Remodel and repair costs in San Diego County, California

Budgets for 15 common projects, priced at the hourly rates contractors bill in San Diego County, with local sales tax (7.75% to 8.75%) and permit fees. Example ZIP: 92104 (San Diego (North Park)).

Estimate my project in San Diego County Contractor rates by trade

Budget estimate, not a bid, appraisal, or insurance claim valuation. Get licensed contractor bids. Pilot.

San Diego County at a glance

San Diego County had 3,298,634 residents in the 2020 Census across 4,210 square miles; the largest places are San Diego, Chula Vista, Oceanside, Escondido and Carlsbad. Across 15 projects, a typical San Diego County budget is about the same as the median California county, the 27th highest of 58 counties. A mid-finish kitchen remodel here comes to about $48,500, the 28th highest of 58.

What projects cost in San Diego County

Typical size for each project (see each cost guide for the details), ZIP 92104. Likely is the median of 4,000 simulated outcomes; the range is the 10th to 90th percentile. "Vs. state" compares the mid likely budget with the median of all 58 California counties. Basic assumes the lower-cost starting choices, for example laminate counters, an acrylic tub wall set and pressure-treated wood decking.

Project	Basic	Mid (likely)	Mid range	Premium	Vs. state
Kitchen remodel · estimate	$39,800	$48,500	$41,000–$58,100	$66,800	same
Kitchen refresh · estimate	$12,600	$15,400	$13,100–$18,100	$17,700	−1%
Bathroom remodel · estimate	$19,100	$23,100	$18,800–$28,500	$28,000	+1%
Roof replacement · estimate	$12,600	$12,700	$11,000–$14,600	$13,000	same
New flooring · estimate	$7,000	$8,200	$7,000–$9,700	$8,400	−4%
Interior painting · estimate	$7,900	$8,800	$7,300–$10,500	$8,700	−5%
Exterior painting · estimate	$5,500	$5,500	$4,300–$6,900	$5,700	−7%
New deck · estimate	$16,400	$18,600	$15,700–$22,200	$23,900	+2%
Window replacement · estimate	$8,200	$8,800	$7,600–$10,100	$13,500	+4%
Siding replacement · estimate	$23,000	$22,900	$19,300–$27,500	$23,000	same
ADU or room addition · estimate	$215k	$227k	$194k–$266k	$249k	+1%
Bedroom or living room refresh · estimate	$5,300	$5,900	$5,000–$7,000	$6,100	−3%
Garage door replacement · estimate	$3,100	$4,400	$4,100–$5,000	$5,900	same
Front entry door · estimate	$1,600	$2,300	$2,100–$2,700	$3,500	same
Heating and air conditioning · estimate	$13,100	$15,400	$13,700–$17,400	$17,200	+1%

Contractor hourly rates in San Diego County

What a contractor bills per hour for each trade, built from the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA wage data (BLS, May 2025), payroll taxes, California workers' comp rates for that trade, and contractor overhead and profit. Not wages.

Trade	Low	Likely	High	Vs. state
Carpenter	$72	$104	$135	+6%
Construction laborer	$54	$71	$95	−5%
Electrician	$92	$127	$157	+4%
Plumber	$99	$139	$191	+10%
Painter	$56	$73	$96	−8%
Roofer	$79	$90	$100	same
Tile and stone setter	$53	$75	$109	same
Floor layer	$53	$76	$118	−11%
Drywall installer	$69	$99	$129	+15%
Cement mason	$65	$90	$118	+10%
Glazier	$68	$98	$138	+10%
HVAC mechanic	$103	$133	$180	+7%

What drives costs here

Labor: billed rates in San Diego County are 5% above the median California county (the 10th highest of 58). Wage data: BLS wage data for the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad area. The highest-billing trades are plumber ($139/hr) and hvac mechanic ($133/hr).
Sales tax: 7.75% to 8.75%, depending on the city on materials (CDTFA, effective October 1, 2026).
Permits: estimated from each job's valuation; kitchen and bathroom remodels usually need one, painting usually does not.
Mountain ZIPs: 3 ZIP codes in the county (92036, 91962, 91948) get a mountain factor for travel, access and a shorter building season. Kitchen remodel: $48,500 in 92104 vs. $51,400 in 92036 (Julian); Roof replacement: $12,700 in 92104 vs. $13,400 in 92036 (Julian); New deck: $18,600 in 92104 vs. $19,500 in 92036 (Julian); Heating and air conditioning: $15,400 in 92104 vs. $16,200 in 92036 (Julian).
Contractor overhead and profit: a separate 10% + 10% line only on jobs with three or more trades; single-trade jobs are priced at the trade's billed rate. No markup on materials.

Open the estimator for ZIP 92104, or enter any of the 182 San Diego County ZIP codes. Method and sources.

Questions

How much does a kitchen remodel cost in San Diego County?

For a 150 sq ft kitchen with 20 ft of base cabinets and new cabinets, counters, floor, lighting and appliances, our likely budget in ZIP 92104 (San Diego (North Park)) is $48,500 at mid finish, with a range of $41,000 to $58,100. Basic finishes come to about $39,800 and premium to about $66,800. That is the 28th highest of California's 58 counties.

What does a bathroom remodel or a new roof cost in San Diego County?

A 45 sq ft full bathroom remodel is about $23,100 at mid finish ($18,800 to $28,500). A 2,000 sq ft asphalt shingle roof replacement with tear-off is about $12,700, and replacing a central AC and gas furnace is about $15,400.

What do contractors charge per hour in San Diego County?

Our model prices each trade at the rate a contractor bills, not the worker's wage, using BLS wage data for the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad area. The likely billed rate runs from about $71 an hour (construction laborer) to about $139 (plumber), and the typical trade bills 5% above the median California county, the 10th highest of 58.

Are remodels more expensive in San Diego County than elsewhere in California?

The typical project budget here is about the same as the median of all 58 California counties. The project furthest above the state median is window replacement (+4%); the one furthest below is exterior painting (−7%). Sales tax on materials is 7.75% to 8.75%, depending on the city (CDTFA rates effective October 1, 2026).

Do mountain areas of San Diego County cost more?

Our model adds a mountain factor for travel, access and a shorter building season in 3 San Diego County ZIP codes. In 92036 (Julian) a mid kitchen remodel is about $51,400, versus $48,500 in 92104.

Which San Diego County ZIP codes does the estimator cover?

All 182 of them, including 85 PO box and single-organization ZIP codes, which are priced the same as the area they serve. Enter any San Diego County ZIP in the estimator.

Is this a quote?

No. It is a budget estimate, not a bid, appraisal, or insurance claim valuation. Get written bids from licensed contractors, and check licenses with the Contractors State License Board.

More cost pages

Southern California: Imperial County · Los Angeles County · Orange County · Riverside County · San Bernardino County · Ventura County · All 58 counties

Remodel Estimator is self-serve budgeting software from Caissonix, in pilot. Budget estimate, not a bid, appraisal, or insurance claim valuation. Figures computed 2026-10-29 from price book 2026-10-29.8; they change as prices and wages are updated. Population, land area and places: 2020 Census. Get licensed contractor bids, and check a contractor's license with the Contractors State License Board before you sign.