Kitchen Remodeling
Layout redesigns, cabinet installation, countertop replacement and appliance upgrades.
- New layouts and islands
- Cabinets and countertops
- Appliance upgrades
Home Remodeling and Renovation Contractor in the Bay Area
Cicarelli Contractors is a licensed home remodeling contractor for the Bay Area, handling kitchen remodels, bathroom remodels and interior and exterior painting. From a simple refresh to a complete overhaul, we plan the work with you, pull the permits the job needs and give you a written, itemized estimate under CSLB license #1109419.
- Kitchens, baths and paint
- CSLB License #1109419
- Mon–Sat, 9 am–5 pm
Home remodeling
What a Home Remodeling Contractor Does
A home remodeling contractor changes how an existing room looks and works: new cabinets and counters in a kitchen, a new shower and vanity in a bathroom, or fresh paint inside and out. Unlike new construction, a remodel happens inside a lived-in house, so dust control, protection of the rest of the home and a clear schedule matter as much as the finish.
Most remodels touch several trades at once: demolition, carpentry, plumbing, electrical, tile and paint. In California that is the work a class B general building contractor is licensed to coordinate, and it is why one contractor managing the whole job usually goes smoother than hiring each trade separately.
Our kitchen and bath remodeling work, together with painting, covers the rooms homeowners change most: kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling and interior and exterior painting. From our base in Richmond, our remodeling work serves homes from San Francisco and Oakland to San Jose and Walnut Creek.
What Customers Say About Working With Our Team
Nine Google reviews quoted word for word about our crews, communication and cleanup. Most come from outdoor and site work; none describes a kitchen or bathroom remodel yet. Swipe or use the arrows.
Nauzer GotlaHouse & backyard
Athalyson did great work at my house and backyard. Very happy with the result. Highly recommend.
Hurrem SultanaBackyard project
If I had another project, I wouldn't think twice and they would hire them again because they are clean people at work, flexible with hours and very professional.
Igor Santiago Godinho e SilvaBackyard project
We had a good experience with the company, the team was professional and made us feel confident about it. The job was done on time. Definetely would recomend their services!
Kazeem AdebiyiCrew & communication
The team exhibited exceptional performance, demonstrated effective communication, and displayed a commendable work ethic.
Julia DCrew & communication
Great Job. Good communication. Hard working crew.
Julio GarciaCompleted on time
Excellent job and ZERO complaint. The project was done on time.
Gloria McLaughlinFinished in 4 days
Very professional. It was explained what was going to be done.
They were done in 4 days. Other companies gave us a time limit of 2 weeks. Hard workers. We will use this company again. We need more work done.
Jose CorreiaGutter installation
Found this company through Google actually. Got a quick response for a gutter installation job - they communicated promptly and showed up right on time - same day - made it so easy! I worked really hard and did a great job cutting branches and changing all the gutters. Pay attention to details. Definitely recommend! Will hire again as it is licensed in California with competitive prices and manufactures all types of Builders
Melissa DaltonBackyard project
This Company is amazing there work is Better then I could have imagined! and there employees the nicest!
What we remodel
Kitchen, Bathroom and Painting Services
Three services that often go together: a kitchen or bath remodel usually ends with paint, and a paint job often starts the conversation about a bigger change.
Bathroom Remodeling
From replacing fixtures to full renovations with new showers, tile and vanities.
- Walk-in showers and tubs
- Tile and waterproofing
- Vanities and fixtures
Interior & Exterior Painting
Walls, ceilings, trim and cabinets inside; siding, stucco and wood outside.
- Interior painting
- Exterior house painting
- Cabinet painting and color help
Taking a room down to the studs first? See our demolition services.
Choosing the scope
Refresh or Full Remodel: How to Tell Which You Need
The biggest cost decision in any remodel is whether the layout stays. Keeping plumbing, gas and walls where they are keeps the project smaller.
