Free written scope consultation - allowances, timeline, and change-order rules on paper before a single trade is scheduled
Styles & brands we work with
See the difference
Before
After
Before
After
Before
AfterFull Kitchen Remodeling in San Francisco, CA
A full kitchen remodel in San Francisco typically costs between $65,000 and $140,000, takes 8 to 14 weeks from demolition to final walkthrough, and involves replacing everything from the studs in: cabinets, countertops, flooring, appliances, lighting, plumbing rough-in, and often the layout itself. At Bradford Remodeling Co San Francisco, we put that number in writing before any work starts, and we stand behind the finished kitchen for a full year under the 365-Day Done Right Promise. If you’re weighing a full remodel against a partial refresh, our Kitchen Remodeling in San Francisco page walks through both scopes.
This is the sub-service for Kitchen Remodeling when kitchens have stopped working as kitchens: the layout fights you every time you cook, the cabinets are delaminating, the floor has waves, and you’ve been patching problems for years. A full remodel means we gut the space to framing, correct what’s underneath, and rebuild it so it functions properly for another 20-plus years. We’re led by Curtis Lane, and every job runs on written scope, written pricing, and a written guarantee.
When You Need Full Kitchen Remodeling
Not every kitchen needs to go down to the studs. Here’s when a full remodel is the right call, based on what we see across San Francisco’s housing stock:
- The layout doesn’t work anymore. You’re walking around an island that’s in the wrong place, the fridge door hits the counter, or two people can’t be in the kitchen at once without colliding. Moving plumbing and electrical lines means opening walls, and that pushes you into full remodel territory.
- Water has been where it shouldn’t be. In older San Francisco homes, we routinely find rot in the subfloor under the dishwasher and sink base once cabinets come out. If the substrate is compromised, replacing only the visible layers just buries the problem.
- The cabinets are failing structurally. Hinges pulling out, drawer boxes sagging, thermofoil peeling. When the cabinet boxes themselves are done, refacing won’t save them.
- You’re planning to stay in the house for 10 or more years. A full remodel lets you choose appliances, cabinet configuration, and storage that match how you actually cook, not how the kitchen was built in 1962.
- You’ve already done a partial remodel and it wasn’t enough. We hear this a lot. Homeowners replace countertops and a backsplash, then realize six months later the layout and cabinet storage are still the real problem. Doing it once, fully, is cheaper than doing it twice.
If you recognize this kitchen, call (831) 610-5598 and we’ll take a look. The estimate is free, and the number we give you is the number you’ll pay.
Our Full Kitchen Remodeling Process
Every Bradford full kitchen remodel follows the same sequence, and every step is documented. Here’s how the job runs:
- Walkthrough and measurements. Curtis Lane or a senior lead walks the kitchen with you, takes full measurements, checks the condition of the subfloor and framing where accessible, and documents the existing plumbing and electrical locations. We look at what’s behind the walls before we promise what goes in front of them.
- Written scope and fixed price. You receive a line-item scope of work and a price in writing. That price covers the materials specified, the labor, the permit work, and the disposal. It does not move unless you change the scope. That’s The Garrison Standard, and there are no exceptions to it.
- Demolition and rough-in. We gut the space to framing, then move forward with plumbing rough-in, electrical rough-in, and any structural corrections. Inspections happen at this stage, and we coordinate them. This is where problems get found and fixed: rotted subfloor, ungrounded wiring, pipes that shouldn’t be where they are.
- Cabinet installation and countertop fabrication. Cabinets from KraftMaid or Wellborn go in on schedule, then we template for countertops. If you’ve specified Kitchen Remodeling surfaces like Cambria or Caesarstone, your slab is fabricated to the template and installed by the fabricator’s crew, with our lead on site.
- Finishes and fixture set. Backsplash, flooring, under-cabinet lighting, sink, faucet, appliances, and trim. Kohler and Moen are in our standard fixture lineup so you know the part numbers before they go in.
- Final punch list and written guarantee. We walk the kitchen with you, line by line, against the original scope. The site is broom-clean, the appliances are tested, and you leave the walkthrough with your signed 365-Day Done Right Promise in hand. If anything fails inside that year, we come back and fix it at no charge.
Full Kitchen Remodeling Pricing in San Francisco
Straight numbers, because you asked for a straight number. Here’s what full kitchen remodels cost in San Francisco, based on our recent projects:
| Project Scope | Typical Range | What It Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Entry full remodel (~100 sq ft) | $65,000 – $85,000 | Stock or semi-custom cabinets, laminate or basic quartz counters, mid-range appliances, LVP or tile floor, no layout changes |
| Mid-range full remodel (~150 – 200 sq ft) | $85,000 – $110,000 | Custom KraftMaid or Wellborn cabinets, Cambria or Caesarstone surface, Kohler fixtures, tile backsplash, lighting package, minor layout adjustments |
| High-end full remodel (~200+ sq ft) | $110,000 – $140,000+ | Layout change with moving plumbing/gas lines, custom cabinetry build-out, designer fixtures, underfloor heating, structural corrections |
Four things move the number in San Francisco. First, Kitchen Design & Layout changes: moving a sink or gas line requires plumbing and electrical permits plus more rough-in labor. Second, the condition of what’s underneath: in neighborhoods like the Outer Sunset and Richmond District, we regularly find moisture damage to the subfloor and framing that has to be corrected before finish work can start. Third, cabinet grade: stock boxes cost less than semi-custom from KraftMaid or Wellborn, but the gap narrows when you factor in modifications for older, out-of-square walls. Fourth, surface material: a laminate countertop and a Cambria quartz slab are different line items.
