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Westside Whole-Home Remodeling.

A whole-home remodel in LA is usually a down-to-studs project on a 1920s–1960s house. The shell stays; everything inside gets rebuilt — foundation bolting, soft-story retrofit, repipe, rewire, HVAC, insulation, drywall, finishes. We run the architecture, the LADBS permit, and the construction under one contract.

Westside permits move quickly when the parcel is clearly inside the city of LA or Santa Monica grid — both jurisdictions run ministerial ADU review under state law. The variables are Coastal Zone status (anything west of Lincoln Blvd in Venice / Marina Peninsula), and whether a soft-story or seismic ordinance applies to the existing structure.

Westside cost band — 2026

$450 – $850 / sqft installed

Structural retrofit needed, foundation work, finish level, and whether you keep or replace windows drive the band.

Westside permit clock

8–12 weeks ministerial

Plan on 5–8 months for design + LADBS permit, then 8–14 months on-site for a 2,000–3,500 sqft house.

Scope — start to keys.

  • Soft-story / seismic retrofit, foundation bolting, cripple bracing
  • Full repipe (copper or PEX), full rewire, 200A panel
  • HVAC redesign, ducting, mini-splits where ducted is impossible
  • Insulation to current Title 24, exterior weatherization
  • Kitchen, all baths, floors, millwork, paint, landscape repair

What changes about the permit here.

  1. City of LA parcels: LADBS ePlanLA portal, ministerial ADU review under LAMC §12.22-A,33.
  2. Santa Monica parcels: SMMC §9.31.300 — locally streamlined, similar 60-day clock as state law.
  3. Coastal Zone (Venice west of Lincoln, Marina Peninsula): Coastal Development Permit may be required.
  4. Mello Act applies to demolition or replacement of existing residential units in the Coastal Zone.

What moves the Westside number.

  • Westside labor and dump fees price 8–12% above LA County median.
  • Coastal Zone parcels often add $15–40k in CDP consultant + biology survey costs.
  • Santa Monica seismic retrofit pairing on a duplex can add $35–80k tied to the ADU permit cycle.
  • Tight street parking (Venice, Mar Vista) drives crane / pump days higher than Valley jobs.

In short.

How much does a whole-home remodel cost in Los Angeles?
Whole-home down-to-studs remodels in LA typically run $450–$850/sqft installed. Foundation retrofit, full repipe/rewire, and finish level drive the band.
Do I need to move out during a whole-home remodel?
Usually yes — for a true down-to-studs project, the house is not livable for 6–10 months. Some lighter whole-home projects can be phased.
Should I do a seismic retrofit at the same time?
Yes — when the walls are open, the marginal cost of foundation bolting and cripple-wall bracing is small. Doing it later costs 3–5× more.
Do I need a Coastal Development Permit for a Westside ADU?
Only if the parcel is inside the Coastal Zone — generally west of Lincoln Blvd in Venice and the Marina Peninsula. Inland Westside parcels (most of Santa Monica, Brentwood, Mar Vista east of Lincoln) do not.
Can I build an ADU in Santa Monica's R1?
Yes. SMMC §9.31.300 mirrors state ADU law on R1, R2, and multifamily lots, with ministerial 60-day review once the submittal is complete.

More we build in Westside.

Whole-Home Remodeling in nearby LA areas.

Got a Westside project in mind?

Send us the address and we’ll pull Westside zoning, setbacks, and whole-home remodeling feasibility before you spend on drawings.

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