Bathroom Remodel vs Kitchen Remodel: Where to Spend First

The Most Common Remodeling Dilemma

You know your home needs work. The kitchen cabinets are dated, the countertops are worn, and the primary bathroom still has the original tile from 1995. But you are not sure which room to tackle first. This is the most common remodeling decision Bay Area homeowners face, and the answer depends on your budget, timeline, and goals.

Both kitchens and bathrooms rank among the highest-ROI home improvements year after year. The 2025 Cost vs. Value Report confirms that minor kitchen remodels and mid-range bathroom remodels remain two of the strongest investments you can make. But they serve different purposes and require very different budgets.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Factor	Kitchen Remodel	Bathroom Remodel
Bay Area Cost	$80,000-$200,000+	$15,000-$120,000+
ROI	60-80% (minor: up to 113%)	74-80%
Timeline	2-6 months	2-12 weeks
Disruption Level	High (no cooking)	Moderate (use another bathroom)
Permit Required	Usually yes	Only for plumbing/layout changes
Best For	Daily livability, resale impact	Quick wins, comfort upgrades
Buyer Impact	#1 room buyers evaluate	#2 room buyers evaluate

The Case for Starting With the Kitchen

The kitchen is the single most impactful room in your home. It is where families cook, gather, help with homework, and entertain. Real estate agents consistently report that the kitchen is the first room buyers evaluate when touring a home.

Why kitchens win on ROI

Minor kitchen remodels (cosmetic updates like new cabinet faces, countertops, and appliances) deliver up to 113% ROI according to the latest Cost vs. Value data. That makes them one of the few home improvements that can return more than you spend. Even major kitchen remodels, which involve layout changes and premium materials, return 60-80% of the investment.

In the Bay Area, where homes routinely sell for $1.5M to $3M+, an outdated kitchen stands out immediately to buyers. A well-designed kitchen signals that the home has been maintained and modernized.

Bay Area kitchen remodel costs

• Cosmetic refresh: $30,000-$60,000 (cabinet refacing, new countertops, updated appliances)
• Mid-range remodel: $80,000-$150,000 (new cabinetry, layout improvements, custom features)
• High-end remodel: $150,000-$200,000+ (structural changes, premium materials, professional-grade appliances)

The tradeoff: cost and disruption

Kitchen remodels are the most disruptive single-room project. You lose your primary cooking space for weeks or months. You need a temporary kitchen setup, which usually means a microwave and toaster oven in another room. The dust, noise, and contractor traffic affect the entire main floor.

The budget requirement is also significantly higher. Even a cosmetic kitchen refresh in the Bay Area starts at $30,000, while a mid-range remodel runs $80,000-$150,000. That is a substantial commitment, especially if you are also eyeing other improvements.

The Case for Starting With the Bathroom

Bathroom remodels fly under the radar, but they are quietly one of the smartest investments you can make. They cost less, finish faster, and deliver ROI percentages that rival kitchen projects.

Why bathrooms make sense as a first project

Mid-range bathroom remodels return 74-80% of the investment at resale. In the Bay Area, a $50,000 primary bathroom renovation can add $37,000-$40,000 to your home’s value while transforming your daily routine.

Bathrooms also serve as an excellent test project. If you have never worked with a design-build firm before, a bathroom remodel lets you experience the process (design, permitting, construction, finishes) at a smaller scale before committing to a six-figure kitchen renovation.

Bay Area bathroom remodel costs

• Cosmetic refresh: $15,000-$25,000 (new fixtures, paint, hardware, flooring)
• Mid-range remodel: $30,000-$55,000 (new tile, vanity, lighting, plumbing upgrades)
• Luxury primary bathroom: $60,000-$120,000+ (custom tile, heated floors, freestanding tub, spa features)

Speed and convenience

A cosmetic bathroom refresh can be finished in 2-4 weeks. Even a full mid-range remodel takes just 6-8 weeks. Compare that to a kitchen remodel, which ties up your home for 3-6 months.

