Planning a Kitchen Remodel in Naples: Timeline, Order of Work, Cabinets and Cost
Planning a kitchen remodel in Naples comes down to deciding everything before demolition starts. The layout, the cabinetry order and the permit set the schedule, and cabinetry is usually both the largest line item and the longest lead time. Plan for roughly 8 to 10 months from the start of design to a finished kitchen, with 18 to 20 weeks of that in construction.
A kitchen remodel is a rework of a kitchen's layout, cabinetry, countertops, appliances and the electrical and plumbing behind them. It is different from a refresh, which keeps the layout and replaces surfaces such as paint, hardware or countertops in place. Which of the two you are planning shapes what gets permitted, how long the room is out of service and where the money goes.
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Key Takeaways
Plan for 8 to 10 months from design to completion: about 10 to 16 weeks of design, permit drawings and permit review, then 18 to 20 weeks of construction.
Cabinetry typically arrives 8 to 10 weeks after the order is confirmed, for semi-custom and custom cabinets alike.
Cabinetry can make up 30 to 40 percent of a kitchen budget, which makes it the line item to settle first.
Appliance specifications come before the cabinet order, because cabinets are built around appliance dimensions.
The City of Naples treats new kitchen cabinets as permit work, even in the same layout, while a like-for-like countertop and sink swap is exempt.
Electrical, plumbing, gas, structural and mechanical work needs a permit at both the City and Collier County.
Most Ryan & Voigt clients choose full overlay cabinet doors; inset doors are typically quoted at a 15 to 20 percent upcharge.
Jake considers $75,000 to $200,000 a fair range for a kitchen within a larger renovation, and a kitchen done on its own can cost more once supervision, protection and permit costs are carried by one room.
Nationally, smaller kitchen remodels recoup a larger share of their cost at resale than upscale ones, according to the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report.
The most common design mistake is a layout that ignores how the dishwasher, sink, trash and storage work together.
How Long Does a Kitchen Remodel Take?
A luxury kitchen remodel in Naples typically takes 8 to 10 months from the start of design to completion, including 18 to 20 weeks of construction, according to Jake Voigt, the state-certified general contractor who leads Ryan & Voigt. That is about as long as remodeling a full home interior, because the trades in a kitchen work in sequence rather than side by side.
The kitchen remodel timeline breaks into five stages, and only the last one happens inside the kitchen. Cabinets are ordered once selections are final, so their lead time runs alongside the permit work rather than after it.
Stage | Typical duration | What sets the pace |
Design and selections | 2 to 4 weeks | How quickly layout, cabinetry, appliances and countertops are decided |
Permit drawings and application | 4 to 6 weeks | Whether walls, plumbing, gas or electrical move |
Permit review | Typically 4 to 6 weeks | The City of Naples or Collier County review queue |
Cabinetry lead time | 8 to 10 weeks from order confirmation | Design approval, drawings and stain samples before the order is confirmed |
Construction | 18 to 20 weeks | Lead times, project complexity and the trade sequence |
Permit review typically takes four to six weeks at the City or County, according to Jake, and runs longer when the reviewer asks for more information. Added up, design, permit drawings and review take about 10 to 16 weeks before construction starts, and Jake says the full process from design to completion commonly runs 8 to 10 months.
Construction takes longer than its square footage suggests. Plumbers, electricians, cabinet installers and stone fabricators share one room, so they work in turn, and Jake's 18 to 20 week estimate is "predicated on lead times and complexity of project."
What Stretches a Kitchen Schedule
A kitchen schedule usually stretches because a decision was still open when demolition started, or because the walls held something nobody could see beforehand.
Cabinet, stone or appliance choices still open when demolition starts.
Appliance models changed after the cabinets are ordered.
A layout change that moves gas, plumbing or electrical, which adds permit scope and inspections.
Conditions found inside the walls or under the floor once the room is opened.
Missing or damaged cabinet parts discovered at installation.
Stone countertops, which are templated from installed cabinets and then fabricated.
What Order Should a Kitchen Remodel Be Done In?
A kitchen remodel's order of operations runs like this: plan and select everything, order the long-lead items, permit the work, then demolish, rough in the systems, close the walls, lay glue-down flooring and install from the cabinets outward. The sequence matters because each step is measured from, or inspected after, the one before it. The 14 kitchen remodel steps below follow that order.
