Frequently asked questions
Answers about outdoor living, energy upgrades, remodeling, paint and floors.
Serving homeowners across the Greater Los Angeles Area
Outdoor living
Pavers flex with the ground instead of cracking, and a damaged section can be lifted and replaced. Concrete costs less up front. We price both when you are deciding.
With a proper compacted base, 25 years or more. Most paver problems come from a thin or poorly compacted base, which is why we never skip that step.
Usually 4 to 5 inches with reinforcement for cars, thicker where heavier vehicles park. We set thickness by what the slab has to carry.
Walk on it after a day or two, drive on it after about a week. Full strength takes around 28 days.
Most do, especially attached covers and covers with electrical. We prepare the plans and handle the permit and inspections.
Aluminum needs almost no maintenance and gives a clean modern look. Wood is warmer and classic but needs sealing or paint every few years.
Good quality turf lasts 10 to 15 years or more in the LA sun when it is installed on a proper base.
Yes, with pet turf and a draining base. We add a deodorizing infill so the yard stays fresh.
Drought-tolerant and California native plants like sage, lavender, agave and ornamental grasses handle the heat on very little water once established.
Yes. Drip lines on a smart controller water plants at the roots and waste far less than spray heads.
In most LA County cities, walls over about 3.5 feet in front yards or 6 feet elsewhere, and most retaining walls, need a permit. We check your city's rules and handle it.
It depends on wall height and soil, typically 12 to 24 inches deep with steel. Retaining walls get deeper footings and drainage.
Aluminum does not rot, warp or need paint, and the powder-coated finish holds up to the LA sun.
We build gates ready for an opener and can install the gate operator as part of the job.
Energy & comfort
We remove the tiles, replace the worn underlayment, flashing and battens, then reset the good tiles and replace broken ones. The roof keeps its look with a new waterproof layer.
Leaks in more than one spot, curling or bald shingles, sagging, or an underlayment past 20 to 30 years. We inspect and show you photos before recommending anything.
Glass with a thin coating that reflects heat while letting light through. It keeps rooms cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
Retrofit windows fit inside the old frame with less stucco work and cost less. Full-frame replaces everything and is better when frames are damaged or during a remodel.
For most of Southern California, R-38 in the attic is the common target. Many older homes have far less.
It reflects heat coming off the hot roof deck before it reaches the insulation, which lowers attic temperature in summer.
Often, yes. A new AC on old leaky ducts wastes much of its efficiency. We check the ducts and tell you.
It depends on square footage, insulation, windows and sun exposure. We size it to the house rather than guessing by square footage alone.
Not always, but many older 100-amp homes do once you add a charger to the existing load. We calculate the load and tell you.
Usually most of one day while the utility disconnects and reconnects service.
Remodeling
It depends on size, layout changes and finishes. After a visit we give a written estimate with every room and allowance listed.
Often, yes. If the wall is load-bearing we add a properly sized beam and pull the permit.
Usually five to eight weeks of work, plus time for cabinet and counter lead times.
Yes. We reroute plumbing, gas and electrical as part of the layout change and permit it.
Usually three to five weeks, depending on tile work and glass lead time.
Yes. Tub-to-shower conversions are one of our most common projects.
Yes. Additions need plans and permits, and we handle both.
Plans and permits often take a few months; construction is usually two to four months.
Most single-family lots in Los Angeles County can have an ADU. Setbacks, size and parking rules vary by city, and we check yours.
Plans and permits typically take a few months; construction usually takes four to six months.
Paint & floors
Usually every 7 to 10 years in Southern California, sooner on walls with full afternoon sun.
Yes. We patch and texture-match cracks before painting so they do not show through.
A few rooms take one to two days; a whole house usually three to five.
Yes. We degrease, sand, prime and spray them for a smooth, durable finish.
For most families, luxury vinyl plank: waterproof, scratch-resistant and comfortable, with real wood looks.
Sometimes over flat tile or vinyl, but we usually remove it so the subfloor can be checked and leveled.
Free estimates · Greater Los Angeles Area
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