Looking for answers about your upcoming kitchen or bath remodel? You’ve come to the right place. Our remodeling FAQ covers everything you need to know about our proven process, from project timelines to premium material selections. Browse the FAQ below to feel confident in your next custom bathroom or kitchen upgrade, and contact our experienced local contractors today if you need personalized advice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Kitchen & Bath Remodel Services
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR SERVICES, PROCESSES, AND HOW WE MAKE YOUR HOME BETTER
How much will a complete kitchen or bathroom remodel cost in Jacksonville?
Total renovation costs depend on the square footage of the space, material grades selected, and the structural scope of work. Empire Kitchen and Bath provides a realistic budget range during your initial in-home design consultation to ensure project goals align with expectations before moving into the 3D rendering phase. Changing the room layout—such as removing walls, re-routing plumbing, or adding electrical circuits—will increase overall labor and material investments.
Does Empire Kitchen and Bath sell standalone products like cabinet doors or countertops only?
No. Empire operates strictly under a turnkey, complete remodeling model. Premium materials—including custom cabinetry, quartz countertops, specialty tile, and flooring—are procured and installed exclusively as integrated components of full design-to-build kitchen, bathroom, or master suite packages. Standalone or à la carte material sales are deliberately excluded.
What specific services and expenses are included in my remodeling estimate?
Empire’s comprehensive project estimates include all demolition, framing, plumbing and electrical rough-ins, materials, installation labor, and project management. A designer visits your home to measure the layout, evaluate existing structural conditions, and outline the complete scope in a written proposal.
Do you offer in-house financing for kitchen and bath projects?
Empire does not offer in-house financing directly. Homeowners typically fund their renovations through a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC), Home Equity Loan, Cash-Out Refinance, or Personal Loan via their preferred financial institution.
How long does a full kitchen, bathroom, or flooring renovation take to complete?
While timelines vary by square footage and material availability, typical construction durations are:
- Bathroom Remodels: 3–4 weeks.
- Kitchen Remodels: 3–4 weeks, with projects structured to reach 90% completion within four weeks.
- Whole-Home Flooring: 2–3 weeks depending on total square footage.
What is the standard order of construction during a remodel?
To guarantee structural integrity, Empire follows a structured 10-step sequence:
- Demolition and debris removal
- Structural framing and beam installation
- Plumbing and electrical rough-ins
- Drywall repair and subfloor preparation
- Flooring installation
- Cabinetry installation
- Countertop templating and installation
- Painting and trim moulding
- Plumbing and electrical finish trim work
- Final punch list testing and deep cleanup
Do I need to be at home while the remodeling crew is working?
No. Many clients maintain their daily work and family routines while construction is underway. Empire provides a secure on-site lockbox for home access, and the in-house crew maintains a clean, organized, and trustworthy job site every day.
Can I see a 3D visualization of my new kitchen or bathroom before work begins?
Yes. Empire’s staff designers utilize ProKitchen 3D software in their Shad Road showroom to generate detailed spatial renderings. This software allows designers to program exact wall clearances, calculate filler strips, map cabinet door swings, and align complex stone veining before any demolition begins.
Who provides the appliances, plumbing fixtures, and decorative items?
Empire procures and installs all core structural finishes—including cabinetry, stone countertops, tile, cabinet hardware, and sinks. Homeowners are responsible for purchasing and supplying their own appliances, plumbing fixtures (faucets/shower valves), mirrors, and decorative lighting fixtures.
Where are materials delivered and stored before installation day?
Homeowner-purchased appliances, plumbing valves, mirrors, and light fixtures must be delivered directly to the home prior to demolition day. Empire-supplied cabinetry, quartz slabs, and tile are delivered directly to Empire’s local showroom for staging and quality inspection before being transported to the site.
What is the advantage of hiring a general contractor over a retail cabinet showroom?
Unlike retail showrooms that outsource projects to unvetted third-party subcontractors, Empire is an actual licensed remodeling firm backed by over 22 years of hands-on experience. Owners Jacek (Jack) and Ewa lead the business, while master carpenters Jack and Severin physically perform and oversee the work on site to ensure high-end craftsmanship.
