General Contracting & Remodeling in Altadena, CA

Local Custom Home Builder Expertise

We build custom homes and ADUs in Altadena, CA—from hillside estates to modern backyard units. Every home responds to Altadena's unique terrain, wildfire codes, and community character.

Whether you're rebuilding after fire, expanding your lot with an ADU, or designing a new primary residence near the San Gabriel Mountains, we navigate permits, slope stability, and fire-resistant materials with precision.

How We Work

From feasibility review to final inspection—a clear roadmap every step.

1

Feasibility Review

We assess your lot, slope conditions, zoning, and setbacks. You learn exactly what's buildable—and what permits you'll need.

2

Design & Plans

Architectural plans reflect Altadena's terrain, views, and fire-resistant standards. Plans ready for LA County review.

3

Permits & Approvals

We submit to LA County, track plan review comments, and manage revisions. Approval typically 4–8 weeks.

4

Construction

We coordinate all trades, schedule inspections, and keep your project on track through foundation, framing, and finish.

5

Final Inspection

County inspector walks your home, verifies code compliance, and issues final approval. You move in.

You'll always know what's happening next—and when.

Our Services

Custom Home Construction

New homes built from the ground up on Altadena hillsides. We handle foundation design for slopes, drainage systems, and defensible space layout so your home sits right with the landscape.

Fire-resistant materials come standard—ember-resistant vents, metal or Class A roofing, non-combustible siding. Meets Wildland-Urban Interface code every time.

  • Multi-story estate homes with views of the San Gabriel Mountains
  • Retaining walls engineered for slope stability
  • Energy-efficient systems (solar, high-efficiency HVAC)
Custom home construction on hillside

New construction near Eaton Canyon foothills—hillside home with fire-resistant design

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

ADU construction in Altadena

Detached ADU with covered patio on West Altadena residential lot

One or two detached or attached units up to 1,200 sq. ft. on a single-family lot. Junior ADUs also available. Fast-tracked if your property was fire-damaged.

We handle setbacks, parking exemptions if near transit, and Title 24 solar. ADU permits approved in as little as 60 days with proper application.

  • Detached backyard cottages or attached additions
  • Garage conversions (no parking replacement required)
  • Modular or stick-built ADUs—both state-approved

Fire Recovery Rebuilds

After the 2025 fires, Altadena homes can rebuild faster. We guide post-fire homeowners through permit fee waivers, expedited approvals, and compliant reconstruction.

Add an ADU during rebuild to support family or generate income while the primary home is under construction. LA County now allows ADUs to occupy before the main house is finished.

  • Like-for-like rebuilds with modern code compliance
  • Fire-resistant materials throughout
  • Coordinated ADU + primary home projects
Fire recovery rebuild in progress

Hillside rebuild near Rubio Canyon—WUI-compliant foundation and landscaping

Why Local Expertise Matters

Altadena is not Pasadena. Terrain, codes, and fire zones demand builders who understand this community.

Hillside Engineering

Most Altadena parcels slope. Soils reports, retaining walls, drainage design—we know every requirement in the Altadena Community Standards District.

Fire Zone Compliance

Wildfire risk shapes Altadena builds. Non-combustible materials, ember-resistant design, and defensible space are built in, not added later.

LA County Permits

Altadena falls under unincorporated LA County jurisdiction. We submit via EPIC-LA, track plan review, and avoid month-long delays.

20+ years building homes in hillside, fire-prone communities across Southern California.

What to Expect—Altadena Edition

Timeline for Custom Homes

Design and feasibility: 4–6 weeks. Permits: 4–8 weeks (with proper submittal). Construction: 12–24 months depending on site complexity and size.

Hillside homes take longer due to grading, drainage, and soil inspection phases. Fire-damaged lots may qualify for expedited permits.

Altadena-Specific Realities

  • Access: Some lots require gear and crew coordination due to steep driveways.
  • Materials: Wildfire codes push up material costs 5–15% but ensure long-term safety and insurance eligibility.
  • Soils: Hillside properties almost always require geotechnical reports and drainage plans.
  • Parking: ADUs within half a mile of transit (near Pasadena Gold Line access) skip parking requirements.

Serving Altadena & Nearby Areas

We work throughout unincorporated Altadena, from the foothills near Eaton Canyon to residential blocks near Christmas Tree Lane and West Altadena.

Altadena is an unincorporated community directly north of Pasadena, bordered by the San Gabriel Mountains, the Arroyo Seco, and Eaton Canyon. Most of the community is residential with large tree-lined lots—ideal for ADUs, custom homes, and hillside construction.

Landmarks we see on builds: Eaton Canyon Nature Center, Cobb Estate trails, Lake Avenue's historic estates, and Mariposa Street near the library. Many clients live in working-class West Altadena or East Altadena's larger estate properties.

Ready to start? Contact us for a free feasibility assessment of your Altadena lot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I build an ADU on my Altadena hillside lot?

Yes, if your lot is zoned single-family or multi-family and meets setback rules (4 feet rear/side). Hillside ADUs require soils testing and drainage design, but California state law removes most lot-size restrictions—even small parcels qualify.

What happens if my Altadena home was damaged in the 2025 fires?

You may qualify for permit fee waivers, expedited plan review, and the ability to add an ADU during rebuild as a temporary residence or rental income. We manage the fire-damaged-property process, including geotechnical review and WUI compliance, and coordinate with LA County's recovery program.

How long do Altadena building permits actually take?

LA County is required to approve or deny a complete ADU or home application within 60 days. For custom homes, plan check is typically 4–8 weeks. Delays happen when applications are incomplete or additional agency review (fire, geotechnical) is needed. We prepare thorough, error-free submittals to avoid these delays.

Do I need a parking space for my Altadena ADU?

No, if your property is within a half mile of public transit. Altadena lots near Pasadena's Gold Line access qualify. Otherwise, one parking space per ADU is required, but it can be tandem parking on your driveway. Garage conversions skip this requirement entirely.

What fire-resistant materials do Altadena homes need?

Class A roofing (metal, clay, concrete tile), non-combustible siding (fiber cement, treated wood), and ember-resistant vents. These requirements apply to all new homes and major renovations. Defensible space—cleared zones around the home—is also enforced. These upgrades add 5–15% to construction cost but are mandatory for WUI compliance and insurability.

DISCOVER WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT US

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