San Diego County, California
Kitchen remodeling in La Mesa, CA
La Mesa has 26,212 homes, about half of the occupied ones lived in by their owners. Half were built before 1971.
The homes of La Mesa
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimates for La Mesa city.
More homes in La Mesa were built in the 1970s than in any other decade, 25% of them, followed by the 1950s at 21%. A kitchen put in when one of those houses was new is now about 51 years old, unless it has been redone since.
73% 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 46% of homes in La 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.
ZIP codes
ZIP codes where La Mesa is the largest place
| ZIP code | Homes | Owner-occupied | Median year built | Built before 1980 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 91942 | 18,607 | 46% | 1971 | 73% |
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
- Lemon Grove, CA9,391 homes · half built before 1969
- Casa de Oro-Mount Helix, CA7,389 homes · half built before 1969
- Spring Valley, CA10,122 homes · half built before 1977
- La Presa, CA11,288 homes · half built before 1974
- El Cajon, CA35,185 homes · half built before 1974
- Rancho San Diego, CA8,267 homes · half built before 1985
- Santee, CA21,851 homes · half built before 1979
- Bonita, CA4,474 homes · half built before 1976
- San Diego, CA568,668 homes · half built before 1979
- National City, CA19,414 homes · half built before 1969