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 Whittier, CA
Kitchen remodeling in Whittier runs $14,000-$45,000 for a full job, and the number moves most on one local factor: the age of the house. Most Whittier kitchens sit inside 1920s-1940s Craftsman bungalows or Spanish Colonial Revival homes, where floors slope, walls hide knob-and-tube wiring, and the cripple-wall foundation under the kitchen has never been bolted for seismic loads. A remodel here is never just cabinets and counters. It means correcting framing, replacing supply lines, and often adding seismic anchors before tile goes down. Call (470) 298-9650 for a written price on your Whittier kitchen.
Why Whittier Homes Are Different
The Whittier Fault runs along the Puente Hills at the city’s northern edge, and the 1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake left a permanent mark on local construction. Uptown’s pre-WWII brick storefronts went through mandatory unreinforced masonry retrofits, and that same seismic thinking now follows homeowners uphill. Older Whittier neighborhoods are dense with raised wood-frame foundations on cripple walls, which rack sideways under lateral load. Contractors who work here habitually spec foundation bolting, shear panels, and soft-story reinforcement on remodels that flatland cities south of here would never touch.
Terrain is the second variable. Whittier Hills subdivisions graded in the 1950s through 1970s sit on compacted fill over expansive Puente Hills clay. That clay swells in wet winters and shrinks in dry summers, slab cracks follow, and the work shifts from finish carpentry to re-leveling and underpinning faster than homeowners expect. Coastal fog pushes up against the hills and keeps roofs and stucco damp through spring, so flashing, drainage, and paint prep get more attention here than in Norwalk or La Mirada.
Our Main Whittier Services
Whittier homeowners call most often about two exterior projects: fencing on hillside lots and driveways or pavers on terrain that drains toward the house. Both jobs are covered in detail on their own Whittier pages.
Fence Installation in Whittier
Fence lines in Whittier rarely run flat. Hillside lots grade steeply, which means stepped posts, engineered footings, and retaining coordination that a flat-lot fence never needs. We quote Fence Installation in Whittier with the slope measured, not assumed, and the written price includes any retaining work the grade requires.
Driveway & Pavers in Whittier
Driveway work in Whittier follows the same rule as fencing: water goes where the hill sends it. A new paver or concrete drive on a hillside lot needs a drainage plan before the first cut, or the first winter storm pushes runoff under the garage slab. See Driveway & Pavers in Whittier for prices and the drainage detail we put in writing.
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 Whittier
Kitchen remodeling in Whittier means working inside a pre-war envelope and making it square before making it pretty. The 1920s-1940s stock here carries sloped floors, ungrounded wiring, and foundation plates that have never seen a seismic anchor, so our scopes routinely include structural correction before cabinets arrive. Our Kitchen Remodeling process puts every one of those corrections in the written price, not as a change order later.
Full Kitchen Remodeling
Signs you need it
Your kitchen floor slopes more than an inch over six feet, the electrical panel is original to the house, and the layout no longer fits how the household actually cooks.
What it costs in Whittier
Full kitchen remodeling in Whittier runs $14,000-$45,000, with hillside homes on expansive clay typically landing in the upper third because of foundation work.
How we do it
We open the walls, document what’s behind them with photos, correct framing and seismic anchorage with a signed change order for anything outside the written scope, then build back to finish.
Cabinets & Countertops
Signs you need it
Cabinet frames have separated at the joints, drawer slides fail on the heavy lower drawers, or the existing countertops are laminate over swollen particleboard.
What it costs in Whittier
Cabinet installation runs $4,000-$13,000 and countertop installation $2,000-$6,500 in Whittier, depending on whether you specify framed or frameless cabinets and engineered or natural stone.
How we do it
We template the counters after the cabinets are set and shimmed level, then cut, install, and seal with the sink and faucet fit on the same visit.
What Kitchen Remodeling Costs in Whittier
| Item | Typical range in Whittier |
|---|---|
| Full kitchen remodel | $14,000-$45,000 |
| Cabinet installation | $4,000-$13,000 |
| Countertop installation | $2,000-$6,500 |
| Backsplash installation | $800-$2,500 |
Does a Whittier kitchen remodel require a permit?
