Kitchen Remodeling in Santa Monica

A kitchen remodel in Santa Monica is rarely just new cabinets. Many homes here are older, and the city has its own permit and historic-property rules. A good plan has to account for both before the first wall comes down. 770 Construction is a licensed general contractor (CSLB #1050542, Class B) with more than 35 years in the building trade. We plan, permit and build complete kitchen remodels for Santa Monica homeowners, from a simple refresh to a full layout change.

What a Santa Monica kitchen remodel usually involves

Most Santa Monica housing is not new. Census data shows roughly three out of four homes in the city were built before 1980. In practice that means a kitchen remodel often uncovers things that were acceptable decades ago but don’t meet today’s code. Typical examples are undersized electrical service, old galvanized or cast-iron drain lines, and walls that aren’t square. We plan for these possibilities up front and open walls early, so surprises show up at the start of the job instead of in the middle of it.

A typical full remodel with us covers:

• Design and layout. We work out where the sink, range, refrigerator and island should go, how people move through the room, and whether a wall can come out. Removing or moving a wall requires structural review, and we tell you early if it is realistic.
• Permits and inspections. Kitchen work in Santa Monica is permitted through the City of Santa Monica, not the City of Los Angeles. The city reviews plans under the current California building codes. We prepare and submit the permit package and schedule the inspections.
• Demolition and rough work. We handle removal, framing changes, and rough-in for new fixture, appliance and lighting locations, all inspected before the walls close.
• Cabinets, counters and finishes. That includes cabinet installation, countertops, backsplash, flooring, lighting and final trim.
• Final walkthrough. We walk the finished kitchen with you, fix the punch list, and close out the permit.

Older and historic properties

Santa Monica keeps a Historic Resources Inventory (HRI), and designated landmarks go through their own, separate review process. Most kitchen remodels are interior work, but some projects also add a window, a door or change an exterior wall. If yours does, we check the property’s status before design is final, so the plan doesn’t have to be redrawn later.

Condos and multi-unit buildings

Much of Santa Monica’s housing is condos and apartments. If you own a condo, your HOA may have rules on work hours, noise, elevator use and plumbing changes, and it may require proof of insurance before work starts. We are licensed, bonded and insured, and we can provide documents to your HOA or building manager on request. Tell us early if moving the sink or range is part of the plan. In multi-unit buildings, shared plumbing stacks can limit what’s possible.

How we work

1. Free estimate. Call (818) 876-2220 or use the form. We visit, measure, and talk through what you want and what you want to spend.
2. Written scope and estimate. You get a line-by-line scope so you know exactly what is included.
3. Design and permit. Layout, selections and plans, then the permit submission.
4. Build. One point of contact from 770 Construction for the whole job, with regular updates.
5. Close-out. Final inspection, punch list and a clean site.

Our office is at 12509 Oxnard St #208, North Hollywood, and we serve Santa Monica and the rest of the Westside. Office hours are Monday–Thursday 8 AM–6 PM and Friday 8 AM–4 PM.

Related services

If your kitchen is part of a larger project, see our home remodeling in Santa Monica page, our bathroom remodeling in Santa Monica page, or our kitchen remodeling projects gallery. For general information about our kitchen work, visit the kitchen remodeling page.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit for a kitchen remodel in Santa Monica?

Yes, in most cases. Cosmetic work such as paint or swapping a faucet usually doesn’t need one. Electrical, plumbing, gas, structural or layout changes generally require a permit from the City of Santa Monica. We prepare and submit the permit package as part of the job.

How long does a kitchen remodel take?

It depends on scope, permit review time and when the cabinets arrive. A refresh in the same layout moves much faster than a remodel that moves walls or plumbing. After we visit, we give you a written schedule for your project instead of a generic number.

Can you work in my condo building?

Yes. We follow your HOA’s rules on work hours and building access, and we can provide our license and insurance documents to your building manager on request.

Ready to plan your kitchen? Call (818) 876-2220 or request a free estimate.