New Home Construction • Orange County, CA
New Home Construction in Orange County, CA
Build a Home Around the Way You Want to Live
Building from the ground up gives you something remodeling cannot: the opportunity to make the major decisions work together from the beginning.
New Construction Is More Than Building a House
A successful new home starts well before concrete is poured. Before construction begins, the property, plans, structural requirements, utilities, building systems, material specifications, permitting requirements and budget need to work together.
That is why we approach new construction as one coordinated project rather than a series of unrelated trades.
Decisions that affect each other:
- —A window location can change cabinetry.
- —A kitchen layout can affect plumbing and electrical work.
- —Ceiling design can influence lighting and HVAC.
- —Flooring selections can affect finished elevations and transitions.
- —Exterior doors can change the relationship between interior rooms and outdoor living areas.
What Is Included in a New Home Construction Project?
The exact scope depends on your property, plans and agreement, but ground-up residential construction generally moves through several major stages.
Pre-Construction Planning
Before building begins, the project needs a clear understanding of the property, intended home, design priorities, construction requirements and finish expectations. The earlier construction and finish decisions are considered together, the easier it becomes to identify conflicts before they reach the jobsite.
- —Site and property review
- —Project goals and space requirements
- —Preliminary layout discussions
- —Architectural coordination
- —Structural engineering coordination
- —Construction feasibility
- —Material and finish planning
- —Preliminary construction scope
- —Permit and plan-check coordination
Architectural and Engineering Coordination
A new home requires substantially more documentation than a cosmetic remodel. Depending on the project, plans may involve architectural, structural, civil, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, energy and other specialized documentation. Main Street can work with design and engineering professionals as part of the project process or coordinate construction from plans developed by your existing architect.
Permits and Plan Review
New residential construction requires approval from the authority responsible for the property. Requirements can vary by location, property and project. For 2026 projects, California's 2025 Energy Code applies to permit applications submitted on or after January 1, 2026, and the 2025 CALGreen code is also in effect.
Site Preparation and Foundation
Once plans and required approvals are in place, physical construction can begin. Site conditions can have a significant effect on both the construction method and project cost, which is why they should be understood as early as practical.
- —Site preparation
- —Excavation
- —Grading
- —Drainage work
- —Underground utilities
- —Foundation preparation
- —Concrete work
Structural Framing and Building Envelope
The structure begins to take recognizable form during framing. Accuracy at this stage affects nearly everything that follows, from drywall and cabinetry to flooring, windows, doors and finish carpentry.
- —Floor and wall framing
- —Roof framing
- —Structural connections
- —Sheathing
- —Roofing preparation
- —Window and exterior-door openings
- —Exterior weather protection
Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing
Before walls are closed, the systems behind them must be installed and coordinated. This is also why furniture plans, kitchen design, appliance selections and lighting decisions should not be left until the end of the project.
- —Plumbing supply and drainage
- —Electrical wiring and panels
- —Lighting locations
- —Heating and cooling systems
- —Ventilation
- —Water heating
- —Appliance connections
- —Low-voltage planning where included
- —Insulation and energy-related components
The Interior Should Be Designed Before the House Is Finished
One advantage of building a new home is the opportunity to coordinate the interiors from the beginning instead of trying to make everything fit later.
Kitchens
A kitchen can be planned around how you actually cook, gather, entertain and store things.
- —Cabinet layout
- —Island size and orientation
- —Appliance locations
- —Pantry storage
- —Countertop surfaces
- —Backsplash
- —Lighting
- —Flooring
- —Electrical outlets
- —Seating
- —Connection to dining and living spaces
Bathrooms
New construction allows bathroom plumbing, lighting, storage and circulation to be planned from the start.
- —Walk-in showers
- —Freestanding or built-in tubs
- —Vanities
- —Custom cabinetry
- —Tile
- —Countertops
- —Niches and storage
- —Plumbing fixtures
- —Lighting
- —Flooring
Cabinetry and Built-In Storage
Cabinetry should not be treated as something that is simply added after the house is built. Planning cabinetry early also helps coordinate electrical outlets, plumbing, appliances, wall dimensions and finished flooring.
- —Kitchen storage
- —Bathroom storage
- —Laundry rooms
- —Home offices
- —Mudrooms
- —Entertainment areas
- —Closets
- —Hallway storage
Flooring
Flooring connects the rooms of a home visually and physically. Flooring should be evaluated with cabinetry, countertops, wall colors, stairs, doors and adjoining spaces rather than selected independently at the end.
