Fire Rebuild Contractor in Calabasas, CA

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.

It depends on your property's Fire Hazard Severity Zone designation. New state maps expanding in late July 2026 will add approximately 1,000 more Altadena properties to zones requiring Chapter 7A wildfire-resistant construction. Verify your property's status at recovery.lacounty.gov.

From debris clearance through certificate of occupancy, a standard Altadena rebuild typically takes 18 to 30 months. Permit approval takes approximately 4 to 5 months under streamlined LA County pathways. DWD Builders guides clients through every step of the process.

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, as long as the ADU passes all required inspections.