Free written scope consultation - allowances, timeline, and change-order rules on paper before a single trade is scheduled
Before
After
Before
After
Before
AfterConstruction in Santa Monica, CA
Kitchen remodeling in Santa Monica runs $14,000 to $45,000 for a full project, with small kitchens starting around $9,000. The price depends heavily on what’s behind the walls: many homes here are either 1960s stucco buildings with aging infrastructure or pre-war bungalows with original lath-and-plaster, and either condition changes both the labor hours and the material choices. Call (470) 298-9650 for a written, flat-price quote after we walk the space.
Why Santa Monica Homes Are Different
Santa Monica sits almost entirely inside the California Coastal Commission’s jurisdictional zone. Any significant remodel, addition, or ADU needs a Coastal Development Permit layered on top of the city’s own permits, and the two agencies review separately, which adds months to a timeline. That’s not true a mile inland in Culver City, and it’s the single biggest factor in how Santa Monica construction projects get scheduled.
The housing stock compounds the permitting load. The dense 1960s and 1970s “dingbat” stucco apartment buildings with tuck-under parking are subject to Santa Monica’s mandatory soft-story seismic retrofit ordinance, so any remodel touching the lower level can trigger structural review. North of Montana and the Wilshire neighborhoods hold pre-war Spanish Colonial Revival and Craftsman homes with knob-and-tube wiring, galvanized supply lines, and lath-and-plaster walls that turn a simple kitchen pull into a rewiring and repiping job. Landlords on multi-unit buildings also face Rent Control Board scrutiny, because a gut renovation can draw questions about whether the work is a capital improvement or a pretext for tenant removal. Seasoned contractors document everything.
The marine layer and salt air near the beach corrode metal fasteners, flashing, and rebar faster than inland. Within a few blocks of the ocean, stainless or hot-dipped galvanized hardware is a practical necessity, not an upgrade, and coastal fog extends concrete cure windows and disrupts exterior coating schedules in ways a jobsite in West Hollywood rarely deals with.
Our Main Santa Monica Services
These two services have their own dedicated Santa Monica pages. Fence work and driveway paving both face specific coastal challenges here, from salt exposure to compact lots with exacting setback rules.
Fence Installation in Santa Monica
Fencing in Santa Monica means dealing with property lines that often sit inches from a neighbor’s structure, plus coastal air that eats standard fasteners. We write the material spec around the marine exposure: hot-dipped galvanized posts, stainless hardware, and fence boards rated for humidity swings near the water. Fence Installation in Santa Monica covers the full range, from vinyl to aluminum and wood, with written flat pricing.
Driveway & Pavers in Santa Monica
Santa Monica driveways sit on soil that shifts with the coastal moisture cycle, and city setback and drainage rules restrict how much hardscape you can add. Paver systems and concrete both perform differently here than inland, and the salt air shortens the life of unsealed surfaces. Driveway & Pavers in Santa Monica lays out paver patio, driveway, and sealing costs with the Santa Monica conditions factored in.
What happens when you call
- 1
A real person answersNo phone trees - you reach a local pro.
- 2
You get an upfront price rangeHonest numbers before anyone is dispatched.
- 3
A background-checked tech heads outLicensed & insured, dispatched right away.
- 4
You approve before work beginsNothing starts until you say go.
BeforeAfterKitchen Remodeling in Santa Monica
Kitchen remodeling in Santa Monica typically costs $14,000 to $45,000, and the final number depends on what the walls reveal once we open them. Older homes north of Montana frequently hide galvanized supply lines and lath-and-plaster that must be addressed before new cabinetry goes in, while mid-century stucco buildings bring their own structural review requirements if the kitchen sits over tuck-under parking. That’s why our Kitchen Remodeling written price includes a documented scope before work begins, so the number you agree to is the number the project ends at.
In Santa Monica, that coastal permit overlap also shapes kitchen work. If your remodel moves a sink, gas line, or window, expect the Coastal Commission review to run concurrently with the city’s building permit, and plan for the longer of the two timelines.
Full Kitchen Remodeling
Signs you need it
Cabinet doors sag, the layout traps two people in a corner, or the plumbing and wiring predate current code and cannot support modern appliances safely.
What it costs in Santa Monica
A full kitchen remodel in Santa Monica runs $14,000 to $45,000 depending on layout changes, material grades, and what’s behind the walls.
How we do it
We document the existing conditions with photos, write the flat scope and price, order materials against that scope, and manage demolition, rough-in, install, and finish with written change orders only if something changes.
Cabinets & Countertops
Signs you need it
Drawer slides fail, water damage swells the particleboard, or the countertop surface is delaminating, stained, or cracking at the seams.