- —Hardwood
- —Engineered wood
- —Luxury vinyl plank
- —Laminate
- —Tile
- —Natural stone
- —Carpet
Start With the Property, Not Just the Floor Plan
Before committing to a design, the property needs to be understood.
Finding them before finalizing the design is far better than discovering them after construction documents have been completed.
Factors that may affect your project:
- —Lot dimensions
- —Building setbacks
- —Easements
- —Existing utilities
- —Utility connection requirements
- —Topography
- —Grading
- —Drainage
- —Soil or structural conditions
- —Site access
- —Parking requirements
- —Homeowners association rules
- —Local zoning
- —Fire or site-specific requirements
- —Coastal or hillside conditions where applicable
Building a New Home in Orange County
Orange County is not one uniform permitting jurisdiction. Requirements can differ depending on whether the property is located in a city or an unincorporated area, as well as the characteristics of the individual site.
A project in a coastal community, hillside neighborhood, master-planned community or conventional residential subdivision can present different planning considerations.
That does not mean the process has to be confusing. It means the property should be evaluated first and assumptions should be avoided.
For unincorporated Orange County, new single-family homes require building and, when applicable, grading permits and are reviewed for compliance with applicable local and state codes.
Our New Home Construction Process
Start With Your Goals
We begin by understanding what you want to build and why — how large the home should be, how many bedrooms and bathrooms you need, how you live day to day, whether you entertain frequently, work from home, or have multigenerational living, accessibility, storage, outdoor living or future needs to consider. A good design starts with real life rather than a collection of rooms.
Understand the Property
Before major design decisions are locked in, the site and known development conditions should be reviewed. This helps establish a more realistic framework for design, engineering, permitting and budget discussions.
Develop and Coordinate the Plans
Architecture, structural requirements, building systems and interior design need to work together. This stage should address major decisions before construction begins rather than relying on expensive field changes later.
Define the Construction Scope
A detailed scope should identify what is included, what is excluded, major material assumptions and the responsibilities of the parties involved. This is also when homeowners should understand allowances, finish expectations and decisions that still need to be made.
Permit and Plan Review
Plans are submitted to the applicable jurisdiction and move through the required review process. Questions or corrections may need to be addressed before permits can be issued. The exact process and timing depend on the property, design and reviewing agencies.
Construction Begins
Once required approvals are in place, construction can move through site work, foundation, framing, building systems, insulation, drywall, exterior work and interior build-out. Sequencing matters because every trade depends on work completed before it.
Interior Materials and Finishes
Cabinetry, countertops, flooring, tile, plumbing fixtures, hardware, paint and other finish materials give the home its character. Selections should be coordinated rather than made as isolated purchases. Our Santa Ana showroom gives homeowners the opportunity to compare many of these materials together in person.
Final Details and Project Closeout
As construction approaches completion, remaining finish items, required inspections and project details are addressed before the home is ready for final turnover.
What Does It Cost to Build a New Home in Orange County?
There is no responsible single price-per-square-foot answer that applies to every custom home. Two houses with the same square footage can have significantly different construction costs.
Major cost drivers:
- —Property and site conditions
- —Grading requirements
- —Foundation design
- —Total square footage
- —Number of stories
- —Structural complexity
- —Roof design
- —Window and exterior-door packages
- —Mechanical systems
- —Electrical requirements
- —Plumbing
- —Kitchen size and specifications
- —Cabinetry
- —Countertops
- —Bathroom count and finish level
- —Flooring
- —Tile and stone
- —Exterior materials
- —Outdoor improvements
- —Permit and professional fees
- —Material lead times
- —Access to the jobsite
- —Changes made after construction begins
The Better Question Is: What Does the Price Include?
When comparing construction proposals, do not compare the bottom line alone.
- —Are the same items included in each proposal?
- —What is excluded?
- —Which items are allowances?
- —What assumptions were used for finish materials?
- —Are site conditions addressed?
- —Are cabinetry and countertops included?
- —How are changes priced?
- —Who coordinates materials?
- —Who is responsible for permit-related work?
- —What happens if the plans change?
A lower initial number can become a more expensive project if major components were excluded or underestimated.
How Long Does New Home Construction Take?
A ground-up home should be viewed as a multi-stage project rather than a single construction schedule.
Planning → Design → Engineering → Plan Review → Permitting → Construction → Inspections → Completion
Factors affecting the schedule:
- —Design complexity
- —Engineering
- —Permit jurisdiction
- —Plan-check corrections
- —Site conditions
- —Grading
- —Utility work
- —Material availability
- —Custom cabinetry
- —Windows and doors
- —Weather
- —Required inspections
- —Changes requested during construction
A credible schedule should be based on the actual project.
