- Meghan Turner-Patel
Los Angeles Kitchen Remodeling: The Average Cost
Updated: May 16, 2022
Wondering what’s the average cost to redo kitchens in Los Angeles? Our kitchen remodel cost estimator breaks it down for you.
A kitchen remodel is one of the most common needs our clients have when hiring us as their general contractor. Kitchen remodeling in Los Angeles is a popular home improvement project, but it’s also a large undertaking for both the GC and the homeowners. It’s always worth it in the end, though, because you’re left with a gorgeous new space to cook, entertain, relax and even work!
Depending on your budget, needs and taste, there’s a range of service options and finishes that can go into your new kitchen, so the cost to remodel kitchens in Los Angeles can really vary. Overall, our kitchen remodel cost estimator shows you can expect to spend somewhere between $55,000-$113,000 on the average kitchen remodel in Los Angeles, CA. It typically takes 6-8 weeks to complete the entire renovation.
To clarify those Los Angeles kitchen remodel costs, here’s a breakdown of what can go into the renovation.
Kitchen Cabinets
When it comes to replacing kitchen cabinets, you have two options: custom or semi-custom. Semi-custom cabinets are also commonly called 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 (about $15,000-$23,000, depending on the size of your kitchen, the cabinet design and the finish).
The difference between the two types of cabinetry? Semi-custom cabinets are made overseas, typically in China, and are assembled here in the U.S. to fit your kitchen. Custom cabinets are made with a higher-quality wood and designed specifically for your home. Custom cabinets can cost about $23,000-$38,000.
Pro Tip: If you can afford custom cabinets, do it. It’s a much higher quality wood and superior craftsmanship. That means it looks better, wears better and offers more design options.
Kitchen Countertops & Tile Backsplash
There are so many combinations of stone and tile that can create the look you want. Shop around until you find a slab and/or tile supplier you’re happy with in terms of aesthetics and price -- and product availability. For both your new kitchen countertop and backsplash, you can expect to spend between $11,000 and $19,000.
Pro Tip: Be sure to check out the latest in kitchen remodeling trends, but 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.
Kitchen Appliances
Most kitchen remodels factor in the need for typical appliances (a refrigerator, microwave, oven, stove and hood). Of course, there are luxury kitchen appliances, like a built-in coffee maker or juicer, that will cost you extra. But, for those typical appliances, you can expect to spend $15,000-$23,000 on run-of-the-mill brands, such as GE and Samsung. High-end brands, such as Thermador, Wolf and Dacor, go up to $45,000 or more.
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 sizes, styles and options.
Types of Flooring
There are three main flooring materials to choose from for a kitchen renovation: hardwood, tile and laminate. Most will run about the same in terms of kitchen remodel cost, which would be approximately $4,500-$7,500. The choice is yours based on the look you want and the level of durability your household demands.
Pro Tip: For homes with high traffic, small children and pets, we typically recommend porcelain tile or luxury laminate plank flooring because it’s the most durable and it’s maintenance-free. That’s a huge benefit with factoring in spills and scratches. You'll find luxury laminate is made so well now that it's hard to tell the difference between it and real wood.
Kitchen Demolition Cost
Demo is the first step of a remodel, and it’s one of the cheapest. Kitchen demolition costs you approximately $2,500 and typically takes 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 the other areas of the house from dust and debris.
Kitchen 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 goes if you’re not changing the kitchen’s floor plan, 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 $4,500. If you’re changing the floor plan or need more serious work done, then the price goes up to around $15,000.
Pro Tip: If your kitchen remodeling contractor isn’t a pro at electrical and plumbing, we can’t stress enough to hire only a licensed and insured electrician and plumber to handle these jobs. It’s incredibly important to the safety of your home and family.
Kitchen Fixtures
When we say “fixtures,” we mean the faucet, sink, pendant lights and cabinet knobs/pulls. Luckily, fixture options are seemingly endless, satisfying every budget and aesthetic. Overall, we estimate they’ll will cost you $2,500-$3,000, depending on which fixtures and quantities you need as well as the brands you select.
