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AfterHow Much Does Construction Cost in San Francisco?
Most construction projects in San Francisco run between $106,200 and $259,600 in 2026, with the exact figure depending on scope, materials, and the age of the building. That range covers everything from a garage conversion to a full accessory dwelling unit (ADU), which is where a lot of San Francisco construction money is going right now. A kitchen remodel is a smaller commitment, typically $16,520 to $53,100, and a bathroom remodel lands between $10,620 and $33,040.
We’re Bradford Remodeling, and we give every San Francisco homeowner a written price before any work starts. That’s The Garrison Standard: the number in your hand before a tool comes out. Call (903) 568-7222 for a free estimate.
Key Takeaways
- ADU construction is the biggest line item on most San Francisco permits, at $106,200 to $259,600.
- Kitchen remodels run $16,520 to $53,100; small kitchens $10,620 to $23,600.
- San Francisco’s pre-1940 housing stock, hillside lots, and permit process push costs higher than the national average.
- Every completed Bradford project carries the 365-Day Done Right Promise: if the work fails within a year, we come back and fix it at no charge.
- Written price before work begins, always. No numbers that move at the door.
Construction Cost Breakdown (2026)
Here’s what the work actually costs in the San Francisco market right now. These are real dollar ranges, not “call us for pricing.”
| Project | Typical Cost Range |
|---|---|
| ADU Construction | $106,200 – $259,600 |
| Home Addition | $53,100 – $153,400 |
| Garage Conversion | $35,400 – $94,400 |
| Kitchen Remodel | $16,520 – $53,100 |
| Small Kitchen Remodel | $10,620 – $23,600 |
| Bathroom Remodel | $10,620 – $33,040 |
| Small Bathroom Remodel | $5,900 – $14,160 |
| Walk-In Shower Installation | $5,310 – $14,160 |
| Tub-to-Shower Conversion | $4,130 – $11,800 |
| Shower Replacement | $3,540 – $10,030 |
| Bathroom Vanity Installation | $945 – $3,540 |
| Cabinet Installation | $4,720 – $15,340 |
| Countertop Installation | $2,360 – $7,670 |
| Backsplash Installation | $945 – $2,950 |
| Kitchen Island Installation | $3,540 – $11,800 |
| Roof Replacement | $9,440 – $23,600 |
| Roof Repair | $470 – $2,125 |
| Metal Roof Installation | $17,700 – $47,200 |
| Tile Roof Repair | $710 – $2,950 |
| Window Replacement | $5,310 – $17,700 |
| Impact Window Installation | $9,440 – $29,500 |
| Paver Driveway Installation | $8,260 – $21,240 |
| Concrete Driveway Installation | $5,310 – $14,160 |
| Asphalt Driveway Paving | $4,130 – $10,620 |
| Driveway Replacement | $5,900 – $16,520 |
| Driveway Sealing | $295 – $825 |
| Vinyl Fence Installation | $4,130 – $10,620 |
| Aluminum Fence Installation | $4,720 – $11,800 |
| Paver Patio Installation | $4,130 – $12,980 |
What pushes a San Francisco project toward the top of its range? Three things, mostly. First is structural or mechanical work discovered behind the walls, which is common in Richmond District and Sunset District homes built in the 1920s and 1930s. Second is material tier: KraftMaid and Wellborn cabinetry sit at different price points, and Cambria versus Caesarstone surfaces price differently too. Third is access. A hillside lot in Noe Valley or Twin Peaks where the crew is carrying materials up a stairway takes longer than a flat-lot job, and labor time is the biggest variable in every line above.
Learn more about our home remodeling services if you want the full picture of what we handle.
What Affects Construction Pricing in San Francisco
- Building age and hidden conditions. San Francisco’s pre-war housing stock often hides knob-and-tube wiring, galvanized plumbing, and old lath-and-plaster walls. Opening a wall in a 1925 Inner Sunset home regularly reveals work the original estimate couldn’t see. Bradford documents these findings in writing before proceeding.
- Permit and inspection requirements. San Francisco’s Department of Building Inspection requires permits for most structural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work, and the review process can add weeks to a timeline. Older buildings may trigger seismic upgrade requirements if you’re touching structural elements.
- Hillside and narrow-lot access. A lot on a steep grade means equipment and materials move slower, and street parking restrictions in dense neighborhoods like the Mission or North Beach affect staging. Both translate to labor hours.
- Material choices. Specifying KraftMaid or Wellborn cabinetry versus stock options, or GAF versus CertainTeed roofing systems, moves the number. We work from a documented roster of brands with real manufacturer specs and warranties.
- Scope creep. The single biggest driver of a surprise invoice. Bradford puts the full scope in writing before work begins and flags any change order in writing before it happens. This is what The Garrison Code requires.
- Labor market. Licensed trades in San Francisco command some of the highest rates in the country, and crews working in the city factor in travel and parking time on every job.
You can see how these factors play out on our kitchen remodeling and bathroom remodeling pages.
How to Save on Construction
You don’t have to accept the top of the range. A few moves consistently bring San Francisco projects down without cutting corners on the parts that matter.
