Santa Monica, CA · Westside Coastal City

Kitchen Remodeling in Santa Monica, CA

From a 1960s condo galley to a Craftsman bungalow, we design your kitchen in 3D and price it line by line before demolition, with a licensed crew that files the City permit for you.

Get Your Free Estimate Call (213) 515-6576

10Kitchen Services

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CSLB#1087602 Licensed

Planning a Santa Monica Kitchen

Start With the Kitchen You Cook In Every Day

About three in four Santa Monica homes sit in buildings with two or more units, many of them condos run by an HOA, and roughly three quarters went up before 1980, with the 1960s and 70s the busiest building years. So most kitchens we see here share walls, floors or a roof with a neighbor, and many still have their original layout.

Most projects begin with a short list of frustrations: not enough drawer space, one dim ceiling light, a counter that ends right where the prep should begin. We start there, measure every wall and opening, ask how you cook and who shares the room, then show you the new kitchen in 3D with real cabinet sizes and an itemized written estimate before anything is ordered.

Call (213) 515-6576

Request a Kitchen Remodeling Estimate

Share your Santa Monica address, remodel goals, and timeline. A kitchen remodeling specialist will follow up with next steps.

Before and During the Build

Utilities, Ventilation and Protecting Your Building

A remodel goes smoothly when the services behind the walls are sorted out before demolition. Here is what we confirm early.

Utilities. Water comes from the City’s own utility, gas from SoCalGas and power from SCE. If a meter, gas line or electrical service has to change, we line it up with the right provider first.
Ventilation. The range hood is sized to the cooktop and vented outside where the building allows. In a condo, we confirm the exhaust route with the association before ordering.
Protection. Floors, elevators and hallways are covered every day, and debris leaves on the schedule your building sets.

Kitchen Services

Kitchen Remodeling Services in Santa Monica

Some clients want a whole new kitchen; others need one thing done properly. We do both, with the same in-house crew and project manager from demolition to final inspection.

Licensed & insuredCSLB #1087602

Condos and housesPlanned for both

City permitsFiled for you

Free estimateReply within 24 hours

Choose the Work Your Kitchen Needs

Tap a service to jump to its details, pricing and notes for Santa Monica homes.

Cabinet Installation

Drawers, pull-outs and uppers that finally reach the ceiling.

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Granite countertop with an undermount sink

Countertops

Quartz, granite or slab tops templated after the cabinets are set.

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Warm traditional kitchen with a tiled wall behind the counters

Backsplash

Tile or full-height slab set flat, sealed and lined up with outlets.

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Kitchen Flooring

Tile or engineered wood, with the underlayment your building requires.

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Pendant lights hanging above a kitchen island

Kitchen Lighting

Recessed, under-cabinet and pendant light so every counter is bright.

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Appliance Installation

Ranges, fridges and hoods checked against opening, supply and vent.

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Island or Peninsula

More prep space and seating, sized to the aisles you actually have.

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Compact condo kitchen with built-in appliances

Small Kitchen Remodeling

Galley and condo kitchens planned inch by inch for storage and flow.

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Open-plan kitchen layout with granite surfaces

Layout Changes

Sink, range and fridge moved into a working triangle that suits you.

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Completed modern white Shaker kitchen remodel

Full Kitchen Remodel

Everything replaced in one sequenced project, from wiring to finish.

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City Permits

Do I Need a Permit for a Santa Monica Kitchen?

Kitchen permits here come from the City of Santa Monica Building & Safety Division, not LA County, and plan review is fully paperless. Drawings are filed through the City’s electronic plan review, and approved permits are picked up at the Permit Services Center on Main Street or through a virtual issuance appointment. This is how common kitchen work usually lines up; we confirm your exact scope with the City.

