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Caissonix report · 2026 pilot edition · free
California Remodel Cost vs. Value 2026
Does a remodel pay for itself when you sell? This report puts our California cost estimates next to the resale value evidence we can verify, city by city, and says plainly where that evidence does not exist yet.
Costs come from the Caissonix estimator: county labor rates, current retail material prices and 4,000 simulated outcomes per job. Value figures come only from our own analysis of public assessor records and from peer-reviewed studies, each with its source and a confidence label.
Not an appraisal, a broker price opinion or a prediction of a sale price. Costs are budget estimates, not a bid, appraisal, or insurance claim valuation. Pilot.
What we found so far
- The same project costs 9% to 24% more in the priciest of our 13 cities than in the cheapest, mostly from labor.
- San Francisco room addition: about $192,900 of value for 300 added sq ft, against a likely cost of $156,600 (our analysis of 2,362 Assessor-recorded sales; medium confidence).
- San Francisco extra bathroom: about $78,000 more for one more full bathroom in a home of the same size (low confidence, wide range).
- Los Angeles ADU: a peer-reviewed study puts the value effect at 7%–9% of the home, about $66,600–$85,700 on the city's median home, against $279,900 for a new 600 sq ft unit. Rent is extra and not counted.
- County by county: we measured feature values in 3 counties' own records and give the other 55 a labeled regional estimate. See all 58 counties.
- Kitchens, bathrooms, roofs, windows, paint and most other projects: cost only for now. Their value figures arrive in 2027, from public sales and permit records and our own survey of California agents and appraisers.
All projects
| Project | Likely cost, 13 cities | Resale value evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen refresh (keep the cabinets) | $14,900–$17,100 | Value data coming in 2027 |
| Kitchen remodel (full, mid-range) | $46,500–$55,100 | Value data coming in 2027 |
| Kitchen remodel (full, premium) | $64,600–$74,100 | Value data coming in 2027 |
| Bathroom remodel (mid-range) | $22,000–$27,200 | Value data coming in 2027 |
| Bathroom remodel (premium) | $26,900–$32,200 | Value data coming in 2027 |
| Add a bathroom | Coming | San Francisco: $78,000 (Low confidence) |
| Room addition (300 sq ft) | $135,900–$158,500 | San Francisco: $192,900 (Medium confidence) |
| Detached ADU (600 sq ft) | $262,900–$305,000 | Los Angeles: $76,100 (Low confidence) |
| Garage conversion ADU (400 sq ft) | $130,200–$153,900 | Los Angeles: $76,100 (Low confidence) |
| Roof replacement (asphalt shingle) | $12,300–$13,600 | Value data coming in 2027 |
| Window replacement (10 vinyl windows) | $8,100–$9,400 | Value data coming in 2027 |
| Front entry door (steel) | $2,200–$2,500 | Value data coming in 2027 |
| Garage door replacement | $4,300–$4,700 | Value data coming in 2027 |
| Siding replacement (fiber cement) | $21,300–$25,100 | Value data coming in 2027 |
| New deck (composite) | $17,100–$20,000 | Value data coming in 2027 |
| Hardwood flooring (engineered) | $10,700–$12,400 | Value data coming in 2027 |
| Interior painting (whole home) | $8,200–$9,800 | Value data coming in 2027 |
| Exterior painting | $5,100–$6,300 | Value data coming in 2027 |
| Heat pump (replaces furnace and AC) | $14,600–$16,300 | Published study, shown as context (national) |
| Solar panels (owned system) | Coming | Published study, shown as context |
| Seismic retrofit (bolt and brace) | Coming | Published study, shown as context (California) |
| Wildfire home hardening | Coming | Value data coming in 2027 |
Cost range is the lowest and highest city's likely cost for the same fixed scope. Open a project for its city table, scope and sources.
All 58 California counties
Home values vary several-fold across the state, so we also publish a county table for all 58 counties: room addition, extra bathroom and ADU costs next to resale value. 3 counties have values measured in their own public records; the rest show a clearly labeled regional estimate from the most similar counties, with lower confidence. Each county links to its cost page in our estimator.
Bay Area: likely cost by city
| Project | San Francisco | Oakland | San Jose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen refresh (keep the cabinets) | $17,100 | $17,100 | $17,100 |
| Kitchen remodel (full, mid-range) | $54,900 | $54,600 | $55,100 |
| Kitchen remodel (full, premium) | $73,400 | $73,900 | $74,100 |
| Bathroom remodel (mid-range) | $27,000 | $26,700 | $27,200 |
| Bathroom remodel (premium) | $31,900 | $31,700 | $32,200 |
| Room addition (300 sq ft) | $156,600 | $157,200 | $158,500 |
| Detached ADU (600 sq ft) | $303,100 | $301,600 | $305,000 |
| Garage conversion ADU (400 sq ft) | $152,400 | $151,000 | $153,900 |
| Roof replacement (asphalt shingle) | $13,200 | $13,300 | $13,600 |
| Window replacement (10 vinyl windows) | $9,300 | $9,400 | $9,400 |
| Front entry door (steel) | $2,500 | $2,500 | $2,500 |
| Garage door replacement | $4,600 | $4,700 | $4,600 |
| Siding replacement (fiber cement) | $25,100 | $25,100 | $24,700 |
| New deck (composite) | $19,900 | $20,000 | $19,800 |
| Hardwood flooring (engineered) | $12,300 | $12,400 | $12,200 |
| Interior painting (whole home) | $9,800 | $9,800 | $9,700 |
| Exterior painting | $6,300 | $6,300 | $6,200 |
| Heat pump (replaces furnace and AC) | $16,300 | $16,300 | $16,300 |
Median owner-occupied home value (Census ACS 2025): San Francisco $1,316,400 · Oakland $874,200 · San Jose $1,376,600.
