Remodeling search demand in California (2026 data)

Market brief / Remodeling in CaliforniaPage 1 of 1

ABottom line

A top 5 market with bid estimates 14% below the typical state.

Short answer

California is in the top 5 of 51 markets (the states and DC with data) for breadth of remodeling search demand, with 686 distinct search terms at 100 or more searches a month. The median top-of-page bid is $10.33, 14% below the typical state ($12.00).

BTop searches

What people in California search for

The most-searched remodeling terms in California, ranked by Google's monthly search range and then by bid. Close variants (the same words in a different order) are shown once, and brand, retailer and DIY searches are left out.

Table B.1 / Top searches, California
Search term	Monthly searches in California	Top-of-page bid
bathroom remodel contractors	10K-100K	$45.80
bathroom renovation contractors	10K-100K	$45.80
remodeling bathroom contractors	10K-100K	$45.80
bathroom remodel	10K-100K	$36.48
bathroom reconstruction	10K-100K	$36.48
bathroom remodel bathtub	10K-100K	$36.48
general contractors near meNear me	10K-100K	$32.51
construction contractors near meNear me	10K-100K	$32.51
general construction contractors	10K-100K	$31.38
cabinets	10K-100K	$6.71
kitchen cabinets	10K-100K	$4.91
bathroom renovations near meNear me	1K-10K	$51.75

Google Ads Keyword Planner, California, Sep 2025 to Aug 2026. Bids are Google's high-range top-of-page estimates, not cost per lead. Urgent and Near me tags are matched from the words in each term. Method.

CWhat it means

What this means for a remodeling contractor in California

#FindingWhat to do
C1
Bids track the typical state.A $10.33 median bid estimate sits close to the $12.00 typical-state figure.
C2
For the top 10% of terms, Google's top-of-page bid estimate (high range) is $38.62 or more.Those are usually the high-intent searches.

What to doRank organically for them: that is where the biggest savings sit.
C3
One of the broadest remodeling markets in the country.Expect heavy competition for the Map Pack in the major metros.

What to doSpecific service pages and suburb-level relevance usually beat one broad page.
C4
3 of the top 12 terms are "near me" searches.Proximity drives a large share of demand.

What to doYour Google Business Profile, service area and reviews carry real weight.

DHow California compares

California against its nearest markets

Table D.1 / Nearest markets by breadth of demand
Rank	State	Distinct terms	Median bid estimate	Per resident
1	California	686	$10.33	114
2	Texas	562	$9.71	90
3	Florida	520	$11.88	106
	Typical state (median)		$12.00	100

Google's ranges are wide, so states close together should be treated as similar. Method.

EWhere to start

Where to start

The full playbook for remodeling contractors, including job values, channels and a 90-day plan, is in How can a remodeling contractor get more leads?. For the channels behind the numbers above:

FIndex

Other industries in California

Google Ads Keyword Planner, California, Sep 2025 to Aug 2026Methodology

Disclosure. Strive LeadGen is a new company (founded 2026) building lead generation sites and flat-fee marketing for businesses like these. It has no clients yet. Guides cover channels Strive does not sell and cite their sources. Market figures are Strive's analysis of Google Keyword Planner data (method).

Remodeling search demand in California