Encino kitchen renovations are driven by a market that has shifted considerably over the past decade — home values of $1.8M–$5M+ in the hills and $1.2M–$2.5M in the flats have elevated buyer expectations well above the mid-Valley average. Encino buyers at the $2M+ tier expect renovated kitchens comparable to Studio City and Sherman Oaks — open-plan, custom cabinetry, stone countertops. Here is what a kitchen remodel actually costs in Encino in 2026, broken down by scope.
What you get: New quartz countertops (full replacement), new tile backsplash, cabinet refacing or paint with new hardware, new sink and faucet, new LED under-cabinet and recessed lighting. Layout unchanged. Cabinets structurally sound.
Best for: Encino flats homes where the kitchen has a good layout but dated finishes. Very common pre-listing renovation in the $1.1M–$1.6M Encino flat market.
What you get: Full gut renovation. New custom or semi-custom cabinetry (box replacement). New stone or quartz countertops. New tile backsplash. New appliances (mid-range: GE Cafe, Bosch, KitchenAid). Updated plumbing and electrical. New lighting plan. Professional paint.
Best for: Kitchens with a workable layout that need full modernization. Most common scope in Encino for primary residence renovation.
What you get: Everything in Scope 2 plus structural wall removal (load-bearing wall between kitchen and dining/family room), LVL or steel beam installation, structural engineering, LADBS permit, island or peninsula addition with waterfall-edge countertop, possibly extending kitchen footprint slightly.
Best for: The classic 1960s–1970s Encino ranch home with a closed kitchen. This is the most impactful project in the Encino renovation market. Opening the kitchen to the family room transforms these homes and is a buyer expectation at $1.8M+.
What you get: Full custom cabinetry (not semi-custom), natural stone (Calacatta marble, quartzite slabs), integrated panel-ready appliances (Sub-Zero/Wolf/Thermador), structural reconfiguration, kitchen island for 4–6, wine storage, designer hardware and fixtures, custom range hood, architectural lighting design. Appropriate for Encino hills properties at $2.5M–$5M+.
An open-concept kitchen conversion in Encino at $95,000–$140,000 adds $130,000–$185,000 to buyer perceived value at resale in the $1.8M–$3M price range. This is a positive-ROI project in virtually every Encino scenario where the home is priced at $1.5M+. Buyers at this tier specifically search for open-plan kitchens — a closed kitchen at a $2M+ listing price is a consistent buyer objection.
Cosmetic refresh: $32,000–$58,000. Full renovation: $62,000–$118,000. Open-concept conversion: $88,000–$162,000. High-end renovation: $148,000–$260,000+. Encino kitchen costs are mid-range for the San Fernando Valley — higher than Tarzana and Woodland Hills due to neighborhood premiums and buyer expectations at higher home values.
Cosmetic refresh: 5–9 weeks. Full renovation: 10–16 weeks. Open-concept conversion: 13–20 weeks. High-end renovation: 16–26 weeks. LADBS plan check (4–8 weeks) is the primary schedule driver for permitted scopes.
Yes — consistently, at $1.5M+ home values. The $88,000–$162,000 investment delivers $130,000–$185,000+ in buyer value at resale in Encino. More importantly, it makes the home competitive in a market where open-plan is the expectation, not an upgrade.
Yes. APLA (CA Lic #1136359) has done multiple kitchen remodels in Encino, including open-concept conversions in the Encino flats and high-end renovations in the Encino hills. Call (818) 818-4419 for a free in-home estimate.
Call: (818) 818-4419
Email: info@aplaconstruction.com
CA General Contractor License #1136359
Kitchen Remodel Encino | General Contractor Encino | Home Remodeling Encino