We are a Licensed, Bonded and Insured Fire Debris Removal Service. We offer Free Estimates for Palisades Fire Burnouts and can get started removing your debris immediately.
Let us clean up after the fire so we can help you get started rebuilding your property as soon as possible.
We are a Division of RTC Design & Build License # 903777
OUR SERVICES
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Fire Clean Up
We remove all debris from your property, carefully packaging it in the appropriate containers. Once cleared, we thoroughly clean the site, preparing it for rebuilding. Our team will work closely with you and a designated engineer to determine whether your foundation can be salvaged or needs to be removed. No matter the path forward, we’ll document the footprint of your cleared and cleaned foundation before any next steps.
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Permitting
Before any work begins, we meticulously document your property using professional-grade photography drones to ensure a smooth process of securing the necessary permits. Don’t let bureaucratic red tape or incomplete records create unnecessary setbacks. We ensure your home’s original square footage is accurately recorded, so you can rebuild to the same size it was before the Palisades Fire.
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Planning
We know that a successful rebuild starts with careful planning. That’s why we collaborate closely with you and any designer or architect you choose to bring on board. Our construction planning services provide comprehensive solutions to keep your project organized and on track. From timelines to budgets, we work alongside designers to develop a clear, detailed roadmap that ensures a smooth process from start to finish.
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Rebuilding
We’re builders too. Let us partner with your design team to rebuild your dream home. Don’t have a design team? Having trouble getting one on the phone? These are unprecedented times. Let us use our decades of connections to help you get back on track, so you and your loved ones can begin making new memories in your new home.
We are bonded licensed and insured and have been for more than 10 years.
License Number: 903777
Schedule your free consultation.
Reach out today to schedule your free consultation and take the next step in your restoration journey. Get in touch either using the form or directly at (310) 968-7400
OUR PROCESS
Getting started with your fire clean-up construction project can seem daunting. We’ll guide you every step of the way, so the process is manageable and stress-free. Each small step we take together brings you closer to a successful clean-up and rebuild.
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Our qualified fire clean-up contractors specialize in assessing damage, removing debris, and overseeing repairs. We work directly with insurance adjusters to ensure you get the coverage you deserve for cleanup and restoration. With an experienced contractor, you can speed up the recovery process and restore your property to its original condition.
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We’ll guide you through the permitting process needed to clean up your property and, then help you obtain the necessary permits.
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We’ll clear all debris from your property and clean the site, preparing it for rebuilding. This may include removing your foundation at an additional cost, depending on the condition of the site.
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As a professional contractor we work closely with insurance adjusters to ensure you receive the coverage you are entitled to for cleanup and restoration efforts. If desired, after we tear down the debris, we can work with your architect to build your new home. We can get you from beginning to end.
FAQs
How soon can Westside Debris get started?
Immediately. On January 14th the State of California and the City of Los Angeles Issue Orders to Expedite Recovery and Reconstruction in Response to Los Angeles and Ventura County Wildfires. This order from the Governor’s office is Executive Order N-245. The following day, Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles issued Emergency Executive Order No. 1 “Return and Rebuild,” that provides detailed procedures for how the City will process reconstruction projects in Los Angeles. PHASE 2 HAS BEGUN! In Malibu, the only thing we need to get started is to have an ROE (Right of Entry) filed with the city so they can issue us a permit to begin work.
Is the Army Corps of Engineers really Free?
The Answer is in the fine print of their contract that you sign. The Army Corps of Engineers will tell that their PPDR is a free program and they will not bill you directly. But, they will go after your insurance company for as much money as they can squeeze out of them. This amount will ultimately come out of your insurance allowance when it comes time to rebuild your property and; in some cases, this can end up costing you more in the long term. It’s not a one size fits all solution. There are so many variables here to consider when determining short term cost vs long term cost of how you tackle your project. Especially, if your foundation is salvageable and whether you have an allowance for living expenses in your current homeowner’s policy.
Do you have a good grasp of how your Homeowner’s Insurance Policy was written?
It’s all in the FINE PRINT! This is going to really be important for you right now. I know: “way to state the obvious!” How the line items in your plan are laid out will tell us a lot about how we advise you to tackle cleanup and rebuild. Does your insurance have a separate line item specifically for debris removal or is a lump sum that comes out of the bottom line from your rebuild cost? How much is the Army Corps of Engineers going to charge your insurance. Do you have an allowance for living expenses while you are burned out of your home?
Will I lose square footage because of this?
At Westside Debris Service we will consult with you and an engineer on whether or not to keep your foundation and we will document all stages of the cleanup process so that we can avoid lengthy rebuild permitting holdups. Many of our friends were held up for 3-5 years in just getting plans approved trying to prove their square footage. Resorting to trying to time stamp various google maps satellite images of their addresses. Let us document and deal with the city with you.
What were the top 3 lessons we learned from the Woolsey Fire?
Even if your house survived the fire, basic smoke damage clean up is almost never enough. Heavy metals from toxic wildfire smoke can seep into anything made from wood. As a result, most roofs and floors need to be replaced after smoke damage.
