New Construction in Talbert
Building new in Talbert almost always means starting with a lot that already has a structure on it, because the area was developed almost entirely after 1957, when large housing tracts replaced farmland through the 1960s and 1970s. Those tract houses on flat, rectangular lots in neighborhoods like Green Valley and Tiburon can be solid candidates for remodeling, but when a home sits on a tired foundation, runs too small, or cannot carry a second story without rebuilding most of it regardless, a tear-down rebuild is often the cleaner path. Horizon Construction and Remodeling manages new construction in Talbert from the first lot review through design, engineering, permitting with the City of Fountain Valley Building and Safety Division, demolition, and final inspection, all under one contract.
Services We Offer
Engineering & Title 24
Permits & Plan Check
New Build ADUs
Our New Construction Process in Talbert
How New Construction in Talbert Actually Gets Built
New construction in Talbert begins long before anyone draws a floor plan, because the flat rectangular lots laid out across this community during the 1960s and 1970s tract-building era each carry their own zoning history and soil conditions. We open with a boundary and topographic survey alongside a soils report, so we know exactly what the foundation will require before design starts. From there, site plans, floor plans, and elevations take shape through working sessions with you, and structural engineering plus Title 24 energy documents are completed alongside the drawings so the full plan set enters the City of Fountain Valley Building and Safety Division ready for review.
While plans move through the city’s review process, we respond to any comments, coordinate utility work, and handle the asbestos survey and air district notification required before demolition can begin. Once permits issue, the sequence runs straight through: foundation, framing, rough trades, insulation, and finishes, with one project manager present at every inspection through final sign-off.
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Talbert is the pre-1957 name for what is now Fountain Valley, and it is not a separate jurisdiction today. That matters for permitting because all building applications for this area go through the City of Fountain Valley Building and Safety Division. No unusual local overlay complicates things here, so the governing rules are the California Building Code, applicable energy standards, and any homeowners association requirements for the specific neighborhood. Tracts like Green Valley, Los Caballeros, Tiburon, and Southpark each have their own CC&Rs, and those documents are worth reviewing early in the design phase.
A new house triggers review at more than one city counter. Planning confirms that the design meets zoning requirements, including setbacks, building height, lot coverage, and total floor area. Building plan check covers the structural drawings and energy compliance documentation. The fire department reviews sprinkler systems and site access, and public works handles grading, drainage, any trenching in the public right-of-way, and the driveway approach. Demolition of an existing structure carries its own permit. Before that permit is issued, most building departments require the gas and electric service to be disconnected and the sewer lateral capped. The South Coast AQMD also requires an asbestos survey and advance notification before most demolitions proceed.
Utility sizing for the new structure starts fresh rather than carrying over what served the old one. Fire sprinkler requirements often mean a larger water meter and a bigger service line. A house with modern electrical loads and rooftop solar may also need a new utility service, and that upgrade has its own lead time that should be factored into the schedule early. A geotechnical report comes before foundation design. It identifies expansive soil, old fill, groundwater conditions, and any liquefaction or landslide mapping. The structural engineer uses the report to size footings, design post-tensioned slabs or grade beams, and lay out the shear walls, hold-downs, and beams that California’s seismic requirements call for.
Energy compliance follows Title 24 standards, and new single-family homes are required to include solar PV. Some measures need field verification by a third-party HERS rater. If the lot falls within a mapped Fire Hazard Severity Zone, wildland-urban interface construction standards apply, covering roof assembly class, ember-resistant venting, ignition-resistant exterior materials, and multipane tempered windows. Inspections are staged through the build, from foundation forms and reinforcing steel through framing, rough mechanical and electrical, insulation, and the final sign-off that closes the permit.
Other Remodeling Services We Offer
A kitchen remodel touches more trades than any other room in the house: layout, cabinetry, plumbing, electrical, ventilation and finishes. Horizon designs and builds kitchen remodels under one contract, from the measured layout to the final inspection.
Whether you envision a classic Southern California pool or a fully customized backyard oasis, Horizon Construction & Remodeling delivers the highest level of quality and service. Our comprehensive pool design and remodeling services cover everything from layout and decking to built-in BBQs and final touches like landscaping. Let Horizon be your trusted partner in transforming your backyard into the perfect outdoor retreat.
If you are planning a complete bathroom remodel or simply want to change your tub, shower, update your plumbing fixtures, or make the space more efficient, our team at Horizon will help you through the process with expert advice, professional craftsmanship, and affordable options with beautiful results. Learn more about our bathroom remodeling services.
Transform your space with our expert interior work services. We offer a comprehensive range of solutions — from space planning and custom design to the selection of high-quality finishes and materials. Our team of experienced professionals works closely with you to create a space that’s both functional and stylish, tailored to your unique needs, goals, and budget. Whether you’re updating a single room or overhauling your entire interior, we bring precision, creativity, and craftsmanship to every project.
