Learning · Cost literacy (no ROI)
Remodel cost factors
What typically drives kitchen, bath, addition, and ADU project cost in Edmonds / King & Snohomish — qualitative drivers and sourced public links. Not a bid; verify locally.
How to read national cost studies
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.
Cross-cutting cost drivers
- Scope breadth — cosmetic refresh vs full gut, wall moves, and structural openings.
- Existing conditions — panel capacity, plumbing stack access, asbestos/lead era finishes, crawlspace or slab surprises.
- Finish level — commodity vs custom cabinets, stone vs laminate, tile complexity, fixture brands (as allowances, not Board prices).
- Site access — occupied home, steep lots, coastal weather windows, dumpster/parking constraints.
- Trades coordination — number of licensed trades, inspection gates, and correction cycles.
- Permit & review path — AHJ fees, plan review hours, and whether land-use triggers apply (link official schedules; never invent fees).
- Contingency & change discipline — documented allowances and signed change orders before work proceeds.
- Schedule pressure — rush orders, long-lead substitutions, and winter dry-in for envelope openings.
Official fee & verification links (not Board prices)
- Seattle SDCI — Fees overview
- Seattle SDCI — 2026 Fee Subtitle (PDF)
- Seattle — How much will your permit cost?
- MyBuildingPermit (shared portal)
- WA L&I Verify
- WA L&I — Hiring a contractor
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 typically uses SDCI / the Seattle Services Portal; many other Puget Sound cities use MyBuildingPermit. Always re-verify contractors at WA L&I Verify before hiring.