Understand the soft-cost investment before construction begins — get a range in under 2 minutes.
Design & planning fees are influenced by project scope, site conditions, jurisdiction requirements, and number of revision rounds. This estimate covers architectural drawings and soft costs — construction costs are separate. Est. Design Phase reflects time from kickoff to permit-ready drawings; city review and permit processing time are not included.
The range is built from two main choices: project type (single room, multi-room, full home, or ADU/addition) and complexity (straightforward, moderate, or custom). Any additional services you select, such as structural engineering or interior design, are added on top. Because every property and jurisdiction is different, the calculator gives a planning range rather than a fixed quote. An exact number comes from a conversation about your specific site and scope.
Straightforward covers a standard layout with no structural changes. Moderate involves some structural work and custom elements. Custom applies to a unique design or major structural work. Complexity has a direct effect on both the cost range and the estimated design phase timeline, since more structural and custom work takes more drawing, review, and revision time.
No. This calculator covers design and planning, the soft costs that come before construction begins, such as architectural drawings, engineering, and permit preparation. Construction costs are priced separately once the design is finalized and the scope of work is set.
Structural Engineering covers a licensed structural engineer's stamp along with calculations and reports. 3D Renderings & Visualization provides photorealistic views of your completed project before construction starts. Permit Application & Expediting covers submittal preparation, city coordination, and follow-up through the approval process. Interior Design Package covers color palettes, tile and flooring selections, cabinet styles, fixtures, and furniture layout and sourcing. You can select any combination that fits your project.
The "Est. Design Phase" figure reflects the time from kickoff to permit-ready drawings, ranging from a few weeks for a straightforward single room to several months for a custom full home. It does not include city review or permit processing time, which varies by jurisdiction and is tracked separately once drawings are submitted.
Get a ballpark investment range for your full home renovation in under 2 minutes.
Estimates reflect typical per-square-foot costs in Southern California. Final pricing depends on existing conditions, structural requirements, permit fees, and your specific selections. Est. Build Time reflects active construction only — permit processing and design/planning time are not included. Larger scopes have higher per-sqft variability.
A whole-home remodel typically runs from the high five figures for a cosmetic refresh on a smaller home up to several hundred thousand dollars for a full gut renovation with premium finishes on a larger home. The calculator above builds your range from your home's square footage, the scope of work, your finish level, and any add-ons you select, so you get a ballpark figure specific to your project rather than a generic average. Final pricing depends on existing conditions, structural requirements, and permit fees for your property.
Cosmetic Refresh covers paint and finishes throughout the home with no structural or system work. Moderate Remodel updates the kitchen, bathrooms, flooring, and other key areas. Extensive Remodel goes further with gut kitchen and baths, new flooring, and electrical or plumbing work. Full Gut Renovation is a tear-off, re-build project with a complete interior and exterior rebuild. Each scope level carries its own per-square-foot cost range, since more extensive work means more labor, materials, and permitting.
Finish level is one of the biggest cost drivers in any home remodel budget. Standard uses quality builder-grade materials throughout. Mid-Grade upgrades materials and fixtures for a more custom look. Premium brings in designer-level, luxury finishes. The same square footage and scope of work can land at very different price points depending on which finish level you choose, which is why the calculator lets you toggle between the three to see the cost range shift in real time.
The "Est. Build Time" shown in your results reflects active construction only, and it scales with the scope of work you select, from a cosmetic refresh to a full gut renovation. It does not include permit processing or design and planning time, which run on a separate timeline before construction starts. For a full picture of your project's schedule, the Design & Planning Cost Calculator on this page covers what happens before ground is broken.
No, the base estimate covers your home size, remodel scope, and finish level only. Add-ons such as roof replacement, whole-home re-pipe and plumbing, an electrical panel upgrade, new windows and doors, a standby generator, an EV charger, or building an ADU or in-law suite are priced separately and added to your range only when you select them. This lets you build a total investment figure that matches the exact scope of your project.
