Kitchen remodels are one of the most popular home improvement projects out there — and that’s no surprise when you think about what they have to offer. The National Association of Realtors gave them a “joy score” of 10 out of 10, with both complete renovations and upgrades taking the top two spots for project appeal and added home value. In their survey, 95% of consumers said they had an increased sense of enjoyment when they were home after remodeling the kitchen.
But it’s tough to even fathom a remodel when you don’t know how long it takes, how much it will cost or what the building requirements are. While much of that will depend on your project specifics, we can certainly give you some guidelines.
How Long Does It Take to Remodel a Kitchen?
The most important factor when remodeling a kitchen is scope. If you want to go the whole nine yards with elements like new plumbing, electrical work and cabinetry, appliances, you’re likely looking at a few months of construction. From planning to completion, the remodel could take up to six months, although the time when you won’t be able to use the kitchen is much shorter — about four to six weeks. If you’re mostly looking at cosmetic changes, like a new backsplash or countertops, it might only take a few weeks.
Kitchen remodels can be tough to generalize for several reasons:
- Multiple subcontractors: Since there are many different components that require experts like electricians and plumbers, there’s a bit of coordination involved. They might need to wait for other types of work to be finished before they can step in.
- Large and heavy materials: From solid countertops and heavy refrigerators to awkwardly shaped cabinets, these materials usually call for some clever maneuvering by several workers. They’ll likely be more difficult to ship, too, and could result in delays.
- Your home’s footprint: The footprint of your home is its external boundaries. So, if you’re knocking down a wall or making changes to that boundary, the remodel will likely take longer.
When Is the Best Time to Remodel a Kitchen?
While this is an indoor project and you have a lot of freedom, summer is usually the best time to remodel your kitchen. The better weather makes it easier to transport materials and assess the colors of your kitchen under natural light. Many people like to align renovations with their summer vacations, too, so they can come back to a finished kitchen. Plus, summer eating tends to be easier since you can grill outside or cook over a fire pit while the kitchen is out of commission.
Weather becomes a little more important if you’re looking to expand the kitchen’s footprint. In that case, you’ll want to avoid snow in the winter and rainy weather in the spring. Spring also tends to be the busy season for contractors in areas with heavy winter snow, so their prices could be a bit higher, and scheduling might be trickier. If you’re like us here in sunny California, you aren’t really affected by the weather and have plenty of freedom to choose when to renovate.
Timing your renovation — or at least your purchases — with the right time of year can even help you save on appliances. Fall tends to be filled with appliance deals. There are big holidays like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, along with Labor Day, that come with big discounts and offers. Fall is also the time of year when many retailers try to get rid of their inventory to make room for next year’s models. Refrigerators tend to be an exception, though, so look out for those in spring.
Do I Need a Permit to Remodel a Kitchen?
It depends, but in most cases, yes, you will need a permit to remodel your kitchen. If doing electrical work or plumbing, those will need permits, while lighter cosmetic changes probably won’t. Permit requirements vary by city, so be sure to check with your licensed contractor. They should know what needs a permit and can help you get one. Sometimes you can get your permit right away, but some will take a few weeks to get, so plan accordingly.
Some jobs that will call for a permit include:
- Any changes to the home’s footprint or new openings like doors and windows.
- New or existing plumbing installations.
- New or existing electrical work.
- Structural changes.
- Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) work or water heater replacements.
- Projects over a certain amount, as specified in some cities.
How Much Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost in California?
Kitchen remodel prices can vary drastically. After all, there are countless variables to consider, from the cabinet finishes to the faucet you choose for the sink.
In the Pacific region — the United States West Coast and Alaska — the average cost for a mid-range kitchen remodel was $28,729 to $81,566. Keep in mind that much of that cost comes back to you in the value of the home. In fact, the cost recouped in this area was higher than the national average. Minor kitchen remodels, for example, recouped 78.8% of their cost, versus 72.2% for the nation.
Some factors that will affect the price of a kitchen remodel include:
- Kitchen cabinets: These come in custom and semi-custom varieties. Semi-custom, also called pre-fab or ready-to-assemble (RTA) cabinets, are more affordable and are typically built overseas. Custom cabinets tend to be of higher quality and are specially designed for the home.
- Countertops and backsplash: From granite to marble to laminate to quartz, countertops come in an array of styles and price points. Similarly, there’s no shortage of backsplashes to choose from.
- Flooring: Typical flooring options include hardwood, tile and laminate. Fortunately, they tend to be similar in cost, so it really comes down to preference.
- Appliances: Of course, luxury, high-end appliances can drive up the cost.
- Plumbing and electrical: If you aren’t adjusting the floorplan, you’ll save a lot on these costs.
- Demolition costs: Tearing down any existing cupboards, walls and other elements to get ready for the remodel will also need to be factored in the costs.
- Fixtures: There are loads of options for cabinet pulls, faucets, lights and other fixtures, which will call for a relatively small part of your budget.
- Permits: The cost of permits is usually no more than a couple hundred dollars.
Note that if your remodel involves creating an open floor plan, costs can rise significantly.
Call Daniel’s Development Group to Get a Free Estimate on a Kitchen Remodel
As you’ve seen, there are a lot of variables involved in a kitchen remodel. If you’re in the area, Daniel’s Development Group Inc. can help you get a better idea of what a kitchen remodel in Los Angeles, California, would look like. We can narrow down potential timeframes and costs according to your current kitchen, budget and needs.
We’re a design-build firm, meaning we function as your architectural designer, structural engineer and contractor. Since we’re family-owned and operated, you can expect a personalized experience, exceptional customer service and high-quality craftsmanship. To request your free estimate for a kitchen remodel in the greater Los Angeles area, please reach out to us online or give us a call at 1.800.507.5001!
