Cabinets & Countertops in South Florida, FL

Cabinets & Countertops in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Cabinet and countertop replacement is the fastest way to change how a kitchen actually feels and functions – not just how it looks in photos. If your layout works but the surfaces are dated, damaged, or just wrong for how you cook and live, replacing cabinets and countertops delivers the highest visible return of any single kitchen investment. At Groundwork Construction Co. of South Florida, we handle the full scope of our Kitchen Remodeling services: demolition, custom cabinet installation, countertop fabrication and setting, and finish work, all under one crew. No handoffs to a separate countertop sub, no scheduling gaps, no finger-pointing when two trades meet at the same seam.

For Fort Lauderdale homeowners, this matters more than it might in other markets. Coastal humidity, salt air exposure, and the particular way South Florida heat cycles through a home put real stress on cabinet boxes, drawer hardware, and stone surfaces. We factor all of that in before a single cabinet goes up. If you’re planning a kitchen overhaul or just want to talk through options, call us at (844) 665-0162 – estimates are free and we’ll give you straight answers.

This page covers our cabinet and countertop work specifically. For the broader picture of what a full kitchen overhaul looks like with Groundwork, visit our Kitchen Remodeling in South Florida page.

When You Need Cabinets & Countertops

Not every kitchen needs a full gut renovation. Sometimes the bones are fine and what’s failing is the surface layer. Here are the situations we see most often from Fort Lauderdale homeowners that make cabinet and countertop work the right move:

• Cabinet boxes are swollen or delaminating. Fort Lauderdale’s humidity is relentless, especially in kitchens near the coast in neighborhoods like Rio Vista or Harbor Beach. Particle-board cabinet boxes absorb moisture over time, causing doors to warp, drawers to stick, and finishes to bubble and peel. Once that starts, refinishing buys you a year at best – replacement is the lasting fix.
• Countertops are cracked, chipped, or deeply stained. Older laminate counters stain permanently once the wear layer is compromised. Tile counters with grout that’s 15 or 20 years old harbor bacteria and are nearly impossible to keep clean. Natural stone that wasn’t properly sealed will etch and stain over time. If resurfacing has been tried and failed, fabricating new material is the cleaner path.
• You’re updating for resale in a competitive market. Fort Lauderdale’s real estate market moves fast, and buyers in areas like Coral Ridge, Colee Hammock, and Flagler Village are comparing listings with refreshed kitchens. Dated oak cabinets and beige laminate pull down perceived value faster than almost anything else a buyer sees on a tour.
• Your current layout works but storage doesn’t. Sometimes the issue isn’t aesthetics – it’s that you have 36-inch uppers when you need 42-inch, no pull-outs in your base cabinets, and no organizational systems at all. New cabinet boxes let us build the storage configuration your kitchen actually needs.
• You’re opening up the kitchen and need cohesive new surfaces. If you’re removing a wall between the kitchen and living area – a common project in older Fort Lauderdale ranch homes – the existing cabinets rarely align with the new footprint. New cabinets and countertops let you design to the new space from scratch.
• The hardware and hinges are failing but the problem goes deeper. When homeowners call us just to fix hinges or handles, we usually find the underlying boxes are soft or the mounting points have lost their hold. That’s a cabinet replacement conversation, not a hardware conversation.

Our Cabinets & Countertops Process

We run a structured process on every project, whether it’s a single-wall galley kitchen in Victoria Park or a full U-shaped kitchen in a Las Olas waterfront home. Here’s how it goes from first conversation to finished kitchen:

