Eaton Fire Rebuild on Fair Oaks, Altadena
Ten months after we started the foundation, this 2,490 sq ft, two-story home on Fair Oaks was finished, received its certificate of occupancy, and was home again. The original property was lost in the January 2025 Eaton Fire. From the first design sketch through Los Angeles County approval and construction, the goal was simple: get the homeowners back home without cutting corners.
| Configuration | Two-story single-family home |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | Los Angeles County — EPIC-LA |
| Foundation | New slab-on-grade foundation |
| Design + permit | About 4 months from first sketch to approval |
| All-in cost | About $545 per sq ft |
What we found on Fair Oaks
By the time we started, the burned structure had been cleared and we were working with an open lot. The property previously had a swimming pool, but the homeowners did not want it as part of the new house, so removing the pool became part of the rebuild.
We started fresh with a new slab-on-grade foundation for the 2,490 sq ft, two-story home. The important site condition was along the south side of the property, where the grade slopes away from the house. That slope would become the biggest field decision of the foundation phase.
Where it went sideways
During the foundation inspection, the inspector flagged the slope along the south side of the house and called for a retaining wall. The proposed retaining-wall solution would have added roughly $60,000 to the project and could have taken four to six weeks.
Instead of immediately building the wall, we went back with another solution: deepen the foundation only along the south side from about 2 feet to 5 feet. Los Angeles County approved the change. The revised foundation took about two weeks to complete, avoided the retaining-wall approach, and saved the homeowners a significant amount of money without compromising the structure.
What the house is made of
The house was rebuilt as a new home, not simply replaced piece for piece. Along with the new structural work and fire-conscious exterior materials, the homeowners chose an upgraded interior with warm wood tones, muted green cabinetry, brass accents, and a mix of modern and traditional details.
- Foundation — new slab-on-grade, with the south-side foundation deepened to approximately 5 feet
- Roof — Class A flat roofing system
- Exterior — cement siding
- Windows — fiberglass, white interior with black exterior
- Kitchen — sage-green cabinetry, white island, brass-tone hardware and pendant lighting, white countertops
- Staircase — natural wood stairs and handrails with black metal railing
- Primary bath — dark glossy wall tile, freestanding tub, glass shower and warm metal fixtures
- Flooring — warm wood-look flooring throughout the main living areas
- Exterior hardscape — gray pavers at the front and rear of the home
What it cost
The Fair Oaks rebuild came in at about $545 per square foot, all included. That includes the process of taking the home from plans and design through permitting and construction, rather than presenting a construction-only number that leaves out a major part of what it actually takes to rebuild.
Insurance also mattered. The homeowners had code-upgrade coverage in their policy, and that portion of the claim helped them receive approximately $120,000 more for the project. That additional coverage helped address costs tied to rebuilding the home under today's requirements instead of simply pricing the house that existed before the fire.
“Thanks for all your help & communication during this very stressful & confusing time! You're appreciated.”
FAQs
Rebuilding in Altadena?
We're currently working on thirteen active rebuilds in Altadena. If you're trying to understand the design, permitting, insurance, or construction side of rebuilding after the Eaton Fire, we're happy to show you what the process actually looks like.
Our team handles the process from plans and design through permitting, construction, inspections, and the final certificate of occupancy.
2235 Lake Ave, Suite 213
Altadena, CA 91001
CSLB License #1076807