Category Archive: How to Insure a Successful Los Angeles Remodeling

We win Best of Houzz Award…Again!!!!

Another Gorgous Mal Corboy Work of Art

Another Gorgous Mal Corboy Work of Art

We are so proud and thankful to announced that we were awarded by Houzz their prestigious Customer Satisfaction Award (Best of Houzz) for the year.
This is the second year running that this honor is bestowed on us.
Our gratitude and thanks to all our clients and trade partners that helped make this happen!
Onward and upward!

Best of Houzz 2015 Badge

Best of Houzz 2015 Badge

Best of Houzz 2015 Badge


Breaking News! Breaking News! Breaking News!




Thank you!Thank you! Thank you!

Remodeling University: Do You Really Need a General Contractor?

With all the discussion (see previous posts) about the best way to hire a general contractor, Los Angeles residents might ask themselves a legitimate questions: “do I really need a general contractor on my project?”

Well, in my opinion, the answer depends on your particular circumstances.

Generally speaking, the more complex your project is and the larger it is, the more a competent general contractor is needed. Many homeowners might not be aware of it, but being an owner-builder is a viable option for many remodeling projects. That category (owner-builder) is also recognized by the city for the purpose of securing permits.

As an owner-builder, you act as the GC (general contractor). So let’s say that you live in Los Angeles and Kitchen remodeling is what you are considering. You might decide to do the demolition yourself, have an electrician take care of the electrical work, a handy man patch the walls, you’ll do the painting, the Home Depot would supply and install the cabinets and a friend of yours would install the tile counters. Is that a legitimate approach? It sure is…providing;

Here are some of the challenges you should be aware of:
1. Like for anything else, for this too there is a learning curve. Even if you are a very fast learner, chances are that you’ll have a few missteps the ‘first time out’.
2. Design knowhow: the more complex the project, the more critical the design would be. Unless there is a design professional on your team, yours would be a hit-n-miss experience.
3. Code and construction knowhow: Someone on your team needs to be knowledgeable in the various codes pertaining to your project and in the best sequencing for your particular work.
4. Competent supervision: while a layperson can review finish work and judge it satisfactory (or not), the same does not hold true for ‘rough’ work. As a layperson, can you tell if the plumbing is run correctly, the wires properly sized, the drywall legally nailed, etc?
5. Availability: will you be able to be on site to see that things are done as agreed to or as needed? Was the gravel base placed before the driveway was poured? Was the second coat of paint applied? Were the old pipes abandoned and new ones ran in the wall? Unless you are – A. On site to supervise and note all these things, short cuts are certain to take place and B. Even if you are at home to supervise, do you know enough about construction’s ‘best practices’ to be able to effectively supervise?

None of it is ‘rocket science’. Truly. But there is enough complexity in today’s homes that you need to consider your options; if you have a basic project that does not involve multiple trades, is not too complex and the overall scope and budget are small, I think you can take it on yourself, should you be so inclined. Just take the time needed to educate yourself (endless resources are available online) and stay on top of everyone. If, on the other hand, the home remodeling you are considering is complex, involves structural work, requires design and/or is broad in scope and budget, I strongly recommend that you team with a competent, professional and experienced general contractor. Without a doubt, that would be in your best bet.

Happy remodeling!

Remodeling University: Choosing A General Contractor

As noted before, the subject of how to choose the best contractor for your project is of critical importance. It is probably the most important decision you’ll have to make with regards to any substantial remodeling adventure. It is also a subject that is impossible to cover adequately in a single blog post. So here is the second installment;

Beyond the brouhaha of a sales pitch and independent of the appeal of low, or too-good-to-be-true quotes, an alert homeowner can find clues and telltale indications relating to the remodeling companies being considered. The challenge of course, is to ignore the pull of the ‘great’ low quote or the charisma of the persuasive salesperson long enough to be able to objectively evaluate these criteria.