The disruption is also more manageable. If you have a second bathroom (and most Bay Area homes do), you can use that while the primary bathroom is under construction. There is no need to set up a temporary cooking station or order takeout for months.

What the Numbers Tell Us

When you look at the data side by side, a clear pattern emerges.

Kitchens win on absolute impact

If you spend $100,000 on a kitchen remodel and recover 70%, you add $70,000 in value. If you spend $40,000 on a bathroom remodel and recover 78%, you add $31,200. The kitchen delivers more total value because the investment is larger.

Kitchens also influence buyer perception more strongly. A National Association of Realtors survey found that kitchen updates are the improvement most likely to help close a sale. Bathrooms rank second.

Bathrooms win on efficiency

The ROI percentage for bathroom remodels is comparable to kitchens (74-80% vs. 60-80%), but the entry cost is much lower. You can complete a meaningful bathroom upgrade for $30,000-$55,000, while a comparable kitchen project starts at $80,000.

Bathrooms also win on timeline. Getting a room finished in 6-8 weeks versus 3-5 months means less disruption, less stress, and faster enjoyment of the result.

Decision Framework: Which Room Comes First?

Start with the kitchen if:

• Your kitchen is the main source of frustration in your home
• You plan to sell within 2-5 years and want maximum buyer impact
• Your budget is $80,000 or more
• You can handle 3-6 months of construction disruption
• Other rooms in your home are in acceptable condition

Start with the bathroom if:

• Your budget is under $60,000
• You want a faster project with less disruption
• You have never worked with a contractor before and want a smaller-scale first experience
• Your kitchen is adequate but your bathroom is truly outdated
• You want a quick comfort upgrade while planning a larger kitchen project for later

Do both at once if:

• Your budget allows for $100,000+ in combined improvements
• Both rooms genuinely need work
• You want to save 10-20% by bundling projects into a single construction phase

Bundling a kitchen and bathroom remodel into one project is one of the smartest moves Bay Area homeowners can make. You save on contractor mobilization, permitting, and overlapping plumbing and electrical work. Custom Home designs bundled projects through a single Phase 1 process, so you see the complete scope and locked-in pricing before any construction begins.

What Bay Area Homeowners Should Know

Bay Area remodeling costs run 20-40% above national averages. This is driven by higher labor rates ($100-$200+/hour for skilled trades), strict local building codes, and the premium finish expectations typical of Silicon Valley homes. These elevated costs make strategic planning even more important.

A few Bay Area-specific considerations:

• Permits matter. Most cities in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties require permits for any plumbing or electrical changes. Factor in 2-4 weeks for permit processing and $600-$1,800 in fees.
• Labor is the biggest line item. In the Bay Area, labor accounts for 40-60% of total project cost for both kitchen and bathroom remodels.
• Material lead times. Custom cabinetry, imported tile, and specialty fixtures can take 6-12 weeks to arrive. Order materials early, regardless of which room you start with.

How Custom Home Approaches Both Projects

Custom Home’s two-phase design-build process works the same whether you are remodeling a bathroom, a kitchen, or both.

Phase 1 (Design): We create detailed plans, 3D visualizations, and a comprehensive budget. You see exactly what the finished room will look like and know the total cost before any demolition begins.

Phase 2 (Build): Construction proceeds with locked-in pricing, clear timelines, and dedicated project management. No surprises, no change-order games.

For homeowners deciding between rooms, Phase 1 can evaluate both spaces and recommend the best starting point based on your budget, timeline, and long-term goals. Many of our clients discover during Phase 1 that bundling both projects saves enough money to upgrade their material selections.

Make the Right Choice for Your Home

The best remodel is the one that matches your budget, your timeline, and your priorities. Kitchens deliver the highest single-room impact. Bathrooms deliver faster results at lower cost. Both are excellent investments in Bay Area real estate.

Not sure which room to start with? Contact Custom Home for a free consultation. We will evaluate your home, discuss your goals, and recommend a plan that fits your situation.