New Home Construction & Custom Home Builder in Los Angeles & the San Fernando Valley

Last updated: August 2026.

Looking for a trusted new home construction and custom home builder in Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley? HomeSense Construction & Remodeling is a licensed general contractor (CA License #1125001) that builds custom homes, knockdown-rebuilds, spec homes, and SB 9 multi-unit projects across the SFV and greater LA County. From your first lot walk to final occupancy, we manage architecture, engineering, permits, and construction under one roof so you build with confidence.

Why Build New in the San Fernando Valley & Los Angeles

The San Fernando Valley is one of the best places in Southern California to build new. Construction costs typically run 10–15% below the LA basin average, lots are larger and flatter than the hillsides, and 2026 state housing laws make it easier than ever to add density and value. Whether you are tearing down an aging house to build your dream home, replacing a fire- or flood-damaged property, or splitting a lot to build two homes, a ground-up build lets you control layout, energy efficiency, and every finish — instead of working around an old floor plan. We build throughout Northridge, Encino, Sherman Oaks, Woodland Hills, Van Nuys, and the wider region.

New Construction Projects We Build

Custom homes — fully bespoke single-family homes designed around how you live, from modern farmhouse to contemporary.
Knockdown-rebuilds (teardowns) — demolish an outdated or damaged home and rebuild new on the same lot, often the smartest move when a remodel no longer pencils out.
SB 9 lot splits & two-unit builds — California’s SB 9 lets eligible single-family lots be split and developed with up to two units each, creating real estate value and rental income.
Spec & investment homes — ground-up builds for investors and developers, delivered on budget and on schedule.
ADUs & multi-unit projects — pair a new main house with an ADU to maximize what your lot can produce.

Our Ground-Up Build Process

New construction is the most complex project a homeowner can take on, so we keep it organized and transparent from day one:

Consultation & feasibility — we review your lot, zoning, budget, and goals (including SB 9 eligibility) and tell you honestly what is buildable.
Design & engineering — architectural plans, structural and soils/geotech engineering, and Title 24 energy compliance.
Permitting — we navigate LADBS / LA County plan check, corrections, and impact fees so your project gets approved.
Site work & foundation — demolition (for rebuilds), grading, utilities, and a code-compliant foundation.
Framing to finishes — framing, roofing, mechanical/electrical/plumbing, insulation, drywall, and all interior and exterior finishes.
Final inspections & handover — we close out every inspection and hand you a finished, certified home.

What’s Included

Our new-construction projects are turnkey. Pricing and scope typically cover demolition (on rebuilds), site prep and grading, foundation, full framing, roofing, windows and doors, complete MEP systems, insulation and drywall, flooring, cabinetry, countertops, paint, fixtures, landscaping coordination, permits, and project management with a single point of contact. You always know who to call.

New Construction Cost & Timeline in Los Angeles (2026)

In 2026, new home construction in Los Angeles generally runs $300–$700 per square foot for standard-to-mid-grade builds, with high-end and hillside custom homes reaching $800–$1,500+ per square foot. In the San Fernando Valley, entry-level custom homes often start around $300–$450 per square foot — roughly 10–15% below LA basin averages. A typical 2,500 sq ft custom home commonly lands between $875,000 and $1.75M for construction alone (land not included), while LADBS permits and impact fees add roughly $50,000–$150,000. SB 9 two-unit builds often run $600K–$900K for the pair and can be worth $1M+ on completion. Most ground-up homes take 12–20 months from permit to move-in depending on size and complexity. For a precise number, we provide a detailed, line-item estimate after reviewing your lot and plans — see our remodeling & construction cost guides for related budgets.

2026 Housing Laws Working in Your Favor

California’s pro-housing laws make new construction more valuable in the SFV. SB 9 allows eligible single-family lots to be split and developed with up to two units each through a ministerial (no public hearing) approval, provided you have owned the property for the required period and meet size and tenant rules. Combined with streamlined ADU rules, a single lot can now legally support multiple homes — a major opportunity for homeowners and investors. We assess your lot’s eligibility as part of the feasibility stage.

Why Choose HomeSense Construction

HomeSense is a licensed and insured general contractor (CA License #1125001) serving the San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles since 2011. Ground-up construction demands a builder who handles design, engineering, permits, and trades seamlessly — and stands behind the result. We bring transparent fixed-scope pricing, a single point of contact, code-compliant work, and a reputation built on 5-star local reviews. From your first call to your final walkthrough, you work with a team that treats your home like its own.

New Construction Service Areas

We build new homes across the San Fernando Valley and greater Los Angeles, including Northridge, Encino, Sherman Oaks, Woodland Hills, and Van Nuys. See every city we serve on our service areas page. Considering an addition or full renovation instead of a rebuild? Explore our home additions and whole-home remodel options.

New Construction FAQ

How much does it cost to build a new home in Los Angeles?

In 2026, expect roughly $300–$700 per square foot for standard-to-mid builds and $800–$1,500+ for high-end or hillside custom homes. In the San Fernando Valley, entry-level custom homes can start near $300–$450 per square foot. A 2,500 sq ft home is commonly $875K–$1.75M for construction, plus $50K–$150K in permits and impact fees.

