The first step to preparing your property is to safely remove, transport, and dispose of all fire debris resulting from recent wildfires. Fire debris removal activities must be approved and comply with local, state, and federal laws and regulations. MGDA strongly recommends following all recommended procedures outlined in the link below.  LA County has requested state and federal assistance to expediate recovery activities and ensure the safe removal of fire debris from structures damaged by the fires. More detailed information about the debris removal program will be released as it becomes available.

County of Los Angeles Public Health Fire Debris Order

Establishing a project’s financing and budget are critical to beginning the conversation. The financing and budget for a fire rebuild is generally set by the homeowner’s insurance coverage. Once the budget is determined, MGDA will keep the budget limitations at the forefront of all design conversations to ensure a project’s feasibility.

To begin the construction process, your proposed project will need to be accurately defined in detail by preparing plans. These plans need to be prepared by a Licensed Architect or design professional. For complex soil conditions, foundation/site work, or structural/mechanical/electrical designs, detailed engineering by other licensed professionals may also be necessary to support the proposed design. MGDA can assist in this initial phase by identifying the required scope of service and referring the necessary consultants. MGDA will be offering free initial consultations and discounted services to all those displaced by the fires.

Once you have selected your Licensed Architect or design professional, the design process begins. The initial design phase of this process usually begins Due Diligence, Records Research, Feasibility, Site Analysis, Programming, Budget, Scope of Work, and Schematic Design. Once the feasibility is determined for the set Budget, Scope of Work, and Schematic Design, the project is then moved into Design Development and Construction Documentation. The project design is then developed and coordinated with the clients and consultants. For further explanation, please reference the PROCESS (link) and FAQ (link) sections of our website.

All fire rebuilds will require approval from all applicable local agencies prior to rebuild. These may include review and approvals by the following agencies: Planning and Zoning, Building and Safety, Grading, Bureau of Engineering, Public Works, Public Health, Environmental, California Coastal Commission, and Fire. MGDA will identify all required agency approvals and handle all submittals, reviews, and approvals as the agent of the owner.

Once the project construction documents are complete and submitted to the local agencies, those documents are distributed to licensed contractors for bidding. The construction bid package should include the project drawings, construction specifications, reports, and contract requirements. MGDA will assist in preparing a comprehensive bid package and requesting multiple bids from trusted licensed contractors. Once the construction bids are received, they are reviewed for completeness and compared with one another for the owner’s review.

Once a contract is finalized between the owner and the contractor, the permit will be issued to the licensed contractor and construction will begin. It is the contractor’s role to coordinate all activities, manage the schedule, oversee the quality of work, and ensure all trades are aligned with the project goals. During the construction process it is important for the owner’s Licensed Architect or design professional to stay engaged. MGDA will remain fully involved as the owner’s agent during construction to aid the owners and contractor in executing the design intent.