Yes, any job that moves plumbing, electrical, or load-bearing walls requires a city permit, and we pull it. The written quote includes permit fees and the inspection schedule so the final number matches the first one. Call (470) 298-9650 for the exact range on your kitchen.
How long does a kitchen remodel take in Whittier?
A full kitchen remodel in Whittier typically runs six to ten weeks, with the wider spread coming from hillside foundation corrections and any surprise framing repairs behind the walls. We put the schedule in the written scope. Call (470) 298-9650 and we will walk the job before we quote it.
Bathroom Remodeling in Whittier
Bathroom remodeling in Whittier runs $9,000-$28,000, and the age of the plumbing usually decides which end you land on. Homes built before 1940 carry galvanized supply lines and cast-iron drain stacks, and when the tile comes off, the wall behind it is often the original lath and plaster, which was never built to hold a modern waterproof membrane. Our Bathroom Remodeling scope starts with what’s behind the tile, because that is where the water damage is.
Walk-In Showers & Shower Remodeling
Signs you need it
Grout is cracked at the pan-to-wall joint, the shower floor feels soft underfoot, or the existing curb leaks into the adjacent room at every use.
What it costs in Whittier
Walk-in shower installation in Whittier runs $4,500-$12,000, and shower replacement $3,000-$8,500, with the spread driven by membrane replacement and drain relocation.
How we do it
We strip to the studs, inspect the subfloor and drain, install a bonded waterproof membrane, and set tile over a sloped mud bed that drains toward the drain, not the curb.
Tub-to-Shower Conversion
Signs you need it
The tub is rarely used, the household needs a low-threshold entry, or the existing tub surround has failed and water is running behind the wall.
What it costs in Whittier
Tub-to-shower conversion in Whittier runs $3,500-$10,000, including drain enlargement, new valve, and waterproofing to the full wet-wall height.
How we do it
We remove the tub, enlarge the drain line to two inches, set a linear or center drain, rebuild the wet wall with a bonded membrane, and install a low-profile or curbless pan.
What Bathroom Remodeling Costs in Whittier
| Item | Typical range in Whittier |
|---|---|
| Full bathroom remodel | $9,000-$28,000 |
| Walk-in shower installation | $4,500-$12,000 |
| Tub-to-shower conversion | $3,500-$10,000 |
| Vanity installation | $800-$3,000 |
Is a tub-to-shower conversion safe in an old Whittier house?
Yes, once the old drain and supply lines are replaced. Cast-iron and galvanized pipes from the 1930s cannot be reused, and we replace them rather than patch around them. Call (470) 298-9650 for a written line item on your bathroom.
Will removing a tub hurt resale in Whittier?
In Whittier’s pre-war stock, a well-built walk-in shower with a waterproofed membrane performs better than a failing tub surround, and most buyers read it as an upgrade. The key is the waterproofing, not the fixture. Call (470) 298-9650 and we will quote the full system.
Roofing in Whittier
Roofing in Whittier carries a different load than in flatland cities to the south. Coastal fog pushes up from the basin and sits against the Puente Hills through spring, keeping north-facing roof planes damp, while the hillside lots angle every roof toward the house below, which puts drainage first. Our Roofing quotes start with the pitch, the shingle layer count, and the valley condition, because those three numbers set the real price.
Roof Replacement & Installation
Signs you need it
Shingles are curling or losing granules, there are two or more existing layers, or the roof deck shows sag between rafters when viewed from the eave.
What it costs in Whittier
Roof replacement in Whittier runs $8,000-$20,000, with the spread driven by tear-off depth, sheathing repair, and hillside staging difficulty.
How we do it
We strip to the deck, document every layer count and any sheathing rot with photos, replace damaged deck boards, and set new underlayment and shingles to manufacturer spec with a written warranty.
Roof Repair
Signs you need it
Water staining on the ceiling after rain, missing shingles, or flashing that has pulled away from the chimney or a wall intersection.