Is it cheaper to remodel or knock down and rebuild?

It depends on the home’s condition and your goals. If the foundation, systems, and layout are sound, a whole-home remodel is usually less expensive. If the house is severely outdated, damaged, or you want a fundamentally different home, a knockdown-rebuild often delivers more value per dollar. We give you an honest comparison during the feasibility stage.

How long does new home construction take?

Most ground-up homes take 12–20 months from permit issuance to move-in, depending on size, site conditions, and design complexity. Demolition, grading, and the permitting/plan-check phase before construction can add several months.

Can I split my lot and build two homes under SB 9?

Often, yes. SB 9 allows eligible single-family lots to be split and developed with up to two units each via ministerial approval, subject to ownership duration, lot size, and tenant-protection rules. We evaluate your specific lot’s eligibility before you commit.

Do you handle permits and design, or do I need an architect first?

We manage the entire process — architecture, structural and soils engineering, Title 24 compliance, and LADBS/LA County permitting — so you have one accountable team from design through final inspection. You do not need to line up separate professionals before calling us.

Start Your New Home Build

Ready to build new in the San Fernando Valley or Los Angeles? Call HomeSense Construction & Remodeling at (818) 300-3422 for a free consultation, or visit our contact page. Licensed, insured, and local (CA License #1125001) — let’s build your dream home. Have questions first? Check our remodeling & construction FAQ.

What we actually see on Los Angeles new construction

Building a house from the ground up in Los Angeles is less about construction than about sequence. The build itself is predictable; the approvals and the utilities are what move the finish date.

Entitlement is the schedule, not the framing. On a straightforward flat lot with by-right zoning, plan check is measured in months. Add a hillside parcel, a haul route, a coastal or specific-plan overlay, or a request for any discretionary approval, and the front end of the project can exceed the entire construction phase. We tell owners to plan the calendar backwards from permit issuance, not from groundbreaking.

Utilities are the longest lead item, every time. New water and electrical service through LADWP has to be applied for early and does not compress. A house can be framed, roofed and drywalled and still sit waiting on a meter set. This is the single most common reason a new build finishes late, and it is almost entirely preventable by applying at permit submittal.

Solar and electrification are design inputs now. Under the current Title 24 standards, a new low-rise home carries a required onsite photovoltaic system and a heat-pump-oriented baseline for space and water heating. Roof orientation, panel size, and where the electrical equipment lives all have to be resolved on the drawings. Treating this as a late add-on is how projects end up with panels on the wrong plane and a service that does not fit the load.

Soils and drainage decide the foundation cost. A geotechnical report is required on most Los Angeles new construction, and expansive soils, fill from a prior grading, or a high water table can move the foundation from a conventional slab to piers, caissons or a mat. This is the largest single unknown in an early budget, and it is why we recommend the soils investigation before the design is finalized rather than after.

SB 9 changed the question on many lots. On a qualifying single-family parcel, state law may allow two units or an urban lot split. Before designing one house, it is worth confirming what the parcel actually supports — the answer sometimes changes the project entirely.

Sources and official references

Building codes, permit rules and licensing requirements change. These are the primary sources behind the figures and requirements on this page, current as of August 2026:

Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) — plan check, building permits, grading permits and inspections for new residential construction throughout the City of Los Angeles.
Los Angeles City Planning — zoning, floor-area ratio, height districts, hillside regulations and specific-plan overlays. Confirm what a parcel allows on ZIMAS before any design work begins.
California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) — ground-up residential construction requires a Class B General Building license. Verify any builder before signing. HomeSense Construction & Remodeling holds CA License #1125001.
California Building Standards Commission — the 2025 California Building and Residential Codes (Title 24) took effect January 1, 2026 and apply to permits pulled after that date.
California Energy Commission — Title 24, Part 6 — new low-rise residential construction must include an onsite solar photovoltaic system sized to the dwelling and meet the current heat-pump-oriented baseline for space and water heating. This is a design input, not a change order.
CALGreen — Title 24, Part 11 — mandatory green building measures on new residential construction, including construction waste diversion, water-efficiency limits and EV-charging readiness.
California Government Code §65852.21 (SB 9) — allows a two-unit development on many single-family lots, and §66411.7 allows a qualifying urban lot split. Relevant when evaluating whether a parcel supports more than one new home.
CAL FIRE — Fire Hazard Severity Zones — new homes in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone must be built to California Wildland-Urban Interface Code (CWUIC): ignition-resistant exterior materials, ember-resistant vents, and multi-pane glazing. Much of the northern and western San Fernando Valley is mapped VHFHSZ.
LADWP — new water and electrical service connections, meter sets and service-drop scheduling. Utility coordination is usually the longest-lead item on a new build.

Home Builder in Los Angeles & the SFV

Custom Home Builder by City

One 2026 change catches owners who budgeted in 2025: the 2025 California Energy Code applies to buildings whose permit applications are filed on or after January 1, 2026, and it makes a heat pump the prescriptive baseline for both space heating and water heating in a new single-family home. The filing date, not the groundbreaking date, decides which code you build to. We break the equipment and fee changes down in our guide to what it costs to build a custom home in Los Angeles.