1. On-site measurement and material consultation. We come to your Fort Lauderdale home and take precise measurements of your current kitchen footprint. We discuss your cabinet style preferences (door profiles, finish, wood species or material), countertop material priorities (durability, maintenance, budget, aesthetic), and any layout changes you want to incorporate. We bring samples from our brand partners – including KraftMaid and Wellborn for cabinetry, and Cambria, Silestone, and Caesarstone for engineered quartz countertops – so you’re making real decisions against real materials, not guessing from a website photo.
2. Detailed project proposal with itemized selections. You’ll receive a written scope that names specific cabinet line, door style, finish, and box construction – plus the countertop material, edge profile, and sink cutout specifications. Nothing is vague. You know exactly what’s going into your kitchen before you sign anything. This is where budget conversations happen honestly, and where we can adjust selections to hit your number without hiding it in a change order later.
3. Demolition and prep. We protect your floors and adjacent spaces, disconnect and cap plumbing at the sink, and remove existing cabinets, countertops, and backsplash as needed. In older Fort Lauderdale homes, we sometimes find water damage behind base cabinets or mold in the toe-kick area near the sink wall – we identify and address those issues before new cabinets go in, because covering a problem doesn’t fix it.
4. Cabinet installation. Upper cabinets go in first, scribing to the wall and shimming to level – Fort Lauderdale homes, particularly those built in the 1960s and 1970s, rarely have perfectly plumb or level walls. We fasten into studs, not just drywall, and we set every box level regardless of what the wall is doing. Base cabinets follow, leveled to the floor and secured to the wall. All filler pieces, crown molding transitions, and trim work are handled by the same crew.
5. Countertop templating and fabrication. After cabinets are set and level, a countertop template is made from the actual cabinet tops – not from a measurement taken at the initial visit. This is the right sequence. Templating from installed cabinets means the stone or quartz is fabricated to the actual surface, not an approximation. Fabrication typically takes 7 to 14 days depending on material and edge complexity.
6. Countertop installation, plumbing reconnection, and final inspection. Countertops are set and secured, sink is dropped in and plumbing is reconnected, and we do a full walkthrough with you before we call the job done. Hardware is installed, drawers are adjusted, and soft-close mechanisms are tested. We don’t hand you a punch list – we close it out ourselves.

Cabinets & Countertops Pricing in Fort Lauderdale

Cabinet and countertop projects in Fort Lauderdale range widely based on kitchen size, material tier, and scope of demolition and prep work. For a detailed breakdown, see our guide to Cost to Reface Kitchen Cabinets in South Florida, FL. The table below gives honest working ranges for the most common project types we see in this market. These are budgeting figures, not quotes – call (844) 665-0162 for a free on-site estimate with specific numbers tied to your kitchen.

What moves the number up or down

• Cabinet construction and line. The gap between a builder-grade stock cabinet and a KraftMaid or Wellborn semi-custom box isn’t just cosmetic. Dovetail drawer construction, plywood box sides, and full-extension soft-close hardware cost more and hold up longer – especially in Fort Lauderdale’s humidity. The right cabinet for this climate isn’t always the cheapest one.
• Countertop material. Engineered quartz (Cambria, Silestone, Caesarstone) is the most practical choice for South Florida kitchens – non-porous, UV-stable enough for sun-filled spaces, and consistent in color. Natural stone costs similarly but requires annual sealing and is more vulnerable to etching from citrus and salt. Laminate is a functional lower-cost option for certain budgets.
• Kitchen footprint and linear footage. A galley kitchen in a Tarpon River condo runs far less than a full perimeter kitchen in a Coral Ridge home. Linear footage of cabinetry drives both material and labor cost directly.
• Demolition findings. Water damage behind base cabinets or at the sink wall is common in Fort Lauderdale homes built before 1990. Remediation work, if needed, is scoped and priced separately before it’s done – you’re never hit with a surprise number after the fact.
• Island or peninsula additions. Adding an island changes the countertop template, adds cabinet boxes, and often requires an electrical rough-in for outlets. It’s one of the highest-value additions in terms of daily function, but it adds scope and cost.

Estimates are free and given in writing. Call (844) 665-0162 to schedule yours.

FAQs – Cabinets & Countertops in Fort Lauderdale

How long does a full cabinet and countertop replacement take in Fort Lauderdale?

Most full cabinet and countertop replacements in Fort Lauderdale take 2 to 4 weeks from the start of demolition to the final walkthrough. The longest fixed variable is countertop fabrication – engineered quartz slabs from brands like Cambria or Caesarstone typically take 7 to 14 days to cut and polish after templating. Cabinet delivery timelines depend on the line and finish selected: stock and semi-custom cabinets generally ship faster than fully custom orders, which can add 3 to 6 weeks to the pre-installation phase. See Custom vs Stock Kitchen Cabinets in South Florida, FL for a detailed comparison. We build your project schedule around these lead times and give you a written timeline before work starts. Call (844) 665-0162 to get a schedule estimate for your specific kitchen.

Is quartz or natural stone better for a Fort Lauderdale kitchen?

