General Contracting & Remodeling in Westwood, CA
Local Custom Home Builder Expertise
Building custom homes and ADUs near UCLA means understanding Westwood's unique blend of historic architecture, tight lot sizes, and zoning complexity. As a custom home builder and general contractor in Westwood, CA, we handle residential construction from concept through final inspection—specialty projects including new construction, architectural-grade additions, and accessory dwelling units. This page covers what to expect when building in Westwood, north of Wilshire Boulevard and in hillside neighborhoods like Little Holmby.
Whether you're thinking of adding a rental unit, expanding your home for family, or building from scratch on a hillside lot, knowing local permit rules, setback requirements, and fire safety codes upfront saves months of delays and costly rework.
How We Work
From design review to final walkthrough, we guide you through every phase with clarity and accountability.
Planning & Permits
Your project starts with a feasibility review. We check zoning, lot coverage, setback limits, and hillside restrictions that apply to your property. In Westwood, ADUs can be up to 1,200 square feet, but lot size and slope determine final design. We coordinate with LADBS and prepare complete architectural packages that speed approval.
Design & Approval
Licensed architects work with you to create plans that fit your lot and neighborhood character. We build homes that complement Westwood's Spanish Colonial and Mediterranean styles, or modern infill when that suits your block. Plan review and permit corrections are handled in-house to avoid delays.
Construction & Inspections
Our crews manage excavation, framing, utilities, and finish carpentry. We schedule all LADBS inspections—foundation, framing, electrical, plumbing, and final approval. You receive regular site updates and can visit during scheduled windows. Fire-rated access and solar requirements for detached ADUs are built to code from day one.
Clear timelines, no surprises—your project stays on track.
What's Involved: Building in Westwood
Custom home and ADU projects follow structured phases tailored to Westwood zoning and fire safety requirements.
Zoning Review
Confirm ADU eligibility, lot coverage, setbacks, and any hillside overlay requirements specific to your address.
Design & Plans
Licensed architect prepares site plan, floor plan, elevations, and structural calculations per LADBS standards.
Permit Submission
Submit complete application to LADBS via ePlanLA. We respond to plan check corrections promptly.
Construction Starts
With permit in hand, we schedule site prep, excavation, utility work, and foundation inspection.
Framing & Build
Frame, roof, plumbing, electrical, and drywall with LADBS inspections at each phase.
Finish & Final
Interior work, landscaping, final inspections, and occupancy sign-off from the city.
You'll always know what's happening next—and when.
Our Services
We specialize in residential construction tailored to Westwood's codes, terrain, and community character.
ADU Construction
Accessory dwelling units add rental income and flexible living space on existing lots near UCLA and Westwood Village. We handle detached backyard cottages, garage conversions, and attached units. Detached ADUs up to 1,200 square feet are allowed; attached units up to 50% of your home's size or 1,200 square feet, whichever is smaller. Fire access, parking, and utility connections are built to code from day one.
- Backyard detached units with solar-ready roofs
- Garage-to-ADU conversions for faster timelines
- Junior ADUs up to 500 square feet within main house
Detached ADU project in Comstock Hills, near Westwood south of Santa Monica Boulevard.
New Custom Homes
Mediterranean-style custom home in Little Holmby, north of Wilshire Boulevard.
Building from scratch on a single lot in Westwood requires navigating hillside grading, setback limits, and neighborhood character. We've built homes on tight lots near the UCLA campus and spacious estates in the hills. Each design fits your site's slope, views, and fire safety access.
- Single-family homes on hillside and flat lots
- Spanish Colonial and modern infill styles
- All grading, utility, and fire access included
Home Additions & Renovations
Expand without moving. We add second stories, master suites, and open-concept kitchens while respecting Westwood's lot lines and fire codes. Additions on steep slopes require retaining walls and careful drainage planning. We integrate new and existing finishes so your expanded home feels seamless.
- Second-story additions and room expansions
- Hillside retaining and drainage work
- Permitted kitchen and bath remodels
Two-story addition with master suite in Westwood Hills residential zone.