Work	Usually needs	What to know
Paint, new cabinet doors or hardware only	Usually no building permit	Cosmetic updates like these rarely need a permit.
Replacing cabinets, counters and the sink in the same spots	Often a combination permit	Once the sink, disposal or outlets are reconnected, the job usually counts as permitted work. We file it rather than guess.
New circuits, added lights or a dedicated appliance line	Electrical permit	Recessed lights, pendants and a new range or microwave circuit all fall here.
Moving the sink, gas line or dishwasher	Plumbing permit	Drawn and filed with the rest of the kitchen.
Removing or opening a wall	Building permit with plan review	Structural changes need drawings, and sometimes engineering, before approval.
Windows, exterior walls or added space	Planning review, possibly coastal or Landmarks review	Exterior work can involve coastal review or, for a designated resource, the Landmarks Commission.

The contractor pulling the permit needs a City business license, which we hold.
Condo owners should get association approval in writing before plans are filed.
Rough inspections happen before walls are closed, and a final inspection completes the job.

Service Details

How We Handle Each Part of Your Kitchen

Each block covers what we do, what is different about Santa Monica homes, and what the work usually costs here.

Storage that fits the room

Cabinet Installation in Santa Monica, CA

Drawers that jam and counters with no free space usually mean the cabinet plan is wrong, not that the kitchen is too small.

We measure every wall, window and appliance opening, then lay out drawers, pull-outs and tall pantry storage before you pick a door style. Boxes are set level and scribed to the walls, so counters and appliances land on true lines. Soft-close hardware and interior organizers are planned in from the start rather than added later.

For Santa Monica homes

In many 1960s and 70s Santa Monica apartments and condos, the upper cabinets stop a foot short of the ceiling. Taking them full height is one of the least expensive ways to add storage without touching the floor plan.

What we settle first

Measure walls, windows and appliance openings
Decide drawers or doors for each base cabinet
Run uppers to the ceiling where it allows
Choose the door style and finish last

Get an Estimate More about cabinet installation →

How much does cabinet installation cost in Santa Monica?

Semi-custom cabinet installation in Santa Monica typically runs

$280–$520 per linear foot, installed.

Door style, box construction, interior organizers and the number of tall units decide where you land.

Prep space without awkward seams

Countertop Installation in Santa Monica, CA

A countertop should give you one clear stretch to work on, not a run chopped up by the cooktop and sink.

We template only after the cabinets are set, so the stone is cut for the boxes you actually have. Seams are kept away from the sink and range, overhangs are sized for any seating, and the edge profile is chosen for how often you lean on it. Quartz, granite, porcelain slab and butcher block all work, and we bring samples so you can compare them side by side.

For Santa Monica homes

Closer to the beach, the stone is rarely the weak point. Exposed metal corrodes faster in salt air, so the faucet, soap pump and sink clips get finishes made for it.

What we settle first

Template only once the cabinets are level
Place seams away from the sink and range
Pick the edge profile and overhang
Choose the sink before the slab is cut

Get an Estimate More about countertop installation →

What do new countertops cost in Santa Monica?

Installed quartz or granite in Santa Monica usually falls between

$45–$125 per square foot, installed.

Slab grade, thickness, edge detail, sink cut-outs and the number of seams move the price up or down.

Walls that wipe clean

Backsplash Installation in Santa Monica, CA

The wall behind the range and sink takes steam, grease and splashes every day, so how the tile is set matters as much as how it looks.

We check the wall for flatness, set the tile on the right backer and plan where cuts fall around outlets and windows, so the pattern looks deliberate. Grout is sealed, and outlet boxes are adjusted so the covers sit flush with the new surface. Options run from simple ceramic subway tile to a full-height slab that matches the counter.

For Santa Monica homes

Walls in older Santa Monica buildings are often slightly out of square. We lay the pattern out from the center of the wall so any taper disappears into the corners instead of the middle of the run.

What we settle first

Choose tile or slab and how high it goes
Lay out cuts around outlets and windows
Pick the grout color and sealer
Start the pattern from the wall center

Get an Estimate Call (213) 515-6576

How much does a kitchen backsplash cost in Santa Monica?

Plan on

$16–$53 per square foot for a backsplash in a Santa Monica kitchen.

Ceramic tile sits at the low end; handmade tile, detailed patterns or a full slab push toward the top.

