1435 Crest Dr Altadena

2487 Page Dr, Altadena

586 Punahou St, Altadena

3721 Glenrose Ave

26 W Terrace St

2509 Page Dr

Currently building in Altadena’s foothills

Rebuilding or creating a custom home in Altadena comes with decisions that extend well beyond the house itself. Site conditions, design, engineering, permitting, construction costs, and, for fire-affected properties, insurance and funding considerations all need to come together around a clear plan.

Moūnte Studio is currently building in Altadena and helps homeowners move through that process with a construction-focused approach. Our work includes custom homes, fire rebuilds, whole-home remodels, major additions, and high-end ADUs. We can get involved when a project is still an idea, coordinate with independent licensed design and engineering professionals, or step in when plans have already been developed by an outside architect.

The Eaton Fire began on January 7, 2025, leaving many Altadena homeowners facing an unusually complex path to rebuilding. No two projects start in exactly the same place. Property records, claim status, design goals, available funding, and timing can all affect the path forward.

Explore our custom home and rebuild services, construction process, completed projects, and project cost guide, or contact our team to discuss your property.

Not a volume builder.
Not a template rebuild.

Moūnte Studio takes on a limited number of projects each year to stay closely involved in every home we build. We collaborate with homeowners and architects to create thoughtful, custom rebuilds designed for the long term.

Many Altadena homeowners have completed their designs and are permit-ready. If you already have an architect and your plans are approved — or close to RTI — we're ready to step in as your builder.

You've done the hard work of designing your home. You don't need another design studio — you need a builder who will execute your architect's vision without cutting corners, who knows Altadena's foothill conditions, and who can move when your permits clear.

FULL DESIGN-BUILD

For homeowners starting from scratch and without a project team in place, Moūnte can coordinate the full path from early planning through construction.

We manage preconstruction and construction while contracting and coordinating the independent licensed architects and engineers required for the project, helping keep design decisions, constructability, budget, and the build aligned as the plans develop.

Moūnte Studio is not a licensed architectural or engineering firm. Licensed architectural and engineering services are provided by independent licensed professionals contracted and coordinated by Moūnte.

BUILD-ONLY

If an architect is already leading the design, Moūnte can step in as your general contractor and help carry the project into construction.

We can review plans during design development, plan check, after approval, or as the project approaches Ready-to-Issue (RTI).

For homeowners with completed plans or projects already in permitting, we can coordinate engineering as needed and build to your architect’s specifications.

Our preconstruction input can also address site logistics, constructability, scope, cost basis, procurement, and schedule before work begins.

Process

Initial Consultation

Design Alignment

Custom Build

Plan a Fire Rebuild While Your Claim Is Still Developing

For homeowners rebuilding after the Eaton Fire, planning can begin even while an insurance claim is still developing. We help define the proposed construction, organize the information needed to move the project forward, develop a buildable plan, and manage construction. Confirmed insurance benefits, current construction costs, and owner-requested upgrades or changes are kept clearly separated throughout that process.

Our role is to bring clarity to the construction side of that process and help turn those moving pieces into a home that can be built. Moūnte Studio does not adjust insurance claims or provide legal or financial advice.

Start With What You Already Have

You don't need to have every document or decision in place before starting the conversation. We begin by reviewing what already exists, then identify what is still needed to understand the property, the proposed home, and the path toward construction.

Helpful information can include:

Prior plans, surveys, property photos, listings, and permit records
Insurance policy information, carrier scope, and claim correspondence
Debris-removal completion records
Current concepts, architectural drawings, or permit plans
Soils reports and structural, civil, or utility information
The size, spaces, and changes you want in the new home
Your available budget and current funding assumptions

It's completely normal for some of these pieces to be missing, especially early in a rebuild. Our job is to help identify the gaps, explain what matters for construction, and establish the next steps.

Like-for-Like or a Modified Rebuild?

For many Altadena homeowners, one of the first design decisions is how closely the new home should follow what was there before.