Step | What happens | Why it comes here |
1. Define the scope | How the kitchen is used, what does not work and whether walls move | Scope decides the permit and the budget |
2. Design the layout | Work zones, island, storage and lighting | Every later order is sized from the plan |
3. Choose appliances | Models, sizes, panel-ready units and fuel type | Cabinet openings and utility locations depend on them |
4. Select cabinetry and countertops | Cabinet type, door style, finish and stone | Cabinetry is the longest lead item |
5. Order long-lead items | Cabinetry first, then appliances and fixtures | So materials arrive before the room is opened |
6. Apply for the permit | Drawings filed with the City or County | Review runs while orders are in production |
7. Protect and demolish | Adjacent rooms sealed, old kitchen removed | Starts only once deliveries are scheduled |
8. Rough in the systems | Framing, plumbing, gas, electrical and ventilation | Rough inspections happen before walls close |
9. Close the walls | Insulation and drywall, then prime | Creates the surfaces cabinets hang on |
10. Install glue-down flooring | Stone, tile or glue-down wood laid wall to wall | A continuous floor finishes better and allows cabinet changes later |
11. Install cabinetry | Base and wall cabinets, island and panels | The countertop template is taken from installed cabinets |
12. Template and install countertops | Stone measured, fabricated and set, about 2 weeks from template to install | Sink and cooktop cut-outs follow the template |
13. Backsplash and trim-out | Tile, plumbing fixtures, lighting, appliances and any floating floor | Final connections need finished surfaces |
14. Paint, punch list and final inspection | Touch-ups, adjustments and sign-off | Closes the permit |
Two steps catch people out. Appliances come before cabinetry, because a cabinet built for the wrong refrigerator width cannot be fixed on site. And countertops come after cabinetry, because the stone is templated from the installed boxes rather than from the drawings.
Flooring Before or After Cabinets?
Glue-down flooring usually goes in before the cabinets, and floating floors such as luxury vinyl plank go in after. "It is preferred to install glue down flooring prior to the cabinetry install," Jake says. "This allows for a better overall finish and allows for fluctuation in cabinet design later. This does depend on the product selected for flooring as LVP (Luxury Vinyl Plank) and other floating floors are designed to move and therefore should be installed after the cabinets."
How Long Countertops Take After the Cabinets Go In
Countertops typically take about 2 weeks from template to installation, and longer for mitered edges or porous stone that needs sealing. "A lot of the popular products these days are cut on a wet saw and have to fully dry prior to sealing the edges so that water does not get into the product," Jake says. "For example a miter may be cut, fully cure, be sealed, then finally be glued together. For very complex tops, there may be multiple cut and cure steps which can extend the timeline."
Do You Need a Permit to Remodel a Kitchen in Naples?
A kitchen remodel in Naples usually needs a permit, because they replace cabinetry or change electrical, plumbing, gas or ventilation. Your address decides whether the City of Naples or Collier County reviews it, and the two offices draw the exemption line in different places.
City of Naples
The City of Naples states that kitchen cabinetry replacement in single-family homes and condominiums requires a permit (City of Naples, When do I need a Permit?). Its list of work that does not need a permit includes replacing existing countertops and sinks that go back in the same location, replacing residential appliances, swapping plumbing fixtures and installing ceramic tile.
Unincorporated Collier County
Collier County exempts cabinetry, countertops, painting, tiling and similar finish work on detached single-family homes, but not when the work affects a load-bearing wall or a fire-rated separation, and homes in a flood hazard area must still meet substantial improvement rules (Collier County Ordinance No. 2023-64). Electrical, plumbing, gas, mechanical and structural work still needs a permit.
Florida's CS/CS/HB 803, effective July 1, 2026, also exempts certain single-family work under $7,500, but the exemption excludes electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas and structural work and any property in a flood hazard area (City of Naples, HB 803 guidance). A kitchen remodel of any real scope moves past it quickly.
Kitchen work | City of Naples | Unincorporated Collier County (detached single-family) |
New cabinets in the same layout | Permit required | Exempt, unless a load-bearing wall or fire-rated separation is affected |
New countertops and sink in the same location | No permit | Exempt finish work |
Replacing an appliance | No permit | Confirm with the County |
Moving the sink or adding an island sink | Permit required | Permit required |
New circuits, lighting or outlets | Permit required | Permit required |
Adding or moving a gas line for a range | Permit required | Permit required |
New or rerouted range hood duct | Permit required | Permit required |
Removing or moving a wall | Permit required | Permit required |
Exemptions are narrow and the two offices word them differently, so check your scope with the City or County for your address. A condo kitchen adds a second approval from the association, and how condo permits and association approval work in Naples follows its own set of rules. Ryan & Voigt permits every kitchen remodel in Naples it builds, whichever office reviews it.
