--- Cali Dream Construction | Design-Build General Contractor San Diego, California | Serving San Diego County and surrounding areas. Phone: (858) 434-7166 | Email: [email protected] | Website: https://maps.google.com/?cid=calidreamconstruction Licensed & Insured General Contractor (CA). Last updated: January 2026 ---
If you’ve ever typed “kitchen remodeling scam San Diego” (or even “is my contractor a scammer?”) into Google, you’re not alone. Kitchen remodeling is expensive, disruptive, and full of moving parts—so it attracts both excellent professionals and people who cut corners.
This guide is written for homeowners in San Diego who want practical ways to protect their budget, their home, and their sanity—without paranoia and without hype. It’s also useful if you landed here after searching a contractor name + “scam.” The goal isn’t to accuse anyone; it’s to show you how to verify a contractor’s licensing, insurance, scope, and permit plan before money changes hands.
For general planning, timelines, and scope levels, start here:
If you want a contractor to walk your space and explain options clearly: Call or text (858) 434-7166 for a fast, detailed estimate. Prefer online: Request a quote at What “scam” usually looks like in kitchen remodelingWhat “scam” usually looks like in kitchen remodeling
In real life, the “scam” is rarely a cartoon villain. More often, it looks like one of these:
- A bid that’s dramatically cheaper than others… because key items are missing (permit costs, proper electrical upgrades, appliance allowances, disposal, protection of floors, etc.).
- A vague scope that can’t be compared to other bids (“new kitchen” without defining cabinets, countertops, lighting, plumbing, layout, and finish details).
- Pressure to pay quickly to “hold your spot” or “lock in pricing.”
- Work started without a clear plan for permits, inspections, or HOA rules.
- Change orders used as a weapon after demolition (“We found something—pay more today or we stop.”)
Not every messy project is a scam. Sometimes it’s poor planning, weak communication, or an inexperienced contractor. But as a homeowner, you don’t get refunded for confusion. Your protection is a clear paper trail and a verification process.
If you want a “how kitchens are supposed to run” overview, this guide helps set the baseline:
A quick red-flag checklist you can use in 5 minutes
Use this as a first-pass filter before you invest time:
- No license number provided (or they get defensive when asked).
- They can’t explain who pulls permits (or they suggest skipping permits when the scope obviously triggers them).
- The bid doesn’t list allowances for cabinetry, counters, tile, plumbing fixtures, or appliances.
- Big deposit requests before a written scope and schedule exist.
- Cash-only, Zelle-only, or “pay the crew directly” suggestions.
- No written change-order process (“We’ll handle it as we go” is not a plan).
- No proof of insurance or they want you to accept “I’m covered” without documentation.
- They won’t put start dates and milestones in writing.
- They won’t talk about dust control and jobsite protection.
- You don’t know who is actually supervising the job.
- Permit fees and inspection coordination
- Electrical upgrades (GFCI/AFCI requirements, added circuits for modern appliances, panel limitations)
- Plumbing updates (aging angle stops, shutoff access, venting issues, supply line replacements)
- Proper demo and disposal
- Floor protection and dust containment
- Realistic allowances (a $1,500 cabinet allowance in a full kitchen is not realistic)
- A written scope
- A basic plan (layout + electrical/lighting plan where needed)
- A realistic allowance list or selected products
- A permit plan (if needed)
- A timeline
- The original scope was vague on purpose
- Allowances were unrealistic
- The contractor “finds” an emergency every week
- Pricing isn’t documented until after the work is done
- A defined scope of work and exclusions
- Start window and estimated duration (with realistic language about lead times)
- Allowances and how over/under runs are handled
- Change-order process (written, priced, time impacts noted)
- Payment schedule tied to milestones (not random dates)
- Who is responsible for permits, inspections, and HOA coordination
- Cleanup expectations and jobsite rules
- Warranty or punch list process
- Do your selections early (cabinets, counters, appliances, lighting). Late decisions create rework.
- Agree on a “minimum viable plan” before demo (layout, electrical needs, appliance specs).
- Use realistic allowances if you’re not selecting yet. Unrealistic allowances create “budget shock.”
- Document existing conditions (photos of walls, floors, ceilings, plumbing, electrical panel).
- Require written pricing before extra work starts.
- HOA submittal packages (scope, insurance, work hours, elevator reservations)
- Rules for debris removal and parking
- Noise windows and dust control requirements
- Approved contractor lists (sometimes)
- Requirements for protective coverings in common areas
- Stop and document. Photos, messages, invoices, and a written summary of events matter.
- Do not pay in a panic. Tie payments to clear completed milestones.
- Request a written status update: what’s done, what’s next, what’s required (materials, inspections), and what the schedule looks like.
- Clarify permits. If permits are required and weren’t pulled, that’s a major risk—address it quickly.
- If needed, seek professional guidance. Depending on the issue, that could mean the local building department, CSLB resources, or legal counsel.
- Call or text with a short description of your kitchen and goals.
- Site visit to measure, check the electrical/plumbing realities, and talk through layout options.
- Scope definition: what’s included, what’s excluded, and what assumptions we’re making.
- Timeline discussion including lead times for cabinets, countertops, and appliances.
