My insurance settlement might not be enough. Can I still rebuild with JJP?

Probably, and it's worth talking through. California carriers are currently quoting around $462 per square foot for Palisades rebuilds. The real cost is $550–$900. That gap is real and JJP can help you understand it. Once you're signed, the team helps document the completed scope of work and build costs so you're in the strongest position for your insurance financial reclaim — making sure your adjuster sees the full picture. Come walk the Shelter and we'll look at your numbers together.

How long from signing to move-in?

JJP's target for the Shelter build is 10 to 13 months from contract signing to move-in. The biggest variable is the permit phase — LADBS typically runs 12 to 16 weeks on plan check even on the expedited track, and Coastal Zone lots require an additional Coastal Development Permit on top of that. JJP submits permit applications as early as legally possible and tracks every step so nothing waits on paperwork.

What if my lot is on a hillside or in the Coastal Zone?

Hillside and Coastal Zone lots are where a lot of builders stop. JJP doesn't. Hillside lots need a geotechnical report and soil analysis before plans are finalized — the team coordinates that. Coastal Zone lots require a Coastal Development Permit in addition to LADBS permits — JJP handles that coordination too. It adds some time and cost, but nothing about it is a blocker. We'll tell you exactly what your lot requires at the initial walk-through.

Can I customize the floor plan, or is it fixed?

The Shelter is a starting point. JJP sits down with you in person to talk through your vision — your past home, what you want to keep, whether you're rebuilding like-for-like or going in a new direction. The floor plan adapts to your lot's setbacks, orientation, and how you actually want to live. The fixed-price model holds within a reasonable range of customization. We'll be clear about what's included and what changes the price before anything is finalized.

What's actually included in the $550 per square foot?

Everything from ground to key. Architectural design and engineering drawings, the full LADBS permit package and plan-check management, the complete WUI fire-hardening package (Class-A roof, ember-resistant venting, tempered dual-pane glass), geotechnical and soil report coordination for hillside lots, and full construction from foundation pour to certificate of occupancy. One project manager. One phone number. What's not included in $550/sqft are site-specific costs that vary by lot — utility reconnections, demolition of remaining structure, unusual grading. JJP shows you those line items at the estimate stage, before you commit to anything.

How is JJP different from a builder who arrived after the fires?

JJP has been building custom homes in Los Angeles since 2010 — not since the fires created an opportunity. The team knows this city: the permit offices, the inspectors, the subcontractors. JJP's founder Jason also lost a house to the same fire — a spec home finished and listed right before Christmas 2024, gone a week later. This isn't a market pivot. Most builders who've flooded into the Palisades since January 2025 have never built in California's Coastal Zone, have never navigated LADBS on a hillside lot, and won't be around in three years. JJP will be.

Can I see completed JJP homes before I commit?

Yes, and the team encourages it. The Shelter model home at 1022 Galloway is open daily 11am to 4pm — appointments are encouraged so the team can give you their full attention, but walk-ins are always welcome. Bring your family, your architect, your skepticism. JJP can also connect you with past clients directly if you want to hear what the experience was actually like.

Do you manage the LADBS permit and plan-check process?

Completely. JJP manages the full permit package — architectural drawings, structural engineering, Title 24 energy compliance, WUI documentation, geotechnical report integration, and plan check submissions. The team tracks your application, responds to correction letters, and coordinates with the city throughout. Coastal Development Permit coordination is included where required. Happy to walk you through the full process at the showroom.

How to Deal With Your Insurance Company After the Palisades Fire: A Step-by-Step Guide

The insurance process after a wildfire is one of the most stressful experiences a homeowner can face. Your carrier isn’t necessarily trying to take advantage of you — but their incentives don’t align with yours, and the first number they put on the table is rarely the right one. This guide walks through exactly what to do, in order, so you protect yourself and get the most out of your policy.

Step 1: File Your Claim Immediately

Call your insurer the same day you’re able to safely access a phone. Follow up every call with an email summarizing what was discussed. Get your claim number in writing.

Don’t wait until you feel “ready.” There is no advantage to delaying, and some policies have filing deadlines. The moment you file is when your ALE (Additional Living Expenses) clock starts — money for temporary housing that you are entitled to.

