New Construction in Cerritos
A lot that already holds an existing house is the starting point for most new construction in Cerritos. Because the city converted wholesale from dairy land after a 1963 special election, nearly every block shares the same construction vintage, and the typical home is a late-1960s or early-1970s single-story or split-level tract house with a galley or U-shaped kitchen closed off from the family room. That layout remodels well until the house sits on a tired foundation, runs too small, or cannot carry a second story without rebuilding most of it anyway, at which point a tear-down rebuild is often the cleaner path. Horizon Construction and Remodeling manages new construction in Cerritos from the initial lot review through design, engineering, permits with the City of Cerritos Building and Safety Services Division, demolition, and the final inspection, all under one contract.
Services We Offer
Engineering & Title 24
Permits & Plan Check
New Build ADUs
Our New Construction Process in Cerritos
New construction in Cerritos starts well before a floor plan is drawn. Because nearly every block was laid out in a single early-1970s tract push, zoning patterns repeat and so do the site conditions, which means a boundary survey, topographic survey, and soils report give us a reliable picture of what the lot can support and what kind of foundation will be required. From there, design work produces a site plan, floor plans, and elevations that reflect how your household actually lives. Structural engineering and Title 24 energy documents are prepared alongside those drawings so the package that goes to the City of Cerritos Building and Safety Services Division enters plan check complete.
While the city reviews the plans, we respond to any comments, coordinate utility work, and arrange the asbestos survey and air district notification required before demolition. Once permits are issued, construction runs in a set sequence: foundation, framing, rough plumbing, electrical, mechanical and fire sprinkler rough-in, insulation, then exterior and interior finishes. One project manager oversees every phase and attends each inspection through the final sign-off.
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Any new construction project in Cerritos runs through the City of Cerritos Building and Safety Services Division, and the review process for a new house touches several departments at once. Planning checks setbacks, height limits, lot coverage, and floor area ratio against zoning rules. Building plan check reviews the structural drawings and energy compliance documents. The fire department evaluates sprinkler systems and site access, and public works covers grading, drainage, street trenching, and any new driveway approach. Each of those reviews has to clear before a permit issues.
If the project involves tearing down an existing structure, demolition carries its own separate permit. Before that permit issues, 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 for most demolitions. Because nearly every home in Cerritos was built in the same late-1960s and early-1970s construction push, the odds of finding older materials that trigger those requirements are real and worth planning for early. Utility services get sized for the new house, not the one that stood before it, so a larger water meter, a new electrical service, or both may be part of the scope, each carrying its own lead time with the utility company.
Geotechnical work comes before foundation design. A soils report identifies expansive clay, old fill, groundwater conditions, and slope stability. In state-mapped liquefaction or landslide zones a site-specific investigation is required. The structural engineer uses those findings to size footings, design a post-tensioned slab or grade beams, and lay out shear walls, hold-downs, and beams to meet California seismic requirements. On a sloped lot the same report drives the retaining wall design and grading plan, and the soils engineer typically signs off on footing excavations before any concrete is placed.
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. If the lot falls within a CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zone, wildland-urban interface standards apply: a Class A roof, ember-resistant vents, ignition-resistant exterior cladding, and multipane tempered windows. Inspections step through every stage, from foundation forms and reinforcing steel through framing, rough mechanical and electrical work, insulation, and finally the 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 Cerritos
Horizon Construction and Remodeling has held an active Class B general building contractor license since 2009, and we are licensed and bonded. Before you sign anything, you can verify our standing directly on the CSLB website. We work design-build, meaning design, engineering coordination, permits, and construction all fall under one contract with a single project manager overseeing everything from the first drawing through the final inspection.
Because Cerritos permits go through the City of Cerritos Building and Safety Services Division, plan check comments and code requirements are part of our process from day one. California energy, CALGreen, and fire sprinkler requirements get folded into the design at the earliest stage, not added later as change orders that push your budget. One team draws the plans, responds to the city, and builds the house.
Cerritos grew rapidly in a single early-1970s push, and most of its tract homes share a similar construction vintage, which means the permit and engineering questions your neighbors are working through are often the same ones you will face. Call us at (714) 449-9035 and we will look at your Cerritos lot and tell you what it can realistically hold.
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New Construction FAQ
Should I rebuild or remodel my house in Cerritos?
Whether a rebuild or a whole home remodel makes more sense depends on the house and the lot. A new build tends to be the right call 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 carry, or when zoning allows a larger or better-situated home. In Cerritos, where nearly every neighborhood was built in a single early-1970s push, many houses on the same block share the same construction vintage and the same limitations. If the structure is sound and you mainly want a new layout and updated finishes, a whole home remodel is typically simpler to permit through the City of Cerritos Building and Safety Services 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?
Demolishing an existing house and building a new one in Cerritos typically requires a demolition permit, a building permit for the new structure, and separate grading, utility, and driveway permits from public works. The City of Cerritos Building and Safety Services Division reviews your plans, with planning, fire, and public works departments each signing off. Parcels in a fire hazard severity zone receive additional fire-code review. Because most of Cerritos was built in a single early-1970s tract push, many lots share the same layout and vintage, and the permitting path tends to be consistent from block to block. We prepare all submittals and manage every round of comments and resubmittals on your behalf.
How long does it take to build a new home?
Design and permitting for new construction in Cerritos can take as long as the build itself. Plan check through the City of Cerritos Building and Safety Services Division commonly runs several months, and longer when planning review or fire-zone considerations are involved. Construction of a custom home often runs around a year, more for larger homes or lots requiring heavy site work. Because Cerritos blocks share one construction vintage and similar layouts, neighbors often face the same review process, but we still give you a schedule built around your specific lot after the feasibility review.
What drives the cost of building a new home?
What drives new construction costs in Cerritos comes down to a handful of clear categories. Size and complexity lead the list, particularly second stories, long spans, and buildings with many corners. Foundation type is determined by soil conditions and the slope of the lot, and site work including demolition, grading, retaining walls, and utility upgrades can vary considerably from one parcel to the next. City impact fees and school fees on new square footage depend on the local jurisdiction and district. After a feasibility review, we break the budget into these categories so you can see exactly where your choices have the most effect.
Do new homes in California need solar and fire sprinklers?
Yes, new single-family homes in Cerritos must include automatic fire sprinklers under the California Residential Code, which affects how water service size and ceiling layout are planned. Solar PV has been required on new homes since the 2019 energy standards, and the 2025 Title 24 standards build on that for permits filed from January 1, 2026. CALGreen adds requirements covering water use, construction waste recycling, indoor air quality, and EV charging readiness. We design to all of it from the start.
Can you build an ADU along with the new house?
Yes, a new construction project is the easiest time to add an ADU or guest house. 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 allows ADUs on most single-family lots, though setbacks, height, and parking rules still apply. Permits go through the City of Cerritos Building and Safety Services Division, and we can pull the ADU permit with the main house or handle it as a separate project.
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Horizon is a licensed Class B general building contractor serving Cerritos and the surrounding Los Angeles County communities.