Floors that handle spills

Kitchen Flooring in Santa Monica, CA

Kitchen floors wear out first in front of the sink and dishwasher, where water and foot traffic meet.

We take up the old layers, check the subfloor or slab for soft spots and dips, and level it before porcelain, tile or engineered wood goes down. Transitions into the hall and dining room are planned so nobody trips on a ridge. In a full remodel, we decide with you whether the floor runs under the cabinets or stops at them.

For Santa Monica homes

Upper-floor units often fall under building rules about sound. Your association may require a specific underlayment, and that can decide the material before style does.

What we settle first

Check the subfloor or slab and level it
Confirm sound and underlayment rules
Pick a surface with grip when wet
Plan thresholds into the next rooms

Get an Estimate More about kitchen flooring →

How is kitchen flooring priced in Santa Monica?

Porcelain or ceramic tile flooring in Santa Monica typically costs

$8–$11 per square foot, installed.

Leveling, removing more than one old layer and acoustic underlayment are added on top of that base.

Light where you work

Kitchen Lighting in Santa Monica, CA

One ceiling fixture puts your shadow right on the cutting board. Good kitchen lighting fixes that in layers.

We combine recessed lights for overall brightness, under-cabinet strips for the counters and pendants over an island or peninsula. Switches and dimmers are grouped so each zone works on its own, and every fixture is an energy-efficient LED. All wiring is finished before drywall patching, tile and paint.

For Santa Monica homes

Kitchens built in the 1960s and 70s often run on very few circuits. Adding lights is the right moment to check the panel, and any new circuit means an electrical permit, which we file for you.

What we settle first

Map task, ambient and accent zones
Check the panel and the circuit count
Place switches and dimmers where you reach
Finish wiring before tile and paint

Get an Estimate More about kitchen lighting →

Kitchen pendant and recessed lighting remodel

What does kitchen lighting cost in Santa Monica?

Electrical labor for a Santa Monica kitchen lighting package usually runs

$1,000–$3,950 per kitchen.

Ceiling access, the number of fixtures and whether new circuits are needed set the price. The fixtures you choose are separate.

Appliances that fit the first time

Appliance Installation in Santa Monica, CA

A new range or fridge that doesn’t fit its opening, vent path or circuit turns delivery day into a second project.

Before you buy, we check width, depth and door swing, the gas or electrical supply and the route for the hood vent. Once delivered, each appliance is connected, leveled and tested, and every door has to clear the counters and the next appliance.

For Santa Monica homes

In a multi-unit building, the delivery path matters as much as the opening: we check the elevator, stairwell and hallway turns before a full-size fridge or range is ordered.

What we settle first

Measure openings and door swings
Confirm the gas or electrical supply
Check the building’s delivery path
Time delivery to the build schedule

Get an Estimate More about appliance installation →

How much does appliance installation cost in Santa Monica?

Installation labor for a full set of kitchen appliances in Santa Monica typically runs

$570–$2,850 per kitchen.

Built-in or panel-ready units, new gas or water lines and venting a hood outside raise the labor. The appliances themselves are separate.

Workspace without a traffic jam

Kitchen Island or Peninsula in Santa Monica, CA

An island only helps if people can still walk around it with the dishwasher and oven doors open.

We measure the aisles on every working side before recommending one. If the room supports it, the island can carry a prep sink, outlets, storage and seating. If it doesn’t, a peninsula gives you most of the same counter space and keeps one side of the room open.

For Santa Monica homes

Most condo kitchens here are galleys or L-shapes with limited floor space, so a peninsula is often the better fit. In a house with a separate dining room, opening part of that wall can make room for a full island; that needs drawings and a permit.

What we settle first

Measure clearance on each working side
Decide on a sink, seating or storage
Plan outlets and any plumbing runs
Pick island or peninsula on the drawing

Get an Estimate More about kitchen islands →

Butcher block kitchen island prep surface

What does a kitchen island cost in Santa Monica?

A kitchen island in Santa Monica typically costs

$5,100–$20,500 per island, from a simple prep island to one with a sink and seating.