Los Angeles County currently provides a like-for-like pathway for qualifying replacement projects, along with allowances for certain modifications. County guidance states that qualifying projects may be modified by up to 10% or 200 square feet, whichever is greater. Projects that go beyond the applicable parameters may need to follow current zoning requirements and the Altadena Community Standards District.

That does not mean the smallest change is always the right choice. We look at the bigger picture with you, including:

How your family wants to use the new home
Changes you would like to make to the previous layout or square footage
The zoning and permitting path
Additional design and consultant requirements
What is included in the insurance replacement scope
Upgrades or enhancements you plan to fund separately
Site, structural, and utility requirements
Construction cost and anticipated schedule

The goal is to understand what each path means before committing to a design direction.

Because rebuilding requirements can change and eligibility depends on the individual property, we recommend confirming the current requirements with Los Angeles County and the licensed professionals working on your project.

Who we build for

Families rebuilding long-term homes after the Eaton Fire
Design-driven homeowners planning a custom home
Homeowners with challenging foothill, hillside, or larger-lot properties
Clients who value craftsmanship and quality over the lowest bid
Homeowners who want a coordinated design-build process
Architect-led projects that need an experienced construction partner
Homeowners with approved plans ready to move toward construction

We already have architectural plans from another firm. Can you still build our home?

Yes. We regularly take on build-only projects where homeowners have completed their designs with an outside architect. If your plans are approved or close to Ready-to-Issue (RTI), we can review them, provide a detailed construction estimate, and coordinate any remaining engineering or permit work needed to break ground.

Do you work with insurance claims and rebuild budgets?

We help homeowners organize construction scope and develop preliminary planning cost ranges for conversations with their insurance adjuster, public adjuster, or lender. Early ranges depend on plans, site information, selections, and scope; they are not quotes or guaranteed construction prices. Confirmed insurance benefits, construction costs, and owner-funded upgrades should be considered separately. Coverage and settlement decisions remain with the insurer and the homeowner's advisers. Moūnte Studio does not adjust claims or promise insurance coverage.

How long does a custom rebuild typically take?

Design, permitting, and construction are separate phases. Design and engineering time depends on scope, site investigations, and homeowner decisions. Permitting follows its own agency review and revision process. For early planning, construction may be considered in a preliminary 14–20-month range after permits are issued. This range excludes design and permitting and is not a guaranteed schedule or move-in date. Site conditions, complexity, procurement, inspections, utilities, funding, and changes can affect timing. We review the assumptions for each phase before developing a project-specific schedule.

Do you handle permits with LA County and Altadena?

We coordinate the submittal and plan-check process with Los Angeles County and work with permit expeditors and independent licensed professionals as needed. Any expedited review pathway depends on current agency requirements and the property's eligibility. Review timelines, permit approval, and any fee-waiver eligibility are determined by the relevant authorities and are not guaranteed by Moūnte Studio.

Do you have your own architects, or do we bring our own?

Both are possible. For full design-build clients, we coordinate with a trusted network of licensed architects and engineers who work under our direction. For build-only clients, we work seamlessly with your existing architect.

How many rebuild projects are you taking on this year?

We intentionally limit ourselves to a small number of projects per year to stay closely involved in every build. Contact us to discuss current availability.

What areas of Altadena and the foothills do you serve?

We're actively building across Altadena, with particular focus on the foothill neighborhoods — including areas near the Country Club, Glenrose, and the upper foothills. We also work throughout Pasadena, La Cañada Flintridge, and nearby hillside communities.

What's the next step if we want to talk?

Request a private consultation through the form below, or call us directly at 626.679.6570. Initial consultations are complimentary, and we'll let you know honestly whether we're the right fit for your project.

Rebuilding Altadena, thoughtfully.

Custom homes for families rebuilding with
intention, not compromise.

Currently building in Altadena’s foothills

Not a volume builder.
Not a template rebuild.

Already have plans?
We'll build them.

Many Altadena homeowners have completed their designs and are permit-ready. If you already have an architect and your plans are approved — or close to RTI — we're ready to step in as your builder.