Learning · Cost literacy (no ROI)
Remodel cost factors
Remodel scope moves with how much of the house changes, what you find in the existing walls and panel, the finish level, site access, how many trades must coordinate, and the city or county permit path. National cost studies are context only. This page does not publish a price or a return for your home.
What typically drives kitchen, bath, addition, and ADU project cost in King County, Snohomish County, and Seattle — qualitative drivers and sourced public links. <strong class="text-white">Not a bid</strong>; verify locally.
Cost drivers (illustrative — no prices)
Are national cost studies a local bid?
Industry Cost vs Value reports (Zonda / Remodeling Magazine and collaborators) publish national and market-level averages that pair modeled remodeling costs with surveyed estimates of resale value added. Methodology and markets change by edition — treat them as national study context only, never as your local project price or a promised ROI.
Board rule: we cite the methodology and link the public overview; we do not copy cost-recouped percentages onto Board pages as if they were Edmonds or Seattle bids.
Public overview: Zonda 2025 Cost vs Value · data lookup: costvsvalue.com.
What usually moves remodel scope?
| Driver | Why it moves scope | Who to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Scope breadth | A cosmetic refresh is a different scope from a full gut, wall moves, and structural openings. | Ask each bidder to state which of those is in the written scope. |
| Existing conditions | Panel capacity, plumbing stack access, older finishes, and crawlspace or slab surprises change the rough-in. | Ask the bidder what was assumed about the existing house, and confirm fees with the authority having jurisdiction. |
| Finish level | Commodity versus custom cabinets, stone versus laminate, tile complexity, and fixture brands are allowance items, not Board prices. | Write the allowance in the contract before you compare bids. |
| Site access | An occupied home, a steep lot, a coastal weather window, and dumpster or parking limits change how the work is sequenced. | Ask for the access plan in the written scope. |
| Trades coordination | More licensed trades mean more inspection gates and correction cycles. | Ask who owns each trade permit and who stands for inspections. |
| Permit and review path | The authority having jurisdiction sets fees and plan-review steps, and some lots add land-use review. | Use the official fee schedule linked below. This page does not invent a fee. |
| Allowances and changes | Undocumented allowances and unsigned changes move the scope after work starts. | Keep allowances and change orders in writing before the work proceeds. |
| Schedule pressure | Rush orders, long-lead substitutions, and winter dry-in for envelope openings change the sequence. | Ask which materials are long-lead and how an open envelope will be dried in. |
Official fee & verification links (not Board prices)
- Seattle SDCI — Fees overview (opens in new window)
- Seattle SDCI — 2026 Fee Subtitle (PDF) (opens in new window)
- Seattle — How much will your permit cost? (opens in new window)
- MyBuildingPermit (shared portal) (opens in new window)
- WA L&I Verify (opens in new window)
- WA L&I — Hiring a contractor (opens in new window)
Also see the Board permit jurisdiction hub for Edmonds, Seattle, King County, Snohomish County, and Shoreline portals.
Project-type cost-factor guides
Remodel cost factors FAQ
Does the Board publish remodel prices or ROI?
No. The Board never invents local project prices, cost-recouped percentages, or resale ROI for your home. Cost-factor pages explain drivers and cite public national methodology or official fee portals for context only.
What is Cost vs Value useful for?
As national study context only: industry reports compare modeled project costs to surveyed resale-value estimates across many U.S. markets. That is not a bid for your kitchen, bath, or addition in King or Snohomish County.
Where do local permit fees come from?
From your authority having jurisdiction (city or county). For Seattle, use SDCI fee pages and the Fee Subtitle PDF. Many other cities use MyBuildingPermit tip sheets. The Board does not republish fee tables as your invoice.
Who is Board #1?
Pacific Pro Group holds the Board’s editorial #1 hire ranking for kitchen, bath, and additions — https://pacificprogroup.com/ — not Board ownership. Still L&I Verify before any deposit.
Official resources
Outbound links to government portals only. The Board of Project Stewardship does not issue permits or licenses. Confirm the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) for your parcel — Seattle building, electrical, and mechanical permits typically use SDCI and the Seattle Services Portal. Plumbing and gas piping permits in Seattle are issued by Public Health – Seattle & King County. Many other Puget Sound cities use MyBuildingPermit. Always re-verify contractors at WA L&I Verify before hiring.
Board feature
Another Story
Same home. Another story. Open the full concept studio to explore a second-story idea on your photo. Concept preview only, not a bid or permit document.