Complete Guide to Whole-Home Remodeling in Campbell

Why Campbell Is a Smart Market for Whole-Home Remodeling

Campbell is one of the South Bay’s best-kept remodeling secrets. Tucked between Los Gatos and Saratoga to the west and San Jose to the east, this compact city of about 43,000 residents offers the walkable downtown character and suburban quiet that families want, without the premium permitting complexity and higher per-square-foot costs of its neighbors.

The city’s housing stock is overwhelmingly mid-century, with most homes built during the suburban boom of the 1950s through 1970s. These homes sit on moderate lots with established landscaping, close to schools, parks, and Campbell’s vibrant downtown along East Campbell Avenue. The structures are sound, but the layouts, systems, and finishes tell the story of a different era.

For homeowners who appreciate Campbell’s location and community but want a home that reflects how they live today, whole-home remodeling offers the best path forward. And because Campbell’s permitting process is faster and less expensive than many neighboring cities, the overall project timeline and budget are often more favorable.

Campbell Housing Stock: What You Are Working With

Post-War Ranches (1950s-1960s)

The majority of Campbell’s single-family homes are single-story ranches built in the 1950s and 1960s. These homes range from 1,000 to 1,700 square feet on lots of 6,000 to 8,000 square feet. Construction is typically slab-on-grade with conventional wood framing, composition roofing, and stucco or wood siding. Interior layouts feature separate living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens, with narrow hallways connecting two or three bedrooms.

These homes are ideal candidates for whole-home remodeling because the single-story footprint simplifies structural modifications, the lot sizes accommodate modest additions, and the neighborhood values support the investment.

Tract Homes (1960s-1970s)

Campbell has several neighborhoods of tract-built homes from the 1960s and 1970s. These include both single-story ranches and two-story models, typically 1,200 to 2,200 square feet. Construction quality is generally good, though systems (electrical, plumbing, HVAC) are at or past their functional lifespan. Many of these homes feature original 100-amp electrical panels, galvanized plumbing, and single-pane aluminum windows.

Newer Construction (1980s-2000s)

Some parts of Campbell have homes built in the 1980s through 2000s, often as infill development or condo/townhome communities. These homes are typically in better condition and may need cosmetic whole-home remodeling rather than full systems replacement.

What Whole-Home Remodeling Includes in Campbell

A whole-home remodel in Campbell covers the same core scope as in other Bay Area cities, scaled to the typical Campbell home:

Systems replacement: Upgrading the electrical panel to 200-amp service and rewiring the entire home, replacing galvanized plumbing with PEX or copper, installing a new HVAC system (many homeowners add central air conditioning), and replacing the water heater with a tankless or heat pump unit.

Floor plan reconfiguration: Removing walls between the kitchen, living room, and dining room to create an open-concept living area. Adding or expanding the primary suite. Converting underused formal spaces into home offices, mudrooms, or flex rooms.

Kitchen renovation: Full gut and rebuild with modern cabinetry, countertops, appliances, and lighting. The kitchen drives the biggest visual and functional impact in a Campbell whole-home remodel.

Bathroom renovations: Updating all bathrooms, typically expanding the primary bathroom and modernizing guest baths. Many 1950s-1960s Campbell homes have a single bathroom, making bathroom additions a common part of the scope.

Interior finishes: New flooring, paint, trim, doors, hardware, and lighting throughout. The goal is a cohesive, modern interior that flows from room to room.

Exterior updates: Window and door replacement, roof repair or replacement, stucco patching, exterior paint, and landscape restoration. While Campbell does not require design review, refreshing the exterior elevates curb appeal and protects the investment.

Whole-Home Remodeling Costs in Campbell

Whole-home remodels in Campbell cost $150 to $300+ per square foot in 2026. Campbell’s position as a more affordable alternative to Los Gatos and Saratoga extends to remodeling costs, where labor rates, finish expectations, and permitting fees are all lower.

All pricing is approximate, reflects 2026 Bay Area market conditions, and is subject to change. Every project is unique. Final costs are determined on a project-by-project basis during our design phase.

Cost by Scope

Scope Level	Cost per Sqft	1,700 Sqft Home
Cosmetic refresh (finishes, fixtures, paint)	$80-$140/sqft	$136,000-$238,000
Mid-range (layout changes, systems upgrades)	$150-$275/sqft	$255,000-$467,500
Gut renovation (structural, full systems)	$275-$350+/sqft	$467,500-$595,000+

What Affects Cost in Campbell

• Home size: Campbell homes are generally smaller than those in Saratoga and Los Altos, keeping total project costs more manageable
• Foundation type: Slab-on-grade foundations are common and generally less expensive to work with than raised foundations, though they limit plumbing reconfiguration options
• Lot access: Campbell’s moderate lot sizes generally provide adequate equipment access, reducing staging and logistics costs
• Finish level: Campbell’s market supports a range of finish levels, from mid-range to high-end. Homeowners have flexibility to invest more in the kitchen and bathrooms while choosing practical finishes elsewhere
• Seismic work: Older homes may need foundation bolting and cripple wall bracing, typically $6,000-$20,000 depending on foundation type

