A kitchen remodel in Tampa Bay runs $15,000 to $25,000 for a small kitchen, $25,000 to $45,000 mid-range, and $45,000 to $80,000+ for large or high-end, over about 6 to 10 weeks. CraftLine is a licensed design build contractor, so every idea below comes with a real price, not just a photo.
Kitchen Remodel Cost by Size
| Kitchen Size | Scope | Tampa Bay Price |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 120 sq ft) | New cabinets, counters, same layout | $15,000 to $25,000 |
| Mid (120 to 200 sq ft) | New layout, island, custom storage | $25,000 to $45,000 |
| Large or high-end | Open concept, premium finishes | $45,000 to $80,000+ |
Price your own kitchen in the free cost calculator or read the full Tampa Bay kitchen cost guide.
Ideas Worth the Money
- Open the wall between kitchen and living for an island with seating
- Two-tone cabinets with a contrasting island for depth
- Deep drawers and pull-outs instead of low shelves
- Quartz counters with soft veining for a high-end look that holds up
- Layered lighting: recessed, under-cabinet, and a statement fixture
- A real pantry cabinet or pull-out to cut clutter
What Each Idea Actually Costs
Every idea on a design site looks equally achievable. They are not. Here is what the popular ones add to a Tampa Bay kitchen budget, so you can pick the two or three that matter to you instead of finding out at the quote.
| Idea | What it adds | Worth it when |
|---|---|---|
| Remove a load-bearing wall with an engineered beam | $4,500 to $9,000 | The kitchen is closed off from the main living space |
| Remove a soffit and run cabinets to the ceiling | $1,500 to $3,500 | You need storage and the room feels short |
| Relocate the sink to a new island (slab home) | $2,000 to $4,500 | The view or the work triangle genuinely improves |
| Upgrade to quartz counters | $50 to $120 per sq ft installed | Almost always in Florida humidity, it beats laminate and needs no sealing |
| Two-tone cabinets with a contrasting island | $500 to $1,500 | Nearly free design impact, just a second finish on the order |
| Full-height pantry cabinet with pull-outs | $1,200 to $3,000 | You have no pantry closet, which is most 1960s Tampa Bay kitchens |
| Under-cabinet and layered lighting | $800 to $2,500 | Always. It is the cheapest thing that makes a kitchen look finished |
| Panel-ready appliances | $3,000 to $8,000 over standard | High-end kitchens where the fridge sits in a sightline |
| Electrical panel upgrade to 200 amp | $2,500 to $4,500 | Not optional if your panel is full, so ask before you plan anything else |
Ideas We Talk Clients Out Of
- Open shelving everywhere. It photographs well and it collects grease and dust in a humid climate. A few shelves for daily glasses, yes. A whole wall, no.
- Moving the range across the room. Gas, venting, and a new dedicated circuit for a payoff you will not notice. Usually $3,000 to $6,000 for a lateral move.
- A second sink in a small island. It eats prep space and adds plumbing under concrete. In a kitchen under 200 square feet it rarely earns its keep.
- Cheap cabinet boxes with expensive doors. Particle board boxes fail at the hinges and swell if they ever get wet. Spend the difference on plywood construction.
- Full custom when semi-custom fits. If your walls are square and your ceiling is a standard height, semi-custom boxes get you the same look for less money and half the lead time.
Kitchen Ideas That Fit Tampa Bay Homes
The best idea depends on the house. South Tampa and St. Petersburg homes from the 1950s through 1970s usually have a wall between the kitchen and living room, and opening it is the single change that makes the whole house feel newer. Pinellas slab homes need a little more planning when we relocate plumbing for an island. Newer Brandon, Riverview, and FishHawk kitchens already have the open footprint, so the budget goes into better cabinets, quartz, and lighting. Across all of them, Florida humidity is a reason we steer clients toward quartz counters and moisture-tough cabinet finishes.
There is one more Tampa Bay specific worth planning for: ventilation. A lot of older kitchens here have a recirculating microwave hood that pushes cooking humidity right back into a room that is already humid nine months a year. Ducting a real hood to the outside runs $600 to $1,800 depending on the run, and it does more for how the kitchen feels day to day than most of the finish decisions people agonize over.
Three Plans at Three Budgets
- $20,000, keep the layout: semi-custom cabinets in the same footprint, quartz counters, tile backsplash, new sink and faucet, recessed and under-cabinet lighting. Nothing moves, so nothing gets expensive.
- $38,000, open it up a little: everything above plus soffit removal, cabinets to the ceiling, new flooring through the kitchen, added circuits, a peninsula converted to a small island, and a new appliance package.
- $65,000, change the house: load-bearing wall out with an engineered beam, relocated sink, custom cabinetry, a large island with seating for five, panel upgrade, ducted hood, and the kitchen genuinely joined to the living space.
What Homeowners Say
CraftLine Remodeling holds a 5.0 rating across 93 Google reviews. We are a licensed and insured Tampa Bay contractor and a NARI Tampa Bay member. You can see real before and after work on our Tampa Bay project showcase.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a kitchen remodel cost in Tampa Bay?
Small kitchens run $15,000 to $25,000, mid-range remodels $25,000 to $45,000, and large or high-end kitchens $45,000 and up.
What is the best value upgrade in a kitchen remodel?
Keeping the layout while upgrading cabinets and counters gives the most look for the money. If budget allows one bigger move, opening a wall for an island usually has the biggest impact in older Tampa homes.
How long will my kitchen be out of use?
Plan for 6 to 10 weeks total. The kitchen is fully down for part of that, mostly during demo, cabinet install, and counter templating.
Which kitchen ideas actually add resale value in Tampa Bay?
Opening the kitchen to the living space, durable counters, and real storage. Buyers here respond to layout and light more than to any single finish. Highly personal choices, bold tile, unusual cabinet colors, a built-in coffee station, are worth doing for yourself, not for the next owner. If you want to see which of those choices are on trend right now, our 2026 kitchen design trends for Tampa Bay homes guide covers the warmer color palettes replacing gray and what those updates cost.
Do I need a permit to open a wall in my Tampa kitchen?
Yes. Removing a wall, especially a load-bearing one, requires an engineer sign-off and a permit in both Hillsborough and Pinellas. CraftLine handles the engineering and permitting.
Get a Real Number on Your Project
Want a fixed price for your own home? Schedule a free quote or call (813) 522-4359. CraftLine is a licensed design build contractor serving Tampa, St. Petersburg, Brandon, and the rest of Tampa Bay.