What it costs in Whittier
Roof repair in Whittier runs $400-$1,800 for most localized fixes, and tile roof repair runs $600-$2,500 when broken or slipped tiles expose the underlayment.
How we do it
We trace the leak to its entry point, replace the failed material back to dry deck, and photograph the finished repair before we leave the job.
What Roofing Costs in Whittier
| Item | Typical range in Whittier |
|---|---|
| Roof replacement | $8,000-$20,000 |
| Roof repair | $400-$1,800 |
| Metal roof installation | $15,000-$40,000 |
| Tile roof repair | $600-$2,500 |
Does Whittier’s fog cause roof problems?
Yes. Persistent marine layer against the hills keeps north-facing planes damp for weeks, which accelerates moss, granule loss, and flashing corrosion. We spec corrosion-resistant flashing on every Whittier replace. Call (470) 298-9650 and we will tell you what is on your roof right now.
How many layers of shingles are on a typical Whittier roof?
Most pre-war Whittier homes carry two or three layers of composition shingle over the original cedar, because each new layer was cheaper than a tear-off. We remove all of them before installing a single clean layer. Call (470) 298-9650 for a written tear-off and replacement quote.
Windows & Doors in Whittier
Window and door replacement in Whittier is often a seismic decision as much as an energy one. Original wood sash from the 1920s and 1930s were never tied to the framing for lateral load, and in a rattling event the openings are the first point of failure. Our Windows & Doors installations anchor every new unit to code, then seal and trim it to the existing stucco or siding line.
Window Replacement
Signs you need it
Wood frames are soft at the sill, single-pane glass shoots cold in winter, or the sash no longer locks square in the opening.
What it costs in Whittier
Window replacement in Whittier runs $4,500-$15,000 for a typical full-home set, with impact-rated units pushing higher per opening.
How we do it
We measure each rough opening, order units to the sixteenth, remove the old sash and frame, flash the rough opening, set and shim the new unit, and trim the exterior to match.
Impact Windows & Doors
Signs you need it
You want the windows to hold their glass under seismic shaking, or the house is in a wind-exposed hillside location where blown debris is a real risk.
What it costs in Whittier
Impact window installation in Whittier runs $8,000-$25,000 for a full retrofit, depending on the opening count and whether the frames are wood-clad or vinyl.
How we do it
We set laminated impact-rated units into the existing openings with structural anchorage, then seal and flash every perimeter joint to stop air and water before they start.
What Windows & Doors Costs in Whittier
| Item | Typical range in Whittier |
|---|---|
| Window replacement | $4,500-$15,000 |
| Impact window installation | $8,000-$25,000 |
| Door installation | $800-$3,000 per opening |
Do old Whittier windows need full-frame replacement or pocket install?
Full-frame is the honest answer on pre-war homes. Pocket installs leave the old sill and frame in place, which is where the rot and the seismic weakness live. Call (470) 298-9650 and we will tell you which your house actually needs.
Can replacing windows lower cooling costs in Whittier?
Yes, single-pane to dual-pane cuts the afternoon heat load through west-facing glass, especially on the hillside exposures that catch full afternoon sun. The savings alone rarely pay for the project; the sealing and square operation do. Call (470) 298-9650 for a per-opening written price.
Home Additions & ADU in Whittier
Home additions in Whittier run $45,000-$130,000 and ADU construction $90,000-$220,000, and the hill is why. Any addition on a Whittier Hills lot starts with compaction testing and possibly piers or underpinning before a footer is poured, because building on fill over expansive clay without that step settles the new work away from the old. Our Home Additions & ADU scopes include the geotech work in the written price, not as an allowance.
ADU Design & Permitting
Signs you need it
You have a detached garage or a large side yard and want a rental unit or family housing that meets current Whittier setback and height rules.
What it costs in Whittier
Design and permitting for a Whittier ADU typically runs $15,000-$30,000 of the total $90,000-$220,000 project, before a single yard of concrete is poured.
