Free written scope consultation - allowances, timeline, and change-order rules on paper before a single trade is scheduled
Before
After
Before
After
Before
AfterConstruction in Altadena, CA
Kitchen remodeling in Altadena runs $14,000-$45,000 for a full job, and the work here is different from what crews see in Pasadena or La Cañada. Altadena is unincorporated Los Angeles County, which means every permit goes through LA County Building and Safety rather than a city counter, and thousands of homeowners are now rebuilding after the January 2025 Eaton Fire destroyed an estimated 7,000-plus structures. If you’re planning a kitchen, bathroom, roof, window, or addition project, call (470) 298-9650 and we’ll put a written price in front of you before any tool leaves the truck.
Why Altadena Homes Are Different
Pre-fire Altadena was dominated by 1920s-1950s Craftsman bungalows, Spanish Colonial Revival homes, and mid-century ranch houses, nearly all wood-frame on slab or raised foundations. The Eaton Fire didn’t just burn structures; it created a split market of complete ground-up rebuilds on cleared lots and fire-adjacent repair work on surviving homes with heat, smoke, and water damage. That matters for every trade: a kitchen remodel in a surviving 1940s bungalow often means rewiring knob-and-tube, replacing cast-iron drain lines, and sistering water-damaged floor joists before the first cabinet goes in.
Altadena sits in a designated Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, so any new construction must meet California Building Code Chapter 7A wildland-urban interface standards: ignition-resistant siding, ember-rated vents, dual-pane tempered glass on some elevations. Santa Ana winds funnel down the San Gabriel canyons at speed, and hillside lots bring expansive soils and grade changes that complicate foundation and grading permits. The permit queue at LA County Building and Safety in Alhambra is real, and during the rebuild surge it’s moving slower than firms accustomed to city-hall processing expect. A contractor who’s never worked an unincorporated area learns that on their first month in Altadena.
Our Main Altadena Services
Fence installation and driveway work are the two calls Altadena homeowners make most right now, because both sit at the property line where fire recovery, curb appeal, and county requirements meet.
Fence Installation in Altadena
Post-fire fence work in Altadena is rarely a simple replacement. Burned fence lines often mean damaged property pins, and on hillside lots the grade change dictates stepped panels rather than continuous runs. We write the price before we dig, and under Clause 1 of the Haven Standard that number doesn’t move unless you sign a change order. See Fence Installation in Altadena for the full scope, pricing, and what the county requires.
Driveway & Pavers in Altadena
Altadena driveways took a beating in 2025: fire apparatus weight, ash saturation, and debris-removal traffic cracked slabs and left paver beds uneven. Rebuilding a driveway here means addressing drainage first, because stormwater on foothill slopes finds every low spot. We quote paver and concrete work with a flat written price and leave you with a documented photo record of what we found and what we did. See Driveway & Pavers in Altadena for line-item ranges and local specifics.
What happens when you call
- 1
A real person answersNo phone trees - you reach a local pro.
- 2
You get an upfront price rangeHonest numbers before anyone is dispatched.
- 3
A background-checked tech heads outLicensed & insured, dispatched right away.
- 4
You approve before work beginsNothing starts until you say go.
BeforeAfterKitchen Remodeling in Altadena
A full kitchen remodel in Altadena costs $14,000-$45,000 depending on whether you’re renovating a surviving mid-century ranch or building from the slab up after fire loss. Many pre-fire homes here still have original 1940s electrical and plumbing, so a kitchen job frequently means opening walls to the studs and bringing rough-ins to current code before cabinets and countertops arrive. Our Kitchen Remodeling process always starts with a written price and a written scope, so you know exactly what the number covers before demolition begins.
Full Kitchen Remodeling
Signs you need it
You have a kitchen that survived with layout problems, aging wiring, or water damage from fire suppression, or you’re rebuilding on a cleared lot and starting from scratch.
What it costs in Altadena
A full kitchen remodel in Altadena runs $14,000-$45,000, with the higher end reflecting Chapter 7A-compliant materials and structural repairs on older wood-frame homes.
How we do it
We document the existing conditions with photos, strip to the framing, bring electrical and plumbing to code, then build back with a written change-order trail on every modification.
Cabinets & Countertops
Signs you need it
Cabinet boxes are water-swollen, delaminating, or configured poorly for a kitchen that needs to work differently after a rebuild.
