Rebuilding After the Los Angeles County Wildfires: A Guide for Homeowners

To those affected by the recent wildfires in Palisades, Altadena, and throughout Los Angeles County:

We understand that navigating the rebuilding process can feel overwhelming, especially if you’ve never gone through the construction of a new home. Whether you're looking to rebuild your home or structure, as a resource we want to provide you with a high-level overview of what goes into the construction process, particularly after a fire.

First steps:

  1. Register your lost property with Fema

  2. Make contact with your insurance company and report your loss

  3. Hire an architect as soon as possible to get in line for their services. Know in order to expedite this, you will most likely pay for an architect out of pocket.

  4. Find a contractor

The Rebuilding Process

Building a home involves a coordinated effort between various professionals, contractors, and city departments. Here’s a brief outline of the process:

1. Architect & Contractor

The process typically begins with hiring either an architect or contractor. Many homeowners first consult with an architect, who will work with you to design your new home based on your needs, preferences, and budget. After the design is completed, the plans are sent to contractors for bidding.

While hiring an architect first is common, we recommend involving a contractor early in the design phase. Having a contractor on board from the outset helps manage costs and ensures that the design stays within your budget. This early collaboration helps control costs and sets realistic expectations for the scope of your project.

A general contractor, oversees the entire construction process, ensuring quality control and managing all subcontractors. It’s important to understand that some contractors specialize in smaller renovation projects, while a general contractor like us focuses on larger builds, new constructions, and projects that require a higher level of expertise. We believe in hiring licensed subcontractors, who specialize in specific trades like demolition, foundation work, plumbing, electrical, and more. This ensures quality, accountability, and that all work is done to code.

2. Permits & City Approvals

Once your plans are ready, your architect will submit them to the city for approval. This process includes securing a demolition permit, which is required before any demolition can begin. Keep in mind that the city may request revisions to your plans, which can add time to the process. One of the biggest challenges for many homeowners is the back-and-forth with the city, but having an experienced contractor who understands the permitting process can help navigate these delays.

Given the recent wildfires, state, county, and city representatives are working to streamline and expedite the permitting process to help rebuild efforts move more swiftly. However, it is important to note that building within your home’s previous foot print, or keeping within 10% of that foot print may help expedite your project. If you intend to add more square footage to your re-build the process may take a little longer.

3. Scope of Work & Budget

During the early stages of planning, it’s important to establish your budget and understand the scope of work. Knowing what you're willing and able to spend will guide the design and construction process. We recommend setting aside at least 10% of your budget for unexpected costs, as unforeseen expenses are a common part of any construction project.

Once contractors submit bids, you may find that the cost comes in over your budget. In such cases, you can either revise the scope of the project or work with your contractor to "value engineer" the design—finding ways to reduce costs without sacrificing the overall quality or design of your home. Our team’s experience enables us to identify potential cost savings, whether in materials, labor, or design, ensuring that the final product is both high-quality and within your budget.

4. Financing Your Build

Some homeowners finance their rebuild through personal funds, while others opt for a construction loan. Construction loans have specific rules about fund distribution, and the process of withdrawing funds can be time-consuming. If you plan to use insurance proceeds to finance your new home, make sure both you and your contractor understand how the insurance payment process works and what documentation will be required. This knowledge will help streamline the financing process. You may want to engage in the services of a private tax adjustor. A private adjustor is going to advocate on your behalf with your insurance company. A private adjustor typically charges a fee for this service.

5. Interior Design

Many homeowners hire an interior designer to help with selections like flooring, tiles, and lighting. While an added cost, a designer can guide you in choosing materials that fit your style and budget, making the decision process easier and more efficient.

6. Construction Timeline

A construction schedule, often presented as a Gantt chart, will outline the entire building process, from demolition to final touches. The timeline includes major milestones and provides an estimated date of completion. However, staying on schedule depends on many factors, including material availability, subcontractor schedules, city inspections, and timely decision-making on your part.

Key steps in the construction process include:

  • Demolition

  • Foundations

  • Framing

  • Electrical

  • Plumbing

  • Roofing

  • Flooring

  • Drywall

  • Window & Door Installation

  • Painting

  • Tile Work

  • Cabinet & Trim Installation

  • Lighting

  • Landscaping & Hardscaping

Many of these tasks can occur simultaneously, and an experienced contractor will ensure that trades don’t interfere with each other, maximizing efficiency and minimizing delays. Our team prides itself on efficient project management, ensuring that each step is executed on time and to the highest standards.

We Are Here for You

At Denton Developments, we have extensive experience in building homes and structures, and we understand the unique challenges that come with post-fire construction. We know that rebuilding your home is a deeply personal and important project, and we are here to help even if that just means a phone call. We’ve put together this comprehensive guide and included links to helpful resources as a way to share our professional experience and assist you, whether or not you choose to build with us. Our hope is that this provides some clarity and comfort during this challenging time.

Kevin Lang, Head Builder

310.200.1844

Resources related to building and property insurance adjustments:

1. Los Angeles County Public Works – Road to Rebuilding
This website is specifically for the "Woolsey Fire," but it offers very helpful resources and tips on understanding the building process after a wildfire.
https://pw.lacounty.gov/rebuild/woolsey/design.shtml

2. FEMA – Individual Assistance Program
https://www.fema.gov/assistance/individual
Provides financial assistance and services to those who have necessary expenses and serious needs after a disaster.

3. California Department of Insurance – Fire Claims and Consumer Protections
https://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/140-catastrophes/TopTenTips_WildfireClaimants.cfm
Explains consumer protections in place to assist homeowners with fire claims.

4. Misfortune and Calamity Tax Relief
https://res.cloudinary.com/los-angeles-county-assessor/image/upload/v1736540235/Factsheet/Relief_for_Properties_Impacted_By_A_Disaster.pdf

5. Los Angeles County Department of Assessor’s Office – Disaster Relief
Property owners may be eligible for tax relief if their property is damaged or destroyed by a calamity, such as fire or flooding. To qualify, individuals must file an Application for Reassessment: Property Damaged or Destroyed by Misfortune or Calamity with the Assessor’s Office within 12 months from the date the property was damaged or destroyed.
https://assessor.lacounty.gov/tax-relief/disaster-relief
Phone: (213) 974-8658
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm

6. DisasterAssistance.gov
FEMA may be able to help you with home repairs, temporary housing, or property damage (appliances, furniture, vehicle, etc). You may also qualify for help with child care, medical, lodging, moving, and funeral expenses.
https://www.disasterassistance.gov/DAC-RI/intro/process-intro

7. Insurance Information Institute – Insurance Claims Process for Fire and Wildfire
https://www.iii.org/press-release/triple-i-media-advisory-california-property-insurers-helping-customers-recover-from-devastating-la-wildfires-010925
Explains the process of paying out insurance claims for those covered for fire and wildfire damage.