Document the condition
Write down what's actually driving the project — an outdated layout, tired finishes, or something genuinely broken — along with the home's age if you know it. A few photos and rough measurements make the first conversation more productive.
Read the local context
Fort Lauderdale's kitchens sit behind everything from 1920s Mediterranean Revival houses near the New River to mid-century ranches on the dredged finger-island canals and high-rise condo units along the beach. Tidal flooding shows up on some streets at the highest tides of the month, salt air and heat wear on materials faster than they would inland, and flood-zone rules follow the parcel, not the neighborhood.
Ask what will be hidden
A kitchen scope holds together when cabinetry, appliance clearances, lighting, venting, plumbing, and electrical capacity are all worked out together — before any of it gets ordered. The written scope should spell out exactly what prep and verification work disappears behind the cabinetry once the job is finished.
Compare complete scopes
Line up protection for the rest of the house, access logistics, material specs, permits, testing, cleanup, restoration, exclusions, warranty terms, and how change orders are priced.
What official local sources add
Historic preservation review, tidal and rainfall flooding, and the push toward more resilient construction all factor into how the city reviews a project — and on a canal lot, seawall condition and current flood maps matter as much as the house itself.
Reviewed June 22, 2026 — confirm current flood zone, historic-district status, and permit rules directly with the city before authorizing work.