Rebuilding after the 2025 LA Wildfire is not just a construction process — it’s an emotional journey. Many families are navigating loss, uncertainty, insurance stress, and the urgent need to return home safely. At ProStruct Engineering, we understand the weight of this moment. Our goal is to support you with clarity, compassion, and a clear roadmap so you can rebuild with confidence.
Below is a detailed breakdown of the 8 key steps in the LA fire rebuild process, including timelines, professionals involved, and how ProStruct can support you at each stage.
1. Safety Check – Is It Safe to Enter?
What this step involves:**
** After authorities allow re-entry, the first priority is ensuring that it’s safe for you or any professional to enter the structure. A professional performs a rapid but thorough inspection to identify collapse hazards, unstable elements, compromised floors, leaning walls, and any risks that could endanger people onsite.
This early safety evaluation not only protects you but also determines whether temporary stabilization is required before any further work can begin.
Typical Timeline:**
** 1–2 weeks after fire containment (depending on site access)
Professionals Involved:**
** Safety inspector, fire-department liaison
How ProStruct Helps:**
** Our team can visit your site quickly, provide a clear safety report, and outline the next steps. We communicate in simple terms so you understand exactly what is safe — and what isn’t.
2. Debris Cleanup or Demolition of Existing Structure
What this step involves:**
** Once the site is deemed safe, the next phase is removing all fire-damaged debris. This may include ash, charred remnants, hazardous waste, and in some cases full demolition. Cleanup must follow strict environmental standards due to potential toxins.
A clean, stable site is essential before assessment or engineering work begins.
Typical Timeline:**
** 2–6 weeks
Professionals Involved:**
** Demolition contractor, hazardous-waste removal team, debris-removal crew
How ProStruct Helps:**
** We coordinate directly with reputable demolition and cleanup teams, review their scopes, and ensure the site is prepared correctly — preventing costly delays later.
3. Consulting with Insurance – Understanding What’s Covered
What this step involves:**
** Before diving deeper into design and construction decisions, it’s crucial to understand your insurance coverage. You will work with adjusters to determine what is covered, how rebuild costs are evaluated, and what supplemental documentation is needed.
This step sets the financial foundation for your entire project.
Typical Timeline:**
** 1–3 weeks (may vary based on the insurer)
Professionals Involved:**
** Insurance adjuster, public adjuster (optional), loss-assessor
How ProStruct Helps:**
** We help prepare engineering documentation that insurers require — reducing back-and-forth and helping you avoid claim delays. We can also speak directly with your adjuster if needed.
4. Thorough Structural Assessment – Understanding the Full Extent of Damage
What this step involves:**
** Once debris is cleared, a detailed engineering assessment determines what can be salvaged and what must be replaced. This includes evaluating:
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Foundation damage
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Fire-weakened framing
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Load-bearing components
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Heat-affected concrete
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Soil conditions
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Damage to retaining walls, site drainage, and grading
This report becomes the backbone of your rebuild plan, insurance submission, and structural design.
Typical Timeline:**
** 2–4 weeks
Professionals Involved:**
** Structural engineer, civil engineer, geotechnical engineer (if needed)
How ProStruct Helps:**
** We deliver a comprehensive but easy-to-understand report outlining all required repairs. We also provide practical, cost-efficient solutions to help reduce construction expenses.
5. Design & Engineering
What this step involves:**
** Once the damage scope is clear, the design phase begins. This includes:
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Architectural plans (if rebuilding or altering layout)
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Structural engineering
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Civil engineering for grading, drainage, and site conditions
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Wildfire-resistant upgrades
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Coordination between all required disciplines
This is where your home begins to take shape again — with modern safety standards and opportunities for upgrades.
Typical Timeline:**
** 6–12 weeks
Professionals Involved:**
** Architect, structural engineer, civil engineer, MEP engineers, fire-protection consultant
How ProStruct Helps:**
** We deliver fast, coordinated structural and civil plans to help reduce your overall rebuild timeline. We also work seamlessly with your architect or can recommend one if needed.
