Frequently Asked Questions - Construction in Miami, FL
We've been building and remodeling in Miami since 2007. Here are the questions we hear most often, answered with the specifics you'd need to make a decision.
Pricing & Cost FAQs
A mid-range kitchen remodel in Miami typically runs $35,000-$75,000, while upscale projects with custom cabinetry and stone surfaces can reach $90,000-$150,000. Material costs here run about 12% above the national average due to shipping and humidity-grade specifications. We quote every job in writing before we start, under Haven Standard Clause 1. Call (786) 321-4970 for a free, line-item estimate.
Bathroom renovations in Miami Beach and Coral Gables generally fall between $18,000 and $45,000 for a full gut-and-rebuild with waterproofing upgrades. Coastal properties in Key Biscayne often need additional moisture barriers and corrosion-resistant fasteners, which add $2,000-$5,000. We itemize every line so you see where the money goes. Call (786) 321-4970 to schedule your free estimate.
Miami's costs reflect higher material transport fees, stricter wind-load building codes post-Hurricane Andrew, and specialized labor for concrete block and impact-rated installations. Permitting in Miami-Dade also involves more review cycles than Broward or Palm Beach counties. We build these factors into our written quotes so the final number stays within a few percent of what we agreed on.
No. Our fixed-scope contracts include a signed change order before any additional work proceeds. This is the administrative habit that kept Rowan Construction Group accurate through the 2007 downturn and every cycle since. If we find hidden damage, we document it with photos, quote the repair, and wait for your signed approval. No surprises.
Yes. We pull all required permits and schedule inspections as part of our scope. In Miami-Dade, this includes building, electrical, and plumbing permits where applicable, plus the mandatory final inspection. The permit fees appear as a line item in your written quote. We handle the paperwork and coordinate with Miami-Dade County inspectors so you don't wait on hold.
Service & Process FAQs
A 400-square-foot addition in Miami takes 10-14 weeks from permit approval to final inspection, assuming standard wood-frame construction on stable soil. Miami's limestone bedrock can require specialized foundations in areas like Coral Gables or South Miami, adding 1-2 weeks. We provide a written schedule with your quote and text updates when milestones hit.
We arrive in a named window, inspect the space, take photos and measurements, and discuss your priorities. Within 48 hours, you receive a written quote with line-item pricing, a scope summary, and our warranty terms. There's no deposit required to receive the quote. We work Monday through Friday 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM, Saturday and Sunday 7:30 AM - 8:00 PM.
Yes. We've completed projects in the Coral Gables Historic District and Miami Shores, where we coordinate with the local historic preservation board for exterior alterations. These projects require additional review cycles, which we build into the timeline. Our crews understand original plaster, Dade County pine, and other period materials common in these neighborhoods.
We can execute from your architect's plans or recommend designers we've worked with in Miami. For projects under 500 square feet without structural changes, our in-house drafting often suffices for permit submission. For larger projects or structural modifications in areas like Westchester or Olympia Heights, we partner with licensed structural engineers. We tell you which path fits your project during the first visit.
We work throughout Miami-Dade County, including Brownsville, Miami Beach, Miami Springs, Key Biscayne, Miami Shores, South Miami, Coral Gables, Westchester, Olympia Heights, Hialeah, and North Miami. Our crews live in these neighborhoods, which means we understand local soil conditions, HOA requirements, and permit office procedures for each municipality.
Brands & Parts FAQs
We specify Delta and American Standard fixtures for most Miami projects because their ceramic disc cartridges withstand our higher mineral content better than standard compression valves. For master baths in Coral Gables or Key Biscayne, we often propose Toto toilets with their Tornado Flush system, which uses less water while handling our low-flow pressure variations. Every fixture brand appears in your written quote with model numbers.
We install Schluter shower systems as our standard in Miami bathrooms. The Schluter-KERDI membrane creates a bonded waterproofing layer behind the tile, critical in our humidity where vapor drive is constant. In oceanfront properties from Miami Beach to Key Biscayne, we add Schluter-DITRA under floor tile to uncouple the installation from slab movement. We photograph every waterproofing layer before tile goes up.
You can, but we warranty our workmanship only on materials we source and verify. When homeowners supply fixtures or tile, we note it in writing and exclude those items from our workmanship guarantee. Our trade pricing on Delta, American Standard, Toto, and Schluter products often matches or beats retail, and we handle warranty registration directly with the manufacturer.
Licensing & Insurance FAQs
Every pro working under our name is required to hold the license and insurance their state requires. We maintain active Florida contractor licensing and general liability coverage. License numbers appear on every written quote and contract. We're happy to provide certificates of insurance directly to your HOA or lender upon request.
Require general liability, workers' compensation, and builder's risk coverage. In Florida, unlicensed contractors leave homeowners exposed to injury lawsuits and code violation penalties. We carry all three, and we name you as additional insured on builder's risk policies for major additions. Ask any contractor for documentation before work begins.
Yes. Many of our field supervisors and project coordinators are bilingual, which matters in Miami's construction market where trade communication often moves between English and Spanish. Your written quote, contract, and warranty documents are in English, but site communication adapts to your preference.
Emergency & Response FAQs
True emergencies involve structural compromise, active water intrusion, or safety hazards like compromised electrical service. A failing roof deck during hurricane season, a collapsed ceiling from water damage, or exposed wiring after a storm qualifies. Planned remodels and installations do not. Our hours are Monday through Friday 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM, Saturday and Sunday 7:30 AM - 8:00 PM. For emergencies during these hours, we prioritize existing clients and assess same-day when possible.
Stop work and call us. Disturbing mold without containment spreads spores through your HVAC system. We document the affected area with photos, bring in a certified remediation specialist if the area exceeds 10 square feet, and modify the scope with a signed change order before proceeding. In Miami's climate, we see this most often in bathrooms and exterior walls in older homes from Hialeah to North Miami.
We assess structural integrity first, then document everything for insurance with photos and written findings. We tarp and secure the property, then quote permanent repairs with line-item pricing. Our crews understand Miami-Dade's wind-load requirements and install impact-rated materials where code requires. We do not promise same-day response, but we prioritize hurricane damage during business hours and coordinate with your adjuster.
Warranty & Guarantees FAQs
Every project carries a written workmanship warranty, with terms spelled out in your contract before work begins. The Haven Standard requires documented evidence on every job, photos and readings of what we actually found, so warranty claims reference specific installation conditions. We don't count how many claims we've honored. We fix what's ours to fix.
No door upsell, no scope creep, no "while we're in here" additions without a signed change order. This is Haven Standard Clause 5. If we discover unexpected conditions, we photograph them, explain the finding, quote the repair, and wait for your approval. The price you agreed to is the price you pay, within the scope we defined together.
You receive photo documentation of critical installation steps, plus inspection sign-offs where Miami-Dade requires them. For waterproofing, we show membrane coverage before tile. For electrical, we show panel connections before drywall. This evidence package belongs to you and supports any future warranty claim or home sale disclosure.
Our workmanship warranty transfers to the new owner with proper documentation. Provide them with your original contract and the evidence package we supplied. In Miami's competitive resale market, documented professional work on permitted additions and renovations adds verifiable value that unpermitted work cannot match.
Written by Grant Rowan, Owner at Rowan Construction Group Miami, serving Miami, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, and surrounding communities since 2007.
Still Have Questions?
We are happy to help. Call us - same-day and after-hours emergency service available.
(786) 321-4970