Whole Home Remodeling in Lakewood
Homeowners who ask us about whole home remodeling in Lakewood almost always say the same thing: they like the neighborhood, not the layout. That makes sense given the history. Nearly all of Lakewood’s housing went up between 1950 and 1953, with 17,500 tract houses built on a handful of repeated floor plans, many of them single-story two and three bedroom homes with a small kitchen tucked at the back. Decades later, those original layouts feel cramped. A whole home remodel addresses that by treating the house as one project: walls come down to open the floor plan, plumbing and electrical are brought current, and multiple rooms are rebuilt under a single permit rather than tackled one at a time. We approach that kind of work differently than a standalone kitchen or bathroom job, and the planning starts at the very first walk-through.
Services We Offer
Structural & Seismic Work
Roof, Windows & Envelope
Additions & ADUs
Our Whole Home Remodeling Process in Lakewood
Whole home remodeling in Lakewood almost always starts with a reality check on what the house actually is, not just what you want it to become. The vast majority of homes here were built between 1950 and 1953 to a handful of repeated plans, which means decades of ad hoc updates, owner modifications, and aging systems that need to be understood before a single wall moves. We walk every inch of the house, checking the attic, the slab, the electrical panel, and the supply lines. Where something is uncertain, we investigate first, running a sewer camera, testing textured ceilings for asbestos, or reviewing any framing that looks like it was altered in a past project. Findings go into the existing drawing before we lay out the new one, so you can revise the plan on paper where changes cost nothing.
From that drawing we produce a complete plan set that includes structural engineering and Title 24 energy documents, then submit it to the City of Lakewood Building and Safety Division for a single permit. Cabinets, tile, flooring, and fixtures for every room are selected at the Horizon Design Center in Fullerton before demolition begins. Construction follows a fixed sequence: demolition, structural work, rough plumbing, electrical and HVAC, inspections, insulation, drywall, and finishes. One project manager carries the job through final inspection.
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Lakewood’s housing stock is one of the most uniform in Southern California. Nearly every house in the city went up between 1950 and 1953, built to one of a small number of repeated floor plans, and almost all of them are single-story two or three bedroom homes with a compact kitchen tucked at the back. That consistency is useful because we know what to expect behind the walls before we ever pull a permit. It also means the houses are the same age, and age is what drives most of the planning decisions on a whole home remodel in Lakewood.
Permits for this work go through the City of Lakewood Building and Safety Division of the Community Development Department. No unusual local overlay applies here, so the governing factors are the California building code and the condition of the house itself. A project that touches structure, plumbing, electrical and mechanical work at the same time will require a full building permit with plan check, and we review your scope against those requirements at the outset. That review can affect exterior material choices, setbacks and the review path, and it is far better to sort those details out before demolition starts than to discover them midway through.
The age of these homes brings predictable conditions. Houses built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint, and any contractor who disturbs it must follow the EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting rule. Popcorn ceilings, certain older flooring materials and duct wrap can contain asbestos, so suspect materials get tested first and removal goes to a licensed abatement contractor. Galvanized supply lines and undersized electrical panels are standard findings in homes of this era, and a whole home remodel is the practical moment to address them while the walls are already open. California Civil Code 1101.4 requires water-conserving fixtures to replace older high-flow toilets, showerheads and faucets on many permitted remodels of homes built before 1994, so those go into the fixture schedule from the start. California’s Title 24 energy code applies to remodels as well as new construction, and new windows, insulation, lighting and mechanical changes all have to meet compliance standards we prepare with the plans.
Structural work is the other major variable. Opening the wall between a small original kitchen and the living area, which is one of the most common requests we hear from homeowners in Carson Park and Lakewood Village, means an engineered beam, new posts and sometimes footing work below. Raised-floor houses may benefit from foundation bolting and cripple-wall bracing while the work area is exposed. Unpermitted additions, enclosed patios and garage conversions are also common finds in houses that have changed hands several times, and those have to be legalized, brought up to code or rebuilt before the city will sign off on the rest of the project. If additional square footage is a goal, state law allows an accessory dwelling unit on most single-family lots, and planning it alongside the remodel is usually the most efficient path.
