Since the recent Palisades fires, I am being asked more than ever for our "price per square foot" for a new build. It’s a natural question; homeowners need a baseline to begin their recovery or their dream project. In 2026, I generally tell people that $1,000 per square foot is the standard "handshake" number for a high-quality custom home in our neighborhood.

But here is the reality: that number is just a starting line. It shifts

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