Orange County, California
Kitchen remodeling in Lake Forest, CA
Lake Forest has 31,821 homes, 71% of the occupied ones lived in by their owners. Half were built before 1984.
The homes of Lake Forest
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimates for Lake Forest city.
More homes in Lake Forest were built in the 1980s than in any other decade, 30% of them, followed by the 1970s at 29%. A kitchen put in when one of those houses was new is now about 41 years old, unless it has been redone since.
38% 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 53% of homes in Lake Forest; 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 Lake Forest is the largest place
| ZIP code | Homes | Owner-occupied | Median year built | Built before 1980 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 92630 | 24,296 | 68% | 1981 | 48% |
| 92610 | 4,932 | 83% | 1995 | 5% |
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
- Mission Viejo, CA34,285 homes · half built before 1979
- Laguna Woods, CA13,336 homes · half built before 1969
- Laguna Hills, CA12,072 homes · half built before 1980
- Rancho Santa Margarita, CA17,498 homes · half built before 1992
- Trabuco Canyon, CA464 homes · half built before 1979
- Irvine, CA120,206 homes · half built before 2002
- Aliso Viejo, CA20,507 homes · half built before 1995
- Coto de Caza, CA5,161 homes · half built before 1995
- Laguna Niguel, CA27,643 homes · half built before 1986
- Laguna Beach, CA13,598 homes · half built before 1964