Quick Answer

Kitchen Renovation Cost in San Diego (2026)

Average cost in San Diego

$66,472avg

$15,000 – $165,000

$75 – $350 per sq ft

In San Diego, the average is $66,472 and most projects cost between $15,000 and $165,000, or about $75 – $350 per sq ft. Prices are before tax and based on 9 sources.

+8.5% YoY
9 sources
Updated 1 months ago
California

Cost Breakdown

Itemized
Cabinetry

Stock to custom cabinets

$15,000 – $35,000

35%

Labor

Skilled trades and installation

$12,000 – $30,000

30%

Appliances

Package sets to luxury suites

$5,000 – $20,000

15%

Countertops & Backsplash

Quartz, stone, or tile

$4,000 – $12,000

10%

Flooring & Lighting

LVP, tile, and electrical fixtures

$2,000 – $6,000

5%

Permits & Design

City fees and professional plans

$1,000 – $8,000

5%

🧾Sales Tax (7.25%) — California
Base cost + $4,819 tax$71,291

Sales Tax at 7.25%

📋What's Included

Scope

Typically Includes

  • Cabinet replacement
  • Countertop installation
  • Backsplash
  • Flooring
  • Basic plumbing updates
  • Electrical (lighting & outlets)
  • Labor & installation
  • Demolition & disposal

Typically Excludes

  • Appliances (fridge, stove, dishwasher)
  • Structural wall removal
  • Full plumbing rerouting
  • Permits & inspection fees
  • Furniture & decor

Costs assume a standard 100-150 sq ft kitchen. Larger or custom layouts may increase costs significantly.

🧮Estimate your project

Live
sq ft
Quality Level
Cabinet Material
Countertop Material

Your estimate in San Diego

$66,472

Likely range $29,912 – $146,238

  • Cabinetry35%$23,265
  • Labor30%$19,942
  • Appliances15%$9,971
  • Countertops & Backsplash10%$6,647
  • Flooring & Lighting5%$3,324
  • Permits & Design5%$3,324

Budget

$46,531

Mid-Range

$66,472

High-End

$94,391

Get quotes for this project →

Calibrated to 9 researched sources for San Diego. Before tax. Real quotes vary with site conditions.

📈Price Momentum

Year-over-year

~1 year ago

$61,265

Today

$66,472

Kitchen Renovation in San Diego is ↑ 8.5% compared to roughly a year ago — about $5,207 more on the average project.

Comparison derived from the year-over-year change rate, not a month-by-month price index. We don't store historical snapshots yet — when we do, this will become a real time series.

🏢Top Kitchen Reno Contractors in San Diego

Verified providers
🔨

Creations Construction Home Remodeling CA

8869 Echo Dr, La Mesa, CA 91941, USA

5.0
★★★★★

141 reviews

🔨

Lumina Builders Inc.

4901 Morena Blvd Ste 702, San Diego, CA 92117, USA

5.0
★★★★★

89 reviews

🔨

Creative Design & Build Inc

9275 Trade Pl Unit H, San Diego, CA 92126, USA

5.0
★★★★★

89 reviews

🔨

Optimal Home Remodeling & Design

8400 Miramar Rd #216A, San Diego, CA 92126, USA

4.9
★★★★½

86 reviews

🔨

Lars Remodeling & Design

5925 Kearny Villa Rd Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92123, USA

4.7
★★★★½

135 reviews

Provider data sourced from public business directories. Ratings and reviews are public and may change. LookupCost is not affiliated with listed providers.

💬What People Actually Paid

Community

❓Common Questions

For a standard kitchen remodel without structural changes, a 'combo permit' covering electrical, plumbing, and mechanical costs approximately $411.02. Projects involving structural changes or additions require plan reviews with higher fees and a $737 General Plan Maintenance fee.

As of 2026, simple 'No Plan' permits can be issued quickly, but structural permits for major renovations currently take between 5 to 7 months to process through the San Diego Development Services Department.

San Diego kitchen remodels cost 15% to 30% more than the national average, driven by local construction labor rates that are 23% higher than the U.S. norm and a high 12% construction vacancy rate.

A kitchen remodel in San Diego typically recoups 60% to 87% of its cost upon resale. Minor mid-range renovations tend to have the highest return on investment in the local market.

📊Our Methodology

How we collect data
1

Aggregated from 5+ verified web sources and cost databases

2

Licensed contractor estimates and regional cost guides

3

Government construction and labor statistics

4

Community-reported project costs and reviews

Last data collection: 1 months ago. Updates run weekly. All costs in USD.

About this data

Cost figures are estimates synthesized from public market data using AI research and refreshed regularly. Real project costs vary by scope, materials, contractor, and site conditions. Always get verified quotes from licensed contractors for your specific project.

Spotted bad data? Let us know — we'll review and update.