What it costs in Santa Monica
Cabinet installation runs $4,000 to $13,000 and countertop installation runs $2,000 to $6,500 in Santa Monica.
How we do it
We measure, order from vetted lines like KraftMaid and Cambria, remove the old surfaces, and install with leveling and seam work documented in the photo record.
Backsplash, Tile & Flooring
Signs you need it
Grout is cracked, tiles are popping, or water has gotten behind the backsplash and is staining the drywall below.
What it costs in Santa Monica
Backsplash installation ranges from $800 to $2,500 in Santa Monica, with flooring and tile work quoted by square foot after we inspect the substrate.
How we do it
We check the substrate for moisture and flatness, install cement board where needed, and lay tile with waterproofing at transitions and edges.
What Kitchen Remodeling Costs in Santa Monica
| Item | Typical range in Santa Monica |
|---|---|
| Full Kitchen Remodel | $14,000-$45,000 |
| Small Kitchen Remodel | $9,000-$20,000 |
| Cabinet Installation | $4,000-$13,000 |
How long does a kitchen remodel take in Santa Monica?
Most Santa Monica kitchen remodels run 4 to 10 weeks, but the Coastal Development Permit can add 2 to 4 months before we open a wall. We schedule around the permit clock and give you the timeline in the written scope. Call (470) 298-9650 for an exact schedule and flat price.
Will the price change once work starts in a Santa Monica kitchen?
No, not unless you approve a signed change order. When we find knob-and-tube wiring or failed galvanized pipe, we document it, price the fix, and get your signature before any of that work proceeds.
Bathroom Remodeling in Santa Monica
Bathroom remodeling in Santa Monica costs $9,000 to $28,000 for a full project, with small bathrooms starting near $5,000. In pre-war and mid-century homes here, the water damage is often hidden behind original tile and lath-and-plaster, which means the visible shower pan is rarely the whole story. Our Bathroom Remodeling written quote covers the substrate repair, waterproofing, and fixture replacement with one flat number.
Salt air shortens the life of low-cost metal fixtures, shower frames, and even some tile edge trims within a few blocks of the beach, so material selection matters more in Santa Monica than inland.
Walk-In Showers & Shower Remodeling
Signs you need it
Water stains on the ceiling below, cracked grout, a shower pan that flexes, or tile that has pulled away from the wall.
What it costs in Santa Monica
Walk-in shower installation runs $4,500 to $12,000 and shower replacement runs $3,000 to $8,500 in Santa Monica.
How we do it
We remove the old surface to inspect the framing and pan, replace any rotted substrate, install a waterproof membrane, and rebuild with documented waterproofing layers.
Tub-to-Shower Conversion
Signs you need it
The tub is rusting, chipped, or too deep to use safely, and the bathroom layout would work better with a low-threshold shower.
What it costs in Santa Monica
Tub-to-shower conversion in Santa Monica runs $3,500 to $10,000 depending on drain relocation, waterproofing, and glass work.
How we do it
We cap or move the drain, build the pan with the correct slope, waterproof all walls to code, and install the new valve, tile, and glass with written scope at each stage.
What Bathroom Remodeling Costs in Santa Monica
| Item | Typical range in Santa Monica |
|---|---|
| Full Bathroom Remodel | $9,000-$28,000 |
| Small Bathroom Remodel | $5,000-$12,000 |
| Walk-In Shower Installation | $4,500-$12,000 |
Can you remodel a Santa Monica bathroom without a permit?
Cosmetic work like new vanities or paint often does not need a permit, but moving plumbing, altering a wet wall, or changing the waterproofing assembly does. We pull permits when required and bring a documented scope to every inspection. Call (470) 298-9650 for a flat written quote.
Why does Santa Monica bathroom remodeling sometimes cost more than inland?
The plumbing in older Santa Monica homes is often galvanized and failing, and the coastal permit layer can add review time. We document what we find, quote it upfront, and never start a repair without a signed change order.
Roofing in Santa Monica
Roof replacement in Santa Monica runs $8,000 to $20,000, with repairs starting around $400. The salt-laden marine air here corrodes flashing, fasteners, and roof-edge metal far faster than inland, so the cost difference between a standard install and a marine-rated one is a real line item, not an upsell. Our Roofing written quote specifies the fastener and flashing material so you can see exactly what the coastal exposure requires.
Santa Monica’s older stucco buildings often carry original layers of roofing that must be torn off before the deck can be inspected, and the city’s coastal review can apply to changes in roofline or material type.
Roof Repair
Signs you need it
Water staining on ceilings, missing granules in gutters, lifted shingles, or visible rust on flashing and vents after the wet season.
What it costs in Santa Monica
Roof repair in Santa Monica runs $400 to $1,800, and tile roof repair runs $600 to $2,500.