How we do it
We survey the lot, test the soil, draw the plans, submit to the city, and carry the permit set all the way to approval before construction pricing is finalized.
Garage Conversion ADU
Signs you need it
The garage is a storage room with a roof, the existing slab is cracked, and the household needs a one-bedroom unit without losing any remaining yard space.
What it costs in Whittier
Garage conversion in Whittier runs $30,000-$80,000, with the low end assuming an intact slab and the high end including slab replacement and foundation correction.
How we do it
We frame the garage into conditioned space, run new subpanels and plumbing, insulate and drywall, and finish the unit with its own entrance, kitchen, bath, and addressable meter.
What Home Additions & ADU Costs in Whittier
| Item | Typical range in Whittier |
|---|---|
| Home addition | $45,000-$130,000 |
| ADU construction | $90,000-$220,000 |
| Garage conversion | $30,000-$80,000 |
Does Whittier allow an ADU on a hillside lot?
Yes, subject to slope and setback rules, and the geotech requirement is not optional on fill slopes. We run the soil tests and design to the city’s hillside ordinance from the first site visit. Call (470) 298-9650 and we will walk the lot before quoting.
Will an addition on expansive clay settle?
It will if the footer is not designed for it. Whittier Hills fill over Puente Hills clay expands and contracts each wet season, so we spec piers or a thickened, reinforced slab where the geotech report calls for it. Call (470) 298-9650 and we will show you the soil data behind the number.
Brands We Service in Whittier
Our crews install and service Mighty Buildings panels, Dvele envelope systems, and Cover prefab modules where the site conditions suit them, and we keep common trim, flashing, and hardware in local stock for faster turnarounds in Whittier. See our brands for the full line we quote, install, and stand behind.
Pricing for Construction in Whittier, CA
| Service | Typical range in Whittier |
|---|---|
| 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 driveway installation | $7,000-$18,000 |
| Vinyl fence installation | $3,500-$9,000 |
| Impact window installation | $8,000-$25,000 |
| Garage conversion | $30,000-$80,000 |
In Whittier, the two variables that push a quote upward are foundation condition and hillside drainage, and both are visible on the first site visit. Clause 1 of the Haven Standard means that written price is the number you will pay unless you sign a change order, and the change order is never a surprise.
Neighborhoods We Serve in Whittier
Our crews cover the full city, from the flat lots near Uptown to the graded hillside subdivisions above Whittier Boulevard. Expect a written quote within a few business days of the site visit, not an estimate on the spot.
- Uptown Whittier
- Whittier Hills
- Michigan Park
- East Whittier
- Friendly Hills
Service Area - Cities Near Whittier
Our crews also serve neighboring communities with the same written-price discipline, including Pico Rivera, CA, Hacienda Heights, CA, Montebello, CA, and Rosemead, CA. Same flat written scope, same signed change order rule, same photo record on every visit.
Serving Whittier, CA - Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the Whittier 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 Whittier
Yes. Whittier’s hillside ordinance requires geotechnical review for grading, retaining walls over a set height, and most additions on fill slopes. We pull every permit and carry the approvals as part of the written job, not as a line item that appears later. Call (470) 298-9650 to have us walk your lot.
We book the site visit first, deliver the written price, and only then schedule the crew date. On Whittier hillside jobs, the geotech and permit timeline is the long pole, and we lay that out on the first page of the quote so you can plan around it. Call (470) 298-9650 for your visit.
Yes, from application to final inspection. We prepare the drawings, submit to the city, track the review, and walk the inspector through at the end. The permit fees and the schedule are in the written scope, and no work begins until the permit is issued.
Call (470) 298-9650 and ask for the written number on your Whittier project. The quote is flat, the scope is written, and the photo record comes with every visit.
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 Whittier Customers Say
"Talked us out of the larger scope we came in asking for, because it would not have added the value we thought."
- Emil R."They found an old septic line under the driveway run and stopped, documented it, and re-quoted before continuing."
- Xavier L."Good communication throughout. Weekly written update meant I never had to chase them."
- Nadine G.