Design Build Firm & Contractors in Northeast Los Angeles
We are dacotah studioA process-driven, and relationship-oriented design/build firm based in Northeast Los Angeles and Old Town Pasadena.
As a full-service design build firm in Los Angeles, we partner with homeowners from initial concept to final completion. We offer architecture, design, and construction under one roof. Our process is grounded in transparency, education, and a commitment to clarity at every phase. Whether you’re reimagining a single space or planning a full home remodel, we make sure every step is tailored to your goals, your lifestyle, and your investment.
from design to buildPlanning + Pre Construction Design
Budget + Alignment Construction
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Whole home remodel
We design and manage complete whole home remodels in Los Angeles, transforming existing layouts into personalized, highly functional spaces.
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Kitchen remodel
Our kitchen remodeling services blend clean design with smart layout improvements, ideal for homes across Pasadena, Eagle Rock, and South Pasadena.
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Bathroom remodel
From layout updates to tile and fixtures, we handle every detail of bathroom remodeling with a focus on comfort, flow, and timeless materials.
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Additions and ADU's
We design and build room additions and ADUs in Northeast Los Angeles, helping homeowners create more space without leaving the neighborhood.
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Exterior and landscaping design
Our team integrates exterior remodeling and landscape design to extend your living space outdoors with cohesion and care.
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Custom builds
As a full-service design build firm and trusted custom home builders in Los Angeles, we create fully custom homes from the ground up, managing every step from concept to construction.
TESTIMONIALSWhat Our Clients Say
Our work.
Our passion as a full-service design build firm is creating spaces that are not only beautiful and functional, but also deeply meaningful. Whether we're working with an individual, couple, or family, we deeply value the opportunity to work with people who have a unique idea, and need a trusted partner to help them to bring it to life.
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Eagle Rock
Los Angeles, California
This Spanish-style whole home remodel in Eagle Rock features natural materials, warm wood tones, custom cabinetry, new kitchen and bathrooms, ADU garage conversion, and all-electric systems. Dacotah Studio completed full design, permitting, and construction documentation.
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Silver Lake
Los Angeles, California
Blending creativity with structure, this full home remodel in Silver Lake included concept design, structural engineering, material sourcing, project management, and custom cabinetry. The result is a personalized space that reflects the artistic spirit of this Los Angeles neighborhood.
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West Adams
Los Angeles, California
A full remodel of this West Adams craftsman blends original charm with modern living. Featuring custom woodwork, large windows, and a spacious layout, Dacotah Studio managed city submissions, structural plans, schematic design, and design development from start to finish.
Your planning and execution partners.
We design & build.
We’re not just contractors — we’re your design and build partner from concept to keys. Unlike most firms that split architecture, design, and construction across separate teams, we bring everything together under one roof. That means fewer handoffs, clearer communication, and a process that stays aligned from start to finish. Every step is managed in-house, from early planning and permitting to construction and custom details, so you always know who’s accountable and what’s next.
Husband + wife team — you’ll work directly with Shawn + Christina
Local to Northeast LA — not just serving the area, living in it
Over 25 years combined experience in design, construction, and project management
Personal, responsive communication — not layers of project managers
A process that’s built around clarity, trust, and results
Our process.
After the design is complete and permits are in motion, we don’t just jump into building. We guide every client through a dedicated onboarding phase inside our project platform — Materio — where you’ll see real timelines, selections, communication threads, and historical data from similar projects.
This step gives you full visibility before construction begins, so you're not walking into the unknown. Most firms skip this level of preparation (or hand you off to someone new), but our process keeps you informed and connected from day one through completion.
Free Consultation
We start with a free 1-hour consultation to understand your goals, scope, vision, investment allocation and timeline expectations.
Project Onboarding
Once our proposal is approved, we guide you through our project platform (Materio) for real-time access to timelines, selections, and communication tools.
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Concept/Programing/Schematic Design
Establishes the foundation of the design by capturing current conditions (scanning the home/as-built) and sets the stage for the more detailed design phases that follow.
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Design Development
Focus on refining and finalizing the design details while creating a more detailed and comprehensive plan for the project for city observation and permitting.
Permitting
We handle all permitting and city coordination to ensure your plans are fully approved for construction.
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Bidding & Estimation
With full plans in place, we provide a clear, data-backed bid, sharing real numbers from past projects so you know what to expect.
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Construction
Our team manages every detail of the build, from sourcing to scheduling, with total transparency through our digital system.
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Final Walkthrough
We finish with a full walkthrough, professional clean, and a smooth handoff → keys in hand and expectations met.
our commitmentTo minimize surprises and foster trust and confidence in our expertise through clear communication. Our unwavering commitment to transparency ensures a strong partnership, allowing you to have peace of mind throughout our entire design and build journey.
PRIDE OF PROCESS
We embody the principle of 'pride of process' to continuously enhance our collaborative approach, ensuring our clients are informed and engaged throughout their home remodel journey so that we may deliver a seamless and enjoyable experience.
Dacotah Studio - Contact Us
We're eager to learn about your unique space or project. Send us your details and we’ll be in touch shortly!
626-209-9790
hello@dacotahstudio.com
Monday - Friday 9AM - 5PM
51 West Dayton St.
Pasadena CA 91105
FAQ’s
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Timelines vary depending on scope, but most remodels take 4–9 months. We’ll walk you through a clear project schedule from the start.
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Because every home, project, and client is different, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. At Dacotah Studio, we don’t offer cookie-cutter pricing or ballpark estimates without understanding your goals.
Instead, we start with a free consultation to learn more about your home, your needs, and your vision. From there, we move into design and planning, which helps clarify the true scope of work. Only once a clear plan is in place do we begin to estimate cost.
We use a digital project management platform to provide full transparency which shows you timelines, materials, and real data from similar past projects. This allows us to align expectations early and offer accurate, realistic insights based on actual experience.
Our goal is to build trust by walking you through the numbers once we fully understand what you're trying to build.
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Most people think they need to start with a contractor, but without a solid plan in place, there's not much for a builder to price. What actually drives the project is the design (layout, materials, scope) because that’s what defines budget and timeline. That’s why our process brings together architecture, interiors, and construction as one. As a full-service Los Angeles design build team, we help you avoid confusion, misalignment, and costly surprises by leading everything under one roof from day one.
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Remodeling in L.A. means dealing with layers of regulation: planning departments, zoning rules, and neighborhood-specific restrictions. Whether you're on a flat lot in Pasadena or a steep hillside in Eagle Rock, the permitting process can dramatically affect scope, budget, and timeline. As design build contractors Los Angeles homeowners trust, we manage the entire permitting process so you don’t have to chase departments, guess what's allowed, or risk delays from incomplete documentation.
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In a design-bid-build model, you hire a designer or architect first, and then bid the plans out to contractors. That process can create friction and delays, especially if the design isn’t buildable within budget.
A design-build approach is different. It brings everyone together—designers, builders, and project managers—from the beginning. That way, your goals, timeline, and investment stay aligned from concept through construction.
★★★★★
“Dacotah Studio is amazing! Their designs are stunning, and they really know how to bring a space to life. The team is super reliable, easy to work with, and pays attention to every detail. Highly recommend!”
Katie H