(818) 264-1955
Top

Custom Home Building

Build the home you actually want — ground-up custom construction managed end to end by a licensed general contractor (Lic. #1092628) serving Southern California.

Licensed (Lic. #1092628), bonded, and fully insured for ground-up construction.

We coordinate architects, engineers, and the city so your project actually breaks ground.

A single point of contact from foundation through final walkthrough.

Custom Home Building in Los Angeles

Building from the ground up is the only way to get a house that genuinely fits how you live — and on an LA lot it is often the better answer than remodelling around a layout that never worked. Hollywood Contractor Corp is a licensed design-build general contractor (CSLB #1092628) building custom homes across Los Angeles County, from flat lots in Burbank and Glendale to steep hillside parcels in La Crescenta and the Hollywood Hills. We run pre-construction budgeting, coordinate the architect and structural engineer, clear plan check, and build it — one team accountable for the schedule and the budget from site work to final walkthrough. Explore our new construction services.

Completed adu and jadu construction work at Hollywood Contractor Corp

Is Building Custom Right for You?

Custom construction makes sense when the lot, the layout, or your needs simply can’t be met by remodeling.

  • You own a lot or a teardown property
  • No existing floor plan fits how you live
  • You want specific systems, finishes, or accessibility
  • The existing structure is beyond economical repair
  • You’re planning for multigenerational living
  • You want a home built to current codes and efficiency

What Drives Custom Home Cost

Ground-up cost is driven by size, site, and specification. We make all three visible before you commit.

  • Square footage and number of stories
  • Site conditions, slope, and access
  • Foundation type and soils requirements
  • Level of finish and fixtures
  • Structural complexity and rooflines
  • Permits, utilities, and city requirements
Completed adu and jadu construction work at Hollywood Contractor Corp
Completed adu and jadu construction work at Hollywood Contractor Corp

How We Build Your Home

A ground-up build is a long relationship. We keep it organized, documented, and predictable.

  • Pre-construction — budget, scope, and realistic schedule
  • Design & engineering — plans coordinated for buildability
  • Permitting — we handle submittals and city corrections
  • Site & foundation — grading, utilities, and concrete
  • Framing & systems — structure, electrical, plumbing, HVAC
  • Finishes & closeout — final inspections and walkthrough

Ground-Up Projects We Build

From a single custom residence to multi-unit construction, we build to plan and to code.

  • Custom single-family homes — built to your plans.
  • Teardown & rebuild — replace an obsolete structure.
  • Hillside & sloped-lot homes — engineered foundations.
  • Multi-unit & duplex — income-property construction.
  • Detached ADUs — see ADUs & additions.
  • Accessory structures — garages, studios, and shops.

Our Custom Home Building Process

Ground-up construction runs on sequence. Here is how we keep yours moving without surprises.

1

Consultation & Budget

We walk the property, talk through your goals, and set a realistic budget and schedule.

2

Design & Permits

We coordinate plans and engineering, then submit and clear city corrections.

3

Build

Site work, foundation, framing, systems, and finishes — managed by one team.

4

Final Inspection & Handover

We pass final inspections, complete the punch list, and hand you the keys.

Why Homeowners Choose Hollywood Contractor Corp

A ground-up build is the biggest project most homeowners ever take on. You want a licensed builder who communicates clearly and keeps the job on track.

  • Licensed, bonded & insured (Lic. #1092628)
  • Transparent budgets and written scopes
  • We manage architects, engineers & the city
  • Realistic schedules, not optimistic ones
  • One accountable point of contact
  • Local crews who know LA codes & soils
  • Hundreds of completed LA-area projects
  • Workmanship warranty on our work

How Much Does Custom Home Building Cost?

Ground-up custom homes in Los Angeles generally run $350 to $650+ per square foot. Site conditions move that range as much as finish level does.

Scope of work Typical LA range What it covers
Standard build, flat lot $350 – $450 / sq ft Conventional foundation and straightforward access.
Hillside / sloped lot $450 – $700 / sq ft Engineered foundations, retaining, caissons, and difficult access.
High-end custom $600 – $1,000+ / sq ft Premium finishes, bespoke millwork, and complex architecture.
Design & engineering 8–15% of build cost Architect, structural engineer, and consultants.
Permits & city fees $25,000 – $100,000+ Plan check, school fees, and utility connection charges.
Site work & utilities $30,000 – $150,000+ Grading, drainage, sewer, water, and power to the building pad.

On a hillside lot, the foundation and site work can reach 25–30% of the total build cost before a single wall goes up. Any per-square-foot figure quoted before the soils report is genuinely a guess.

Build New or Remodel?

On an existing property this is the first decision, and it is worth being honest about rather than optimistic.

