#472 - FRANK RENFRO & KAMBIZ KAMDAR, Co-founders of Pali Builds
SUMMARY
This week David and Marina of FAME Architecture & Design are joined by Frank Renfro and Kambiz Kamdar, co-founders of Pali Builds. They discussed how Pali Builds started, alternative construction methods and products, issues affecting the fire rebuild, community leadership, why Pali Builds was established, the need for centralized information, cost to rebuild, helping fire victims on larger scale, biggest challenge facing AEC industry, current fire rebuild permit data, future development of the Palisades, what’s next for Pali Builds and more. Enjoy!
ABOUT PALI BUILDS
Pali Builds was founded by Pacific Palisades residents in the aftermath of the devastating 2025 fires with one goal: to help our community rebuild smarter, faster, and together.
After months of participating in local recovery efforts, co-founders Kambiz Kamdar, a fourth-generation builder, and Frank Renfro, a seasoned software developer, realized the community needed better tools and clearer information to navigate the complex rebuilding process. Combining deep roots in construction and technology, they created Pali Builds to empower residents with the data, guidance, and connections needed to make informed decisions and rebuild with confidence.
Pali Builds leverages a variety of public and private data sources to provide accurate, up-to-date information on building permits, property sales, and construction trends across the Palisades. The platform is privately owned and independently operated by locals who care deeply about the future of our town.
Kambiz Kamdar
Kambiz is a fourth-generation builder deeply rooted in the Pacific Palisades community. A licensed general contractor, Kambiz brings decades of expertise in constructing single-family homes, multi-family residences, and commercial properties across Los Angeles. Beyond his professional work, he is actively involved in the neighborhood as a member of the Palisades Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and various grassroots groups where he helps guide local recovery and development efforts. A dedicated youth baseball coach as well as board member for Pacific Palisades Baseball Association and proud Palisades resident, Kambiz’s children attend Palisades Charter High School and Calvary Christian School. His true passion lies in helping others build their dreams both literally, through thoughtful construction, and metaphorically, by empowering families and businesses to grow in the place he calls home.
Frank Renfro
Frank is a seasoned software developer and entrepreneur with a passion for creating solutions that strengthen communities. He has built hyper-local, consumer-focused apps like Naybur and SoNeighborly, designed to connect neighbors and simplify local engagement. A longtime resident of Pacific Palisades, Frank lived in the neighborhood with his family, coaches AYSO soccer, and serves on the Palisades Rebuild Council, where he helps guide recovery efforts after the wildfire. Driven by a love for problem-solving and helping people, Frank combines his technical expertise with a deep commitment to his community, working to make rebuilding smarter, faster, and more accessible for all.
TIMESTAMPS
(00:00) How Pali Builds started.
(05:10) Alternative construction methods & products.
“We were almost brainstorming based on the assumption that [the fire rebuilds] was like a master planned community where there was one landowner. So, when you're making decisions, you only need the one landowner to buy in, and then the project moves forward. But our situation [in the Palisades] is we've got 5000 landowners that are not connected. They all have different timing, driving forces, budgets etc. So, taking that into account, [we wondered] how could we solve this? A lot of the meetings were forgetting about that component. It was, “Hey, this is how you build at scale. Let's go get Lennar Homes, and we're going to build 5000 homes.” But wait a minute, we've got 5000 independent owners, and they might have an opinion on all of it.” (09:38)
(11:35) Issues affecting fire rebuild.
(14:32) Community leadership in fire rebuild.
(18:31) Why Pali Builds was established.
“We were just so hungry for information. What is going on? What is happening? So, Pali Builds was a source that had real meat on the bone. Here's the data: this is how many people are building, and these are the builders that are building those projects. That was initially what we were providing. We're answering all these emails, and fortunately, Kambiz is a builder, so he knows how to build, how to vet various types of contractors and what are the steps that you need to take before you even talk to a general contractor.” (24:08)
(29:15) Need for centralized information on fire rebuild.
(32:10) Cost to rebuild.
“I think if someone's telling you [they can build for] under $600 a square foot, I would question that. On the other hand, if they're telling you over $1000 a square foot, I would question that too. I think the numbers should fall in that range between $600 and $1000, which is a lot. But I break it down and say, “A shell, will cost you X, and the rest is going to be finishes. So, take that number, figure out what kind of finishes you want, and then that's where your [construction costs] are going to end up.” The numbers that I'm throwing out are assuming just a typical flat property in the Alphabet streets or other areas. You have a ton of different topography throughout the Palisades. There are soil and landslide issues or coastal regulations in some areas. So that number can jump depending on how complex your foundations are going to be.” (35:17)
(39:10) Helping fire victims on larger scale.
“People ask us to give referrals which we can do, but we’re really trying to educate more. As a contractor, we send out newsletters that [guides homeowners on how to find contractors, factors to consider, and other advice or information.] I will say an architect is someone that you're going to work with for the next two years very intimately. I equate it to being married to them for the next two years, because you are going to have ups and downs and arguments. You guys are building a baby together. So, when hiring architects, you got to have a good rapport with them. It's going to be someone that you're happy to talk to and exchange criticisms with. We're trying to not necessarily tell this person to go with this architect or that contractor. It's telling them the things to look for before you choose the right person.” (42:23)
(47:29) Biggest challenge facing AEC industry.
(50:42) Various design solutions.
“The beauty of the Palisades pre-fire was that you can have a 4500 square foot McMansion in the Alphabet Streets, next to a 1500 square foot house that had been handed down for four generations. The variety was the flavor of the Palisades. I tell everybody it's not the homes that made the Palisades; it was the people. That was the beauty of the Palisades. So, if they want to go prefab or if they want to build a 4500 square foot house, go for it, give it some variety, give it some flavor. That's what Palisades was before, and that's what it will be going forward because everybody is in a different situation.” (51:27)
(52:12) Current fire rebuild permit data.
(57:19) Future development of the Palisades.
“When people stick their nose up at developers, or say that it’s super homogenous, I think they are assuming that the option [for the fire rebuild] is all unique homes and all the lots are built versus having some developer homes and or spec homes and unique homes. But the reality of the situation is, if you don't have the developers, you're probably going to have empty lots or land bank. So, it's kind of a false comparison, unfortunately.” (01:03:58)
(01:05:34) What's next for Pali Builds.
