Cost Guides
Free Kitchen Remodel Estimate: How to Get and Compare Quotes
How to get a free kitchen remodel estimate in Orlando, what a written estimate should include, and how to compare contractor quotes line by line.
By the Prime Construction team Updated October 13, 2026 5 min read
As of October 2026, a measured kitchen remodel estimate in the Orlando area will usually land in one of three ranges: $15,000 to $35,000 for a cosmetic refresh, $35,000 to $75,000 for a mid-range full remodel, or $75,000 to $150,000 or more for high-end work or a layout change. A free estimate is how you find out where your kitchen falls. This guide covers how to request one, what a good written estimate includes, and how to compare two or three quotes so you are judging the same job.
| Scope | Typical Orlando range (2026) | What the estimate should spell out |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic refresh | $15,000 to $35,000 | Refacing or refinishing, counters, backsplash, fixtures, lighting |
| Mid-range full remodel | $35,000 to $75,000 | Cabinet grade, countertop material, flooring, appliances, demo |
| High-end or layout change | $75,000 to $150,000+ | Plumbing moves, wall work, engineering, permits |
Ballpark, estimate and contract: what you are actually getting
Homeowners use these words interchangeably, but they mean different things:
- Ballpark. A range given over the phone or from photos. Useful for deciding whether to keep going. Not something to budget against.
- Online calculator. Similar to a ballpark. It cannot see your slab, your pipes or your walls.
- Written estimate. A priced scope after someone has measured your kitchen and seen its condition. This is the document to compare.
- Contract. The estimate turned into a signed agreement with a payment schedule, timeline and terms. Only this is binding.
Many contractors provide the first visit and written estimate free. Detailed design work, such as full drawings or a 3D rendering package, may or may not be included, so ask up front.
How to request a kitchen remodel estimate
- Write down the problem. Not enough storage, failing cabinets, a layout that does not work, or a dated look. This tells the estimator which tier you are in.
- Pick an appliance level. Entry (about $3,000 to $6,000), mid-range ($6,000 to $15,000) or premium ($15,000 and up). It is one of the biggest swings in any estimate.
- Gather photos. Save a few kitchens you like. Specific images communicate faster than adjectives.
- Share a budget range. A good contractor will tell you what fits, rather than design something you cannot afford.
- Check HOA rules. Many Orlando-area communities have rules on work hours, dumpsters and contractor parking.
- Note known problems. Leaks, soft spots in the floor, tripping breakers or old plumbing all affect the price.
What a good written estimate includes
A useful kitchen estimate is itemized. At minimum it should show:
- Scope of work by area: demolition, plumbing, electrical, drywall, cabinets, countertops, backsplash, flooring, paint, lighting.
- Material specifications: cabinet line and grade, countertop material and square footage, tile type, sink and faucet.
- Allowances: dollar amounts set aside for items you have not chosen yet (tile, fixtures, hardware). Low allowances make an estimate look cheaper than it is.
- Permits: which ones, and that the contractor pulls them. Fees are set by each city or county fee schedule, usually based on the job’s value, and belong in the estimate.
- Exclusions: what is not included, such as appliance purchase, wall repairs beyond the kitchen or unforeseen rot.
- Timeline: design and ordering (typically 3 to 8 weeks for kitchens) and on-site work (4 to 8 weeks for a full remodel, 1 to 3 weeks for a refresh).
- Payment schedule tied to stages of work.
- License number and proof of insurance.
How to compare kitchen remodel quotes
The total at the bottom is the last thing to compare. Line up these items first:
| Compare | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Cabinet grade (reface, stock, semi-custom, custom) | Cabinets are about 30 to 40 percent of the budget |
| Countertop material and square footage | Quartz runs $60 to $120 per sq ft; laminate $25 to $50 |
| Allowance amounts | A low allowance shifts cost to you later |
| Plumbing and electrical scope | Old supply lines, new circuits and GFCI protection |
| Permits included | Unpermitted work can complicate a sale or insurance claim |
| Demo, haul-away and protection | Dust walls, floor protection and cleanup |
| Exclusions | What happens if the slab, subfloor or wiring needs work |
If one quote is far below the others, it is usually missing something on that list. Ask the contractor to price the missing items so you can compare equal scopes. Our kitchen remodel cost breakdown shows what each line typically costs, so you can sanity-check a quote.
Red flags in a kitchen remodel estimate
- No license number. Verify any Florida contractor on the state’s DBPR license search.
- A one-line price with no scope, materials or exclusions.
- A large deposit with no permit plan. Under Florida Statutes 489.126, a contractor taking more than 10 percent of the contract price as a deposit must apply for permits within 30 days and start work within 90 days after the permit is issued, unless the contract allows otherwise as the statute permits.
- Suggestions to skip permits for plumbing, electrical or wall work.
- Pressure to sign the same day for a special price.
From estimate to contract
Once you choose a contractor, the estimate becomes a contract. Before signing, confirm the final selections are listed, the allowances match what you expect to spend, and the payment schedule follows the work. For contracts over $5,000, Florida requires a Notice of Commencement to be recorded with the county clerk and posted on site, and you can ask for lien releases from suppliers and subcontractors as payments are made.
The more decisions made before signing, the closer the final cost stays to the estimate. That is why our process goes in order: we visit your home and measure, prepare a 3D design rendering, finalize material selections, then order and check every item before work starts. As a licensed general contractor (CGC1535686), we pull the permits the work requires.
If your estimates come back higher than you hoped, our guide to a cost-effective kitchen remodel shows where to adjust. For the full cost picture, see the Orlando kitchen remodel cost guide.
Getting a kitchen estimate in Orlando
Prime Construction provides in-home measuring and a written estimate for kitchen remodeling across Orange, Seminole, Osceola and Lake counties. When you call, ask us what the visit includes. Call (407) 404-3944 or request an estimate.