Build new

  • The existing foundation is failing
  • The layout cannot be adapted to your needs
  • You want substantially more square footage
  • The existing structure is at the end of its life
  • You want everything to current code and efficiency

Remodel instead

  • Structure and foundation are sound
  • The footprint broadly works
  • Budget is under roughly $400,000
  • You want to stay during the work
  • The home has period character worth keeping

See whole-home remodeling for that route.

Build Approaches Compared

How the project is structured affects cost certainty, speed, and how much of the coordination lands on you.

Option Best for Expected life Relative cost
Design-build One accountable team throughout Best cost certainty
Design-bid-build Competitive pricing on finished plans Longer timeline
Owner-managed Maximum control Highest risk
Teardown & rebuild Obsolete structure, good lot $$$

Design-build tends to produce fewer surprises because the people pricing the project are the people who will build it — buildability problems surface during design rather than mid-construction.

What to Expect During the Project

From signed plans to move-in, most custom homes take 12 to 20 months. Permitting alone can absorb several of those.

Stage Typical timing What happens
Pre-construction 4–8 weeks Budget, scope, soils report, and a realistic schedule established.
Design & engineering 3–6 months Architectural plans, structural engineering, and consultant coordination.
Permitting 3–8 months Plan check and corrections. Hillside and coastal lots take longest.
Site & foundation 1–3 months Grading, utilities, and foundation — longer on a slope.
Framing & systems 3–5 months Structure, roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC, with inspections throughout.
Finishes & closeout 3–5 months Interior finishes, exterior, landscaping, and final inspections.

Get the soils report done early. It determines the foundation design, and foundation design drives both the budget and the schedule for everything that follows.

How to Choose a Contractor

Custom home building work is largely invisible once it is finished, which is exactly why standards vary so widely. A few things reliably separate a proper job from an expensive patch.

Good signs

  • An active CSLB licence you can verify online
  • A written, itemised, fixed-price scope
  • They explain the cause, not just the fix
  • Realistic timelines rather than optimistic ones
  • A workmanship warranty in writing
  • A soils report obtained before pricing the foundation
  • A detailed line-item budget, not a lump sum

Warning signs

  • A quote given without a proper site visit
  • Pressure to sign today for a discount
  • Large cash deposits up front
  • The same solution proposed for every home
  • Vague allowances instead of fixed pricing
  • A per-square-foot price quoted before seeing the lot

Hollywood Contractor Corp holds CSLB licence #1092628 — verify it, and any contractor you are considering, with the California State License Board.


Custom Home Building FAQs

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

Ground-up custom construction in the LA area generally runs from roughly $350 to $650+ per square foot, depending on the site, the structural complexity, and your level of finish. Hillside lots, deep foundations, and high-end specifications push the number up. We build a detailed, line-item budget during pre-construction so you see where every dollar goes before breaking ground.

How long does it take to build a custom home?

From signed plans to move-in, most custom homes take about 12 to 20 months. Permitting alone can take several months in many LA jurisdictions, and the build itself typically runs 10 to 14 months depending on size and complexity. We give you a phase-by-phase schedule up front.

Do you handle the architect, engineering, and permits?

Yes. We coordinate the full team — architect, structural engineer, and any required consultants — and we handle permit submittals and city corrections. You get one point of contact instead of managing separate vendors.

Can you build on a hillside or sloped lot?

Yes. Hillside construction is common in the LA area and requires engineered foundations, retaining, and drainage designed for the soil conditions. We work with geotechnical and structural engineers to build safely on challenging lots.

Should I tear down and rebuild or remodel?

If the existing structure has good bones and a workable layout, remodeling is usually more economical. If the foundation is failing, the layout can’t be adapted, or you want substantially more square footage, a teardown and rebuild often delivers better long-term value. We’ll give you an honest assessment.

Do I need to move out during construction?

For a ground-up build on a vacant lot, no. For a teardown and rebuild of your current home, yes — you’ll need alternate housing for the duration. We factor that timeline into planning so you can arrange it.

How do you handle changes during the build?

Through written change orders. Any change to scope, materials, or cost is documented and approved by you before we proceed, so the budget never drifts without your knowledge.

Do you offer a warranty on new construction?

Yes. Our work is backed by a workmanship warranty, and manufacturer warranties apply to installed materials and systems. California law also provides statutory protections on new residential construction.

What Our Customers Say

Don’t just take our word for it — here’s what LA-area homeowners say about working with Hollywood Contractor Corp.

Ready to Build?

Let’s talk about your lot, your plans, and a realistic budget. Free consultation, straight answers, and a clear path from idea to finished home.

Call (818) 264-1955




Custom Home Building Across Los Angeles County

Local crews, local permit knowledge. These communities have a dedicated page covering the work we do there.

We serve 34 cities across the greater Los Angeles area. View all service areas →

Call Us Text Us