Whole Home Remodeling in Palos Verdes Estates
Homeowners who reach out to us about whole home remodeling in Palos Verdes Estates almost always say the same thing: they love the neighborhood, they just want the house to function better. That makes sense given the history here. Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. and Charles Cheney laid out this master-planned community in 1923, it incorporated in 1939, and homes were built out over the decades that followed, many of them detached single-family houses on generous landscaped lots with older service-style kitchens closed off from the main living areas. A whole home remodel addresses that as one coordinated project, moving walls, updating plumbing and wiring, and covering multiple rooms under a single permit, which is a fundamentally different undertaking from a single-room job and one we approach differently from the very first walk-through.
Services We Offer
Structural & Seismic Work
Roof, Windows & Envelope
Additions & ADUs
Our Whole Home Remodeling Process in Palos Verdes Estates
Whole home remodeling in Palos Verdes Estates calls for a level of upfront preparation that most projects elsewhere simply do not require. Before a single line goes on paper, we walk the entire house, from attic to slab, reviewing the electrical panel, supply lines, and any framing that may have been altered over the decades since these homes were originally built. Where something is uncertain, we investigate first, with a sewer camera, asbestos testing on older textured ceilings, or a structural review, because changes on paper cost far less than changes in the field. Structural engineering and Title 24 energy documents are folded into one coordinated plan set, and selections for cabinets, tile, flooring, and fixtures are made before demolition begins.
Because exterior work here must clear both the City of Palos Verdes Estates Department of Building and Safety and the Palos Verdes Homes Association Art Jury, we build both review processes into the schedule from the start rather than treating them as an afterthought. Construction follows a single sequence, demolition, structural work, rough trades, inspections, then finishes, so subcontractors for plumbing, electrical, and mechanical work through the house once in the correct order. One project manager carries the job through final inspection.
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Whole home remodeling in Palos Verdes Estates moves through two separate approval tracks before a single wall comes down. The City of Palos Verdes Estates Department of Building and Safety handles the building permit and plan check, which is standard for any project touching structure, plumbing, electrical and mechanical systems at the same time. Running parallel to that is the Palos Verdes Homes Association Art Jury, a design review body that has been in place since the community was planned in 1923. Any exterior work, including changes to windows, doors, roofing, paint color, hardscape, grading and tree removal, needs Art Jury approval before construction starts, and that review is entirely separate from the city permit process. We map both tracks against your scope at the very beginning, because the Art Jury’s requirements can influence exterior material choices, setbacks and sequencing in ways that affect the whole project timeline.
The age of the housing stock here shapes a great deal of what we encounter once work begins. Many homes in areas like Malaga Cove and Lunada Bay were built over the mid-twentieth century, and houses from that era commonly have galvanized supply lines, undersized electrical panels and service-style kitchens closed off from the main living areas rather than open to them. A whole home remodel is the practical moment to address all of that, while the walls are already open. Homes built before 1978 may also have lead-based paint, and any work that disturbs it must follow the EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting rule; Horizon is an EPA Lead-Safe Certified Firm. Popcorn ceilings, some older flooring and duct wrap can contain asbestos as well, so suspect materials are tested before demolition and any removal is handled by a licensed abatement contractor.
Structural changes come up on nearly every project of this scale. Opening a closed-off kitchen to the adjacent living space, which is one of the most common goals we hear from homeowners here, typically requires an engineered beam, posts and sometimes new footings. Raised-floor houses may also benefit from foundation bolting and cripple-wall bracing while the work area is exposed. Older additions, enclosed patios and garage conversions built without permits over the decades are not unusual on these lots, and the city will generally require them to be legalized, upgraded or rebuilt before it signs off on the broader project.
Two California requirements come up on almost every permitted whole home remodel. California Civil Code 1101.4 requires that older high-flow toilets, showerheads and faucets be replaced with water-conserving fixtures on many permitted remodels of homes built before 1994, so we account for that in the fixture schedule from the start rather than discovering it at final inspection. California’s Title 24 energy code applies to remodels as well as new construction, and the 2025 standards govern permits filed on or after January 1, 2026, covering new windows, insulation, lighting and any HVAC changes. We prepare the compliance documents with the plans so that piece does not slow down the permit review. If additional square footage is part of the goal, state law allows an ADU on most single-family lots, and it can be scoped alongside the main remodel. Contact us to request a free estimate and we will walk through both approval tracks with you from the first conversation.
