San Diego County, California
Kitchen remodeling in San Marcos, CA
San Marcos has 32,557 homes, about two in three of the occupied ones lived in by their owners. Half were built before 1996.
The homes of San Marcos
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimates for San Marcos city.
More homes in San Marcos were built in the 2000s than in any other decade, 28% of them, followed by the 1970s at 20%. A kitchen put in when one of those houses was new is now about 21 years old, unless it has been redone since.
27% 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 52% of homes in San Marcos; 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 San Marcos is the largest place
| ZIP code | Homes | Owner-occupied | Median year built | Built before 1980 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 92078 | 19,339 | 72% | 2000 | 23% |
| 92069 | 15,711 | 56% | 1987 | 37% |
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
- Escondido, CA52,239 homes · half built before 1981
- Vista, CA33,536 homes · half built before 1985
- Carlsbad, CA47,314 homes · half built before 1989
- Rancho Santa Fe, CA1,204 homes · half built before 1977
- Encinitas, CA26,230 homes · half built before 1980
- Bonsall, CA1,772 homes · half built before 1989
- Oceanside, CA66,997 homes · half built before 1984
- Solana Beach, CA6,624 homes · half built before 1976
- Valley Center, CA3,887 homes · half built before 1988
- Poway, CA16,936 homes · half built before 1978