LA construction cost index, 2026.
What it costs per square foot to remodel, build or fit out a space in Los Angeles, in one place.
Cost per square foot, by project type.
| Category | Project type | Planning range | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential remodel | Cosmetic whole-home remodel | $150–$350 / sf | Guide |
| Residential remodel | Full whole-home remodel | $350–$700 / sf | Guide |
| Residential remodel | Down-to-the-studs renovation | $600–$1,100+ / sf | Guide |
| Custom home (Westside LA) | High-end production luxury | $850–$1,200 / sf | Guide |
| Custom home (Westside LA) | Custom | $1,200–$1,800 / sf | Guide |
| Custom home (Westside LA) | Trophy-level | $2,000+ / sf | Guide |
| ADU (Los Angeles) | Garage conversion | $200–$350 / sf | Guide |
| ADU (Los Angeles) | Attached ADU | $300–$500 / sf | Guide |
| ADU (Los Angeles) | Detached custom ADU | $400–$700 / sf | Guide |
| Commercial (Los Angeles) | Office tenant improvement | $40–$350+ / sf | Guide |
| Commercial (Los Angeles) | Restaurant, fast-casual | $150–$300 / sf | Guide |
| Commercial (Los Angeles) | Restaurant, full-service | $300–$550 / sf | Guide |
| Commercial (Los Angeles) | Restaurant, fine dining | $550–$1,000+ / sf | Guide |
| Commercial (Los Angeles) | Retail build-out | $100–$1,500+ / sf | Guide |
| Commercial (Orange County) | Restaurant, full-service (raw space) | $350–$520 / sf | Guide |
| Commercial (San Diego) | Restaurant, full-service (raw space) | $330–$480 / sf | Guide |
Construction cost only, before design fees, permits and furnishings. Ranges are Vividly Built's planning estimates from our project work and published guides, updated October 2026. Download: CSV.
Design and visualization fees.
| Category | Item | Typical range | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design fees (Los Angeles) | Full-home interior design package | $75,000–$400,000+ | Guide |
| Design fees (Los Angeles) | Architect + interior designer, new construction | 8–15% of construction cost | Guide |
| Design fees (Los Angeles) | Kitchen or single-room design scope | $25,000–$60,000 | Guide |
| Visualization | Single photoreal rendering | $300–$1,500 | Guide |
| Visualization | 360° tour, per viewpoint | $500–$2,000 | Guide |
Why two projects cost so differently.
Site
Hillside, coastal and fire-zone lots add engineering, review time and specialized construction. Our hillside guide shows how.
Scope
Moving walls, plumbing and structure costs far more than changing surfaces. Down-to-the-studs work costs roughly twice a cosmetic remodel.
Finish level
Stone, millwork, glazing and systems at the luxury end can double the cost of the same floor plan.
Jurisdiction
Fees, plan check and inspections vary by city; see who issues your permit.
Decisions made late
Field change orders cost many times the same decision made in design. That is why we resolve projects in 3D first.
Soft costs
Design, engineering, permits and insurance sit on top of construction. See soft costs, explained.
Free to quote, with a link.
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Questions about LA construction costs.
How much does it cost per square foot to remodel a house in Los Angeles in 2026?
As a planning range, about $150–$350 per square foot for a cosmetic remodel, $350–$700 for a full whole-home remodel and $600–$1,100+ for a down-to-the-studs renovation, before design fees and furnishings.
How much does a custom home cost per square foot in Los Angeles?
On the Westside (Pacific Palisades, Bel Air, Beverly Hills, Holmby Hills), all-in construction runs about $850–$1,200 per square foot for high-end production luxury, $1,200–$1,800 for custom and $2,000+ for trophy-level homes.
How much does an ADU cost per square foot in LA?
About $200–$350 per square foot for a garage conversion, $300–$500 for an attached ADU and $400–$700 for a detached custom ADU.
How much does a restaurant build-out cost in Los Angeles?
Roughly $150–$300 per square foot for fast-casual, $300–$550 for full-service and $550–$1,000+ for fine dining.
Can I use this data in an article?
Yes. The index is licensed CC BY 4.0: quote it with a link to this page. The CSV download has every range.
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