Guides
Real numbers and honest answers for South Florida homeowners — before you spend a dollar.
Refinish vs. Reface vs. Replace Cabinets: Cost & When to Choose Each
Refinish your cabinets (~$3,100) when the boxes and doors are solid and you want a new color or finish. Reface ($4,000–$9,000) when the boxes are sound but you want new door styles. Replace ($8,000–$30,000+) when boxes are failing or you want a new layout. Refinishing and refacing both keep your existing boxes and cost 30–50% less than replacement.
Read the guide →What a Kitchen Remodel Costs in South Florida (2026)
A kitchen remodel in South Florida runs $15,000–$75,000+, or roughly $100–$300 per square foot, which is 10–25% higher than the rest of Florida because of labor and demand. Cabinetry is the biggest line item — custom hardwood vs. stock — followed by countertops and whether walls, plumbing, or electrical move.
Read the guide →Do You Need a Permit to Remodel a Kitchen or Bath in Boca Raton?
In Boca Raton, cosmetic work — refinishing or refacing cabinets, painting, swapping counters — is generally permit-exempt. Moving walls, relocating plumbing or electrical, or running power to new cabinetry requires a permit through City of Boca Raton Development Services, where fees run about 1.6% of construction value and residential inspections are often next-day.
Read the guide →The Best Wood for Custom Cabinets in Humid South Florida
For humid South Florida, rift-sawn white oak is the most stable choice — its cut across the growth rings means it moves less than plain-sawn wood. Teak is best near salt air thanks to its natural oils. Cherry offers furniture-grade warmth, and red oak is a sound, value-forward option. Every species needs proper sealing for Florida humidity and UV.
Read the guide →Coffered Ceilings 101: Styles, Cost & Why They Work in Florida Homes
Coffered ceilings — a grid of recessed panels framed by beams — typically run $25–$60+ per square foot installed and finished. They add depth and shadow that paint can't, read instantly as custom, and suit South Florida's high-ceilinged great rooms. Flat-coffer and beamed variations offer the same effect at different price points.
Read the guide →How to Choose a Boutique Finish Carpenter (vs. a Franchise)
Choose a boutique finish carpenter when you want the person who measures your project to be the one who builds and finishes it. Franchises and big general contractors route work through crews and subs, which is fine for volume but loses the continuity that makes cabinetry, trim, and ceilings actually match. Ask who builds the work and to see real finished projects.
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