In This Article
A kitchen remodel is the single largest interior investment most St. Augustine homeowners make. It's also the project with the widest cost range — honest bids for "kitchen remodel" can span from $25,000 to $200,000+ depending on scope, materials, and what's involved structurally.
The question homeowners ask most often before they even pick up the phone is: "What's this going to cost me?" This guide gives you real 2026 numbers for St. Johns County kitchen projects, breaks down what's driving each price tier, and explains where the money actually goes.
Wilson & Co Design Build works throughout St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra Beach, Nocatee, St. Johns, and the surrounding St. Johns County area. For a project-specific estimate, call (904) 792-6175 or contact us online.
---
Kitchen Remodel Cost Tiers in St. Augustine {#cost-tiers}
Here's a practical snapshot of 2026 kitchen remodel costs for St. Johns County, based on actual projects in the area:
| Scope | Price Range | Best For | |-------|-------------|----------| | Cosmetic refresh | $12,000–$25,000 | Cabinet painting, counters, hardware, fixtures | | Mid-range remodel | $35,000–$65,000 | New cabinets, quartz, tile, LVP, layout stays same | | Full renovation | $65,000–$120,000 | Gut job, layout change possible, mid-to-high materials | | High-end or custom | $120,000–$250,000+ | Custom cabinetry, premium stone, structural work |
These are total project costs including design, permits, labor, and materials. Not just materials.
---
What's Included at Each Budget Level {#budget-breakdown}
Cosmetic Kitchen Refresh: $12,000–$25,000
This is the right path when the bones are good — cabinets are solid but dated, counters are tired, hardware is builder-grade. You're refreshing the appearance without touching plumbing or layout.
Typical scope:
- • Cabinet repainting (professional spray, not brush and roll) or cabinet refacing
- • New quartz or butcher block countertops
- • Updated hardware and pulls
- • New faucet and sink
- • Lighting updates (swap old fixtures for recessed or pendant lighting)
- • Fresh paint
- • Cabinet layout or boxes (if they're in bad shape, this tier doesn't work)
- • Flooring (can be added)
- • Appliances (usually customer-supplied or separate)
- • Plumbing or electrical rough-in
Mid-Range Kitchen Remodel: $35,000–$65,000
This is the most common full remodel tier we work in across St. Augustine neighborhoods like Marsh Creek, World Golf Village, and the Palencia area.
Typical scope:
- • Full cabinet replacement with semi-custom boxes (Wellborn, KraftMaid, Fabuwood, etc.)
- • Quartz countertops throughout including island
- • Tile backsplash
- • New sink, faucet, and disposal
- • LVP or hardwood flooring
- • Recessed lighting, under-cabinet lighting, and pendant fixtures
- • Minor electrical updates (dedicated circuits for appliances, code compliance)
- • Appliance connection (homeowner often supplies appliances separately)
Full Kitchen Renovation: $65,000–$120,000
This tier unlocks layout changes. Moving a wall, relocating the sink or range to a new position, adding an island where there wasn't one — that's what pushes a project into this range.
Additional scope includes:
- • Structural beam installation for wall openings (common in St. Augustine homes where kitchen and living area share a partial wall)
- • Plumbing relocation — moving a drain is expensive because it often means breaking concrete or cutting through framing
- • Electrical panel upgrade if the existing panel can't support additional circuits
- • HVAC duct rerouting around the new layout
- • Custom range hood fabrication and venting
High-End Custom Kitchen: $120,000–$250,000+
This is where custom cabinetry built in a local shop (not factory-box cabinets), premium stone — quartzite, leathered granite, book-matched marble — and fully specified lighting design enter the picture.
Wilson & Co handles kitchen projects at this level through our full design-build process. The design phase is where you make decisions about every finish, every profile, every detail before a single board is cut. That investment in pre-planning keeps the construction phase on budget and on schedule.
See our design-build services for more on how the process works.
---
What Drives Kitchen Remodel Cost in St. Johns County {#cost-drivers}
Understanding what moves the needle helps you make smarter decisions about where to spend and where to save.
Cabinet Quality and Construction Method
Cabinetry is typically 35–45% of a kitchen remodel budget. The gap between stock, semi-custom, and fully custom is enormous.
- • Stock cabinets (Home Depot, Lowe's): $80–$150 per linear foot installed. Limited sizes and finishes. Usually inferior box construction.
- • Semi-custom cabinets (Wellborn, Signature, Kraftmaid): $150–$350 per linear foot installed. Better construction, more size options, more finishes.
- • Custom cabinets (local or regional shops): $350–$700+ per linear foot. Built to your exact dimensions, any species, any finish.
Countertop Material
The countertop choice is the second biggest driver after cabinetry.
| Material | Installed Cost (per sq ft) | |----------|---------------------------| | Laminate | $25–$45 | | Butcher block | $40–$80 | | Quartz (engineered) | $65–$120 | | Granite | $60–$130 | | Quartzite or marble | $90–$200+ | | Dekton / Neolith | $100–$180 |
For St. Johns County homes, quartz is the most popular choice at the mid-range tier. It's non-porous, low-maintenance, and handles the heat of a Florida kitchen well. Marble is beautiful but requires sealing and shows etching from citrus and acidic foods.