6. Permitting & Plan Review
What this step involves:**
** Your plans are submitted to the city for review. Post-wildfire projects may qualify for expedited processing, but you’ll still need to respond to plan-check comments and verify compliance with updated fire-zone regulations.
Typical Timeline:**
** 8–14 weeks (sometimes as fast as 2–3 weeks with expedited review)
Professionals Involved:**
** Permit expediter (optional), architect/engineer, city plan reviewers
How ProStruct Helps:**
** We prepare permit-ready drawings and handle all structural/civil responses to plan-check comments quickly — helping you avoid frustrating delays.
7. Construction Phase
What this step involves:**
** This is the largest portion of the rebuild. It includes:
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Foundation repairs or replacement
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Framing
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Structural reinforcement
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Utility installation
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Roofing, siding, fire-resistant materials
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Interior finishes
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Inspections throughout construction
Typical Timeline:**
** 6–12 months (longer for larger or custom homes)
Professionals Involved:**
** General contractor/home builder, subcontractors, structural engineer (periodic visits), building inspector
How ProStruct Helps:**
** We stay involved through structural inspections, answer contractor questions quickly, and help resolve issues to keep the project moving and avoid costly rework.
8. Final Inspection & Occupancy
What this step involves:**
** After construction wraps up, the city performs its final inspection. Once approved, you receive a Certificate of Occupancy allowing you to move back in.
Typical Timeline:**
** 2–4 weeks
Professionals Involved:**
** Building inspector, fire marshal, structural engineer (if needed)
How ProStruct Helps:**
** We assist with final structural sign-offs and ensure all documentation is complete so you can obtain occupancy quickly and return home.
⏱️ Rebuild Timeline Overview Table
| Step | Estimated Timeline | Lead Professionals Involved |
| Structural Safety Check | 1–2 weeks | Structural Engineer |
| Debris Cleanup / Demolition | 2–6 weeks | Demolition Contractor, Cleanup Crew |
| Insurance Consultation | 1–3 weeks | Insurance Adjuster, Public Adjuster |
| Detailed Structural Assessment | 2–4 weeks | Structural & Civil Engineers |
| Design & Engineering | 6–12 weeks | Architect, Structural & Civil Engineers |
| Permitting & Plan Review | 8–14 weeks | Engineer/Architect, City Reviewers |
| Construction Phase | 6–12 months | General Contractor, Trades, Engineers |
| Final Inspection & Occupancy | 2–4 weeks | Inspector, Fire Marshal |
Total Estimated Rebuild Timeline:**
** ~12–24 months, depending on the scope of damage, insurance pace, design complexity, and construction availability.
ProStruct’s Project Management Service — Faster, Easier, and More Cost-Effective Rebuilds
Rebuilding after the wildfire involves coordinating 10–20 different professionals, and delays often happen because homeowners must manage all these moving parts on their own.
ProStruct solves this problem with our Fire-Rebuild Project Management service, designed specifically to help survivors reduce time, cost, and stress.
What we handle for you:
✔ Coordination with all professionals — architects, engineers, demolition crews, contractors, surveyors, etc.
✔ Bringing in the right expert at the right step
✔ Reviewing scopes so you don’t overpay
✔ Tracking timelines so your rebuild doesn’t stall
✔ Ensuring structural and civil requirements are never a bottleneck
✔ Serving as your single point of contact — no more managing dozens of calls
✔ Helping minimize holding costs (temporary housing + lost time)
Why this saves you money and time:
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Faster approvals and fewer resubmissions
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Avoid construction delays caused by missing or unclear plans
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Avoid hiring the wrong professionals at the wrong time
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Streamlined communication reduces costly mistakes
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Coordinated engineering + project management shortens your total rebuild timeline
Discounted Fees for Fire-Affected Homeowners
We are offering nominal/discounted project management fees for properties affected by the 2025 LA wildfire.
We know this is a difficult time, and our goal is to support you with compassionate, practical help so you can return home as soon as possible.