How Much Does It Cost Per Square Foot to Build a Custom Home in Pacific Palisades?
- Gandia Inc
- Jun 17
- 4 min read
If you’re exploring a custom home or fire rebuild in Pacific Palisades, one of the most common questions is: “What’s the price per square foot to build a home here?”
At Gandia Custom Homes, we hear this question daily — and while it’s a great starting point, it only tells part of the story. Let’s break it down so you understand not just the number, but what’s actually included and why it matters — especially in a high-demand area like Pacific Palisades.
💰 Our Starting Price: $690 per Square Foot (and What That Means)
At Gandia Custom Homes, we start at $690 per square foot for basic materials and core construction. This pricing reflects a true custom build using quality materials — not builder-grade shortcuts.
This starting price does not include:
Architectural design
Structural and civil engineering
Interior design
Those are billed separately at the entry level — but as your project scope increases, our pricing structure becomes more inclusive, offering a one-stop-shop solution where we integrate design, permitting, construction, and finishes all under one roof.
📉 Compare That to Others Charging $800–$1,000+ for the Same Basic Build
Some builders in Pacific Palisades are now quoting $800 to over $1,000 per square foot for basic rebuilds — before luxury upgrades, premium materials, or advanced systems are added. In many cases, that pricing is not reflective of the value you’re receiving.
We’ve seen clients get locked into high-cost contracts where:
The initial bid doesn’t include essential line items
Allowances are unrealistically low
Upgrades are forced mid-construction through expensive change orders
At Gandia Custom Homes, we believe in honest, transparent pricing that reflects real market conditions — with allowances that match your expectations and flexibility where you need it.
🔥 We Know Fire Rebuilds — And How to Maximize Insurance Claims
After the 2025 wildfires, our team stepped in to help families and businesses rebuild from total losses across the Palisades. We’re not just builders — we’re your advocate when it comes to navigating complex insurance claims.
We help our clients:
Understand their insurance scope and identify what's missing
Push for like-for-like replacement value, especially when policies undervalue local rebuild costs
Provide detailed construction breakdowns and letters of explanation to help secure more funds
Our experience has helped homeowners receive substantially more than their original insurance settlement, ensuring they could rebuild at the level they had — or better.
⚠️ The Hidden Danger of “Cheap” Per Square Foot Pricing
If another builder offers $500–$600/sq ft pricing in this market, be cautious. Often, it’s just a tactic to win the job — and then the change orders pile up.
Common tactics include:
Unrealistically low allowances ($3/sq ft tile, $1,000 kitchen cabinets)
Omitting site-specific costs (grading, utilities, retaining walls)
Delaying discussions around high-end finishes until after the contract is signed
By the time you choose the materials you actually want, your price may have ballooned by hundreds of thousands.
We take the opposite approach: we include realistic allowances and clearly defined scopes from day one. That means fewer surprises, fewer change orders, and more trust throughout the build.
🏞️ Why Pacific Palisades Is One of the Most Expensive Places to Build
If you’re searching:
“How much per square foot to build a home in Pacific Palisades?”
“Is it expensive to rebuild in Pacific Palisades after a wildfire?”
“Why is the cost per square foot so high in the Palisades?”
Here’s what you need to know:
✅ Hillside lots mean added grading, drainage, and engineering.✅ Strict zoning and environmental reviews mean longer permit timelines.✅ Custom finishes and premium expectations increase material and labor costs.✅ Access and staging challenges increase labor complexity and time on site.
This area commands a premium — but with the right team, you can build smart, not blindly expensive.
🪵 Material Quality Has a Massive Impact on Price
Just because two homes are both $700/sq ft doesn’t mean they’re equal.Here’s why:
One may have basic prefab cabinetry, the other custom white oak millwork
One may use engineered stone, while the other features imported marble slabs
One has vinyl windows, while the other uses steel-framed, thermally broken systems
We build in flexible allowances, so you get to decide where to splurge — and where to save. If you go over an allowance, we’ll show you how much and why, so you’re never blindsided.
🛠️ What Our Pricing Includes as You Go Up
As your price per square foot increases with Gandia Custom Homes, it’s not just about fancier finishes — it’s about getting more of the process handled for you.
At higher budget levels, our per square foot pricing includes:
Architectural coordination
Interior design collaboration
Full permit management
Site planning and engineering
Material procurement and scheduling
Project management and real-time updates
Post-completion warranty coverage
That means less work on your end — and a far smoother experience from vision to keys in hand.
🎯 Final Word: Don’t Just Ask the Price — Ask What’s Included
"How much per square foot to build in Pacific Palisades?" is a fair question — but it needs context.
At Gandia Custom Homes, we offer:
Transparent pricing starting at $690/sq ft
A full-service team deeply experienced in Pacific Palisades construction
Specialized knowledge in fire rebuilds and insurance advocacy
Realistic allowances and a no-games approach to budgeting
We’re not here to win a contract by hiding costs — we’re here to build something exceptional, with you, from the ground up.
📞 Want to schedule a consultation or get a second opinion on your insurance estimate?
Reach out today and let’s start planning your next chapter — the right way.
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