New Construction in Agoura Hills
Most new construction projects in Agoura Hills begin with a lot that already has a house sitting on it. The city was largely built out in the 1970s and 1980s, after tracts were subdivided following the Ventura Freeway corridor and before incorporation in 1982, leaving a housing stock of detached tract homes, many of them set on sloped hillside and canyon lots rather than flat pads. Those homes can be worth remodeling, but when a house is too small, rests on a tired foundation, or cannot carry a second story without rebuilding most of it anyway, a tear-down rebuild is often the cleaner path. Horizon Construction and Remodeling manages new construction in Agoura Hills from the initial lot review through design, engineering, permits, 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 Agoura Hills
New construction in Agoura Hills starts with understanding the ground beneath your feet, not the floor plan on paper. Most lots here were carved out of hillside and canyon terrain during the tract subdivisions of the 1970s and 1980s, which means a boundary and topographic survey, a soils report, and a zoning review come before any design work. Those documents tell us what the slope requires, what the foundation needs, and what the City of Agoura Hills Building and Safety Division will expect when plans go in for review. Structural engineering and Title 24 energy documents are prepared alongside the drawings so the plan set enters plan check complete, not piecemeal.
Because the entire city sits in a CAL FIRE designated Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, wildland-urban interface construction standards shape material choices for the exterior from the start. We work through those requirements during design, not after permits are issued. Once the city approves the plans, the build runs in sequence: foundation, framing, rough trades, insulation, then exterior and interior finishes, with one project manager present at every inspection through final.
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Building a new home in Agoura Hills means working through a layered approval process before a shovel goes in the ground. The City of Agoura Hills Building and Safety Division handles building plan check, which covers structural documents, energy compliance, and foundation design. Planning reviews setbacks, height limits, lot coverage, and floor area ratio against local zoning. The fire department checks sprinkler systems and site access, and public works weighs in on grading, drainage, and any work that touches the street or a new driveway approach. Each of those reviews runs on its own timeline, and all of them have to close before a permit is issued.
If an older structure sits on the lot, demolition carries its own permit. Most building departments require the gas and electric service to be disconnected and the sewer lateral capped before that permit is released. Because so much of Agoura Hills was built out during the tract-home boom of the 1970s and 1980s, older structures may contain asbestos, and the South Coast AQMD requires a survey and advance notification before demolition work begins. Once the lot is cleared, utilities get sized for the new house rather than the old one. Required fire sprinklers frequently call for a larger water meter and a bigger service line, and a house with modern electrical loads and solar may need a new utility service entirely, which adds its own lead time to the schedule.
Much of Agoura Hills sits on sloped hillside and canyon terrain rather than flat pads, so a geotechnical report is prepared before foundation design begins. That report identifies expansive clay, old fill, groundwater depth, and slope stability. On hillside lots, the same findings drive the retaining wall design and the grading plan, and the soils engineer typically signs off on footing excavations before concrete is placed. The structural engineer uses the report to size footings, specify post-tensioned slabs or grade beams where warranted, and lay out shear walls and hold-downs to meet California seismic requirements.
Because the entire city falls within a CAL FIRE designated Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, wildland-urban interface construction standards apply to every new home here. That means a Class A roof assembly, ember-resistant vents, ignition-resistant exterior materials, and multipane windows with tempered glass. Energy compliance follows Title 24 standards, and new single-family homes must include solar PV. Some measures require field verification by a third-party HERS rater. Inspections are tied to each construction phase, running from foundation forms and reinforcing steel through framing, rough mechanical and electrical work, and insulation, all the way to the final sign-off.
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 Agoura Hills
Horizon Construction & Remodeling Inc. is a Class B general building contractor, licensed and bonded, with our license continuously active since 2009. A new home is the largest investment a residential contractor handles, and we encourage every client to verify our license and bond directly through the CSLB before signing anything.
We work design-build, meaning design, engineering coordination, permits, and construction all sit under one contract with a single project manager. Because Agoura Hills sits entirely within a CAL FIRE designated Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, wildland-urban interface construction standards shape exterior material choices from the first sketch rather than arriving later as change orders. CALGreen and Title 24 energy requirements are built into the drawings the same way, so nothing catches the team off guard during plan check with the City of Agoura Hills Building and Safety Division.
