Letter Four · Design-Build · Los Angeles

Build Cost, Calculator.

Whether you're building a new custom home or rebuilding after the Palisades fire, Letter Four offers five resilient construction methods — each with distinct performance, timeline, and cost profiles. Work through the steps below to get a real all-in project budget estimate, including hard construction, design and engineering fees, permits, and contingency.

Step 01
Home size & rooms
3,500 sq ft
1,000 sq ft8,000 sq ft

4
beds
3
baths
Each bathroom above 2 adds ~$30K in rough-in, finish plumbing, and fixtures.

Flat / accessible
Gentle slope
Hillside / canyon
Flat lots with clean soils have the most predictable budgets.
Step 02
Quality & exterior features
Standard
Premium
Luxury
Premium — custom cabinetry, stone countertops, quality fixtures throughout. Adds ~12% to hard cost.

+ Pool & spa TBD
+ ADU / guest house TBD
+ Outdoor kitchen
+ Roof deck / view deck
+ 3-car garage
+ Covered patio / loggia
+ Solar + battery backup
+ Fire-hardened landscaping
+ EV charging station
Items marked TBD — pool/spa and ADU scopes vary too widely for a fixed estimate. If selected, they'll appear as a line item in your budget summary and our principals will discuss pricing on your consultation call.
Step 03
Construction method
Each method meets California's WUI wildfire code. The right choice depends on your lot, timeline, insurance position, and how long you plan to stay. Our principals will walk you through the trade-offs on your call.
Stick-Built Wood
Base value
~$573/sq ft · 12–18 mo
ICF Concrete
Resilience + efficiency
~$615/sq ft · 12–18 mo
Modular — Steel Chassis
Fastest path
~$510–570/sq ft all-in · 7–10 mo
Omniblock / Steel Deck
Premium resilience
~$767/sq ft · 12–18 mo est.
All-Steel Hardened
Maximum hardened
~$800/sq ft · 12–18 mo
Your estimated all-in budget
Stick-Built Wood Frame
Timeline
12–18 months to CO
Hard construction
Design, eng & permits (18%)
Bathroom premium
Lot condition Included
Finish level +12%
Exterior features $0
Contingency (15%)
Estimated all-in range
Based on ~$573/sq ft for WUI-compliant stick-built construction in the Palisades/Malibu corridor.
All methods at your inputs
CA Architect #C30146 · Lauren Adams
CA Contractor #B1028949 · Jeremy Baker
letterfour.com
(323) 275-1140

Pricing disclaimer: Construction costs in Los Angeles are changing rapidly due to post-fire demand, labor market conditions, steel tariff volatility, and evolving WUI code requirements. All figures are calibrated as of June 2026 against Letter Four completed and in-progress projects in the Palisades/Malibu corridor. This calculator provides a directional estimate only — actual budgets depend on lot conditions, design complexity, geotechnical findings, HOA requirements, insurance coverage, and final contractor bids. Design, engineering, and permit soft costs are estimated at 18% of hard construction; actual permit fees on high-valuation Palisades rebuilds often run $30–80K. Modular all-in costs include factory production plus foundation, site work, craning, and utility connections. Omniblock/Steel Deck rates are estimated — no completed Letter Four comps exist yet. Pool/spa and ADU costs are not included due to scope variability. For a project-specific budget, book a free consultation with our principals.

Start the Conversation

See which package fits your home.

A 30-minute discovery call with our interiors team. You leave with:

  • A style direction read based on your home and taste
  • Scope guidance for the rooms you want addressed
  • A recommendation on Foundation, Studio, or Signature
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