You’re standing in your kitchen, coffee in hand, mentally rearranging walls. The layout almost works. The finishes definitely don’t. And the house you love is starting to feel like it’s resisting the way you actually live in it.
At some point, the question gets real: What would it cost to remodel the whole thing?
If you’re Googling this in San Diego, you’ve probably already discovered the non-answers. Numbers that feel suspiciously low. Ranges so wide they’re meaningless. Or advice that skips straight to finishes without acknowledging the planning, permits, and coordination that actually drive cost.
Honeycomb Design & Remodel is here to reset the conversation with a clear look at what a whole-home remodel in San Diego really costs and an in-depth conversation about why.
In this article, you'll find:
What Counts as a “Whole-Home Remodel,” Anyway?
Before we talk numbers, we need to be clear about scope. A whole-home remodel is not a series of cosmetic updates. It’s a comprehensive rethinking of how your house functions, feels, and supports your life.
More Than Paint and New Floors
A true whole-home remodel typically involves multiple spaces and systems working together. It’s the difference between refreshing a room and redesigning the experience of the home.
This often includes:
-
A reconfigured kitchen
-
Two or more bathrooms
-
Updated electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems
-
Layout changes that improve flow and function
-
New finishes throughout the home
In many San Diego homes, especially older ones, these upgrades are interconnected. Once walls are opened, underlying systems are addressed so the home performs as beautifully as it looks.
What’s Typically Included in the Scope
A whole-home remodel usually accounts for:
-
Architectural design and detailed planning
-
Structural engineering where layouts change
-
Permits and inspections
-
Construction across multiple rooms
-
Finish selections that are cohesive, not piecemeal
This level of work requires coordination across disciplines and decisions made early. When those pieces are aligned from the start, the process feels intentional instead of reactive
The Real Cost Range for a Whole-Home Remodel in San Diego
Let’s get to the number everyone wants, with the context it deserves.
For a true whole-home remodel in San Diego, most projects fall within the range of $400,000 to $1.2 million or more. That’s not a teaser number. It reflects the reality of remodeling older, high-value homes with real planning, permits, and skilled labor involved.
Where projects typically land:
-
$450,000–$750,000 for substantial whole-home remodels that rework layouts, kitchens, and multiple bathrooms without major additions
-
$750,000–$1.2M+ when the scope includes structural changes, additions, higher-end finishes, or aging-in-place upgrades
These numbers account for more than construction alone. They reflect the full picture, including design, engineering, permitting, coordination, and the level of detail required to deliver a home that functions beautifully for years.
Cost Per Square Foot (and Why It’s a Blunt Tool)
You’ll often see whole-home remodels discussed in terms of cost per square foot. In San Diego, that range typically lands between $250 and $500+ per square foot.
This can be a helpful reference point, but it’s an imperfect one. Square footage doesn’t capture:
-
How much structural work is involved
-
Whether kitchens or bathrooms are being relocated
-
The age and condition of the home
-
The level of customization in finishes and millwork
Two homes of the same size can have dramatically different remodeling costs depending on what’s happening behind the walls. Square footage will only provide a ballpark.
What Drives the Cost of a Whole-Home Remodel
Whole-home remodel costs are shaped less by aesthetics and more by complexity. Understanding the biggest cost drivers helps homeowners make informed decisions early, when those choices are still flexible.
The Age and Condition of the Home
Older San Diego homes often require upgrades that aren’t immediately visible. Electrical systems, plumbing, insulation, and framing may need to be brought up to modern standards before new layouts or finishes can be installed. These improvements are essential for performance and safety, even if they don’t show up in photos.
How Much the Layout Is Changing
Reworking a floor plan has a larger impact on cost than swapping finishes. Moving kitchens, opening structural walls, raising ceilings, or changing circulation paths all require engineering, coordination, and careful sequencing.
Finish Level and Customization
Materials matter but so does how they’re installed. Custom cabinetry, detailed tilework, natural stone, and tailored millwork require more time and craftsmanship than off-the-shelf options. Finish selections influence both material costs and labor hours.
The Quality of Planning
Perhaps the most underestimated cost driver is planning. Incomplete drawings, vague scopes, or decisions deferred until construction often lead to change orders, delays, and budget creep. Our extra time planning allows us to accurately project costs and timelines.
