Orlando & Central Florida Guide - Winter Garden • Windermere • Lake Nona • Kissimmee • Clermont • Lake Mary• Clermont

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If you’re in Orlando (or nearby areas like Winter Garden, Lake Nona, MetroWest, Clermont, Lake Mary, Longwood or Kissimmee), you’ve probably seen endless ads for “fast kitchen remodels” and “low-cost upgrades.”

A kitchen remodel can absolutely transform your home, but when the wrong crew is hired, problems show up fast: crooked cabinets, uneven countertops, bad outlets placement, messy paint lines, leaks inside the wall, and delays that turn a “two-week job” into a two-month headache.

This article isn’t about telling you to hire the most expensive company in town. It’s about understanding what can happen when a remodeling crew cuts critical corners just to hit a low price or a tight schedule.

In this guide, we’ll walk through 7 common mistakes corner-cutting contractors make on kitchen remodels in Central Florida, and how to avoid them when you’re hiring a kitchen remodeling company near you.

Get a free kitchen remodeling estimate in Orlando and Central Florida today.

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1. Starting Demo Without a Clear Scope (and Written Plan)

One of the biggest remodel mistakes happens before the first cabinet is removed: rushing into demo without a clear, written scope.

What this looks like in real life

• “We’ll figure it out as we go” (then the budget keeps changing)
• Missing details like where fillers, crown, end panels, and toe kicks will go
• No plan for appliance clearances, vent hood requirements, or pantry layout
• Surprise add-ons that weren’t included in the original estimate

A good kitchen remodeling company should be able to explain the scope clearly, in writing, what’s included, what’s excluded, allowances, timeline, and how change orders are handled.

What a good kitchen remodeling company does

• Provides a detailed proposal (not a one-line quote)
• Confirms layout, materials, and lead times before demo
• Explains allowances (cabinets, countertops, fixtures) so you can compare quotes fairly

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2. Poor Layout Planning (That Creates Daily Frustration)

In Orlando homes, especially older layouts or tight kitchens in MetroWest and parts of Kissimmee, layout decisions matter more than people think.

Common layout mistakes

• Dishwasher door blocking a walkway
• Range too close to a corner (pan handles hit the wall)
• No landing space next to the fridge or cooktop
• Wrong island size (looks good, functions poorly)
• Not planning where trash pull-out, outlets, and lighting should be

What a good kitchen remodeling company does

• Plans clearances for appliances and traffic flow
• Checks door swings, drawer access, and countertop landing zones
• Helps you prioritize function first, then aesthetics

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3. Electrical Shortcuts (Outlets, GFCI, Lighting, and Safety)

Kitchen electrical work is not the place for shortcuts. Bad wiring, missing GFCI protection, or poorly planned lighting can become a safety issue and an inspection problem.

Common consequences

• Outlets placed where you can’t use them (or not enough outlets)
• GFCI/AFCI issues that fail inspection
• Under-cabinet lighting that looks “patchy” or is poorly switched
• Microwave/range circuits done incorrectly

What a good kitchen remodeling company does

• Plans outlets and lighting based on how you actually use the kitchen
• Uses licensed trades when required
• Coordinates rough-in timing so walls aren’t opened twice

If you’re also planning to update your bathroom, (Click here to learn more about our Bathroom Remodel services in Orlando.)

Get a free kitchen remodeling estimate in Orlando and Central Florida today.

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4. Cabinets Installed Out of Level (Then Everything Else Looks Wrong).

If cabinets aren’t leveled and properly anchored, everything that follows becomes harder: countertops won’t sit right, doors won’t align, reveals will look off, and you’ll notice it every day.

Red flags

• Visible gaps at the wall with no clean scribe/filler plan
• Upper cabinets not aligned in a straight line
• Pantry and fridge panels not plumb
• Shims exposed or “hidden” with sloppy trim

What a good kitchen remodeling company does

• Levels base cabinets correctly before countertop templating
• Anchors cabinets properly into studs
• Uses clean fillers/scribes for a finished, built-in look

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5. Countertop Problems: Rushing the Template or Ignoring Support Needs

Countertops are one of the biggest-ticket parts of a kitchen remodel. When the prep isn’t right, you end up with seams in bad spots, overhang issues, or even cracking later.

Common consequences

• Seams placed in the most visible area
• Overhang not supported correctly (especially on islands)
• Backsplash gaps because walls weren’t corrected
• Sink cutout problems and faucet clearance issues

What a good kitchen remodeling company does

• Waits to template until cabinets are properly installed and stable
• Plans seams strategically and explains why
• Ensures support for overhangs and heavy tops (like quartz)

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6. Skipping Proper Wall Prep and Paint Protection

A kitchen remodel isn’t finished when cabinets are up. The final look depends heavily on wall prep, clean paint lines, and protection of surfaces during install.

What rushed crews often do

• Patch walls quickly without smoothing and blending
• Paint after cabinet install with sloppy cut-ins
• Overspray/dust on new cabinets, floors, or countertops
• Leave caulk lines messy or unpainted

What a good kitchen remodeling company does

• Protects floors and finished surfaces the right way
• Preps walls properly (patch, sand, prime where needed)
• Delivers clean caulk lines and sharp, professional paint work

If you’re also planning a full interior refresh, (Click here to learn more about our Interior Painting services in Orlando.)
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7. No Real Timeline, Communication, or Warranty in Writing

Finally, one of the most expensive “mistakes” isn’t visible on day one, it’s the lack of a real plan, communication, and written warranty.

Some remodel crews

• Give vague timelines with no milestone expectations
• Don’t communicate lead times (cabinets, countertops, tile, fixtures)
• Don’t specify what’s included (demo, disposal, permits, protection, finish work)
• Offer a “warranty” that disappears when a problem shows up

What a good kitchen remodeling company does

• Sets clear expectations (timeline, phases, and what causes delays)
• Documents scope, exclusions, and how change orders work
• Stands behind the workmanship with a written warranty

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How to Choose the Right Kitchen Remodeling Company Near You in Orlando

When you compare quotes in Orlando, Winter Garden, Lake Nona, MetroWest, Clermont, Lake Mary, Longwood or Kissimmee, don’t look only at the final number. Ask questions like:

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• How do you handle scope changes and change orders?
• Who does the plumbing/electrical work, and will it pass inspection?
• How do you protect the home during demo and install?
• Do you provide a timeline with phases and milestones?
• What exactly is included (demo, disposal, protection, trim, paint touch-ups)?
• What does your workmanship warranty cover, and for how long?

A professional company can answer those questions clearly without getting defensive or trying to rush you.

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A kitchen remodel is one of the biggest upgrades you can do, and the quality of the work matters just as much as the materials. Across Orlando and Central Florida, we see the difference every week between remodels that were rushed and remodels that were planned and executed correctly from day one.

At Allforliz, we:

• Review your kitchen scope and priorities before demo
• Coordinate trades and keep the jobsite organized
• Focus on clean finishing details that actually elevate the final result
• Provide clear, detailed estimates and stand behind our work

If you’re planning a kitchen remodel and want it done the right way:

Get a free kitchen remodeling estimate in Orlando and Central Florida today.

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‍‍Allforliz • Licensed & Insured • Remodeling & Painting in Orlando & Central Florida