How Much Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost in Naples?
A luxury kitchen in Naples commonly falls in the $75,000 to $200,000 range as part of a larger renovation, according to Jake, and a kitchen remodeled on its own can cost more. Where a project lands depends on cabinetry, countertops, appliances, whether utilities or walls move and, in a condo, the building itself.
"This is a question I am asked a lot. The truth is that there are many factors which affect the overall cost for a project. Work hours, access points, floor level (condos), time of year, and building requirements can all affect how a project is budgeted," Jake says. "You will hear on many HGTV shows that a typical kitchen renovation can cost between $75K-$200K. I happen to agree taken as a component for a total renovation, but the costs may be more if we are only talking of a kitchen and have to factor in costs for supervision, floor protection, dumpsters, General Conditions expenses, permit and plan costs, etc."
Cabinetry is the anchor of that budget. "Cabinetry costs can easily make up 30%-40% of a total kitchen budget," Jake says.
Cost driver | Why it moves the number |
Cabinetry | Often 30 to 40 percent of the budget; construction, door style, finish and the share of custom pieces |
Countertops | Stone type, slab count, edge details and mitered waterfall ends |
Appliances | Panel-ready and professional-grade units, and the cabinet work around them |
Moving plumbing, gas or electrical | New runs, more permit scope and more inspections |
Removing or moving a wall | Structural work, engineering and patching adjacent rooms |
Lighting | Layered ceiling, task, under-cabinet and accent circuits |
Flooring continuity | New flooring that has to run into adjoining rooms |
Project overhead | Supervision, floor protection, dumpsters, general conditions, plans and permit fees, carried by one room on a kitchen-only job |
Access and building rules | Work hours, access points, floor level and time of year, especially in a condo |
The biggest decisions on that list are made in design, which is why a preliminary budget belongs before selections, not after. A wall coming down adds engineering and structural work to the budget, and it is often the change behind opening a Naples kitchen to the living space.
A walkthrough of your kitchen with Ryan & Voigt turns these drivers into a preliminary budget for your room, at no cost and before any agreement.
Semi-Custom vs. Custom Cabinets for a Luxury Kitchen
Semi-custom cabinets are built to order by a manufacturer in standard sizes with a range of modifications, while custom cabinets are built by a cabinetmaker to the exact dimensions and design of one kitchen. Both can suit a luxury kitchen. The choice depends on the room's dimensions, the details you want and how much lead time the schedule can carry.
Cabinetry falls into three categories: stock cabinets, which are mass-produced in fixed sizes; semi-custom cabinets, which are built to order from a manufacturer's catalog of sizes, door styles and finishes; and custom cabinets, which are designed and built for a specific room.
Factor | Semi-custom | Custom |
Sizing | Standard widths and depths, with modifications | Any dimension the room needs |
Door styles and finishes | Chosen from the manufacturer's range | Open to any design, wood or finish |
Fit in unusual spaces | Filler panels close gaps | Built to the wall, ceiling and soffit |
Lead time | About 8 to 10 weeks from order confirmation | About 8 to 10 weeks from order confirmation, plus more sampling rounds for a custom stain |
Relative cost | Lower | Higher |
Best fit | Standard layouts with a refined finish | Irregular rooms, furniture-style pieces and signature details |
Lead time is similar for both on Ryan & Voigt projects, so the choice comes down to fit, detail and budget rather than schedule. What adds time is the work before the order is confirmed. "Order confirmation includes the time needed to; make up the cabinet design, approve drawings, make stain samples and approve same," Jake says. "If a client is asking for a custom stain, there may be many rounds of samples and adjustments which will add to the timeline in regards to product order confirmation."
The choice does not have to be all or nothing within one room.
Inset vs. Overlay Cabinet Doors
Overlay doors sit on the front of the cabinet frame and cover part or all of it, while inset doors sit inside the frame, flush with its face. Most Ryan & Voigt clients choose full overlay, which gives a clean, continuous look and easier access to the cabinet interior. Inset reads as furniture-grade and traditional, needs tighter tolerances and is typically quoted at a 15 to 20 percent upcharge, according to Jake.
