Cabinets & Countertops in Lighthouse Point, FL: Cost, Timeline & What to Expect
New cabinets and countertops in Lighthouse Point typically run $6,000-$19,500 for a standard kitchen, with most projects completed in 2-3 weeks once materials arrive. You’ll make your biggest decisions upfront: cabinet construction grade, countertop material, and whether you’re keeping the existing layout or moving appliances. Call (844) 665-0162 and we’ll walk you through the options before anything gets ordered.
How We Handle Cabinets & Countertops From First Measurement to Final Caulk
We’ve refined this into five clear stages so you know what’s happening and when you need to be available to decide.
Stage 1: Field measurement and as-built documentation (1-2 hours, day 1)
We laser-measure every wall, note outlet locations, and photograph the existing conditions. In Lighthouse Point, this means we also check whether your kitchen backs up to a garage or an exterior canal wall, because that affects how we handle moisture barriers behind base cabinets. You’ll decide right then whether you’re keeping the same footprint or exploring a layout shift. Layout changes add a week to the timeline but often transform how the kitchen functions.
Stage 2: Material selection and order placement (1-2 weeks, homeowner-driven)
This is where the calendar sits in your hands. Stock cabinets from KraftMaid or Wellborn ship in 2-3 weeks. Semi-custom with modified heights or depths pushes to 6-8 weeks. Fully custom runs 10-14 weeks. Countertops follow: in-stock quartz slabs fabricate in 5-7 business days after template, while exotic granites or thick-profile quartzites can take 3-4 weeks to source. We don’t order anything until you’ve signed off on every spec, including hardware finish and edge profile.
Stage 3: Demo and rough prep (1-2 days)
Cabinets come out, countertops get broken down and hauled. We inspect subfloors, wall framing, and plumbing rough-ins. In the 1960s-era CBS homes that dominate Lighthouse Point, we often find original galvanized supply lines or ungrounded outlets that need updating before new cabinets go in. If your project is part of a full Kitchen Remodeling in Lighthouse Point, we coordinate this phase with our electrical and plumbing crews so you’re not paying for return trips.
Stage 4: Cabinet install and countertop template (2-4 days)
Base cabinets go in first, then uppers, then adjustments for level across older slabs that have settled unevenly. Once cabinets are secured, we template for countertops with digital or physical methods depending on material complexity. This is your last chance to confirm overhang depths, cooktop cutout dimensions, and whether you want a waterfall edge on an island.
Stage 5: Countertop install, backsplash connection, and final hardware (1-2 days)
Quartz and granite arrive on A-frames, seamed where necessary, and anchored with silicone and mechanical clips. We caulk to cabinets, connect plumbing, and install your chosen hardware. Final walkthrough confirms drawer glide function, door alignment, and that all seams are tight. Most Lighthouse Point homeowners are cooking again by day two of this stage.
The Cabinet and Countertop Choices That Actually Move the Needle
- Stock vs. semi-custom vs. custom cabinets: Stock boxes (KraftMaid’s standard line, Wellborn’s Estate series) run $150-$350 per linear foot installed and work fine for straightforward layouts with standard ceiling heights. Semi-custom adds modified depths, glass inserts, and specialty finishes at $400-$700 per linear foot. Custom shop-built cabinets start around $800 per linear foot and make sense when you’re matching existing millwork in a 1970s-era Lighthouse Point home or need odd angles around a curved canal-facing window wall. The honest trade: stock is fast and predictable; custom is precise and slow.
- Particleboard vs. plywood box construction: Particleboard with thermofoil or laminate faces costs less and performs adequately in climate-controlled kitchens. Plywood boxes with solid wood face frames resist the humidity spikes that hit canal-front homes when afternoon thunderstorms roll through Lighthouse Point. If your kitchen lacks a dedicated dehumidifier or your AC struggles in summer, plywood is worth the 15-20% upcharge.
- Quartz vs. granite vs. solid surface countertops: Engineered quartz (Cambria, Silestone, Caesarstone) runs $65-$120 per square foot installed, needs no sealing, and handles red wine and citrus without etching. Natural granite spans $50-$150 depending on rarity, requires annual sealing, and offers patterns quartz can’t replicate. Solid surface like Corian integrates seamless sinks but scratches more easily and can’t take a hot pan. For Lighthouse Point’s resale market, quartz dominates because buyers recognize the brands and trust the durability.
- Edge profiles and thickness: A standard 1.5-inch eased edge costs nothing extra. A 2.5-inch mitered edge on an island adds $800-$1,500 but reads as luxury in waterfront properties. Thicker profiles also hide any slight cupping in older subfloors.
- Hardware grade and installation: Soft-close hinges and full-extension drawer glides are standard on mid-grade and above. Budget for $8-$25 per pull or knob; on a 30-cabinet kitchen, that difference is $600-$1,200. We source from Berenson, Top Knobs, and Emtek depending on your finish preference.
What Cabinets & Countertops Costs in Lighthouse Point, FL
| Component | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Installation | $4,000-$13,000 |
| Countertop Installation | $2,000-$6,500 |
| Combined Cabinets & Countertops | $6,000-$19,500 |
Five variables push your number up or down:
Kitchen size and cabinet count: A compact galley kitchen in a 1960s Lighthouse Point ranch might need only 15 linear feet of base and upper cabinets. A renovated waterfront home with a full island and butler’s pantry can hit 40 linear feet quickly.
