Full Home Remodeling in Santa Monica, Older Homes
Full remodeling of older Santa Monica homes in a set order: testing, systems, layout, then finishes, with salt-air-resistant hardware and the trim kept.
Order matters more than speed when an older Santa Monica home is remodeled from end to end. Testing for asbestos and lead comes before any demolition, then new wiring, plumbing and framing changes go in while walls are open, then inspections, and only after that do floors, tile and paint arrive. Salt air from the ocean is part of the plan too, so exterior hardware and fasteners are chosen to resist corrosion.
Why the sequence is fixed
Each step in a full remodel protects the next one. Abatement has to finish before carpenters or electricians open a wall. Rough wiring and plumbing must pass inspection before insulation goes in, and insulation is checked before drywall or plaster closes the cavity. Kitchen and bath cabinets wait until walls are finished and primed. Floors are refinished near the end so they are not scratched by trades. Trim goes back last. Putting the job in this order keeps rework out of the price and the inspector on schedule.
Salt air, permits and the coastal zone
Near the ocean, stainless or hot-dipped galvanized fasteners hold up better in exterior trim, and window hardware should be rated for a salty setting. The City of Santa Monica building department reviews the permit. Depending on where the lot sits, it may or may not fall in the coastal zone, which can add a separate review step before work starts. We confirm that early. Jobs in Venice, Brentwood or Mar Vista run through the identical sequence, reviewed by whichever office holds jurisdiction there.
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Original wood windows that can be reglazed, plaster that has not let go of its lath, solid doors, built-ins and wood flooring with enough thickness left to sand are good candidates. Exterior trim is judged by how much salt air has worked into it. The scope marks each item as kept, repaired or replaced, and says why.
Phasing runs on the same fixed sequence, one part of the house at a time. A dust barrier seals the work area, and you keep a bath and a basic kitchen. Systems go in throughout first, then the kitchen and baths, then floors, paint and trim. If moving out suits you better, that version can be priced next to the phased one.
The lab tests come first: tile and mastic, plaster, insulation on old ducts, and painted surfaces are checked for asbestos and lead. A licensed abatement contractor removes anything positive before demolition, and the scope lists that step. We also check the circuits for grounding and look for rust on any galvanized pipe.
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