One more thing about our pricing. The number we write down before the job starts is the number on your final invoice. No add-ons at the door, no re-bid halfway through. That’s what written pricing under The Garrison Standard actually means. Call (831) 610-5598 for a free estimate on your kitchen, and you’ll have a fixed number to plan around within days, not weeks.
Key Takeaways
- Full kitchen remodels in San Francisco run $65,000 – $140,000 depending on size, layout changes, and materials.
- You need a full remodel when the layout fails, water damage has reached the substrate, or the cabinets are structurally done.
- Bradford Remodeling Co San Francisco writes the price before work starts and stands behind the finished kitchen for 365 days.
- Our crews are background-checked, uniformed, and answer the phone 24/7 with a live person.
What a Full Kitchen Remodel Fixes That a Partial Won’t
We’ve touched on this, but it’s worth being explicit. A partial remodel replaces the surface layer. A full remodel corrects what’s underneath it. In San Francisco’s housing stock, which skews older, that distinction matters more than in newer construction. Here’s what a full remodel addresses that a cabinet reface or countertop swap cannot:
- Subfloor deflection and rot. Victorian-era and mid-century homes often have joist spacing and subfloor thickness that no longer meet the deflection standards for large-format tile. If you want tile that doesn’t crack, the subfloor has to be corrected first.
- Knob-and-tube wiring and undersized circuits. Full remodels trigger electrical code requirements. When walls are open, we bring wiring to current code so your induction range and microwave aren’t sharing one 15-amp circuit. This is a safety issue, not a convenience upgrade.
- Plumbing that’s past its service life. Galvanized supply lines and old cast-iron drain lines are common in San Francisco kitchens. When we see them during demo, we replace them. You don’t get that chance on a partial.
- Ventilation that actually vents. Many older San Francisco kitchens either have no range exhaust or a recirculating fan blowing grease back into the room. A full remodel lets us run a proper ducted hood to the exterior, which matters for indoor air quality and for keeping your new cabinets clean.
Materials We Specify and Why
Bradford works from a documented roster of manufacturers, because “quality” is a claim anyone can make and almost no one can define. Here’s what we specify on full kitchen remodels:
- KraftMaid and Wellborn cabinetry. We specify these two lines because their box construction, hinge hardware, and finish warranties are documented by the manufacturer. Hinges are soft-close, drawer boxes are dovetailed, and the specs are traceable before the first cabinet is ordered.
- Cambria and Caesarstone surfaces. Both are engineered quartz with manufacturer warranties and consistent slab-to-slab color. When your countertop is fabricated, the template is cut to your exact walls, not a close approximation.
- Kohler and Moen fixtures. Faucets and sinks from manufacturers who stock replacement parts for decades. If a cartridge fails eight years from now, you can still get the part.
- James Hardie products where exterior work is part of the scope, particularly if your kitchen bump-out or window change touches the exterior envelope.
Every material is listed on your written scope before work starts. You know the model numbers, the finishes, and the warranty terms before a single tool comes through the door.
What You’ll Decide During a Full Kitchen Remodel
A full remodel requires more decisions than a partial, and most of them are made in the first two weeks after you sign. Here’s the decision list we walk every client through, in order:
- Cabinet layout and storage configuration. Base drawers vs. lower doors, pull-out pantry, trash pull-out, utensil dividers, upper cabinet height. This is the single biggest functional decision in the remodel.
- Countertop material and edge profile. Quartz vs. quartzite vs. solid surface, and the edge detail. We’ll show you Cambria and Caesarstone samples and give you slab pricing at spec time.
- Appliance selection and rough-in. Range, hood, fridge, dishwasher, and microwave placement drive the electrical and plumbing rough-in. Appliance specs go to our electrician and plumber before walls close.
- Flooring and backsplash. Tile, LVP, or hardwood for the floor, and the backsplash material and layout. These decisions affect the schedule if the tile has lead time.
- Lighting plan. Recessed layout, under-cabinet lighting, pendant locations, and dimmer switching. We run this plan during rough-in so you’re not adding fish-tape runs later.
We don’t leave you to make these decisions alone. Curtis Lane reviews every selection with you before it’s ordered, and nothing gets purchased until you’ve signed off on the spec sheet.
How Long a Full Kitchen Remodel Takes in San Francisco
Eight to fourteen weeks is the honest range for a full kitchen remodel in San Francisco, depending on scope. Here’s the breakdown:
- Permits: 1 to 3 weeks. The city’s permit process varies by project scope, and we handle the submission and inspections. If your building is older or historically designated, plan for the longer end.
