What Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost in Southwest Florida?
by Miranda Plate, Co-Owner / Remodel Consultant
The first question almost every client asks is the one most contractor websites refuse to answer: what is this going to cost? Every kitchen is different, but after two decades of remodeling in Lee, Collier, and Charlotte counties, we can give you honest ranges and, more usefully, explain what pushes a project from one range into the next.
The short answer
For a full kitchen remodel in Southwest Florida in 2026, most of our projects land in one of three tiers:
| Tier | Typical range | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Refresh | $15,000 to $35,000 | New cabinet fronts or stock cabinets, countertops, backsplash, fixtures, paint. Layout stays put. |
| Full remodel | $35,000 to $75,000 | New cabinetry, stone countertops, new appliances, lighting and electrical updates, possibly moving an island or opening a wall. |
| Custom and high-end | $75,000 to $150,000+ | Fully custom cabinetry, structural changes, premium appliances and stone, larger kitchens, waterfront and luxury homes. |
Treat these as planning ranges, not quotes. A small condo galley kitchen and a 5,000 square foot Naples estate kitchen are different projects even when the finish level is similar. When we quote a project, the number comes from your actual layout, selections, and site conditions, not a table.
What actually moves the number
Moving things versus replacing things. Keeping plumbing, gas, and major electrical where they are is the single biggest cost saver. The moment a sink crosses the room or a wall comes out, you add plumbing and electrical work, engineering, and permit scope.
Cabinetry. Cabinets are usually the largest single line item, often a third of the budget. This is where Southwest Florida homeowners have a real choice: big-box stock sizes with filler panels, semi-custom factory lines, or true custom work. We design cabinetry in Mozaik and produce the CNC files ourselves, then have it built by manufacturing partners we have worked with for years, which means custom sizing without the import markup that usually comes with the word custom.
Countertops and appliances. Quartz and granite pricing varies widely by slab, and appliance packages range from a few thousand dollars to the price of a small car. These are the easiest places to steer the budget in either direction without touching the scope of construction.
Walls and structure. Open-concept conversions are our most requested change in homes from the 1970s through the 1990s, common across Cape Coral and Port Charlotte. Removing a load-bearing wall is very doable, but it involves engineering, a beam, and inspections, so it belongs in the plan from day one.
Condo rules. Kitchen remodels on Marco Island and along the coast often happen inside condominium buildings, which add association approvals, elevator logistics, insurance requirements, and limited work hours. None of that is a problem, but it adds schedule and cost that a single-family project doesn't have.
Why Southwest Florida pricing is its own thing
National cost articles miss a few local realities. Florida Building Code wind requirements affect any project that touches openings or structure. Coastal and island work adds logistics, corrosion-resistant hardware, and in flood zones, rules about how much you can invest in an older structure before additional requirements kick in. Demand also runs high: the region is still rebuilding from Hurricane Ian while absorbing steady population growth, which keeps good trades busy year-round.
How to budget without surprises
- Design before you demo. We produce renderings and a detailed scope before construction starts, so the price reflects real selections instead of allowances that balloon later.
- Hold a contingency. Ten to fifteen percent covers what the walls hide. In older homes, assume the plumbing and electrical behind a 1980s kitchen will need attention once opened.
- Decide your splurge early. Most clients care deeply about one or two things, such as the island, the range, or the storage. Name them first and build the budget around them.
- Ask what's included. Quotes are only comparable when they cover the same scope: permits, demolition, disposal, electrical upgrades, and finish work are where cheap bids quietly cut corners.
Ready for a real number?
Ranges are for planning; your kitchen deserves a quote based on your actual space. We serve all of Lee, Collier, and Charlotte counties from our Fort Myers shop, and the design consultation shows you the finished kitchen before you commit. Get in touch and tell us what you're planning, or browse our residential work first.