Straight answers on what kitchen projects cost in Valrico, Brandon and the rest of Tampa Bay, and how to plan yours without surprises.
Most kitchens fall into one of three levels. The biggest jumps in price come from replacing cabinets and from moving plumbing, gas or electrical.
Our Kitchen Refresh packages, from a 10×10 to a 12×15 kitchen. Same layout, big change in look.
Keeps the layout and most cabinet boxes, with new surfaces throughout.
New cabinets and often a new layout. Larger kitchens, custom cabinetry and moved walls push past this range.
Level 1 prices are Armstrong’s published package prices. Level 2 and 3 ranges are typical Tampa Bay figures from public cost reports (see sources at the end), not Armstrong quotes. For reference, the 2025 Cost vs. Value report put the national average for a minor kitchen remodel at about $28,500 and a major midrange remodel at about $82,800. We price Level 2 and 3 work after a walkthrough of your kitchen.
Usually the biggest line item. Painting cabinets in good shape costs a fraction of replacing them; refacing sits in between.
Laminate is the budget choice, butcher block is mid-range, and quartz or stone costs more but lasts. Edges, cutouts and seams add up.
Moving a sink, range or wall means plumbing, gas, electrical and permits. Keeping the layout is the single best way to control cost.
Water damage under the sink, outdated wiring or uneven subfloors only show up once demo starts. That’s what a contingency is for.
More linear feet of cabinets and counters means more material and labor. That’s why our refresh prices step up by kitchen size.
Fixtures, tile, hardware and appliances vary widely. Choosing them before work starts avoids delays and change orders.
Designers often suggest budgeting about 15% of your home’s value for a full kitchen remodel. On a $350,000 home, that’s roughly $52,500. A refresh or minor remodel can come in far below that.
Then add a contingency of 10–20% for surprises found during demo. If you don’t use it, it stays in your pocket.
Smaller projects tend to pay back best. National Cost vs. Value data shows a minor kitchen remodel recouping close to all of its cost at resale, while a major midrange remodel returned about half. If you plan to sell within a few years, a refresh or minor remodel is usually the smarter spend.
Cosmetic work like painting and replacing a faucet usually doesn’t need a permit. Moving or adding plumbing, gas or electrical, or changing walls, generally does. A licensed contractor pulls the permit and schedules the inspections. Ask any contractor for their Florida license number and check it on the state DBPR license lookup. Ours is CRC-1333464.
As a rough guide, a minor remodel takes about 2–4 weeks, a mid-range remodel about 6–10 weeks, and a full gut renovation can take 3–5 months. Custom cabinets and special-order materials add lead time before work starts. We confirm your timeline in writing before we begin.
If the walls and cabinets are already open, a few upgrades cost little now and make the kitchen easier to use for years.
Pull-out shelves and drawers in base cabinets instead of deep shelves you have to kneel for.
Lever or touch faucets and D-shaped pulls that are easy on hands.
Under-cabinet task lighting and brighter, even overhead light.
Slip-resistant flooring and smooth transitions between rooms.
Sources for market figures: CMK Construction, Tampa kitchen remodel cost; CMK Construction, average Tampa kitchen remodel cost and timelines; NerdWallet, kitchen remodeling costs (2025 Hanley Wood / Cost vs. Value data); Axios Tampa Bay, kitchen remodel budgeting. Market ranges change; your estimate is based on your kitchen.