--- title: LA Construction Cost Index 2026: Cost per SF description: 2026 Los Angeles construction costs per square foot: remodels, custom homes, ADUs, restaurant, retail and office build-outs, and design fees. Free CSV. url: https://vividlybuilt.com/la-construction-cost-index type: dataset updated: 2026-10-18 --- Data · Updated October 2026 # 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](https://vividlybuilt.com/services/whole-home-remodel-design) | | Residential remodel | Full whole-home remodel | $350–$700 / sf | [Guide](https://vividlybuilt.com/services/whole-home-remodel-design) | | Residential remodel | Down-to-the-studs renovation | $600–$1,100+ / sf | [Guide](https://vividlybuilt.com/services/whole-home-remodel-design) | | Custom home (Westside LA) | High-end production luxury | $850–$1,200 / sf | [Guide](https://vividlybuilt.com/answers/luxury-custom-home-cost-pacific-palisades-bel-air) | | Custom home (Westside LA) | Custom | $1,200–$1,800 / sf | [Guide](https://vividlybuilt.com/answers/luxury-custom-home-cost-pacific-palisades-bel-air) | | Custom home (Westside LA) | Trophy-level | $2,000+ / sf | [Guide](https://vividlybuilt.com/answers/luxury-custom-home-cost-pacific-palisades-bel-air) | | ADU (Los Angeles) | Garage conversion | $200–$350 / sf | [Guide](https://vividlybuilt.com/answers/adu-design-cost-los-angeles) | | ADU (Los Angeles) | Attached ADU | $300–$500 / sf | [Guide](https://vividlybuilt.com/answers/adu-design-cost-los-angeles) | | ADU (Los Angeles) | Detached custom ADU | $400–$700 / sf | [Guide](https://vividlybuilt.com/answers/adu-design-cost-los-angeles) | | Commercial (Los Angeles) | Office tenant improvement | $40–$350+ / sf | [Guide](https://vividlybuilt.com/answers/office-tenant-improvement-cost-los-angeles) | | Commercial (Los Angeles) | Restaurant, fast-casual | $150–$300 / sf | [Guide](https://vividlybuilt.com/answers/restaurant-build-out-cost-los-angeles) | | Commercial (Los Angeles) | Restaurant, full-service | $300–$550 / sf | [Guide](https://vividlybuilt.com/answers/restaurant-build-out-cost-los-angeles) | | Commercial (Los Angeles) | Restaurant, fine dining | $550–$1,000+ / sf | [Guide](https://vividlybuilt.com/answers/restaurant-build-out-cost-los-angeles) | | Commercial (Los Angeles) | Retail build-out | $100–$1,500+ / sf | [Guide](https://vividlybuilt.com/answers/retail-build-out-cost-los-angeles) | | Commercial (Orange County) | Restaurant, full-service (raw space) | $350–$520 / sf | [Guide](https://vividlybuilt.com/answers/restaurant-build-out-cost-orange-county) | | Commercial (San Diego) | Restaurant, full-service (raw space) | $330–$480 / sf | [Guide](https://vividlybuilt.com/answers/restaurant-build-out-cost-san-diego) | 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](https://vividlybuilt.com/data/la-construction-cost-index-2026.csv). ## Design and visualization fees. | Category | Item | Typical range | Detail | |---|---|---|---| | Design fees (Los Angeles) | Full-home interior design package | $75,000–$400,000+ | [Guide](https://vividlybuilt.com/answers/luxury-design-fees-budget-ranges-los-angeles) | | Design fees (Los Angeles) | Architect + interior designer, new construction | 8–15% of construction cost | [Guide](https://vividlybuilt.com/answers/luxury-design-fees-budget-ranges-los-angeles) | | Design fees (Los Angeles) | Kitchen or single-room design scope | $25,000–$60,000 | [Guide](https://vividlybuilt.com/answers/luxury-design-fees-budget-ranges-los-angeles) | | Visualization | Single photoreal rendering | $300–$1,500 | [Guide](https://vividlybuilt.com/answers/3d-architectural-rendering-cost) | | Visualization | 360° tour, per viewpoint | $500–$2,000 | [Guide](https://vividlybuilt.com/answers/3d-architectural-rendering-cost) | ## Why two projects cost so differently. ### Site Hillside, coastal and fire-zone lots add engineering, review time and specialized construction. Our [hillside guide](https://vividlybuilt.com/answers/hillside-construction-bel-air-beverly-hills) 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](https://vividlybuilt.com/permit-finder). ### 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](https://vividlybuilt.com/answers/construction-soft-costs-luxury-home-los-angeles). ## Free to quote, with a link. Journalists, agents, lenders and bloggers are welcome to quote these ranges with a link to this page. The data is licensed CC BY 4.0. Copy this snippet to cite it: Need a custom figure for a story? Email info@vividlybuilt.com or call (310) 776-5480. ## Run your own numbers. - [Construction Cost Calculator](https://vividlybuilt.com/cost-calculator) - [Remodel or Sell? Calculator](https://vividlybuilt.com/remodel-or-sell) - [Who Issues My Permit?](https://vividlybuilt.com/permit-finder) - [Commercial Build-Out Cost Index](https://vividlybuilt.com/answers/commercial-build-out-cost-index-los-angeles) - [Design Fees & Budget Ranges](https://vividlybuilt.com/answers/luxury-design-fees-budget-ranges-los-angeles) - [Remodel or Rebuild?](https://vividlybuilt.com/answers/remodel-vs-rebuild-los-angeles) ## 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. --- Tell us what you are planning. We'll give you an honest range for your site, scope and finish level. Get an estimate: https://vividlybuilt.fillout.com/quickstart · Call (310) 776-5480 · info@vividlybuilt.com