Size, counter material, plumbing and electrical work and custom cabinetry make the difference.

Compact kitchens, planned inch by inch

Small Kitchen Remodeling in Santa Monica, CA

Galley and corridor kitchens are everywhere in Santa Monica’s apartments and condos, and every inch has to earn its place.

We work on height, depth and appliance size instead of squeezing in more boxes: cabinets to the ceiling, 24-inch appliances where they make sense, a deeper sink and lighting that makes the room feel bigger. Everything is drawn to scale before demolition, so you know the dishwasher and oven doors clear each other.

For Santa Monica homes

Plumbing in a multi-unit building is usually stacked with the units above and below, so we keep the sink and gas line where they are whenever we can. That avoids shared-plumbing work and makes association approval simpler.

What we settle first

Draw door and appliance clearances to scale
Choose compact or full-size appliances
Add storage upward, not outward
Keep plumbing in place where possible

Get an Estimate More about small kitchen remodeling →

How much does a small kitchen remodel cost in Santa Monica?

A small kitchen remodel in Santa Monica typically lands between

$31,099–$40,883 for the total project.

That covers new cabinets, counters, flooring, lighting and appliance hookups in a compact room. Moving plumbing or choosing custom cabinetry raises it.

Layout Planning

Choosing a Layout and Style That Suit Your Home

Start with the shape of the room and where water and gas come in, then choose the look. If the fridge, sink and range fight each other, moving them changes the room more than any finish upgrade. Santa Monica’s mix of mid-century buildings and older bungalows gives each its own style cues.

Galley or corridor kitchens: keep the sink, range and fridge on one line and gain storage with cabinets that run to the ceiling.
L-shaped kitchens: a peninsula on the open end adds counter space and a place to sit without blocking the path.
1960s and 70s buildings: flat-panel or slim Shaker doors, light stone and simple pulls suit the architecture.
1920s bungalows and Craftsman homes: painted inset cabinets and a deep farmhouse sink look more at home than high-gloss slab fronts.
Historic districts: in areas such as the Third Street Neighborhood or the Bay Street Craftsman Cluster, the Landmarks Commission focuses mostly on what is visible from the street, so interior kitchen choices usually stay yours.

Cost Guide

What a Kitchen Remodel Costs in Santa Monica

A full kitchen remodel in Santa Monica typically costs $97,500–$183,500. Treat it as a guide; your estimate is written from your measured scope.

How much does a full kitchen remodel cost in Santa Monica?

Most homeowners replacing cabinets, counters, flooring, lighting and appliances together, with some layout change, should plan around $97,500–$183,500. Many Santa Monica projects come in well below that because condo kitchens usually keep the existing footprint.

Full kitchen remodel$97,500–$183,500Total project, installed

Where your project may land

From the simplest scope to the largest:

Focused refresh

New counters, backsplash, lighting or cabinet fronts in the existing layout.

$28,500–$51,500

Small or galley kitchen

Everything replaced in a compact room. It starts a little above a refresh because nothing old stays, and the small footprint keeps the top end lower.

$31,099–$40,883

Mid-scope remodel

New cabinets and counters in a standard-size kitchen, same footprint.

$35,500–$63,900

Full remodel with layout changes

Cabinets, counters, floors, lighting and appliances, with work centers moved.

$97,500–$183,500

High-end or structural

Custom cabinetry, premium appliances, moved walls or rerouted plumbing.

$172,000–$287,000

Don’t add up the individual service prices for a full remodel. Demolition, electrical, plumbing and project management overlap, so a combined project costs less than the same work done as separate jobs.

Condo projects can carry costs a house won’t: elevator and hallway protection, restricted work hours, proof of insurance and time for association approval. We price those into the scope from the start instead of finding them halfway through.

Request a Project-Specific Estimate Call (213) 515-6576

Process

From First Visit to Final Inspection

Step 1

Visit and measure

We measure the kitchen, check the panel, plumbing and gas, and go over your building’s rules if it has an association.

