HOW DO I START A KITCHEN REMODEL?
An easy way to start is to give us a call and make an appointment for a free initial in-home consultation. In this meeting we can discuss your ideas for the project and we can give you our ideas on how to accomplish them. We can also discuss with you how our remodeling process works, including our approach to design, project costing, and construction. If you decide to work with us we will start by helping you develop a design scheme and a project budget. This will help to determine not only the scope of the work, but the materials and finishes to use in the project. And since we work on the design and project costs at the same time it allows you to easily select the elements to use in the work. This keeps the design within your project budget.
HOW MUCH WILL MY JOB COST?
Each project is very different, so the costs must be determined on an individual basis. The only accurate method for determining the cost of a building project is to develop the costs on an item by item basis. Our Project Planning Guides can help you work up the costs of your project. Download it here.
CAN YOU HELP ME WITH THE DESIGN AND PLANS?
Yes, we have the ability to help you design your project and we also can produce a set of plans that meet the requirement of any building department.
WHAT IS DESIGN/BUILD, AND HOW CAN IT HELP ME?
The advantage of our Design/Build process is our clients have only one person to work with throughout the entire remodeling process. This person is the team leader who will develop the project design and costs, and who supervises the construction. When we begin the project design, we also start to develop the project costs. This allows our clients to easily change the scope of the work, including materials and finishes, in order to meet budget requirements. When our clients have questions and concerns, they can make just one telephone call to get results. This makes the remodeling process more efficient, reducing costs and making it far easier to stay on schedule.
DO I NEED A BUILDING PERMIT?
Most remodeling projects will require changes to the electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and structural systems of a home. California law dictates that any changes to these systems do require a building permit.
DO I NEED AN ENGINEER?
An engineer has the skill, knowledge and experience to ensure the proposed work meets or exceeds current building code requirements. This essential function provides property owners a high level of protection.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN BUSINESS?
We have been in business for nearly thirty years.
DO YOU HAVE A LICENSE AND INSURANCE?
We have a valid license issued by the California Contractors License Board (#536844). We are also fully insured to protect our clients and their homes against damage and work place injuries.
WHAT KIND OF WORK DO YOU SPECIALIZE IN?
Our expertise is in creating custom kitchens, bathrooms, and additions. But, our skilled career craftsmen often perform a variety of other tasks for our clients, including repairs, millwork installation, and window and door replacement.
DO YOU ONLY WORK IN SONOMA COUNTY?
The vast majority of our projects are in Sonoma County, but occasionally we work in Marin and Napa County.
IS MY PROJECT TOO SMALL?
We often work on small projects, so give us a call and tell us what you need and we will try to help you.
I ALREADY HAVE AN ARCHITECT/DESIGNER/ENGINEER. WILL YOU STILL WORK WITH ME?
We generally do the design of our projects. But, we also occasionally build projects we do not design.
CAN YOU HELP ME PICK OUT MATERIALS AND FINISHES?
Yes, we enjoy helping our clients select the perfect materials, fixtures, and finishes for their projects. Our knowledge, experience, and industry resources allow us to help guide our clients through the selection process. We even take our clients to our wholesale suppliers in San Francisco and the East Bay.
HOW DIFFICULT WILL IT BE FOR ME TO BE COMFORTABLE IN MY HOME DURING THE WORK?
We understand that remodeling can be very disrupting. One of the primary goals of our business is to ensure that our clients are as comfortable as possible during the construction. We take the time to discuss all the details of the construction process with our clients to ensure they understand exactly what will happen during the work. Then we ask our clients how we can help make them as comfortable as possible during the construction process. We always thoroughly protect both the interior and exterior of our customer’s homes to ensure damage does not occur. We also keep the lines of communication open so that we can make adjustments if they are required. We always create a sealed area where the work will take place, as well as a client approved area for the storage of
materials, and an area where materials will be assembled and cut. We clean up our debris each day, and protect adjacent areas and surfaces from damage due to construction work. We also ensure that the delivery of materials will not damage landscaping and hard surfaces.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM YOUR CREW?
Our crews and subcontractors are professionals. They will be helpful, polite and punctual. You will enjoy having our team members in your home.
WHAT IS THE PAYMENT SCHEDULE LIKE?
When we sign a construction agreement with our clients, we include a detailed payment schedule. We often submit invoices to our clients on a weekly or bi- weekly basis to pay for the work that took place during that period.
HOW DO CHANGE ORDERS WORK?
When our clients request a change in the work, we create a written change order detailing what work will be changed, the cost of the change, and how the change will affect the project schedule.
WILL MY PROJECT STAY ON SCHEDULE?
Yes, your project will stay on schedule barring unforeseen events such as weather delays or changes in the work that add time to the project. Prior to the start of the construction we will create a detailed project schedule. All parties involved in the project will receive a copy of the schedule to ensure everyone will know when work will take place.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE WORK AFTER YOU HAVE FINISHED THE PROJECT?
Just give us a call; we warranty all our work for a period of one year from the date of completion. We will be happy to promptly perform any repairs. But please note, appliances and fixtures carry their own warranties.