Rehab Cost in California (2026)
Updated June 2026 · 1,500 sq ft reference home
A standard, mid-grade rehab of a typical 1,500 sq ft, 3-bed/2-bath house in California runs about $28,330 to $89,642 in 2026, with bedrooms typically the largest line at $13,205. Ranges start from compiled eastern-Connecticut cost estimates and are adjusted to California using Bureau of Labor Statistics construction-trade wage data, reflecting local labor costs rather than a flat national average.
Cost by part of the house
Typical ranges for a standard, mid-grade rehab of the reference home in California.
| # | Category | Budget | Typical | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bedrooms | $7,398 | $13,205 | $25,688 |
| 2 | Exterior | $7,785 | $12,686 | $22,001 |
| 3 | Kitchen | $3,984 | $7,498 | $14,476 |
| 4 | Living / Dining | $3,852 | $6,916 | $13,148 |
| 5 | Bathrooms | $2,229 | $3,853 | $6,665 |
| 6 | Windows | $1,958 | $2,989 | $4,770 |
| 7 | Basement | $937 | $1,458 | $2,395 |
| 8 | Electrical | $187 | $292 | $500 |
What drives the California range
Construction labor in California runs about 4% above the national average (BLS OEWS), which is why these figures sit higher than a flat U.S. number. Labor is roughly half of a typical rehab, so wage differences move the total more than materials do.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to renovate a house in California?
A standard mid-grade rehab of a typical 1,500 sq ft, 3/2 home in California runs about $28,330–$89,642 in 2026, with a most-likely figure near $48,898. Heavier gut work runs higher; light cosmetic work runs lower.
What is the biggest cost in a California rehab?
In a typical rehab here, bedrooms is usually the largest single category at roughly $7,398–$25,688.
Is it more expensive to renovate in California than average?
Yes — construction labor in California runs about 4% above the U.S. average (BLS OEWS), so rehab budgets here run higher than the national norm.
How are these California renovation costs calculated?
They start from compiled eastern-Connecticut cost estimates for a defined 1,500 sq ft reference home, then adjust each line to California using BLS OEWS construction-trade wages. They are planning estimates, not a quote — confirm with local contractors before you commit.
About these costs: ranges are compiled construction-cost estimates for a defined 1,500 sq ft eastern-Connecticut reference home, adjusted to each state using Bureau of Labor Statistics construction-trade wage data (BLS OEWS, May 2025). They are planning estimates, not a quote, and do not claim per-metro material precision. Last updated June 2026.
RehabRange is built by Mitchell Haughton, a practicing eastern-Connecticut real estate investor — these are the same cost estimates behind his own property walkthroughs. How we build these numbers