The Army Corps of Engineers tends to bring their heavy equipment to remove your debris by driving it down your driveway which destroys your driveway. They don’t usually then remove your driveway. Then, a private contractor like us has to be called in to do your driveway removal but the Army Corps of Engineers has already maxed out your debris removal amount in your insurance.
Rooftop sprinkler systems and new fire retardant chemicals appear to work quite well. The fact that the Palisades Village is still standing is a testament of this.
Is opting into the Army Corps of Engineers PPDR Program right for me?
To the detriment of our business, the answer is POSSIBLY. You know your neighborhood. Every house, every lot, every foundation is uniquely different in design and build quality. Our estimation from the Woolsey fire was that only about 50% of the houses needed to have their foundations ripped out. Not all as the city would have you beleive. Ripping out the foundation and rebuilding it costs a lot more and takes more time. Not to mention, the Army Corps of Engineers has a first in, first out wait list. Let us take a look at your property and give us the opportunity to tell you what we would do if it were us.
Whats the difference between working with you or the Army Corp of Engineers?
The Army Corps of Engineers is a First In, First Out service that will get to your sight when they get around to it. The sheer size of this fire leaves does not lend to good turn around times. And, while we aren’t soothsayers, nor wish to spread misinformation; we can share with you some insight from the Woolsey Fire. When the Army Corps of Engineers cleaned up from the previous fire, they came in with bulldozers and back hoes to remove everything in sight. This might include your foundation and any trees or vegetation anywhere near your foundation. This means that there will be no trace or proof of the footprint of your house. If your home was added onto over the years, the city planner’s office may or may not have kept secure and up to date records of this. When it comes time to rebuild you may find yourself arguing with the city planner’s office about what square footage of your house was.
The army Corps of Engineers only uses very large metal track Excavators that exceed 40,000 pounds in weight to clear your property. They will most likely need to use your driveway to access your property to excavate. This is like driving a tank across your driveway. This will destroy your driveway. We are already seeing this with the Pacific Fire recovery and saw it with Woolsey. We only use Small/Medium to Medium excavator with rubber tracks so that we can avoid this. We are able to work with you and put a personal touch on your clean up.
The Corps of Engineers will only remove your house and foundation. What is left is on you! Does your pool need to go? Did you have pavers? What about your septic? Oh, and now you have a driveway that needs to be torn up and removed by guys like us anyway.
Are hazmat suits required while at my property?
As of now the city council is highly recommending hazmat suit use while in and around your property. The extent of toxins verifies widely from heavy metals to developing mold. The return home kits that you will receive when you get you ROE (RIght of Entry) from your local city council includes a hazmat suit. Westside Debris will be taking all the necessary precautions to protect ourselves and are workers. We suggest the same for you.
If I work with Westside Debris Service, how soon can you get to my property?
Right away. As soon as we are allowed access to your property, we will get to your property for a free estimate and consultation no later than the end of the next business day. Remember, we are your neighbors and live right down the road from you.
Do you have all the necessary credentials?
Yes. We are Licensed, Bonded and Insured through our parent company RTC Design and Build. RTC Design and Build is also a locally owned and operated company with over 30 years in the construction business. License Number: 903777.
The overall projects are either completed by or managed Westside Debris as a division of RTC Design and Build. However; depending on the project and specific job, we will utilize the appropriately licensed and vetted contractor as needed for completion of the whole project. For instance, we have a specific Caisson and Seawall Guy should you need a beach house cleared and the foundation rebuilt. Just know that we have specific people for septic and, so on.
Depending on what Phase your property is in, we are aware that in Malibu; even though, it is in the county limits, they are requiring specific Hazmat designations when clearing your debris. Just know we are going to all the city council meetings and talking to city hall. If we take on your project we will make sure we can get a permit created and an ROE (Right of Entry). We will not start your project unless things are kosher.
Bottom line: we are your neighbors. We will tell you where we live in Malibu. If anything needs more attention or you need to vent, you can come find us. We aren’t going disappear into the Valley somewhwere.
Meet the Team
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Rick Ciotti
Founder-General Contractor
Second Generation Builder: 40+ Years Experience
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Barry Roth
Founder-Project Manger
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Tim Button
Project Foreman
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Ricky Ciotti
Project Coordinator
Recent Projects
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Zumirez Rebuild House
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Beach Refurbished
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Square Footage Drone Camera Documentation
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Foundation Rebuild
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Pre-Cleanup Malibu Project
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Planning for Rain
A note from our team
Our hearts go out to all the families and businesses affected by the 2025 Palisades Fire. As some of us had lost our homes and had our lives put on pause in the 2018 Woolsey Fire, we grieve with you and share your pain. There are few things more disrupting and traumatizing than loosing your house and all your belongings in an instant. We are Westside LA residents. We are your neighbors. We are your friends. We stand with you during the long road that will be the Palisades Fire rebuild.
With that said, please let us use our expertise and insight from what we learned from previous fires and rebuilding efforts to assist you in this disaster. It is paramount that when deciding what route you take in tackling the rebuild process that you are informed of all the variables in the rebuild process. Most notably does opting in or opting out of having the Army Corp of Engineers handle clean up serve you the most.
