specific model and color.
Rowan Construction Group Fort Lauderdale is an independent service provider, not affiliated with Unilock. We also stock and install parts and materials for KraftMaid, Cambria, and Silestone product lines.
Ready to get a written price before any work starts? Call (754) 254-7676 to schedule your free estimate. We’ll bring the photo documentation, the line-item quote, and the process that has kept projects within a few percent of the agreed number since 2007.
Written by Grant Rowan, Owner, Rowan Construction Group - Fort Lauderdale, FL at Rowan Construction Group Fort Lauderdale, serving Fort Lauderdale and nearby areas.







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