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 Lakewood
Horizon Construction and Remodeling is a licensed Class B general building contractor, bonded, and has been operating since 2009. A Class B license covers exactly the kind of work a whole home remodel requires: multiple trades, structural changes, and coordinated permitting under a single contract. For a Lakewood home, that permitting runs through the City of Lakewood Building and Safety Division of the Community Development Department, and we handle that process from submittal through final inspection so you are not tracking it yourself.
Because Lakewood’s housing stock was built almost entirely between 1950 and 1953 to a small set of repeated floor plans, we know what tends to be behind the walls before we open them. Aging wiring, original plumbing, and undersized structural members are common findings in these houses, and we are straightforward about what needs to be addressed versus what can wait without costing more later. The building code and the age of the structure are what govern here, and we plan accordingly rather than treating surprises as surprises.
Our approach puts drawings, engineering coordination, permits, and construction under one contract with one project manager. The people planning your layout are talking directly to the crew building it. We are also honest about the practical side: whether staying in the house during construction is realistic for your specific scope, and which decisions need to be made early to keep the project on track.
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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 series of separate projects. Multiple rooms are updated at the same time, walls are moved or removed to reshape the floor plan, and plumbing, electrical, and HVAC are brought up to current standards throughout. Because Lakewood’s tract homes were built to a handful of repeated plans between 1950 and 1953, reworking the layout is often straightforward once the structure is opened up. Everything is drawn, permitted, and sequenced together, so each trade comes through once instead of tearing into finished work on the next job.
What's the difference between a whole home remodel and a complete home renovation?
A remodel changes layouts and finishes, while a renovation restores what holds the house together: structure, windows, plumbing, wiring, and mechanical systems. Most whole home remodeling projects in Lakewood are some of both, and that matters here because the vast majority of homes were built in a concentrated burst between 1950 and 1953, meaning aging systems and original floor plans often need attention at the same time. We scope everything together, addressing what protects the house first, then systems that are hard to reach once walls close, then the finishes you live with every day.
Do we have to move out during a whole home remodel?
Whether you stay or move out during a whole home remodel in Lakewood depends on how much work is happening at once. When every bathroom and the kitchen are open at the same time, most families leave for the heaviest phases. If the project can be broken into stages, keeping one bathroom functional and setting up a temporary kitchen elsewhere, staying put is possible. 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 Lakewood takes depends on scope, how fast selections get made, and the plan check timeline at the City of Lakewood Building and Safety Division. Permitting and design together often eat as much time as the build itself, and plan check alone can stretch several weeks. Construction on a full house typically runs several months, and that window grows when there is structural work, an addition, or surprises hidden inside walls of these 1950s tract homes. We provide a project-specific schedule with every proposal, and starting the drawings early is the single biggest factor in your move-back-in date.
Who handles the permit for a whole home remodel in Lakewood?
Yes, we handle the full permit process for whole home remodeling in Lakewood. Applications go through the City of Lakewood Building and Safety Division of the Community Development Department, and we manage every step: preparing the plan set, including structural engineering and Title 24 energy documents, submitting it, and working through plan-check comments until the permit is issued. Because most Lakewood homes were built between 1950 and 1953, the age of the structure and current building code are the primary factors that shape what the plans need to show. Throughout construction we schedule and attend all required inspections, including framing, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and insulation, and we close out the permit at final. If an HOA approval also applies, we build that into the project schedule.
What drives the cost of a whole home remodel?
Whole home remodeling costs vary too widely for us to publish a useful range, because two houses the same size can land far apart in price. In Lakewood, where nearly every home was built to one of a handful of repeated tract plans between 1950 and 1953, the age of the structure is often what governs the scope: repipe, rewire, panel upgrades, and lead or abatement work show up regularly. Structural changes like opening a load-bearing wall, relocating a kitchen or bath on a slab foundation, adding square footage, and the finish level you choose all move the number significantly. Your proposal separates every line item, breaking must-do work from optional choices.
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Horizon is a licensed Class B general building contractor serving Lakewood and the surrounding Los Angeles County communities.