Get a ballpark investment range for your kitchen project in under 2 minutes.
Estimates reflect typical project costs in Southern California. Final pricing depends on existing conditions, structural requirements, appliance selections, and permit fees. Est. Build Time reflects active construction only — permit processing time is separate and varies by project.
A kitchen remodel typically starts in the high five figures for a cabinet refacing job on a small kitchen and can move into the six figures for a full gut remodel with premium finishes on a large or chef's kitchen. The calculator above builds your range from kitchen size, remodel scope, finish level, layout changes, and any add-ons you select, so the number reflects your project instead of a generic average. Final pricing depends on existing conditions, structural requirements, appliance selections, and permit fees for your property.
Cabinet Reface keeps your existing cabinet boxes and replaces the doors, hardware, and countertops for a refreshed look at a lower cost. Partial Remodel replaces cabinets, countertops, and appliances while generally keeping the existing footprint. Full Gut Remodel tears the kitchen out completely and rebuilds everything new, from cabinetry to appliances to finishes. Scope has one of the biggest effects on your total investment, since it determines how much demolition, new material, and labor the project requires.
Standard uses quality stock cabinets and solid countertops. Mid-Grade upgrades to semi-custom cabinets and quartz countertops. Premium brings in custom cabinetry, stone or designer countertops, and upgraded appliances. Two kitchens of the exact same size and scope can land in very different price ranges depending on finish level alone, which is why the calculator lets you toggle between the three to see the cost shift.
Yes. Same Layout keeps existing walls and plumbing in place, which keeps costs lower. Minor Changes covers small adjustments and island additions. Open Concept involves wall removal or a major layout change, which typically adds structural, electrical, and plumbing work on top of the remodel itself. The calculator factors your layout choice into the range alongside kitchen size, scope, and finish level.
No, the base estimate covers your kitchen size, remodel scope, finish level, and layout changes only. Add-ons such as a kitchen island, custom range hood, built-in appliance package, custom backsplash, under-cabinet lighting, pot filler, wine or beverage center, or butler's pantry are priced separately and only added to your range when you select them, so you can build a total figure that matches exactly what you want in your kitchen.
Get a ballpark investment range for your bathroom project in under 2 minutes.
Estimates reflect typical project costs in Southern California. Final pricing depends on existing conditions, permit fees, structural needs, and your specific selections.
A bathroom remodel typically starts in the low thousands for a cosmetic refresh on a half or powder bath and moves into the tens of thousands for a full gut remodel with premium finishes on a primary suite bath. The calculator above builds your range from bathroom type, remodel scope, finish level, plumbing layout, and any add-ons you select, so the number reflects your specific project. Final pricing depends on existing conditions, permit fees, structural needs, and your selections.
A Half or Powder Bath includes just a toilet and sink. A Full Bath adds a tub or shower. A Master Bath includes a walk-in shower and a closet vanity. A Primary Suite Bath is the largest and most involved, typically with a luxury soaking tub and separate shower. Bathroom type is one of the first factors the calculator uses to size your project, since square footage and fixture count both scale with it.
Cosmetic Refresh covers paint, fixtures, and finishes with no changes to the shower or tub. Partial Remodel replaces the vanity, toilet, and finishes, with the shower or tub staying in place. Full Gut Remodel is a complete tear-out and rebuild. Scope has a major effect on both cost and timeline, since a full gut remodel involves demolition, new plumbing rough-in, and new fixtures throughout.
Yes. Keep Same Layout means no plumbing relocation, which keeps costs lower. Minor Changes covers small plumbing adjustments. Full Layout Change involves a major relocation of fixtures, which adds plumbing labor and often inspection or permitting requirements. The calculator factors your plumbing layout choice into the range alongside bathroom type, scope, and finish level.
No, the base estimate covers bathroom type, remodel scope, finish level, and plumbing layout only. Add-ons such as heated flooring, a steam shower, a freestanding soaking tub, a niche and bench, a heated towel rack, custom tile accent work, a smart mirror with lighting, or accessibility features are priced separately and only added to your range when you select them, so you can build a total figure that matches exactly what you want in your bathroom.
