Frequently Asked Questions

HomeAdvisor's 2026 data puts the national average at about $26,990 and lists a Southeast range of $12,000 to $32,200. HomeGuide notes that southern states usually cost less than northern and western states for the same work. Cabinet grade, countertop material and any layout change move the total most; we give you a written price after seeing the kitchen.

HomeGuide cites National Kitchen & Bath Association guidance of 15 to 20 percent of the home's value. With Gainesville's median owner-occupied home value at $247,500 (Census, 2020 to 2024), that works out to roughly $37,000 to $50,000. Many kitchens are done for less by keeping the layout and reusing what is still sound.

For a cosmetic update, often yes. HomeGuide puts a basic remodel at $4,000 to $18,000, and HomeAdvisor says minor updates start around $3,500. That can cover painted or refaced cabinets, new hardware, a laminate or entry-level quartz counter, a faucet and lighting, but usually not new custom cabinets or a layout change.

The phrase gets used in more than one way. One common version is that cabinets take about 30 percent of a kitchen budget, which matches Forbes Home's estimate of 29 to 30 percent. Another is a cap on spending relative to home value; the NKBA guidance HomeGuide cites is 15 to 20 percent of the home's value.

It depends on the work. Moving plumbing, adding circuits, running a gas line or removing a wall typically calls for a permit; paint and some like-for-like cabinet and counter swaps may not. The City of Gainesville publishes a Permit Exemption Guide, and properties outside city limits go through Alachua County. We confirm the requirements for your address with the right office.

It is a form, recorded with the county clerk and posted at the job site, that Florida's lien law uses to mark the start of an improvement. Under section 713.135 of the Florida Statutes, a copy must be filed with the permit office before the first inspection when the direct contract is greater than $5,000. The permit card warns that failing to record it may result in paying twice for improvements.

Yes. The city's Certificate of Appropriateness application covers projects in its local historic districts, and an interior-only kitchen may not involve the exterior at all. New windows, moved doors or wall vents can change the exterior, so we check with the city's historic preservation staff before ordering materials.

HomeGuide's average is six to nine weeks, and three to five months for large or structural projects. Cabinet lead times, countertop templating and inspection scheduling are the usual sources of delay. We give you a schedule with the quote.

Most people do. We set up dust barriers, protect the floors and agree on a temporary kitchen spot before demolition. Expect noisy days during tear-out and a few days without running water in the kitchen.

HomeGuide puts a full remodel with the same layout at $15,000 to $50,000, and a 2026 cost article from SoCo Home, a Gainesville-area remodeling contractor, lists $15,000 to $45,000 for a mid-range job. Layout changes and custom cabinets push the cost higher. We give a written price after seeing the kitchen.

When the direct contract is greater than $5,000, Florida Statutes section 713.135 requires a copy of the recorded notice to be filed with the permit office before the first inspection. A full remodel is almost always over that amount. We explain the form and the timing.

Usually it makes sense, because new cabinets are sized around the appliances. If yours are recent, we can design around them; bring the model numbers to the estimate.

Refacing is often cheaper, but not always by much. HomeGuide puts refacing an average kitchen at $5,000 to $13,000 and full replacement at $4,500 to $15,000, so a stock-cabinet replacement can cost about the same as wood-veneer refacing. Refacing saves most when the counters stay in place.

Not if the boxes themselves are damaged. Swollen particleboard or a soft sink-base floor will keep failing under new veneer. A single damaged sink base can sometimes be replaced while the rest is refaced.

Painted wood cabinets can show hairline lines at the joints as the wood moves with the seasons. Cabinet makers such as Thomasville and Wood-Mode describe this as a natural characteristic, more visible on paint than on stain. Keeping indoor humidity in the range they recommend reduces it.

The on-site work for an average kitchen usually takes several days, and the kitchen stays usable for most of it. Ordering doors and veneer takes longer than installing them. We give you both timelines with the quote.

Quartz is a common choice because it does not need sealing and resists stains. Granite is also very durable but may need periodic sealing. Butcher block is the most sensitive to moisture of the common options.

Often, if the cabinets are level, square and solid. We check them first, especially the sink base, and include any shimming or reinforcement in the quote. Stone should never be set on boxes that are already failing.

For laminate, often a short time. For stone and quartz, the gap runs from tear-out through templating and fabrication to install, which can take a while depending on the fabricator. We give you the expected window before work starts.

HomeGuide puts an average project at $1,500 to $6,000, and HomeAdvisor lists installation at $1,870 to $4,400. Material choice drives most of the difference. We give you a written price for the material you pick.

HomeGuide lists $500 to $2,000 for a non-load-bearing wall and $4,000 to $15,000 for a load-bearing wall, plus an engineer if one is needed. Pipes, ducts or wiring in the wall add to the cost. We check what the wall carries and contains before pricing it.

Usually, if there is room around it. The sink needs a drain and vent run to the island, which is more work on a concrete slab. HomeGuide puts custom islands with a sink, dishwasher or range at up to about $10,000.

Generally yes, because it changes the plumbing. The permit comes from the City of Gainesville or Alachua County depending on where the property is. We confirm and handle the permit steps.

It often makes a small kitchen feel larger and easier to use, but it costs more than a same-layout remodel and removes wall space for cabinets. We price both versions so you can compare.

Porcelain tile and vinyl plank shrug off spills better than most choices. Tile grout should be sealed, and vinyl seams should be tight. Standard laminate is more sensitive to standing water unless the product is rated for it.

HomeGuide puts a typical backsplash at $500 to $1,700, or $10 to $50 per square foot installed, and Forbes Home lists $600 to $3,100. Glass, stone and detailed patterns cost more than plain subway tile.

Sometimes, if the old floor is flat, solid and well bonded, and the extra height will not trap the dishwasher. Damaged or loose flooring should come out. We check at the estimate.

It is a design choice. Full-height tile behind a range is easier to clean and makes a strong feature; a standard height under the upper cabinets costs less. We price both if you are undecided.

Painting sound cabinets, new hardware, a new faucet and better lighting usually change a kitchen the most for the least. A new counter and backsplash add more if the budget allows. We help you rank the list at the estimate.

For cosmetic updates, often yes. HomeGuide puts a basic remodel at $4,000 to $18,000, and HomeAdvisor says minor updates start around $3,500. New custom cabinets or a layout change usually need more.

Yes. Painting, hardware, counters and flooring can often be scheduled into a short vacancy, depending on material lead times. Tell us the move-out and move-in dates at the estimate.

Paint, cabinet doors and same-place counter swaps may not need a permit. Adding circuits, moving plumbing or running gas can require a permit from the City of Gainesville or Alachua County. We confirm which applies before work starts.