Berks County, Pennsylvania
Kitchen remodeling in Reading, PA
Reading has 36,032 homes, about two in five of the occupied ones lived in by their owners. Half were built before 1938.
The homes of Reading
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimates for Reading city.
More homes in Reading were built before 1940 than in any single decade since, 57% of them, followed by the 1950s at 9%.
90% 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 12% of homes in Reading; 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 Reading are rented. A kitchen remodel is booked by the owner of the home, landlords included.
ZIP codes
ZIP codes where Reading is the largest place
| ZIP code | Homes | Owner-occupied | Median year built | Built before 1980 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19601 | 14,003 | 40% | 1938 | 89% |
| 19604 | 10,000 | 49% | 1938 | 91% |
| 19602 | 8,034 | 27% | 1938 | 92% |
| 19611 | 4,485 | 51% | 1943 | 89% |
What kitchen trades earn here
Electricians in the Reading area earn a median $36.09 an hour and plumbers $29.99, 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: Reading area.
Before you sign: Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has no state license for remodelers, but under the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act every contractor who does $5,000 or more of home improvements a year must register with the Attorney General’s Office.
Contracts, licenses and lead-safe rules in Pennsylvania · Permits · What it costs
Elsewhere in the Reading area
- Wyomissing, PA5,393 homes · half built before 1971
- Shillington, PA2,292 homes · half built before 1943
- West Wyomissing, PA1,503 homes · half built before 1959
- Riverview Park, PA1,380 homes · half built before 1973
- Reiffton, PA1,655 homes · half built before 1978
- Temple, PA898 homes · half built before 1955
- Leesport, PA794 homes · half built before 1977
- Birdsboro, PA2,197 homes · half built before 1965
- Wernersville, PA1,246 homes · half built before 1974
- Robesonia, PA916 homes · half built before 1955