Full overlay | Inset | |
Look | Doors and drawers nearly touch, little frame showing | Frame visible around every door and drawer |
Interior space | Slightly more usable width | Slightly less, because the frame takes up room |
Precision required | Standard | High, since gaps around each door are visible |
Hardware | Concealed hinges are standard | Often exposed or specialty hinges |
Cost | Base price | Typically a 15 to 20 percent upcharge |
Kitchen Remodel Return on Investment: How Much Value Does It Add?
How much value a kitchen remodel adds depends on its scale: it can add resale value, but the share of the cost it recovers falls as the project gets larger and more upscale. In the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report, a midrange minor kitchen remodel recouped 113 percent of its cost nationally, a midrange major kitchen remodel recouped 51 percent and an upscale major kitchen remodel recouped 36 percent (Journal of Light Construction, 2025 Cost vs. Value Report).
Project type (national average) | Cost recouped at resale |
Minor kitchen remodel, midrange | 113% |
Major kitchen remodel, midrange | 51% |
Major kitchen remodel, upscale | 36% |
Those are national averages, not a forecast for any one home. In a luxury Naples home, a kitchen is usually remodeled for how the household lives in it, and the resale question is more about whether the kitchen matches the level of the rest of the house. A permit on file and finishes that suit the home both help at sale.
Luxury Kitchen Design Decisions to Settle Before Construction
The luxury kitchen ideas that need the earliest decisions are the ones that fix plumbing, electrical, gas or cabinet dimensions in place. Changing any of them after rough-in means reopening finished work, so they belong in luxury kitchen design, not in construction.
Decision | What it locks in |
Island size and use | Clearances, seating overhang and whether a sink, cooktop or outlets run into the floor |
Appliance package | Cabinet openings, dedicated circuits, gas supply and panel-ready fronts |
Range and hood | Hood size, duct route to the exterior and the wall or ceiling support |
Sink and dishwasher locations | Drain and supply runs, and the countertop cut-outs |
Lighting plan | Recessed, pendant, under-cabinet and toe-kick lighting wired during rough-in |
Storage | Pantry, drawer stacks and appliance garages sized into the cabinet plan |
Countertop material and edges | Slab count, seams and fabrication time |
Lock these in during design and order the longest-lead items first.
What Changes Most Often in a Naples Kitchen Remodel
Beyond the layout, the changes Ryan & Voigt makes most often in Naples kitchens are removing dropped soffits, raising the cabinetry to the ceiling, often by double-stacking the upper cabinets, and treating the rear wall as the room's focal point. "The rear wall of a kitchen provides a nice visual and an opportunity for a design focal point," Jake says.
Opening the walls often helps rather than hurts. "Often times we find additional space once the walls are opened up that we did not know about and we are able to adjust the cabinet design to include same," Jake says. That is one reason the layout gets a second look after demolition, before the cabinets are installed.
Kitchen Remodel Mistakes to Avoid
The most common kitchen remodel mistake is a layout that ignores how the appliances, trash and storage work together in daily use. Sequencing errors come next: something ordered, built or closed up before the decision it depends on was made.
Ordering cabinets before the appliances are chosen.
Starting demolition before the cabinets have a delivery date.
Treating the island as furniture rather than as plumbing and electrical work.
Choosing a range without planning where the hood duct can run.
Leaving the lighting plan until the walls are closed.
Treating the permit as optional because the kitchen is "only cosmetic," then learning that cabinet replacement counts.
Changing the layout after the countertop template is taken.
"The most common mistake I see in a kitchen design is when the layout of the appliances, trashcan, and storage locations are not considered," Jake says. "I like to have the dishwasher adjacent to the sink and the trashcan on the opposite side; that makes cleaning dishes easy. I also want to make sure that the silverware storage location is near the dishwasher so you do not have to traipse across the kitchen to put things away. It is also important to have countertop space near the oven and fridge so that things can be set down easily."
How to Survive a Kitchen Remodel
Surviving a kitchen remodel is easiest when the home is empty, but many owners stay. Either way, plan where you will cook and wash dishes before demolition starts. A temporary kitchen in another room, with a refrigerator, a microwave or countertop cooktop and access to a sink, covers daily meals for many households.
For seasonal owners, timing solves most of it. Many Ryan & Voigt clients schedule a kitchen for the months they spend away from Naples and follow progress through text updates, photos and video.