Pro Tip: Purchase a high-quality, reliable brand of fixtures. Don’t get sucked into the cheap ones, which could cause leaks or electrical issues, or cheapen the overall look of your brand-new kitchen.
Permits
In most cases, you’ll need a permit for kitchen remodeling in Los Angeles. Depending on the city in which you reside, a non-structural permit can cost $300-$400 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.
Creating an Open Floor Plan
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 your new layout, reconfiguring plumbing/electrical and tearing down walls, which may also involve engineering and installing structural support to do so.
When creating an open-concept floor plan like that, the remodel typically spills into other spaces, such as the living room and/or dining area. This means that flooring and paint need to be expanded too. For an open floor plan, you can expect to pay anywhere from $15,000 to $75,000 (depending on the size and structure of the space) – and goes up from there if the structure of a second story is involved.
Overall Kitchen Remodel Cost:
WITHOUT opening the floor plan: $55,000-$113,000
WITH opening the floor plan: $70,000-$203,000
Additional Helpful Information About Kitchen Remodeling in Los Angeles:
How Do I Estimate the Cost of a Kitchen Remodel in Los Angeles?
To estimate the cost of a kitchen remodel in Los Angeles, you should determine your current needs. Do you want to open up the kitchen into your living space to create an open floor concept? Will you buy luxury appliances? Are you going with pre-fab or custom cabinets? Your answer to each of these questions will help you gauge if your remodel will be on the higher or lower end of our estimated kitchen remodel cost.
When planning your budget and estimating your cost, you can also use the “one-third” rule to ensure you’re allocating enough to each aspect of the renovation. Estimate one-third of your budget will go toward cabinetry, one-third will go toward finishes and one-third will be allocated to installation and labor costs.
To get a more accurate estimate, contact South Land Remodeling today. We can provide a free quote to help you determine the price of your California-based kitchen remodel.
Factors Impacting the Cost to Remodel a Kitchen in Los Angeles
The cost to remodel a kitchen in Los Angeles is typically more expensive than other many other areas of the United States. This is due to higher tax, labor and material costs.
Do I Need a Permit for My Los Angeles Kitchen Remodel?
You need a permit to remodel your kitchen in California if you are moving or adding electricity, plumbing, mechanics or walls within the home. If you are simply refurbishing your current cabinets, you likely would not need a permit. If you are replacing cabinetry, you will need a permit.
How to Choose a General Contractor for Kitchen Remodeling in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is home to many general contractors specializing in kitchen remodeling. It’s up to you to find the right general contractor for your kitchen remodeling project in Los Angeles. Follow these six steps to determine the best contractor for your needs:
Check Review & References on Google, Yelp, HOUZZ and Facebook. South Land Remodeling is rated 5 stars on all review sites.
Find out if the Contractor is Licensed & Insured
Schedule Appointments With at Least Three General Contractors
Compare Quotes & Pricing
Review Contracts
Trust Your Gut and Sign with the Best Contractor
Kitchen Remodeling: Sherman Oaks-Based Contractor
With over 25 years of experience, South Land Remodeling has completed countless kitchen remodels in Los Angeles. As a Sherman Oaks-based kitchen remodeling GC, South Land Remodeling completes kitchen projects all throughout LA and the San Fernando Valley, including Woodland Hills, Beverly Hills, Calabasas, San Fernando Valley, Santa Monica, Westside, San Gabriel Valley, Ventura County, Manhattan Beach and Mid-City Los Angeles. Give us a call today for a free quote on your custom kitchen renovation (and another other home remodeling project!).
Note: Beginning in 2020 and continuing through 2022 at the time of publish, construction and supply costs continue to increase, which affects every market, budget and design individually. The costs we provided are in relation to the average Los Angeles kitchen remodel. Every kitchen is different, and costs can greatly vary depending on structural integrity, supplier costs, finishes, size and more. Also, South Land Remodeling does only full kitchen remodels, not partial remodels.