Whole Home Remodeling in Cerritos
Homeowners who ask us about whole home remodeling in Cerritos almost always say the same thing: they like the neighborhood, but the house itself no longer works for them. That makes sense given how the city was built. After a 1963 special election converted the former dairy land to residential use, the population went from roughly 16,000 to 38,000 in just two years, producing block after block of single-story and split-level tract homes from the late 1960s and early 1970s, many with galley or U-shaped kitchens closed off from the family room by a load-bearing wall. A whole home remodel addresses that layout as one coordinated project, moving walls to open the floor plan, updating plumbing and electrical through licensed subcontractors, and pulling a single permit through the City of Cerritos Building and Safety Services Division to cover all of it. That is a fundamentally different undertaking than replacing one kitchen or one bathroom, and we approach the planning accordingly from the first walk-through.
Services We Offer
Structural & Seismic Work
Roof, Windows & Envelope
Additions & ADUs
Our Whole Home Remodeling Process in Cerritos
Whole home remodeling in Cerritos typically begins before a single wall comes down, with a full walk-through of the entire house rather than just the rooms on your wish list. Most homes here were built in a single early-1970s tract push, which means the construction vintage is consistent block to block, and so are the issues we find: original electrical panels that were undersized from the start, galley kitchens closed off from the family room by a load-bearing wall, and textured ceilings that may contain asbestos. We look at the attic, the slab or crawl space, and the supply lines, and where something is uncertain we investigate before drawing anything. Sewer cameras, asbestos testing, and a structural review of any framing touched in past decades all happen in this phase.
From there we draw both the existing layout and the proposed one, so revisions happen on paper while they are still inexpensive. Structural engineering and Title 24 energy documents go into a single plan set submitted to the City of Cerritos Building and Safety Services Division as one permit. Finishes for every room are selected before demolition begins. Construction then follows a fixed sequence: demolition, structural work, rough plumbing, electrical, and HVAC, followed by inspections, insulation, drywall, and finish work. Because everything runs under one plan, the plumber reroutes lines once and flooring continues through without interruption. A single project manager carries the job through final inspection.
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A whole home remodel in Cerritos almost always requires a full building permit with plan check, because the work touches structure, plumbing, electrical and mechanical systems at the same time. Permits are issued through the City of Cerritos Building and Safety Services Division, and we prepare the compliance documents and coordinate the review process from the start. One thing worth knowing about this city specifically: because Cerritos was converted from dairy land into large tract subdivisions in a single early-1970s push, entire blocks share the same floor plan and the same construction vintage. That means your neighbors are often dealing with identical conditions, and we check your scope against what the city has seen on similar projects before a single wall comes down, since it can affect exterior materials, setbacks and the review path.
The age of the housing stock drives most of what we find once work begins. Homes built before 1978 may have lead-based paint, and any contractor who disturbs it must follow the EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting rule. Popcorn ceilings, certain older flooring and duct wrap from that era can contain asbestos, so suspect materials are tested before work proceeds and any removal is handled by a licensed abatement contractor. Galvanized supply lines and undersized electrical panels are common in houses of that construction period, and a whole home remodel is the right time to address them while the walls are already open. Those upgrades are coordinated through appropriately licensed subcontractors we bring onto the project.
Two state requirements come up on nearly every whole house job in California. Civil Code 1101.4 requires older high-flow toilets, showerheads and faucets to be replaced with water-conserving fixtures on many permitted remodels of homes built before 1994, so we build that into the fixture schedule rather than discovering it at final inspection. Title 24 energy standards apply to remodels as well as new construction, covering windows, insulation, lighting and HVAC changes. We prepare the compliance documentation with the plans so nothing holds up the permit.
Structure is the other variable that shapes the budget and schedule. Many Cerritos homes were built with the kitchen enclosed by a wall separating it from the family room, and opening that layout typically means an engineered beam, posts and sometimes new footings. Raised-floor homes may also benefit from foundation bolting and cripple-wall bracing while the work area is accessible. Unpermitted additions, enclosed patios and garage conversions from past decades are common in houses of this era, and they need to be legalized, upgraded or rebuilt before the city will sign off on the rest of the project. If more living space is also on the list, state law allows an ADU on most single-family lots, and it can be planned alongside the remodel.
