Full Renovation Estimate in Los Angeles
- CA Licensed General Contractor
- License #1113493
A renovation estimate isn't just a number. It's a promise. The difference between a contractor who keeps it and one who doesn't can cost you tens of thousands of dollars.
The One You Can Trust.
Here's what most homeowners don't know when they request their first renovation estimate: the number on page one is often not the number they'll pay. Change orders, "unforeseen" structural issues, vague material specifications, and permit costs buried in the fine print can inflate a $150,000 estimate into a $220,000 nightmare.
At Precise Building & Restoration, we've been delivering transparent, detailed, zero-surprise renovation estimates to Los Angeles homeowners for over 35 years. We know exactly what goes into an honest quote — and exactly what dishonest contractors leave out.
Los Angeles renovation costs are among the highest in the nation — driven by skilled labor demand, strict building codes, seismic engineering requirements, and a design-forward market where "standard" doesn't mean the same thing it does elsewhere. Here are the real numbers.
| Renovation Type | Scope | Cost Range (LA, 2026) | Typical Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic Update | Paint, flooring, fixtures, minor updates | $50 – $150 / sq ft | 2 – 6 weeks |
| Partial Renovation | 1–2 rooms, kitchen or bath | $150 – $300 / sq ft | 6 – 14 weeks |
| Full Gut Renovation | Entire home, all rooms, new systems | $300 – $600 / sq ft | 4 – 9 months |
| Luxury / High-End | Custom finishes, full scope, premium materials | $600 – $1,000+ / sq ft | 6 – 18 months |
| Structural Renovation | Load-bearing changes, additions, foundation work | $400 – $800+ / sq ft | 5 – 12 months |
For context: a full gut renovation of a 2,000 sq ft Los Angeles home at the mid-range runs $600,000–$900,000 all-in when you factor in permits, design fees, and associated costs. A full renovation of a 1,200 sq ft home starts around $360,000. These aren't luxury numbers — this is the LA market in 2026.
Line by Line
A renovation estimate that doesn't itemize the following categories isn't a real estimate. It's a placeholder designed to get you to sign before the real costs emerge.
Hauling debris, protecting existing finishes, scaffolding, temporary power, and site security. This is often the first surprise cost when it's missing from a vague quote.
$15,000 – $40,000 for full home gutSeismic retrofitting, shear walls, beam replacements, load-bearing wall modifications — all mandatory in California and all requiring licensed engineering sign-off. Skimping here is how renovations become lawsuits.
$25,000 – $80,000 for complex projectsUpgrading to a 200-amp panel, new plumbing throughout, HVAC replacement or extension, gas line work. MEP represents approximately 12–15% of total renovation costs and is the category most commonly underestimated in lowball bids.
$40,000 – $120,000 for full-home renovationLADBS plan check fees, building permits, utility connection permits, and inspection fees. They are mandatory. Any estimate that doesn't include them is hiding a cost you will pay.
$10,000 – $40,000 depending on scopeProfessional CAD drawings, interior design, structural engineering plans, energy compliance calculations. These are required before permits are issued — or work with Precise Building & Restoration where your first three designs are completely free.
$15,000 – $50,000 (or $0 for first 3 with Precise)"Premium flooring" means nothing. A legitimate estimate names the brand, grade, and SKU. The difference between builder-grade and mid-range on 2,000 sq ft of flooring alone can exceed $28,000. If materials aren't specified in writing, get a new estimate.
Every item must include brand, grade & SKUGeneral labor, carpentry, tile setting, painting, licensed electrical, licensed plumbing, HVAC installation, and finish work. Labor accounts for approximately 60% of your total renovation budget in Los Angeles. A trustworthy estimate shows each trade separately.
~60% of total project cost in LAAny contractor who doesn't build a 10–15% contingency into their estimate either hasn't done this long enough or is deliberately hiding risk. Behind-wall surprises — outdated wiring, mold, deteriorated framing — are the rule in LA's older housing stock, not the exception.