How we do it
We inspect the deck and underlayment, replace the failed flashing or shingles with marine-rated fasteners, and hand you a photo record of the repair.
Roof Replacement & Installation
Signs you need it
Multiple leaks, shingle granule loss across the whole roof, sagging decking, or a roof past its expected lifespan for the material.
What it costs in Santa Monica
Full roof replacement in Santa Monica runs $8,000 to $20,000, and metal roof installation runs $15,000 to $40,000.
How we do it
We tear off to the deck, replace any soft sheathing, install new underlayment and flashing to marine spec, and document each layer before it gets covered.
What Roofing Costs in Santa Monica
| Item | Typical range in Santa Monica |
|---|---|
| Roof Replacement | $8,000-$20,000 |
| Roof Repair | $400-$1,800 |
| Tile Roof Repair | $600-$2,500 |
How does the ocean air affect a Santa Monica roof?
Salt-laden air corrodes standard galvanized flashing, fasteners, and edge metal within a few years. We specify stainless or hot-dipped galvanized hardware on Santa Monica roof work, and the material spec is written into your flat quote.
Will my Santa Monica roof replacement require a coastal permit?
Often yes, especially if the roofline or material type changes. We check the Coastal Commission jurisdiction on every Santa Monica project and build the permit timeline into the written scope before work starts.
Windows & Doors in Santa Monica
Window replacement in Santa Monica runs $4,500 to $15,000 for a typical home, and impact window installation runs $8,000 to $25,000. Salt air and fog mean the frames, hardware, and flashing materials matter as much as the glass rating, and original wood windows on pre-war homes near the bluffs often cannot be repaired without a full sash rebuild. Our Windows & Doors quote specifies the frame material, glass package, and flashing so you can compare line by line.
Santa Monica homes within the coastal zone also face stricter rules on window size and placement changes, especially street-facing openings, because the Coastal Commission reviews exterior alterations beyond simple like-for-like replacement.
Window Replacement
Signs you need it
Fogged double-pane glass, sashes that stick, visible rot on wood frames, or drafts you can feel from across the room.
What it costs in Santa Monica
Window replacement in Santa Monica runs $4,500 to $15,000 depending on the number of openings and the frame material.
How we do it
We measure each opening, order to spec, remove the old sash, inspect the rough opening for rot, and install with marine-grade flashing and documented photos at each stage.
Impact Windows & Doors
Signs you need it
Your home sits within a few blocks of the beach, or your current windows cannot stand up to wind-driven water during winter storms.
What it costs in Santa Monica
Impact window installation in Santa Monica runs $8,000 to $25,000 for a whole-home job.
How we do it
We spec the correct impact-rated glass and frame, pull the required permits, and install with the anchoring and flashing detail written into the flat quote.
What Windows & Doors Costs in Santa Monica
| Item | Typical range in Santa Monica |
|---|---|
| Window Replacement | $4,500-$15,000 |
| Impact Window Installation | $8,000-$25,000 |
Do I need a permit to replace windows in Santa Monica?
Like-for-like window replacement often does not require a building permit, but changing the opening size or the window style can, and coastal review may apply. We check the coastal jurisdiction on every Santa Monica job and include the permit line in your quote. Call (470) 298-9650 for a flat written price.
Why do Santa Monica window frames corrode faster?
Marine fog carries salt that works into metal frames, hardware, and the screws holding the window. We use stainless or hot-dipped galvanized fasteners on Santa Monica window and door work, and the material choice is written into the quote, not treated as an upgrade later.
Home Additions & ADU in Santa Monica
Home additions in Santa Monica run $45,000 to $130,000, and a full ADU construction runs $90,000 to $220,000. Every one of these projects sits under the Coastal Commission’s jurisdiction, which means the dual-agency permit review shapes the schedule before a single footing is poured. Our Home Additions & ADU process starts with the permit path, not the design, so the written price reflects the actual regulatory timeline you’ll face.
Santa Monica also enforces a green building ordinance that pushes new residential construction toward near-zero net energy standards, which changes insulation, glazing, and mechanical choices relative to a project in neighboring Venice or Culver City.
ADU Design & Permitting
Signs you need it
You have a rear yard or garage footprint that could hold a rental unit or a family suite, and you need the entitlement path mapped before committing to construction.
What it costs in Santa Monica
ADU construction in Santa Monica runs $90,000 to $220,000, with design and permitting as a separate written scope.
How we do it
We map the two-agency permit path first, then design within the coastal and energy requirements, and produce a flat construction price with the document record backing it.
Garage Conversion ADU
Signs you need it
The garage is used for storage, not parking, and converting it would add living space without expanding the building footprint.
What it costs in Santa Monica
Garage conversion ADUs in Santa Monica run $30,000 to $80,000 depending on structural work, utility runs, and coastal requirements.
