. . . to mess up their own remodels. This is a list I’ve compiled after observing people and their remodels for nearly two decades. It’s true that contractors and subcontractors and vendors all have their faults. The remodeling industry is wacky, no doubt about it. But it is your own actions that will make…
The Journal of Light Construction (one of the best contractor magazines, and one I occasionally write for) asked contractors to reveal the best and worst parts of their jobs. Their answers give clues to how they think: From John Morrissey: The best part is the design aspect of the project, interacting with the client as…
Actually, it’s not a riddle, but a true story about a guy who knows all about construction, and who has worked in building for years, who nevertheless hires a general contractor to orchestrate his own Pasadena remodel. The following explanation of this phenomenon was sent in by John Beaty, who wrote a terrific guide to…
Remodeling is an emotional endeavor. The very thing that keeps you safe and centered — your happy home — is turned into a dusty, chaotic, noisy jobsite. On top of that, you’re asked to make decisions on colors and materials that you will have to live with for a long time. The combined stress is…
<p><a href=”http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2007/07/23/butlerkitchen.jpg” onclick=”window.open(this.href, ‘_blank’, ‘width=717,height=562,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0′); return false”><img alt=”Butlerkitchen” title=”Butlerkitchen” src=”http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/pardonourdust/images/2007/07/23/butlerkitchen.jpg” width=”350″ height=”274″ border=”0″ style=”float: right; margin: 5px 5px 5px 5px;” /></a><strong>Question</strong>: Help! We plan on remodeling our kitchen and opening it up to the family room, which will require removing a wall. My question is where do I start? Do I contact the architect, the…
Question: Help! We plan on remodeling our kitchen and opening it up to the family room, which will require removing a wall. My question is where do I start? Do I contact the architect, the contractor or the kitchen designer first? We are in the $90,000 to $100,000 budget range. — Karla Answer: Good question,…
Reader John Beaty has a lot of experience in the building industry, working with contractors and subcontractors in many parts of the country. Now living in Pasadena (with a remodeled kitchen I hope he will share with us), John did not have a positive reaction to my recent post on Contractor Red Flags. In fact,…
Why is it so hard to get subcontractors to show up? Here’s what I’ve observed (and feel free to tear apart my arguments): There are two factors in this situation: The E-myth and priorities. The E-myth (based on a book of the same name) states that it’s a myth to think a tradesperson will automatically…
According to a tipster quoted on the Celebrity Houses Blog, the 13,000-square-foot, $22 million Beverly Hills mansion bought by uber celebrity Victoria Beckham “still needs a bit of work inside.” That bit of work could be a tax-bracket-changing gig for a SoCal remodeling contractor. Toward that goal (get it?), here are some tips: First and…
How should we remodel? Do it ourselves? Hire someone? It’s a very complicated topic. Much depends on us — what we can handle, what we can’t. I sat down one day and studied the most recent 100 or so remodels I’ve visited and written about. My goal was to see if I could determine patterns…