Renovation Done Right — Since 2000
A home renovation is an investment in how you live. Done well, it transforms a space, adds lasting value, and reflects your priorities. Done poorly, it creates problems that compound over time. The difference comes down to the quality of the contractor managing the work.
Cunningham Construction has been renovating homes throughout Pasadena, Altadena, La Cañada Flintridge, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Glendale, and greater Los Angeles for over 25 years. We bring the same attention to detail and standards of craftsmanship to a kitchen remodel as we do to a ground-up custom home. Dustin Cunningham is directly involved in every project — there is no delegation of oversight, no account manager between you and the person responsible for your home.
Renovation Services
Whole-Home Renovation
Full gut renovations — down to the studs and subfloor when necessary — that address everything from structural systems and MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) to layout changes and finish work. We manage every trade, every phase, and every decision point, giving you a single point of contact for the entire project.
Kitchen Remodel
The kitchen is where renovation investment pays off most clearly — in daily use and in resale value. We handle full kitchen renovations including layout reconfiguration, custom cabinetry, countertop installation, tile work, lighting, plumbing, and appliance integration. We guide finish selections to help you make decisions that align with your budget and your vision.
Kitchen renovations in our service area typically range from $80,000–$200,000+ depending on scope, layout changes, and finish level.
Bathroom Remodel
From single bathroom updates to full primary suite renovations, we handle tile, plumbing fixtures, custom vanities, shower enclosures, lighting, and ventilation. We treat bathrooms as precision work — the details matter, and the materials need to perform for the long term.
Room Additions
Adding square footage to an existing home requires structural engineering, permitting, and careful integration with the existing structure. We have completed room additions throughout our service area — primary suites, family rooms, home offices, and bonus spaces — engineered and built to integrate seamlessly with what's already there.
Second Story Additions
Adding a second story is one of the most complex renovations a homeowner can undertake. It requires structural engineering, a significant permitting process, and careful management of the impact on the existing home during construction. We have completed second-story additions on a range of home styles throughout the San Gabriel Valley and greater Los Angeles.
Historic Home Renovation
Many of the homes in Pasadena, Altadena, South Pasadena, and surrounding communities are 80–100+ years old. Renovating them requires sensitivity to their architectural character, knowledge of older building systems, and the skill to preserve what makes them special while bringing them up to modern standards. We have renovated craftsman bungalows, Spanish colonials, midcentury moderns, and Victorian-era homes throughout our service area.
Structural Upgrades & Seismic Retrofitting
Older homes in the San Gabriel Valley may lack the structural systems required by current building codes — particularly in earthquake country. We work with structural engineers on foundation bolting, cripple wall bracing, soft-story retrofits, and other structural upgrades that make homes safer and more resilient.
Our Renovation Process
1. Consultation & Assessment
We start with a thorough walkthrough of your home and a detailed conversation about your goals, your timeline, and your budget. For complex renovations, we may recommend a pre-construction assessment to identify any issues — older plumbing, electrical panels, structural conditions — that should be understood before design begins.
2. Design & Planning
We work with your architect or designer, or refer you to professionals we have worked with and trust. For renovations that don't require a full architect, we can work directly from interior designer drawings or well-developed homeowner plans.
3. Permitting
Most substantial renovations — anything involving structural changes, additions, kitchen or bathroom work that affects plumbing or electrical — requires permits. We manage the full permit process for every jurisdiction in our service area: City of Pasadena, LA County (Altadena), LADBS (Eagle Rock, Studio City, Sherman Oaks), City of Burbank, and City of Glendale.
4. Construction
We manage every trade, maintain a clean and organized job site, and communicate proactively throughout the project. You will always know where things stand — what's been completed, what's coming, and what decisions are needed from you. We flag issues and changes before they affect your budget or timeline.
5. Finish Work & Closeout
The finish phase — tile, cabinetry, countertops, paint, fixtures, hardware — is where a renovation either comes together or falls apart. We take this phase seriously. Before we close out any project, we do a thorough walkthrough and punch list to confirm every detail meets our standards and yours.
Why Homeowners Choose Cunningham Construction for Renovations
25+ years renovating homes throughout the San Gabriel Valley and greater Los Angeles
Dustin Cunningham personally oversees every project — you always have a direct line to the owner and you will see him on the job site
Deep experience with historic homes — craftsman, Spanish colonial, midcentury, and Victorian
Full permit management across all jurisdictions in our service area
Single point of contact for every trade, every decision, every phase
CSLB Licensed (#786113), bonded, and fully insured
Past clients trust us with their homes again and again — and refer us to the people they care about
Renovation FAQ — Pasadena & Greater Los Angeles
How long does a whole-home renovation take in Pasadena?
Whole-home renovations typically run 4–10 months depending on the scope, the permitting timeline, and the pace of design and finish decisions. Kitchen-only or bathroom-only remodels typically run 8–14 weeks. We build a realistic schedule during pre-construction and track it closely throughout the project.
Do I need to move out during a renovation?
It depends on the scope. For whole-home renovations and major structural work, most homeowners choose to relocate for the duration of the project. For more targeted renovations — a single kitchen or bathroom — many clients stay in place. We discuss this during pre-construction and plan the project sequence accordingly.
How do you handle unexpected issues in older homes?
Older homes often reveal surprises once walls are opened — outdated plumbing, non-compliant electrical, structural issues, or water damage. We communicate any discoveries immediately, explain the options and their cost implications, and never proceed with remediation work without your authorization. Transparency is a core part of how we operate.
Can you preserve original features during a renovation?
Yes — this is something we take seriously, particularly in Pasadena and Altadena where many homes have original woodwork, tile, windows, and hardware worth preserving. We identify what can be saved during our initial assessment and build the renovation plan around protecting those elements.
Do you handle permits for kitchen and bathroom renovations?
Any renovation that involves changes to plumbing, electrical, or structural elements requires permits. We can manage all permit applications, plan check submissions, and inspections for every city and county jurisdiction we work in.
What does a kitchen renovation cost in Pasadena?
Full kitchen renovations in Pasadena typically range from $80,000–$200,000+ depending on size, layout changes, custom cabinetry, countertop material, and appliance selection. We provide a detailed, itemized estimate before any work begins so you understand exactly where your budget is going.
