Aka Finishing Touches on a Former Rental
Planning your kitchen remodel in San Diego with a clear timeline helps you research materials, compare appliances, and finalize selections without last-minute stress.
Expect to pay $60,000 to $70,000 for a full San Diego kitchen remodel, with costs rising when you add electrical panel upgrades or custom cabinetry.
Keeping your existing flooring and functional appliances saves thousands on your remodel budget while still achieving a fresh, updated look in your kitchen.
Hiring a local kitchen remodeling professional keeps your project on schedule and handles custom cabinetry installation and electrical upgrades with confidence and precision.
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Age: 36
Location: San Diego, CA
$500,000–$750,000
It was a kitchen remodel. The home was a rental beforehand and had not been upgraded in over 10 years.
We spoke with three pros and got two quotes.
$60,000
$70,000
Changes to the electrical system (a panel upgrade to allow for an induction stove) and custom cabinetry. We also invested in some higher-quality tile and stone materials.
Savings
The electrical panel upgrade. When you look at the price tag ($5,000), it doesn't immediately feel worth it just for an induction stove. But when you broaden it out, this new panel unlocks so many other capabilities—like an EV charging station for our garage.
Backsplash tile was a big splurge ($2,500 for materials, probably another $3,000 in labor). We opted for a higher-end Zellige-style tile, which is generally more expensive and takes more time to install.
First, we opted not to replace the flooring. Our entire first floor is open-concept and has the same tile. While I'm not obsessed with the color, the quality is good, and I'm not interested in replacing the floor for the entire house.
Second, we kept some of our existing appliances, like the dishwasher and fridge. These appliances are still under 10 years old and work fine.
They say cabinets make up 30% of a remodel budget, and that proved to be true for us, too! We spent about $20,000 on new cabinetry.
Living in a construction zone without a kitchen for about two months is really tough. You're eating worse (takeout, frozen food), you're in a cramped makeshift kitchen, and you're missing out on the comforts—back to washing dishes by hand!
Give yourself plenty of time to think critically about your material selection. We started talking to pros in September, put down a deposit in December, and started construction in March. A six-month lead-up seems like a long time to wait, but I needed every minute of that time to pick out new materials, research appliances, get advice from pros, family, and friends, and more.
And if you're indecisive or new to a remodel, don't wait until a month before construction day to make all your selections and purchases.
We hired Jibran Custom Home Builders for a full kitchen and bathroom remodel in Mission Valley and couldn’t be happier with the results. Bassam and Issa were fantastic to work with. The pricing was fair and transparent, and the quality of work truly exceeded our expectations. Issa’s...
I recently hired Beyond Design Build for a full bathroom and kitchen remodel, and I couldn?t be happier with the results! From the initial consultation to the final walk-through, the team was professional, detail-oriented, and genuinely committed to bringing my vision to life. The kitchen...
Beyond Design BuildI recently had my bathroom remodeled by Creations Home Remodeling, and I couldn't be happier! From the initial consultation to the final walkthrough, the team was professional, friendly, and attentive to my needs. They transformed my outdated bathroom into a modern oasis with beautiful...
CREATIONS CONSTRUCTION & REMODELING INCI heard about Michael from a friend of mine, and when he came out to my home, I was surprisingly impressed by how much knowledge he had, not only with my kitchen, but with some excellent ideas for my bathroom. I am planning to start my bathroom remodel after the first of the year. I highly...
M T M Kitchen & BathWe needed to remodel the primary bathroom in our recently built townhouse after seeing some issues. We worked on the design with John DeLuca, Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer, who helped us pick the tiling, flooring, fixtures, and cabinetry down to the last detail. It was obvious...
Remodel Works Bath & KitchenHighly recommended amazing plumbing and bathroom remodel finish
San Diego Dog GroomerWe had them remodel our hall bathroom that was original to the home. It was a very easy process from the beginning to the end. Great team and love our new bathroom.
BRINKER BUILDING AND DESIGNI highly recommend this kitchen remodeling service for their attention to detail and quality of work. They were able to transform my outdated kitchen into a modern, functional space that exceeded my expectations.
The company remodeled my master bathroom Was super professional and knowledgeable Will hire them again for my kitchen
Golden Shore Design And BuildI couldnâ t have found a more talented, experienced, professional, always on time contractor & crew to remodel my 1926 bathroom, install pullout drawers in my kitchen pantry, & fix some cabinet doors. He listened to my ideas, and now I have my dream bathroom with Mexican tile....
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