1. Contract: educate yourself about what a complete and proper Home Improvement Contract should contain (in California, use the CSLB website). Ask the contractor for all his contract papers and compare to what’s required. You will often finds remarkable short falls in what the contractor’s contract looks like to what it needs to be. Note that these state mandated contract elements are there to protect you, the consumer.
2. Payment Schedule: Never, ever work with anyone that requires substantial sums ‘with commencement’ of anything (unless you are ordering a custom item, like cabinets). A good Payment Schedule is hinged upon Completion of stages of work, not commencement of them.
3. Success leaves clues: if the contractor is indeed professional, experienced and competent and has been doing this for a time – what does he have to show for it? Did he receive any awards? Any positive media recognition? Talk is cheap – the proof is what you need to look for.
4. Scope of Work: how detailed and complete is the Scope of Work? Worry of its not. Did you hear the sentence “don’t worry about it” once too often? Worry about it.
5. Portfolio of work: well, first many construction companies in Los Angeles (and I’m certain, elsewhere) don’t have a portfolio of their work, but may be doing great work. If you did not look through a portfolio ask and go look at projects (recommended at any event). The point here is about those who do show you a nice portfolio. Are these pictures of projects these contractors actually did or are these pictures off the internet, manufacturer’s brochures and so forth? A keen observer should be able to tell.
6. Deposit amount: are you being asked for an unreasonably high amount up front? That’s a big red-flag. In California, the deposit cannot exceed $1000 or 10%, whichever IS LESS!

These are just some quick examples of indications you might be heading into troubled waters. Remember that in remodeling the amounts involved are relatively large and the ‘entry threshold of membership’ is very low (it doesn’t take much to present oneself as a contractor or even to procure a license to be one). Together, these two factors are a recite for trouble.

A proactively cautious homeowner that is diligent and careful about any hiring decision will likely end up fairing better with regards to the project than those owners that are not.

Happy remodeling!

Remodeling University: Choosing A General Contractor


For starters, why is this such an important decision?





Happy remodeling!

Remodeling University: Manage Your Mindset First for a successful Los Angles Remodeling

Home remodeling projects, large and small, place unusual demands on homeowners.

In the best of cases (if you chose your general contractor well), you will need to deal with noise, interruptions to water and power services, strangers in your home on a daily basis, significant disruption to the family’s routine and so forth.
You’ll also be the point person for a team of players that might not always see eye to eye with each other and/or with you.
All of this – in addition to whatever you have going on in your life already. A challenge indeed!

Before you can manage others and be positive and proactive under the stress introduced by a remodeling project, your best bet is to manage your state of mind.
I have worked with homeowners that were a great asset to their own project. They were in control of their emotions, they made a point to compliment the workers and other team members, they appreciated others’ efforts and showed it, they addressed problems proactively and ran their projects in a business like fashion, avoiding making problems (which will always come up in remodeling) personal or larger than what they actually were. This type of attitude inspires and motivates everyone that is involved in a project. The atmosphere is positive and the results are somehow always better.

As importantly, with this attitude, the homeowner’s own experience is cast in a positive light and the project is much less of a burden as a result.

My advice: before embarking on a project, take a deep mental breath. Vow to be a positive and a supportive center of influence. Tell yourself (and internalize the notion) that you are about to embark on an adventure. One that is going to be challenging but fun and rewarding. Prep your family in advance and solicit their participation in the adventure. They should all share in shouldering the responsibilities. They should all be kept informed about what is going on. They should all take ownership of the process and have a vested interest in the outcome (a great way to accomplish that is by soliciting everyones’ input regarding certain design decisions, for example).

With the right attitude and spirit…and with the right team at your side, you will remember your project ‘days’ fondly for a long time. You will remember the project as a challenging, rewarding and successful experience. More importantly, you will enjoy the results that much more for years to come and, unlike the vast majority of folks that remodeled their homes, you will have great and positive tales to share.

Happy remodeling!

Remodeling University: EPA Lead Paint Rules – An Update



Today’s post is about the changes just announced to this rule.


Other changes involve post-work testing and reporting issues.


What should you do?
1. Educate yourself.
5. Get clearance from post-remodel testing.


Happy remodeling!

Remodeling University: Getting Ready for a Large Remodeling Project



Here are some of the issues you need to consider:

Here are some tips:

You are now ready to break ground. Happy remodeling!

Remodeling University: Designing a Large Scale Remodeling Project



Successfully designing a large scale remodeling project:



Happy remodeling!

