Building a new house in Los Angeles is a long commitment. Design, engineering and city plan check can take many months before the first footing is poured, and construction often runs a year or more, longer on hillside lots that need engineered foundations. Since the January 2025 Palisades and Eaton fires, many families have also been rebuilding, adding pressure on permit desks and builder schedules across the region.
That makes the builder choice especially important. This guide compares five Los Angeles builders with an active California State License Board (CSLB) General Building license and documented ground-up homes. Because firms that build only a few new homes a year collect relatively few online reviews, this list uses a lower review count than our remodeling guides. Joel & Co. Construction ranks first as a family-owned, second-generation design-build firm that has built and remodeled homes in Los Angeles for more than 40 years and handles design, engineering, permits and construction itself.
| Rank | Company | Good Fit For | Key Strengths | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joel & Co. Construction | Design-build on Westside and Valley lots | One firm from sketch to keys | Los Angeles (Brentwood) |
| 2 | Drexel Luxury Homes | Palisades rebuilds and Westside homes | 24 new-construction permits | Mid-City |
| 3 | Arzuman Brothers | Large new homes in the foothills and Valley | Design center; builds since 2015 | Montrose |
| 4 | Waconah Construction | Modern homes on the Westside | Licensed since 2007 | Inglewood |
| 5 | Modern Evolution Homebuilders | Eaton fire rebuilds in Altadena | In-house designers | Altadena |
| Location: 11693 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049 Service Area: Westside and San Fernando Valley, from Beverly Hills, Brentwood and Santa Monica to Encino, Studio City and Tarzana Phone: (310) 728-6181 Rating: 4.9 on Google and 4.9 on Houzz Pricing: No published rates; each build is priced in a written proposal Website: losangelesgeneralcontractor.com |
Why they lead the list: A custom home succeeds or fails in the handoffs between architect, engineer and builder, and Joel & Co. Construction removes most of them. The family-owned firm works as a true design-build contractor, so one licensed team carries a project from the first sketch through engineering, city permits and construction to the final walkthrough. Now in its second generation, the company has built and remodeled homes across Los Angeles for more than 40 years, and its portfolio includes new construction in Beverly Hills. Its experience with hillside lots and structural work matters on the sloped and older sites where many LA custom homes are built.
What They Do Well
Ideal Customers: Westside and Valley owners planning a new home who want design and construction under one contract, including owners replacing an older house on a sloped or structurally complex lot.
Standout Features
Bottom line: For owners who want one experienced, family-run firm accountable for designing and building a new LA home.
What Reviewers Say: On Google, clients most often mention steady communication, an organized crew and careful finish work, including tile.
Good fit for: Design-build on Westside and Valley lots.
| Location: 5166 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90019 Service Area: Westside, Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica and central Los Angeles Phone: (323) 454-2232 Rating: 5.0 on Google Pricing: Not published Website: drexelluxuryhomes.com |
What They Do Well
Ideal Customers: Palisades families rebuilding after the fire and Westside owners replacing an older house with a new one. The company quotes 12 to 18 months from first consultation to move-in for Palisades rebuilds.
Bottom line: The strongest permit record for new homes among the competitors on this list.
What Reviewers Say: Google reviewers most often name Ilan Douek and describe new homes, including one in Beverlywood, finished on budget and on time with close personal oversight.
Good fit for: Palisades rebuilds and Westside homes.
| Location: 2343 Honolulu Ave., Montrose, CA 91020 Service Area: Glendale, Montrose, the San Fernando Valley and the Westside, including Pacific Palisades Phone: (818) 821-3359 Rating: 4.7 on Google Pricing: Palisades custom homes typically $3 million to $10 million or more, per its site Website: arzumanbrothers.com |
What They Do Well
Ideal Customers: Owners planning a large new home in the Glendale foothills, the Valley or the Palisades who want to select finishes in person. Owners Arman and Edgar Arzuman have held their CSLB license, #1000512, since 2015.
Bottom line: A family-run builder for larger new homes with a showroom close to the work.
What Reviewers Say: Google reviewers, including owners living in homes the company built, describe honest dealings and careful attention to detail.
Good fit for: Large new homes in the foothills and Valley.
| Location: 616 Edgewood St., Inglewood, CA 90302 Service Area: Westside Los Angeles, including Pacific Palisades, Mar Vista and Venice Phone: (424) 337-0229 Rating: 4.8 on Google Pricing: Not published Website: waconahconstruction.com |
What They Do Well
Ideal Customers: Westside owners building a modern home or rebuilding after fire or flood damage who want a contractor with in-house electrical and plumbing licenses.
Bottom line: A long-licensed Westside builder that handles more of the trade work itself.
What Reviewers Say: Google reviewers most often name Chris Mulhern, describing honest, communicative and detail-minded work, including a ground-up modern home on the Westside.
Good fit for: Modern homes on the Westside.
| Location: 2525 Lake Ave., #7, Altadena, CA 91001 Service Area: Altadena, Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley Phone: (626) 268-1249 Rating: 5.0 on Google Pricing: Consultations are free; build costs are quoted per project Website: modernevolutionhomes.com |
What They Do Well
Ideal Customers: Altadena and Pasadena families rebuilding after the Eaton fire who want a local builder with design staff.
Bottom line: A newer, locally based option for Altadena rebuilds; ask to see completed new homes.
What Reviewers Say: Google reviewers most often name founder Chris Martinez, describing clear communication and projects finished on or ahead of schedule, mostly kitchens, baths and an ADU.
Good fit for: Eaton fire rebuilds in Altadena.
Primary factors
Secondary factors
A new house is the largest project most families ever take on, so the builder should show completed homes, explain who designs and engineers the house, and give a realistic schedule for plan check and construction. Joel & Co. Construction ranks first because one family-owned design-build team has carried LA homes from design through permits to construction for more than 40 years.
Before signing, visit a finished home the builder completed, check the license, bonds and workers' compensation on the CSLB website, and ask for a payment schedule tied to completed stages of work.
