Quality Workmanship
Since 1959

EXPERIENCE The following statements are excerpts from letters WRITTEN BY HOMEOWNERS for whom we’ve completed ROOM ADDITIONS/REMODELING:

Mr. and Mrs. Kitchen wrote: “A special thank you to Pete for the personal consideration and extra hours you gave us. Knowing we expect a job done right and our dollars worth, you went out of your way to assure us that our money was well spent!!!“

Mr. and Mrs. Jacobsen: “Every worker who came to the house was highly professional and pleasant to deal with….The finished project exceeded our expectations.”

WE ARE ONE OF THE FEW BUILDING CONTRACTORS THAT MAINTAIN STRICT SUPERVISORY CONTROL enabling us to control: QUALITY, COMPLETION TIME, and INSURE PAYMENT OF ALL LABOR AND MATERIAL.   All contracts include a full payment schedule, including exact payment amounts at specific milestones.  At the completion of those milestones an invoice is mailed to the client with unconditional labor and material releases.  All releases are originals, executed by sub contractors and material suppliers for work completed to date.  Bonding a job is another good way to protect yourself, but we feel that process is more reactive and has a cost associated with it.  A bond protects you after a problem, requiring payments be made at the completion of tasks and receiving a release for that phase is the best protection.

KEEPING WITHIN YOUR BUDGET CAN SEEM IMPOSSIBLE AT TIMES.  Going over budget can cause great strife between you and your contractor, leaving you with unexpected changes or worst case, an unfinished project.  Require a full set of detailed plans and specifications from your designer/contractor prior to signing any contracts.  Mr. and Mrs. Killian wrote: “…The planning and patience was all worth it.  The results were better than we had imagined…..The organization with which this project was completed made it go smoothly, on time and within budget.”

WE ARE LICENSED BY THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA WITH A “B” (General Building Contractor), “C-6” (Cabinet, Millwork, and Finished Carpentry), “C-54” (Ceramic and Mosaic), “C-36” (Plumbing), “C-10” (Electrical), in excellent standing.  There are 43 different types of contractor licenses in California, including general and specialty contractors.  Specialty or subcontractors usually are hired to perform a single job.  If your project is a specific task, like plumbing, you may want to hire a contractor that holds that specific license.  If your project involves two or more trades, a licensed General Building Contractor would be appropriate for your project.  Be sure to select a contractor licensed for your specific project.  A license is required for anyone who contracts to perform work that is valued at $500.00 or more for labor and materials.  Once you have determined how your contractor should be licensed, obtain referrals from family, friends, or referral sites like Angie’s List.  No matter how you find your contractor, check his license status with the CSLB web site www.cslb.ca.gov, confirm when the license was issued, any complaints against the license, who the license is issued to, license bond and workers compensation insurance status.  After checking the license with the State, check consumer web sites such as Better Business Bureau , or Trustlink .  Don’t just take the referral, speak with other clients of the contractor, and see current projects of the same type as yours.

THE NATIONAL KITCHEN AND BATH ASSOCIATION (NKBA) is a premiere association for kitchen and bath professionals.  The hallmark for kitchen and bath professionals, NKBA Certification in kitchen and bath design is based on a stringent written examinations and extensive industry experience.  If you choose to work with a design/build firm that provides both design and construction services under one roof, make sure that a qualified kitchen (CKD) or bath (CBD) designer is on staff and will be designing your space.  Just as you wouldn’t want a designer building your kitchen or bath, you wouldn’t want a contractor designing it.  The best choice for a contractor, select a firm that provides both services.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT FACTORS THAT GO INTO PRICING A REMODELING PROJECT.  Be sure that every estimate has the exact scope of work.  If the estimates are vague and you cannot interpret that information, go back to the contractor for clarification in writing.  If you are unable to get adequate written clarification, it may be wise to eliminate that remodeling contractor from the bidding process.

BUILDING PERMITS ARE REQUIRED FOR ANY STRUCTURAL, ELECTRICAL, PLUMBING, OR MECHANICAL CHANGE OR ALTERATION.  This is very important.  When a contractor obtains the required building permits, you know things will be done to “code”.  Keep in mind that the building codes only set minimum safety standards for construction; they don’t protect you against poor quality workmanship.  Also, many homeowners insurance policies require a permit on any major remodeling to keep your home properly covered.  Not all contractors will do this.  Many prefer not to obtain permits because of the time involved and the hassle with inspectors.  Some contractors may ask you to obtain the permits.  This could be a red flag that they are not able to obtain permits, or they may be unlicensed or working outside of their license class.  Resist the request to obtain your own permits, this would make you responsible to the municipally for any code violations.  A reputable contractor will permit every job where a permit is required.

YES, CONTRACTORS ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE AN IMPLIED WARRANTY FOR ONE YEAR on certain fit and finish items.  The reality is a warranty is only as good as the contractor that is providing it.  It would be very important to do business with a contractor that has been in business for many years and well established in the community to insure the quality of your warranty.  To assure you are protected, when meeting with the contractors past clients, ask them how their warranty items were addressed?  Did they give as much attention to after completion service as they did during your project?  Did the contractor stand on the one year time limit, or did they take care of a warranty issue, no matter the time?

AFTER ALL YOUR HARD WORK AND DUE DILIGENCE A PROBLEM STILL MAY ARISE.  First contact your contractor, always put complaints in writing, most complaints will be handled at this level.  If for some reason your contractor is unwilling to resolve the issue, contact the CSLB.  Complaints filed with the CSLB against a licensed or unlicensed contractor will be received by the Intake and Mediation center.  The CSLB will confirm jurisdiction and will try to resolve the complaint.  If it cannot be resolved at this level it may be assigned to an Enforcement Representative for further investigation.  If after all the efforts to resolve the complaint, it still cannot be resolved, with specific qualifications it may be referred to binding mandatory or voluntary arbitration.  Where appropriate, CSLB will take legal action against a contractor for violations of the Business and Professions Code.  Check out full requirements and procedures at CSLB.