New Construction in Chino
New construction in Chino usually begins with a lot that already has a structure on it. Because the city built out steadily from the 1970s onward, after decades of farming and dairy use, much of the existing housing stock is aging. North of downtown you often find mid-century ranch and Craftsman homes with closed-off kitchens; south of downtown, newer two-story plans that already live more openly. When a house is too small, sits on a compromised foundation, or would cost nearly as much to repair as to replace, a tear-down rebuild tends to be the cleaner choice. Horizon Construction and Remodeling manages new construction in Chino from the initial lot review through design, engineering, permitting with the City of Chino 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 Chino
What New Construction in Chino Actually Involves
New construction in Chino starts well before any floor plan is drawn. We open with a zoning review, boundary and topographic survey, and soils report, because what sits beneath a lot shapes every foundation decision. Design follows those findings: site plans, floor plans, and elevations developed with you until the layout fits how your household actually lives. Structural engineering and Title 24 energy documents are prepared alongside the drawings so the plan set enters the City of Chino Building and Safety Division complete, reducing back-and-forth during plan check.
While plans are under review, we address comments, coordinate utility work, and handle any required air district notifications. Once permits issue, construction runs in sequence: foundation, framing, rough plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and insulation, through to exterior and interior finishes. Projects on the former dairy and farm ground at the south end, particularly within The Preserve’s specific plan area, carry additional design guideline requirements we account for from the start. One project manager stays on from groundbreaking through final inspection.
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Building a new home in Chino moves through the City of Chino Building and Safety Division, and the review process covers several departments at once. Planning checks the design against zoning rules, including setbacks, height limits, lot coverage and floor area ratios. Building plan check reviews the structural and energy documents. The fire department looks at sprinkler systems and site access. Public works handles grading, drainage, any street trenching and the new driveway approach. If an older structure is coming down first, demolition requires its own separate permit, and most building departments want the gas and electric service disconnected and the sewer lateral capped before that permit is issued. The regional air district, South Coast AQMD for most of this area, also requires an asbestos survey and advance notification before most demolitions begin.
The south end of Chino adds a layer that does not apply everywhere in the city. The Preserve sits on roughly 5,435 acres of former dairy and farm ground annexed in 2003, and it operates under its own specific plan and design guidelines. A project there goes through those additional design standards on top of the standard Building and Safety Division submittal. That is worth knowing early, because it affects the site plan and elevation review before anything moves to plan check.
Utility sizing follows the new house, not whatever was on the lot before. Required fire sprinklers often call for a larger water meter and service line. A bigger house carrying solar and modern electrical loads may need a new utility service, which has its own lead time outside the city’s control. A geotechnical report comes before foundation design. It identifies expansive clay, old fill, groundwater depth 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 sloped ground, the same report drives retaining wall design and the grading plan, and the soils engineer typically signs off on footing excavations before 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, construction meets wildland-urban interface standards: a Class A roof assembly, ember-resistant vents, ignition-resistant exterior materials and multipane windows with tempered glass. Inspections happen at each stage, from foundation forms and reinforcing steel through framing, rough-in trades 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 Chino
Horizon Construction and Remodeling has held an active Class B general building contractor license since 2009, and we are licensed and bonded. You can verify our license and bond directly on the CSLB website before you commit to anything, which is exactly what we encourage every homeowner to do.
New construction is the most complex project a residential contractor takes on, and we approach it as a single coordinated effort rather than a chain of separate handoffs. Design, engineering coordination, permit submittals, and construction all sit under one contract with one project manager. That matters in Chino because permit applications go through the City of Chino Building and Safety Division, and plan check comments get answered by the same team that prepared the drawings. For lots within The Preserve, the specific plan and design guidelines that govern that former dairy ground add another layer of review, and we factor those requirements into the design from the start.
CALGreen compliance, fire sprinkler layouts, and Title 24 energy requirements are worked into the plans early so they do not arrive later as change orders. Call (714) 449-9035 and we will take a look at your Chino lot and tell you what it can realistically hold.
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New Construction FAQ
Should I rebuild or remodel my house in Chino?
Whether a rebuild or a remodel makes more sense depends on the condition of the house and what the lot will allow. A new build tends to be the better path when the foundation has serious problems, when almost every system needs replacing and most walls are moving anyway, when you want to add a second story the existing frame cannot support, or when zoning permits a larger or better-positioned structure. In an established Chino neighborhood like College Park or the older ranch and Craftsman streets north of downtown, a whole-home remodel is often simpler to permit through the City of Chino Building and Safety Division if the structure is sound and the main goal is a new layout and updated finishes. We walk the property with you and give a straight comparison of both paths before you commit to anything.
What permits does a new home need?
New construction in Chino typically requires a demolition permit for the existing structure, a building permit for the new home, and grading, utility, and driveway permits through public works. The City of Chino Building and Safety Division reviews plans, with planning, fire, and public works departments each signing off as well. Sites within The Preserve carry additional review under that area’s specific plan and design guidelines. 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?
New construction in Chino moves on a timeline that surprises many homeowners: design and permitting alone can stretch as long as the build itself. Plan check typically runs several months, and that window grows when planning review or fire-zone review enters the picture. Construction of a custom home often takes close to a year, and larger homes or sites requiring heavy grading run longer. If you are building on the former dairy and farm ground in The Preserve, the specific plan and design guidelines that govern that area add a layer of review through the City of Chino Building and Safety Division that affects scheduling. Utility company coordination and inspection availability shift timelines as well. We give you a realistic schedule for your specific lot after the feasibility review, not before.
What drives the cost of building a new home?
New construction costs in Chino are driven by size and complexity before anything else, so a straightforward single-story footprint will land in a different budget range than a two-story plan with long spans and multiple corners. Foundation requirements shift with soil conditions and slope, and site work, which can include grading, demolition, retaining walls, and utility upgrades, varies lot by lot, particularly on the former dairy and farmland at the south end where The Preserve’s specific plan and design guidelines also shape what gets approved. Finish level throughout the home, applicable fire-zone material requirements, and city and school district impact fees on new square footage all move the number further. Once we complete a feasibility review, we break the estimate into those 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 Chino must meet several state requirements, and we design to all of them from the start. 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 mandatory for new single-family homes since the 2019 energy standards, and the 2025 Title 24 standards build on that for permits filed from January 1, 2026. CALGreen layers in additional rules covering water use, construction waste recycling, indoor air quality, and EV charging readiness, all of which apply whether you are building on an infill lot near Downtown Chino or on the former dairy ground of The Preserve, where the area’s own specific plan adds another layer of design guidelines on top of state code.
Can you build an ADU along with the new house?
Yes, and new construction is the easiest point to add an ADU or guest house to your project. Sizing water, sewer, and electrical service for both units at once costs far less than going back later, and the site plan can give each unit a private entry and outdoor area from day one. State law allows ADUs on most single-family lots, though setbacks, height, and parking rules still apply, and in planned communities like The Preserve those requirements may layer on top of city standards. We can permit the ADU alongside the main house or carry it as a separate project depending on what works for your timeline. Reach out to the City of Chino Building and Safety Division or ask us during your initial consultation and we will walk through what applies to your specific lot.
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Horizon is a licensed Class B general building contractor serving Chino and the surrounding San Bernardino County communities.