Tips and advice for a successful renovation
In many areas of Los Angeles and Southern California, most homes were originally built without a true master bedroom suite. Although this was the standard many years ago, many homeowners today prefer to have a private master bedroom suite with its own lavish bathroom...
Conejo Valley & Ventura County Garage Conversions – Process and Costs You’ve probably heard about the new laws and regulations in Ventura County and surrounding areas regarding accessory dwelling units and garage conversions. A garage conversion is the cheapest...
Kitchens are often considered the hub of the home, so it's not surprising many homeowners see the kitchen as the space they most want to renovate and modernize. Kitchens are generally a reasonably straightforward project to renovate, as long as you’re prepared with...
You’ve probably heard about the new laws and regulations in Orange County regarding Accessory Dwelling Units and garage conversions. A garage conversion is the most cost-effective way to create a ‘second home’ or Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) on your property because...
The housing shortage and cost of living in California have been in the headlines for some time. Not helping the matter are construction costs in Los Angeles. They were $35 more expensive per square foot compared to the rest of the state, according to a March 2020...
When it comes to building an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) or even just a garage conversion, there are many details to consider and a lot to know. This blog is specifically about ADU insurance, but you can find more info on my other blogs about building an ADU or a...
Tips on Finding Good Bathroom Remodelers in Los Angeles: Finding a good bathroom remodeler might seem easy since there are tons of online resources listing many ‘highly-rated’ contractors. However, you should know that in Los Angeles County alone, there are over...
Soon You Can Own a 'Duplex/Triplex' In LA - Build an ADU On Your Single-Family Lot In previous posts, I’ve mentioned the recent California ADU (accessory dwelling unit) laws that make it easier to build an ADU or convert your garage into an ADU. In essence, they...
As homes start to age and become old & outdated, many homeowners start thinking about a home renovation. Some people look around their home to decide which room or project to start on. Others decide that undertaking a whole house remodel makes the most sense so...
(Updated January 3, 2021) What You Need To Know About a Garage Conversion Garage Conversion in Los Angeles I recently did a garage conversion with a detached garage behind my home. The garage was 468 square feet with dimensions of 18’ x 26’. I always wanted to...
(Updated January 2, 2021) So, you’ve heard about ADUs, eh? Maybe a friend was talking about her ‘granny flat’, you saw your neighbor recently did a garage conversion, or perhaps you overheard your coworkers talking about their latest investment opportunity. Well,...
Homeowners Insurance: What you Need to Know If you are planning to remodel or renovate your home, there are many factors to take into consideration prior to the start of the project. You need to envision what you want the room, rooms, or addition to look like when...
Here in Los Angeles, it's not unusual for families to quickly outgrow their existing homes. Lots of young couples who are first-time buyers start out in a small home that’s reasonably priced and the right size for them at the time. LA County is chock-full of areas...
10 Things To Know Before Starting a Home Remodel If you are preparing for a home remodel, there are a number of steps you should take to ensure a successful... and relatively stress-free project. Especially if this is your first time renovating, it’s especially...
Realtors know that almost every home transaction requires home inspections. When it comes to ways to kill a deal, home inspections are often a leading culprit, so it’s worth discussing the issues involved. Over the last ten years, I was involved in over 350...
Senior Preparing Food in a Granny Flat ADU | Credit: Getty Images Is a Granny Flat ADU a Good Idea For Seniors and Retirees in Los Angeles? You may have heard: the population of seniors and retirees is expected to surge in the near future. Over the next decade,...
Hiring a contractor to remodel your home is a major decision. We’re all aware of this. A contractor is going to impact your life in several significant ways once you’ve hired them. You’re going to be paying a substantial amount of money, you’ll be communicating with...
One of the most common questions that homeowners looking to remodel ask is: I have estimates from three different contractors for the same project. Why are their prices so different? Understandably, this is a mystery to most people. We don’t expect the same blender or...
When in doubt, do not hire an unlicensed contractor. At some point in time, every homeowner has had (or will have) the “lovely” experience of requiring some sort of minor electrical or plumbing repair within his or her home. Often times, you ask your friends,...
Do you know what a contractor’s bond is? If you are planning to hire a contractor to remodel your home, then you should! Here at GreatBuildz, a free service that connects homeowners with reliable general contractors, people ask us all the time about project details...
Our free service personally matches you with the best pre-screened pros, ensuring you’ll find a great contractor and enjoy a stress-free remodel.