Joel Portillo, Author at Joel & Co. Construction

Construction worker in a hard hat carries wooden planks in front of a partially built green custom home in Los Angeles.

Eco-Friendly Custom Home Construction: Building Green in Los Angeles

December 29, 2025
Joel Portillo
Blog

Building a green custom home in Los Angeles combines environmental responsibility with smart financial planning. Learn how sustainable building materials and energy-efficient systems create healthier, more valuable homes.

The Best Floor Plans for Custom Homes in Los Angeles

December 27, 2025
Joel Portillo
Blog

The right floor plan maximizes LA's climate, lifestyle, and your lot's potential. Learn which layouts work best for modern custom homes and Mediterranean custom homes in Los Angeles.

Modern vs Mediterranean: Choosing the Right Style for Your Custom Home

December 26, 2025
Joel Portillo
Blog

Modern custom homes offer minimalist elegance while Mediterranean custom homes deliver timeless Old World charm. Learn how to choose the right style for your Los Angeles custom home design.

Custom Home Construction in the Hollywood Hills: What to Know

December 25, 2025
Joel Portillo
Blog

Building in the Hollywood Hills demands specialized expertise and careful planning. Discover the permits, costs, and challenges of custom home construction in LA's most iconic terrain.

How to Design a Smart Custom Home in LA

December 24, 2025
Joel Portillo
Blog

Building a smart home in Los Angeles combines cutting-edge automation with sustainable design. Learn the key steps, systems, and strategies for your LA custom build.

Best Building Materials for Custom Homes in a California Climate

December 23, 2025
Joel Portillo
Blog

California's climate demands fire-resistant, energy-efficient, and durable building materials. Learn which custom home materials perform best for roofing, walls, and structure in Los Angeles and beyond.

Is It Time to Tear Down and Build New? When to Consider a Custom Home Build

December 22, 2025
Joel Portillo
Blog

Not sure whether to renovate or start fresh? Learn when a teardown and rebuild in Los Angeles makes more sense than remodeling your existing home.

Wine Cellars And Home Theaters: Specialty Spaces For LA’s Elite Homeowners

December 18, 2025
Joel Portillo
Blog

Elite wine cellars and home theaters deliver 30-65% ROI while transforming LA properties into resort-like sanctuaries. Learn how these entertainment spaces enhance property value and lifestyle prestige.

Smart Home Integration During LA Luxury Renovations

December 12, 2025
Joel Portillo
Blog

Smart home integration LA has become essential in luxury renovations, with 92% of high-end properties featuring automated systems by 2025. Success requires early planning, proper platform selection, and strategic infrastructure installation during construction, not after. This guide covers everything from choosing between Savant, Control4, and Crestron platforms to navigating California building codes, ensuring your renovation delivers seamless automation without compromising luxury aesthetics or requiring expensive corrections.

Outdoor Living Spaces: Extending Your LA Home’s Entertainment Areas

December 6, 2025
Joel Portillo
Blog

your Los Angeles property with outdoor living spaces that deliver 80-400% ROI. This comprehensive guide covers planning, permitting, material selection, and contractor vetting for luxury outdoor kitchens, pools, fire features, and entertainment zones that define the Southern California lifestyle.