Remodeling University: The Pros & Cons of Pocket Doors

The Pros & Cons of Pocket Doors… and what to do when you have to have them:

Note: I originally wrote this article for – a general interest remodeling blog, at’s invitation and request. The subject therefore, is a little different from what we typically cover in our Remodeling University blog. It is, nonetheless, a subject many remodeling homeowners would need to deal with, so the information is of use and merit to our readers as well;

There are homeowners that ask for pocket doors simply because they like them. Many homeowners, though, find themselves in a position where they have to decide about including pocket doors in their homes during the design process of a remodeling project, weather they would like to or not.

Pocket doors present particular challenges and solve particular problems. You should be mindful and informed about the pros and cons of choosing or agreeing to have a pocket door included in your project. If a decision was made to include a pocket door, your contractor and you should also be aware of the potential and common pitfalls associated with pocket doors and how to avoid them.

Why should you consider pocket doors:
1. Space: In tight quarters, like a small Jack and Jill bathroom, multiple swinging doors can ‘eat’ into the space available. The door might also be swinging into each other. Pocket doors solve that condition.
2. Space: swinging doors ‘occupy’ a wall space (when swung open) equal to the door’s opening. In small rooms, where wall space might be at a premium, pocket doors solve that dilemma.
3. Space: when two separate rooms are designed so that, when needed or desired, the rooms could be joined, a door system is often used. For example: the formal dining room has a wide opening towards an adjacent space. This can enable larger dinner parties to fit in, while it still allows for more intimate settings, when the door system is kept closed. There is a difference in the ‘flavor’ of a French door system (for example) and the ‘flavor’ of a pocket-door system that slides out of sight into the walls.
4. Aesthetics: as noted above, some folks simply prefer the look and feel of pocket doors and opt to use them for that reason.

Why should you avoid choosing pocket doors:
1. Sound: pocket doors do not ‘sit’ as tightly, as by design they merely slide into position rather than fit into it. As a result, pocket doors are not nearly as effective as standard doors in preventing sound from propagating from one room to the next.
2. Smells, light: for the same reason noted above, pocket doors are poor performers with respect to sealing off a room’s smell (think kitchens or bathrooms). Similarly, more light escapes from one space to the other, though this is rarely a big deal.
3. Wall’s sturdiness: for every pocket door, a wall opening, double its size is needed. While that opening is later covered up with the wall finish material (e.g. drywall), because there are no studs in that space (so as to allow for the pocket door to ‘disappear’ into it) – that wall section is flimsy and tends to wobble and sound hollow when tapped (which it is).
4. Function: pocket doors are notorious for function issues. They fall off tracks, they are difficult to roll, they are problematic to lock, they screech when rolled, etc.
5. Difficult to operate: pocket doors are not very friendly to anyone with difficulty grabbing or to anyone with diminished dexterity in their hands (e.g. arthritis sufferers). More dexterity is needed to grab and pull a pocket door out of its pocket than to grab a well designed and user-friendly (regular) door hardware.

So, if you have no choice but to choose a pocket door for your project (or, if you simply prefer it), here is what you and your contractor can do to be successful with it:
1. If possible use pocket doors in 2”x6” walls, rather than in 2”x4” walls.
2. Always spec and order heavy duty hardware. Note that pocket doors typically come with cheap hardware. Go for heavy duty ball-bearing nylon rollers.
3. Order (true) solid doors. Although these are heavier and thus more challenging to the hardware, the hardware would tend to pull out of the hollow core or composite doors with time.
4. Take special care to avoid any wall fasteners’ penetrations into the pocket space. These are often inadvertently and unknowingly project into the door’s travel path, creating a need to open the wall to fix the problem. It also means re painting the door. In cases where the projection into the door’s path within the pocket is not actually locking the door in place, such interference would forever undermine the door’s travel and will leave an inescapable scratch on the door’s face. Be especially careful if the wall is being tilled (with lathing used).
5. Print out the door’s installation instructions (online, at the manufacturer’s site and/or at many other online locations) and post them for your installer. While it is certainly possible that your contractor is an accomplished pocket-door installer, odds are against it.
6. Pay attention to your door’s hardware selection. I’m referring here to the door’s pull, not hangers/rollers.

The bottom line?
When and if you can – avoid pocket doors.
If you find yourself having to have a pocket door installed, educate yourself and your contractor and follow the advice above.
With care, attention (and a little competence wouldn’t hurt either) you’ll do just fine.

Happy remodeling!