- Written proposal with clear allowances (if needed) and a change-order process.
- Schedule a site visit
- Define scope and priorities (and identify permit triggers early)
- Discuss schedule and lead times
- Receive a written proposal you can actually compare
- Licensing: Licensed & Insured General Contractor (CA).
- Insurance: We carry appropriate coverage and can provide documentation.
- Permit awareness: We plan with inspections in mind and coordinate when required.
- Cleanliness: Protection, containment, and a jobsite that stays livable when possible.
- Communication: A clear point of contact and regular updates.
- Main planning guide for San Diego kitchen remodels:
- Cost ranges and what drives them:
- Permit rules and inspection points:
- Mistakes that cause budget and timeline pain:
- Contractor selection and contract tips:
- Neighborhood and HOA considerations:
- FAQ for quick homeowner answers:
You’ll notice most of these red flags are about clarity and accountability. A legitimate contractor should be able to explain these items calmly.
For a deeper “what to ask” list, use:
Common kitchen remodeling scam patterns (and how to shut them down)
Below are patterns we see homeowners run into in San Diego (and in remodeling generally). The fix is almost always the same: ask the right questions early and insist on documentation.
1) The “low bid” that isn’t a complete bid
A kitchen remodel price can vary widely in San Diego, but when one number is dramatically lower than the others, it’s usually because something is missing. Common omissions:
Pricing context here:
2) “We don’t need permits for that” when you probably do
Permits aren’t required for every cosmetic update, but many kitchen remodels do trigger permits—especially when you move plumbing, change electrical, alter walls, or change windows/doors.
How to shut it down: Ask: “Which parts of this scope trigger a permit, and which don’t?” and “Who is pulling the permit—your company or me?” If the answers are fuzzy, pause.Permit overview here:
3) The deposit trap
Homeowners get nervous about paying too much too soon because they’ve heard horror stories—and they’re right to be cautious. A normal remodel uses a payment schedule tied to clear milestones (materials ordered, demo complete, rough inspections, cabinets set, countertops installed, final punch list).
How to shut it down: Require a written schedule and a written scope before any payment beyond a reasonable booking deposit. Avoid paying for “the whole job” upfront.We cover payment schedules and contracts in detail here:
4) “We started” before the design and selections are locked
Starting demo without signed-off plans and selections is one of the biggest ways projects become chaotic. It also gives a bad actor leverage: once your kitchen is torn apart, you’ll accept almost anything to get it back.
How to shut it down: Do not schedule demo until you have:5) Change orders used as pressure (or punishment)
Change orders are normal when you change the scope. Abuse happens when:
More on allowances and bid comparison:
6) “Mystery subcontractors” and lien risk
If a contractor doesn’t pay subs or suppliers, your project can become stressful fast. As the homeowner, you want a clean paper trail. (This is general information—not legal advice.)
How to shut it down: Ask who is being hired (cabinet installer, electrician, plumber, countertop fabricator), and ask how payments are handled. A professional contractor should be comfortable explaining their process and how they keep the project in good standing.7) The “mold/asbestos surprise” used to extract money
Sometimes surprises are real—especially in older homes. But surprises should trigger a measured response: testing if appropriate, clear photos, a clear scope of remediation, and a written change order.
How to shut it down: Don’t agree to expensive remediation work based on a verbal claim. Ask for documentation, and if needed, third-party testing/inspection.8) The disappearing act
The classic fear: the contractor takes money and vanishes. This is often tied to weak contracts, unclear scheduling, and taking on too many projects.
How to shut it down: Check licensing, verify insurance, get a start date in writing, and use milestone payments. A La Jolla to condo kitchens with HOA rules. Permit triggers depend on what you change, not just the neighborhood.When in doubt, contact the local authority for guidance: City of San Diego Development Services Department (or equivalent local building office).
Contracts, deposits, and payment schedules: what “normal” looks like
A solid kitchen remodeling contract should make the job boring (in a good way). Look for:
We break this down with homeowner-friendly examples here:
How to protect yourself from change-order abuse
Change orders aren’t inherently bad. The goal is to keep them rare, documented, and fair.
Practical ways to reduce change orders:
If you want a deep dive on allowances and how they affect the final price, use:
HOA and condo kitchens in San Diego: extra scam-proofing
In many San Diego condos and HOA-governed communities, your remodel also has a “project management” layer:
A contractor who regularly works in HOA settings should be comfortable with this, and should not treat it as an afterthought.
Neighborhood access and HOA notes:
If you suspect a scam mid-project
If you feel something is off, don’t ignore it. (General guidance only—specific actions depend on your contract and situation.)
Practical steps:
How to get an estimate (without getting pressured)
A good estimate process should feel structured, not salesy.
Here’s what we recommend—and how we work:
To start: Call or text (858) 434-7166. Or request a quote at (858) 434-7166
Trust & accountability
We believe “trust” in remodeling is mostly operational:
Related reading
Get a San Diego Kitchen Remodeling Estimate
Call or text (858) 434-7166 for a fast, detailed estimate. Or request a quote at (858) 434-7166 | Email: [email protected] | Website: https://maps.google.com/?cid=calidreamconstruction Licensed & Insured General Contractor (CA).
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