Whole Home Remodeling · Orange County
Whole home remodeling in Orange County: layout changes, kitchens, baths and system upgrades under one permit, by a licensed design-build team since 2009.
Tell us about the house. A project manager will call to set up a walk-through.
Prefer to talk? Call (714) 449-9035
Whole home remodeling in Orange County usually means one of two kinds of house. North and central county cities like Anaheim, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Orange and Westminster filled in with single-story tract homes in the 1950s and 1960s, most of them on slab foundations with closed-off kitchens and original galvanized plumbing. South county communities like Irvine, Mission Viejo and Lake Forest were built out later as master-planned developments, so the houses are newer but the layouts are dated, and an HOA architectural committee often has to approve exterior changes before the city will.
Every incorporated city in Orange County runs its own building department, and unincorporated areas such as Ladera Ranch, Coto de Caza and Rossmoor go through OC Public Works. Along the coast, from Seal Beach to San Clemente, a remodel that changes the outside of the house may need a coastal development permit. In canyon and hillside areas like Laguna Beach, Anaheim Hills and parts of Yorba Linda, mapped fire hazard zones bring ignition-resistant construction rules for exterior work. We plan for each of those before the drawings go in.
Horizon has worked out of Orange County for more than 18 years, with the Horizon Design Center in Fullerton and an office in Laguna Hills. We hold a Class B general building license, active since 2009, and we’ve pulled whole house permits with building departments across the county as well as OC Public Works. We know which cities run long plan-check queues, how HOA architectural committees work, and when a coastal permit belongs in the schedule. Design, permits and construction all run under one contract and one project manager.
Each city page covers who issues the permit there, what the local housing stock looks like and what that means for your project.
For many owners, yes. Under Proposition 13, your existing home keeps its original assessed basis, while a purchase resets it at the new price. New construction from a remodel can be reassessed, so talk to your tax advisor about your situation. The other factor is the location itself: the street, the schools and the neighbors are hard to buy again, and a remodel lets you keep them.
Almost always a building permit with plan check from your city, or from the county for unincorporated areas. Depending on location, you may also need HOA architectural approval, a coastal development permit, or compliance with fire hazard zone construction rules for exterior work. We identify which apply during the first walk-through and handle the submittals.
Galvanized supply lines, undersized electrical panels, lead-based paint in homes built before 1978, and asbestos in popcorn ceilings, old flooring or duct wrap. We also see additions and garage conversions built without permits. We investigate before design so these show up in the proposal rather than as surprises once the walls are open.
Yes. Room additions and ADUs are often part of a whole house project. Planning them together lets utilities, structure and the floor plan work as one design. State law allows an ADU on most single-family lots, and local zoning sets setbacks, height and lot coverage for additions. We check what your lot allows before drawing.
Planning whole home remodeling in Orange County? Schedule a consultation or call (714) 449-9035.
Horizon Construction & Remodeling, Class B General Building Contractor.