Set up the temporary kitchen before demolition, not during it.
Pack the kitchen completely, including the pantry and the cabinets in adjoining rooms.
Expect dust control at doorways and protection on floors along the work path.
Plan for periods when the water and electricity are shut off while systems are tied in.
"As a Contractor it is always best if the home is un-occupied during a large renovation. There are times when the water to the home needs to be shut off as well as the electrical," Jake says. "We do, however, work in homes while the homeowner is in residence. It is critical to maintain constant communication and set expectations before and during the project."
Kitchen Remodel Checklist: Ready for Demolition?
A kitchen is ready for demolition when you can answer yes to every item on this checklist. Anything still open is a likely source of delay once the room is out of service.
Ready before demolition? | What yes looks like |
Layout | Final drawings approved, island and work zones fixed |
Appliances | Models chosen and their dimensions sent to the cabinet maker |
Cabinetry | Ordered, with a confirmed delivery date |
Countertops | Material and edge profile selected |
Fixtures and lighting | Sink, faucet, hood and light fittings chosen |
Permit | Issued by the City of Naples or Collier County |
Association | Written approval in hand, if you live in a condo or an HOA that reviews interior work |
Budget | Preliminary budget agreed, with room for conditions found in the walls |
Daily life | A temporary kitchen set up, or the work timed for months away from Naples |
The room | Cabinets emptied and adjoining rooms packed or protected |
Before you sign with anyone, it is worth knowing how to choose a remodeling contractor in Naples, starting with verifying a Florida license and comparing bids on equal terms.
When you are ready to plan your own kitchen, a complimentary Phase One walkthrough with Ryan & Voigt maps the layout options, the permit path and a preliminary budget for your room.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to remodel a kitchen in Naples?
Plan for 8 to 10 months from the start of design to completion. Design and selections take 2 to 4 weeks, permit drawings 4 to 6 weeks and permit review 4 to 6 weeks, while cabinets arrive 8 to 10 weeks after the order is confirmed. Construction then takes 18 to 20 weeks.
What is the correct order for a kitchen remodel?
Plan and select everything first, including appliances, then order cabinetry and other long-lead items and file the permit. Construction runs from demolition to rough-in of plumbing, gas and electrical, then drywall, cabinets, countertops, backsplash, trim-out and final inspection.
Do I need a permit to replace kitchen cabinets in Naples?
Inside City of Naples limits, yes. The City requires a permit for kitchen cabinetry replacement in single-family homes and condominiums. In unincorporated Collier County, cabinet replacement on a detached single-family home is exempt finish work unless it affects a load-bearing wall or a fire-rated separation.
Can I replace countertops without a permit?
In the City of Naples, replacing countertops and sinks that go back in the same location does not need a permit. Collier County also treats countertops as exempt finish work on detached single-family homes. Moving the sink or adding plumbing changes that.
How much does a kitchen remodel cost in Naples?
Jake considers $75,000 to $200,000 a fair range for a luxury kitchen as part of a larger renovation. A kitchen done on its own can cost more, because supervision, floor protection, dumpsters, plans and permit costs are carried by one room, and in a condo, work hours, access and floor level also affect the budget.
Should flooring go in before or after kitchen cabinets?
Glue-down flooring usually goes in before the cabinets, which gives a better finish and leaves room to change the cabinet design later. Floating floors such as luxury vinyl plank are designed to move, so they go in after the cabinets.
What is the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel?
Cabinetry is usually the largest line item and can make up 30 to 40 percent of the budget, followed by countertops, appliances and any work that moves plumbing, gas, electrical or walls.
What is the difference between semi-custom and custom cabinets?
Semi-custom cabinets are built to order by a manufacturer in standard sizes with modifications. Custom cabinets are built to the exact dimensions and design of one kitchen. On Ryan & Voigt projects, both typically arrive 8 to 10 weeks after the order is confirmed.
Are inset cabinets worth it?
Inset cabinets suit a traditional or furniture-grade look and are built to tighter tolerances. They are typically quoted at a 15 to 20 percent upcharge and give slightly less interior access than full overlay, which is the choice most Ryan & Voigt clients make.
Does a kitchen remodel increase home value?
It can, but the share of cost recovered falls as the project gets larger. In the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report, a midrange minor kitchen remodel recouped 113 percent of its cost nationally, a midrange major remodel 51 percent and an upscale major remodel 36 percent.
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