The Complete Guide to Rebuilding Your Home After the LA Wildfires
The Palisades and Eaton fires of January 2025 are the most devastating wildfires Los Angeles has ever seen. With thousands of Angelinos displaced and looking to rebuild, the Los Angeles Builders Association (LABA) wants to support the community through the restoration process.
In this article, we’ll explain exactly how wildfire victims can navigate rebuilding with confidence. This seven-step guide to rebuilding your home after the LA wildfires covers everything from planning to funding to overseeing the vendors.
As locals, we understand that the devastation caused by wildfires is life-altering. At the same time, we know Los Angeles is resilient. And we hope rebuilding your home brings you peace in creating a safe haven, perfectly suited to your needs and lifestyle.
Step 1. Assess Your Needs and Goals
Begin the process of rebuilding by determining what you need and want from the process. Ask yourself questions like:
- Where do I want to stay while the home is being built? This could be a unique opportunity to stay near, or even with, family, for example.
- Do I want to rebuild on the same site?
- Should I change the layout to better suit our current and future needs?
- Are there new features I should include? Perhaps you’ve always wanted a steam shower in the primary suite’s bathroom, for example.
At this point, your goal is to think about the ways a newly built home can best serve you and your household. This is also a good time to set a realistic budget and timeline, which will help guide the next steps of your rebuild.
Step 2. Navigate the Insurance Claims Process and Secure Funding
After a wildfire or other natural disaster, insurance is often the primary source of funding for the rebuild. Review your insurance policy and make sure you understand what’s covered and what’s not. Pay special attention to:
- Debris removal
- Construction costs
- Temporary housing expenses
- Fire-resilient upgrades
Work with an insurance adjuster to file your claim, making sure it reflects the full extent of the damage and rebuilding needs.
If your insurance does not fully cover the costs, explore other funding options like:
- FEMA disaster assistance. If you qualify, FEMA may provide grants for rebuilding or temporary housing.
- California wildfire recovery programs. These may include grants or low-interest loans for rebuilding efforts.
- Low-interest disaster loans. Government agencies, charitable organizations, and financial institutions could all be viable sources for these loans.
- Construction loans. If you plan to upgrade or expand your home, construction loans can help cover additional costs.
Remember to leave some padding (perhaps 10–15% of the estimated budget) to cover inevitable unexpected expenses that accompany a project of this size and scope.
Step 3. Hire the Right Architect for a Fire-Resilient Design
Rebuilding after a wildfire is an opportunity to make your new home safer and more resilient against future disasters.
Hiring the right architect is crucial for ensuring that your rebuilt home complies with the latest building codes, meets local requirements for defensible space, and is built with fire-resistant materials and features.
Here is a quick overview of fire-resilient design:
- Fire-resistant materials, such as stucco, fiber cement siding, Class A roofing, and dual-pane, tempered-glass windows.
- Ember-resistant vents, which prevent embers from entering the home through ventilation systems in the attic or crawlspaces.
- Internal sprinkler systems, which can quickly put out fires.
- Defensible landscaping, including a buffer zone around the property with fire-resistant plants, gravel, and other hardscaping.
- Solar power systems and generators, which can serve as backup power resources to keep your home’s systems running during emergencies.
A good architect balances aesthetics, functionality, and cost efficiency. Plus, by investing in resilience during the rebuild, you’re helping to protect your household while potentially reducing future insurance costs and increasing your home’s value.
Step 4. Apply for Building Permits
The LA permit office is prepared to streamline the permitting process to help facilitate rebuilding after the fires.
Applying for permits involves the following:
- Submit building plans. You can submit the plans created with your architect online through the EPIC-LA portal or at your local Building and Safety District Office.
- Expedited permit review. Certain regulatory reviews have been waived to streamline the permitting process and help Angelinos start reconstruction sooner.
- Obtain necessary permits. Once your plans are approved, the department will issue the required building permits so you can begin construction.
Step 5. Partner with a Qualified General Contractor (GC)
The GC is the person who will directly supervise the construction of your new home. A good CG can make your life easier, anticipating needs and handling issues before they become problems. A bad CG can create extra stress, which is the last thing you need right now.
When interviewing GCs, look for someone who:
- Is properly licensed and insured
- Knows the LA market, including updated building regulations
- Has a proven track record of successful builds
- Has experience navigating fire-specific construction
- Clearly outlines all costs and explains what is included in the costs
- Is a good communicator
- Reliably does what they said they would do
Make sure you have a thorough contract in place, which details the arrangements in writing.
Step 6. Coordinate Vendors and Oversee the Build
Rebuilding requires a team of skilled professionals, working together to bring your vision to life. While the CG will directly supervise their team, it is important to understand what the different vendors do. Being involved in the process can help you track progress to make sure the build is proceeding as you want it to.
In addition to the architect and GC, key vendors include:
- Structural engineers to confirm the home’s structural safety.
- Civil engineers to handle grading, drainage, and land-use compliance.
- Inspectors to ensure compliance with fire and building codes.
- Interior designers to help with aesthetic finishes.
- Landscape designers to plan defensible spaces with fire-resistant landscaping and hardscaping.
- Surveyors to confirm property boundaries and topography.
- Environmental consultants to assess and mitigate risks of wildfires, landslides, soil toxins, etc.
Early and consistent communication with the team can help you avoid delays, make sure the new build is up to code, and confirm that the property meets your expectations. Schedule routine check-ins with your GC to review progress and resolve any issues.
Step 7. Finalize the Build and Move into Your New Home
With the build complete, there are just a few odds and ends to finalize before move-in day:
- Obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy (CofO) from the City of LA, which confirms that the property meets all fire codes, safety regulations, and building requirements, making it legally suitable for occupancy.
- Completing a final walkthrough with the GC. You’ll confirm that all “punch-list” items have been completed to your satisfaction.
- Collecting warranty information from the GC. These documents guarantee the work done and provide some protection against any defects.
Once everything is finalized, your home is ready for move-in and you get your fresh start after the devastation of the fire.
Building a More Resilient Los Angeles
Rebuilding after the LA wildfires is a challenging journey, but it’s also an opportunity to create a safer and more resilient home. By taking advantage of available resources and working with qualified professionals who are knowledgeable about fire-specific regulations, you can give yourself and your family a fresh start.
LABA is dedicated to helping fire victims through every step of the rebuilding process by providing practical information to make recovery as smooth as possible for you and our community.
Rebuilding isn’t just about restoring what was lost; it’s about building a future based on strength, safety, and hope.
