What Is Included in a Whole House Renovation? (Orlando Homeowner FAQ 2026)
- Brad Prince
- Jun 25
- 6 min read
A whole house renovation in Orlando, FL typically includes kitchen remodeling, bathroom renovations, flooring replacement, interior painting, electrical system updates, plumbing updates, HVAC servicing or replacement, window and door replacement, and interior trim work. The exact scope depends on the home's condition and the homeowner's goals. Whole house renovation costs in Orlando range from $80,000 to $350,000+.
The question of what is included in a whole house renovation in Orlando comes up most often when homeowners are deciding between renovating their current home and buying a new one. Understanding the full scope of what a whole house renovation actually covers helps you compare both options fairly and make the decision that's right for your situation.
What Does a Whole House Renovation Include in Orlando, FL?
A whole house renovation covers every interior space and system in the home. Here is what a complete scope typically includes, broken down by category:
Kitchen Remodeling
The kitchen is almost always a central component of a whole house renovation in Orlando. This includes complete cabinet replacement or refacing, countertop replacement with quartz, quartzite, or granite, new flooring, updated lighting fixtures including pendants and under-cabinet LEDs, new plumbing fixtures and sink, appliance replacement, and backsplash tile installation. For older Orlando homes, a kitchen renovation often includes removing a wall to open the layout to the main living area.
Bathroom Renovations
A whole house renovation typically covers all bathrooms in the home, not just the master. This includes new tile in showers and on floors, vanity and fixture replacement, toilet replacement, updated lighting, and in the primary bathroom, often a full shower rebuild or soaking tub installation. Older Orlando homes built in the 1970s through 1990s frequently have outdated plumbing in bathrooms that requires upgrading during a whole house renovation.
Flooring
Flooring replacement throughout the home is one of the most impactful elements of a whole house renovation for both visual transformation and durability. Popular flooring choices in Orlando whole house renovations include large-format porcelain tile for main living areas and bathrooms, luxury vinyl plank (LVP) for bedrooms and secondary spaces, and hardwood in higher-end homes. Consistent flooring throughout the home significantly improves the sense of flow and space.
Interior Painting
Complete interior painting covers walls, ceilings, trim, doors, and in some cases cabinetry. In a whole house renovation, painting is typically the last major trade to complete before final walkthrough. Choosing a cohesive color palette across the entire home before renovation begins ensures that paint, cabinetry, flooring, and fixtures work together rather than competing.
Electrical Updates
Whole house renovations in older Orlando homes often uncover electrical systems that no longer meet current Florida Building Code requirements. Electrical scope in a whole house renovation can include panel upgrades to support modern appliances and HVAC systems, addition of new circuits for kitchen appliances and bathroom ventilation, GFCI outlet installation in kitchens and bathrooms, new recessed lighting throughout, and updated switches and outlets to match new finishes.
Plumbing Updates
Plumbing scope depends heavily on the age and condition of the home. Orlando homes built before 1990 may have galvanized or polybutylene plumbing that benefits from full replacement during a whole house renovation. Standard plumbing scope includes new fixtures in all kitchens and bathrooms, water heater replacement, and any necessary supply or drain line updates identified during the pre-construction assessment.
HVAC
A whole house renovation is an ideal time to address HVAC performance, since walls are open for other trades. Scope may include ductwork inspection and replacement where needed, air handler or full system replacement if the unit is aging, addition of zones for improved efficiency in larger homes, and attic insulation upgrades that directly impact HVAC efficiency in Florida's climate.
Windows and Doors
Window and door replacement is a common component of whole house renovations in older Orlando homes. Impact-resistant windows provide storm protection and significant energy savings in Central Florida. Updated interior doors, hardware, and trim throughout the home complement the new finishes and give the home a cohesive updated appearance from room to room.
What Is the Difference Between a Whole House Renovation and a Remodel in Orlando?
In everyday usage, renovation and remodel are used interchangeably in the Orlando market. The technical distinction: a renovation restores or updates an existing space without changing its fundamental structure or layout. A remodel changes the structure, layout, or function of a space. A whole house renovation may include remodeling elements, such as opening walls to create an open-concept layout, in addition to cosmetic and systems updates throughout the home.
Scope Element | Renovation | Remodel |
Paint, flooring, fixtures | Yes | Yes |
Cabinet replacement | Yes | Yes |
Layout changes | No | Yes |
Wall removal | No | Yes |
Structural modification | No | Yes |
Permit requirement | Sometimes | Always |
Royal Lyon builds whole house renovation projects that include both renovation and remodel elements, coordinated under one contract and one construction timeline.
