New Construction in Covina
In Covina, most new construction projects begin with a lot that already has a structure on it. The city grew into a residential community after World War II, when postwar tract housing replaced the citrus groves, and the ranch-style homes that filled those former grove parcels are now decades old. A small closed-off kitchen, a shallow floor plan, or a foundation that cannot support a second story can make a complete rebuild the more practical choice over a remodel. Horizon Construction and Remodeling manages new construction in Covina from the initial lot review through design, engineering, permitting with the City of Covina 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 Covina
How We Approach New Construction in Covina
New construction in Covina starts long before a foundation is poured. Most lots here sit on former citrus grove land, and the postwar tract housing that replaced those groves means zoning, soil conditions, and lot boundaries all need careful review before design begins. We order a boundary and topographic survey along with a soils report, then move into site plans, floor plans, and elevations worked out with you directly. Structural engineering and Title 24 energy documents are prepared alongside the drawings so the plan set is complete when it goes to the City of Covina Building and Safety Division for plan check.
If the property carries a historic landmark or structure of merit designation under the city’s preservation ordinance, we coordinate with the Planning Division early so those review requirements do not slow the schedule. While plans are in review we address comments, line up utility work, and handle any required asbestos survey and air district notification before demolition. Once permits issue, the build runs in sequence: foundation, framing, rough trades, insulation, and finishes. One project manager stays on from start through final inspection.
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Getting a new house out of the ground in Covina means working through several layers of city review before a shovel goes in. The City of Covina Building and Safety Division handles plan check and inspections, but new construction typically touches more than one counter. Planning reviews the design for zoning compliance, checking setbacks, building height, lot coverage, and total floor area. The fire department weighs in on sprinkler systems and site access, and public works covers grading, drainage, any street trenching, and a new driveway approach. If the existing structure is a designated historic landmark or a structure of merit under the city’s preservation ordinance, the Planning Division adds another layer of review that does not apply to ordinary postwar ranch housing. Most of Covina’s residential stock dates to the late 1940s and 1950s, so that distinction matters when scoping a project.
Demolition is a separate permit, and it does not issue until the gas and electric services are disconnected and the sewer lateral is capped. Before that permit can move forward, the South Coast AQMD requires an asbestos survey and advance notification for most demolitions. Once the site is clear, utilities get sized for the new house rather than carried over from the old one. Required fire sprinklers often call for a larger water meter and service line, and a house with modern electrical loads and solar may need a new utility service, which adds its own lead time to the schedule.
Soil conditions drive foundation design before any structural drawings are finalized. A geotechnical report 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 that report to size footings or specify a post-tensioned slab, then designs the shear walls, hold-downs, and beams the California seismic requirements call for. On a sloped lot, the same report feeds the retaining wall design and grading plan, and the soils engineer typically signs off on footing excavations before concrete is placed.
Energy compliance follows 2025 Title 24 standards for permits filed on or after January 1, 2026, 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 CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zone, wildland-urban interface construction standards apply: a Class A roof assembly, ember-resistant vents, ignition-resistant exterior materials, and multipane windows with tempered glass. Inspections happen at each stage, covering foundation forms and reinforcing steel, framing, rough-in trades, insulation, and the final walkthrough before the city issues a certificate of occupancy.
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 Covina
Horizon Construction & Remodeling Inc. is a licensed and bonded Class B general building contractor, in business since 2009 and active across Southern California. New construction is the most complex project a residential contractor takes on, and we encourage every homeowner to verify our credentials directly through the California Contractors State License Board before signing a contract.
We work design-build, meaning design, engineering coordination, permits, and construction all sit under one contract with a single project manager. That structure matters in Covina, where permits are issued through the City of Covina Building and Safety Division and plan check comments can move quickly when the team answering them is the same team that drew the plans. If your property carries a historic landmark or structure-of-merit designation under the city’s preservation ordinance, that review process runs alongside the standard building permit track, and we account for both from the start. California Title 24, CALGreen, and fire sprinkler requirements go into the design at the first session rather than arriving later as unexpected costs.
Covina’s postwar ranch stock was built for a different era, and a custom new build on a former grove lot can finally match the way your household actually lives. Call (714) 449-9035 to talk through what your lot can hold.
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New Construction FAQ
Should I rebuild or remodel my house in Covina?
Whether a full rebuild or a whole-home remodel makes more sense depends on the condition of the house and what the lot allows. In Covina, where much of the housing stock is a postwar ranch on former grove land, a new construction project often becomes the right call when the foundation has serious problems, when nearly every system needs replacing and most walls would move anyway, when a second story is wanted and the existing structure cannot carry one, or when zoning allows a larger or better-positioned house. If the bones are sound and the goal is mainly a new layout and updated finishes, a remodel is typically simpler to permit through the City of Covina Building and Safety Division. We walk the property with you and give a straight comparison before you commit to anything.
What permits does a new home need?
New construction in Covina typically requires a demolition permit for the existing structure, a building permit for the replacement home, and separate grading, utility, and driveway permits from public works. The City of Covina Building and Safety Division reviews plans, with planning, fire, and public works departments each signing off. Properties carrying a historic landmark or structure of merit designation face an additional layer of review through the city’s Planning Division. We prepare every submittal and manage comments and resubmittals on your behalf.
How long does it take to build a new home?
Permitting alone can take as long as the build itself. Plan check with the City of Covina Building and Safety Division commonly runs several months, and properties that carry historic landmark or structure-of-merit status under the city’s preservation ordinance add a layer of review that stretches that timeline further. Construction of a custom home typically runs close to a year, more for larger footprints or lots requiring significant site work. Weather, utility scheduling, and inspection availability all factor in, so we provide a project-specific schedule after the feasibility review.
What drives the cost of building a new home?
Building costs on new construction in Covina shift with the size and complexity of the structure, particularly when a design calls for a second story, long roof spans, or a high number of exterior corners. Foundation type is driven by soil conditions and slope, and lot-to-lot variables like demolition, grading, retaining walls, and utility upgrades can move the numbers considerably. Finish level throughout the home adds another layer of cost. City impact fees and school fees tied to new square footage vary by jurisdiction and district, and properties carrying a historic landmark or structure-of-merit designation through Covina’s Planning Division bring additional review requirements that can affect scope and schedule. Once we work through feasibility, we break the budget into these categories so you have a clear picture of where your decisions actually matter.
Do new homes in California need solar and fire sprinklers?
Yes, new single-family homes in Covina must meet California Residential Code requirements for automatic fire sprinklers, which affect both water service sizing and how ceilings are laid out. Solar PV has been mandatory on new homes since the 2019 energy standards, and permits filed from January 1, 2026 fall under the updated 2025 Title 24 rules. CALGreen layers on top of that with standards covering water use, construction waste recycling, indoor air quality, and EV charging readiness. We account for all of it before the first drawing is finished.
Can you build an ADU along with the new house?
Adding an ADU during new construction in Covina is straightforward because water, sewer, and electrical service can be sized for both units in a single scope of work, and the site plan can position each unit with its own entry and outdoor space from the start. State law permits ADUs on most single-family lots, though setbacks, height, and parking rules still apply. We can pull the ADU permit alongside the main house or run it as a separate project, and we build guest houses as well.
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Horizon is a licensed Class B general building contractor serving Covina and the surrounding Los Angeles County communities.