Renovation stories with real numbers.

Cost shifts, materials and the decisions behind better-built homes. The Renology Magazine.

Explore the magazine.

Find a story for the decision you’re making next.

All stories

242 stories · Page 3 of 12

Quartz vs Quartzite Countertops: Which Lasts?
Comparison · Jul 8, 2026 · 19-min read
Compare quartz and quartzite for daily care, heat, staining and the installed scope before you reserve a slab.
Do You Need a Permit for a Kitchen Remodel in San Diego?
Faq · Jul 5, 2026 · 18-min read
Remodeling a kitchen in San Diego? Check exemptions, no-plan permits and historic-property rules, then confirm who handles approvals before work begins.
Kitchen Remodel Cost 2026: $20K Minor to $55K Major
Cost Guide · Jul 5, 2026 · 16-min read
Homeowners in the 2026 Houzz Kitchen Trends Study reported a median of $20,000 for a minor kitchen remodel and $55,000 for a major one. Here is where the money goes, what coastal metros charge, and what you get back at resale.
How to Plan a Outdoor Kitchen in Los Angeles
Howto · Jul 5, 2026 · 23-min read
Planning an outdoor kitchen in LA? Our contractor's guide covers 2026 costs, LADBS permits, seismic-safe foundations, and vetting a qualified builder.
Home Renovation Demand Report: H1 2026 - What 216 Homeowners Asked For
Editorial · Jul 3, 2026 · 6-min read
65% of California kitchen renovation requests in H1 2026 were for kitchens over 20 years old, per Renology data from 216 homeowner requests.
What Really Drives Pool Prices in Seattle (2026)
Cost Guide · Jul 3, 2026 · 18-min read
A new in-ground pool in Seattle costs $95,000 to $220,000 in 2026. The median project is $135,000. Costs are driven by high labor rates, seismic building codes, and challenging site conditions on sloped or unstable lots.
Driveway Installation in San Francisco: The 2026 Trade-Offs Worth Knowing
Comparison · Jul 3, 2026 · 25-min read
A deep-dive comparison of permeable pavers and architectural concrete for San Francisco driveways in 2026. We cover cost, durability, aesthetics, and SF-specific challenges.
What's Changing in San Diego Deck Design (2026)
Trends · Jul 2, 2026 · 14-min read
San Diego's deck and pergola designs for 2026 are trading simple wood platforms for multi-zone outdoor rooms with aluminum structures, smart lighting, and full outdoor kitchens.
How Long a Siding Replacement Really Takes in Sacramento (2026)
Process · Jul 2, 2026 · 15-min read
A Sacramento siding replacement takes 4 to 8 weeks, but hidden dry rot can easily push it to 10. We walk through the four phases, from permits and tear-off to final inspection, with real 2026 costs.
Do You Need a Permit for a Outdoor Kitchen in Seattle
Faq · Jul 1, 2026 · 17-min read
Building an outdoor kitchen in Seattle? Don't get caught by surprise. Learn which permits you need, what they cost, and how to avoid the common material failures that plague Pacific Northwest projects.
How to Plan a Pool Installation in Sacramento
Howto · Jun 30, 2026 · 27-min read
A pragmatic, step-by-step guide to planning a pool installation in Sacramento for 2026. Learn about real costs, timelines, and how to deal with the region's expansive clay soil.
What Really Drives Siding Prices in San Francisco (2026)
Cost Guide · Jun 30, 2026 · 18-min read
Siding replacement in San Francisco costs $25,000 to $45,000 for a typical project in 2026. This guide details the hidden costs, labor rates, and material choices driving prices in the Bay Area.
Deck Build in Los Angeles: The 2026 Trade-Offs Worth Knowing
Comparison · Jun 29, 2026 · 21-min read
A Los Angeles deck and pergola project in 2026 comes down to a core choice: the timeless warmth of natural wood or the engineered resilience of composite. We break down the trade-offs.
What's Changing in Seattle Roof Replacement Design (2026)
Trends · Jun 29, 2026 · 20-min read
In Seattle, the 25-year asphalt shingle is out. The new standard for 2026 is the 50-year roof, with standing seam metal and high-performance composites leading the way.
7 ADU Build Mistakes in Sacramento (2026)
Mistakes · Jun 29, 2026 · 13-min read
Most Sacramento ADU projects run $45,000 over budget. The biggest mistakes are underestimating site prep for the region's expansive clay soil and ignoring hefty utility connection fees from SMUD.
Inside a Real Los Angeles Bathroom Remodel
Real Renovation · Jun 28, 2026 · 19-min read
Step inside a real 55-sq-ft Los Angeles bathroom remodel. See the before and after, a full cost breakdown of the $68,700 project, and the lessons learned.
Outdoor Kitchens in Sacramento: What to Expect in 2026
City Overview · Jun 28, 2026 · 16-min read
A complete guide to outdoor kitchen costs in Sacramento for 2026. Expect to pay $28k, $85k for a mid-range project, with costs driven by appliances, materials, and labor.
How to Plan a Siding Replacement in San Diego
Howto · Jun 27, 2026 · 25-min read
A contractor's guide to planning a siding replacement in San Diego. Learn about 2026 costs, permits, materials, and how to hire a qualified siding contractor.
What Really Drives Driveway Prices in Los Angeles (2026)
Cost Guide · Jun 27, 2026 · 16-min read
A new driveway in Los Angeles typically costs $14,000 to $30,000 in 2026 for a standard two-car project. Key cost drivers are sub-grade preparation for expansive clay soil and complex LADBS permit requirements.
Roof Replacement in Sacramento: The 2026 Trade-Offs Worth Knowing
Comparison · Jun 26, 2026 · 19-min read
In Sacramento, the 2026 roof choice is between high-performance architectural asphalt and lifetime standing seam metal. We compare cost, durability, and aesthetics.
What's Changing in San Francisco ADU Design
Trends · Jun 26, 2026 · 21-min read
The utilitarian granny flat is a relic. In 2026, the San Francisco ADU has evolved into a design-forward lifestyle extension, with integrated courtyards, disappearing kitchens, and wellness suites.

Free, private, no obligation

Find a Pro

Private contractor matching for homeowners who want vetted options, clear budgets, and no spam.

Find vetted pros

2 to 3 vetted matches, clear next steps, and no obligation to hire.

Planning a project?

Browse renovation guides

Before you commit to a renovation

Check the budget assumptions, scope and approval steps before comparing contractor proposals.