Pathway review
Like-for-like or changed design, ADU or basement, septic or sewer: we review your lot, your insurance scope, and your goals so the pathway decision is made on purpose.
How Altadena rebuild permits workAltadena rebuild · Eaton Fire
A licensed Altadena fire rebuild contractor, with design and permits coordinated from the start.
ROAM Builders Inc. (CSLB Lic. #1151324) rebuilds homes lost in the Eaton Fire, and ROAM Design Studio LLC prepares the plans and takes them through LA County permitting. Our office is on Lincoln Avenue in Pasadena, a few minutes from the burn area, so we can meet you on your lot and at the Altadena One-Stop center.
What we handle
From a cleared lot to a certificate of occupancy.
Design and LA County permits
ROAM Design Studio LLC prepares the permit set, coordinates the structural engineer, soils engineer, surveyor, and energy consultant, and answers plan-check comments with the County.
ROAM Design Studio LLCConstruction
ROAM Builders Inc. builds to the approved plans with wildfire-resistant construction under the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code, schedules inspections, and keeps you updated through final walkthrough.
ROAM Builders Inc.Choosing a rebuild contractor
What to ask any Altadena rebuild contractor, including us.
- Is your license active, and in which classification? Check it yourself on the CSLB license lookup. Ours is #1151324.
- Who prepares the plans, and who stamps them? Ask which licensed architects and engineers are involved, and whether the plans could use LA County's self-certification program. Hillside, liquefaction, and landslide areas are excluded from it.
- How will your proposal compare with my insurance scope? A written proposal that lists scope, assumptions, exclusions, and any allowances makes it possible to compare bids with your insurance documents. Our rebuild cost guide explains what drives cost.
- What is the payment schedule? Down payments and progress payments are limited by California law. Read our Rebuild Bill of Rights before you sign with anyone.
- Who is my day-to-day contact? You should know who answers your questions during design, during permitting, and on site.
Not sure where your project stands yet? The free Rebuild Roadmap organizes your property facts and next decisions before a consultation.
Sources: LA County like-for-like rebuild and LA County self-certification, reviewed October 2026. Confirm current requirements with LA County for your parcel.
ROAM is not affiliated with LA County or the CSLB. This page is general information, not legal or permitting advice. See our legal notices.
Rebuild options
Rebuild the house you had, or the one you need now.
One-story with a basement
Single-level living with more room below grade, where the soils and the rebuild pathway allow it.
One-story homes with basementsA new custom home
A redesigned house on your lot, permitted under standard zoning and the Altadena Community Standards District.
Custom homesPre-approved plans
LA County's catalog of pre-approved designs may shorten review, subject to site-specific approvals. ROAM Builders Inc. can build from them.
Pre-approved plan programCommon questions
Hiring for an Eaton Fire rebuild.
How do I check that an Altadena rebuild contractor is licensed?
Look up the license number on the Contractors State License Board website and confirm the name, classification, bond, and workers' compensation coverage match the company on your contract. ROAM Builders Inc. is CSLB Lic. #1151324. Unlicensed contracting for disaster-related repairs or rebuilding can result in felony charges under Business & Professions Code §7028.16, so this check matters more than usual after the Eaton Fire.
Should I rebuild like-for-like or change the design?
Like-for-like is usually the faster permit path: in the Eaton Fire area, LA County allows a like-for-like rebuild to grow by up to 10% or 200 square feet, whichever is greater. A changed design can give you a better house but follows standard zoning, including the Altadena Community Standards District, and takes longer to permit. We help you compare both against your budget, insurance, and timeline before design starts.
Can my rebuild be bigger, or include a basement or an ADU?
Often, within the rules for your pathway. Growing beyond the like-for-like allowance moves you to standard zoning review. The County's like-for-like guidance doesn't address basements directly, so we confirm a basement with County Planning for your parcel. ADUs are allowed in Altadena and can be part of a rebuild plan.
How much down payment can a rebuild contractor ask for?
For a home improvement contract, California caps the down payment at $1,000 or 10% of the contract price, whichever is less, and progress payments may not get ahead of the work completed. Our Rebuild Bill of Rights covers these protections and the standards ROAM commits to beyond them.
Do you only take full design-and-construction rebuilds?
No. ROAM Design Studio LLC can take your rebuild through design and LA County permits under a design agreement, and ROAM Builders Inc. can build from plans prepared by your own architect or designer, including pre-approved standard plans, under a construction agreement. Many homeowners use both companies; each works under its own agreement.