Orange County, California
Kitchen remodeling in Irvine, CA
Irvine has 120,206 homes, 45% of the occupied ones lived in by their owners. Half were built before 2002.
The homes of Irvine
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimates for Irvine city.
More homes in Irvine were built in the 2010s than in any other decade, 30% of them, followed by the 2000s at 20%. A kitchen put in when one of those houses was new is now about 11 years old, unless it has been redone since.
21% 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 37% of homes in Irvine; 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 Irvine are rented. A kitchen remodel is booked by the owner of the home, landlords included.
ZIP codes
ZIP codes where Irvine is the largest place
| ZIP code | Homes | Owner-occupied | Median year built | Built before 1980 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 92618 | 27,435 | 41% | 2013 | 5% |
| 92620 | 22,285 | 56% | 2004 | 16% |
| 92612 | 16,208 | 26% | 1993 | 30% |
| 92614 | 12,214 | 39% | 1988 | 13% |
| 92602 | 10,342 | 49% | 2005 | 5% |
| 92604 | 10,233 | 63% | 1976 | 79% |
| 92606 | 9,329 | 36% | 1993 | 25% |
| 92603 | 7,793 | 55% | 2001 | 26% |
| 92617 | 4,367 | 36% | 1998 | 14% |
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
- Tustin, CA28,482 homes · half built before 1983
- Laguna Woods, CA13,336 homes · half built before 1969
- Lake Forest, CA31,821 homes · half built before 1984
- North Tustin, CA9,290 homes · half built before 1965
- Aliso Viejo, CA20,507 homes · half built before 1995
- Laguna Hills, CA12,072 homes · half built before 1980
- Santa Ana, CA83,701 homes · half built before 1969
- Mission Viejo, CA34,285 homes · half built before 1979
- Costa Mesa, CA44,427 homes · half built before 1972
- Newport Beach, CA45,185 homes · half built before 1978