Kitchen Remodeling in Orange County & Los Angeles

The kitchen is the room people most want to change and the one where planning matters most, because cabinets, plumbing, electrical, ventilation and appliances all have to fit together. IA Builders is a licensed general contractor based in Culver City, and we remodel kitchens for homeowners across Orange County and Los Angeles, from updated finishes in the same footprint to fully reworked layouts.

Types of kitchen remodels

Same layout, new kitchen

Keeping the sink, range and refrigerator where they are is the most cost-effective way to get a new kitchen. New cabinets, countertops, backsplash, flooring, lighting and appliances can completely change the room without moving plumbing or gas lines.

New layout

Moving the sink to an island, relocating the range, or turning a galley kitchen into an L-shape changes plumbing, gas, venting and electrical. It needs permits and more planning, but it's often what makes a kitchen actually work for the way you cook and live.

Opening the kitchen to the living area

Removing a wall between the kitchen and dining or family room is one of the most common requests in older homes. If the wall is load-bearing, it needs a beam and structural engineering. We'll tell you early whether a wall can come out and what it involves. If the kitchen is part of a bigger change to the house, see whole-home remodeling.

What we handle

• Cabinets. Stock, semi-custom or custom, in shaker, flat-panel or traditional styles, with the storage details that make a kitchen usable: deep drawers, pull-outs, pantry storage and corner solutions.
• Countertops. Quartz, granite, marble, quartzite and butcher block, templated after the cabinets are installed.
• Plumbing and gas. New sink and dishwasher locations, pot fillers, gas or induction ranges, and water lines for refrigerators.
• Electrical and lighting. Dedicated appliance circuits, code-required outlets, recessed and under-cabinet lighting, and panel upgrades when the existing service can't carry new appliances.
• Ventilation. Range hoods sized for the cooktop and vented to the outside.
• Flooring, drywall and paint to finish the room.

Our kitchen remodeling process

1. Site visit. We measure, look at the existing plumbing, electrical and structure, and talk through how you use the kitchen and your budget.
2. Design and selections. We work from your designer's plans or help you put the layout and selections together. Cabinets and other long-lead items are ordered early so they don't hold up the schedule.
3. Permits. Layout changes, new circuits and structural work need permits from your city, and in some communities HOA approval as well. We handle the submittal and inspections.
4. Demolition and rough work. Old kitchen out; framing, plumbing, gas, electrical and ventilation roughed in and inspected.
5. Finishes. Drywall, cabinets, countertops, tile, fixtures, appliances and lighting.
6. Final walkthrough and city sign-off.

What affects the cost of a kitchen remodel

• Keeping the existing layout or moving plumbing, gas and walls
• Cabinet construction and finish (stock, semi-custom or custom)
• Countertop material and the amount of stone
• Appliance package and any new circuits or gas lines it needs
• Electrical panel capacity
• Flooring that continues into adjoining rooms

We give you a written estimate based on your actual kitchen after the site visit.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a kitchen remodel take?

A kitchen in the same layout moves fastest. Layout changes add permit review and inspection time. Cabinets often have the longest lead time of anything in the project, which is why we order them as soon as selections are final. We give you a schedule with your estimate.

Do I need a permit to remodel my kitchen?

If you're moving plumbing or gas, adding or changing circuits, or removing walls, yes. Replacing cabinets and countertops in the same location may not, but most real kitchen remodels include some electrical work that does. We pull the permits the work needs.

Can I use my kitchen during the remodel?

Not for most of it. Many homeowners set up a temporary kitchen in another room with the refrigerator, a microwave and a small counter. We'll plan the order of the work so the time without a kitchen is as short as possible.

Do you remodel kitchens in condos and HOA communities?

Yes. Condos and HOA communities usually require association approval and sometimes have rules on work hours, noise and access. We plan for those requirements from the start.

How much do I pay upfront?

California caps the down payment on a home improvement contract at $1,000 or 10% of the contract price, whichever is less. The rest is paid on the schedule written into your contract, and any change to price or scope needs a signed written change order.

Last reviewed October 2026