Report · Published November 2026
2026 Atlanta Remodel Cost & Permit Report
What kitchen and bathroom remodels cost in metro Atlanta, how much of it comes back at resale, and what the same remodel's building permit costs in 12 cities and counties. Every figure is sourced, and the full dataset is free to use with credit.
Key findings
- A midrange bathroom remodel costs $25,304 in Atlanta and a minor midrange kitchen remodel $28,359, both within about 3% of the national average (Cost vs. Value 2025).
- A midrange minor kitchen remodel recoups the most at resale in Atlanta: 111.8% of its cost, adding more resale value than it costs. An upscale major kitchen remodel recoups 36.1%.
- Getting the building permit for the same $25,304 bathroom remodel costs $125 in unincorporated Gwinnett County and $330 in unincorporated Henry County, 2.6 times as much. That's among the 5 jurisdictions whose published fees can be totaled exactly (building fee plus required plan review and admin fees, before trade permits).
- Published review times run from 3 to 5 business days for a residential permit in Peachtree City to about two weeks in Atlanta. Most of the 12 jurisdictions don't publish one.
What remodels cost in Atlanta
| Project (as defined by the report) | Atlanta | National avg. | Atlanta vs. national | Resale value recouped (Atlanta) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minor kitchen remodel, midrange | $28,359 | $28,458 | −0.3% | 111.8% |
| Major kitchen remodel, midrange | $79,591 | $82,793 | −3.9% | 52.5% |
| Major kitchen remodel, upscale | $157,713 | $164,104 | −3.9% | 36.1% |
| Bath remodel, midrange | $25,304 | $26,138 | −3.2% | 77.4% |
| Bath remodel, universal design | $41,047 | $42,183 | −2.7% | 66.7% |
| Bath remodel, upscale | $79,717 | $81,612 | −2.3% | 45.3% |
(Note: Prices are for reference only, not what your project will cost.)
Source: Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report 2025 (Atlanta, GA).
What the permit costs, city by city
What it costs to get the building permit for the same two projects, from each jurisdiction's own published fee schedule: a $25,304 midrange bathroom remodel and a $28,359 minor kitchen remodel (the Atlanta averages above). Totals include the building fee plus any required plan review, technology and admin fees. Trade permits (plumbing, electrical) are extra unless noted.
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| Jurisdiction | Bath remodel | Kitchen remodel | What the total includes | Published review time | How to apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gwinnett County (unincorporated) | $125 | $125 | $125 flat minor-renovation permit (under $75,000), plan review included | Not published | Online (Gwinnett e-services) |
| City of Atlanta | $202.13 | $223.51 | Building fee ($7 per $1,000, $150 min) + $25 technology fee | About 10 days to 2 weeks | Online (Accela Citizen Access) |
| City of Lithonia | $227.12 | $248.51 | Building fee ($6 per $1,000) + plan review ($1 per $1,000) + $50 admin fee | Not published | Online portal or at City Hall |
| City of Stonecrest | $230 | $230 | $175 minimum building fee + 20% plan review + $20 technology fee | Up to 10 business days | Online (Citizenserve) |
| Henry County (unincorporated) | $330 | $330 | $247.50 flat remodel fee (up to 1,200 sq ft) + $55 plan review + $27.50 admin fee | Not published | Online (SAGESGov) |
| City of Decatur | $235+* | $256+* | Building fee ($60 first $1,000 + $7 per additional $1,000); other fees not confirmed | Not published | Online only (Community Core) |
| City of McDonough | $253.04+* | $283.59+* | Building fee ($10 per $1,000); a $75+ plan review fee may also apply | Same day (simple) to 4 weeks (complex) | PDF application, in person |
| Fayette County (unincorporated) | $400* | $400* | $400 minimum "Other" residential permit (up to 400 sq ft), which also includes plan review and trade permits | Not published | Online (SAGESGov) |
| DeKalb County (unincorporated) | — | — | No published alteration rate ($175 minimum + $20 technology fee) | Not published ("varies") | Online (DeKalb ePermits) |
| Peachtree City | — | — | Priced by square footage, not project value ($150 min + $180 plan review + $30 admin) | Usually 3–5 business days | Online portal only |
| City of Marietta | — | — | $5 per $1,000; the page lists both a "$50 base fee" and "a $50 minimum" | Not published | Online (SAGESGov) |
| Cobb County (unincorporated) | — | — | Fee tier set by square-footage valuation, not contract price ($15 technology fee) | Not published | Online (Cobb permitting) |
Bold = exact total from the published schedule. * = not directly comparable (see "What the total includes"); + = other fees may apply. — = the published schedule prices remodels by square footage or doesn't publish an alteration rate, so a standard project can't be priced. Sources are linked on each name. Fees change; confirm with the building department before you apply.