10 – 15% of total construction budgetReady for a renovation estimate you can actually trust? Precise Building & Restoration provides fully itemized, zero-surprise estimates. Your first three designs are free.
Book Free Consultation →
Inflate or Hide Renovation Costs
After 35+ years in the Los Angeles renovation market, we've seen every tactic. Here are the most common ones — and how to spot them before you sign anything.
Quote 20% below competitors to win the project, then add change orders for things that "should have been obvious" once construction starts. The final number was always going to be higher — they just needed you committed first.
"High-quality hardwood flooring" could mean $4/sq ft builder-grade or $18/sq ft engineered oak. The difference on 2,000 sq ft is $28,000. Demand specific product names and grades in writing — every single line item.
Permits are an inconvenient truth. They add cost and time. Some contractors exclude them from estimates to appear competitive — then bill you separately when the city requires them. Which it always does.
Licensed electricians and plumbers cost more. Some contractors use unlicensed workers to lower bids, creating liability for you and producing work that won't pass inspection — leaving you responsible for remediation.
A handshake agreement about "a full kitchen renovation" is not a contract. If it isn't written down with specifics, every "extra" becomes a change order you didn't budget for. Everything must be in writing before work begins.
Every line item in writing. Every material specified by brand and grade. Every permit included. Every cost accounted for before you sign. That's not how all contractors operate — but it's how we've stayed in business for over 35 years.
What individual rooms and systems typically cost in a full renovation scenario in Los Angeles. These are real-project ranges — not national averages pulled from a spreadsheet.
| Room / System | What's Included | LA Cost Range 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen | Full gut: cabinets, counters, appliances, plumbing, electrical, tile | $65,000 – $180,000+ |
| Primary Bathroom | Full renovation: tile, fixtures, vanity, shower/tub, plumbing | $35,000 – $90,000 |
| Secondary Bathrooms (ea.) | Full renovation with mid-range finishes | $20,000 – $55,000 |
| Living / Dining Room | Flooring, painting, lighting, millwork, ceiling work | $25,000 – $75,000 |
| Master Bedroom | Flooring, closet, painting, lighting, millwork | $18,000 – $50,000 |
| Whole-Home Electrical | 200-amp panel, full rewire, new outlets and fixtures | $25,000 – $65,000 |
| Whole-Home Plumbing | New supply and drain lines, water heater, fixtures | $20,000 – $55,000 |
| HVAC Replacement | New system, ductwork, thermostats, zoning | $15,000 – $40,000 |
| Exterior & Curb Appeal | Siding, windows, entry door, paint, landscaping | $30,000 – $120,000 |
From Estimate to Finished Home
This is what working with us actually looks like — from your first call to the moment you walk into your transformed home. One team, no handoffs, no surprises.
We visit your home, assess every room, and listen — not just nod while calculating margin. We discuss your vision, timeline, and budget ceiling with honesty. No cost, no commitment.
We document every single element of the project in writing: every room, every trade, every material. Nothing left to interpretation. You know exactly what is being renovated and how before any contract is signed.
Our architects and designers create custom CAD designs for your renovation. Not templates — real designs tailored to your home's architecture, your aesthetic, and your lifestyle. First three concepts complimentary.
You receive a line-by-line proposal: materials specified by brand and grade, labor broken out by trade, permits included, contingency allocated. The number you see is the number you pay.
Our licensed engineers handle structural calculations, energy compliance, and all documentation required by LADBS. We submit and manage the entire permit process so you don't have to navigate city bureaucracy alone.
Regular photo updates, milestone progress reports, and direct access to your project manager throughout. You are never wondering what's happening in your home.
Step 07: Final Walkthrough & Quality Sign-Off
We walk every inch of the finished renovation with you. Every punch list item is resolved before we consider the project complete. Our work is guaranteed — and we don't leave until you're satisfied.
Built on 35 Years of Honesty.
No vague quotes. No hidden permits. No surprise change orders. Just a fully itemized, zero-surprise renovation estimate backed by 35 years of delivering exactly what we promise to Los Angeles homeowners.