New Construction in Lakewood
In Lakewood, most new construction starts with a lot that already has a house sitting on it. The city went up almost overnight, with roughly 17,500 tract homes built between 1950 and 1953 at a pace of about one every seven and a half minutes, and those single-story two and three bedroom houses, many following one of just a handful of repeated floor plans, can reach a point where remodeling no longer makes sense. When a home is too small, carries a tired foundation, or cannot support a second story without rebuilding most of it anyway, a tear-down rebuild is often the cleaner path. Horizon Construction and Remodeling manages new construction in Lakewood from the initial lot review through design, engineering, permits pulled through the City of Lakewood 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 Lakewood
How We Approach New Construction in Lakewood
Starting new construction in Lakewood means working within a housing stock that is almost entirely single-story tract homes built between 1950 and 1953, and the age of those structures is often what drives the scope of a replacement build. Before any design work begins, we conduct a zoning review and order the boundary survey, topographic survey, and soils report the site requires. From there, floor plans, elevations, and a site plan are developed alongside structural engineering and Title 24 energy documents, so the full package submitted to the City of Lakewood Building and Safety Division goes in complete and ready for plan check.
While the city reviews the drawings, we respond to any comments, coordinate utility connections, and handle the asbestos survey and air district notification required before demolition of the existing structure. Once permits issue, the sequence runs foundation, framing, rough trades, insulation, and finishes, with one project manager present for every inspection through the final sign-off.
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Permits for a new house in Lakewood go through the City of Lakewood Building and Safety Division of the Community Development Department. Because no unusual local overlay applies here, what governs is the building code itself and the age of any structure on the lot. For a full new-construction project, that means multiple departments touch the application before a permit issues. Planning reviews the design against zoning requirements including setbacks, height limits, lot coverage, and floor area. Building plan check looks at structural documents and energy compliance. The fire department reviews sprinkler systems and site access, and public works handles grading, drainage, any trenching in the street, and the new driveway approach.
If an older house is coming down first, demolition requires its own separate permit. Most building departments will not issue it until the gas and electric services are disconnected and the sewer lateral is capped. The South Coast AQMD also requires an asbestos survey and advance notification before most demolitions can begin. Lakewood’s housing stock was built almost entirely between 1950 and 1953, so structures on many lots are more than seventy years old, and the asbestos survey step is rarely just a formality on a teardown here. Once the site is clear, utilities get sized for the new house rather than the original one. Required fire sprinklers often mean a larger water meter and service line, and a house with modern electrical loads and a solar system may need a new service from the utility, which adds its own lead time to the schedule.
A geotechnical report comes before foundation design. It identifies expansive clay, old fill, groundwater, and slope stability issues, and in state-mapped liquefaction or landslide zones a site-specific investigation is required. The structural engineer uses that report to size footings or design a post-tensioned slab or grade beams, then lays out the shear walls, hold-downs, and beams that California seismic requirements call for. On a sloped lot 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 the 2025 Title 24 standards for permits filed on or after January 1, 2026, and new single-family homes must include solar PV under those rules. Some measures also 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, meaning a Class A roof, ember-resistant vents, ignition-resistant exterior materials, and multipane windows with tempered glass. Throughout construction, inspections follow each phase, from foundation forms and reinforcing steel through framing, rough-ins, and insulation to the final 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 Lakewood
Horizon Construction and Remodeling is a licensed Class B general building contractor, bonded, with our license active since 2009. New construction is the most complex work a residential contractor takes on, and we encourage every homeowner to verify our credentials directly on the CSLB website before signing anything.
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 Lakewood, where permits run through the City of Lakewood Building and Safety Division of the Community Development Department. Having one team handle plan preparation and respond to plan check comments keeps the process moving. California energy compliance, fire sprinkler requirements, and CALGreen standards are worked into the design from the start rather than added later as change orders.
Because Lakewood’s housing stock dates almost entirely to the early 1950s, many lots carry decades-old infrastructure and structures built to a narrow set of original tract plans. The age of the existing construction and current building code are what govern new work here, so getting the design right before permit submittal is worth the time. Call (714) 449-9035 and we will take a look at your Lakewood lot and tell you what it can realistically hold.
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New Construction FAQ
Should I rebuild or remodel my house in Lakewood?
The right choice depends on what the property actually needs. On a street like those running through Lakewood Village or Carson Park, the houses were built fast and to a handful of repeated plans, so many of them share the same bones and the same limits. A full rebuild tends to make sense when the foundation has serious problems, when you would be replacing nearly every system and moving most walls regardless, or when zoning allows a larger footprint than the original structure occupies. If the framing and foundation are sound and the goal is mainly a new layout and updated finishes, a whole home remodel is usually the simpler path to permit through the City of Lakewood Building and Safety Division. We walk the property with you and give you a straight comparison before you commit to either direction.
What permits does a new home need?
Permitting a new build in Lakewood means pulling a demolition permit for the existing house, a building permit for the replacement structure, and typically grading, utility, and driveway permits through public works as well. Because virtually every home here went up in the early 1950s under a handful of repeated tract plans, the age of the structure and the current building code are the main factors that drive the review. The City of Lakewood Building and Safety Division of the Community Development Department handles plan review, with planning, fire, and public works each signing off in turn. We prepare all submittals and manage any comments and resubmittals on your behalf.
How long does it take to build a new home?
Building timelines vary more than most homeowners expect. Plan check with the City of Lakewood Building and Safety Division commonly runs several months, so design and permitting can take as long as construction itself. A custom home typically runs around a year to build, and that figure grows with lot complexity, site work, or square footage. Weather, utility scheduling, and inspection availability all affect the pace, so we give you a realistic schedule for your specific lot after the feasibility review.
What drives the cost of building a new home?
What drives the cost of new construction in Lakewood comes down to a handful of factors that vary from lot to lot. The size of the structure matters most, particularly if the plan calls for a second story, long structural spans, or a complex footprint. Foundation decisions depend on soil conditions, and site work ranging from demolition and grading to retaining walls and utility upgrades can shift the numbers significantly. Lakewood’s housing stock dates almost entirely to the early 1950s, so existing lots sometimes carry legacy conditions that affect what that site work involves. Finish level throughout the home and any city impact or school fees tied to new square footage add further variables. Once we work through feasibility, we break the budget into these categories so you can see exactly where your decisions land.
Do new homes in California need solar and fire sprinklers?
Yes, new single-family construction in Lakewood must meet several layers of California building 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 on new single-family homes since the 2019 energy standards, and the 2025 Title 24 standards build on that for permits filed on or after January 1, 2026. CALGreen adds rules covering water use, construction waste recycling, indoor air quality, and EV charging readiness.
Can you build an ADU along with the new house?
Yes, adding an ADU during new construction is the most practical time to do it. Sizing water, sewer, and electrical service for two units at once is far simpler than retrofitting later, and the site plan can be drawn from the start so each unit has its own entry and outdoor space. State law permits ADUs on most single-family lots, though setbacks, height limits, and parking rules still apply. We can pull the ADU permit alongside the main house permit or handle it as a separate project, and we build guest houses as well. Permits for any new construction in Lakewood go through the City of Lakewood Building and Safety Division of the Community Development Department, and because no unusual local overlay applies here, the building code and project scope are what drive the requirements.
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Horizon is a licensed Class B general building contractor serving Lakewood and the surrounding Los Angeles County communities.