Los Angeles and Orange County: likely cost by city
| Project | Los Angeles | Long Beach | Irvine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen refresh (keep the cabinets) | $15,900 | $15,900 | $15,700 |
| Kitchen remodel (full, mid-range) | $50,000 | $50,000 | $49,200 |
| Kitchen remodel (full, premium) | $68,500 | $68,800 | $67,500 |
| Bathroom remodel (mid-range) | $23,700 | $23,600 | $23,400 |
| Bathroom remodel (premium) | $28,600 | $28,800 | $28,400 |
| Room addition (300 sq ft) | $144,900 | $144,900 | $143,800 |
| Detached ADU (600 sq ft) | $279,900 | $280,900 | $276,900 |
| Garage conversion ADU (400 sq ft) | $139,800 | $139,400 | $137,700 |
| Roof replacement (asphalt shingle) | $12,700 | $12,700 | $12,600 |
| Window replacement (10 vinyl windows) | $8,800 | $8,800 | $8,700 |
| Front entry door (steel) | $2,400 | $2,400 | $2,400 |
| Garage door replacement | $4,600 | $4,500 | $4,500 |
| Siding replacement (fiber cement) | $23,600 | $23,800 | $23,300 |
| New deck (composite) | $18,900 | $18,900 | $18,700 |
| Hardwood flooring (engineered) | $11,600 | $11,600 | $11,400 |
| Interior painting (whole home) | $9,000 | $9,000 | $8,900 |
| Exterior painting | $5,700 | $5,700 | $5,600 |
| Heat pump (replaces furnace and AC) | $15,200 | $15,300 | $15,000 |
Median owner-occupied home value (Census ACS 2025): Los Angeles $951,800 · Long Beach $888,700 · Irvine $1,613,400.
San Diego: likely cost by city
| Project | San Diego |
|---|---|
| Kitchen refresh (keep the cabinets) | $15,400 |
| Kitchen remodel (full, mid-range) | $48,600 |
| Kitchen remodel (full, premium) | $67,100 |
| Bathroom remodel (mid-range) | $23,000 |
| Bathroom remodel (premium) | $27,900 |
| Room addition (300 sq ft) | $143,400 |
| Detached ADU (600 sq ft) | $276,500 |
| Garage conversion ADU (400 sq ft) | $137,400 |
| Roof replacement (asphalt shingle) | $12,700 |
| Window replacement (10 vinyl windows) | $8,800 |
| Front entry door (steel) | $2,300 |
| Garage door replacement | $4,400 |
| Siding replacement (fiber cement) | $22,900 |
| New deck (composite) | $18,600 |
| Hardwood flooring (engineered) | $11,000 |
| Interior painting (whole home) | $8,700 |
| Exterior painting | $5,500 |
| Heat pump (replaces furnace and AC) | $15,100 |
Median owner-occupied home value (Census ACS 2025): San Diego $1,019,700.
Sacramento: likely cost by city
| Project | Sacramento |
|---|---|
| Kitchen refresh (keep the cabinets) | $15,300 |
| Kitchen remodel (full, mid-range) | $48,000 |
| Kitchen remodel (full, premium) | $66,100 |
| Bathroom remodel (mid-range) | $22,900 |
| Bathroom remodel (premium) | $27,800 |
| Room addition (300 sq ft) | $141,200 |
| Detached ADU (600 sq ft) | $270,600 |
| Garage conversion ADU (400 sq ft) | $134,900 |
| Roof replacement (asphalt shingle) | $12,600 |
| Window replacement (10 vinyl windows) | $8,400 |
| Front entry door (steel) | $2,300 |
| Garage door replacement | $4,400 |
| Siding replacement (fiber cement) | $22,600 |
| New deck (composite) | $18,000 |
| Hardwood flooring (engineered) | $11,300 |
| Interior painting (whole home) | $9,300 |
| Exterior painting | $6,000 |
| Heat pump (replaces furnace and AC) | $14,800 |
Median owner-occupied home value (Census ACS 2025): Sacramento $517,400.