What it costs in Altadena
Cabinet installation runs $4,000-$13,000 and countertops $2,000-$6,500, with brands like KraftMaid, Wellborn, Cambria, and Caesarstone priced honestly in the written quote.
How we do it
We measure to the sixteenth, order from our vetted brand list, and install with documented photo evidence of the substrate condition before anything is set.
What Kitchen Remodeling Costs in Altadena
| Item | Typical range in Altadena |
|---|---|
| Full kitchen remodel | $14,000-$45,000 |
| Small kitchen remodel | $9,000-$20,000 |
| Cabinet installation | $4,000-$13,000 |
Does a kitchen remodel in Altadena require a county permit?
Yes. Altadena is unincorporated, so permits go through LA County Building and Safety, not a city hall. Any work that moves plumbing, electrical, or walls requires a permit, and we pull them as part of the written scope.
Will the kitchen price change once the work starts?
Only if you change the scope. Our founding discipline is a signed change order before any new work proceeds, which is how our projects have stayed within a few percent of the agreed number since 2007. Call (470) 298-9650 for an exact quote.
Bathroom Remodeling in Altadena
A bathroom remodel in Altadena typically runs $9,000-$28,000, and the work often starts behind the tile. Surviving pre-fire homes have cast-iron drain lines and galvanized supply pipes that are now sixty to eighty years old, and water intrusion from fire suppression or roof damage shows up first in bathroom subfloors. Our Bathroom Remodeling scope always names what we found in writing before quoting, because the number means nothing without knowing what’s behind the wall.
Full Bathroom Remodeling
Signs you need it
Your bathroom has a failing tile membrane, a leaking shower pan, or a layout that no longer works for a household that just went through fire recovery.
What it costs in Altadena
A full bathroom remodel in Altadena runs $9,000-$28,000, with the spread driven by whether we’re replacing cast-iron drain lines and redoing the substrate or simply refreshing finishes.
How we do it
We strip to the framing, document what the substrate and plumbing actually look like, then rebuild with a waterproofing system and a written photo record of every layer.
Walk-In Showers & Shower Remodeling
Signs you need it
Water stains below the bathroom, cracked grout that holds moisture, or a shower pan that has failed and is sending water into the subfloor.
What it costs in Altadena
A walk-in shower installation runs $4,500-$12,000, and a shower replacement $3,000-$8,500, depending on the condition of the existing drain and framing.
How we do it
We remove the existing pan and wall board, inspect and repair the subfloor, install a new waterproof membrane, and set the tile with documentation at each step.
What Bathroom Remodeling Costs in Altadena
| Item | Typical range in Altadena |
|---|---|
| Full bathroom remodel | $9,000-$28,000 |
| Walk-in shower installation | $4,500-$12,000 |
| Tub-to-shower conversion | $3,500-$10,000 |
How long does a bathroom remodel take in Altadena?
Most Altadena bathroom remodels run two to four weeks depending on county inspection scheduling and whether we’re replacing old drain lines. A written timeline is part of the scope we quote. Call (470) 298-9650 to get yours.
Do you pull the permit for a bathroom remodel?
Yes, we pull all LA County permits for bathroom work as part of the written scope, and we schedule the inspections. You get the inspection record at closeout, not a verbal promise.
Roofing in Altadena
Roof replacement in Altadena runs $8,000-$20,000, and in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone the material choice is no longer cosmetic. New roofs here must meet Chapter 7A ignition-resistant standards, which means Class A assemblies, ember-rated vents, and in some cases metal or tile profiles that can handle Santa Ana wind events funneling down the foothill canyons. Our Roofing work starts with a documented inspection of the sheathing condition, not a guess from the ground.
Roof Repair
Signs you need it
You have water staining on ceilings, lifted or missing shingles after wind, or ember damage from the Eaton Fire that compromised the roof assembly without a full replacement being required.
What it costs in Altadena
Roof repair in Altadena runs $400-$1,800 for typical shingle and flashing work, and tile roof repair runs $600-$2,500 depending on whether replacement tiles need to be sourced to match.
How we do it
We inspect the sheathing and underlayment, document what we find with photos, replace only what’s failed, and leave you with a written condition report.
Roof Replacement & Installation
Signs you need it
The roof is at the end of its service life, the decking is water-damaged, or you’re rebuilding after fire and need a Chapter 7A-compliant assembly from the sheathing up.
