- CSLB License #1048107
- 1-323-360-1425
- info@gmhomeremodeling.com
CSLB License #1048107Los Angeles, CA
Most LA kitchen renovations take 6 to 12 weeks from demo to final inspection. Here is exactly what happens at each phase, what decisions you will face, and where the real costs come from.
About G&M Home Remodeling
G&M Home Remodeling is a licensed and insured general contractor based in Sherman Oaks, serving homeowners across the greater Los Angeles area. We handle kitchen and bathroom renovations, room additions, ADU conversions, hardscape, and new construction. One team, from permit to final walkthrough.
Every project gets a dedicated project manager who stays in contact with you throughout. You will always know what crew is on-site, what is happening that day, and what comes next. No chasing contractors for updates.
We are licensed under CSLB License #1048107. That license number is public record. You can verify it at the California Contractors State License Board website. We encourage every homeowner to check before signing anything with any contractor.
The Full Process
Every kitchen renovation in Los Angeles goes through the same five phases. Knowing what happens in each one makes the project far less stressful.
This phase takes 2 to 4 weeks and sets the budget. We measure the space, review your goals, and walk you through material options. Decisions made here determine 80 percent of the final cost, so take your time.
In Los Angeles, kitchen layouts often face constraints that suburban homes do not. Older homes in neighborhoods like Silver Lake or Encino frequently have load-bearing walls in inconvenient spots. We will identify those early and tell you upfront if moving a wall adds significant structural cost.
You will choose cabinets, countertops, appliances, flooring, and fixtures during this phase. Each category has a wide cost range. Cabinet refacing, for example, costs far less than full replacement, and for many kitchens it is the right call. See our breakdown of kitchen cabinet refacing costs in Los Angeles to compare options before committing.
Trade-off to know: Custom cabinets take 6 to 10 weeks to manufacture. Semi-custom ships in 3 to 5 weeks. Stock cabinets arrive in days. Your timeline choice here drives the overall project schedule more than almost anything else.
Any LA kitchen remodel involving electrical, plumbing, or structural changes requires a permit. This is not optional and skipping it creates real problems when you sell. The permit process through the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety typically takes 2 to 6 weeks depending on scope and whether you use the over-the-counter or plan-check route.
Simple projects like replacing a dishwasher or adding a circuit sometimes qualify for same-day permits. Larger projects involving gas line relocation, new window openings, or changing the footprint go to full plan check. We handle all permit applications on your behalf.
Permit fees in LA are based on project valuation, not a flat rate. For a mid-range kitchen remodel, expect permit costs to run a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. Budget for it. For full cost context, our 2026 kitchen remodel cost guide for Los Angeles covers permit fees alongside material and labor ranges.
Authority source: The LA Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) publishes the full permit requirements and fee schedules online. We recommend homeowners review them independently.
Demo day is fast. Rough-in work is slow. Removing cabinets, countertops, flooring, and fixtures takes 1 to 2 days in most kitchens. What comes after takes 1 to 3 weeks depending on how much electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work the project involves.
During rough-in, the walls are open. This is the only practical time to upgrade wiring, add circuits for new appliances, relocate drains, or move gas lines. Older Los Angeles homes, particularly those built before 1980, frequently have undersized electrical panels. Adding a commercial-grade range or refrigerator can require a panel upgrade. We identify this during the planning phase.
Inspections happen before the walls close. The inspector checks that rough-in electrical and plumbing meet current code. This is non-negotiable in LA. Work that fails inspection gets redone before drywall goes up.
Installation happens in a specific order, and the order matters. Flooring type determines when it goes in. Hardwood typically goes in after cabinets to protect it. Tile goes in before cabinets so the layout lines up properly under the toe kicks.
Here is the typical sequence for a full kitchen installation:
Countertop lead time is the most common delay in this phase. Stone countertops get templated after cabinet installation, then go to the fabricator. Quartz and granite typically take 1 to 2 weeks from template to install. If you want a specialty stone or a particular slab from a specific yard, that can stretch to 3 to 4 weeks. Plan around it.
The city inspects the finished work before we close the permit. The inspector checks that the electrical, plumbing, and any structural work conforms to what was approved. If corrections are needed, they get addressed before the permit closes. An open permit on your property title is a problem if you ever sell.
After the city signs off, we do a final walkthrough with you. We check every cabinet door, every drawer, every appliance connection, and every fixture. Any punch-list items get corrected before we call the project done. That list typically takes 1 to 3 days to complete.
You receive copies of all permits, inspection records, and warranties from manufacturers. Keep those documents. They matter for insurance claims, future permits, and home sales.
Costs and Decisions
The biggest misconception about kitchen remodels is that labor is the surprise cost. It rarely is. Material selections drive the final number more than almost anything else. The same kitchen layout can cost $25,000 with stock cabinets and laminate counters, or $90,000 with custom cabinetry and waterfall quartz. The bones are identical.
In Los Angeles specifically, a few things add cost that homeowners in other markets do not face. Older plumbing in pre-1970 homes often needs updating when you open walls. Seismic strapping requirements add cost to any structural work. And LA labor rates are higher than the national average.
The National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) publishes annual cost benchmarks that are useful for understanding national ranges, though LA projects typically run 15 to 25 percent above national averages due to labor and permit costs.
We budget a 10 to 15 percent contingency on every project for exactly these reasons. If you are working with a contractor who does not mention contingency, ask them directly what happens if they open a wall and find a problem.
Related Services
Many homeowners start with a kitchen and end up rethinking adjacent spaces. Bathrooms, laundry rooms, and open-plan living areas often get reworked at the same time because the permits and labor overlap.
If you are thinking about adding rental income, our ADU contractor guide for Los Angeles explains the full process for accessory dwelling units under current California law, including SB 9 implications for LA properties.
Not always. During demolition and rough-in, the kitchen is completely out of service for 1 to 3 weeks. Many families use a hot plate, microwave, and bathroom sink. If that sounds unmanageable, budget for temporary housing during those weeks specifically, not for the full project duration.
From permit application to final inspection, plan for 8 to 14 weeks on a full remodel. Cosmetic-only projects (no plumbing or electrical changes, no permits required) can finish in 2 to 4 weeks. The permit process is the variable that most affects schedule.
Yes. Many clients source their own appliances or tile. The trade-off is that your contractor is not responsible for defects in materials you supply, and delivery coordination becomes your task. Delays in your material delivery delay the whole project. We coordinate all of this if you want us to.
A mid-range kitchen remodel in Los Angeles typically returns 60 to 80 percent of its cost at resale, according to industry cost-vs-value data. The bigger return is often in daily livability. Outdated kitchens affect how buyers perceive the whole house, which matters even if you are not tracking exact ROI.
Before You Hire Anyone
California requires contractors to be licensed through the CSLB for any project over $500 in labor and materials. Unlicensed work voids your homeowner's insurance on that project and creates liability you cannot easily escape. Always verify a contractor's license at the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) before signing anything.
G&M Home Remodeling holds CSLB License #1048107. Look it up. It should show active status, the correct bond, and current workers' compensation coverage.
Beyond licensing, ask for a written contract that specifies the scope of work, payment schedule, material specifications, and a project timeline. A payment schedule tied to milestones protects you. Avoid any contractor asking for more than 10 percent or $1,000 (whichever is less) as a down payment before work begins. That is the legal limit in California.
Family-Run Since Day One
Every project is permitted, inspected, and documented. You get a completed kitchen and a clean permit record. CSLB License #1048107.
