Custom Home Building · Santa Monica
Custom Home Building in Santa Monica, CA
New homes on Santa Monica lots, from North of Montana to Sunset Park, with the city's zoning envelope, coastal permits and any historic review of the existing house planned before design is fixed.
- Licensed California general contractor
- Permits with the City of Santa Monica
- Written, line-item estimates
- Design, engineering & construction
Santa Monica, CA
Custom Home Building for Santa Monica Homeowners
Simply Construction provides custom home building in Santa Monica for owners replacing an older house or building on a cleared lot. As a licensed California general contractor, we coordinate the architect, engineers, consultants and city reviewers, and we build the home under one contract from permit to final inspection.
On the Westside, the difficult part of a custom home is rarely the construction itself. It is fitting a well-designed house into Santa Monica's zoning limits, clearing any historic review of the existing structure and, on some lots, adding a coastal permit to the process. We map those steps before design so the schedule is realistic from day one.
Local Knowledge
Custom Homes in Santa Monica Neighborhoods
North of Montana Avenue is where most of Santa Monica's larger custom homes are built. The streets are lined with mature trees, many blocks have alleys for garage access, and older Spanish Colonial Revival and traditional houses sit beside newer contemporary homes. A new house there has to respect the city's single-family zoning envelope, including limits on height, lot coverage and upper-floor massing, while making the most of the lot.
Before an older house comes down, the city's historic preservation process may take a look. Santa Monica's Landmarks Commission can review demolition applications for older structures, and a house found to be significant can change the plan entirely. We look into the property's history early and advise you on it before you commit to a design.
Sunset Park offers smaller lots and a more modest scale, where a new house has to work harder to deliver space. Closer to the ocean, inside the Coastal Zone, a coastal development permit may be required, and salt air calls for corrosion-resistant fasteners, flashing and window hardware throughout the building.
What's Included
Our Custom Home Scope in Santa Monica
- Feasibility review of zoning, historic status, coastal zone location and utility capacity before design
- Coordination of architect, structural engineer, soils engineer and other consultants under one contract
- City of Santa Monica Planning and Building and Safety submittals, plus coastal permits where required
- Demolition, shoring and excavation planning for tight lots with close neighbors
- Corrosion-resistant materials and hardware selected for the marine environment
- Energy code compliance for a coastal climate zone, including the rooftop PV a new house requires
- Construction logistics planned around alleys, street parking and the city's construction hours
For the full scope, process and options, see our main custom home building page, or browse everything we build on our Santa Monica service area page.
Planning Considerations
Planning a New Home on the Westside
Basements and Excavation
A basement is a common way to add space on a Westside lot without adding height. Excavating on a narrow Santa Monica lot means shoring, careful soils work and attention to any groundwater and to the foundations next door. We bring in the soils and shoring engineers early and price the basement as its own line item, so you can decide whether it earns its cost.
Designing for the Marine Layer
Santa Monica's climate is mild, but the salt air and morning marine layer are hard on buildings. We specify stainless or hot-dip galvanized fasteners where exposure calls for it, detail windows and doors carefully against wind-driven rain, and choose exterior finishes that hold up near the ocean. These choices prevent the problems that tend to appear years after move-in.
Working With Neighbors
Santa Monica lots sit close together, and months of construction next door is a lot to ask of the people on either side. We plan staging, deliveries and noisy work around the city's construction hours, keep the alley clear and give neighbors notice before disruptive phases. Good neighbor relations also make any discretionary review go more smoothly.
Why Choose Us
Why Santa Monica Homeowners Choose Simply Construction
Licensed, Bonded and Easy to Verify
Simply Construction inc. is a licensed California general contractor, CSLB [CSLB LICENSE # PLACEHOLDER]. State law requires a license for any job of $1,000 or more in labor and materials, and anyone can check a contractor's license, bond and workers' compensation status on the CSLB website in about a minute. We encourage every Santa Monica homeowner to do exactly that before signing with anyone, including us.
One Team From Plans to Final Inspection
Design, engineering, permitting and construction sit under one contract and one project lead, so nobody points fingers between the designer, the engineer and the builder when a detail changes. You get one schedule, one point of contact and regular progress updates from the first site visit through the final inspection and sign-off on your Santa Monica project.
Care for Your Street and Your Neighbors
Large projects happen next door to people who live there. We plan staging, dumpster placement, deliveries and working hours around Santa Monica rules, keep the site secured at the end of each day, and give you notice before loud or disruptive phases such as demolition, concrete pours or crane lifts, so you can give your neighbors a heads-up too.
More in Santa Monica
Other Services in Santa Monica
Nearby
Custom Home Building Near Santa Monica
FAQ
Custom Home Building in Santa Monica: Common Questions
Can an older Santa Monica house be torn down for a new one?
Often, yes, but older houses may need historic review before a demolition permit is issued. If the Landmarks Commission finds a house significant, demolition may be limited or the design may need to change. We research the property's history early so you understand that risk before investing in full plans.
Is my Santa Monica lot in the Coastal Zone?
Many properties are, especially closer to the ocean. If yours is, a coastal development permit may be required for a new home in addition to the building permit, which affects the schedule. We confirm the lot's status with the city at the start and plan the approval sequence around it.
What drives the cost of a custom home here?
Site conditions and design choices, more than square footage alone. Demolition, shoring and excavation for a basement, corrosion-resistant materials, structural engineering and finish level all move the number. Our estimates are itemized from your plans and site rather than quoted per foot, which lets you see where each dollar is going.
Start Your Project
Planning a Custom Home in Santa Monica?
Tell us about your property and goals. We will walk the site, flag anything the City of Santa Monica will care about, and give you a written, line-item estimate.
Licensed California General Contractor · CSLB [CSLB LICENSE # PLACEHOLDER]