Renology Premium Renovation Magazine
Project of the day
A real renovation, decoded.
Before, after, cost, timeline, and the decisions that changed the home.
Los Angeles, CA
Bold contrast. Clean lines. Everyday function, elevated.
Today’s “Project of the Day” features an indoor kitchen by Evercraft Remodeling Group in Los Angeles.
Edition
CA
Editor's planning desk
The decisions worth making before a quote.
A practical planning index for homeowners: what changes the budget, which details should be specified early, and when licensed help matters.
Field note: define utilities, drainage, access, and finish level before comparing bids.
In brief
Start with scope, site conditions, and drainage before choosing finishes.
Ask for line-item pricing on demolition, base prep, utilities, permits, and cleanup.
Match materials to climate: heat, rain, fire exposure, salt air, and maintenance.
Use contractor matching after you know the project type, rough budget, and timeline.
What should a homeowner compare first?
Compare scope before price. A low bid can omit demo, base prep, utility runs, permits, haul-away, or finish details that decide whether the project lasts.
When is DIY a bad idea?
DIY gets risky when work touches gas, electrical, structural framing, waterproofing, drainage, roof systems, or retaining walls. Those projects need licensed help.
Which projects need the most planning?
ADUs, kitchens, baths, roofs, decks, outdoor kitchens, and major hardscape need early planning because permits, utilities, access, and sequencing change the budget.
How does Renology help?
The magazine gives planning context first. Find a Pro is optional, and connects ready homeowners with vetted local contractors without public lead sharing.
Renovation guides
Costs, materials, timelines, and tradeoffs.
Practical decision guides with enough detail to plan intelligently before you ask contractors for bids.
Indoor Remodels
Kitchen Remodels
Layouts, cabinetry tiers, and appliance packages that fit real budgets.
Indoor Remodels
Bathroom Remodels
Wet-room rebuilds, tub-to-shower swaps, and spa-grade upgrades.
Indoor Remodels
Flooring
Hardwood, engineered, tile, luxury vinyl plank, and laminate. Real cost data, lifespan comparisons, and vetted local installers.
Indoor Remodels
Fireplace Remodel & Built-Ins
Most fireplace remodels land between $12,000 and $20,000 in 2026, inside a full range that runs from a $600 reface to a $35,000 gas insert with custom built-ins.
Indoor Remodels
Interior Painting
Whole-home repaints, accent walls, and color consultation. Real cost data per room, brand picks, and vetted painters.
Outdoor Living
Decks & Patios
Timber, composite, and stone surfaces built to host the whole block.
Regional editions
Local renovation intelligence.
Costs, permits, weather, materials, and contractor availability shift by region. Start with your edition.
California edition
Southern California
ADUs, indoor-outdoor living, kitchens, roofing, and hardscape shaped by code, climate, and coastal labor markets.
Open edition
Washington edition
Greater Seattle
Basements, weatherproofing, kitchens, roofs, and covered outdoor spaces for Pacific Northwest homes.
Open editionFlagship markets
City editions Renology covers in depth.
Local cost ranges, permit notes, and project guides written for the way each metro actually builds.
01 / California edition
Los Angeles
Hillside ADUs, indoor-outdoor kitchens, and remodels shaped by Title 24, fire zones, and coastal labor markets.
Read the city guide02 / California edition
San Diego
Coastal corrosion, drought-tolerant hardscape, and second-unit additions across North County and the Mesa.
Read the city guide03 / California edition
San Francisco
Soft-story retrofits, Victorian kitchens, and dense-lot ADUs governed by SF Planning and DBI.
Read the city guide04 / Washington edition
Seattle
Basement finishes, weatherproof envelopes, and covered outdoor rooms built for Pacific Northwest rain loads.
Read the city guide05 / Oregon edition
Portland
Craftsman electrical upgrades, basement and attic conversions, and one of the most ADU-friendly permit environments in the country.
Read the city guide06 / Colorado edition
Denver
Hail-rated roofing replacement, basement finishing, and altitude-aware HVAC across the Front Range and central Denver neighborhoods.
Read the city guideLatest from the Journal
New renovation reporting this week.
Stories, cost guides, and design notes added to the Renology Journal.
01 / Trends
Seattle Roof Replacement Design: What's Changing
For 2026, Seattle roofing is defined by durable materials like standing seam metal and high-definition shingles, with project costs typically ranging from $14,000 to $22,000.
Aug 8, 2026 · 13-min read
02 / Trends
What's Changing in ADU Design (2026)
The key ADU trends for 2026 show a definitive pivot from utility boxes to character-rich homes, with new builds costing $165,000 to $415,000. Top trends include dedicated entrances and luxury finishes.
Aug 6, 2026 · 18-min read
03 / Mistakes
7 Costly ADU Build Mistakes in Sacramento
Most Sacramento ADU projects run 20-30% over budget. The costliest mistakes are underestimating site work on clay soil and using generic plans that ignore the region's intense summer heat.
Aug 4, 2026 · 19-min read
04 / Cost Guide
Bathroom Costs in San Francisco, 2026
A mid-range bathroom remodel in San Francisco costs $39,000 to $65,000 in 2026. Key cost drivers include seismic code compliance in older homes, high labor rates, and strict Title 24 energy and water regulations.
Aug 2, 2026 · 14-min read
05 / Choose Contractor
Hiring a Kitchen Remodel Contractor in Seattle
A Seattle kitchen remodel costs $55k-$90k and requires a licensed, bonded contractor who can work through SDCI permits and address seismic risks in older homes.
Jul 31, 2026 · 14-min read
06 / Cost Guide
Tub to Shower Conversion Cost 2026: $2,000 to $12,000, Priced by Tier
A tub to shower conversion runs $2,000 to $12,000 in 2026: prefab kits $2,000 to $6,000, tiled walk-ins $6,000 to $12,000, curbless $8,000 to $15,000. Franchise vs local pricing compared, the Medicare answer, hidden-cost survey data, and permit rules for California and Seattle.
Jul 30, 2026 · 13-min read
07 / Cost Guide
Fireplace Insert Cost 2026: Gas, Electric & Wood, Installed
A fireplace remodel runs $600 to $4,500 for refacing and $2,400 to $10,000 for a full rebuild. Gas inserts land at $2,300 to $8,000 installed, and real quotes with chimney work often reach $7,000 to $10,000. Every line item priced, plus the Bay Area and Seattle burn rules that now drive the decision.
Jul 30, 2026 · 14-min read
08 / City Overview
Outdoor Kitchens in Sacramento: What to Expect
An outdoor kitchen in Sacramento costs $18,000 to $85,000 in 2026. The final price is driven by custom vs. prefab construction and the need for enhanced foundations on the region's expansive clay soil.
Jul 29, 2026 · 22-min read
09 / Faq
Need a Permit for a Pool Installation in San Francisco
A San Francisco pool permit involves 4-6 city departments, can take 6+ months, and is required for any pool over 24 inches deep. Expect all-in costs to start at $150,000.
Jul 26, 2026 · 18-min read
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