A refresh is usually enough when
- The layout works and only the finishes feel dated
- Cabinets are solid and can be painted or refaced
- Plumbing and wiring are in good shape
- You want the room back in use quickly
Plan a full remodel when
- The layout fights the way you cook or get ready
- Water damage, rot or old wiring sits behind the walls
- You want to move a sink, shower or wall
- Fixtures and finishes are all near the end of their life
Not sure which side you are on? Send photos through the free estimate form and we will tell you.
Remodeling step by step
How a Remodel Runs From First Visit to Final Walk-Through
A remodel goes smoothly when the decisions are made before the walls open, not after.
Start With A Free Estimate- Step 01
Visit and Measure
We see the room, take measurements and talk through what you want to change.
- Step 02
Written, Itemized Quote
Every part of the scope gets its own line, along with the permits it needs.
- Step 03
Demolition and Protection
The rest of the house is protected and the old finishes come out.
- Step 04
Rough-In and Inspection
Plumbing and electrical changes go in and are inspected where required.
- Step 05
Install the New Room
Cabinets, tile, fixtures and counters are installed in order.
- Step 06
Paint and Walk-Through
Final paint and touch-ups, cleanup and a walk-through with you.
Rooms we have remodeled
Kitchens and Bathrooms From Our Projects
Finished interiors from Cicarelli remodeling jobs, from new cabinets and islands to walk-in showers and double vanities.
A brighter kitchen
White cabinets and a range hood in a remodeled kitchen.
An open plan
A kitchen island lit by pendant lights.
A walk-in shower
Glass enclosure and a freestanding tub side by side.
Room for two
A double vanity with arched mirrors.
Pricing
What Shapes the Cost of a Home Remodel
We price each remodel from its own scope rather than a per-square-foot guess. These are the items that move the number most.
Layout changes
Moving plumbing, gas lines or walls costs far more than keeping them.
Materials and finishes
Cabinets, counters, tile, fixtures and paint you choose.
Hidden conditions
Rot, water damage or old wiring found once walls open.
Permits and inspections
Plumbing, electrical and gas work under city permits.
Size of the room
Square footage and how many surfaces are involved.
Access and protection
Stairs, tight halls and protecting the rest of the home.
Our guide to whether a kitchen remodel adds home value covers which upgrades buyers notice, or send photos for a written estimate. Get a written quote
Permits and rules
Do You Need a Permit to Remodel in California?
Finish work such as painting, tile, cabinets and countertops is exempt from a building permit in cities like Oakland and Berkeley. Changing plumbing, electrical, gas or walls is not. On homes built before 1978, Oakland also requires a lead-based paint permit for work that disturbs paint.
- Oakland exempts painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops and similar finish work, except painting that disturbs paint on pre-1978 structures, per its work exempt from a building permit page.
- Berkeley requires a permit to install, alter or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, including a concealed drain, waste or vent pipe, according to its exempt work page.
- In homes built on or before January 1, 1994, a permit for an alteration or improvement requires replacing noncompliant plumbing fixtures with water-conserving ones before final approval, under Civil Code 1101.4 as summarized by Oakland and Berkeley.
- A class B general building contractor takes jobs that involve at least two unrelated trades; a single-trade job needs the matching specialty license or a licensed specialty subcontractor, per the CSLB classification page.
Statewide, home improvement work over $500 needs a written contract, and any change in price or scope needs a signed change order, as the CSLB explains.
Remodeling answers
Questions to Settle Before Any Home Remodel
Anyone hiring a home renovation contractor asks the same things first: how much to spend, which license to look for, what to say up front and which part costs the most. These answers come from how we run remodels and from California licensing and permit rules.
What is the 30% rule in remodeling?
It is a rule of thumb, not a law: many advisers suggest keeping a remodel budget to a share of the home's value so the project does not over-improve for the neighborhood. In the Bay Area, where home values are high, the more useful test is which rooms buyers and your own daily routine actually reward.
We can price a refresh and a full remodel side by side so you can compare.
What license should a remodeling contractor have in California?
Look for an active CSLB license that covers the work. A class B general building contractor runs projects involving two or more unrelated trades, such as carpentry, plumbing and tile in one bathroom. Single-trade work, like painting alone, falls under a specialty license such as C-33 Painting and Decorating.
