Home Remodeling Questions, Answered for Los Angeles Homeowners

The cost of a whole-house remodel depends mostly on how much structure changes, how many systems are replaced, the condition of the foundation, site access, permitting requirements and the level of finishes. A remodel that keeps the existing layout costs far less than one that removes walls and adds structural steel. We give you a realistic range during your consultation and a fixed-price proposal after design.

Coastal and hillside sites usually add engineering, corrosion-resistant or fire-resistant materials, drainage work and longer permit reviews. In Malibu, Coastal Development Permits and geology reviews add time and fees, while hillside lots often need retaining walls and deeper foundations.

For homes built before about 1980, plan a contingency of roughly ten to fifteen percent, because outdated wiring, plumbing and framing are often discovered once walls are opened. Newer homes usually need less. A contingency is a safety margin, not an expected cost.

We can discuss financing options during your consultation. Common choices include home-improvement loans, home equity lines of credit and construction loans for larger projects such as ADUs and custom homes.

Yes. We prepare and submit permit packages to the right agency, including the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety, the cities of Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Malibu and Thousand Oaks, and Los Angeles and Ventura counties. We also attend inspections.

The 2025 California building codes, including an updated Energy Code, apply to projects with permit applications filed on or after January 1, 2026. Remodels and additions that alter heating, water heating, lighting or ventilation must meet the new standards for those systems.

You can check your address on CAL FIRE’s Fire Hazard Severity Zone viewer. In high and very high zones, new construction and additions must meet Chapter 7A of the California Building Code, which requires fire-resistant roofing, ember-resistant vents, tempered glazing and ignition-resistant exterior materials.

If your property is in the coastal zone, most exterior work, additions, decks and grading require a Coastal Development Permit. Interior-only remodels are often exempt. In Malibu, the City of Malibu issues these permits under its certified Local Coastal Program.

California requires cities to approve or deny a complete ADU application within 60 days, and since January 1, 2026, to tell you within 15 business days whether the application is complete. Design and engineering usually take six to ten weeks before submittal.

For projects that open the roof or exterior walls, start in spring so the house is closed in before the rainy season, which generally runs from late November through March. Interior remodels can start any time of year. Because permits take time, begin design the previous summer or fall for a spring start.

Yes. We sequence exterior work around the forecast, protect openings with temporary weatherproofing and move interior trades forward when storms are expected.

Yes, near the coast. May Gray and June Gloom keep surfaces damp in the mornings, which slows paint, plaster and some sealants. We schedule finishes for the drier part of the day and choose products rated for coastal humidity.

During high-wind and red-flag conditions, we secure materials, pause hot work such as welding and torch-applied roofing, and protect open framing. Over the long term, Santa Ana winds are the main reason we recommend ember-resistant vents and noncombustible zones around homes in fire-prone areas.

As a general guide, kitchens take about six to ten weeks of construction, primary bathrooms four to eight weeks, additions six to ten months including design and permits, and whole-house remodels six to eighteen months of construction. Design and permitting add time before construction begins.

Yes. Our in-house design consultants help with layouts, materials and finishes, and we work alongside independent architects and interior designers on larger projects.

Yes. Every project has a dedicated project manager from the first site visit through the final walk-through.

Yes. Elliott Construction Group is a licensed California general contractor and carries insurance for residential construction. You can verify any contractor license on the Contractors State License Board website at cslb.ca.gov.

Yes. Every project is backed by a written workmanship warranty, in addition to manufacturer warranties on products and equipment.

We serve Los Angeles and Ventura counties, focusing on Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Brentwood, Malibu, Encino, Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village. See our Service Areas page for details.