Engineered quartz is generally the better practical choice for Fort Lauderdale kitchens. South Florida homes get a lot of direct sunlight, salt air near the coast, and heavy daily kitchen use – and quartz handles all three better than most natural stones. It’s non-porous, so it doesn’t require annual sealing, and it won’t etch from citrus or acidic foods the way marble does. Brands like Silestone and Caesarstone have UV-inhibiting additives in their formulations specifically to address color fade in sun-exposed spaces. Natural stone – quartzite, marble, granite – is a valid choice for homeowners who want the veining and character of real stone and are willing to maintain it. We carry both and will help you compare actual slabs at your estimate. Call (844) 665-0162 to set that up.

Can you replace countertops without replacing the cabinets?

Yes – countertop-only replacement is a straightforward project when the cabinet boxes are structurally sound, level, and in good condition. We assess the existing cabinets during the estimate visit. If the boxes are plumb, the face frames are solid, and there’s no moisture damage at the base, we can template and install new countertops directly over them. This is a common project in Fort Lauderdale homes where the cabinets are custom or solid wood and worth keeping, but the countertop material has failed or the homeowner wants an updated look. Call (844) 665-0162 for a free assessment.

Do Fort Lauderdale kitchens require any permits for cabinet and countertop work?

Standard cabinet and countertop replacement – removing old cabinets and installing new ones in the same footprint, with no structural wall changes and no new electrical circuits – generally does not require a building permit in Fort Lauderdale. Learn more in our guide to Do You Need a Permit to Remodel a Kitchen? (South Florida, FL). However, if your project includes opening a wall, adding recessed lighting, moving a sink drain line, or installing an island that requires new electrical outlets, those elements will trigger permit requirements through the City of Fort Lauderdale Building Services Division. We handle permit applications on any project that requires them, and we never skip a permit to save time. If your scope is on the line, we’ll confirm with the city before work starts so there are no surprises. Call (844) 665-0162 and we’ll assess your project’s permit needs at the estimate.

Why Fort Lauderdale Homeowners Work With Groundwork

Fort Lauderdale’s housing stock is genuinely varied – 1950s ranch homes in Croissant Park, mid-century moderns in Coral Ridge, newer construction in Flagler Village, waterfront estates along the Intracoastal. Each of those kitchen environments comes with different structural realities, different humidity exposure, and different expectations for finish quality. Generic cabinet installers apply the same approach to every project. We don’t.

We work with KraftMaid and Wellborn because those lines give us enough range to spec the right cabinet for a condominium kitchen renovation and a full custom kitchen in the same week, without having to tell either homeowner they’re getting something that doesn’t fit their situation. Same logic applies to countertops: Cambria, Silestone, and Caesarstone aren’t interchangeable, and the right choice depends on your kitchen’s light exposure, how you cook, and what you’re willing to do for maintenance. We walk through those differences with you before you pick a slab.

And because Groundwork handles every phase of residential construction – not just kitchens – a cabinet and countertop project can be the starting point for a broader renovation. If the kitchen work surfaces need replacing, the bathroom counters might be next. If you’re opening the kitchen to the living area, that’s a structural project. If you eventually want to add square footage for a home office or in-law suite, we have that capability too – including prefab-path options. One point of contact, every phase, from the home you have to the home you’re building toward.

We serve Fort Lauderdale and surrounding South Florida communities, including neighborhoods across Broward County. If you’re comparing contractors and want to see what a project like yours actually costs and how it gets done, call us at (844) 665-0162. Free estimate, written scope, no obligation.

Key Takeaways

• Cabinet and countertop replacement is one of the highest-impact kitchen investments, particularly in Fort Lauderdale where humidity and salt air degrade older materials faster.
• Full cabinet and countertop projects in Fort Lauderdale typically range from $18,000 to $65,000+ depending on material tier, kitchen size, and scope. Countertop-only projects start around $3,200.
• Engineered quartz (Cambria, Silestone, Caesarstone) generally outperforms natural stone in South Florida’s climate conditions for most homeowners.
• Countertop fabrication takes 7 to 14 days after templating, making total project timelines typically 2 to 4 weeks from demo to walkthrough.
• Permit requirements in Fort Lauderdale depend on scope – standard cabinet swaps usually don’t require one, but structural or electrical changes do. Groundwork handles the assessment and application.
• Estimates are free, written, and specific. Call (844) 665-0162 to schedule yours.

Written by the team at Groundwork Construction Co. of South Florida, serving Fort Lauderdale.