What's the Average Cost of a Kitchen Remodel in Los Angeles?

Our pro cost estimator breaks down the various options that go into a kitchen remodel.

Kitchen Remodel by South Land Remodeling

A kitchen remodel is our clients' most common need when hiring us as their general contractor. Though it’s a popular project among homeowners, it’s also a substantial undertaking for both the GC and the homeowner. But it’s always worth it in the end, as you’re left with a gorgeous new space to cook, entertain and relax.

The cost of a kitchen renovation is directly hinged to your budget, needs and taste. There’s a range of service options and finishes to pick from, so the costs can really vary. Overall, you can expect to spend somewhere between $45,000-$75,000 on an average kitchen remodel in Los Angeles, CA. Completing the entire project typically takes 6-8 weeks. To clarify those costs, here’s a breakdown of the most popular services and features what can go into a kitchen remodel.

Cabinets

When it comes to replacing kitchen cabinets, you have two main options: 1. custom, or 2. semi-custom (A.K.A. pre-fab or ready-to-assemble (RTA) cabinets). We estimate 90% of our kitchen remodel jobs use semi-custom cabinets because they’re more affordable (costing about $10,000-$15,000, depending on the size of your kitchen, the cabinet design and their finish). The main difference between the two options? Semi-custom cabinets are made in China and assembled here in America to fit your kitchen. Custom cabinets are made from a higher-quality wood and designed specifically for your home – so they cost more at about $15,000-$25,000.

Pro Tip: If you can afford custom cabinets, do it. They're a much higher quality wood and level of craftsmanship, so they look better, wear better and offer more design options.

Countertops & Tile Backsplash

There are a seemingly endless combinations of stone and tile to create the look you want. Shop around until you find a slab and/or tile supplier you’re happy with in terms of style and price. For both your new countertop and backsplash, you can expect to spend between $8,000 and $12,000.

Pro Tip: We recommend quartz countertops due to their durability, strength and aesthetics. They’re maintenance-free, don’t have to be sealed and are cheaper than most natural stones.

Appliances

Most kitchen remodels factor in the need for all the typical appliances: a refrigerator, microwave, oven, stove and hood. There are other luxury appliances, like a built-in coffee maker or juicer, that cost a premium. For the typical appliances, you can expect to spend $10,000-$15,000 on standard brands (i.e. GE, Samsung) or up to $30,000 on high-end brands, such as Thermador, Wolf and Dacor.

Pro Tip: As a general contractor and interior designer, we recommend designing your kitchen before purchasing appliances. This way you can take your new kitchen design to the appliance store to discuss options.

Flooring

There are three main flooring materials to choose from for a kitchen remodel: hardwood, tile and laminate. They all cost about the same: approximately $3,000 to $5,000. The choice is yours based on the look you want and the level of durability your household demands.

Pro Tip: We typically recommend porcelain tile and luxury laminate because they're the most durable and maintenance-free, especially in the presence of large dogs and children. You'll find luxury laminate is made so well now that it's hard to tell the difference between it and real wood.

Demolition

Demo is the first step of a remodel, and it’s one of the cheapest. It’ll run you about $1,500 and take a couple of days to complete. The right general contractor will take care of everything for you, including trash and encasing the kitchen to protect other areas of the house from dust and debris.

Plumbing & Electrical

Work on any electrical and plumbing happens right after the demo. If your plumbing and electrical are in good shape and up to code, you’ll save some money. The same applies if you’re not changing the kitchen’s floorplan, thus you don’t need electrical and plumbing moved to different areas of the room. In that case, the typical lighting and plumbing facelift will cost about $3,000. If you’re changing the floorplan or need more serious work done, then the price goes up to around $10,000.

Pro Tip: If your kitchen remodeling contractor isn’t a pro at electrical and plumbing, we can’t stress enough the need to hire a licensed and insured electrician and plumber.

Fixtures

When we say “fixtures,” we mean a faucet, sink, pendant lights and cabinet knobs/pulls. Luckily, fixture options are seemingly infinite, satisfying every budget and style. We estimate all these fixtures will cost you $1,500 to $2,000, depending on the quantities you need and the brands you select.

Pro Tip: Purchase a high-quality, reliable brand(s) of fixtures. Don’t get sucked into the cheap ones, which could cause leaks or electrical issues, or cheapen the overall look of your new kitchen.

Permits

In most cases, you’ll need a permit to remodel your kitchen. Depending on the L.A.-based city in which you reside, a non-structural permit can cost about $300 and can be picked up the same day it’s filed. Structural permits can take one to 30 days to receive, depending on the city.

Opening the Floorplan

This service is optional (and requires a structural permit), but we wanted to include it, so you have an idea of how much it’ll cost to open up your kitchen. When doing this, it involves drawing up plans for the new layout, reconfiguring plumbing/electrical and tearing down walls, which may also require engineering and installing structural support. To create an open concept like this, the remodel typically spills into other spaces, such as the living room and/or dining area, meaning flooring and paint need to be expanded too. An open floorplan can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $50,000 (depending on its size and structure) – and goes up from there if the structure of a second story is involved.

Overall Cost of a Los Angeles Kitchen Remodel:

WITHOUT opening the floorplan: $37,500-$75,500

WITH opening the floor plan: $47,000-$135,500

Note: These costs are in relation to the average kitchen remodel in Los Angeles, CA. Every kitchen is different, and costs can greatly vary depending on structural integrity, supplier costs, finishes, square footage and more. South Land Remodeling does only full kitchen remodels (vs. partial remodels).

South Land Remodeling has been doing L.A. kitchen renovations for the last 20+ years. Give us a call today for a free quote.