New Construction vs. Remodeling vs. a Room Addition
Homeowners sometimes know they need a major change but are not sure which type of project makes the most sense.
| Project Type | Best Fit | What Changes |
|---|---|---|
| New Construction | You want to create a home from the ground up | Site, structure, systems, layout and finishes |
| Whole-Home Remodeling | The existing structure can support your goals | Most or all existing interior spaces |
| Room Addition | You need more space but want to retain the primary home | Adds permitted square footage to the existing home |
| ADU | You want an additional dwelling unit for family, guests, rental or other permitted use | Creates a separate dwelling unit subject to ADU requirements |
The correct choice depends on the property, condition of the existing home, budget, desired layout and long-term goals.
Why Work With Main Street Kitchen & Flooring?
A new home involves hundreds of decisions. Our role is to help connect those decisions rather than treating construction, kitchen design, cabinetry, countertops and flooring as completely separate projects.
Design, Materials and Construction
Main Street brings design, material selection and construction together so homeowners can consider the finished home while the construction decisions are still being made.
Material Selection in Person
Our Santa Ana showroom allows homeowners to see and compare flooring, tile, cabinetry, countertops, plumbing fixtures and other materials rather than relying entirely on small online images.
Interior Finish Experience
New construction does not end when the drywall goes up. The kitchen, bathrooms, flooring, cabinetry, countertops and finishing details are the parts of the home you interact with every day.
Serving Orange County
Main Street Kitchen & Flooring has served homeowners since 1997 and today focuses on remodeling, construction, cabinetry and flooring projects throughout Orange County.
Visit Our Orange County Showroom
Main Street Kitchen & Flooring
3031 S Main Street, Santa Ana, CA 92707
(714) 444-3004Ready to plan your Orange County New Home Construction Project?
Bring us your goals, questions, and inspiration. We’ll help you choose a clear path forward for your home.
New Home Construction FAQs
What is considered new construction?
New construction generally means building a new residential structure from the ground up rather than modifying an existing house. It can involve site preparation, foundation, framing, mechanical systems, plumbing, electrical work, roofing, exterior finishes and complete interior construction.
Do I need architectural plans before contacting Main Street?
No. It can be useful to involve construction professionals before the plans are fully completed so feasibility, materials and construction considerations can be discussed early. If you already have architectural plans, those can also be reviewed as part of the project discussion.
Can Main Street work with my architect?
Yes. The current project structure can accommodate homeowners who already have an architect as well as projects where architectural and engineering professionals need to be coordinated.
Who handles permits for a new home?
The permitting process depends on the project and agreed scope. New homes generally require review and approval from the city or county jurisdiction responsible for the property, along with applicable state-code compliance.
Does Title 24 apply to new homes in Orange County?
Yes. California's Building Energy Efficiency Standards are part of Title 24. Permit applications submitted on or after January 1, 2026 are subject to the 2025 Energy Code.
What is CALGreen?
CALGreen is California's Green Building Standards Code, Part 11 of Title 24. The 2025 CALGreen Code became effective January 1, 2026. Requirements applicable to a specific home should be addressed during design, documentation and permitting.
How much does it cost to build a custom home in Orange County?
It depends heavily on the property, size, structural design, site conditions, architectural complexity, building systems and level of interior finish. A detailed project evaluation is more useful than applying a generic price per square foot to every home.
How long does it take to build a new home?
The total schedule depends on design, engineering, plan review, permits, site conditions, construction complexity, inspections, materials and owner selections. These factors should be evaluated before providing a project-specific schedule.
Can I select my own cabinetry, flooring and countertops?
Material selection is a major part of the planning process. Main Street's showroom allows homeowners to compare cabinetry, flooring, tile, countertops and other interior materials together so they can be coordinated as part of the overall home design.
When should I start selecting finishes?
Earlier than many homeowners expect. Major selections such as windows, exterior doors, plumbing fixtures, appliances, cabinetry, countertops and flooring can affect drawings, rough construction, dimensions, schedules and ordering. Identifying important decisions early can reduce unnecessary changes later.
What should I bring to my first new-construction consultation?
Bring whatever information you currently have. That could include the property address, survey, existing plans, architectural drawings, inspiration photos, desired square footage, room requirements, material preferences and a list of priorities. You do not need to have every decision made before the first conversation.
Ready to Build Your Home?
A ground-up home gives you the opportunity to make the property, architecture, interior spaces and finishes work together from the beginning.
Start with a conversation about your property, your goals and how you want the finished home to work. We will help you determine the next practical step.