Cost ranges by project type
Kitchen Remodel
$35K–$85K+Cosmetic refresh $15K–$30K; mid-range $35K–$55K; full gut $55K–$85K+. Most Southern California homeowners pick mid-range: new semi-custom cabinets, quartz counters, tile backsplash, new appliances.
Bathroom Remodel
$20K–$50K+Secondary bath refresh $12K–$20K; mid-range bathroom $20K–$35K; full master bath with walk-in tile shower, double vanity, custom tile $40K–$55K+. ADA upgrades add $2K–$6K.
ADU Construction
$90K–$360KJunior ADU (within existing home) $60K–$100K; garage conversion $90K–$150K; attached ADU $150K–$240K; detached ADU $225K–$340K+.
Whole-Home Renovation
$150K–$400K+Partial ($145K–$200K): kitchen + 2 baths + flooring + paint. Full ($200K–$385K+): all systems, structural, exterior.
Room Addition
$65K–$220K+Bedroom $60K–$110K; family room $85K–$160K; in-law suite $115K–$215K; second-story add $155K–$365K+.
Southern California-specific cost drivers
Mid-range kitchen remodels in Southern California typically run $35K–$55K. Premium SoCal markets (Calabasas, Sherman Oaks, Encino) trend 10–20% higher.
Cabinets (30–40% of budget). Stock $9K–$15K, semi-custom $15K–$25K, full custom $30K–$50K+. Cabinet material is the biggest single cost swing in a kitchen remodel.
Countertops (10–15%). Quartz $70–$120/sf installed. Natural stone $80–$200/sf. Waterfall edges add $600–$1,200 per side.
Layout changes. Moving plumbing $2,000–$5,000. Wall removal (structural beam) $6,000–$15,000. Older Southern California homes sometimes hide galvanized plumbing or aluminum wiring — add $3,000–$10,000 if found.
Permits — we handle them. Each city handles its own permit process. We pull permits in every Ventura County and Los Angeles County city we work in — no paperwork on your end. Permit coordination is included in every contract.
Why national calculators miss Southern California
National calculators (Homewyse, Modernize) apply a zip-code multiplier to national averages. That works if you live in the middle of the country. It fails in California where labor, material, and permit costs skew meaningfully higher. National calculators typically undershoot Southern California numbers by 15–25%.