Our B license #1109419 can be checked at cslb.ca.gov/1109419.
What is the most expensive part of a house to remodel?
Kitchens and bathrooms usually cost the most per square foot, because they pack plumbing, electrical, ventilation, cabinets, tile and fixtures into a small space. Within either room, moving plumbing or walls and choosing custom cabinets and stone counters are what push the total up fastest.
Keeping the existing layout is the single biggest way to control the budget.
What are the four types of remodeling?
Remodeling work is commonly grouped into four types: a cosmetic refresh that changes finishes only, a full room remodel that rebuilds one space such as a kitchen or bath, an addition that adds square footage, and a whole-house renovation. Each step up brings more trades, more permits and more time.
Our remodeling work covers the first two: refreshes and full kitchen and bathroom remodels.
What should I tell a contractor before a remodel?
Tell them how you use the room, what must change and what can stay, your budget range, your timeline, and anything you already know about the house, such as its age, past water leaks or unpermitted work. The more a contractor knows before quoting, the fewer surprises once walls open.
Photos and rough measurements let us give a closer first estimate.
| Rule | Official source |
|---|---|
| Painting, tile, cabinets, countertops | Exempt from a building permit in Oakland (city page) |
| Plumbing, electrical, gas, mechanical | Permit required in Berkeley (city page) |
| Paint disturbed on pre-1978 buildings | Lead-based paint permit in Oakland (city page) |
| Homes built on or before 1/1/1994 | Water-conserving fixtures with a remodel permit (Oakland) |
| Contracts over $500 | Written contract and signed change orders (CSLB) |
| Single-trade jobs | Specialty license or licensed subcontractor (CSLB) |
Summarized from the official pages linked above; your city may set its own requirements.
Updated · By Athalyson Bernardo, Owner of Cicarelli Contractors · CSLB #1109419
FAQ
Remodeling FAQ
Ready to Plan Your Remodel?
Send photos of the room, rough measurements and what you would like to change, and we will reply with a written estimate. We answer calls Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm, and our FAQ page answers common remodeling questions.
Call (650) 404-7049Do you handle the whole remodel or only parts of it?
We manage the whole project: demolition, carpentry, plumbing and electrical changes, tile, fixtures, cabinets and paint. That is the multi-trade work a class B general building contractor is licensed to coordinate, so you have one estimate, one schedule and one point of contact from start to finish.
Can I stay in my home during a remodel?
Usually, yes. We seal off the work area, protect floors and the path through the house, and clean up at the end of each day. A kitchen remodel means setting up a temporary place to prepare food, and a bathroom remodel is easier if the home has a second bathroom.
Do you remodel rooms other than kitchens and bathrooms?
Kitchens, bathrooms and painting are the remodeling services we focus on. For other interior changes, describe the project when you request an estimate, ideally with photos, and we will tell you plainly whether it is work we take on or one better suited to another trade.
Who pulls the permits for my remodel?
We do. The written estimate lists each permit the job needs, such as plumbing, electrical or a lead-based paint permit on older Oakland homes, and we schedule the inspections. California requires the contract to say in writing who obtains the permits.
Is remodeling work covered by a warranty?
Yes. Our general construction work carries a 1-year workmanship warranty from the date of completion, and manufacturer warranties on cabinets, fixtures and appliances pass through to you. The full terms, and what each warranty covers, are on our warranty and maintenance page.
How do I get a remodeling estimate?
Call or text (650) 404-7049, Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm, or send photos of the room through the free estimate form. A written, itemized remodeling estimate follows within 24 hours of the photos or the site visit.
Remodeling Guides
GuideHouse Demolition vs. Renovation: Should You Renovate or Rebuild?
GuideHard Demolition for an ADU or Home Addition in the Bay Area: What to Plan- GuideDoes a Modern Kitchen Remodel Add Home Value? A Bay Area Guide
Updated · By Athalyson Bernardo, Owner of Cicarelli Contractors