Budget- Friendly Partial Kitchen Remodel

Betton Woods, Tallahassee

Blending existing cabinets with new ones. 

Project Summary:

This kitchen hadn’t changed since it was built in 1987. The homeowner liked the layout and wanted to keep most of her cabinets, but needed better function and a fresh look. She needed a kitchen remodel on a budget.

Client wishlist

The oven and cooktop needed replacing, the wall oven was not used and wasted space. The desk area was not useful and the storage around the fridge was not effective. The homeowner did not like the raised bar on the peninsula. 

During design, we talked through how she actually uses the space:

Where she drops groceries, the daily routine for her and her kids, how often she cooks, meal preps, entertains etc…

That conversation guided the design process. The goal wasn’t just to update the look—but to make the space fit her daily routine.

Key Updates

• • Replace the desk area with pantry storage and a hidden bar

  • Added Pantry cabinets around the fridge

  • Replaced the wall oven with a more useful Speed Oven and more storage

  • Lowered the raised bar to be flush with the rest of the countertops

Now she’s got better flow, and a brighter space—all without starting from scratch. It’s a great example of a kitchen remodel on a budget—where good design made the most of what was already there.

Before & After Photos

We spend a lot of time in design and planning so we avoid any surprises. But remodeling is unpredicatble and a few things tend to pop up.

On this project there were just a few minor challenges to resolve.

Total project length was 7 weeks

The project wrapped early.

Good planning, clear communication, and a simple scope kept everything moving. Even with a few small surprises—like tile patches and a soffit adjustment—we stayed ahead of schedule the entire time.

Proposed Completion Date: April 21, 2025
Actual Completion Date: March 25, 2025

Project Cost Breakdown

Initial Estimate: $79,632

Contract Price: $87,671 (after the design process)

Client Change Orders: $937.50 (client requests)

Total Cost: $89,385 (final price including change orders)

Cost Increase
The contract price was roughly $8000 more than the initial estimate due to an increase in cabinet costs and additional labor added to the scope.

Change Orders
There were just two minor change orders on this project. 1. For a new dining room light, she picked out mid project and asked us to install and 2. Tile repair on the existing floor.

Our Favorite Things

Every project has a few things that really make it stand our or were special to the homeowner. Here are our favorites.

… with custom pull outs

… with pocket cabinets

Large porcelain sink

…with honey-bronze knobs

Materials and Fixtures Used in This Project

Fixtures and Accessories

• • 30″ Undermount Single Basin Fireclay Kitchen Sink | By Ruvati
  • Delta Nicoli 1.8 GPM Single Hole Pull Down Kitchen Faucet | By Delta
  • WiFI enabled Stainless Steel Electric Speed Oven | By GE

Who worked on the project

For more information on these subs, go to our Subcontractor Directory.

• • Painting – A Different Stroke by Kenneth
  • Cabinets, Concrete & Demo – AndMor Construction Inc
  • Plumbing – Capital Plumbing Contractors
  • Drywall – Hawkins Drywall
  • Tile – Tien Le Tile
  • Electrical – Truevolt
  • Countertops – Southern Tops
  • Trim Carpentry – Capital City Lumber Co.

We’ve worked with most of these partners for years—and we trust them in our own homes.

This project shows how thoughtful design can go a long way—without tearing everything out.

By keeping the layout and cabinets, the homeowner saved where it made sense and spent where it mattered. Updates like better storage, modern finishes, and layout tweaks made the kitchen feel new again.

The end result? A space that fits her routine, works better day to day, and still came in under the cost of a full renovation. It’s a great example of how to approach a kitchen remodel on a budget—smart choices, not shortcuts.