By Bruno Venichand, J. Perry & Sons — Florida CGC1540699
Kitchen demolition costs $4–$9 per sq ft of the work area in South Florida for cabinets, countertops, backsplash, soffits and damaged drywall, with tile floor removal at $4–$6 per sq ft on top. Most kitchens come out in one to three days. On a J. Perry & Sons kitchen renovation, demolition is part of the contract, but a demolition company should still explain what comes out, what stays and what you will see behind the cabinets.
Kitchen demolition cost
| Item | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen demolition, cabinets to drywall | $4–$9 per sq ft | Counters, backsplash, soffits, haul-away |
| Tile floor removal to slab | $4–$6 per sq ft | Thinset ground off |
| Dustless removal upgrade | +$1–$1.50 per sq ft | Recommended in occupied homes |
| Wood, laminate or LVP floor removal | $1.50–$2.50 per sq ft | |
| Drywall patch after demo | $175–$350 each | Or full replacement in the remodel |
On a 200 sq ft kitchen, demolition of cabinets, counters and soffits lands around $800–$1,800, and tile floor removal adds $800–$1,200 for that same area. If the floor runs into the family room, the floor removal covers the whole connected area so the new floor has no seam.
Before demolition day
- Empty the kitchen. Cabinets, pantry, drawers. We protect what stays, but we do not pack.
- Set up a temporary kitchen in another room: microwave, coffee maker, a folding table.
- Decide on salvage. Appliances you keep, cabinets going to a garage, light fixtures. Mark each item with tape so the crew knows what to set aside and what goes in the dumpster.
- Condo owners: book the service elevator and confirm work hours with management.
- Permit posted. Kitchen remodels that touch plumbing or electrical need a permit, which we pull before demolition.
Free estimate — call (561) 556-7509 or send us your project. Send photos of the kitchen and the floor plan and we'll reply with a same-day range.
Call (561) 556-7509 or send us your project with photos, the city, approximate dimensions, and material selections.
Day by day: how a kitchen comes out
Day 1. Protection first: floor runners, zip walls at openings, HVAC returns covered. The plumber caps the sink and dishwasher lines; the electrician makes circuits safe; a licensed plumber disconnects gas if the range is gas. Appliances out. Countertops are cut and removed (stone tops come out in pieces), then the backsplash.
Day 2. Upper and lower cabinets come off the wall. Soffits come down. Damaged drywall is cut back to sound board. If the floor is tile, removal starts with dustless grinders.
Day 3 (larger kitchens). Floor removal finishes, the slab is cleaned and checked for cracks and flatness, and debris goes out. Then the inspection-ready open room is photographed for the record.
What we often find behind the cabinets
- Old plumbing: galvanized or cast iron drain lines, corroded shut-off valves.
- Water damage under the sink base, sometimes with mold on the drywall.
- Wiring that does not meet current code for kitchen circuits.
- Out-of-plumb walls and soffits hiding ductwork or plumbing vents.
- Termite damage in wood framing or soffit framing.
- Uneven slab under old tile, which may need grinding or leveling before the new floor goes down.
When we find something, we stop, photograph it and give you a written change order before fixing it. Damaged drywall becomes part of the remodel; our drywall repair crew handles patches and full replacement.
Can a wall come out during demolition?
Opening the kitchen to the living room is a common request. A non-load-bearing partition can usually come out during demolition. A bearing wall or a CBS wall needs an engineered opening. We do not do engineering; we build to the engineer's drawings and coordinate a licensed engineer when the work needs one. See structural opening cost in a CBS wall for what that involves.
South Florida details
Most kitchens here sit on a concrete slab, which makes tile removal the loudest and dustiest part. In condos, buildings restrict noise hours and require elevator padding. Older homes in Broward and Palm Beach may have asbestos in floor tile mastic or popcorn ceilings; testing comes before disturbance. In hurricane season, we keep the dumpster covered and remove it if a storm is forecast.
Timeline
- Demolition: 1–3 days
- Rough plumbing and electrical inspections: usually the following week
- Full kitchen remodel after demolition: see the kitchen remodel timeline
Kitchen renovation by city
- Kitchen renovation in Boca Raton
- Kitchen renovation in Weston
- Kitchen renovation in Parkland
- Kitchen renovation in Fort Lauderdale
- Kitchen renovation in Palm Beach Gardens
- Kitchen renovation in Coral Gables
Related guides: Interior demolition cost in South Florida · Kitchen remodel cost in South Florida
Prefer to send photos or plans? Send us your project
Kitchen demolition — FAQ
How much does kitchen demolition cost? $4–$9 per sq ft of the work area for cabinets, counters, backsplash and soffits, plus $4–$6 per sq ft for tile floor removal.
How long does kitchen demolition take? One to three days for most kitchens, depending on floor removal and whether stone countertops come out in one piece.
Can I live in the house during kitchen demolition? Yes. We seal the kitchen with zip walls, protect floors and use dustless tools for tile removal.
Can I keep my appliances or cabinets? Yes. Tell us before demolition and we remove them carefully and set them aside, though old cabinets can be damaged coming off the wall.
How do I get an exact price? Call (561) 556-7509 or send photos and rough dimensions through our project form. A written estimate is typically ready within 24–48 hours after a site review and scope confirmation.
Free estimate — call (561) 556-7509 or send us your project. Licensed Florida general contractor CGC1540699. Serving Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties.
Call (561) 556-7509 or send us your project with photos, the city, approximate dimensions, and material selections.