Home Renovation Cost · Miami · 2026
Per-square-foot ranges by scope, a phase-by-phase breakdown, the renovate-vs-build question, and the Miami factors most calculators miss — from a licensed general contractor.
The short answer: a whole-home renovation in Miami typically runs $150 to $500 per square foot depending on scope, so a 2,500 sq ft home generally costs $375K to $1.25M — with luxury full-gut renovations reaching $500–$800+ per square foot. A full gut (down to the studs, new everything) sits at the top of that range; a cosmetic refresh is a fraction of it.
Below is how those numbers break down by scope, where the budget goes phase by phase, when renovating beats building new, and the Miami-specific factors that drive the total.
By scope
Ranges reflect the Miami-Dade / Broward market in 2026 and assume permitted, licensed work. Scope, finish level, and the condition of the existing home drive the number.
Where the money goes
On a typical Miami full-gut renovation, the budget splits roughly like this:
Kitchens and bathrooms carry the most cost per square foot in any home, so a renovation's total swings heavily on how many of them you're rebuilding and to what level.
Renovate vs. build
A cosmetic-to-mid renovation is almost always cheaper than building new. But once a full gut reaches roughly 60–70% of new-construction cost, building new — or a teardown-rebuild — often wins on long-term value: FEMA elevation, current hurricane code, all-new systems, and no surprises behind the walls. When it's a close call, we cost both scenarios so you can compare honestly. See our cost to build a house in Miami guide for the other side of that math.
Miami factors
Much of Miami's stock is older, with cast-iron drains, cloth wiring, and undersized panels behind the walls. A gut renovation usually means new MEP throughout. Our 3D LiDAR scan surfaces these before contract, not mid-project.
Substantial renovations require full Miami-Dade permitting. If the work exceeds 50% of the structure's value in a flood zone, FEMA rules can require bringing the whole home up to current elevation and code — a major cost trigger to plan for.
Renovations that touch exterior openings trigger Miami-Dade's High-Velocity Hurricane Zone requirements — impact-rated windows and doors, which are a significant line item on any whole-home scope.
Whole-condo renovations bring association approval, insurance requirements, work-hour limits, and freight-elevator coordination — all of which affect schedule and cost in Miami's condo-heavy market.
Common questions
Related
Our full-gut renovation service — every system, coordinated and permitted.
The build-new comparison, if a gut reno is close to new-construction cost.
When demolishing and rebuilding beats renovating.
Skip the calculator. We'll scan your home, review the scope, and give you a fixed, engineered estimate — including a renovate-vs-build comparison if it's close.