Existing condition and hidden infrastructure: Original plaster-over-block walls in pre-1970 homes often require furring strips or skim coating before cabinets mount square. Galvanized plumbing and ungrounded electrical add $1,500-$4,000 in rough-work costs that don’t show in cabinet pricing alone.
Layout changes: Keeping appliances where they are avoids plumbing and electrical relocation. Moving a sink to an island or swapping a range to a wall-oven configuration adds $2,000-$6,000 depending on how far we need to run new lines through concrete slab.
Material grade and brand tier: Entry-level KraftMaid with laminate tops can land under $8,000. Wellborn’s semi-custom line with Cambria quartz and a mitered island edge pushes toward $18,000. We quote both tiers when homeowners are deciding, so you’re not guessing.
Permit scope and inspections: Pure cabinet-and-counter replacement with no electrical or plumbing changes often doesn’t trigger a permit in Broward County. Add recessed lighting, a disposal circuit, or a pot-filler, and you’re into permitted work with inspection scheduling that can add 3-5 days to the calendar.
Our written estimates itemize cabinets, countertops, labor, rough work, and permit fees separately. What they don’t include: appliance costs, flooring replacement, or painting beyond priming any exposed wall areas. We flag those line items before you sign so there’s no surprise.
What Lighthouse Point Homes Specifically Do to This Job
Lighthouse Point’s housing stock is almost entirely 1950s-1980s concrete block and stucco, built during the dredged-canal development boom. That era’s kitchens were typically small, separated from living areas, and fitted with modest cabinetry that has long since delaminated or lost hardware. When we quote cabinets and countertops here, we’re often working within original footprints that weren’t designed for modern appliance sizes or open-concept sightlines.
The coastal environment matters for material selection. Salt-laden air off the Atlantic, just blocks east of most homes, corrodes metal fasteners and aluminum framing faster than inland Pompano Beach or Coconut Creek. We spec stainless or coated hardware and avoid aluminum-frame cabinet construction for canal-front properties. The high saline water table and saturated soils mean slab moisture can wick into base cabinets if vapor barriers weren’t properly installed originally; we inspect for that during demo and recommend composite or sealed toe-kicks where needed.
Permitting carries a unique Lighthouse Point wrinkle. Because the city sits on dredged wetlands with original 1960s seawalls now at or past design life, Broward County’s building department commonly triggers a mandatory seawall inspection when any construction permit is pulled on a canal lot. A straightforward kitchen cabinet update shouldn’t trigger this, but if your project expands into a permitted kitchen addition or involves structural wall modification, that inspection can surface a $30,000-$80,000 seawall repair obligation before your cabinets even ship. We review your lot’s permit history before filing to flag this risk.
Homeowners in neighborhoods like Venetian Isles or along the finger canals near Sample Road often pair a kitchen refresh with other updates. If you’re considering a full Kitchen Remodeling scope, our crew coordinates every phase. Many clients also tackle Walk-In Showers & Shower Remodeling in Lighthouse Point or a Tub-to-Shower Conversion in Lighthouse Point while we’re already on site, keeping one timeline and one point of contact.
Groundwork serves Lighthouse Point from our Fort Lauderdale base, and we know the difference between a 1962 ranch on a seawall and a 1980s two-story on higher ground. That local knowledge changes what we spec and how we sequence the work.
Serving Lighthouse Point, FL - Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the Lighthouse Point area and know this community well. Use the map below to see our service coverage - if you’re nearby, we can almost certainly help.
Frequently Asked - Cabinets & Countertops in Lighthouse Point
Most projects run 2-3 weeks of active construction once materials arrive, but lead times stretch that to 6-10 weeks total if you choose semi-custom or custom cabinets. Stock cabinet jobs with in-stock quartz can sometimes compress to 4 weeks. Call (844) 665-0162 and we’ll check current lead times for your spec level.
Pure replacement with no electrical, plumbing, or structural changes usually doesn’t require a permit in Broward County. If you’re relocating a sink, adding circuits, or removing a wall, permitted work is required and adds inspection scheduling. We handle permit determination during our initial site visit and include any fees in your estimate.
Yes, and it’s the most common approach in Lighthouse Point’s older homes where slab plumbing relocations are expensive. Keeping your existing “wet wall” and appliance locations avoids rough-work costs and keeps the project in the $6,000-$12,000 range for mid-grade materials. The visual transformation is still significant with updated cabinet styles and countertop materials.
Installed quartz (Cambria, Silestone, Caesarstone) typically runs $65-$120 per square foot, while granite spans $50-$150 depending on slab rarity. For a standard 40-square-foot kitchen with island, that difference is often $1,000-$2,500. Quartz wins on maintenance; granite wins on unique patterning. We stock samples of both for side-by-side comparison in your home’s actual light.
Manufacturer warranties vary by brand: KraftMaid and Wellborn typically offer limited lifetime warranties on cabinet boxes and hardware, while Cambria, Silestone, and Caesarstone carry 10-year to lifetime residential warranties on material defects. Our installation workmanship is warrantied for one year. We register all warranties in your name and provide documentation at final walkthrough.
Ready to Talk Through Your Cabinets & Countertops in Lighthouse Point?
Call (844) 665-0162 for a free on-site estimate. Raymond Estevez or a member of our Kitchen Remodeling team will measure your space, review material options from our 50-plus brand portfolio, and deliver an itemized quote within 48 hours. No deposit required to get started.
Written by Raymond Estevez, Owner at Groundwork Construction Co., serving Lighthouse Point since our Fort Lauderdale founding.