Orange County, California
Kitchen remodeling in Costa Mesa, CA
Costa Mesa has 44,427 homes, about two in five of the occupied ones lived in by their owners. Half were built before 1972.
The homes of Costa Mesa
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimates for Costa Mesa city.
More homes in Costa Mesa were built in the 1960s than in any other decade, 26% of them, followed by the 1970s at 22%. A kitchen put in when one of those houses was new is now about 61 years old, unless it has been redone since.
68% of homes here were built before 1980. In a home built before 1978, a remodel that disturbs painted cabinets, trim or walls has to be done by a firm certified for lead-safe work by EPA. Ask for the certificate when you book the measure.
Detached houses are 39% of homes in Costa Mesa; the rest are townhomes, condos and apartments. In a condo or townhome the association may have to approve work on plumbing, walls or wiring, so ask for its rules before the measure.
Most homes in Costa Mesa are rented. A kitchen remodel is booked by the owner of the home, landlords included.
ZIP codes
ZIP codes where Costa Mesa is the largest place
| ZIP code | Homes | Owner-occupied | Median year built | Built before 1980 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 92627 | 23,536 | 39% | 1970 | 68% |
| 92626 | 21,134 | 41% | 1973 | 68% |
What kitchen trades earn here
Electricians in the Los Angeles area earn a median $35.49 an hour and plumbers $34.19, against $30.38 and $30.67 across the country (Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025). That is what the workers are paid, not what a contractor charges for their time. All five kitchen trades: Los Angeles area.
Before you sign: California
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.
Contracts, licenses and lead-safe rules in California · Permits · What it costs
Elsewhere in the Los Angeles area
- Fountain Valley, CA19,227 homes · half built before 1972
- Newport Beach, CA45,185 homes · half built before 1978
- Santa Ana, CA83,701 homes · half built before 1969
- Huntington Beach, CA82,624 homes · half built before 1974
- Midway City, CA2,862 homes · half built before 1973
- Tustin, CA28,482 homes · half built before 1983
- Westminster, CA29,269 homes · half built before 1971
- Irvine, CA120,206 homes · half built before 2002
- Garden Grove, CA50,960 homes · half built before 1965
- Orange, CA46,952 homes · half built before 1973