Kitchen gut renovations are the most misquoted project type in residential construction. National averages are useless. The number you see on home improvement websites — "$25,000 to $50,000" — doesn't reflect Jacksonville labor rates, current material costs, or what "gut" actually means.

This is what a kitchen gut renovation costs in Jacksonville in 2026, broken down by scope.

Partially installed unbranded white kitchen cabinets with spirit level, shims, fasteners, and exposed wall framing
Editorial illustrationA gut renovation removes the assemblies that hide the important work. Layout, framing, services, cabinets, appliance clearances, finishes, and inspections must be coordinated in sequence.

What "Gut Renovation" Actually Means

A gut renovation means stripping the kitchen to the studs. Everything goes out: cabinets, countertops, flooring, drywall, and often the ceiling. Plumbing and electrical rough-in may be partially or fully replaced depending on the age of the home and the new layout.

This is different from:

If you're keeping any of the following — original cabinet boxes, original plumbing rough-in, original electrical — it's not a gut.

Jacksonville Kitchen Gut Renovation Cost Ranges

Entry-level gut renovation (keep layout, stock cabinets, standard appliances): $38,000 to $52,000

This covers demo, new drywall, stock or semi-custom cabinetry, quartz or granite countertops, standard plumbing fixtures, standard stainless appliances, and LVP or tile flooring. No layout change. No structural modifications.

Mid-range gut renovation (minor layout change, semi-custom cabinets, upgraded appliances): $55,000 to $80,000

Adds: partial wall removal or relocation, semi-custom cabinetry, island or peninsula if not previously existing, tile backsplash, upgraded range and refrigerator (sub-zero class or similar), and potentially a panel circuit addition for induction or high-BTU gas.

High-end gut renovation (new layout, custom cabinets, premium appliances): $85,000 to $130,000+

Custom cabinetry (built by a cabinet shop to your exact dimensions and specifications), Thermador or Wolf range, Sub-Zero refrigeration, full panel upgrade, structural modifications if walls move, possibly a window replacement to change the kitchen's natural light. If the kitchen opens to a living space with a structural header removal, add $8,000 to $20,000 for that scope.

Kitchen backsplash tile installation with aligned spacers, clean countertop protection, and prepared wall surface
Editorial illustrationKitchen cost changes with the level of work behind and around the visible finishes. Electrical, plumbing, wall condition, cabinet layout, surfaces, and installation detail all affect the scope.

What Drives Kitchen Renovation Cost in Jacksonville

1. Layout changes Moving the sink means rerouting supply and drain lines. Moving a gas range means extending gas lines. Moving the refrigerator means running new electrical. Every layout change adds trade scope. A layout redesign that seems simple on a drawing often costs $8,000 to $20,000 more in rough trade work than keeping appliances in place.

2. Structural modifications Opening a wall between the kitchen and dining room requires a structural beam. That beam — engineered, supplied, and installed with appropriate point loads transferred down to the foundation — runs $6,000 to $18,000 depending on span and load path. Permit required.

3. Cabinetry Cabinet cost is the single biggest variable in kitchen renovation. Stock cabinets from a big-box store run $150 to $400 per linear foot installed. Semi-custom runs $450 to $800. Custom shop cabinetry runs $900 to $1,800+ per linear foot. In a 15-foot kitchen with an island, the difference between stock and custom is $18,000 to $35,000.

4. Countertop material Standard granite or quartz: $70 to $120 per sqft installed. Quartzite or high-end marble: $150 to $300 per sqft installed. Waterfall island edges: add $800 to $2,000 per waterfall side.

5. Appliances Not always in the GC contract — some owners supply their own. Mid-range package (30" range, standard refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave): $5,000 to $10,000. High-end package (range, refrigerator, dishwasher, separate oven): $18,000 to $45,000.

Permits Required for a Kitchen Gut in Jacksonville

Kitchen gut renovations in Jacksonville require permits when the scope includes:

Cosmetic work — new cabinets in same locations, new counters, new flooring — generally does not require a permit if no systems or structure are touched. However: if you're doing a true gut, you're almost certainly doing electrical and plumbing work.

Permit fees in Duval County for a kitchen renovation run approximately $400 to $1,200 depending on scope. JK Prestige includes permit costs in the fixed-price contract.

Renovation wall rough-in with organized framing, plumbing, electrical boxes, review folder, level, and tape measure
Editorial illustrationA managed renovation keeps permit and inspection work visible at the right time, so rough-in questions are resolved before cabinets, tile, and paint close the wall.

JK Prestige's Approach to Kitchen Renovations

We self-perform framing and drywall — both are in the critical path of any kitchen gut. We don't broker those trades out. That means the crew doing your drywall is the same crew that set the backing for your cabinets and prepped the walls correctly.

Our kitchen renovation process:

  1. Pre-construction: site visit, scope document, written fixed-price estimate in 48 hours
  2. Permit application (pulled before demo starts)
  3. Demo and haul-off
  4. Structural and framing work
  5. Rough MEP — plumbing, electrical, HVAC adjustments
  6. Inspections
  7. Insulation, drywall, finish prep
  8. Cabinet installation, countertop template and install
  9. Tile, flooring, backsplash
  10. Fixture trim-out, appliance installation
  11. Punch list and walkthrough

Timeline for a mid-range Jacksonville kitchen gut: 8 to 14 weeks from permit issuance.

Get a written estimate in 48 hours.

No call center. No coordinator. A JK principal reviews every inquiry and replies with a real number, not a range, not a follow-up form.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is $45,000 realistic for a kitchen gut renovation in Jacksonville?
At the low end, yes — if you keep the layout, use stock or semi-custom cabinets, and use standard mid-range finishes. If you move the sink, add an island, or upgrade to custom cabinets, the number moves into the $60,000 to $90,000 range.
How long does a kitchen gut renovation take in Jacksonville?
8 to 14 weeks from the day demo starts. Permit approval typically takes 2 to 4 weeks before demo can start. Custom cabinetry has a 6 to 12-week lead time from order to delivery — that's usually ordered concurrent with permit so it doesn't extend the schedule.
Do I need to move out during a kitchen gut renovation?
Not always, but living without a kitchen for 8 to 14 weeks is challenging. Many Jacksonville homeowners set up a temporary kitchen in the dining room or a spare room (microwave, coffee maker, small refrigerator). Discuss this with your GC before construction starts — there are ways to sequence the work to minimize downtime on specific systems.
Can JK Prestige provide a fixed-price for my kitchen renovation?
Yes. We provide fixed-price estimates within 48 hours of a site visit and scope discussion. If your design is complete, we can start with plans. If you're still in the design phase, we provide a preliminary budget range that helps you make design decisions before you're locked in.
What's the difference between a GC doing my kitchen and a kitchen remodeler?
A licensed general contractor can self-perform or subcontract all trades, pull all permits, and is bonded and insured for the full scope of work. Some kitchen "remodelers" are cabinet dealers who broker out the installation work without a GC license. Ask for the CGC or CRC license number and verify it at myfloridalicense.com.