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 Whole Home Remodeling in Cerritos
Horizon Construction and Remodeling is a licensed Class B general building contractor, bonded, and has been actively working across Southern California since 2009. A whole-home remodel is exactly the kind of project a Class B license is built for: multiple trades, structural coordination, and the permitting process handled under one roof. For Cerritos homeowners, that permitting runs through the City of Cerritos Building and Safety Services Division, and we manage that submission and inspection schedule as part of the job.
Because Cerritos developed almost entirely in a single early-1970s push, the tract homes throughout the city share a construction vintage and many share the same floor plan. That consistency means we have a clear picture of what tends to hide behind the walls of a late-1960s or early-1970s single-story home before work begins. We are straightforward about what an older house typically needs once walls open up, and which items can reasonably wait without creating bigger costs down the road.
Design, engineering coordination, permits, and construction all sit under one contract with one project manager on our end. The people planning your layout are in direct contact with the crew building it. Finishes for every room are selected together, keeping the kitchen, bathrooms, and flooring consistent from one end of the house to the other.
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Whole Home Remodeling FAQ
How is a whole home remodel different from a regular home remodel?
A whole home remodel treats the house as one connected system rather than a collection of separate projects. Several rooms are redone at once, walls are moved or removed to reshape the floor plan, and plumbing, electrical, and HVAC are updated throughout the home in a single coordinated effort. In Cerritos, where nearly every neighborhood was built in one push during the early 1970s, that original tract layout and aging infrastructure often make this approach practical for an entire block at once. Everything is drawn, permitted through the City of Cerritos Building and Safety Services Division, and sequenced together, so the trades come through once instead of reopening finished work on a later project.
What's the difference between a whole home remodel and a complete home renovation?
A remodel and a renovation are related but not the same thing. Remodeling changes layouts and finishes; renovation restores what the house is built on, covering structure, windows, plumbing, wiring, and heating and cooling. Most whole home remodeling projects in Cerritos end up being both, partly because the tract homes built during the city’s rapid early-1970s growth push are now at an age where systems and surfaces need attention at the same time. We scope everything together, addressing whatever protects the house first, then the systems buried inside walls, then the finishes you see every day.
Do we have to move out during a whole home remodel?
The honest answer is that it depends on scope. Whole home remodeling in Cerritos often means gutting the kitchen and every bathroom at once, or pulling floors and drywall throughout a house built in a single early-1970s tract push, and most families move out for at least the heaviest phases of that kind of work. If the project can be staged, with one bathroom kept functional and a temporary kitchen set up elsewhere, staying home is possible for some people. Phasing adds time to the schedule, so we walk through that trade-off once the plan is finalized.
How long does a whole home remodel take?
How long a whole home remodel in Cerritos takes depends on the scope of work, how long plan check runs, and how quickly you finalize your selections. Design and permitting can easily match the construction phase in total time, and plan check through the City of Cerritos Building and Safety Services Division alone may take several weeks or more. Full-house construction typically runs several months, and structural work, additions, or surprises behind the walls of these late-1960s and early-1970s tract homes stretch that further. We build a schedule specific to your house into the proposal, and getting drawings started early is the single biggest factor in shortening your move-back-in date.
Who handles the permit for a whole home remodel in Cerritos?
Yes, we handle the full permit process with the City of Cerritos Building and Safety Services Division. We prepare the plan set, including structural engineering and Title 24 energy documents, submit everything, and work through plan-check comments until the permit is issued. Because most homes here share the same construction vintage from the early-1970s tract build-out, the inspection sequence is familiar territory for us. We schedule and attend framing, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and insulation inspections, then close the permit at final. If an HOA approval also applies, we build that into the schedule.
What drives the cost of a whole home remodel?
Two houses of the same size can land far apart in cost, which is why we do not publish price ranges. The biggest drivers are structural changes like removing a load-bearing wall, relocating a kitchen or bathroom on a slab foundation, how much repiping, rewiring, and panel work the house needs, any lead or asbestos handling, added square footage, and the finish level you choose. Because nearly every home in Cerritos came out of the same early-1970s tract push, neighbors on the same block often face the same combination of those factors at once. Your proposal breaks all of it out line by line, separating must-do items from choices.
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Horizon is a licensed Class B general building contractor serving Cerritos and the surrounding Los Angeles County communities.