New Construction in Desert Hot Springs
Most new construction in Desert Hot Springs begins with a lot that already carries an existing house. Because most homes here were built from the 1970s through the 1990s, the typical property is a single-story stucco house on a concrete slab with a compact two or three bedroom layout and a small galley or L-shaped kitchen closed off from the living room. Those houses can be worth remodeling, but when the footprint is too tight, the foundation is tired, or adding a second story would require rebuilding most of the structure anyway, a tear-down rebuild is often the cleaner path. Desert Hot Springs sits in a special wind region under Riverside County design load criteria, so engineering for a new structure here accounts for higher design wind speeds than most of the county requires, a detail that shapes the structural drawings from the start. Horizon Construction and Remodeling manages new construction in Desert Hot Springs from the initial lot review through design, engineering, permits with the City of Desert Hot Springs Building and Safety 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 Desert Hot Springs
New construction in Desert Hot Springs starts with understanding the ground beneath your lot before a single line gets drawn. Desert Hot Springs sits in a special wind region under Riverside County design load criteria, which means structural engineering has to account for higher design wind speeds than most of the county requires. A zoning review, boundary and topographic survey, and soils report tell us what the foundation will need and what the site can support. From there we work through the site plan, floor plans, and elevations with you, and prepare structural engineering and Title 24 energy documents alongside the drawings so the plan set goes into the City of Desert Hot Springs Building and Safety Division complete.
While plans are in review we answer comments, line up utility coordination, and handle the air district notification that precedes any demolition. Once permits issue, the build runs in sequence: foundation, framing, rough plumbing, electrical, mechanical, insulation, then exterior and interior finishes. One project manager runs the job from start to finish and is present for every inspection through final.
Read More →
Building a new home in Desert Hot Springs means working through a layered review process before a shovel goes in the ground. Permits run through the City of Desert Hot Springs Building and Safety Division, and on a new house that typically means more than one desk. Planning reviews setbacks, height limits, lot coverage and floor area against local zoning. Building plan check goes through the structural and energy documents, the fire department looks at sprinkler systems and site access, and public works covers grading, drainage, any street trenching and a new driveway approach. If an older structure is coming down first, demolition needs its own permit, and most building departments require the gas and electric service to be disconnected and the sewer lateral capped before that permit is issued. The South Coast AQMD also requires an asbestos survey and advance notification before most demolitions proceed.
One detail specific to this part of the desert that shapes structural design from the start: Riverside County design load criteria place Desert Hot Springs in a special wind region, where a higher design wind speed applies than in most of the county. That fact works directly into the engineering. A geotechnical report comes before foundation design and identifies expansive clay, old fill, groundwater and slope stability issues. Where state mapping flags liquefaction or landslide hazard, a site-specific investigation is required. The structural engineer uses the geotech findings to size footings, detail a post-tensioned slab or grade beams, and then lay out shear walls, hold-downs and beams sized for California seismic requirements. On sloped ground the same report drives retaining wall design and the grading plan, and the soils engineer typically has to approve the footing excavations before any concrete is placed.
Utilities get sized for the new house, not whatever stood there before. Required fire sprinklers often call for a larger water meter and service line. A bigger home carrying solar and current electrical loads may need a new service from the utility, and that connection carries its own lead time that needs to be built into the schedule early.
Energy compliance follows Title 24 standards current at the time permits are filed, 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 assembly, ember-resistant vents, ignition-resistant exterior materials and multipane windows with tempered glass. Inspections run from foundation forms and reinforcing steel through framing, rough-ins and insulation all the way to 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 Desert Hot Springs
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. New construction is the most complex job a residential contractor takes on, and we treat it that way from the first conversation about your lot in Desert Hot Springs.
We work design-build, meaning design, engineering coordination, permits, and construction all sit under one contract with a single project manager. The City of Desert Hot Springs Building and Safety Division handles plan check and inspections here, and because our team draws the plans and builds the project, we respond to plan check comments without losing time to miscommunication between separate firms. Desert Hot Springs also falls within a special wind region under Riverside County design load criteria, where a higher design wind speed applies than in most surrounding communities, so structural engineering and framing details account for that load from the earliest drawings rather than surfacing later as change orders.