Step 2

3D design and selections

You see the new kitchen in 3D with real cabinet sizes and appliance specs, then choose finishes and fixtures.

Step 3

Written estimate and permits

You get an itemized estimate. When the scope needs a permit, our drawings go to the City for review.

Step 4

Build

Our in-house crew handles demolition, rough-in, cabinets, counters, tile, floors and lighting in order, with cleanup every day.

Step 5

Inspections and walkthrough

We coordinate each City inspection, finish the punch list and show you how to care for the new materials.

Service Area

Serving Santa Monica and the Westside

We plan kitchens in every Santa Monica ZIP, 90401 through 90405, and every neighborhood: North of Montana, Wilshire-Montana, Mid-City, Pico, Ocean Park, Sunset Park and Downtown.

Nearby communities we also serve:

Marina del Rey Century City Culver City Beverly Hills Ladera Heights El Segundo All service areas

Project Gallery

Kitchen Ideas From Our Project Gallery

Bright contemporary kitchen remodel inspiration

Efficient Layout

Bright cabinets, continuous prep, and clear aisles

Cabinet Refresh

Shaker cabinets, soft-close hardware, and taller pantry storage

Peninsula Prep

Butcher-block prep edge when a full island would crowd circulation

Countertop Focus

Quartz perimeter planned for continuous prep

Lighting Layers

Recessed ambient plus under-cabinet task lighting

Flooring Transitions

Durable flooring detailed into adjoining rooms

Appliance Fit

Measured openings before ordering ranges and refrigeration

Warm Traditional

Classic door styles selected by homeowner preference

Reviews

What Homeowners Say About Our Kitchen Team

200+ reviews from homeowners across Los Angeles County.

★★★★★

"They measured carefully, showed a 3D layout, and did not push an island our aisle could not support. Cabinets and quartz look sharp, and the job site stayed clean."

Maria G., Los Angeles, CA

★★★★★

"Storage was the problem, tall pantry and drawer bases fixed it. Lighting under the cabinets made the counters actually usable at night."

Daniel & Rosa L., Los Angeles, CA

★★★★★

"Permits and inspections were handled without us chasing paperwork. One team for cabinets, counters, and appliances."

Hector P., Huntington Park, CA

★★★★★

"Peninsula instead of a forced island, exactly what our floor plan needed. Soft-close everywhere and a clear itemized quote."

Ana R., Cudahy, CA

★★★★★

"They coordinated the range hood vent correctly and explained electrical upgrades before work started. Professional from consult to walkthrough."

Luis M., Bell, CA

★★★★★

"Transparent pricing and a project manager who answered texts. The finished Shaker kitchen feels like our house, just updated."

Patricia S., Commerce, CA

FAQs

Santa Monica Kitchen Remodeling Questions

How much does a kitchen remodel cost in Santa Monica? +

A focused refresh starts around $28,500, a mid-scope remodel with new cabinets and counters runs $35,500–$63,900, and a full remodel with layout changes typically costs $97,500–$183,500.

Can I live in my condo while the kitchen is remodeled? +

Most owners do. We seal the work area, keep a path to the door clear and can set up a temporary sink and microwave corner, so the rest of the unit stays usable.

Do you deal with my building's management company? +

Yes. We send the insurance certificates, schedules and drawings they ask for, and keep them updated as the job moves along.

Can the kitchen be designed before the association approves it? +

Yes. Design and pricing can go ahead first; we file plans and order materials once the written approval is in hand.

How soon can you start, and what does the estimate cost? +

The estimate is free. We respond within 24 hours to schedule a visit, and the start date depends on design decisions, cabinet lead times and the City's review of your drawings.

Ready to Plan Your Santa Monica Kitchen?

Tell us about the Santa Monica kitchen you have and the one you want. Call (213) 515-6576 or use the form, and we’ll reply within 24 hours, Mon–Sat 7AM–5PM.

Free estimate, with a 3D design before demolition
CSLB licensed #1087602, one in-house crew
City permits and association paperwork handled for you

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Share your goals and timeline. A kitchen remodeling specialist will follow up.