How each fee is calculated
| Jurisdiction | Published building permit fee | Plumbing / electrical |
|---|---|---|
| City of Atlanta | $7 per $1,000 of construction cost, $150 minimum, plus $25 technology fee | City fee table lists plumbing, electrical and mechanical permit base fees of $150 each (+$25 technology fee). Per-fixture/per-circuit rates not found. Residential plumbing and electrical permits can be submitted online without plan review. |
| City of Decatur | $60 for the first $1,000 of value and $7 for each additional $1,000 or fraction (FY 2025 consolidated fee schedule) | — |
| DeKalb County (unincorporated) | Minimum permit fee $175 ($20 technology fee additional). New construction: ICC Building Valuation Data construction cost x 0.0065. Schedule does not publish a separate residential alteration/renovation rate (only says 'Extensive Renovation Projects' valuations follow ICC data plus state law and County policy). | Plumbing: $100 minimum + $20 tech; $10 per fixture (water closet, lavatory, tub, shower, dishwasher, water heater, etc.), disposal $14, gas line $25. Electrical: $100 minimum + $20 tech; residential outlets/switches/lights $2 each, dishwasher/disposal $5, water heater/dryer $8, panel change $50. |
| City of Stonecrest | Interior Tenant Finish/Residential Remodel: 'Residential renovation/addition/repair $6.00 per $1,000.00 of value of work'; minimum permit fee $175.00 | Trade fees not included in remodel permits. Plumbing: $100 base + $20 tech + $5 per fixture. Electrical: $100 base + $20 tech; receptacles $2 each, light fixtures $2 each, appliances $5 each, service panel 30-125A $20. |
| City of Lithonia | Permit fee $6.00 per $1,000 of construction value; minimum permit fee $75 residential. Valuation = actual contract cost or ICC Building Valuation Data. | Same schedule ('Permit Fees (Bldg. & Trades)'): $6 per $1,000; for trade-only permits construction cost may be valued at 15% of ICC building valuation. No per-fixture/per-circuit table published. |
| City of McDonough | Section D, Additions and Renovations (Residential/Multi-Family/Commercial/Industrial): 'Whichever is greater: Minimum Fee of $100 plus applicable Trade Permit Fees; or, $10.00 per each $1,000.00 cost of construction plus applicable Trade Permit Fees.' | Minimum $75 per trade. Plumbing per fixture: water closet $4, lavatory $4, shower $4, bath tub $4, kitchen sink $4, dishwasher $3, disposal $3, water heater $10. Electrical: residential outlets/switches/light fixtures $0.15 each, range $5-$9, dishwasher/disposal $3. Mechanical: bath fan $2. |
| Henry County (unincorporated) | Residential Remodel / Renovations / Repairs: flat $247.50 for projects up to 1,200 sq ft (over 1,200 sq ft use New Residential Structure Valuation: $4.07 per $1,000 of square-footage structure valuation). Minimum permit fee $82.50. | Trade permits: $82.50 minimum + $27.50 admin. Plumbing $3.30 per fixture (water closet, lavatory, sink, tub, shower, dishwasher, water heater). Electrical: residential outlets/switches/lights $0.17 each, dishwasher/disposal $1.65, range $3.30-$5.50, 125-200A service $4.40. |
| Peachtree City | 'Per Georgia state law, building permit fees can no longer be charged based on construction value.' Fees are a per-square-foot cost by construction category (ICC type/occupancy table). Minimum residential permit fee $150. | Electrical, plumbing, HVAC: $120 each (plus $100 per rooftop unit) |
| Fayette County (unincorporated) | Residential Structure Permits, 'Other' (includes initial plan review fee): $400.00 minimum fee (up to 400 sq ft) plus $0.42 per sq ft over 400 sq ft. New/Rebuild: $0.42 per total sq ft, $100 minimum. Residential structure permits include plumbing, HVAC and electrical fees (affidavits required). | Included in the residential structure permit. Stand-alone plumbing $100 minimum; stand-alone electrical $100; stand-alone HVAC $100 base (first 2 pieces of equipment) + $50 each additional; plan review as required. |
| City of Marietta | Residential: '$5 per $1000 of total construction costs (labor + materials)', '$50 base fee'; page also says permit fees are determined by construction cost 'with a $50 minimum.' | City fee chart lists electric permit $50 and plumbing permit $50 (residential). Homeowners cannot apply for mechanical, electrical or plumbing permits; the licensed professional must apply. |
| Gwinnett County (unincorporated) | Minor Renovation Projects (valued less than $75,000): Residential Renovation Permit $125 flat. Extensive Renovation Projects (valued at $75,000 or greater): $4 per $1,000 of construction value. Building permit fees include plan review and building inspections. | — |
| Cobb County (unincorporated) | One- and two-family residential building permit fees by construction cost tier: up to $15,000 = $80; $15,001-$25,000 = $150; $25,001-$50,000 = $300; $50,001-$75,000 = $450; over $75,001 = $6.00 per $1,000. Construction cost is found from ICC data (unheated sq ft x $31.50 + heated sq ft x $165.67). | Trade permit (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, gas): $80 flat |
What this means for homeowners
- Permits are a small share of the budget. Where we could total it exactly, getting the building permit costs 0.5% to 1.3% of a midrange bathroom remodel. Skipping it to save money is a bad trade: many jurisdictions charge extra for work started without a permit, and unpermitted work can surface when you sell.
- Your city, not your mailing address, decides the rules. Inside city limits the city issues the permit; unincorporated addresses go to the county. See permits by city.
- The remodeler should pull the permit. It ties the work to their license and insurance.
Methodology
Project costs and resale values are from Remodeling magazine's Cost vs. Value Report 2025, Atlanta edition, which prices fully defined projects built by professional contractors. Permit fees were collected from each jurisdiction's official website or published fee schedule (linked in the tables) in November 2026. Where a fee is based on project value, we applied it to the Atlanta average project cost. Totals add the building fee and any required plan review, technology and admin fees; trade permits (plumbing, electrical) are left out because they depend on fixture and circuit counts. Where a schedule couldn't be applied to a standard project, we show "—" rather than estimate.
Use this data
Journalists, bloggers and homeowners are welcome to use these figures and tables with credit to Kitchen & Bath ATL and a link to this page. Download the dataset (CSV). Questions or corrections: (678) 968-1549.
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