What it costs in Altadena
A full roof replacement in Altadena runs $8,000-$20,000, with metal roofing at $15,000-$40,000 when the slope and fire requirements call for it.
How we do it
We strip to the decking, document the sheathing, install the underlayment and Class A assembly per Chapter 7A, and photograph the completed layers before the final inspection.
What Roofing Costs in Altadena
| Item | Typical range in Altadena |
|---|---|
| Roof replacement | $8,000-$20,000 |
| Metal roof installation | $15,000-$40,000 |
| Roof repair | $400-$1,800 |
Does an Altadena roof need to meet fire code even if it’s just a repair?
If the repair touches more than a small area, yes: Altadena’s Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone requires Chapter 7A-compliant materials on any significant reroof or new construction. We confirm the code path in writing before quoting.
Can you match the existing roofing material on a partial repair?
Usually yes for composition shingle and concrete tile if the original material is still manufactured. For older Spanish tile profiles that are discontinued, we’ll source the closest match and note it in the written scope. Call (470) 298-9650 for a roof inspection.
Windows & Doors in Altadena
Window replacement in Altadena runs $4,500-$15,000 for a typical home, and impact-rated windows run $8,000-$25,000 when the elevation faces the mountain canyons. Pre-fire bungalows and ranch houses here often have original single-pane wood sash windows that are now sixty to ninety years old, and many surviving homes need glass replaced due to heat distortion and ember contact. Our Windows & Doors quotes name the frame material, glass package, and the specific elevation’s fire requirement, so you can compare line by line.
Window Replacement
Signs you need it
Frames are rotted or warped, glass is compromised from fire exposure, or the original single-pane sash no longer seals against wind-driven dust from the foothills.
What it costs in Altadena
Window replacement in Altadena runs $4,500-$15,000 for a standard home, with the spread driven by frame material and the number of openings.
How we do it
We measure each opening, document the rough frame condition, order the specified units, and install with a written photo record of flashing and sealant at each penetration.
Impact Windows & Doors
Signs you need it
Your home faces a canyon or hillside elevation where wind-driven embers and Santa Ana gusts are a real threat, or you’re rebuilding and Chapter 7A requires tempered or impact-rated glazing on certain elevations.
What it costs in Altadena
Impact window installation in Altadena runs $8,000-$25,000 depending on the elevation, frame material, and whether we’re replacing doors in the same scope.
How we do it
We specify the glazing package by elevation, order units rated for the wind zone, and install with the same documented process we use on every opening.
What Windows & Doors Costs in Altadena
| Item | Typical range in Altadena |
|---|---|
| Window replacement | $4,500-$15,000 |
| Impact window installation | $8,000-$25,000 |
| Door installation | $2,000-$6,500 |
Do Altadena homes require impact windows?
Not on every elevation, but the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone and wind exposure often require tempered or impact-rated glazing on specific sides of the house. We confirm the requirement in the written scope before pricing.
Will new windows change the look of a Craftsman bungalow?
It doesn’t have to. We can source divided-light and wood-clad profiles that match the original sightlines while meeting current energy and fire requirements. Call (470) 298-9650 to discuss your elevations.
Home Additions & ADU in Altadena
Home additions in Altadena run $45,000-$130,000, and ADU construction runs $90,000-$220,000, with the final number shaped heavily by grading, foundation engineering, and fire-zone requirements. Hillside lots here bring expansive soils and significant grade changes, and every new structure in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone must meet Chapter 7A ignition-resistant standards from the foundation up. Our Home Additions & ADU process starts with the written scope and the permit path, because in unincorporated LA County the paperwork is part of the project, not an afterthought.
ADU Design & Permitting
Signs you need it
You have a rear yard, a garage, or a hillside pad that could support a legal second unit, and you need the design and permit package done as one process rather than two separate invoices from two firms.
What it costs in Altadena
ADU construction in Altadena runs $90,000-$220,000 depending on site work, foundation type, and whether it’s attached or detached.
How we do it
We survey the lot, run the grading and utility checks, design to the county’s ADU ordinance, and submit the full permit package with a flat written price for the build.
Garage Conversion ADU
Signs you need it
Your existing garage survived the fire or was rebuilt, and you want to convert it to rentable or family living space without adding a new foundation.
What it costs in Altadena
A garage conversion ADU in Altadena runs $30,000-$80,000, or $90,000-$220,000 if the garage was lost and the project becomes a new detached ADU.