- Bundle related work. If you’re already opening a wall for a kitchen remodel, adding electrical or plumbing upgrades at the same time costs far less than a separate mobilization later.
- Stay in the footprint. Moving a sink or a load-bearing wall adds structural, plumbing, and permit cost. Keeping fixtures where they are is often the single biggest saving.
- Choose mid-tier materials where they’re hidden. Premium finishes belong where you see and touch them. Specifying KraftMaid cabinetry for the kitchen but a standard substrate behind the tile is a reasonable trade.
- Get a written price before you commit. A phone number that changes after the crew arrives is not a number. Bradford puts the price in writing before any work starts, every time.
- Plan around permit timelines. Starting the permit application early, and coordinating with the city before demolition, avoids the costly gap where a crew is waiting on an inspection.
- Address roof and exterior before they cascade. In San Francisco’s wet winters, a small roof repair at $470 to $2,125 is far cheaper than the interior damage from a leak that spreads into a ceiling and a wall.
We offer free estimates, and we’ll walk you through which of these levers actually applies to your house. Call (903) 568-7222.
FAQs – Construction Cost
How much does a kitchen remodel cost in San Francisco?
A full kitchen remodel in San Francisco costs $16,520 to $53,100 in 2026. A small kitchen remodel runs $10,620 to $23,600. The biggest cost drivers are cabinet choice (KraftMaid and Wellborn are on our approved roster), countertop material (Cambria, Silestone, and Caesarstone price differently), and whether the job requires moving plumbing or gas lines. Call (903) 568-7222 for an exact quote, free, before any work starts.
How much does an ADU cost to build in San Francisco?
ADU construction in San Francisco runs $106,200 to $259,600. That’s the widest range on this page because ADUs vary from a converted garage to a fully detached new structure, and city requirements for ADUs are specific and change over time. We recommend a site walk before you commit to a number. Call us at (903) 568-7222 and we’ll come look.
Is it cheaper to repair or replace my roof in San Francisco?
Roof repair in San Francisco costs $470 to $2,125, while a full roof replacement runs $9,440 to $23,600 (metal roofing is $17,700 to $47,200). Repair is cheaper when damage is localized and the underlying roof structure is sound. Replace when you’re facing repeated leaks or the roof is at the end of its service life. The wet winter pattern here means small leaks become big ones fast. Call (903) 568-7222 for a free assessment before the next rainy season.
How much does a bathroom remodel cost in San Francisco?
A bathroom remodel in San Francisco costs $10,620 to $33,040, and a small bathroom is $5,900 to $14,160. A walk-in shower installation is $5,310 to $14,160; a tub-to-shower conversion is $4,130 to $11,800. Older San Francisco bathrooms frequently hide plumbing and moisture damage behind the tile, so the honest number depends on what’s behind the wall. Call (903) 568-7222 for a written scope and price.
Can I get an estimate without a commitment?
Yes. Bradford Remodeling provides free estimates with a written price before any work starts. There is no pressure and no obligation. We answer the phone with a live person 24/7, so you’ll reach someone, not a voicemail. Call (903) 568-7222.
Why San Francisco Homeowners Call Bradford
We hear the same story constantly. A contractor gave a number, the crew showed up, and the number changed. Or the crew never showed at all. Bradford Remodeling exists to operate the other way. We’re part of the Garrison Partners family, established in 2004, and each location is independently owned and operated but held to The Garrison Standard.
What that means in practice: a written price before work begins, background-checked and uniformed technicians on every job, and live-person phone coverage 24 hours a day. When the work is done, you hold a signed written guarantee in your hand. The 365-Day Done Right Promise covers every completed project for a full year. If something we installed fails inside that window, we return and correct it at no charge.
We install documented, name-brand materials so the specs are traceable: KraftMaid and Wellborn cabinetry, Cambria, Silestone, and Caesarstone surfaces, Kohler and Moen fixtures, GAF, CertainTeed, and Owens Corning roofing, James Hardie exterior products, Therma-Tru doors, and Belgard and Unilock hardscaping. You’ll know exactly what’s going into your house before we start.
If you’ve been burned before, start with our main page to see how we work, or read how we approach kitchen remodels, bathroom remodels, and roofing. We also handle window replacement, driveway installation, and fence installation throughout the city.
What “Squared Away” Looks Like When We Leave
A Bradford job closes the same way it opens: documented. The site is clean, the scope is signed off, and you have the written guarantee in hand. No loose ends, no promises to “come back and take a look.” If you’re in San Francisco and you want a contractor who puts the price and the guarantee in writing, that’s the whole job.
Call (903) 568-7222 for a free estimate. A live person answers, day or night.
Written by Curtis Lane, Owner at Bradford Remodeling, serving San Francisco. Pricing reflects the San Francisco market as of 2026. Bradford Remodeling offers free estimates – call (903) 568-7222.
What Our Customers Say
"Kitchen remodel run by a veteran-owned crew. They started on the day promised, kept the site clean, and gave weekly updates. New cabinets and counters look great."
- Alan M."Painting and drywall repair were flawless. They patched the drywall seams and the paint matches the old wall."
- Cal P."Replaced old windows and trim while redoing the kitchen. Clean finish work."
- Ron F.
