Hiring subcontractors? Bernie has some advice
When Bernie and Val Van De Yacht wanted to gut and remodel their small North Hollywood kitchen for $15,000, they decided to forego the expense of a general contractor and [...]
Contractor Issues
Getting older? Me neither
But it could happen. And if it does, we can delay moving to an old folks home by making some changes in our own homes. For instance, it will help of we can open the doors [...]
Can this guy be helped? I don’t know
I found this cry for help from a retired police officer posted on the website of Professional Remodeler, a contractor magazine. I need HELP! I had my Ranch Home renovated in [...]
Weekend exercise: Check a contractor’s license number
I hope I don’t hear this story again — that someone hired a contractor they later found out was unlicensed, or whose license had expired or been suspended. Instead of [...]
Changing course: You hate to do it, but sometimes you gotta
It was just after the demolition phase of his kitchen remodel that Ian Denchasy realized he was in way over his head. It was a simple mistake. He started out with a plan to [...]
Ask a Green Builder: Dennis Allen
Ever wonder about the durability of bamboo floors? The benefits of thicker insulation? The rebates available for adding solar power? The cost vs. value of new windows? Dennis [...]
Ask a Contractor: Alon Toker
Ever wish you could ask a licensed contractor some remodeling questions with no hint of pressure to sign a contract? Here is your chance. This week’s guest expert, [...]
Four Southern California Remodeling Contractors Honored
Everybody knows there are problems in the remodeling industry — shady contractors, shoddy work, sloppy business practices. But the thing is, are you going to spend all your [...]
Pardon Our Dust Classic: Grappling with indecision
The fact that Judy and Roy Uehara’s dingy, cramped 27-year-old kitchen and adjacent family room were transformed into a luminous, elegant, granite- and maple-infused [...]
Excellent Remodels, Happy Homeowners: Is This a Distorted View?
I’ll admit that my view of remodeling is distorted. I’ve spent a couple of decades interviewing hundreds of homeowners whose remodels turned out great, and [...]
Know any good contractors?
Have you used a Southern California remodeling contractor who deserves a shout-out, someone you would recommend to your neighbors? If so, please post a comment. Tell us: — [...]
Why competitive bidding doesn’t work
Perhaps you’ve heard this quip when a spacecraft is launched: “There goes the lowest bid.” In my mind, trying to get the lowest bid for a remodeling project is just as [...]
Contractor fed flags: Were there any?
I’ve been writing about remodeling for 17 years, and so you can imagine the contractor horror stories I’ve heard. But I’m interested in what happened before the [...]