PaliBuilds claim study: carrier rebuild estimates translate to $350–$400 per square foot
Pali Builds was created to bring clarity, transparency, and leverage to homeowners rebuilding after the Pacific Palisades wildfire. Through our course of business, we track four core data streams that directly impact rebuilding outcomes: building permits, insurance carrier rebuild estimates, property sales, and local contractor and subcontractor bids. We work hands-on with fire-impacted homeowners to […]
Understanding LADWP’s Undergrounding Plans
As part of the Pacific Palisades Community Council Subcommittee on Undergrounding, I have been in ongoing contact with LADWP. Our subcommittee had a productive call with them last Thursday. We held off on sharing details from that conversation until LADWP released their official statement, which is attached. There is a lot of optimism in the […]
The Real Reason Palisades Rebuilding is Stalled
Spoiler Alert: There’s an $800-Billion Gorilla in the Room Rebuilding in the Palisades isn’t stalled because of a lack of will, vision, or capable builders.It’s stalled because thousands of homeowners are stuck in the same invisible bottleneck—one that rarely makes the headlines, but quietly halts progress before construction can even begin. Before architects.Before permits.Before contractors […]
November Building Numbers Flat at 61 (Ahem, Insurance)
November Permit Report Permit data for November has been released, and Pali Builds has completed its review and analysis. It’s flat. No surprise. Insurance companies continue to win the payout war. Big Insurance vs Grandma. How shocking!! CA Dept. of Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara is going to rescue us right? Sorry […]
The Homeowner’s Guide to Choosing the Right Contractor
By Kambiz Kamdar Even though I’ve touched on this topic in earlier newsletters, I want to go deeper because I’ve spoken with several homeowners who are currently interviewing contractors—or already working with one—and some of the same concerns keep coming up. So let me be absolutely clear: The only person who can truly vet a […]
How To Pay Your Contractor
By Kambiz Kamdar Once you’ve selected and signed with a contractor, the next critical step is setting up your payment structure correctly and making sure that the money you pay aligns with the actual progress on your rebuild. This newsletter outlines the essential steps every homeowner should follow to stay protected and ensure fair, transparent […]
Rebuilding the Palisades Newsletter
Choosing the Right Contractor During the Palisades Rebuild Protecting Yourself, Your Budget, and Your Home By Kambiz Kamdar Rebuilding after a disaster is overwhelming, and choosing the wrong contractor can set families back months — or hundreds of thousands of dollars. As the Palisades rebuild accelerates, many homeowners are facing confusing advice, high-pressure sales tactics, […]
October Lot Sales
October was the month of Trust sales. Over 90% of the sellers were family trusts. The Highlands and Via Bluffs saw the most sales. We had 59 sales and 6 of them were “condominiums.” We see a slow down in both building and sales, and it makes sense to us. We believe that most people […]
Home in Mayor’s press release is NOT a fire rebuild.
The Truth Behind the Mayor’s Email — And What Rebuilding Actually Requires We received the Mayor’s email yesterday (11/21/2025) celebrating a certificate of occupancy issued for a home on Kagawa. The message framed it as the first C of O issued in the Palisades since the fire — suggesting it was a fire-related rebuild. It […]
I’m a Builder + Palisadian : Part Four
How to Choose the Right Contractor for Your Rebuild By Kambiz Kamdar, November 9th, 2025 As rebuilding moves forward across the Palisades, one of the biggest decisions you’ll make is choosing the right contractor. This person or team will be with you for the long haul, managing more time and money on your home than […]