Builders Alliance Portal Launches in Palisades and Altadena

The Builders Alliance portal has officially launched, giving fire-affected homeowners in Pacific Palisades and Altadena a reliable starting point for rebuilding. The platform consolidates parcel data, vetted builders, cost ranges, and plan options into a functional, lot-specific tool.

Home-Specific Guidance

The system uses parcel data to show feasible rebuilding options for each property. After entering a home address, users can:

• Review lot conditions, including slope, setbacks, and zoning.

• See which pre-designed plans fit their lot’s size and configuration.

• Filter homes by square footage, bed/bath count, architectural style, and price range.

• Compare estimated costs across vetted, licensed builders participating in the Alliance.

• Identify whether a site requires additional civil or structural review before design can begin.

For many homeowners, this is the first chance to understand what is buildable without paying for one-off architectural work or exploratory drawings.

Why Site Conditions Matter

Site conditions translate directly into design, engineering, permitting timelines, and overall build cost.

Marlon Fenton, president of ARCA Builders and civil engineer with three decades of experience, noted:

“Two lots can sit a block apart and require entirely different engineering paths. Rebuild success depends on recognizing those differences early. The portal helps owners see what they’re actually working with before any money is spent on design.”

The portal aims to match each homeowner with a builder suited to the realities of their property. Pre-approved plans from volume builders may be appropriate for flat, standard-sized lots. Complex lots will require specialized engineering and custom layouts shaped by slope, access, and other constraints.

Builder Participation

The platform currently includes ten builders, ranging from high-volume firms to luxury custom builders. Each firm agreed to a uniform intake process and to supply data in a consistent format so that plan sets, pricing, and timelines can be evaluated side-by-side.

For homeowners, the value is in clarity:

• Which plans fit my lot?

• Which builders handle which types of sites?

• What cost ranges align with my insurance proceeds?

This structure also helps protect homeowners from predatory contracting, exaggerated allowances, or rushed design proposals - issues that often emerge after major fires.

Using the Portal

1. Enter your address into the portal to see buildable options tied to your lot.

2. Review the lot notes carefully - slope, access, required reports - and flag anything indicating a need for civil or structural review.

3. Compare plans and cost ranges to understand which builders align with your priorities and insurance budget.

4. Engage early with a builder if your site appears complex; these lots benefit from proactive coordination on soils, grading, drainage, and agency requirements.

5. Keep insurance timelines in mind, including deadlines for using dwelling coverage and additional living expenses (ALE).

A More Organized Rebuild Path

The portal does not replace due diligence, but it consolidates information homeowners struggled to gather on their own. For families evaluating whether they can return, this clarity matters.

About ARCA Builders

ARCA Builders is a design-build firm specializing in luxury custom homes across coastal Los Angeles and Orange County. ARCA was selected for the Builders Alliance for its experience with complex, fully custom builds.