How we do it
We inspect the existing slab and framing, design within the city’s parking replacement rules, pull both permit layers, and document the structural and utility work in writing.
What Home Additions & ADU Costs in Santa Monica
| Item | Typical range in Santa Monica |
|---|---|
| Home Addition | $45,000-$130,000 |
| ADU Construction | $90,000-$220,000 |
| Garage Conversion | $30,000-$80,000 |
How long does an ADU take in Santa Monica?
Design and the dual-agency permit review often run 8 to 18 months before construction starts, and construction itself runs 4 to 10 months. We give you the timeline in the written scope, not a verbal estimate. Call (470) 298-9650 for a flat written quote.
Will the Coastal Commission review my Santa Monica ADU?
Almost certainly yes. Santa Monica sits inside the Coastal Commission’s jurisdictional zone, so your ADU will need a Coastal Development Permit on top of the city’s own permits. We route the documentation through both agencies and keep you on one written timeline.
Brands We Service in Santa Monica
We install and service construction products from Sakrete, Abodu, Cover, and Dvele across Santa Monica, with parts ordered against your written scope rather than sourced ad hoc. Our brands page lists the full material catalog we quote from, so the numbers on your estimate reference actual products, not placeholders.
Pricing for Construction in Santa Monica, CA
| Service | Typical range in Santa Monica |
|---|---|
| Kitchen Remodel | $14,000-$45,000 |
| Bathroom Remodel | $9,000-$28,000 |
| Roof Replacement | $8,000-$20,000 |
| Window Replacement | $4,500-$15,000 |
| Home Addition | $45,000-$130,000 |
| ADU Construction | $90,000-$220,000 |
| Paver Patio Installation | $3,500-$11,000 |
| Paver Driveway Installation | $7,000-$18,000 |
What drives price up in Santa Monica is the permit load more than the labor. The Coastal Development Permit layer, soft-story structural review on older buildings, and marine-grade material requirements all add real dollars and real weeks. Under Clause 1 of the Haven Standard, your written price covers the full scope before any work starts, and no change proceeds without your signature on a change order.
Neighborhoods We Serve in Santa Monica
We work across Santa Monica’s residential neighborhoods, from the pre-war bungalows north of Montana to the mid-century stucco buildings around Wilshire and the denser blocks nearer downtown. Our crews also serve the multi-unit and single-family homes throughout the coastal zone where permit coordination runs through both the city and the Coastal Commission.
- North of Montana
- Wilshire-Montana
- Sunset Park
- Ocean Park
- Pico Neighborhood
Most Santa Monica addresses are within a 20 to 40 minute drive for our local crews, and we schedule around your permit timeline, not the other way around.
Service Area - Cities Near Santa Monica
Beyond Santa Monica, we serve homeowners in Venice, CA, Culver City, CA, Beverly Hills, CA, and West Hollywood, CA. Each city has its own permit reality, but the written-price process stays the same.
Serving Santa Monica, CA - Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the Santa Monica area and know this community well. Use the map below to see our service coverage - if you’re nearby, we can almost certainly help.
FAQs About Construction in Santa Monica
Most significant remodels, additions, and roof or window changes do, because nearly the entire city sits inside the California Coastal Commission’s jurisdictional zone. Minor like-for-like repairs may not. We check the coastal jurisdiction on every job before quoting. Call (470) 298-9650 for a written flat price.
You’re working with two agencies that review separately, so the permitting phase often runs 3 to 18 months depending on the project type. We build the permit timeline into your written scope and schedule construction around it rather than promising a start date that ignores the agency clock.
Yes, our crews cover all Santa Monica residential neighborhoods from north of Montana through Sunset Park, Ocean Park, and the Pico Neighborhood. Dispatch and scheduling are coordinated from the brand’s Los Angeles office, and a live person answers calls 24/7.
Call (470) 298-9650 to schedule your free estimate. Every quote is a flat written price with a written scope and a documented photo record, so you know the number before a single tool leaves the truck.
What happens when you call
- 1A real person answersNo phone trees - talk to a local construction pro.
- 2You get an upfront price rangeHonest numbers before anyone is dispatched. No surprises.
- 3We come out and measureLicensed & insured, at a time that suits you - the visit and the quote are both free.
- 4You get the price in writingLine-itemed, yours to keep, and nothing starts until you say go.
What Santa Monica Customers Say
"Solid work, decent crew, and the site was left tidy every evening."
- Pearl A."Final invoice was within two percent of the contract. Every change was priced and signed before anyone picked up a tool."
- Malcolm T."Fence and retaining wall along a sloped boundary. They photographed the footing depth at each post, which mattered when the county inspector came."
- Iona F.