Lot conditions here vary considerably. Many parcels in areas like Old Agoura and Lake Lindero sit on sloped hillside and canyon terrain rather than flat pads, and that geology drives foundation and grading decisions early in the design process. Call (714) 449-9035 and we will assess what your Agoura Hills lot can realistically support.
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New Construction FAQ
Should I rebuild or remodel my house in Agoura Hills?
The right choice depends on your specific house and lot. A full rebuild makes the most sense when the foundation has serious problems, when nearly every system needs replacing and most walls are moving anyway, when you want a second story the existing structure cannot support, or when zoning allows a larger or better-sited footprint. In Agoura Hills, where many homes sit on sloped hillside and canyon lots and were built in the 1970s and 1980s, those conditions come up more often than you might expect. If the structure is sound and the goal is mainly a new layout and updated finishes, a whole-home remodel is usually the simpler path through the City of Agoura Hills Building and Safety Division. We walk the property with you and give you a straight comparison before you commit to anything.
What permits does a new home need?
Permitting a new home in Agoura Hills typically involves a demolition permit for the existing structure, a building permit for the new construction, and separate grading, utility, and driveway permits through public works. Plans go to the City of Agoura Hills Building and Safety Division, where planning, fire, and public works each sign off as well. Because the entire city sits in a CAL FIRE designated Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, fire-code review applies to exterior construction across all neighborhoods, from Lake Lindero to Liberty Canyon. We prepare the submittals and manage comments and resubmittals throughout.
How long does it take to build a new home?
There is no single answer to how long new construction takes in Agoura Hills, because design, permitting, and the build itself each add time. Plan check through the City of Agoura Hills Building and Safety Division commonly runs several months, and fire-zone review adds to that given the city’s Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone designation, which applies across every neighborhood from Old Agoura to Liberty Canyon. Construction itself often runs around a year, longer on sloped canyon lots or where significant site work is needed. We give you a realistic schedule after the feasibility review.
What drives the cost of building a new home?
New construction costs in Agoura Hills depend on several overlapping factors, and size and complexity lead the list. A second story, long structural spans, or a floor plan with many corners all push the budget up before you account for anything else. Foundation design shifts based on soil conditions and slope, and on the canyon and hillside lots common throughout neighborhoods like Old Agoura, Morrison Ranch, and Lake Lindero, site work including grading, retaining walls, and utility upgrades can vary significantly from one parcel to the next. Because the entire city sits within a CAL FIRE designated Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, wildland-urban interface construction standards apply to exterior assemblies and add to material costs. City impact fees and school district fees on new square footage are additional line items that depend on the local jurisdiction and district. Once we work through feasibility, we break the budget into these categories so you can see exactly where your decisions have the most effect.
Do new homes in California need solar and fire sprinklers?
Yes, new homes in Agoura Hills must meet several statewide construction requirements. The California Residential Code requires automatic fire sprinklers in new one- and two-family homes, which affects both water service sizing and ceiling layout. Solar PV has been required on new single-family homes since the 2019 energy standards, and the 2025 Title 24 standards add to that for permits filed from January 1, 2026. CALGreen layers on requirements for water use, construction waste recycling, indoor air quality, and EV charging readiness. We account for all of it from the start of design.
Can you build an ADU along with the new house?
Yes, and new construction is actually the best time to plan for an ADU. Sizing the water, sewer, and electrical service to serve both units from the start is far simpler than adding capacity later, and the site plan can carve out a private entry and outdoor space for each unit. State law allows ADUs on most single-family lots, though setbacks, height, and parking rules still apply, and on the canyon and hillside parcels common throughout Agoura Hills those rules can shape where a second unit realistically fits. Permits for the ADU can run alongside the main house permit or be filed as a separate project. We also build detached guest houses where that better fits the lot and the owner’s goals.
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Horizon is a licensed Class B general building contractor serving Agoura Hills and the surrounding Los Angeles County communities.