Structural Work
Any load-bearing wall removal in a St. Augustine home requires an engineer, a permit, and a beam. The total cost for a standard residential opening with a flush beam typically runs $4,000–$10,000 depending on span and loading. Larger spans require larger beams, and very large spans may require a steel header.
Florida homes built on slabs make plumbing relocation expensive — breaking concrete, relocating drain rough-in, and patching the slab can add $3,000–$8,000 to a kitchen remodel where the sink or dishwasher is moving.
Permit Costs
St. Johns County permits for kitchen remodeling vary based on valuation. Expect to budget $800–$2,500 for permits on a full remodel. We handle all permitting and inspections as part of our project scope.
---
Kitchen Remodel vs. Renovation vs. Refresh {#types}
These terms get used interchangeably, but they mean different things.
Refresh: Cosmetic only. Cabinets get painted or refaced, counters replaced, hardware updated. No permit required in most cases.
Remodel: New cabinets, counters, flooring, lighting, and fixtures. Same layout. Permits typically required for electrical work.
Renovation: Structural changes, layout reconfiguration, plumbing relocation. Always permitted. This is the full scope project.
Knowing which category your project falls into helps frame the budget conversation before the first estimate visit.
---
Design-Build vs. Traditional Contractor for Kitchen Work {#design-build}
Most St. Augustine homeowners have two options for a kitchen remodel: hire a general contractor and manage the designer separately, or work with a design-build firm like Wilson & Co that handles both under one contract.
For a kitchen refresh, a traditional contractor works fine — there's not much to design.
For a full renovation with layout changes, design-build has real advantages:
- • Design decisions drive cost. A design-build firm catches budget issues before they become construction problems.
- • Single point of accountability. You're not playing referee between your designer and your contractor.
- • Faster from concept to construction. Design and permitting happen on a single timeline.
---
How Long Does a Kitchen Remodel Take? {#timeline}
Realistic timelines for St. Augustine kitchen projects:
| Scope | Timeline from Contract | |-------|----------------------| | Cosmetic refresh | 3–5 weeks | | Mid-range remodel (no structural) | 6–10 weeks | | Full renovation (structural work) | 10–16 weeks |
The biggest variable is cabinet lead time. Semi-custom cabinets typically ship in 4–8 weeks from order. Custom cabinets run 8–14 weeks. We order materials as soon as permits are approved and deposits are received to minimize the time you're without a kitchen.
---
Kitchen Remodel ROI in St. Augustine {#roi}
Real estate agents consistently rank kitchen and master bath as the two highest-return renovations in the St. Johns County market. Specific return figures vary by study and market conditions, but the practical reality for St. Augustine:
- • An updated kitchen dramatically improves buyer perception and reduces days on market
- • Outdated kitchens in otherwise well-priced homes often trigger price reductions larger than the remodel would have cost
- • The Nocatee and Ponte Vedra market specifically rewards updated interiors, where buyers are accustomed to seeing high finishes
For homeowners planning to stay 5–10+ years, ROI is secondary to enjoyment. Kitchen renovations rank at the top of home improvement satisfaction surveys.
---
Get a Kitchen Remodel Estimate in St. Augustine
The best way to get an accurate number is to have someone walk the kitchen with you and discuss your goals. Generic quotes without seeing the space — especially in a St. Augustine home where the structural and plumbing situation varies widely — aren't worth much.
Wilson & Co Design Build serves St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra Beach, Nocatee, St. Johns, Palm Coast, and throughout St. Johns County. Call (904) 792-6175 or request a project consultation to get started.
---
Frequently Asked Questions {#faq}
How much does a mid-range kitchen remodel cost in St. Augustine, FL?
A mid-range kitchen remodel in St. Augustine typically runs $35,000–$65,000 in 2026. This includes new semi-custom cabinetry, quartz countertops, tile backsplash, updated lighting, and LVP flooring. The layout stays the same and no structural work is involved.
Does Wilson & Co Design Build handle kitchen remodels in Nocatee and Ponte Vedra?
Yes. We work throughout St. Johns County, including Nocatee, Ponte Vedra Beach, St. Johns, Palm Coast, and Fruit Cove, as well as St. Augustine proper.
How much does kitchen cabinet replacement cost in St. Augustine?
Semi-custom cabinet replacement for a typical St. Augustine kitchen runs $12,000–$25,000 for the cabinets and installation alone. Custom cabinetry runs $25,000–$50,000+. Cabinet cost is usually 35–45% of the total kitchen remodel budget.
Can I remodel my kitchen without a permit in St. Johns County?
A cosmetic refresh (painting cabinets, new counters, hardware, fixtures) typically doesn't require a permit. Any electrical work involving new circuits, plumbing changes, or structural modifications requires permits from St. Johns County Building Services.
How long does a kitchen remodel take with Wilson & Co?
A mid-range kitchen remodel without structural work typically takes 6–10 weeks from contract execution to completion. Projects involving structural changes or custom cabinetry run 10–16 weeks. We give you a project schedule at contract signing so you know exactly when the kitchen will be back online.
Ready to Start Your Project?
Contact Wilson & Co Design Build for a free consultation on your remodeling project.