New Construction in Palos Verdes Estates
Most new construction in Palos Verdes Estates starts with a lot that already carries a house on it. Because the community was master-planned in 1923 by Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. and Charles Cheney, incorporated in 1939, and built out over the decades that followed, many of those homes sit on tired foundations or simply cannot carry a second story without rebuilding most of the structure anyway. A tear-down rebuild is often the cleaner path in those situations. We handle new construction in Palos Verdes Estates from the first lot review through design, engineering, permits, 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 Palos Verdes Estates
New construction in Palos Verdes Estates starts well before a floor plan takes shape. Because the city’s Department of Building and Safety runs its own plan check process and the Palos Verdes Homes Association Art Jury holds a separate, parallel review over everything from the roofline to exterior finishes, we prepare a complete package from the beginning: zoning review, boundary and topographic survey, soils report, structural engineering, and Title 24 energy documents all go in together. The Art Jury approval is not a formality, so elevations and material selections are worked through with you early, while there is still room to adjust without delaying the permit timeline.
Once both approvals are in hand and permits issue, the sequence runs in order. Demolition is preceded by an asbestos survey and the required air district notification. Foundation, framing, rough plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and fire sprinkler lines follow, then insulation and finishes. A single project manager carries the job from groundbreaking through every city inspection to the final walkthrough.
Read More →
Building a new home in Palos Verdes Estates moves through more than one approval desk before a shovel goes in the ground. The city’s Department of Building and Safety handles plan check, but that is only part of the picture. The Palos Verdes Homes Association Art Jury, which has operated continuously since the community was master-planned in 1923, holds authority over all exterior work on any structure, including windows, doors, roofing, painting, hardscape, grading, landscaping and tree removal. That review runs on its own timeline and is entirely separate from the city process, so we factor both into the schedule from the start.
Within the city process itself, a new house typically moves through several departments in sequence. Planning reviews the design against zoning rules covering setbacks, height limits, lot coverage and floor area. Building plan check examines the structural drawings and energy documents. The fire department looks at sprinkler coverage and site access, and public works addresses grading, drainage, any street trenching and the driveway approach. If an older structure is coming down first, demolition requires its own permit, and most building departments want gas and electric service disconnected and the sewer lateral capped before that permit is issued. The South Coast AQMD also typically requires an asbestos survey and advance notification before demolition work begins.
Utilities get sized for the new house, not whatever was there before. Required fire sprinklers frequently mean a larger water meter and service line, and a house built to current electrical and solar loads may need a new utility service, which adds its own lead time to the schedule. A geotechnical report is completed before the foundation is designed. It identifies expansive clay, old fill, groundwater conditions and slope stability, and on a sloped lot it also drives the retaining wall design and grading plan. The structural engineer uses that data to size footings, design post-tensioned slabs or grade beams, and lay out shear walls and hold-downs for California seismic requirements. The soils engineer typically must approve footing excavations before concrete is placed.
Energy compliance follows Title 24 standards, and new single-family homes are required to 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, calling for a Class A roof assembly, ember-resistant vents, ignition-resistant exterior materials and multipane tempered windows. Inspections are staged throughout construction, from foundation forms and reinforcing steel through framing, rough mechanical and electrical, insulation and on 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 Palos Verdes Estates
Horizon Construction and Remodeling is a licensed Class B general building contractor, bonded, and has held an active CSLB license since 2009. New construction is the most complex residential project a contractor takes on, and in Palos Verdes Estates that complexity runs deeper than most cities. Before a single permit application reaches the City of Palos Verdes Estates Department of Building and Safety, exterior work on any new structure must first clear the Palos Verdes Homes Association Art Jury, a design review body that has been in place since 1923 and holds authority over everything from rooflines to hardscape.
We work design-build, meaning design, engineering coordination, permitting, and construction all sit under one contract managed by one project manager. That structure matters here because Art Jury review and city plan check run as separate tracks, and having the same team manage both keeps the process moving without gaps between consultants.
Requirements such as fire sprinklers, solar readiness, and CALGreen compliance are built into the design from the start rather than added later. Call (714) 449-9035 and we will assess what your lot in Palos Verdes Estates can hold.
