RESIDENTIAL

Renovation Plans for Florida projects

Plans for home renovations, including kitchen, bathroom and layout changes.

What the work involves

A renovation needs a clear record of what is there and what will change. Existing and proposed plans help separate work to remove, retain or rebuild. They also identify where changes to walls, fixtures or openings need input from other specialists.

The scope may include

Existing floor plan drawn from measurements
Demolition plan showing what is removed
Proposed floor plan with new dimensions
Wall removal and header details
Cabinet and countertop layout
Tile and flooring layout
Lighting and receptacle plan
Plumbing fixture plan

The final documents and any separate engineering work are confirmed with the practice before work starts.

Make the changes clear

Give the practice a room-by-room description of what you want to change and any plans or photographs you have. An existing-condition drawing helps establish the starting point; proposed and removal drawings then show the work clearly for the owner, contractor and reviewer.

Concealed framing, pipes and previous alterations can affect the design. Agree what will be measured or investigated and how discoveries during construction will be handled. A drawing visit records the agreed areas and does not establish every hidden condition.

Kitchen renovations

Describe how you cook, store food and use the room, then share the appliances and any supplier layout you are considering. The design needs to bring the working space, cabinets and appliances together with the openings, walls and services that will change.

Moving a wall or changing appliance positions can add structural, ventilation, electrical or plumbing coordination. Confirm who supplies equipment details and cabinet drawings, and what information the permit package will include. Keep finish choices separate from the work that needs design or trade documentation.

Bathroom renovations

Explain the fixtures you want, how you use the room and any accessibility priorities. Moving a toilet or shower can affect existing drains and framing; a new wet area also needs suitable waterproofing and ventilation details within the agreed scope.

Share photographs, measurements and fixture information before the layout is fixed. The practice can identify what needs investigation or specialist input. Agree who details the wet-area construction and who provides trade information for changes to the existing services.

Common project situations

Examples of where this service can help:

Kitchen and living area opened into one room
Hall bath and primary bath rebuilt together
Hall bath updated inside the same footprint
Hurricane-damaged rooms rebuilt
Laundry moved from the garage into the house
1970s plan reconfigured for a modern household

Planning the scope

These points help define the work before drawings or reports are prepared.

Existing conditions to discuss

Plaster walls over furring strips
An earlier remodel hiding a removed wall
Cast iron drain lines under a slab
Galvanized supply piping at the end of its life
Ceiling texture and trim from several different decades

Coordination with other specialists

Structural framing at removed walls
Plumbing rerouting for moved fixtures
Electrical circuits for the new layout
Mechanical work where walls or ceilings open
Cabinet and countertop fabrication
Inspections at each stage of the alteration permit

Issues that may affect review

Wall removal without confirmation of its structural role
Relocated fixtures requiring changes to supply or drainage lines
Work affecting roof framing
Earlier unpermitted alterations
Window or exterior-door changes included in the renovation

Work to discuss separately

New square footage added outside the footprint
Detached structures and outdoor rooms
Engineering of removed walls and headers
Running the construction work
Decorating and furnishing the rooms

FLORIDA PERMIT DATA

What the permit records show

Data through August 2026

Matching permits: 36,583
Median declared job value: $35,000
Middle 50% of declared values: $13.3k–$84k
Permits with a declared value: 28,934

"remodel" appears in 36,583 matching permits in the Florida records we analyzed. Declared job value is the value shown on the permit application, not a contract price, and it is based on 28,934 matching permits with a declared value.
How we count.

All remodel data

How the work progresses

Typical steps are outlined below. The practice confirms the scope and who handles each stage.

Record the existing layout and agree the intended changes. Identify the rooms and systems affected, with any measurement or investigation needed.
Develop the proposed arrangement. Review the layout and equipment choices, including kitchen or bathroom requirements, before the drawings are detailed.
Coordinate retained, removed and new work. Bring the architectural changes and relevant specialist information into the agreed set.
Issue the documents and arrange follow-up. Confirm submission, review responses and how changes arising from concealed conditions will be addressed.

Questions about this service

Do I need a permit for a kitchen remodel?

Changes to walls, plumbing, gas or electrical systems commonly require permits. A finishes-only update may be treated differently. The local building department can confirm the requirements for the proposed scope.

Can I move a wall without drawings?

Check the wall before planning its removal or relocation. Some walls carry loads or contain services, while others are partitions. The drawings and any structural assessment should establish what can change and how the work will be supported.

What drawings does a remodel permit need?

The package commonly includes existing and proposed floor plans, a demolition plan and details of the changes. Structural and building-system information may also be required. The practice confirms the documents needed for the application.

Does a bathroom remodel need a permit in Florida?

Layout changes, moved plumbing and changes to the shower or waterproofing assembly may require permits. Like-for-like work can be treated differently. Confirm the proposed work with the local building department.

What happens after I send a request?

We pass your project details to a Florida architecture practice. Discuss the scope, fees and schedule directly with the practice before deciding to proceed.

Tell us about your project

Share the location and what you have in mind. A practice can review the scope and quote the work you need.

Request a quote See coverage

Prefer to talk it through? (321) 462-5592 or ask@floridaarch.com