Why Local Expertise Matters
Building in Westwood demands knowledge of Los Angeles zoning, ADU law, and neighborhood constraints you won't find in standard contractor playbooks.
ADU Regulations
We know R1 and RD zoning, 800-square-foot minimums, solar requirements for detached units, and fire-access rules that save you months in permit cycles.
Hillside Grading & Slopes
Westwood north of Wilshire has steep terrain. We design retaining walls, drainage, and foundations that handle grade conditions and pass LADBS structural review.
Fire Safety & Access
Fire truck turnarounds, secondary egress, and brush clearance. We ensure your project meets fire code without surprise late-stage changes.
Westwood homes typically range from 2,400 to 8,000+ square feet on residential lots. Our approach respects neighborhood scale and integrates architectural details that complement Westwood Village's Mediterranean heritage while building modern systems inside.
Serving Westwood & Nearby Areas
We work throughout Westwood's neighborhoods and adjacent areas.
Westwood North (90049)
Including Westwood Hills and Little Holmby, this area north of Wilshire features hillside estates, tight setbacks, and fire safety overlays. Single-family homes here range from 1,200 to 13,000 square feet. We manage slope conditions and neighborhood design requirements on every build.
Central Westwood (90024)
Between Wilshire and Santa Monica Boulevard, this zone includes the UCLA campus, Westwood Village shopping, and dense condo corridors on Wilshire. We build ADUs, townhomes, and custom renovations on smaller residential lots and hillside parcels in Comstock Hills.
South Westwood (90025)
South of Santa Monica Boulevard, residential lots are generally smaller (800 to 5,500 square feet), making ADUs and garage conversions popular. Close to transit and Westwood Village dining. Setback rules are less restrictive than hillside zones, allowing faster approvals for many projects.
All of Westwood uses the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) and follows City of Los Angeles Municipal Code. Permit timelines typically run 4–6 months for simple ADUs, longer for custom homes or hillside projects with geotechnical review.
How to Get Started
Schedule a Site Consultation
Call us or request an appointment. We visit your property to assess lot size, slope, zoning, and design potential. This conversation costs nothing and takes about an hour.
Get a Feasibility Report
We outline what's possible on your lot—ADU eligibility, building envelope, estimated permit timeline, and rough construction scope. This helps you decide whether to move forward before investing in full design plans.
Partner on Design & Build
Once you're ready, we guide you through architecture, permits, and construction. You see detailed schedules, budget breakdowns, and regular site updates. Our goal is a finished home you're proud of, built on time and on budget.
Ready to build your Westwood project? Call or email to schedule a free site visit and consultation today.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get an ADU permit in Westwood?
Most straightforward ADU permits take 4–6 months from application to approval. Simple garage conversions on flat lots can finish in 2–3 months; complex projects on hillside lots or with design review can extend to 8–12 months.
Can I build an ADU on my Westwood lot?
Most single-family residential lots in Westwood (R1, RD, R2 zones) qualify. Your lot size, existing structures, and zoning determine size limits and placement. We run a free zoning review to confirm eligibility and recommend next steps.
What if my lot is on a steep hillside?
Westwood's hillside lots require grading plans, retaining wall design, and geotechnical review. We manage slope design, drainage, and structural engineering to meet LADBS hillside standards. Timelines run 6–10 months, but we build safely for steep terrain.
Do detached ADUs require solar panels?
Yes. Detached ADUs built from scratch must have solar-ready roofs or solar panels per Los Angeles code. Attached ADUs and garage conversions have different rules. We design roofs to accommodate solar from the start.
How much does a custom home cost to build in Westwood?
Pricing depends on size, finishes, site conditions, and whether hillside work is needed. We provide detailed estimates after design is complete. Westwood homes range widely; we give you a clear budget before construction begins and stick to it.
Can I build while living in my existing home?
Yes. We schedule site work and construction around your schedule. For ADUs and additions, we coordinate parking, gate access, and utility work to minimize disruption to your household.