New Construction in Irvine
In Irvine, most new construction projects begin with a lot that already holds an existing house. The city grew under the William Pereira and Irvine Company master plan starting in the late 1960s, incorporating in 1971 and still adding villages today, which means the typical property is a stucco tract home or attached condominium on a slab. Remodeling that structure works well in many cases, but when the footprint is too tight, the foundation is worn, or adding a story would require rebuilding most of the house anyway, a tear-down rebuild is often the cleaner path. We manage new construction in Irvine from the initial lot review through design, engineering, permits pulled through the City of Irvine 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 Irvine
New construction in Irvine starts well before any framing goes up. Because Irvine’s villages were laid out under a master plan beginning in the late 1960s, and because homeowners associations govern most of them with architectural review boards, we treat early approvals as part of the project scope. A zoning review, boundary and topographic survey, and soils report tell us what the lot can carry and what the foundation will require on a slab-built site. Structural engineering and Title 24 energy documents are prepared alongside the drawings so the complete plan set goes into the City of Irvine Building and Safety Division ready for review, not piecemeal.
While plans are in review we respond to comments, coordinate utility work, and handle the asbestos survey and air district notification required before demolition. Once permits issue, the sequence runs foundation, framing, rough plumbing, electrical, mechanical and fire sprinkler lines, insulation, and then exterior and interior finishes. One project manager oversees the work from groundbreaking through every scheduled inspection to the final sign-off.
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Permits for new construction in Irvine run through the City of Irvine Building and Safety Division, and the review process typically touches more than one desk. Planning checks the design against zoning standards such as setbacks, height limits, lot coverage and floor area. Building plan check reviews the structural drawings and energy documents. The fire department looks at sprinkler systems and site access, and public works covers grading, drainage, any trenching in the street and the new driveway approach. Demolition requires its own separate permit, and 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 before most demolitions proceed.
Because nearly every Irvine village operates under a homeowners association with architectural review, new construction typically clears an HOA submittal before or alongside the city process. Villages established from the 1980s onward frequently carry Mello-Roos assessments, so it is worth confirming the full picture of fees and obligations on a given parcel early in planning. Utilities have to be sized for the new house rather than the structure being replaced. 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 altogether, which carries its own lead time separate from the building permit.
A geotechnical report comes before foundation design. It identifies expansive clay, old fill, groundwater and slope stability issues. In state-mapped liquefaction or landslide zones a site-specific investigation is required. The structural engineer uses those findings to size footings or specify a post-tensioned slab or grade beams, then designs the shear walls, hold-downs and beams that California seismic requirements demand. On sloped lots the same report drives retaining wall design and the 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. Where a 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 are staged through the entire build, from foundation forms and reinforcing steel through framing, rough-in work and insulation 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 Irvine
Horizon Construction and Remodeling has been building in Southern California since 2009 as a licensed and bonded Class B general building contractor. New construction is the most involved work a residential contractor takes on, and we run it as a single coordinated effort. Design, engineering, permitting and construction all sit under one contract with one project manager, so the people who drew the plans are the same people responding to plan check comments from the City of Irvine Building and Safety Division.
Irvine homes have been built in planned villages since the late 1960s, and construction standards here reflect that history. Most villages carry homeowners association architectural review requirements, which means drawings need to satisfy both the city building department and the HOA before a shovel goes in the ground. We account for those parallel approval tracks from the first design meeting rather than treating them as obstacles that appear later.
California energy, fire sprinkler and CALGreen requirements are worked into the design at the start, not added as change orders once permits are underway. You can verify our license and bond on the CSLB website before committing to anything. Call (714) 449-9035 to talk through what your Irvine lot can support.
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New Construction FAQ
Should I rebuild or remodel my house in Irvine?
The right answer depends on your lot and what the existing structure can actually support. A rebuild tends to make 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 current framing cannot carry, or when zoning allows a larger or better-positioned house. In a city where many villages date to the 1970s and 1980s and architectural review through the homeowners association shapes what changes are visible from the street, understanding those constraints early matters. If the structure is sound and the goal is mainly a new layout and updated finishes, a whole home remodel is usually simpler to permit through the City of Irvine 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?
Permitting a new construction project in Irvine typically means pulling a demolition permit for the existing structure, a building permit for the new one, and separate grading, utility, and driveway permits through public works. All plan sets go to the City of Irvine Building and Safety Division, and planning, fire, and public works departments generally sign off as well. Properties in a fire hazard severity zone receive additional fire-code review. We prepare every submittal and manage comments and resubmittals on your behalf.
How long does it take to build a new home?
New construction timelines in Irvine vary widely depending on your lot and the scope of work, so we give you a projected schedule after the feasibility review rather than quoting a generic number. Design and permitting can take as long as the build itself, with plan check commonly running several months, and longer when planning review or other entitlements are involved. Permits are issued through the City of Irvine Building and Safety Division, and villages with architectural review boards add another approval layer. Construction of a custom home often runs around a year, more for larger homes or lots requiring significant site work. Weather, utility company scheduling, and inspection availability all affect the final timeline.
What drives the cost of building a new home?
Budget for new construction in Irvine depends on several overlapping variables, and the biggest drivers are size, complexity, second stories, long spans, and corner count. Foundation work ties directly to soil conditions and the flat slab-on-grade lots typical across villages like Woodbridge, Turtle Rock, and Westpark, though site costs still vary from lot to lot based on grading, demolition, retaining walls, and utility upgrades needed. Finish level throughout the home shifts the number significantly as well. City of Irvine impact fees and applicable school district fees on new square footage add another layer, and HOA architectural review can influence scope before permits are even submitted. 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 Irvine 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 mandatory on new single-family homes since the 2019 energy standards, and permits filed from January 1, 2026 must comply with the updated 2025 Title 24 requirements. CALGreen layers on top of that with standards covering water use, construction waste recycling, indoor air quality, and EV charging readiness. Because Irvine villages from the 1980s onward often carry HOA architectural review requirements alongside city permits through the Building and Safety Division, we coordinate all of it together rather than treating each piece separately.
Can you build an ADU along with the new house?
Yes, and starting new construction is the most practical time to add an ADU or guest house to the project. Sizing water, sewer, and electrical service for both units at once is far simpler than retrofitting later, and the site plan can give each unit a separate entry and outdoor space from the start. State law allows ADUs on most single-family lots, though setbacks, height, and parking rules still apply and will be reviewed by the City of Irvine Building and Safety Division. We can permit the ADU alongside the main structure or carry it as its own permit package.
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Horizon is a licensed Class B general building contractor serving Irvine and the surrounding Orange County communities.