A general contractor is the single most important decision on any construction project. The GC coordinates trades, owns the schedule, carries the insurance, pulls the permits, and is accountable to you when anything goes wrong. DG Custom Construction & Electric Inc. operates as a full-service general contractor for clients across Pasadena, Altadena, Sherman Oaks, Malibu, and Los Angeles — with the scope discipline, communication standards, and in-house electrical capability that property owners and developers specifically seek out.
We work as a general contractor on residential remodels, new custom homes, ADUs, tenant improvements, commercial buildouts, structural repairs, and phased multi-trade projects. What clients consistently tell us they value most is transparency — scopes that are written clearly, budgets that reflect real costs, change orders that are explained in plain language, and a project lead who returns calls.
What a General Contractor Does (and Doesn't)
A general contractor is responsible for delivering the project. Specifically, we:
- Hold the relevant state license (California B-General Building contractor) and carry workers' compensation and general liability insurance.
- Manage permit submittal, plan-check corrections, and inspections.
- Coordinate subcontracted trades (and our in-house electrical team) to deliver the scope on schedule.
- Supervise site safety, quality control, and code compliance.
- Own the budget, scope, and schedule commitments made to the client.
- Communicate progress, problems, and change orders proactively.
What we don't do: design work (unless agreed as a separate scope), financing, or real estate transactions. We coordinate with architects, designers, and lenders — but we stay in our lane.
Projects We Take On
Custom Residential
Residential new construction and custom homes.Renovations & Additions
Whole-home renovations, additions, and ADUs.Structural
Foundations, seismic retrofits, wall removals, and load-path repairs.Exterior
Roofing, siding, decks, hardscape, and facade work.Commercial TI
Tenant improvements and commercial buildouts — offices, retail, warehouses, mixed-use.Electrical Scope
Electrical service upgrades, panel installations, and complete home rewires.Our GC Process
Site Walk and Discovery
Every engagement starts with a site walk and a clear conversation about what you want to accomplish, what you've been told, and what's realistic. We listen first.Written Scope and Budget
You receive a line-item scope and itemized budget — not a lump-sum figure. You see what each phase costs and why. This is how change orders become simple conversations instead of billing disputes.Contract and Schedule
A written contract with a clear schedule, payment milestones tied to progress, and defined terms for changes. No surprises.Construction Management
Our project lead runs the site, holds weekly owner check-ins, and documents progress. You always know what happened this week and what's happening next.Change-Order Discipline
Every change is written, priced, and signed before work proceeds. No verbal change orders. No surprise invoices.Closeout and Warranty
Final walk-through, punch list, permit closeout, and written workmanship warranty. A clean handoff is part of a well-run project.How We Price Work
We price work on a fixed-fee basis whenever the scope allows us to write a complete scope — which is almost always on well-defined projects. For highly discovery-dependent work (historic restoration, some hillside foundations), we may structure cost-plus with a guaranteed maximum. Either way, you see the rationale, the math, and the margin.
Communication and Change-Order Discipline
Most project disputes are communication failures, not construction failures. We address this structurally: a single project lead for every engagement, weekly documented owner check-ins, in-writing change orders, and proactive notification of any issue as soon as we find it. If a problem is going to affect schedule or budget, you hear about it from us first — not on an invoice.
Why In-House Electrical Matters
Most general contractors subcontract every electrical scope to rotating crews. We have licensed electricians on our own team. What this means for you: tighter schedule coordination, better code compliance, cleaner rough-in work, fewer scheduling delays, and — when something needs fixing — a single phone number instead of a three-way finger-point between GC, electrician, and inspector.
Where We Work
DG Custom Construction & Electric Inc. serves homeowners and property owners across Pasadena, Altadena, Sherman Oaks, Malibu, and greater Los Angeles. If your project is in LA County, we would like to hear from you.