How Much Does a Whole House Renovation Cost in Orlando, FL?
Whole house renovation costs in Orlando depend on the size of the home, the condition of existing systems, and the finish level chosen. Here are the general ranges:
Home Size | Renovation Scope | Estimated Cost (Orlando 2026) |
1,200 to 1,800 sq ft | Cosmetic + systems updates | $80,000 to $150,000 |
1,800 to 2,500 sq ft | Mid-range full renovation | $120,000 to $220,000 |
2,500 to 3,500 sq ft | Premium full renovation | $180,000 to $300,000 |
3,500+ sq ft | Luxury full renovation | $250,000 to $350,000+ |
The biggest cost drivers in a whole house renovation are kitchen and bathroom scope, structural changes including wall removal, the condition of existing electrical and plumbing systems, and finish level selections for cabinetry, countertops, and flooring.
How Long Does a Whole House Renovation Take in Orlando?
A whole house renovation in Orlando typically takes 4 to 12 months from contract signing to final walkthrough. The timeline breaks down as follows:
Pre-construction (4 to 8 weeks): scope finalization, material selections, permit submission to Orange County Building Services, and material ordering. These phases run simultaneously to reduce total pre-construction time.
Demolition (1 to 2 weeks): full interior demo including existing cabinetry, flooring, fixtures, and any walls identified for removal in the structural plan.
Rough work (2 to 6 weeks): structural framing, electrical rough-in, plumbing rough-in, HVAC ductwork. All trades coordinated sequentially to avoid conflicts.
Inspections: rough work inspections are scheduled with Orange County Building Services at specific milestones. Royal Lyon manages inspection scheduling on every project.
Finish work (6 to 16 weeks depending on scope): drywall, flooring, cabinetry, countertops, tile, fixtures, painting, trim, appliances, hardware.
Final walkthrough and punch list (1 to 2 weeks): final county inspection, any remaining items resolved, and client walkthrough.
Do Whole House Renovations Require Permits in Orlando?
Yes. Any whole house renovation that includes electrical work, plumbing modifications, HVAC work, or structural changes requires permits from Orange County Building Services or the City of Orlando Building Division. In practice, virtually every whole house renovation requires permits because the scope almost always includes at least electrical and plumbing updates.
Royal Lyon manages the complete permit process on every whole house renovation, including permit application preparation and submission, scheduling and attending all required inspections, and permit closeout at project completion. Homeowners never need to contact a building department directly.
Frequently Asked Questions: Whole House Renovation in Orlando
What is included in a whole house renovation in Orlando, FL?
A whole house renovation in Orlando typically includes kitchen remodeling, bathroom renovations in all bathrooms, flooring replacement throughout the home, interior painting, electrical system updates, plumbing updates, HVAC servicing or replacement, and window and door replacement. The exact scope depends on the home's age, condition, and the homeowner's goals.
Is it worth doing a whole house renovation in Orlando?
For homeowners who love their neighborhood and lot but need their home to match their current lifestyle and quality expectations, a whole house renovation in Orlando typically delivers strong value. It avoids the transaction costs of buying and selling, eliminates the need to compete in a tight housing market, and allows full customization of finishes and layout.
How do I prepare for a whole house renovation in Orlando?
Start by identifying which spaces are the highest priority and what functional changes you want, such as open-concept layout, additional bathrooms, or a new primary suite. Establish your budget range before meeting with contractors. Arrange alternative living accommodations for at least the first 4 to 8 weeks of construction, when the home is most disrupted. Royal Lyon walks every client through a pre-construction planning process before breaking ground.
Can I stay in my home during a whole house renovation in Orlando?
For full gut renovations, most homeowners arrange temporary housing for the first 4 to 8 weeks while demolition and rough work are completed. For phased renovations where one section of the home is finished before another begins, staying in the home is possible but disruptive. Royal Lyon discusses the specific living situation with every whole house renovation client during the consultation phase.
How do I get a quote for a whole house renovation in Orlando?
Call Royal Lyon Construction at (407) 509-5681 to schedule a free in-home consultation. We assess the full scope of your home, discuss your goals and priorities, and provide a detailed written proposal with fixed pricing, timeline, and scope before any work begins. License CBC1269087. Serving Orlando, Maitland, Winter Park, Winter Garden, Dr. Phillips, Oviedo, Longwood and all of Central Florida.
CONTACT US
Royal Lyon Construction
350 Markham Woods Road, Longwood, FL 32779
(407) 509-5681
License #CBC1269087
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