Renology Premium Renovation Magazine
Project of the day
A real renovation, decoded.
Before, after, cost, timeline, and the decisions that changed the home.
Before
AfterPasadena, CA
From Dated to Dreamy: The Martinez Kitchen in Pasadena
A 1970s-era kitchen with closed walls, oak cabinets, and tan formica that no longer fit how the family lived.
Final cost
$92k
Timeline
11 wk
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 & Built-ins
Linear gas, natural stone surrounds, and custom cabinetry that anchor a room.
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 / Podcast Episode
12 Home Renovation Ideas That Add Real 2026
In this episode, we analyze the 12 home renovation ideas with the highest return in 2026. Discover which projects, from garage doors to kitchens, actually add measurable value at resale, based on national cost and value data.
Jun 2, 2026 · 15-min read
02 / Cost Guide
Sacramento Roof Replacement Cost 2026
A full roof replacement in Sacramento costs between $14,500 and $38,000 in 2026. Our guide breaks down what homeowners actually pay, itemizes hidden costs, and explains California's Title 24 requirements.
Jun 2, 2026 · 18-min read
03 / Podcast Episode
Fixer-Upper or Move-In Ready: The 2026 Math That
Is a fixer-upper a smart investment or a financial trap? We break down the 2026 math, comparing project risk vs. market risk to help you decide.
Jun 1, 2026 · 16-min read
04 / Cost Guide
Orlando Roof Replacement Cost 2026
A full roof replacement in Orlando costs between $11,800 and $21,500 in 2026, with a median price of $15,600 for a typical single-family home using architectural asphalt shingles.
Jun 1, 2026 · 12-min read
05 / Podcast Episode
How a Bathroom Remodel Actually Hits $25,000 in
A typical full bathroom remodel now costs between $24,000 and $28,000 nationally. We break down the bathroom remodel cost line by line, from labor to what's hidden in your walls.
May 31, 2026 · 19-min read
06 / Cost Guide
Houston Bathroom Cost 2026
A complete guide to bathroom remodel costs in Houston for 2026. See itemized budgets, real homeowner spending, and learn why Houston's climate adds unique costs to your project.
May 30, 2026 · 9-min read
07 / Cost Guide
Orlando ADU Cost 2026
In 2026, building a new detached ADU in Orlando typically costs $185,000, $360,000. Garage conversions offer a lower entry point, ranging from $95,000 to $150,000. This guide details the hidden costs you will face.
May 30, 2026 · 11-min read
08 / Mistakes
7 Deck Build Mistakes That Cost Sacramento
Most Sacramento deck and pergola builds go over budget. We identify the seven costliest mistakes, from ignoring our clay soil to choosing the wrong materials for the Central Valley heat.
May 30, 2026 · 7-min read
09 / Trends
8 Driveway Trends Defining 2026 Sacramento Homes
The monolithic gray slab is over. For 2026, Sacramento driveways are being reimagined as designed 'first rooms' with permeable pavers, dark tones, and integrated lighting defining the new standard.
May 30, 2026 · 9-min read
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