South Florida / Gold Building Group
Whole-Home Renovation in South Florida
Complete home renovations in Boca Raton, Wellington, Parkland, Hollywood and Sunny Isles Beach, planned, permitted and built by one licensed team.
What a Whole-Home Renovation Includes
A whole-home renovation updates your layout, finishes and building systems in one coordinated project. Doing it all at once costs less than renovating room by room, because walls, floors and ceilings are opened only once.
- Layout changes: removing or moving walls, with engineering for load-bearing walls
- Kitchens and bathrooms: new cabinetry, countertops, tile, fixtures and appliances
- Interior finishes: flooring, drywall, doors, trim, paint and lighting
- Electrical: panel upgrades, rewiring, added circuits and lighting plans
- Plumbing: repiping and replacement of old cast iron drain lines
- HVAC: new equipment and ductwork sized to the renovated layout
- Impact windows and doors: hurricane-rated openings with the right approvals for your county
- Exterior: stucco repair, paint, roofing coordination and entry upgrades
Signs Your Home Is Ready for a Full Renovation
- Your home was built before the 1990s and still has original plumbing, wiring or windows.
- Several rooms need updating, not just one.
- The layout no longer works, such as a closed kitchen or too few bathrooms.
- Your insurer is asking about your roof, windows or electrical panel.
- You bought a home to renovate before moving in.
The 50% Rule: What South Florida Homeowners Need to Know
If your home is in a FEMA flood zone, the size of your renovation budget matters. When the cost of improvements reaches 50% or more of the building's market value (not counting the land), the whole home must be brought up to current flood requirements. That can mean elevating the home or relocating equipment above flood level.
Some cities also add up improvements over several years. We check your flood zone and your home's building value before design starts, so your scope is planned around the rule rather than stopped by it at plan review.
How Much Does a Whole-Home Renovation Cost in South Florida?
| Scope | Typical cost per sq ft | What it usually covers |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic renovation | $150–$200 | New finishes throughout, same layout, minor system updates |
| Mid-level renovation | $200–$300 | New kitchen and baths, flooring, some layout changes and system upgrades |
| Full gut renovation | $300–$450+ | New layout, all new systems, impact windows and doors, high-end finishes |
What moves the price most:
- Wall removal and structural engineering
- Replacing plumbing, electrical and HVAC
- Impact windows and doors
- Finish level: cabinetry, stone, tile and fixtures
- Flood zone requirements under the 50% rule
- HOA rules on work hours, materials and exterior changes
You receive a written, line-item proposal before any work starts.
How Long Does a Whole-Home Renovation Take?
| Phase | Typical duration |
|---|---|
| Design and selections | 4–8 weeks |
| HOA approval and permitting | 6–12 weeks, depending on the city |
| Construction | 4–9 months |
Ordering long-lead items early, such as impact windows, cabinetry and stone, is the biggest factor in keeping the schedule.
Permits and Codes by County
| County | Cities we serve | What applies |
|---|---|---|
| Palm Beach | Boca Raton, Wellington | Florida Building Code, wind-borne debris protection for openings, Florida Product Approval. Most communities require HOA or architectural review approval first. |
| Broward | Parkland, Hollywood | High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ). Windows, doors and roofing need Miami-Dade NOA or HVHZ-rated Florida Product Approval. Flood zone rules apply in many coastal areas. |
| Miami-Dade | Sunny Isles Beach | HVHZ with Miami-Dade NOA product approvals. Most residences are condos; see our Condo Renovations page. |
Each city runs its own building department. We prepare the drawings, submit the permits, schedule every inspection and close them out.
Can You Live at Home During the Renovation?
For a cosmetic or phased renovation, often yes. We sequence the work room by room, seal off work areas and keep one bathroom and a working kitchen area running. For a full gut with new plumbing, electrical and HVAC, most families move out for the construction phase. We give you a clear answer at the proposal stage so you can plan.
Why Homeowners Choose Gold Building Group
- One contract, one team: design coordination, permits and every trade under a single licensed contractor
- Commercial-grade project management: written schedules, regular updates and one point of contact from estimate to final walkthrough
- Code and flood expertise: HVHZ, product approvals and the 50% rule handled before they become problems
- Insurance know-how: our team includes a licensed all-lines adjuster, which helps on storm-hardening and insurance-related work
- Licensed and insured: Florida CGC 1540548, verifiable on the DBPR website
Our Process
Consultation
we walk the home, discuss your goals and review your budget.
Design and proposal
you receive a written scope, line-item pricing and a timeline.
Approvals and permits
we handle HOA submittals, drawings and permit applications.
Construction
managed crews, a posted schedule and regular progress updates.
Final walkthrough
inspections closed out, punch list completed, handover.
Your questions, answered
Whole-Home Renovation FAQ
How much does a whole-home renovation cost in South Florida?
Most range from $150 to $450 per square foot. A cosmetic update sits at the low end, and a full gut with new systems and impact windows sits at the high end. We provide a written line-item proposal after the consultation.
How long does a whole-home renovation take?
Plan on 4–9 months of construction, plus 2–5 months for design, HOA approval and permits. Larger homes and full guts take longer.
Do I need a permit for a home renovation in Florida?
Yes, for structural, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, window, door and roofing work. Cosmetic work such as painting usually doesn't need one. We pull and close out all permits.
Can I stay in my home during the renovation?
For cosmetic or phased work, usually yes. For a full gut with new plumbing, electrical and HVAC, most families move out during construction.
What is the FEMA 50% rule?
In a flood zone, if improvements cost 50% or more of the building's market value, the home must meet current flood requirements. That can include elevation. We check this before design starts.
Do you handle HOA approvals?
Yes. We prepare the drawings, product specifications and contractor documents your HOA or architectural review board requires.
Can you work with my architect or interior designer?
Yes. We build from your designer's plans, or we coordinate the design for you.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. Gold Building Group holds Florida Certified General Contractor license CGC 1540548, which you can verify on the Florida DBPR website. We carry general liability and workers' compensation insurance.
Your next step
Plan Your Whole-Home Renovation
Tell us about your home and what you want to change. We'll walk the property, review your budget and give you a clear scope and timeline.
Contact Gold Building Group →