Builders Alliance Launches Portal to Support Rebuilding Efforts

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Builders Alliance launched a “tech-enabled” portal on Friday, November 14, to support the rebuilding process following the Palisades and Eaton fires.

“Our purpose is to make the path forward clearer, more efficient and more do-able for as many survivors as possible,” Founding CEO of the Builders Alliance Bea Hsu remarked, “and to help effectuate a more holistic recovery from the Los Angeles fires.”

The “first-of-its-kind” portal offers a “robust library of homes, with pricing up front, filtered by specific lot, zoning, the owners’ preferences and price range.” The “centralized tool” is designed to empower “homeowners to explore real, buildable options, specifically tailored” to their property. There is no cost to use the portal, which maps “every residential parcel in the Palisades and Eaton fire areas.”

“Homeowners put their address in the interactive portal to receive this library of options,” Builders Alliance explained. “The portal is initially supported by 10 participating homebuilders dedicated to achieving significant time and cost savings and end-to-end project management, making rebuilding do-able for as many homeowners as possible.”

The first step at the portal is entering the address to verify lot details, dimensions and zoning requirements. Next, property owners can explore plans and pricing, while browsing home designs that fit their “lot, lifestyle and budget.”

“Our portal uses AI technology trained on local regulations to map every parcel in the affected areas,” read information from Builders Alliance. “Once you enter your street address, the portal will show only the home plans that fit on your property, along with starting price and builder options.”

The portal is powered by Canibuild, a “prop tech company” that provides “cloud-based site-planning software” for the residential construction industry, according to Builders Alliance.

Next is to “visualize your home” by previewing floor plans and exterior options to see “how your new home will look on your lot.” The final step is to connect with a builder.

“The Builders Alliance is made up of experienced licensed homebuilders, ranging from small boutique firms to larger companies,” according to Builders Alliance. “All are committed to providing high-quality turnkey rebuilding solutions. Some offer pre-approved home plans with set pricing and faster timelines. Others specialize in custom builds tailored to your specific needs. Additional qualified builders may join and grow the Alliance as we move forward.”

Builders Alliance is a nonprofit organization that was formed in response to the Palisades and Eaton fires as part of a “broader recovery effort led by local civic and industry leaders in partnership with the Urban Land Institute, UCLA (Ziman Center for Real Estate) and USC (Lusk Center for Real Estate).” The effort is sponsored by CBRE, Steadfast LA and ULI Foundation.

The effort was born from Project Recovery, according to the website. Project Recovery released a 175-page report in March, with “approximately 100 leaders in land use, real estate, infrastructure and economic development coming together to accelerate rebuilding in Los Angeles.”

“The Builders Alliance offers fire victims a way to rebuild expeditiously and cost-effectively through the combined market power and capacities of homeowners and homebuilders,” UCLA Ziman Center for Real Estate Director Stuart Gabriel said. “Streamlining permit, planning, design, acquisition of materials and labor, and cost hurdles, this is the best opportunity for the largest number of displaced families to return to their neighborhoods as quickly as possible.”

Participating builders at press time included ARCA, Brookfield Residential, Christopherson Builders, Empress Builders, Genesis Builders, Homebound, Metricon Homes, Richmond American Homes, Sekisui House, Stonefield Restorations and Thomas James Homes.

“While our companies are not affiliated, we are united by a common set of principles and a pledge to serve this recovery effort thoughtfully and transparently,” read the website.

The office of Councilmember Traci Park will host a rebuilding webinar on Zoom with the Builders Alliance on Monday, December 15, from 4 to 5:15 p.m.

“For the Palisades, where terrain and lot conditions vary widely, the portal will help homeowners evaluate feasibility and match with builders experienced in complex, custom projects,” read a statement about the webinar. “Representatives from the Builders Alliance will walk residents through the Homeowners Portal and explain how the free online portal works, as well as showcase some of the over 200 home plans featured on the portal.”

For more information or to use the portal, visit buildersalliancela.org.

Editor’s note: The story was updated on Thursday morning, December 11, with information regarding the rebuilding webinar.