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Spanish-style stucco home with a red tile roof, arched entry and palm trees under a blue sky

Whole-Home Remodels · Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County

Whole-Home Remodeling in Santa Barbara, CA

Whole-house remodels for older Santa Barbara homes that update systems and layouts while keeping the character that defines the city.

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Licensed CSLB #920095 · Free estimates

Whole-Home Remodels for Santa Barbara homes

Santa Barbara's older homes, many in the Spanish Colonial Revival style that followed the 1925 earthquake, are prized for their character. A whole-home remodel updates wiring, plumbing, kitchens and bathrooms while keeping arches, plaster, tile and original windows where they are sound.

Exterior changes may go before the Single Family Design Board, and properties near the ocean are in the Coastal Zone. Older raised-floor homes benefit from a seismic retrofit during the remodel.

This page covers Santa Barbara specifically. For materials, process and costs in general, see our whole-home remodeling page, and for permits and neighborhoods, our Santa Barbara service area page.

Entry hall with a wide cased opening, round mirror and wood-look tile flooring in a remodeled homeDining room with a crystal chandelier, crown molding and wood-look tile after an interior remodel

Photos from LE Construction jobs.

Santa Barbara at a glance

Permits
City of Santa Barbara Building & Safety
From our office
42–45 miles, about 50–75 min
ZIP codes
93101, 93103, 93105, 93109, 93110, 93111

Common whole-home remodel issues in Santa Barbara

  • Character to preserve

    Arches, plaster and tile.

  • Old systems

    Wiring and plumbing updates.

  • Design review

    Exterior changes may need SFDB approval.

  • Seismic

    Raised-floor homes need bracing and bolting.

How we approach it

  • Preserve first

    Original elements repaired and matched.

  • Retrofit included

    Seismic work planned with the remodel.

  • Approvals planned

    Design review built into the schedule.

Planning a whole-home remodel in Santa Barbara

A whole-home remodel of an older Santa Barbara house balances preservation and modernization: keep the plaster, arches, tile and original windows where they are sound, and replace wiring, plumbing and insulation behind them. For raised-floor homes, a seismic retrofit belongs in the plan.

Exterior changes go to the Single Family Design Board, and coastal properties may need a Coastal Development Permit. We bundle exterior changes into one submittal to avoid repeated review.

Montecito and other unincorporated areas use the County of Santa Barbara instead of the city.

The 1925 earthquake shaped Santa Barbara's architecture, and many houses from that era sit on raised foundations built before modern anchoring. A whole-home remodel is a practical time to add a seismic retrofit, since the floors and crawlspace are already accessible.

Spanish Colonial Revival details like plaster walls, tile, wood beams and iron work are often worth keeping. We protect them during construction and repair what is damaged. Systems behind them, like wiring, plumbing and insulation, are replaced.

From our clients

Real Google reviews from LE Construction clients, quoted word for word.

EXCELLENT

5.0 out of 5, based on 17 Google reviews

  • Maria Gomez

    October 2024 · Google review

    "My house was demolished, re-structured a whole new spacious kitchen, wider hallway, revamped the master bedroom with a big walk-in closet, a full-size bathroom, 72-inch vanity, walk-in shower with a built in bench, wider doors and an additional room which got converted into an office. Fernando G. and owner maintained great communication and explained every step of the way."
  • Yalitza

    April 2024 · Google review

    "Luis and his team are very professional, courteous, and committed to delivering exceptional results. The level of craftsmanship displayed in my home remodel exceeded my expectations."

Read all reviews on Google

Remodel your Santa Barbara home with care

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Whole-Home Remodels in Santa Barbara: FAQs

Does a Santa Barbara whole-home remodel need design review?

Interior work usually does not; exterior changes may go before the Single Family Design Board.

Can you preserve the Spanish details in my Santa Barbara home?

Yes. We repair arches, plaster and tile and match new work to the original.

Should I add a seismic retrofit?

If the home sits on a raised foundation with cripple walls, the remodel is a good time.

Who permits remodels in Santa Barbara?

The City of Santa Barbara; Montecito goes through Santa Barbara County.

Do I need an architect for a Santa Barbara whole-home remodel?

For interior-only work, not always. For exterior changes going to design review, an architect or designer familiar with the process helps. We work with yours or can suggest one.

Can plaster walls be kept during a Santa Barbara whole-home remodel?

Often. Plaster can be repaired, and new wiring can be run with careful openings. Badly damaged areas may need replacement. We look at the condition and recommend what to keep.

Other services in Santa Barbara

Nearby areas we serve

Related pages

Serving Santa Barbara and Surrounding Neighborhoods

Whole-Home Remodels for homes across Santa Barbara, about 50–75 min from our office in Santa Paula.

ZIP codes we serve here: 93101, 93103, 93105, 93109, 93110, 93111

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