How much does a home addition cost in Los Angeles?

First-story additions in LA typically run $400–$700/sqft installed. Second-story additions run $550–$900/sqft — they cost more because of the structural work to the floor below.

Can I add a second story to my LA house?

Usually yes, but the existing foundation and first-story framing have to support the load — we engineer the structural retrofit. Hillside Ordinance and view-protection rules can limit height.

Do I need to move out during a home addition?

Not usually. We sequence and dust-protect so the addition tie-in is the last phase. Most of our LA clients stay in the house the whole project.

How long does an LA home addition take?

Plan on 9–14 months total: 4–6 months for design and LADBS permit, then 5–8 months on-site for a 500–800 sqft addition.

Los Angeles Home Addition Contractor

Adding space to an existing LA house is a different project than building from scratch — you are tying into 1920s framing, surveying the lot for setbacks, and protecting an occupied home through the build. We design additions that match the original house, hold the existing roofline, and pass LADBS structural review the first time.

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Scope of work.

Setback / FAR / hillside check before contracting
Architectural design that matches the existing house line
Structural tie-in — footings, framing, roof
Full MEP extension and panel upgrade if required
Finishes, exterior siding/stucco match, paint, landscape repair

What changes about this in Los Angeles.

LA additions over 500 sqft, or any addition that triggers a second story, almost always require a hillside or grading review.
FAR (Floor Area Ratio) caps in many LA zones cap how much you can add — Westside R1 lots are commonly maxed out.
Front-yard setbacks are usually 15–25 ft in LA; side-yard 4–5 ft. Encroachments need a variance.
Energy code (Title 24) for additions over 500 sqft requires updated insulation and window specs for the whole addition.

Los Angeles cost band — 2026

$400 – $700 / sqft (first-story); $550 – $900 / sqft (second-story)

Foundation work, roof tie-in complexity, and how much of the existing house you have to touch drive the band.

Los Angeles timeline

Plan on 4–6 months for design + LADBS permit, then 5–8 months on-site for a 500–800 sqft addition.

In short.

How much does a home addition cost in Los Angeles?: First-story additions in LA typically run $400–$700/sqft installed. Second-story additions run $550–$900/sqft — they cost more because of the structural work to the floor below.
Can I add a second story to my LA house?: Usually yes, but the existing foundation and first-story framing have to support the load — we engineer the structural retrofit. Hillside Ordinance and view-protection rules can limit height.
Do I need to move out during a home addition?: Not usually. We sequence and dust-protect so the addition tie-in is the last phase. Most of our LA clients stay in the house the whole project.
How long does an LA home addition take?: Plan on 9–14 months total: 4–6 months for design and LADBS permit, then 5–8 months on-site for a 500–800 sqft addition.

Los Angeles areas we cover.

More of what the Los Angeles studio builds.

Got a Los Angeles project in mind?

Send us the address. We’ll pull zoning, setbacks, and feasibility before you spend money on drawings — and the inquiry routes straight to the Los Angeles desk.

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