- CSLB License #1048107
- 1-323-360-1425
- info@gmhomeremodeling.com
Timeline, Costs, and What to Expect
Encino's 1950s-1970s ranch homes come with specific challenges before a single wall comes down. Asbestos testing, lead paint, Title 24 compliance, LA City permits. Here is what a full remodel actually looks like from day one through move-back-in.
CSLB License #1048107 ● 15+ Years in Los Angeles
15+
Years in LA
100%
Licensed & Insured
Free
Estimates
#1
Encino
Remodeler
G&M Home Remodeling is a family-run construction company based in the San Fernando Valley, serving Encino, Sherman Oaks, and the greater Los Angeles area for over 15 years. We hold CSLB License #1048107 and carry full liability insurance on every job.
We specialize in whole house remodeling in Encino and surrounding neighborhoods. Every project gets a dedicated project manager, a detailed written scope, and regular progress updates. You always know what is happening and why.
Encino's housing stock is mostly mid-century ranch homes built between 1950 and 1975. That era of construction brings specific challenges: asbestos-containing materials, lead-based paint, outdated wiring and plumbing, and structural changes that require engineering sign-off. We have navigated all of it, many times over.
CSLB License #1048107. Every subcontractor we use carries their own insurance. You are covered from demo day through final inspection.
We respond the same day you reach out. Estimates are detailed line-item breakdowns, not ballpark guesses. No obligation, no pressure.
We know LA City building codes, local permit lead times, and which inspectors review which neighborhoods. That local knowledge saves you weeks on a full remodel.
No call centers, no sales teams. You talk directly to the people who manage and build your project from start to finish.
Project Scope Overview
Est. Timeline
4-9 mo.
Permit Required
Always
Weeks 1-8 (often longer depending on permit queue)
Most Encino homes built before 1978 require asbestos and lead testing before any demolition work can begin. This is not optional. California regulations under the Cal/OSHA asbestos standard require testing of suspect materials like floor tiles, ceiling texture (popcorn ceilings were often asbestos-containing), pipe insulation, and joint compound. Lead testing is required for painted surfaces that will be disturbed.
Testing typically takes 1-2 weeks including lab turnaround. If materials test positive, you need a licensed abatement contractor to remove them before your general contractor can proceed. Abatement on a typical Encino ranch home runs several thousand dollars and adds 2-4 weeks to the pre-construction phase. Budget for it from the start.
The EPA's lead paint guidelines and Cal/OSHA regulations govern this work. Any contractor who skips this step puts you and their crew at legal and health risk.
A whole-home remodel in Encino falls under LA City jurisdiction and requires a building permit with plans reviewed by the Department of Building and Safety (LADBS). If your remodel involves structural changes, moving walls, or adding square footage, you also need engineering drawings stamped by a licensed structural engineer.
Title 24 is California's energy code. Any remodel that disturbs more than 30 square feet of wall or ceiling area triggers Title 24 compliance requirements. In practice, this means you may need to upgrade insulation, install new windows that meet current U-factor ratings, and potentially upgrade your HVAC system to meet current efficiency standards. For a full house remodel, budget Title 24 compliance into every room you touch.
Permit timelines in Encino vary. Over-the-counter permits (simpler scopes) can issue in days. Plan-check permits for structural work typically take 4-8 weeks, sometimes longer if the plans require corrections. We submit complete, code-compliant plans to minimize back-and-forth.
Months 2-4, depending on scope
Wall removals, beam installations, new window and door openings. Any load-bearing change requires engineering review and a framing inspection before walls close.
Mid-century Encino homes often have aluminum wiring or undersized panels. A full remodel is the right time to upgrade the panel and rewire affected rooms to current code.
Galvanized pipes corrode from the inside. Copper or PEX replacement adds cost but prevents failures in newly finished walls. HVAC ducts may need rerouting if layout changes.
Phased versus all-at-once remodeling is the first major decision you will make. A phased approach means tackling one area at a time, usually kitchen, then bathrooms, then bedrooms. You can stay in the house during phases and spread costs over 2-3 years. The trade-off: you pay for finishes that may get damaged during later phases, and you will have multiple permit cycles with multiple mobilization costs.
An all-at-once approach is disruptive but more cost-efficient. You mobilize the crew once, open walls once, and coordinate inspections once. For homeowners who can secure alternate housing for 4-6 months, this is usually the better financial decision on a complete gut remodel. See our full breakdown of whole house remodel costs in Los Angeles (2026) for detailed cost comparisons.
Months 4-7 for a typical 1,800-2,400 sq ft Encino home
Kitchen and bathroom remodels are typically the most expensive and time-sensitive rooms in a whole-home project. In the Encino market, kitchen remodels within a full project run roughly $80,000-$150,000 for a mid-to-high-end scope, depending on cabinet grade, countertop material, appliance selection, and whether the layout changes.
Bathroom costs vary widely. A primary bath gut-remodel with a walk-in shower, freestanding tub, and custom tile work falls in the $30,000-$60,000 range in this market. A secondary bath renovation runs less, typically $15,000-$30,000. For specific cost data, our bathroom remodel cost guide for Los Angeles and our kitchen remodel cost guide for Los Angeles break down what drives pricing at each tier.