How we do it
We assess the slab and framing, design the unit to meet Chapter 7A and ADU requirements, and build with a signed change-order trail on every modification.
What Home Additions & ADU Costs in Altadena
| Item | Typical range in Altadena |
|---|---|
| Home addition | $45,000-$130,000 |
| ADU construction | $90,000-$220,000 |
| Garage conversion | $30,000-$80,000 |
How long do ADUs take in Altadena right now?
Expect six to fourteen months from permit submission to final inspection, depending on county queue times and site grading. Hillside lots with expansive soils add engineering and review time no contractor can shortcut. Call (470) 298-9650 for a written timeline.
Do you handle the county permits and inspections?
Yes. We submit to LA County Building and Safety, schedule every inspection, and deliver the permit closeout and inspection record at the end. The paperwork is part of the written scope, not an add-on.
Brands We Service in Altadena
We work with Sakrete for concrete and repair mortars, Abodu and Cover for prefabricated ADU systems, and Dvele for high-performance building envelopes. Material for Altadena jobs is sourced through our Los Angeles-based supply network, and we quote honest numbers on all of it. See our brands for the full list.
Pricing for Construction in Altadena, CA
| Service | Typical range in Altadena |
|---|---|
| Kitchen remodel | $14,000-$45,000 |
| Bathroom remodel | $9,000-$28,000 |
| Roof replacement | $8,000-$20,000 |
| Window replacement | $4,500-$15,000 |
| Home addition | $45,000-$130,000 |
| ADU construction | $90,000-$220,000 |
| Paver driveway installation | $7,000-$18,000 |
| Fence installation | $3,500-$10,000 |
What pushes a number up in Altadena is usually the ground: hillside grading, expansive soils, and foundation work on older wood-frame homes add cost fast. County permit timelines also matter, because a job that waits on an inspector still has a crew on the clock. Under Clause 1 of the Haven Standard, the price is written before anyone starts, and it doesn’t move without a signed change order.
Neighborhoods We Serve in Altadena
We work throughout Altadena, from the flats near Lake Avenue up into the foothill streets below the Angeles National Forest. Each area has its own soil conditions and fire-zone requirements, and we quote them based on what’s actually on your lot, not a generic price sheet.
- The Meadows
- Altadena Country Club area
- President Streets
- La Vina
- Canyon rim communities along the northern edge
We typically respond to Altadena service requests within one business day with a written estimate or a scheduled site visit.
Service Area - Cities Near Altadena
We serve Altadena and the neighboring communities of Pasadena, CA, South Pasadena, CA, San Gabriel, CA, and Alhambra, CA. Scheduling and dispatch for Altadena jobs are coordinated from our Los Angeles office, with crews working locally through LA County permit channels.
Serving Altadena, CA - Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the Altadena area and know this community well. Use the map below to see our service coverage - if you’re nearby, we can almost certainly help.
FAQs About Construction in Altadena
Altadena permits go through LA County Building and Safety in Alhambra, and the Eaton Fire rebuild surge has lengthened review times across the board. Simple trade permits may clear in weeks; structural, grading, and ADU permits are taking months. We build the expected timeline into the written scope so you’re not surprised halfway through. Call (470) 298-9650 for a current estimate.
For any project over a single trade, a general contractor is the practical answer in Altadena. Separate trades means separate permits, separate inspections, and no single point of accountability for the sequencing. Our written scope covers every trade in one flat price, and our 365-Day Done Right Promise applies to the whole job, not just one crew’s work.
At minimum: a written scope, a flat written price, a signed change order for any modification, a permit closeout with inspection record, and a documented photo record of every visit. We include all of that as standard on every Altadena project, because in an unincorporated county with a strained permit system, the paperwork is the only thing that protects you.
What happens when you call
- 1A real person answersNo phone trees - talk to a local construction pro.
- 2You get an upfront price rangeHonest numbers before anyone is dispatched. No surprises.
- 3We come out and measureLicensed & insured, at a time that suits you - the visit and the quote are both free.
- 4You get the price in writingLine-itemed, yours to keep, and nothing starts until you say go.
What Altadena Customers Say
"Fence and retaining wall along a sloped boundary. They photographed the footing depth at each post, which mattered when the county inspector came."
- Iona F."Talked us out of the larger scope we came in asking for, because it would not have added the value we thought."
- Emil R."They found an old septic line under the driveway run and stopped, documented it, and re-quoted before continuing."
- Xavier L.