Schedule a Consultation
New Construction FAQ
Should I rebuild or remodel my house in Palos Verdes Estates?
Whether a full rebuild or a whole-home remodel makes more sense depends on the condition of the house and what the lot allows. On the generous, established lots throughout Palos Verdes Estates, a new build tends to be the right call when the foundation has serious issues, when nearly every system needs replacing and most walls would move anyway, when a second story is wanted but the existing structure cannot carry one, or when zoning allows a larger or better-positioned house. If the structure is sound and the goal is mainly a new layout and updated finishes, a whole-home remodel is typically simpler to take through the permitting process, which in Palos Verdes Estates runs through both the City Department of Building and Safety and the Palos Verdes Homes Association Art Jury. We walk the property with you and give a straight comparison before you commit to anything.
What permits does a new home need?
Building new in Palos Verdes Estates typically requires a demolition permit for the existing house, a building permit for the new structure, and grading, utility, and driveway permits from public works. Plans go through the City of Palos Verdes Estates Department of Building and Safety, with planning, fire, and public works each signing off as well. Because this community was master-planned in 1923 and the Palos Verdes Homes Association Art Jury has reviewed exterior work ever since, that approval process runs parallel to the city permit track and must be cleared before construction starts. Coastal lots may also require a coastal development permit, and properties in a fire hazard severity zone receive additional fire-code review. We prepare the permit submittals and manage all comments and resubmittals on your behalf.
How long does it take to build a new home?
Custom home timelines in Palos Verdes Estates are longer than most homeowners expect, and that starts before a single shovel hits the ground. Plan check alone commonly runs several months, and projects that trigger planning review, hillside conditions, or fire-zone scrutiny take longer still. Because the Palos Verdes Homes Association Art Jury must review and approve exterior elements separately from the city permit process, that review adds its own timeline and has to be factored in from the beginning. Construction of the home itself often runs close to a year, more for larger footprints or significant site work on the peninsula’s sloped terrain. Weather, utility scheduling, and inspection availability all shape the final duration, so we work through a feasibility review of your specific lot before we give you a realistic schedule.
What drives the cost of building a new home?
New construction costs in Palos Verdes Estates depend on several overlapping factors, and no two lots price out the same way. Size and structural complexity drive the base figure first, particularly second stories, long spans, and irregular footprints. Foundation design follows soil conditions and slope, both of which vary considerably across the peninsula. Site work including demolition, grading, retaining walls, and utility upgrades can shift the budget significantly before a single wall goes up. Fire-zone requirements, finish level, city impact fees, and school fees on new square footage add further layers. Because Palos Verdes Estates sits within a master-planned community dating to 1923, exterior work also requires Art Jury approval through the Palos Verdes Homes Association before the city building permit process even begins, which is worth factoring into your schedule and pre-construction costs. Once we complete a feasibility review of your lot and program, we break the budget into these categories so you can see clearly where your decisions have the most impact.
Do new homes in California need solar and fire sprinklers?
Yes, California requires automatic fire sprinklers in new one- and two-family homes, which affects water service sizing and how ceilings are laid out. Solar PV has been mandatory for new single-family homes since the 2019 energy standards, and the 2025 Title 24 requirements build on that for permits filed from January 1, 2026. CALGreen adds rules covering water use, construction waste recycling, indoor air quality, and EV charging readiness. Because permits in Palos Verdes Estates also require Art Jury approval before the city process begins, we account for all of it from the first design session.
Can you build an ADU along with the new house?
Yes, and new construction is the ideal time to plan for an ADU. Because water, sewer, and electrical service can be sized for both units during the same build, there is no need to retrofit later. Each unit can have its own entry and private outdoor space from the start. State law permits ADUs on most single-family lots, though setbacks, height, and parking requirements still apply, and in Palos Verdes Estates that means clearing both the City Department of Building and Safety and the Palos Verdes Homes Association Art Jury before work begins. We can permit the ADU alongside the main house or handle it as a separate project, and we also build guest houses.
Explore More in Palos Verdes Estates
Horizon is a licensed Class B general building contractor serving Palos Verdes Estates and the surrounding Los Angeles County communities.