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Kitchen remodeling in California

Contractor licensing and contract rules for a kitchen remodel in California, what the trades earn, and the 170 places this guide covers, with 6,352,296 homes.

Licenses and contracts

California requires a license from the Contractors State License Board for work of $1,000 or more in labor and materials. Since January 1, 2025, smaller jobs also need a license when they need a permit or when the person hires anyone to help.

In the contract

  • The down payment on a home improvement contract may not be more than $1,000 or 10% of the contract price, whichever is less.
  • Apart from the down payment, the contractor may not take payment for work not yet done or materials not yet delivered.
  • The contract must include a notice of your right to cancel within three business days, unless it was signed at the contractor’s place of business or is a service and repair contract. For repairs after a declared disaster the period is seven business days.

CSLB license check

If the house was built before 1978, the firm has to be certified for lead-safe renovation by EPA.

Sources: CSLB industry bulletin 24-07: minor work threshold raised to $1,000; CSLB, Contracting for Success: home improvement contracts; EPA: Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program rules.

What kitchen trades earn in California

TradeCaliforniaUnited StatesScale: $0 to $36.62
Electricians$36.62$30.38
Plumbers$35.01$30.67
Carpenters$36.50$29.12
Tile and stone setters$28.31$26.77
Painters$28.38$23.75

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, median hourly wage. What the workers are paid, not what a contractor bills.

Metro areas

Places

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