Some kitchens in town still have soffits and a single overhead light, and some bathrooms still have the original tile and a tub that’s getting harder to step into. Plenty of houses in Kingsburg have rooms like that, while others are 2000s builds due for their first real update. We work out of a shop in southeast Fresno, about 30 minutes away, and Kingsburg falls within the south Fresno County part of our service area.

The Swedish Village and its history

The town began in 1873 as Kings River Switch, a flag stop on the Central Pacific’s Valley Line, and Swedish immigrants were settling the area in the early 1870s. By 1921, about 94 percent of the people living within three miles of town were Swedish-American, which earned it the nickname Little Sweden. It incorporated in 1908. The city sits on the banks of the Kings River, and its Census population today is about 12,600.

That heritage still shows downtown, where most storefronts are built in a Swedish style, Swedish banners hang from lampposts and Dala horses are painted in bright colors. A 122-foot water tower shaped like a coffee pot is visible from Highway 99; according to the city’s water report, it is decommissioned and now houses a pressure monitor, while the water itself comes from seven groundwater wells. The Kingsburg Swedish Festival, held the third weekend in May, still brings a pancake breakfast and a parade to town.

What the Census shows about local housing

The median home in Kingsburg was built around 1988, according to Census estimates, and the 2000s were the busiest decade at about 22 percent of homes. About 1 in 5 homes predates 1960, and roughly 11 percent was built before 1950. Close to half went up in 1990 or later.

About 73 percent of homes are owner-occupied, noticeably higher than the roughly 59 percent in nearby Selma. If you plan to stay, it’s worth thinking past resale, since a walk-in shower with a bench or kitchen storage that’s easy to reach can matter more than whichever finish is in style.

Older homes and newer ones need different things

• Before 1950: plaster walls, small baths with cast-iron tubs, galvanized supply lines and older wiring are all possible. Our guide to remodeling older homes covers what those conditions mean for a project.

• 1950s and 1960s: about 21 percent of the stock, usually with closed kitchens, soffits and original tile baths built around a tub and shower combination.

• 1990s and 2000s: oak or maple cabinets, tile or granite counters, cultured-marble vanity tops and builder-grade shower pans that are coming due for replacement.

Roughly 39 percent of homes here were built before 1980, and those built before 1978 fall under the EPA’s lead-safe renovation rule whenever paid work disturbs painted surfaces. That affects how cabinets, trim and walls come apart and how the space is cleaned.

Permits from the city on Draper Street

Permits for homes inside city limits come from the City of Kingsburg Building Department at City Hall, 1401 Draper Street. The counter is open Monday through Thursday and closed Fridays, and first residential submittals can be sent by email. The city’s handout on when a permit is required lists drywall replacement, adding or moving plumbing fixtures, adding or moving outlets and lights, and water heater changeouts, among other work.

If your address is outside city limits, Fresno County handles permits, and our Fresno County permit guide explains that office. Which of these apply to your project gets confirmed during the in-home consultation.

Travel time and scheduling

From 4143 E Madison Ave, it’s about 23 miles to town, roughly 30 minutes of driving. Entering your ZIP code in the estimator confirms coverage, and once you’ve seen your planning range, the calendar shows open times for a free in-home consultation. Selma, Fowler, Caruthers and Riverdale share the same south Fresno County service area.

Estimator first, then a visit

Pick the kitchen estimator or the bathroom estimator and answer questions about size, scope, layout, plumbing and electrical changes, and finish level. A personalized planning range appears on screen when you finish. It is a planning figure rather than a quote, and kitchens and bathrooms are estimated separately.

For budgeting, kitchens usually start around $25,000, a typical kitchen remodel comes in around $40,000, and larger kitchens with layout changes or premium selections run $50,000 to $60,000. Bathrooms usually start around $15,000, typically come in around $25,000, and reach $30,000 to $40,000 for larger rooms or layout changes. The in-home visit is where measurements, existing conditions, permits and selections get settled; structural questions go to engineering, and electrical or plumbing work beyond fixtures goes to licensed trades.