Kitchen Remodels in Glendale, CA
68.8% of housing units in the City of Glendale were built before 1980 (Census 2020–2024), so plan for older-home checks before you start.
Glendale at a glance
- Share of housing units built before 1980, City of Glendale
- 68.8%
- Median year structure built, City of Glendale
- 1966
- Share of occupied housing units that are owner-occupied, City of Glendale
- 35.2%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates · data as of
- Numbers from US Census public records
- Up to three local contractors, never a long list
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A useful first step
Before you start in Glendale
Start with the city’s Residential Kitchen and Bathroom Combination Permit.
What to prepare
Use that checklist to prepare your application. Confirm the required permits against your exact scope before work begins; replacing finishes and changing a layout may follow different paths.
Glendale permit guidance · Checked
What do permits say a kitchen remodel costs?
From City of LA building permits, last 12 months. Not a contract price. How we calculate this
Declared values on City of Los Angeles building permits, last 12 months. The dataset covers the City of Los Angeles only, so treat it as a regional reference for Glendale. A declared value is what the permit states, not your contract price. How we calculate this.
Source: LA Department of Building and Safety, Building Permits Issued 2020 to Present (data.lacity.org), permits on one- and two-family homes issued to ; fire rebuilds excluded. ZIP medians need 20+ permits.
Glendale housing at a glance
Planning your project
Most homes in Glendale are older. The U.S. Census Bureau's 2020–2024 estimates show 68.8% of housing units were built before 1980, and the median year built is 1966. That age shapes how you should plan a kitchen remodel here.
What Glendale's homes mean for your kitchen remodel
Older homes often need a closer look before the design is final. Ask the builder to check the electrical panel and circuit capacity for modern appliances. Check the supply pipes and drain lines, and how the venting works with new fixtures. In homes built before 1978, lead-based paint testing is a key step before demolition. Old flooring, mastic or ceiling texture may also need testing. These are things to check, not certainties for every house.
Renting matters too. Owner-occupied homes are 35.2% of occupied housing units in Glendale, so many homes are rented. If you own a rental, plan the work around your tenants. Tell them the schedule early and keep the kitchen usable where you can.
The median value of owner-occupied homes is $1,102,300 (Census 2020–2024). Use that figure only as a general guide. Think about how much to put into the home relative to its value, and set a budget that fits your plans.
The typical path for a kitchen remodel in Glendale
The typical path for a kitchen remodel in Glendale
Plan the layout and budget
Decide what you want from the kitchen: layout, storage, appliances and how you use the space. Set a budget range you can live with, and leave room for surprises in an older home.
Design and choose materials
Work with a designer or the builder to choose cabinets, counters, flooring and fixtures. Ask for the material lead times in writing so the schedule is clear.
Confirm whether a permit is needed
Ask the builder whether your project needs a building permit from the City of Glendale. Do not assume either way; ask for the answer in writing.
Apply for the permit where needed
If a permit is needed, the builder can prepare and submit the application. Keep copies of everything you sign.
Test older materials, then demolish
Before demolition, test for lead-based paint in homes built before 1978 and check for possible asbestos in old flooring or mastic. Plan for safe removal and disposal.
Rough-in plumbing and electrical
Have the plumbing and electrical rough-in done, including a check of the electrical panel and circuits for modern appliances. Schedule inspections at the stages your permit requires.
Install cabinets, counters and fixtures
Install the insulation, walls and cabinets, then the counters and fixtures. Confirm the appliance hookups and venting work as planned.
Final inspection and walkthrough
Walk through the finished kitchen with the builder. Make sure all final inspections are complete and any punch list items are closed.
Questions about kitchen remodels in Glendale
Does the age of Glendale homes change a kitchen remodel?
Often, yes. The U.S. Census Bureau's 2020–2024 estimates show 68.8% of Glendale's housing units were built before 1980, and the median year built is 1966. Older homes can have undersized electrical service, galvanized supply pipes, cast-iron drains and old flooring or paint. Ask the builder to check these during the planning visit, before demolition starts.
I rent out my Glendale home. What should I plan for?
Owner-occupied homes make up 35.2% of occupied housing units in Glendale, so many homes are rented. If you own a rental, plan the work with your tenants in mind. Tell them the schedule early, agree on when noisy work happens, and ask the builder to keep the kitchen usable for as long as possible. Keep your own records of the work and its cost.
How should I think about budget compared with home value in Glendale?
The median value of owner-occupied homes in Glendale is $1,102,300 (Census 2020–2024), so most remodels are a small share of the home's value. Use that as a general guide only. Set a budget you are comfortable with, and think about how the kitchen will affect the home's appeal, without expecting a set return.
Will my kitchen remodel need a permit in Glendale?
Ask the builder whether your project needs a building permit from the City of Glendale. Permit rules depend on the type of work, so do not assume either way. Ask for the permit plan in writing before work starts.
How can I check a contractor before I hire one?
Check the contractor's license status with the CSLB (Contractors State License Board) before you sign anything. Ask for a written scope, a payment schedule and a clear list of what is and is not included.
Recent work by a contractor in our network
Photos from the contractor's own projects, used with permission. Captions name the type of work.
Kitchen, whole-home remodel 
Kitchen remodel 
Kitchen remodel 
Kitchen remodel 
Whole-home remodel 
Kitchen, major remodel
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