- Demolition and rough-in: 1 to 2 weeks. We gut to framing, correct structural issues, and run new plumbing and electrical. Most surprises surface here, and we document every one with photos and a written change order if the scope expands.
- Cabinet installation: 1 to 2 weeks. KraftMaid and Wellborn lead times run 4 to 8 weeks from order, so we place your cabinet order in the first week of the project to keep the schedule moving.
- Countertop templating and fabrication: 1 to 2 weeks after cabinet install. Cambria and Caesarstone fabricators template after the cabinets are set, then cut and install within 7 to 14 days.
- Finishes, fixtures, and punch list: 2 to 4 weeks. Flooring, backsplash, sink and faucet set, appliance install, painting, and final trim.
We give you a written schedule at the same time we give you the written price. The schedule includes the permit milestone, the inspection milestones, and the target close date, and we update you at the end of each week.
Why the 365-Day Done Right Promise Matters in a Kitchen
A kitchen is a system, not a collection of parts. Cabinets, plumbing, electrical, countertops, and flooring all have to work together, and the failure of one part stresses the others. Our 365-Day Done Right Promise covers the entire finished kitchen for a full year after we hand you the keys. If a cabinet door binds, a drawer slide fails, a faucet drips, a tile cracks, a countertop seam opens, or anything else we installed doesn’t hold up, we come back and correct it at no charge.
The promise is in writing. You get a signed copy at your final walkthrough, and the term is 365 days, starting the day we finish the job. It’s not an implied warranty or a verbal assurance. It’s a written guarantee with a named term and a defined remedy: we fix it, on our dime, within the year.
This is The Garrison Standard in practice. It’s a framework that exists because homeowners have been burned by contractors who disappear after the final check clears. Bradford doesn’t do that, and we’ve built the operating discipline to back that claim with a piece of paper you can hold.
Who’s in Your Kitchen
Every Bradford technician is background-checked and uniformed before they set foot in a client’s home. You’ll know who’s on the job, what they’re doing, and when they’ll be there. The crew arrives on schedule, keeps the site clean, and respects that this is your home, not just a job site.
Curtis Lane leads our San Francisco operation and runs the same process on every full kitchen remodel: written scope, written price, written schedule, written guarantee. He’s on site during the key phases, at the inspections, and at the final walkthrough. When you call our office, a live person answers. Not a voicemail, not a callback queue. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
FAQs – Full Kitchen Remodeling
How much does a full kitchen remodel cost in San Francisco?
A full kitchen remodel in San Francisco typically costs between $65,000 and $140,000, depending on the size of the kitchen, whether you’re changing the layout, and the grade of materials you choose. Layout changes that move plumbing or gas lines push the number toward the higher end. Call (831) 610-5598 for an exact quote on your kitchen; estimates are free and the price we give you is the price you’ll pay.
Is it cheaper to remodel or replace a kitchen?
Replacing the kitchen is the remodel; the question is really about Kitchen Island Installation and other elements in full vs. partial. If the cabinets are structurally sound and the layout works, a partial refresh with new counters, hardware, and a backsplash costs less. If the layout fails, the subfloor is damaged, or the electrical and plumbing are past code, a full remodel is cheaper in the long run because you’re not paying twice for the same work.
How long does a full kitchen remodel take in San Francisco?
Eight to fourteen weeks is the honest range for Kitchen Remodeling Near Me in San Francisco, CA, including permit time. Cabinet lead times from KraftMaid and Wellborn run 4 to 8 weeks, and countertop fabrication runs 1 to 2 weeks after cabinet installation. We give you a written schedule with the written price, so you know the timeline before work begins.
Do you pull permits for a full kitchen remodel?
Yes. A full kitchen remodel in San Francisco requires plumbing, electrical, and building permits, and we pull every permit the job requires. Inspections are scheduled at the rough-in and final stages, and we coordinate all of them. We don’t do unpermitted work, period.
What does the 365-Day Done Right Promise actually cover?
It covers the entire finished kitchen for 365 days after we complete the job. If anything we installed fails, comes loose, leaks, cracks, or doesn’t perform as specified within that year, we return and correct it at no charge. You get a signed copy of the guarantee at your final walkthrough.
Can you start my full kitchen remodel this month?
It depends on our current project schedule and the permit timeline, but call (831) 610-5598 and we’ll give you a straight answer on start dates. Some months we can start within two to three weeks; some months the lead time is longer. Either way, we’ll tell you the real date, not the date you want to hear.
Get a Written Price Before You Decide
You shouldn’t have to sign a contract on faith, and you won’t have to with Bradford Remodeling Co San Francisco. Call (831) 610-5598 and Curtis Lane will walk your kitchen, take measurements, and give you a written scope of work and a fixed price. The estimate is free, the number won’t move, and if we do the job, you’ll have a signed 365-Day Done Right Promise at your final walkthrough. That’s the whole deal, and it’s been our deal since 2004.
Written by Curtis Lane, Owner at Bradford Remodeling Co San Francisco, serving San Francisco.