Inland Empire: likely cost by city
| Project | Riverside | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen refresh (keep the cabinets) | $15,200 | $15,100 |
| Kitchen remodel (full, mid-range) | $47,200 | $47,000 |
| Kitchen remodel (full, premium) | $65,700 | $65,700 |
| Bathroom remodel (mid-range) | $22,100 | $22,000 |
| Bathroom remodel (premium) | $26,900 | $27,100 |
| Room addition (300 sq ft) | $138,500 | $137,000 |
| Detached ADU (600 sq ft) | $266,700 | $266,000 |
| Garage conversion ADU (400 sq ft) | $130,200 | $131,600 |
| Roof replacement (asphalt shingle) | $12,700 | $12,700 |
| Window replacement (10 vinyl windows) | $8,200 | $8,200 |
| Front entry door (steel) | $2,300 | $2,300 |
| Garage door replacement | $4,400 | $4,400 |
| Siding replacement (fiber cement) | $22,200 | $22,300 |
| New deck (composite) | $18,000 | $17,900 |
| Hardwood flooring (engineered) | $11,100 | $11,100 |
| Interior painting (whole home) | $8,200 | $8,200 |
| Exterior painting | $5,100 | $5,100 |
| Heat pump (replaces furnace and AC) | $14,800 | $14,700 |
Median owner-occupied home value (Census ACS 2025): Riverside $634,500 · San Bernardino $454,400.
Central Valley: likely cost by city
| Project | Fresno | Bakersfield | Stockton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen refresh (keep the cabinets) | $14,900 | $15,000 | $15,000 |
| Kitchen remodel (full, mid-range) | $46,500 | $46,700 | $47,200 |
| Kitchen remodel (full, premium) | $64,600 | $64,900 | $65,400 |
| Bathroom remodel (mid-range) | $22,100 | $22,200 | $22,000 |
| Bathroom remodel (premium) | $27,100 | $27,200 | $26,900 |
| Room addition (300 sq ft) | $136,200 | $135,900 | $136,400 |
| Detached ADU (600 sq ft) | $263,200 | $262,900 | $263,800 |
| Garage conversion ADU (400 sq ft) | $132,000 | $132,000 | $131,400 |
| Roof replacement (asphalt shingle) | $12,300 | $12,300 | $12,800 |
| Window replacement (10 vinyl windows) | $8,200 | $8,100 | $8,200 |
| Front entry door (steel) | $2,200 | $2,300 | $2,300 |
| Garage door replacement | $4,300 | $4,300 | $4,400 |
| Siding replacement (fiber cement) | $21,300 | $21,900 | $21,700 |
| New deck (composite) | $17,100 | $17,300 | $17,400 |
| Hardwood flooring (engineered) | $10,700 | $10,800 | $11,700 |
| Interior painting (whole home) | $8,400 | $9,700 | $8,200 |
| Exterior painting | $5,200 | $6,200 | $5,100 |
| Heat pump (replaces furnace and AC) | $14,600 | $14,600 | $14,900 |
Median owner-occupied home value (Census ACS 2025): Fresno $400,500 · Bakersfield $406,900 · Stockton $450,000.
How to read the confidence labels
- Medium: one solid analysis measured in that city, with a reasonably tight range.
- Low: a small sample, a wide range, or a study measured somewhere close to but not exactly this situation.
- High: two or more independent California sources agree. Nothing in this edition is high yet.
- Context: a published study we credit and summarize but do not turn into a city figure, because it was national, old or a small sample.
Download the data
Every city, project, cost range and value figure, with its source and confidence. Free to use with credit to "Caissonix California Remodel Cost vs. Value 2026" and a link to this page (CC BY 4.0).
Questions
Does a kitchen remodel add value in California?
Not measured yet in this edition. We have not found California sales data on kitchen remodels that we are allowed to use, so we show cost only: a mid-range 150 sq ft kitchen remodel runs $46,500 to $55,100 across our 13 cities. Value figures arrive in 2027.
What is the return on an ADU in the Bay Area?
We do not have a Bay Area ADU value figure yet. The best published California evidence is a Los Angeles study that found an ADU raised the value of just-sold homes by about 9%. A new 600 sq ft detached ADU costs about $301,600 in Oakland and $305,000 in San Jose in our estimate. Rent collected while you own the home is not part of a resale figure.
Where do the value numbers come from?
Only from sources we can verify and are allowed to use: our own analysis of public assessor and sales records (San Francisco, Los Angeles County and Sonoma County, each under terms that allow it) and peer-reviewed or government-lab studies, credited on each page. We do not use other publishers' remodeling value surveys or real estate portal data, and we never fill a gap with a guess.
Is this an appraisal?
No. It is an informational report, not an appraisal, a broker price opinion or a prediction of a sale price. Costs are budget estimates, not bids. For a valuation of your home, ask a licensed appraiser or a local real estate professional.
Caissonix California Remodel Cost vs. Value, 2026 pilot edition, published 2026-10-31. Built by Caissonix from its Remodel Estimator (engine 0.10.0, price book 2026-10-31.1), public records and cited studies. Not an appraisal, a broker price opinion or a prediction of a sale price. Costs are budget estimates, not a bid, appraisal, or insurance claim valuation.