Common questions. Straight answers.

Cabinet refacing: $8,000-$22,000. Mid-range full gut with stock or semi-custom cabinets: $35,000-$60,000. Custom or luxury remodels: $75,000-$150,000+. Those are market ranges, not our prices. Price is driven by cabinets, counters, and how much the layout changes.

The crew we match you with does. We are a referral service, so we do not quote the work, set the price, or take a cut of your project. You get the number from the crew that will do the job, in writing, before anything starts.

That is the crew's call, not ours, and most kitchen remodelers in our network do the first in-home visit at no charge. Ask when you book so there are no surprises, and get the scope in writing before any work begins.

Cabinetry, countertop material, and structural changes. In this market a 200 square foot kitchen with stock shaker cabinets and quartz counters can land in the $40,000s. The same kitchen with custom rift-sawn oak and a quartzite waterfall island pushes past $90,000.

Reface if the boxes are solid wood, square, and the layout works. Replace if the layout fights you, the boxes are particleboard, or you want a completely different kitchen. A reface runs $8,000-$22,000 versus $25,000-$80,000+ for new boxes.

Stock cabinets are fixed sizes, fastest lead time, most affordable. Semi-custom lets you change dimensions, finishes, and storage accessories. Custom is built to the room, your storage needs, and your style. The crews we match you with work with all three and recommend based on layout and budget.

Custom cabinet lead times in San Diego run 6-12 weeks from approved shop drawings, depending on the shop and finish. Your matched crew builds that into the project timeline at signing so the install window is locked in.

Yes. Built-in pantry walls, coffee stations, appliance garages, and pull-out spice racks are common add-ons. The crews we match you with design them into the cabinet elevations so the look matches the rest of the kitchen.

Yes for any plumbing, electrical, or structural changes (including most wall removals). Pure cosmetic work (paint, refacing, counters on existing boxes) usually does not. Your matched crew handles permitting when the scope calls for it.

A structural engineer or architect makes that call, not a guess on site. Most exterior walls and any wall running perpendicular to the floor joists is suspect. Your matched crew gets the engineering letter and the permit before anyone opens the wall.

Current California Electrical Code (based on the 2023 NEC) with 2025 California amendments. Two small-appliance branch circuits, GFCI and AFCI protection on most circuits, dedicated range and oven circuits, and 20-amp small-appliance circuits are standard.

For any load-bearing wall removal, yes. A licensed structural engineer visits the home, sizes the new beam, and stamps the plan. The permit will not pull without the engineer letter on file, and your crew coordinates that step before demo.

You call us and tell us what the kitchen needs. We match you with a vetted local crew that handles demo, cabinets, counters, plumbing, electrical, tile, and finish. That crew does the consult, the design, the quote, and the build, and you contract with them directly.

Neither. We are a referral service, not a contractor and not the crew. The crew on your job is a vetted local team that does kitchen remodels full-time, not a general handyman. They hold the license, they carry the insurance, and they sign the contract with you.

Then you are set, and there is nothing for us to do. We only match homeowners who are still looking for a crew. If you want a second bid to compare against, call and we will point you at another remodeler who works your area.

Your matched crew does, once the scope and quote are signed. Lead time depends on the work: cabinet refacing and counter swaps move fastest, while custom cabinet and full gut projects wait on cabinet fabrication, which runs two to four weeks on its own.

Quartz wins on stain resistance, color consistency, and low maintenance. Granite is heat-tolerant and has natural variation. Pick by use case: busy family kitchens lean quartz, while chefs who put hot pans down lean granite or quartzite.

Subway in 3x6 or 4x8 sizes is the workhorse. Zellige, handmade-look ceramic, and large-format porcelain slabs are trending in 2026. Ask your matched crew to bring samples to the consult so you can see them against your cabinet and counter choices.

LVP (luxury vinyl plank) is the most popular choice for water resistance and cost. Porcelain tile is the most durable. Engineered hardwood looks great but needs more care near sinks and dishwashers. The crews we match you with spec waterproof underlayment at the dishwasher and sink.

Light cabinets, light counters, a single undermount sink, and a slim pantry pull-out instead of a wall oven. Removing soffits, adding under-cabinet LED runs, and using open shelving where it does not kill storage all help too.