Why San Diego Remodels Cost More Than Many Homeowners Expect
Even homeowners who’ve remodeled before are often surprised by San Diego pricing. That’s not because contractors are being evasive. It’s because the market, the housing stock, and the regulatory environment all add real complexity.
Labor and Skilled Trades Are in High Demand
San Diego has a limited pool of experienced tradespeople who are equipped to handle complex remodels, especially in older or high-value homes. Skilled labor is not interchangeable, and quality crews are consistently in demand. That demand affects pricing, scheduling, and availability.
Permits, Reviews, and Time Add Up
Time is a cost multiplier. Permit reviews, plan checks, and required approvals all take time, and that time affects schedules, sequencing, and coordination. When projects encounter redesigns or additional reviews mid-process, costs increase. When those requirements are anticipated early, they’re built into the plan instead of disrupting it.
San Diego’s Housing Stock Is Older Than It Looks
Many San Diego homes were built decades ago, even when they’ve been cosmetically updated along the way. Behind fresh finishes, systems may still be outdated or undersized for modern living. Addressing those conditions correctly is essential, but it’s rarely obvious at first glance. This is where experience matters most, and knowing what to expect before walls are opened helps prevent costly surprises.
Frequently Asked Questions About Whole-Home Remodel Costs in San Diego
Is it cheaper to remodel or rebuild a home in San Diego?
It depends, and the answer is rarely obvious at first glance. Remodeling is often more cost-effective when the home has solid structural bones, character worth preserving, or regulatory constraints that make new construction more complex. Rebuilding can make sense when structural issues are extensive or when the existing layout cannot reasonably support the desired outcome.
This is not a decision to make based on cost alone. Timeline, permitting, neighborhood restrictions, and lifestyle impact all play a role. The right choice usually becomes clear during early planning.
How long does a whole-home remodel usually take from start to finish?
Most homeowners underestimate the time required because they focus only on construction. A whole-home remodel typically includes design and planning, permitting and approvals, construction, and closeout. When those phases are accounted for realistically, projects feel far more predictable.
Homes that invest more time upfront in planning often move more efficiently during construction, with fewer delays and fewer last-minute decisions.
Can a whole-home remodel be done in phases?
Sometimes, but phasing adds complexity. While certain homes allow for work to be sequenced, phasing can increase overall cost and extend the timeline due to repeated mobilization, temporary solutions, and inefficiencies.
Whether phasing makes sense depends on scope, layout, and how critical systems like kitchens, bathrooms, and utilities are affected.
Can I live in my home during a whole-home remodel?
In limited cases, yes, but many homeowners choose not to. Whole-home remodels often involve extended periods without a functioning kitchen, multiple bathrooms, or consistent utilities. Structural work, dust, and noise can also make daily life difficult.
Living off-site often allows construction to move faster and reduces stress, even though it introduces temporary housing costs.
What’s the biggest factor that causes remodel budgets to increase?
Late decisions. When layouts, finishes, or scope are not fully defined before construction begins, costs tend to rise through change orders, delays, and rework. Clear plans, detailed scopes, and early selections protect budgets far more effectively than contingency alone.
Why does design-build cost more upfront than other approaches?
Design-build often includes more time and detail in the planning phase. That investment is intentional. It allows budgets to be aligned with real construction conditions, not assumptions.
While the upfront design process may feel more involved, it typically results in fewer surprises, tighter cost control, and a smoother build overall.
Explore our San Diego remodeling cost guide for more detailed information.
Is a whole-home remodel worth it if I plan to stay long-term or age in place?
Often, yes. Remodeling with longevity in mind allows homeowners to improve comfort, safety, and livability while staying in a neighborhood they love. When aging-in-place considerations are integrated early, they feel intentional rather than corrective.
What should I look for in a remodeling partner for a whole-home project?
Look for a team that prioritizes planning, understands local permitting and construction realities, and communicates clearly throughout the process. Experience with complex remodels matters, especially in older or high-value homes.
Whole-Home Remodeling in San Diego
Honeycomb designs and builds with intention, bringing structure, foresight, and calm to complex projects across Mission Hills, La Jolla, Rancho Santa Fe, and beyond. When you’re ready to talk through what’s possible, contact Honeycomb Design & Remodel here to start this exciting conversation.
