Sierra Madre, California
General Contractor in Sierra Madre
MKW Homes builds kitchens, bathrooms, driveways, and outdoor living in Sierra Madre. Most lots here sit on the foothill slope, so grading, drainage, and truck access shape the job before a single tile goes down. Your permits run through the City of Sierra Madre, and anything in the Hillside Management Zone needs its own review.
The short answer
MKW Homes builds and remodels in Sierra Madre, kitchens and baths through to driveways and outdoor living. Most lots here sit on the foothill slope, and if yours falls in the Hillside Management Zone it needs a Hillside Development Permit on top of the usual building permit, with engineered drainage plans. So grading and where the water goes get settled before you pick any tile. Free same-week estimate.
Building in Sierra MadreWhat actually matters here.
Permits and the Hillside Management Zone
If your lot sits in the Hillside Management Zone, the work needs a Hillside Development Permit on top of the normal building permit. Grading and drainage are their own permit, generally triggered once you dig about two feet, and Public Works wants engineered plans with a soils or drainage report. Since June 2022 the city has also required a California-licensed architect to stamp hillside and design review drawings.
Slope, access, and where the water goes
On a flat lot you park the truck and go. Here the slope decides the price. A pool surround or paver driveway on a grade often needs a retaining wall, extra base, and drains that carry runoff away from the house and off your downhill neighbor. Foothill soil moves when it is wet, so we set hardscape on a proper base, not a thin bed. Narrow streets and steep driveways limit how much material lands at once, which stretches the schedule.
What to plan for before you start
Two things save you the most grief. First, sort drainage and retaining before you pick finishes, because changing the grade can send you back for another plan check. Second, build in time for review. A hillside permit is a discretionary approval, not a same-day counter permit, and the planning counter runs Monday through Thursday. We keep one job going at a time, so your site moves steadily instead of sitting open.
Permits in Sierra Madre go through City of Sierra Madre.
Sierra Madre questionsStraight answers.
Do I need a permit to remodel a bathroom or kitchen in Sierra Madre?
Yes, if the work touches plumbing, electrical, gas, or structure. A paint-and-fixture refresh may not, but moving a wall, a window, or the drain stack does, and those all run through the City of Sierra Madre building division. We pull the permits and meet the inspector, so that part is not on you.
Why does a hillside lot cost more to build on?
Three things. The grade usually means a retaining wall and more base under any hardscape. Drainage has to be engineered so water leaves your lot, not the neighbor's. And a Hillside Development Permit needs engineered plans and often a soils report before anyone breaks ground. Flat-lot pricing does not carry over.
Do you charge for an estimate, and how far do you travel?
Estimates are free. We keep the service area tight around Sierra Madre and the neighboring foothill towns on purpose, so a job here is a short climb up from Pasadena rather than an hour each way. It is one four-person crew, one job at a time, and the labor warranty runs three years. We are rated 5.0 on Google.
ReviewsFrom nearby homeowners.
Hired Mike and his crew to redo our entire backyard and driveway. Removal of the asphalt and existing landscaping, running water lines and electrical, artificial grass, plant borders, a paver driveway, raised the patio gazebo, added a paver patio, landscaped borders, irrigation and outdoor lighting.
Teri CraftLocal Guide · 33 reviewsFrom start to finish the job was handled with the utmost professionalism and attention to detail. What stood out most was their communication. Mr. Ward kept me informed every step of the way.
Angela Adams5 reviewsMKW Homes just painted our home. We are very satisfied with the work. During the process everything was clean and organized.
Jake Baloian3 reviewsMike and his crew were great. They did a wonderful job on the stucco patching and painting, and we were very pleased with the results.
Jen B1 reviewHired Mike and his crew to redo our entire backyard and driveway. Removal of the asphalt and existing landscaping, running water lines and electrical, artificial grass, plant borders, a paver driveway, raised the patio gazebo, added a paver patio, landscaped borders, irrigation and outdoor lighting.
Teri CraftLocal Guide · 33 reviewsFrom start to finish the job was handled with the utmost professionalism and attention to detail. What stood out most was their communication. Mr. Ward kept me informed every step of the way.
Angela Adams5 reviewsMKW Homes just painted our home. We are very satisfied with the work. During the process everything was clean and organized.
Jake Baloian3 reviewsMike and his crew were great. They did a wonderful job on the stucco patching and painting, and we were very pleased with the results.
Jen B1 review