Custom New Construction project in Los Angeles completed by 1 Smart Build, a licensed design-build general contractor
Custom Homes

CUSTOM HOME BUILDER IN LOS ANGELES

Building from the ground up is the most involved thing we do, and the property decides most of it: zoning, slope, soils, access, and utilities all shape what you can build before a single line gets drawn.

$400 – $800+ per square foot depending on site and finish level 18–30 months including entitlement and permitting

Short Answer

Custom homes in LA typically run $400 to $800+ per square foot. Hillside lots, deep foundations and high-end finishes push it higher; a flat lot with straightforward access keeps it lower.

Typical cost
$400 – $800+ per square foot depending on site and finish level
Typical timeline
18–30 months including entitlement and permitting
Permits
Permits and inspections handled by us through LADBS or your city building department.
Service area
All of Los Angeles County, including the San Fernando Valley, Westside, South Bay and foothill cities.
Credentials
Licensed, bonded and insured. CSLB #1076428. Owner-operated.

Ground-Up Construction

Full-service design-build on your lot: feasibility, architecture, engineering, entitlement, permits and construction with our own crews and long-standing subs.

  • New single-family custom homes
  • SB9 lot splits and two-unit developments
  • Hillside and view-lot construction
  • Tear-down and rebuild projects
  • Multi-unit residential

Start With the Lot

Before design, we look at what the parcel actually allows: zoning and FAR, height limits, setbacks, hillside ordinance, fire-severity zone, soils, and whether utilities are at the street. It's cheaper to find out now than after plans are drawn.

  • Zoning, FAR and height analysis
  • Soils and geotechnical reports
  • Hillside ordinance and grading review
  • Utility availability and connection costs
  • SB9 eligibility for lot splits

How We Keep It Predictable

Design-build means the people who drew it are accountable for building it on budget, with no finger-pointing between an outside architect and the builder when something doesn't fit. You get a fixed-price proposal with specifications and a milestone schedule you can track in your portal.

  • Single accountable team from design to keys
  • Fixed-price proposal with real specifications
  • Milestone payment schedule
  • Client portal with schedule, approvals and photos
Projects We've Actually Built

Custom New Construction Jobs, With Real Numbers

Every figure below is from a permitted project we completed in Los Angeles County, not an estimate or an industry average.

Who Does This Work
Isaac Sade, Project Manager at 1 Smart Build

Isaac Sade, Project Manager

Isaac runs custom new construction projects at 1 Smart Build from the first site visit through final inspection: scope, plans, permit submittal, the crews on site, and the walkthrough at the end. You deal with one person who is accountable for the whole job.

Class B — General Building Contractor, CSLB #1076428. Bonded through and insured to $1,000,000 through U.S. Specialty Insurance Company. Rated 4.9 across 168 reviews.

More about Isaac

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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

Custom homes in LA typically run $400 to $800+ per square foot. Hillside lots, deep foundations and high-end finishes push it higher; a flat lot with straightforward access keeps it lower.

How long does it take to build a custom home?

Plan on 18 to 30 months from first design meeting to move-in, with entitlement and plan check often taking as long as construction.

Do you handle SB9 lot splits?

Yes. We handle SB9 lot splits and two-unit urban lot developments end to end, eligibility review, parcel maps, permits and construction.

Do you build custom homes near me in Ventura or Orange County?

Yes. We're a design-build new home construction company based in Woodland Hills, and we build custom homes across Los Angeles County, Ventura County and Orange County, anywhere within about 100 miles of our office.

Areas We Serve

1 Smart Build provides custom new construction services within a 100-mile radius of our Woodland Hills office, covering Los Angeles County, Ventura County, Orange County and the surrounding region. Homeowners searching for a remodeling contractor near me regularly hire us in:

Don't see your city? View all service areas or give us a call, if you're within 100 miles, we build there.

Free Consultation

DISCUSS YOUR PROJECT WITH 1 SMART BUILD

Licensed, bonded and insured design-build general contractor serving Los Angeles County and Southern California. Tell us about your property and goals, and we'll walk you through feasibility, permitting and a clear plan.

1 (866) 419-8840
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