New Construction in Redlands
A lot in Redlands that already carries a house is often the starting point for new construction, and the city’s building history shapes what we find there. Development has arrived in distinct waves since incorporation in 1888, leaving a core of Victorian and Craftsman homes from the citrus era alongside postwar ranch tracts built around them. Many of those earlier homes have small, closed-off kitchens separated from the dining room by load-bearing walls. Some are worth remodeling, but when a structure sits on a tired foundation or cannot support a second story without being largely rebuilt anyway, starting fresh is often the more practical choice. Horizon Construction and Remodeling manages new construction in Redlands from the initial lot review through design, engineering, permits with the City of Redlands 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 Redlands
How We Approach New Construction in Redlands
New construction in Redlands starts well before a floor plan is drawn. We open with a zoning review, a boundary and topographic survey, and a soils report so we know exactly what the lot will support and what the foundation must do. If demolition is involved, an asbestos survey and air district notification are handled before any structure comes down. Structural engineering and Title 24 energy documents are prepared alongside the drawings and submitted as a complete package to the City of Redlands Building and Safety Division, which reduces back-and-forth during plan check.
Once permits issue, the build runs in sequence: foundation, framing, rough plumbing, electrical, mechanical, fire sprinkler lines, insulation, and then exterior and interior finishes. Because Redlands has locally designated historic districts where exterior alterations can trigger a Certificate of Appropriateness review, we account for those requirements early in design. One project manager oversees the entire job and attends every inspection through final sign-off.
Read More →
Pulling a permit for new construction in Redlands means working through several city departments at once, and the sequence matters. The City of Redlands Building and Safety Division handles structural and energy plan check, but the application touches planning as well, where staff reviews setbacks, height limits, lot coverage, and floor area ratio against current zoning. The fire department weighs in on sprinkler systems and site access, and public works covers grading, drainage, any trenching that touches the street, and the new driveway approach. If an existing structure has to come down first, that requires a separate demolition permit, and 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.
Redlands has eight locally designated historic districts, and that shapes how some projects start even when the work is new construction on a cleared lot. If the site sits within or adjacent to one of those districts, exterior design gets reviewed against the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards, and a Certificate of Appropriateness has to be approved before building plan check moves forward. That is worth understanding early, because design changes requested at that stage can affect structural documents, energy calculations, and material selections that are already in progress. Getting planning and historic review aligned with the construction documents from the beginning saves time later.
Utility sizing follows the new house, not whatever stood there before. Fire sprinklers often require a larger water meter and a bigger service line. A house with modern electrical loads, solar PV, and an EV circuit may need a new utility service, and the lead time on that work sits outside anyone’s control. A geotechnical report comes before foundation design. It identifies expansive soil, old fill, groundwater depth, and slope conditions. In state-mapped liquefaction or landslide zones a site-specific investigation is required. The structural engineer uses those findings to size footings, design a post-tensioned slab or grade beams where conditions call for it, and lay out the shear walls, hold-downs, and beams that California’s seismic requirements demand.
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. Some measures require field verification by a third-party HERS rater. Lots in a CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zone add another layer: the structure must meet wildland-urban interface standards, meaning a Class A roof assembly, ember-resistant vents, ignition-resistant exterior cladding, and multipane windows with tempered glass. Inspections run through every stage, from foundation forms and reinforcing steel through framing, rough mechanical and electrical, insulation, and the final walkthrough before a certificate of occupancy is issued.
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 Redlands
Horizon Construction and Remodeling has held an active Class B general building contractor license since 2009, and we are licensed and bonded. New construction is the most complex project a residential contractor takes on, and we encourage every homeowner to verify our license and bond through the CSLB before signing a contract.
We work design-build, meaning design, engineering coordination, permit submittal, and construction all sit under a single contract with one project manager. In Redlands, permits go through the City of Redlands Building and Safety Division, and because that process includes plan check reviews, having the same team handle both the drawings and the responses keeps things moving. CALGreen requirements, fire sprinkler systems, and Title 24 energy compliance are worked into the design from the beginning so they do not arrive as surprises mid-build.
Redlands has eight locally designated historic districts where exterior alterations require a Certificate of Appropriateness reviewed against the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards. If your lot falls within one of those districts, that review process shapes what the design can propose from day one, and we account for that early. Call (714) 449-9035 to discuss what your Redlands lot can support.
Schedule a Consultation
New Construction FAQ
Should I rebuild or remodel my house in Redlands?
Whether a rebuild or a whole home remodel makes more sense depends on the condition of the house and what the lot allows. A rebuild tends to be 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 allows a larger or better-positioned house. In Redlands, where many homes date to the citrus-boom era and carry load-bearing walls between the kitchen and dining room, those structural realities often push the decision one way or the other. If the bones are sound and the goal is mainly a new layout and fresh finishes, a whole home remodel is usually simpler to permit through the City of Redlands 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?
Permits for new construction in Redlands run through the City of Redlands Building and Safety Division, which coordinates reviews with planning, fire, and public works before anything is approved. A demolition permit covers the existing structure, and the new build typically requires separate permits for grading, utilities, and driveway work in addition to the main building permit. Lots that fall within a fire hazard severity zone receive additional fire-code review. We prepare the submittal package and manage every round of comments and resubmittals on your behalf.
How long does it take to build a new home?
Custom home timelines in Redlands vary widely depending on your lot and the scope of work involved. Design and plan check commonly run several months before a shovel goes in the ground, and the City of Redlands Building and Safety Division may add time if your project triggers additional reviews. Construction itself often runs around a year, longer for larger homes, sloped lots, or significant site work. Weather, utility scheduling, and inspection availability all affect the pace, so we work through a feasibility review before committing to any schedule.
What drives the cost of building a new home?
Budget on a new construction project in Redlands breaks down across several distinct categories, and size and complexity drive the first set of numbers, particularly second stories, long spans, and buildings with many corners. Foundation type is determined by soil conditions and the slope of the lot, and site work including demolition, grading, retaining walls, and utility upgrades can differ considerably from one parcel to the next. Finish level throughout the home adds another variable. City impact fees and school fees on new square footage depend on the applicable city and district. After a feasibility review we organize the budget into these categories so you can see exactly where your decisions carry weight.
Do new homes in California need solar and fire sprinklers?
Yes, new single-family homes in Redlands are subject to California Residential Code requirements for automatic fire sprinklers, which affect both water service sizing and ceiling layout. Solar PV has been required under the 2019 energy standards, and the 2025 Title 24 update adds further requirements for permits filed from January 1, 2026. CALGreen also covers water use, construction waste recycling, indoor air quality, and EV charging readiness. We design to all of these requirements from the beginning of your project.
Can you build an ADU along with the new house?
Yes, adding an ADU during new construction is the straightforward way to do it. Sizing the water, sewer, and electrical service for both units at the same time costs less than returning later, 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 in Redlands, though setbacks, height limits, and parking requirements still apply. We can pull the ADU permit alongside the main house or as a separate project, and we build guest houses as well.
Explore More in Redlands
Horizon is a licensed Class B general building contractor serving Redlands and the surrounding San Bernardino County communities.