San Diego County, California
Kitchen remodeling in El Cajon, CA
El Cajon has 35,185 homes, about two in five of the occupied ones lived in by their owners. Half were built before 1974.
The homes of El Cajon
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimates for El Cajon city.
More homes in El Cajon were built in the 1970s than in any other decade, 29% of them, followed by the 1950s at 18%. A kitchen put in when one of those houses was new is now about 51 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 El Cajon; 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 El Cajon are rented. A kitchen remodel is booked by the owner of the home, landlords included.
ZIP codes
ZIP codes where El Cajon is the largest place
| ZIP code | Homes | Owner-occupied | Median year built | Built before 1980 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 92020 | 20,414 | 44% | 1973 | 71% |
What kitchen trades earn here
Electricians in the San Diego area earn a median $36.62 an hour and plumbers $34.86, 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: San Diego 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 San Diego area
- Casa de Oro-Mount Helix, CA7,389 homes · half built before 1969
- Santee, CA21,851 homes · half built before 1979
- San Diego, CA568,668 homes · half built before 1979
- Poway, CA16,936 homes · half built before 1978
- Carlsbad, CA47,314 homes · half built before 1989
- Fallbrook, CA10,444 homes · half built before 1981
- San Clemente, CA27,058 homes · half built before 1983