Get a ballpark investment range for your project in under 2 minutes.
This is a budgeting range based on typical project costs in Southern California. Final pricing depends on your specific site, local permit fees, structural requirements, and design details — use this as a planning reference, not a formal quote. Est. Build Time reflects active construction only — plan development and permit processing are separate and typically add several months.
An ADU or addition project can range from the low six figures for a smaller JADU or room addition up to several hundred thousand dollars for a larger detached ADU with premium finishes. The calculator above builds your range from project type, plans status, number of stories, square footage, finish level, and any add-ons you select. This is a budgeting range based on typical project costs, not a formal quote. Final pricing depends on your specific site, local permit fees, structural requirements, and design details.
A Detached ADU is a standalone backyard unit, fully independent from the main house. An Attached ADU connects directly to the home with its own entrance. A JADU, or Junior ADU, is the smallest option, capped at 500 square feet and converted from existing space. A Room Addition expands your existing living space rather than creating a separate unit. Project type is the first factor the calculator uses to size your budget, since each option carries very different construction and permitting requirements.
Yes. I Need Plans means you need an architect or designer before permitting can begin, which adds design time and cost to your project. I Have Plans means you already have drawings ready for permit submittal. Pre-Approved means you're using a city pre-approved ADU plan, which is typically the fastest and most predictable path to permitting. Where you stand on plans affects both your timeline and your overall investment.
The "Est. Build Time" shown in your results reflects active construction only, and it scales with your project type, size, and stories. Plan development and permit processing are separate from that construction window and typically add several months on top, depending on your plans status and the jurisdiction reviewing your project. Budget for the full timeline, from design through permit approval to construction, when planning your project.
No, the base estimate covers project type, plans status, stories, square footage, and finish level only. Add-ons such as a full kitchen, separate utility meters, HVAC or a mini-split system, and laundry hookups are priced separately and only added to your range when you select them. These add-ons matter most for rental-ready or fully independent ADUs, so select the ones that match how you plan to use the space.
Instant estimate for your deck project — no obligation.
Estimates are based on current material prices and labor rates in Southern California. Final pricing depends on site access, soil conditions, permit fees, and material availability at time of build.
Deck cost depends heavily on size, material, and scope, and can range from a few thousand dollars for a small composite deck on an existing structure up to well over $15,000 for a larger full new build in a premium hardwood. The calculator above builds your range from project scope, decking material, deck dimensions, site conditions, and any add-ons you select. Estimates are based on current material prices and labor rates, and final pricing depends on site access, soil conditions, permit fees, and material availability at time of build.
New Decking Only replaces the surface and boards on an existing, structurally sound frame. Decking + Structural Repairs replaces new boards along with joist and beam repairs where the existing frame needs work. Full New Build covers all new posts, framing, and decking from the ground up. Scope is the first factor the calculator uses to size your project, since it determines how much demolition and structural work is involved.
Composite/PVC decking is a low-maintenance synthetic material and one of the most common choices for new decks. Redwood is a natural California wood with a warmer, traditional look. Ipe is a premium hardwood with a higher price point and a distinct high-end appearance. Material choice has a significant effect on the total cost per square foot, so the calculator lets you compare all three side by side for the same deck size.
Yes. A ground-level deck at 18 inches or less is the most straightforward and cost-effective to build. Taller decks require more substructure, railing, and often additional permitting. A simple rectangle or square layout is more efficient to frame than a custom or multi-level shape, which adds labor and material complexity. Both deck height and shape are factored into your estimate alongside scope, material, and dimensions.
No, the base estimate covers project scope, decking material, dimensions, and site conditions only. Add-ons such as a railing system, a staircase, a pergola or shade cover, deck lighting, built-in bench seating, and demo and haul away of the old structure are priced separately and only added to your range when you select them, so you can build a total figure that matches exactly what your deck needs.
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