REBUILDING
LOS ANGELES
after the fires.

Start by filing your insurance claim and documenting everything. Then bring in a licensed general contractor experienced in fire-damage reconstruction. Your site needs assessment, debris clearance, and new architectural plans drawn to current building codes — including California’s Chapter 7A fire-resistant construction standards. We help homeowners in Pacific Palisades, Altadena, Pasadena, Malibu, and throughout Los Angeles navigate the entire rebuild from insurance coordination through certificate of occupancy.

In many cases, rebuilding costs exceed original policy limits — especially when current building codes require upgraded materials, systems, and fire-resistant assemblies that didn’t exist when your home was built. Review your policy for dwelling coverage, code-upgrade endorsements, loss-of-use provisions, and extended replacement cost coverage. We work directly with homeowners and their adjusters to document scope accurately, provide detailed line-item estimates, and help bridge coverage gaps where possible.

California Building Code Chapter 7A establishes fire-resistant construction standards for buildings in wildland-urban interface (WUI) zones. It covers exterior walls, roofing, eaves, vents, windows, decking, and defensible space requirements. If your property is in a designated fire hazard severity zone — which includes much of Pacific Palisades, Altadena, Malibu, and the hillside communities — your rebuild must comply with Chapter 7A. We design and build to these standards as part of every fire rebuild project.

A typical fire rebuild in Los Angeles takes 14 to 24 months from design through completion, depending on the size of the home, complexity of the site, and permitting timelines. The City of Los Angeles and LA County have expedited permitting programs for fire-damaged properties, which can shorten the entitlement phase. We provide detailed construction schedules during pre-construction so you have clear expectations from day one.

Yes. Even if you’re rebuilding to the same footprint, new plans are required to meet current building codes, Title 24 energy standards, and Chapter 7A fire-resistant construction requirements. This is actually an opportunity — you can incorporate modern layouts, energy-efficient systems, and improved fire-resistant materials that weren’t available when the original home was built. We coordinate with architects and structural engineers to develop plans that meet code, match your vision, and work within your insurance coverage.

Fire rebuilds require building permits, grading permits (if the site needs re-grading), and potentially coastal development permits for properties near the coast. The City of LA and LA County have created expedited permitting pathways specifically for fire-damaged properties, including fee waivers and priority plan review. We handle all permitting and entitlements in-house and know exactly how to navigate these programs to minimize delays.

In most cases, yes. Rebuilding presents a unique opportunity to improve your home’s layout, systems, and finishes. However, changes beyond the original footprint may require additional approvals and could affect your insurance reimbursement. We help homeowners understand what’s covered under their policy versus what falls into the upgrade category, so you can make informed decisions about where to invest. Many of our clients take advantage of the rebuild to add features like modern HVAC, smart home systems, improved insulation, and fire-resistant landscaping.

We work alongside your insurance adjuster from the start. That means providing detailed scope documentation, line-item cost breakdowns, progress photographs, and change-order justification when code-required upgrades exceed original policy assumptions. Our estimates are built to withstand adjuster scrutiny — transparent, market-rate, and defensible. We’ve found that thorough documentation up front leads to smoother claims processing and fewer coverage disputes down the line.