Including all design and permitting, we would ballpark about 18 months to rebuild, although this is subject to the permitting process, availability of contractors/materials, and weather.

We charge hourly, up to 7% of the construction cost for design fees. We will lower this to 5% if you already have the plans available and you are building "like-for-like". Construction is currently around $400/sq ft. Multiply your desired square footage by .07 or .05, as applicable, and you will come to the total amount.

Yes. This is not the answer we wish we could give, but the County has made it clear that all rebuilding efforts must meet the current code. Some homes will not require fire sprinklers per Fire code, please contact us with your address so we can confirm and give you specific details.

Yes and no. If you are building <110% of your original home then yes. If you are building >110% then no. Please note that while local jurisdictions have promised "expedited processing", we have not yet seen this in action. 

Yes, you will need to meet current building codes. This includes all applicable codes: building, energy, erosion control, fire, etc. Insurance companies are required to have code requirements met for standard policy coverage in reference to disaster rebuilds. Like for likes in the Eaton fire are exempt from the CA Green Code, which includes:

i. Installation of future electric vehicle chargers,

ii. Cool roof requirement,

iii. Graywater irrigation system, and

iv. Low impact development requirements for buildings built prior to 2009.

Taken straight from LA County’s website: https://recovery.lacounty.gov/rebuilding/#1740617734426-70805943-cdd7

The Public Works Building and Safety building plan check and permit fee varies, depending on the size and cost of the construction. For a 3,000 square foot home, the current cost is approximately $22,000. For a 1,500 square foot home, the fee is approximately $12,000. Additional review fees are required by the Department of Public Health.

Regional Planning fees for residential like-for-like rebuilds are $1,404.00. Regional Planning fees for commercial/industrial like-for-like rebuilds are $1,382.00. Non-like-for-like proposal fees will depend on the project’s scope. Regional Planning fees increase annually in March, so please check in with Regional Planning regularly for up-to-date information.

Fire Department fees include a building plan review fee of $565.00 and a fire sprinkler plan review fee of $565.00. Fuel Modification fees for homes smaller than 2,500 sq. Ft. is $735.00 and $845.00 for home larger than 2,500 sq. ft. Inspection fees will be $390.00 for the building inspection and $390 for the fire sprinkler inspection.

The Public Health plan check fees for Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems vary  depending on the type of rebuild (i.e., like-for-like or Non-like-for-like), and an approved original plan availability. For a like-for-like rebuild with an available approved original plan, the current cost is $447.00, without an approved plan, the current cost is $527.00. For non-like-for-like rebuilds, a Conventional Onsite Wastewater Treatment system review costs $1528.00, and a Non-Conventional Onsite Wastewater Treatment System review costs $1986.00.