How to Set a Remodeling Budget in San Jose Before You Get Bids

Sort the project into three groups so you know what to cut if the range comes in higher than you planned.

Cabinets, tile, plumbing fixtures, appliances, flooring, lighting, and countertops come in very different quality levels. You don’t need every model number on day one, but the level you expect should be clear before anyone prices the job.

An allowance is an amount set aside in a proposal for an item you haven’t picked yet, such as tile or a faucet. If you choose something that costs more, the price goes up, so check that each allowance matches the level you have in mind.

Finishes are only part of it. Our guide to what drives the cost of a kitchen or bathroom remodel covers layout changes, hidden conditions, and real project examples.

The City of San José charges plan review and permit issuance fees from its Building and Structure Permits Fee Schedule; the current schedule took effect August 11, 2026. The City also lists development construction taxes, due when the permit is issued, and a construction and demolition recycling deposit. Which of these apply depends on the project.

For an online minor kitchen or bathroom remodel permit, SJPermits.org shows the fee before you pay. For other projects, the City gives fee estimates by email at BuildingPermits@sanjoseca.gov when you attach its Permit Cost Estimate Worksheet. If you choose Residential Express review for plans, the City charges 1.5 times the plan review fee.

On a Landford project, the city’s permit fee is separate from the contract price, and you pay it directly.

There is no single right percentage. Opening walls and floors in an older house can turn up water damage, deteriorated framing, outdated wiring, old plumbing, or earlier work done wrong, so size the reserve to the age and condition of the house and keep it separate from the finish budget. Landford’s Los Gatos warehouse renovation included replacing a leaking sewer line, the kind of work a finish budget never shows.

Agree in writing how hidden conditions will be documented, priced, and approved. California’s CSLB says any change to the contract price or scope must be made with a written change order signed by you and the contractor before the change.

Changing a product before it is ordered is usually easier than changing it after installation starts. Ask to see the price and schedule effect of each change before you approve it.

Landford gives one price for the agreed work, written in your proposal. It covers labor, rough materials, debris haul-away, and the final clean. It doesn’t cover the city’s permit fees or the finish materials you choose and order, unless your written agreement says otherwise. For an added fee, Landford can order those materials, track delivery, or deliver them.

Getting to that price costs nothing. For suitable projects, Adam gives a free preliminary range from photos of your space. It is not a final estimate. If the range fits your budget, Adam visits the site at no charge and sends a free written proposal with the scope, price, and schedule. Payments are tied to stages listed in your contract, and every change is explained, documented, and signed before any extra work starts.

Landford Construction gives a 5% discount, up to $2,500 per project, to veterans, active military, and seniors 65 and older. The terms are on the FAQ page.

Landford does kitchen, bathroom, garage, and whole-home remodels in San Jose, the South Bay, and the Peninsula.