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 Palos Verdes Estates
Whole home remodeling in Palos Verdes Estates calls for a contractor who understands what these properties actually involve. Many homes here were built out across several decades following the community’s 1923 master-planned origins, which means older floor plans, service-style kitchens separated from the main living areas, and walls that frequently hide surprises once work begins. Horizon Construction and Remodeling is a licensed and bonded Class B general building contractor, and that classification exists precisely for projects that pull multiple trades together under one permit and one structural scope.
We handle drawings, engineering coordination, permitting through the City of Palos Verdes Estates Department of Building and Safety, and construction under a single contract with one project manager overseeing all of it. Exterior work here also requires review and approval from the Palos Verdes Homes Association Art Jury before any work starts, and we factor that process into the schedule from the beginning so it does not catch anyone off guard mid-project. Finishes across every room are selected together, keeping kitchens, bathrooms, and flooring consistent throughout the house.
We are also straightforward about the parts homeowners sometimes do not want to hear: what living in the house during construction realistically looks like, what an older home typically needs behind the walls, and which decisions can be deferred without adding cost later. Horizon has been in business since 2009, and that experience shapes how we plan before a single wall opens.
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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 your house as one connected system rather than a collection of separate rooms to fix one at a time. Multiple spaces are addressed together, walls are moved or removed to reshape the floor plan, and plumbing, electrical, and HVAC are updated throughout in a single coordinated effort. In Palos Verdes Estates, where many homes were built out over decades following the 1923 Olmsted-planned layout and often have service-style kitchens closed off from the main living areas, that kind of floor-plan work is especially common. Everything is drawn, permitted, and sequenced as one project, so trades move through in order and finished work is not torn open again for the next phase.
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 the house is built from: structure, windows, plumbing, wiring, and mechanical systems. Most whole home remodeling projects in Palos Verdes Estates involve both, especially in the older homes throughout Malaga Cove and Lunada Bay where decades-old systems sit behind walls that have never been opened. We scope the two together, addressing anything that protects the house first, then the systems that become 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 in the house during a whole home remodel in Palos Verdes Estates depends on how much work is happening at once. If the kitchen and every bathroom are going out at the same time, or floors and drywall are coming out throughout the house, most families leave for the heaviest phases. In a community where many homes date back decades and often have a closed-off, service-style kitchen separate from the main living areas, a full gut renovation rarely leaves a comfortable foothold. Some homeowners stay when the project can be phased, keeping one bathroom functional and setting up a temporary kitchen elsewhere, though phasing adds time to the schedule. We walk through that trade-off with you once the plan is drawn.
How long does a whole home remodel take?
How long a whole home remodel in Palos Verdes Estates takes depends on scope, how quickly you finalize selections, and plan check timing. Design and permitting frequently consume as much calendar time as construction itself, and in a city where exterior work also requires Art Jury approval from the Palos Verdes Homes Association before the building department even enters the picture, starting drawings early is the single biggest lever on your move-back-in date. Construction on a full house typically runs several months, and structural work, additions, or conditions hidden behind walls of these older homes extend that further. We provide a schedule specific to your project with the proposal.
Who handles the permit for a whole home remodel in Palos Verdes Estates?
Yes, we handle the permit process from start to finish. For whole home remodeling in Palos Verdes Estates, that means preparing the full plan set, including structural engineering and Title 24 energy documents, submitting to the City of Palos Verdes Estates Department of Building and Safety, and responding to plan-check comments until the permit is issued. Because the Palos Verdes Homes Association Art Jury has reviewed exterior changes since 1923, we build that separate approval into the schedule alongside the city process. We attend all required inspections during construction and close out the permit at final.
What drives the cost of a whole home remodel?
Whole home remodeling costs in Palos Verdes Estates vary too much between projects for published price ranges to be useful, even when two houses are roughly the same size. The real drivers are structural changes such as removing a load-bearing wall, relocating a kitchen or bathroom, the extent of repiping, rewiring, and panel upgrades the home needs, any hazardous material handling, added square footage, and your chosen finish level. Many of the older homes in Malaga Cove and Lunada Bay carry all of those variables at once. Your proposal breaks every item out line by line, separating work that is necessary from decisions that are yours to make.
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Horizon is a licensed Class B general building contractor serving Palos Verdes Estates and the surrounding Los Angeles County communities.