Step 2: Document Every Single Interaction

Keep a running log from day one:

Date and time of every call
Name of the representative you spoke with
What they said, what you agreed to, what’s still pending

If an adjuster tells you something verbally, follow it up in email the same day: “Just confirming our conversation today — you said X.” This creates a paper trail. It also changes how adjusters behave when they know everything is documented.

Step 3: Understand What Your Policy Actually Covers

Request your full policy documents immediately. The key terms to understand:

Actual Cash Value (ACV)— what your home was worth at time of loss, minus depreciation. This is not the same as what it costs to rebuild.
Replacement Cost Value (RCV)— what it actually costs to rebuild your home to current code. Most California policies are RCV.
Extended Replacement Cost— an additional percentage (20% to 50%) above your Coverage A limit, if you purchased this rider. This can be critical for closing the gap between your policy limit and actual rebuild cost.
Guaranteed Replacement Cost— covers the full cost to rebuild regardless of your policy limit. If you have this, you’re in the strongest possible position.

If your adjuster is offering you ACV instead of RCV, push back. California law generally entitles homeowners to replacement cost value, not depreciated value.

Step 4: Claim Your Additional Living Expenses Immediately

ALE covers your temporary housing and reasonable increased living costs from the day you were displaced. Most California policies provide 12 to 24 months of ALE. File for it immediately and keep every receipt: rent, hotels, meals above your normal baseline, storage, pet boarding.

Your insurer will typically advance ALE funds as you document costs. ALE doesn’t stretch indefinitely — secure stable housing at a reasonable cost early so the coverage lasts through your entire rebuild timeline.

If your rebuild is going to take longer than your ALE coverage, ask your insurer explicitly about extension options. California law has specific protections for wildfire victims on ALE duration.

Step 5: Do Not Accept the First Estimate

Insurance adjusters use estimating software — most commonly a program called Xactimate — to calculate rebuild costs. These models consistently underestimate real construction costs in high-demand markets, particularly after a mass disaster event like the Palisades fire.

The average carrier estimate for Palisades rebuilds is coming in around $462 per square foot. The actual cost to rebuild in Pacific Palisades in 2025 is $550 to $900 per square foot. You do not have to accept the software estimate. You have the right to dispute it.

Step 6: Get a Real Contractor Estimate First

Before you engage further with your adjuster on the dollar amount, get a written, line-item estimate from a licensed contractor. Not a ballpark. A real scope of work with specific line items: architectural drawings, permit fees, engineering, WUI fire-hardening materials, foundation, framing, MEP, finishes.

Hand this to your adjuster. Ask them to justify the difference between their software estimate and the contractor’s documented costs — in writing. Many homeowners who do this see meaningful improvement in their settlement.

A signed, fixed-price contract from a licensed contractor is even more powerful than an estimate. It converts a projection into a commitment, which is harder for an adjuster to dismiss.

Step 7: Know When to Get a Public Adjuster

A public adjuster is a licensed professional who represents you — not the insurance company — in the claims process. They handle documentation, negotiate with the carrier, and work to maximize your settlement. They typically charge 10 to 15 percent of whatever they recover.

For large gaps between the insurance offer and actual rebuild cost — $100,000 or more — a public adjuster often pays for themselves. For smaller disputes, the math may not work out. Get quotes from two or three before engaging.

Step 8: Know Your Rights Under California Law

California has strong consumer protections for wildfire insurance claims:

Carriers cannot pressure you to accept a low settlement under artificial time constraints
You have the right to invoke Appraisal— an independent process to resolve valuation disputes — if you disagree with the insurer’s estimate
Statute of limitations on insurance disputes in California is typically two years from the date of loss — but don’t wait that long
After a declared disaster (which the Palisades fire was), California law requires insurers to extend ALE and other deadlines
FAIR Plan policies have different rules — if you’re on the FAIR Plan, research California’s specific FAIR Plan guidelines separately

If you believe your insurer is acting in bad faith, contact the California Department of Insurance at 1-800-927-4357. They investigate complaints and can intervene in disputes.

The Bottom Line

The families who fare worst in the insurance process are the ones who accept the first number and move on. The families who fare best are the ones who document everything, get a real contractor estimate before settling, and push back when the number doesn’t add up. The process is exhausting — but the gap between an underfunded settlement and a properly documented one is often six figures.