Who handles the plumbing and electrical work for layout changes?
Empire partners with dedicated, licensed plumbing and electrical trade crews on a regular basis. Using trusted trade partners allows Empire to coordinate daily schedules efficiently without stalling project momentum.
Will my Jacksonville kitchen or bath remodel require building permits?
Permits are required when a project involves removing or relocating walls, installing structural load-bearing beams, replacing windows, or making major plumbing and electrical modifications. Empire handles local City of Jacksonville permitting requirements as part of your overall contract.
What are Empire’s cabinets made of, and what brands do you supply?
Empire offers solid wood and high-grade plywood cabinet lines featuring dovetailed drawer boxes and 6-way soft-close hardware. Authorized brands include:
- Custom & Semi-Custom: Tedd Wood (featuring 3/4-inch multi-layer veneer plywood boxes), Designer’s Choice, Landmark, Fabuwood (1/2-inch select plywood boxes), and Prodigy (Euro-style frameless).
- Stock & Value Lines: Kitchen Cabinet Distributors (KCD), US Depot, and Modern Cabinetry.
What quartz and stone countertop brands are available?
Empire supplies non-porous engineered quartz brands including Cambria Quartz, Pompeii Quartz, and Terry Stone:
- Cambria Quartz: Manufactured in the USA, NSF-certified for food safety, non-porous, and backed by a Full Lifetime Limited Warranty.
- Pompeii Quartz: Non-porous composite consisting of 93% natural quartz aggregates bound with structural polyester resins, available in 2cm and 3cm slab profiles.
How should I clean and protect my new quartz countertops?
Clean quartz surfaces daily using a soft cotton cloth or non-abrasive sponge with warm water and mild soap. Never use bleach, oven cleaners, hydrofluoric acid, pumice pads, or abrasive scrubbers, as they permanently etch the resin finish. Always use trivets or hot pads under hot cookware to prevent thermal shock cracks.
What flooring and tile materials does Empire install?
Empire installs heavy-duty Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) (Happy Feet, Parkay featuring 12mil to 22mil wear layers), engineered hardwood (Hallmark, Parkay), porcelain/ceramic tile (Tesoro, Happy Floors, Daltile, Soci, Elysium), and exotic natural stone (Zen Paradise river pebble mosaics).
Does natural river pebble shower flooring require special maintenance?
Yes. Natural stone pebble tiles (such as Zen Paradise) are porous and must be sealed with a breathable stone sealer before grouting and resealed every 12 to 24 months. Because Jacksonville municipal groundwater contains high calcium and iron concentrations, installing a whole-house water softener prevents white efflorescence scale from dulling natural stone tones.
How does Jacksonville’s humid coastal climate impact material selection and installation?
Northeast Florida’s environment requires localized structural precautions:
- Cabinet Acclimation: Due to high indoor humidity, wood cabinetry must acclimate inside the climate-controlled residence under active HVAC for 48 to 72 hours prior to installation to prevent door shifting.
- Concrete Vapor Barriers: Ground-level concrete slabs in Duval County pass significant moisture vapor; LVP installed over slabs requires a continuous 6-mil polyethylene vapor barrier film to prevent alkaline moisture from degrading click-lock joints.
- UV Protection: Quartz countertops installed near open-concept sunrooms must avoid direct UV paths to prevent resin yellowing.
How are material warranties handled, and what happens if I want to change something during construction?
- Warranties: Cabinetry is covered against manufacturing defects under manufacturer warranties ranging from 5-Year Limited to Limited Lifetime. Countertops feature manufacturer warranties up to Limited Lifetime or 15 years.
- Change Orders: All design selections and details are finalized before construction to minimize changes. If additional work or design modifications are requested after contract signing, Empire provides a written change order for homeowner approval prior to executing the new work.
Are You Ready To Start Your Project?
You dream It, we'll build It.
Ready to work with real builders who take personal pride in every joint, seam, and cabinet level? Schedule your design consultation today and let Jack, Ewa, and the Empire crew bring your vision to life.