At Horizon, we believe your home is more than just four walls — it’s where life happens. It’s the place you relax, gather with family and friends, and create lasting memories. That’s why we offer a full range of exterior work services designed to elevate your outdoor living space. From patios and hardscaping to custom decks and exterior renovations, we help turn your vision into a dream yard that complements your lifestyle and enhances curb appeal.
At Horizon Construction & Remodeling, our expert team includes a dedicated design and planning division that works hand-in-hand with licensed architects and structural engineers. We take care of everything — from detailed plans and blueprints to securing city permits — so you don’t have to deal with delays or red tape. Our goal is to streamline the process and provide a fully approved set of documents that aligns with both your vision and city regulations, saving you time and stress.
Why Choose Horizon Remodeling For New Construction in Talbert
Horizon Construction and Remodeling has held an active Class B general building contractor license since 2009, and we are licensed and bonded. New construction is the most complex job a residential contractor takes on, and we encourage you to verify our credentials directly on the CSLB website before you commit to anything.
We work design-build, meaning design, engineering coordination, permits, and construction all sit under one contract with a single project manager. That matters in Fountain Valley, where permits for new homes go through the City of Fountain Valley Building and Safety Division. Having one team handle plan preparation and respond to plan check comments keeps the process moving rather than letting it stall between separate firms. California energy and CALGreen requirements are built into the design from the beginning, so they do not arrive late as change orders.
Most lots in this area follow the flat, rectangular layout that came out of the large tract developments built across the 1960s and 1970s, and that geometry shapes what a new home can realistically hold. Reach out to us at (714) 449-9035 and we will take a look at your lot and tell you what makes sense for it.
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New Construction FAQ
Should I rebuild or remodel my house in Talbert?
Whether a rebuild makes sense depends on the condition of your lot and existing structure. If the foundation has serious problems, if nearly every system needs replacing and most walls would move anyway, or if you want a second story the current frame cannot carry, starting fresh often becomes the more practical path. In Fountain Valley, where most homes are 1960s and 1970s tract construction, zoning sometimes allows a larger or better-placed footprint than what was originally built. When the structure is sound and the goal is mainly a new layout and updated finishes, a whole-home remodel is typically simpler to permit through the City of Fountain Valley Building and Safety Division. We walk the property with you and give a straight comparison before you commit to either direction.
What permits does a new home need?
Building a new home in Talbert means working through several permit types at once. Because Talbert is the pre-1957 name for what is now Fountain Valley, plans go through the City of Fountain Valley Building and Safety Division, with planning, fire, and public works typically signing off as well. You can expect a demolition permit for the existing house, plus building, grading, utility, and driveway permits. Lots in a fire hazard severity zone receive added fire-code review. We prepare submittals and manage comments and resubmittals throughout.
How long does it take to build a new home?
Building a new home in Fountain Valley, the city that encompasses the former Talbert area, takes more time than most homeowners expect. Plan check through the City of Fountain Valley Building and Safety Division commonly runs several months, and design work alone can take just as long before a single permit is filed. Construction of a custom home often runs close to a year, and larger projects add more time on top of that. Weather, utility scheduling, and inspection availability all play a role, so we put together a schedule specific to your lot after the feasibility review.
What drives the cost of building a new home?
New construction costs in Talbert vary based on size, complexity, and the decisions you make at every stage of the project. A second story, long structural spans, or an irregular floor plan all push the number up before you factor in anything else. Foundation work depends on what soils testing shows, and site preparation, grading, utility connections, or removing an existing structure, can differ significantly from one flat rectangular lot to the next, even within the same 1960s tract grid. Finish level throughout the home is another major variable, as are city impact fees and school district fees tied to new square footage, which are set by the City of Fountain Valley and the applicable school district. Once we complete a feasibility review, we break the budget into these categories so you can see exactly where your choices land and what adjusting each one means for the overall number.
Do new homes in California need solar and fire sprinklers?
Yes, new home construction in Fountain Valley is subject to several state-level requirements that shape the project from the first design session. The California Residential Code mandates automatic fire sprinklers in new one- and two-family homes, which affects both water service sizing and how ceilings are laid out. Solar PV has been required on new single-family homes since the 2019 energy standards, and the 2025 Title 24 updates build on that for permits filed from January 1, 2026. CALGreen adds rules covering water use, construction waste recycling, indoor air quality, and EV charging readiness. On the flat, grid-platted lots that define this area, we account for all of it at the start of design rather than retrofitting compliance later.
Can you build an ADU along with the new house?
Yes, building an ADU alongside new construction is straightforward because water, sewer, and electrical service can be sized for both units from the start, and the site plan can give each unit a separate entry and outdoor space. State law permits ADUs on most single-family lots, though setbacks, height limits, and parking requirements still apply. On a flat, grid-laid lot typical of Fountain Valley’s 1960s and 1970s tracts, we can permit the ADU together with the main house or handle it as its own project, and we build guest houses as well.
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Horizon is a licensed Class B general building contractor serving Talbert and the surrounding Orange County communities.