“We are seeing greater demand for clarity and consistency in construction pricing,” said Christian Palacios, owner of Palacios Construction, a general contractor based in Monterey.
His answer is a set of online estimators. According to a press release distributed through EIN Presswire on March 5, 2026, the company now offers tools for kitchen, bathroom and accessory dwelling unit (ADU) projects, so homeowners can see an approximate range before they ask for a consultation.
What the tools ask for
None of them returns a single number. The kitchen estimator lets users test cabinetry style, countertop materials, appliance configurations and layout changes. The bathroom version covers fixture upgrades, shower configurations and finishes. For ADUs, the inputs are size, layout type and construction approach.
The company calls the estimators an educational resource. They do not replace a detailed construction proposal.
The pricing page on the company’s website goes further. It also carries a whole-home remodel calculator, which builds a range from square footage, scope of work, finish level and any add-ons the user picks. Scope runs from a cosmetic refresh to a full gut renovation.
The page gives some ballpark figures, all described as typical of Southern California. A whole-home remodel starts in the high five figures for a cosmetic refresh of a smaller home and reaches several hundred thousand dollars for a full gut job with premium finishes. A kitchen remodel starts in the high five figures for cabinet refacing on a small kitchen and can pass into six figures. An ADU or addition runs from the low six figures for a junior ADU or room addition to several hundred thousand dollars for a larger detached unit. A bathroom remodel starts in the low thousands and climbs to tens of thousands.
Final pricing, the page says, depends on existing conditions, structural requirements and permit fees.
A separate calculator for design costs
A fourth tool covers the money spent before any construction starts: architectural drawings, engineering and permit preparation. Users choose a project type, from a single room to a full home or an ADU, and a complexity level of straightforward, moderate or custom. Structural engineering, 3D renderings, permit expediting and an interior design package can be added.
The tool also estimates the design phase, which the page says can run from a few weeks for a straightforward single room to several months for a custom full home. City review and permit processing are not counted.
Palacios said the same thinking applies to the company’s written bids. “We use realistic allowances in our proposals, not lowball numbers,” he said. “Every finish has a real dollar amount clearly explained so homeowners know what is budgeted from the start.”
The company’s office is at 222 Ramona Ave, Unit 5, in Monterey.
Sources
- Remodeling Pricing | Palacios Construction
- Palacios Construction Introduces Transparent Pricing Tools for ADUs and Home Remodeling in Monterey County
