Los Angeles homeowners are renovating more than ever. High prices, limited inventory, and rising interest rates have pushed many people to invest in the home they already own instead of hunting for a new one. At Green Renovation Group, we see it every day: families in Santa Monica, Brentwood, Malibu, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, and Pacific Palisades choosing to transform their existing homes into long-term living spaces they truly love.
A full house renovation is one of the most meaningful upgrades you can make. It reshapes your home, modernizes outdated systems, improves comfort, increases energy efficiency, and often raises long term property value. But it also comes with big decisions. Homeowners want clear, honest answers about cost, timeline, and what the process really looks like.
This is our straightforward guide based on more than 40 years of working on whole-home renovations across Los Angeles.
The term “full house renovation” usually refers to projects that touch most or all of the home. It goes far beyond a simple refresh.
In most cases, it includes:
In Los Angeles, many homes were built decades ago. When we open walls, we often find outdated wiring, corroded plumbing, structural settling, or old materials that no longer meet today’s standards. A full house renovation gives homeowners a chance to fix everything at once and create a safe, comfortable, modern home.
We’re direct about this: full house renovations in Los Angeles are a major investment. While every project is unique, realistic ranges look like this:
150–200 dollars per square foot
Suitable for smaller homes and lighter scope projects.
200–300 dollars per square foot
This is where most standard LA projects land. It includes kitchen and bathroom upgrades, flooring, electrical and plumbing improvements, and a cohesive design throughout the home.
350–500 dollars per square foot and above
For large homes, custom designs, structural changes, hillside builds, or luxury finishes.
Example
These ranges reflect real Los Angeles construction conditions: older structures, tight neighborhoods, strict permitting, and the higher cost of materials and labor.
Several factors push a project up or down:
Scope of work. The deeper the renovation (especially kitchens, bathrooms, and structural changes), the higher the cost.
Age of home. Older homes often need upgrades behind the walls to bring them up to code.
Materials and finishes. Custom cabinetry, imported stone, premium fixtures, and smart systems all raise the budget.
Layout changes. Removing walls, relocating plumbing, or reworking structural elements adds engineering, inspections, and labor.
Location. Working in areas like Santa Monica, Malibu, or the hills can involve stricter rules, limited access, and higher labor complexity.
Permits and plans. Architectural drawings, structural engineering, and city approvals add time and cost, but they’re essential for safety and resale value.
A full house renovation takes time, especially in Los Angeles where permitting and construction standards are strict. Most projects move through two main phases that shape the overall timeline.
Typical duration is 3 to 6 months.
This stage includes the initial consultations, architectural plans, interior design and material selections, and engineering when structural changes are required. It also involves submitting plans to the city, revising them as needed, and waiting for permit approval. Los Angeles has a detailed review process, and older homes with outdated wiring, plumbing, previous additions, or structural adjustments often need multiple rounds of review.
Typical duration is 3 to 9 months or more.
Construction covers site preparation and demolition, framing and structural changes, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC upgrades, inspections, insulation and drywall, cabinetry, tile work, flooring installation, painting, and finish work. It ends with final fixtures, appliances, lighting, and the closing punch list. Smaller or straightforward homes usually fall on the shorter end of the range. Larger, custom, or hillside homes naturally require more time due to complexity.
We see several consistent trends:
In neighborhoods like Brentwood, Santa Monica, Studio City, and Sherman Oaks, where land is premium renovating the existing home is often the smartest long-term choice.
Choosing the right company is one of the most important decisions in a full house renovation. These projects are complex, and the team you hire will determine whether the experience is smooth and rewarding or unnecessarily stressful. The first thing to look for is true design build capability. A whole home renovation requires architectural planning, interior design, permit management, coordinated construction, and consistent project supervision. When these services operate under one roof, the process becomes far more efficient.
At Green Renovation Group, our MH Design Studio works closely with our construction team from the first concept to the final walkthrough, which keeps the project aligned and eliminates the typical disconnect between designers and builders.
Experience in Los Angeles neighborhoods is equally important. Each area has its own requirements, challenges, and building characteristics. Homes in Malibu often involve hillside conditions, while properties in Santa Monica or Brentwood frequently require upgrades to older systems and strict adherence to local guidelines. With more than forty years under the same California contractor license, we bring deep, local expertise to every renovation across the Los Angeles region.
Transparent project management is another non negotiable. A full house renovation needs clear communication, detailed schedules, regular updates, and quick responses to changes. It also requires respect for your home and consideration for your neighbors. This is why we assign a dedicated project manager to every renovation. Homeowners always know what is happening, who is on site, and which phase is coming next.
Quality control completes the picture. A successful whole home renovation depends on craftsmanship that remains consistent across every trade. The right contractor will perform ongoing inspections, work with vetted subcontractors, use high quality materials, honor warranties, and maintain a long standing reputation for reliability. At Green Renovation Group, our focus is lasting durability. We build homes that look beautiful on completion and continue to perform well for many years to come.
✓ Permits are mandatory, not optional.
✓ Older homes often require behind-the-walls upgrades.
✓ Energy efficiency rules are becoming stricter, but they also open the door to rebates.
✓ Construction costs are higher than the national average and unlikely to move downward.
✓ Most homeowners renovate to stay, not to sell – so planning for long term living is key.
With a background in project and construction management, Green Renovation Group has become the home remodeling company of choice to Los Angeles, CA homeowners.