Order matters. Tile and flooring go in after rough inspections pass. Cabinets install before countertops. Countertops template after cabinets are level and set. Plumbing fixtures connect last. Any deviation from this sequence creates rework.
Drywall hangs after all rough inspections are signed off. This is a hard sequence you cannot shortcut. Inspectors need to see inside the walls before they close. Rushing this step means opening finished walls later.
Flooring installs after drywall, texture, and paint are complete in most scenarios. Hardwood and LVP go in last to avoid damage from ongoing trades. Tile for bathrooms and kitchen is an exception because it typically installs before cabinets.
Paint is one of the last steps but requires prep work that adds days. Encino's older homes often have textured walls and ceilings that need skim-coating before painting for a clean result. Factor that into timeline expectations.
A whole house remodel in Encino typically runs $150-$350 per square foot, depending on scope, finish level, and how much of the underlying systems need replacement. That range is wide because the variables are real.
Entry-Level Finishes
$150
per sq ft
Builder-grade cabinets, laminate counters, basic fixtures. Systems (electrical, plumbing) in acceptable condition. No layout changes.
Most Common
Mid-Range Finishes
$225
per sq ft
Semi-custom cabinets, quartz counters, tile work, updated fixtures. Some layout changes. Partial systems upgrade.
High-End Finishes
$350+
per sq ft
Custom cabinetry, stone counters, designer tile, full systems replacement. Structural changes, new windows throughout, landscape integration.
These figures reflect the Encino market in 2025-2026. Material costs have stabilized somewhat from the 2021-2022 spike, but labor in the San Fernando Valley remains at a premium. For a full cost breakdown and what drives pricing at each tier, see our 2026 whole house remodel cost guide for Los Angeles.
For a full gut remodel, plan to be out of the house for 4-6 months at minimum. This is one of the most underestimated parts of the project for homeowners near the 405. Encino is convenient to Sherman Oaks, Tarzana, and Van Nuys, where furnished short-term rentals are available, but costs add up fast.
Some homeowners stage their move. They stay in the house during pre-construction and permit processing, then relocate when demolition begins. If your project is phased, you may be able to live in the finished portion of the house while the remaining work continues. That works for kitchen-only or bathroom-only phases but becomes very difficult during a full gut where plumbing, electrical, and HVAC are all open simultaneously.
Homeowners who plan to use an ADU or garage apartment during the remodel have a real advantage. If you are also considering a garage conversion or ADU as part of a longer property improvement plan, completing that first can provide on-site housing during the main house remodel.
Real pricing for the neighborhood adjacent to Encino.
Permits, timeline, and materials for local bathroom projects.
Permits, costs, and what to expect when adding square footage.
2026 pricing, myths, and what to actually budget.
Title 24-compliant window upgrades and what they cost.
Combine seismic upgrades with your remodel for efficiency.
What adding square footage costs and how planning works.
Renovation guide covering every room with practical advice.
Understanding the terminology before you plan your project.
From first meeting to move-in, plan for 6-12 months total. Pre-construction (testing, design, permits) takes 2-4 months alone. Active construction on a typical 1,800-2,400 sq ft Encino ranch home runs 4-6 months. Larger homes or projects involving structural changes or abatement take longer.
Yes. California law requires testing of suspect materials before demolition in homes built before 1978. A 1965 Encino home almost certainly has suspect materials including floor tile, ceiling texture, pipe insulation, and drywall joint compound. Testing costs a few hundred dollars and takes 1-2 weeks. Skipping it is not legal and creates liability for everyone involved.
Title 24 is California's Building Energy Efficiency Standard. For whole-home remodels, it typically requires upgraded insulation, windows that meet current U-factor and solar heat gain coefficient ratings, and sometimes HVAC and water heating upgrades. Your plans must include a Title 24 energy compliance report. We handle this as part of plan preparation.
For a full gut remodel: generally no. Once plumbing, electrical, and HVAC are all open simultaneously, the house is not livable. For phased projects, it depends on the specific scope. We discuss this in the planning phase so you can make housing arrangements early rather than scrambling mid-project.
At minimum: a building permit for structural and architectural work, plus separate permits for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical (HVAC). If there are structural changes, you also need engineering drawings. LA City's LADBS processes these, and plan check for complex projects takes 4-8 weeks. We manage all permit applications on your behalf.
Not necessarily. Phasing spreads costs over time but increases total spend. Each phase requires its own mobilization, permit cycle, and finishing sequence. Doing everything at once is more disruptive but typically 10-20% more cost-efficient on an equal scope because you open walls once, coordinate inspections once, and minimize rework between phases.
A whole house remodel is a significant undertaking. The first step is understanding your specific home, your goals, and what the work actually involves before anyone touches a wall.
We offer free estimates with same-day callbacks. You will speak directly with a project manager who knows Encino's building requirements, permit timelines, and the specific challenges of mid-century ranch homes in this area. For everything you need to know about remodeling your Encino home, from permit applications to finish selections, we are the team that has done it for over 15 years.
California Energy Commission requirement: Title 24 compliance is mandatory for whole-home remodels in LA City. We include a compliant energy report with every set of plans we submit. No surprises at plan check.
© 2026 G&M Home Remodeling Inc. All rights reserved. CSLB License #1048107. Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, California.
