Fire Rebuild Contractor

in Pacific Palisades.

Yes — we are actively building a fire rebuild in Malibu on a property with a completed value of approximately $8 million. We are the general contractor of record: we pulled the permits, we have the subcontractors on site, and we are delivering the finished home. We have direct, working relationships with the City of Malibu planning department and experience coordinating with the California Coastal Commission. This is not general contractor experience — it is specific, current fire rebuild experience in the exact markets most affected by the 2025 fires.

Call us for a free consultation — ideally before you sign any contract with anyone else. We will walk you through debris clearance status, insurance claim documentation, your permit pathway (including whether you qualify for expedited like-for-like review), and what a realistic budget and timeline looks like for your specific property. The biggest mistakes in fire rebuilds happen in the first 60 days, before construction even begins.

Yes. We work directly alongside your insurance adjuster throughout the design and scope phase — providing detailed line-item estimates and full scope documentation that supports your claim. Many homeowners discover their policy limits fall short of actual rebuild costs once current code upgrades and market conditions are factored in. We help you understand the gap early and document everything the insurer needs to see.

Pacific Palisades rebuilds go through the City of Los Angeles LADBS under streamlined disaster rebuild pathways. Malibu rebuilds go through the City of Malibu planning department and, for most properties, also require a California Coastal Development Permit. The two cities operate entirely differently — timelines, required documentation, and plan check processes vary significantly. DWD Builders has active relationships with both departments and navigates these processes as a standard part of our service.

No. Like-for-like rebuilds (same footprint and square footage) qualify for the fastest permitting pathway, but you can redesign entirely if you are willing to accept a longer planning timeline. In Malibu, any design changes also need to clear the Coastal Commission. We help you weigh the timeline and cost trade-off for your specific situation so you can make an informed decision.

Very often, yes — particularly given current construction costs, code upgrade requirements, and material and labor market conditions that did not apply when the original home was built. We help you understand the realistic gap early, before you are committed to a scope you cannot fund. We also help you document and present supplemental claims to your insurer where your coverage may be underutilized.

Chapter 7A wildfire-resistant construction requirements apply to properties within Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ) as designated by CAL FIRE. All of Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Altadena, and many Simi Valley hillside properties fall within these zones. Chapter 7A mandates Class A fire-rated roofing (wood shake prohibited), ignition-resistant exterior siding, ember-resistant vents (1/8" mesh or finer), and tempered or multi-pane glazing. Compliance adds approximately 8–12% to base construction costs and must be fully specified in architectural plans before plan check. Verify your property's zone at egis.fire.ca.gov/FHSZ/ or by contacting your local building department.

From debris clearance through certificate of occupancy: Pacific Palisades rebuilds typically take 18–30 months (LADBS plan check 4–7 months, construction 12–18 months). Malibu rebuilds run longer — 24–36 months — due to California Coastal Commission review on top of City of Malibu plan check. Simi Valley rebuilds through City of Simi Valley Building & Safety typically run 14–20 months. In all markets, securing a licensed contractor early is the single biggest factor in compressing your total timeline — contractor capacity across the region is severely constrained in 2026.

Yes. Under California AB 462, effective October 2025, fire victims in LA County can receive a Certificate of Occupancy for a detached ADU before the primary home is complete, provided the ADU passes all required inspections. This applies to Pacific Palisades and Altadena properties. Simi Valley (Ventura County) homeowners should confirm the applicable pathway with City of Simi Valley Building & Safety. DWD Builders has experience with fire rebuild ADU projects and can advise on the specific process for your location.