California energy, CALGreen, and fire sprinkler requirements enter the design at the sketch phase for the same reason. Call (714) 449-9035 and we will look at your lot and tell you what it can hold.
Schedule a Consultation
New Construction FAQ
Should I rebuild or remodel my house in Desert Hot Springs?
Whether a rebuild or a whole home remodel makes more sense depends on the condition of the house and what the lot allows. In Desert Hot Springs, where most of the housing stock consists of single story stucco construction on concrete slabs built between the 1970s and the 1990s, a rebuild tends to become the stronger choice when the foundation has serious problems, when nearly every system needs replacing and most walls would move anyway, when you want a second story the existing structure cannot carry, or when zoning permits a larger or better sited house. If the structure is sound and you mainly want a new layout and updated finishes, a whole home remodel is usually simpler to permit through the City of Desert Hot Springs Building and Safety Division. We walk the property with you and give you a straight comparison before you commit to either path.
What permits does a new home need?
Building a new home in Desert Hot Springs means navigating several permits before construction begins. The City of Desert Hot Springs Building and Safety Division reviews your plans, with planning, fire, and public works departments each signing off as part of the process. A demolition permit covers the existing structure, a building permit covers the new one, and grading, utility, and driveway permits typically come through public works as well. Because Desert Hot Springs falls within a special wind region under Riverside County design load criteria, structural plans must account for higher design wind speeds than most surrounding communities require. We prepare all submittals and manage any comments or resubmittals on your behalf.
How long does it take to build a new home?
Design and permitting can take as long as construction itself. Plan check with the City of Desert Hot Springs Building and Safety Division commonly runs several months, and the timeline stretches further when planning review or special conditions are involved. Building a custom home often runs around a year, with larger footprints, challenging lots, or significant site work adding more time. Desert Hot Springs lies in a special wind region under Riverside County design load criteria, so structural engineering can add review time you would not see in other parts of the county. Weather, utility scheduling, and inspection availability all play a role, which is why we give you a project schedule specific to your lot after the feasibility review.
What drives the cost of building a new home?
Budget for new construction in Desert Hot Springs depends on several overlapping factors, and the biggest driver is size and complexity. Second stories, long spans, and lots of corners all add cost over a straightforward single-story slab build like most of the existing housing stock here. Foundation work depends on soil conditions and how much slope your lot carries, and site costs for demolition, grading, retaining walls, and utility upgrades can differ widely from one parcel to the next. Because Desert Hot Springs falls within a special wind region under Riverside County design load criteria, structural elements must meet a higher design wind speed than most of the county requires, which affects framing and engineering costs. The finish level you choose throughout the home adds another layer, and city impact fees along with school fees on new square footage vary by jurisdiction and district. Once we complete a feasibility review, we break the budget into these categories so you can see exactly where your decisions will have the most effect.
Do new homes in California need solar and fire sprinklers?
Yes, new single-family homes in Desert Hot Springs must meet several layers of state code that we build into the design from day one. The California Residential Code requires automatic fire sprinklers in new one- and two-family homes, which affects both water service sizing and how ceilings are laid out. Solar PV has been required on new single-family homes since the 2019 energy standards, and the 2025 Title 24 rules add further requirements for permits filed on or after January 1, 2026. CALGreen layers on top of that with standards covering water use, construction waste recycling, indoor air quality, and EV charging readiness. Permits for all of this run through the City of Desert Hot Springs Building and Safety Division.
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. Sizing water, sewer, and electrical service for both units at once is far simpler than retrofitting an existing home, and the site plan can be drawn from the start to 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, and all permits run through the City of Desert Hot Springs Building and Safety Division. We can pull the ADU permit together with the main house or handle it as its own separate project.
Explore More in Desert Hot Springs
Horizon is a licensed Class B general building contractor serving Desert Hot Springs and the surrounding Riverside County communities.