General Contractor in Northridge
Green Design and Build is a licensed general contractor (CSLB #1110975) based at 16120 Sherman Way in Van Nuys, about 15 minutes from Northridge by Sherman Way, Balboa or Reseda Boulevard. We are a full-service residential general contractor and design-build remodeler for projects of every size — kitchens, bathrooms, ADUs, room additions, hillside work and whole-home renovations — serving homeowners across Los Angeles County, Orange County, Ventura County, western Riverside County and western San Bernardino County. Led by Dekel Sofer, we have completed hundreds of projects and hold a 4.7-star rating across 146 Yelp reviews.
Northridge is part of the City of Los Angeles, flat almost everywhere, and built out mostly between 1955 and 1975. That makes it one of the most predictable places in the Valley to remodel, with one caveat every project inherits: the 1994 Northridge earthquake.
What 1994 still means for a Northridge remodel
The magnitude 6.7 earthquake on 17 January 1994 was centered under Northridge, and it changed how every house here should be treated. Some homes were rebuilt or retrofitted afterward; many were patched. When we open walls in a Northridge house we look for the things the quake exposed: cracked or unreinforced chimney masonry, foundation cracks that were cosmetically filled, unbolted sill plates and unbraced cripple walls on raised foundations, and slab cracks that were covered rather than repaired. Any addition or whole-home renovation is the moment to bring the structure up to current seismic standards — bolting, cripple-wall bracing, chimney replacement or strapping — and LADBS expects it on the plans. Our post on warning signs your foundation needs repair covers what to look for before you call.
Northridge housing stock
The ranch tracts. Most of Northridge is single-story ranch houses on 7,000–10,000 sq ft lots with attached two-car garages, built in the 1950s and 1960s: galvanized supply lines, 100-amp panels, aluminum single-pane windows, slab-on-grade or shallow raised foundations, and roofs that have been replaced once or twice. Kitchens are closed galleys or U-shapes between the garage and the dining room, and opening them up is the single most common remodel we do here.
The estate and equestrian lots. North of Devonshire Street and around Devonshire Country Estates, lots run to half an acre and more, some with horsekeeping rights, and homes are larger 1960s–80s ranches and later custom houses. These lots take full-size detached ADUs, pool houses and substantial additions comfortably.
Near CSUN. The streets around California State University, Northridge see steady demand for ADUs and garage conversions as rental units, and the same 1960s tract housing makes them straightforward to permit.
The foothill edge. Northridge’s northern streets rise toward Porter Ranch and the Santa Susana Mountains; a few parcels fall into fire hazard zones and slope, and we check the map before designing anything there.
ADUs in Northridge
Northridge lots are among the most ADU-friendly in the city: flat, deep, and usually with room for a detached unit of up to 1,200 sq ft behind an attached-garage ranch, or a conversion where the garage is detached. LADBS must act on a complete ADU application within 60 days, and the LADBS ADU Standard Plan Program can shorten plan check. Run your address through our ADU rules calculator, and read how much it costs to build an ADU and why ADU quotes vary so much before you compare bids.
What we build in Northridge
- Kitchen remodeling — opening 1960s galley kitchens to the dining and family rooms, with the panel and plumbing upgrades that come with it. Read what homeowners wish they knew before remodeling a kitchen.
- Bathroom remodeling — see how much a bathroom remodel costs.
- ADUs and garage conversions on the tract lots and the estate lots.
- Room additions — primary suites, family rooms and second stories on lots with room to grow.
- Whole-home renovations of original ranches, including the seismic work above. See our remodeling services.
- Foundation and structural work — bolting, cripple-wall bracing, slab and chimney repair.
- Roofing — cool-roof systems for the north Valley heat; see whether you need a permit to replace your roof in Los Angeles.
- Windows and doors, flooring and painting.
- Patio covers, pavers and outdoor living on the wide back yards.
- Concrete, retaining walls, artificial turf, fencing, outdoor kitchens and decks and landscaping and irrigation.
- Plumbing and electrical upgrades as part of remodels, performed by licensed tradespeople.
Permits in Northridge
Northridge is inside the City of Los Angeles, so every permit goes through LADBS at the Van Nuys office, the same counter that serves our home base. We prepare and submit plans, respond to corrections and schedule every inspection. Electrical service changes go through LADWP. Our San Fernando Valley page covers the wider Valley and our Van Nuys page covers our home base a few minutes south.
What homeowners say
From our Yelp reviews:
“They completely remodeled my kitchen and they turned out beautiful. The job came in within my budget including full 3rd design rendering.” — Yakir A.
“I hired Green Design and Build to do my bathroom. From start to finish, Drake was the best!” — Leore O.
More on our About page.
Frequently asked questions
Should I seismically retrofit my Northridge home during a remodel?
Yes, a remodel or addition that opens the walls or touches the foundation is the most economical time to bolt the sill plates, brace cripple walls and address cracked chimneys or slabs on a Northridge home, and LADBS expects current seismic standards on the plans for an addition or whole-home renovation. Green Design and Build inspects the foundation and chimney at the site visit and prices the retrofit as a line item so you can see exactly what it costs.
Can I build an ADU in Northridge?
Yes, Northridge’s flat, deep lots can usually take a detached ADU of up to 1,200 sq ft or a garage conversion, and LADBS must act on a complete application within 60 days. The estate lots north of Devonshire Street have room for larger units and pool houses, and lots near CSUN are popular for rental ADUs. Green Design and Build designs, permits and builds all of these.
How much does a kitchen remodel cost in Northridge?
A Northridge kitchen remodel depends on whether the galley walls come out, whether the 1960s plumbing and panel need replacing, and the finish level. Green Design and Build provides an itemized written estimate after a free site visit rather than a per-square-foot guess; for published ranges by project type, see our guide to what a Los Angeles general contractor costs.
Is Northridge in a fire zone?
Most of Northridge is flat and outside the fire hazard severity zones, but the northern streets toward Porter Ranch and the Santa Susana foothills include mapped parcels where Chapter 7A ignition-resistant materials and brush clearance apply. Green Design and Build checks the LAFD map for every Northridge address before designing.
How far is Green Design and Build from Northridge?
Green Design and Build’s office at 16120 Sherman Way in Van Nuys is about 15 minutes from Northridge by Sherman Way, Balboa Boulevard or Reseda Boulevard. Site visits are easy to schedule and crews arrive early. Homeowners are welcome to visit the office, which is open every day from 8 AM to 6 PM.
Are you licensed to work in Northridge?
Yes, Green Design and Build holds California General Building Contractor license CSLB #1110975 and is licensed, bonded and insured for residential work in Northridge and throughout Los Angeles County. The license can be verified on the Contractors State License Board website. HVAC, plumbing and electrical work on our projects is performed by licensed tradespeople.
Plan your Northridge remodel with a contractor fifteen minutes away
Tell us what you want to build and how old the house is, and we will schedule a free site visit, check the structure while we are there, and give you a written, itemized estimate.