Sample Budget: 1,700 Sqft Mid-Range Remodel

Category	Estimated Cost
Design and engineering	$20,000-$38,000
Permits and fees	$8,000-$18,000
Demolition and site prep	$8,000-$16,000
Structural and framing	$25,000-$50,000
Electrical (full rewire)	$22,000-$38,000
Plumbing (full repipe)	$16,000-$28,000
HVAC	$18,000-$36,000
Insulation and drywall	$12,000-$22,000
Kitchen (mid to high-end)	$55,000-$110,000
Bathrooms (2)	$35,000-$70,000
Flooring	$12,000-$24,000
Windows and doors	$18,000-$36,000
Exterior work	$12,000-$28,000
Fixtures, hardware, paint	$10,000-$22,000
Landscaping restoration	$6,000-$14,000
Contingency (10-15%)	$25,000-$70,000
Total	$302,000-$620,000

Permits and Regulations in Campbell

Building Permits

The City of Campbell requires building permits for all structural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work. Applications are submitted to the Building Division. Plan review for residential remodels typically takes 3-6 weeks, making Campbell one of the faster jurisdictions in the South Bay.

No Design Review

Campbell does not have a formal design review process for most single-family residential projects. This is a significant advantage compared to cities like Los Altos, Palo Alto, and Saratoga, where design review can add months to the pre-construction timeline and thousands of dollars in professional fees.

Projects that add a second story, significantly increase building height, or approach maximum lot coverage may require additional zoning review. But for typical whole-home remodels that stay within the existing footprint, the process is straightforward: submit plans, wait for plan check, obtain the permit, and begin construction.

Zoning Standards

Campbell’s zoning code governs setbacks, lot coverage, height, and floor area ratio. Residential zones vary, so verify the specific requirements for your property. Standard setback requirements include a front setback (typically 25 feet), side setbacks (5-6 feet), and a rear setback (typically 25 feet). Your designer should confirm these dimensions before starting the floor plan.

Tree Protections

Campbell has an ordinance that protects certain trees based on size and species. Significant trees may require an arborist assessment and city approval before removal or before construction activity within the drip line.

Timeline: Whole-Home Remodel in Campbell

Phase	Duration
Initial consultation and site assessment	1-2 weeks
Design development	4-8 weeks
Engineering and permit documents	3-5 weeks
City plan review and permitting	3-6 weeks
Material procurement	Concurrent with permitting
Demolition and site prep	1-2 weeks
Structural and framing	2-4 weeks
Rough-in (electrical, plumbing, HVAC)	3-5 weeks
Insulation, drywall, finishes	3-6 weeks
Kitchen and bathroom installation	4-7 weeks
Final finishes and punch list	2-3 weeks
Total	6-13 months

Campbell’s streamlined permitting is a real advantage. Where Los Altos or Palo Alto projects might spend 3-5 months in pre-construction review, Campbell projects can move from design completion to active construction in as little as 6-8 weeks.

How Campbell Compares

City	Cost/Sqft	Permit Timeline	Key Difference
Campbell	$150-$300+	3-6 weeks	No design review, lower costs
San Jose	$150-$300+	3-6 weeks	Similar costs, larger city with more variation
Los Gatos	$200-$400+	4-12 weeks	Historic districts, hillside regulations
Saratoga	$200-$400+	4-12 weeks	Hillside lots, heritage trees, higher costs
Cupertino	$175-$350+	4-8 weeks	School district premium, slightly higher costs

Campbell delivers strong value relative to its neighbors. A whole-home remodel that might cost $700,000 in Los Gatos or Saratoga could come in at $500,000 in Campbell, with comparable quality and a faster overall timeline. The savings come from lower permit fees, no design review costs, and a market that supports practical finish selections without penalizing value.

Remodel vs. Build New in Campbell

Campbell’s smaller lot sizes and moderate home sizes make whole-home remodeling the preferred approach for most homeowners. Building a new custom home on a Campbell lot is possible, but the economics favor remodeling in most cases:

• Remodeling at $150-$300/sqft for a 1,700 sqft home: $255,000-$510,000
• Custom build at $350-$500+/sqft for a 1,700 sqft home: $595,000-$850,000+

The remodel keeps the existing foundation (saving $50,000-$100,000+ in foundation costs), preserves mature landscaping, and avoids the full demolition and disposal costs of a teardown. For most Campbell homes, remodeling is the smarter financial choice.

For a deeper look at this decision, see our remodel vs. build new guide.

Custom Home’s Approach in Campbell

Custom Home Design and Build works with Campbell homeowners to maximize the impact of their remodeling investment. Our two-phase design-build process starts with a paid design phase that produces architectural plans, 3D renderings, and a fixed-price construction proposal. You know exactly what your home will look like and cost before any demolition begins.

For Campbell projects, our focus is on unlocking the potential in well-built mid-century homes: opening floor plans, modernizing systems, and creating kitchens and bathrooms that match how families live today.

Ready to Remodel Your Campbell Home?

Campbell’s combination of accessible pricing, streamlined permitting, and strong neighborhood values makes it one of the best whole-home remodeling markets in the South Bay. Whether you are opening up a 1960s ranch or modernizing a 1970s split-level, the right plan and the right team transform the experience.

Contact Custom Home Design and Build to schedule a consultation and start planning your Campbell whole-home remodel.