What actually makes you different from Angi or HomeAdvisor?

Those platforms sell your contact information to multiple contractors who then call you. We don't do that. We talk to you first, understand your project, then handpick 2–3 contractors who are actually right for it. We're not a marketplace — we're more like a knowledgeable friend who happens to know every licensed contractor in LA.

This is really free? What's the catch?

No catch. We charge a small advisory fee to the contractor we place — only after they've been introduced and you've decided to work with them. You never pay us anything. Good contractors value a qualified, well-prepared client. They'd rather pay our fee than spend hours on calls with homeowners who aren't ready.

How do you actually pick the right contractor for my project?

We start by understanding your project in detail — scope, budget, timeline, the type of home you have. Then we go through our network and look for contractors who've done similar work in your area, don't have capacity issues right now, and have a track record we can actually point to. We call references, not just collect them.

I've already gotten bids. Can you still help?

Yes — this is one of the most common situations. Contractors format proposals in ways that make them hard to compare. We take everything apart and put it back together in a format where the differences are obvious. It usually changes which bid looks best.

Which parts of Los Angeles do you work in?

All of greater Los Angeles — Westside, San Fernando Valley, Pasadena, South Bay, Northeast LA, the Eastside. Permitting in LA is jurisdiction-specific, and our contractors know the differences between LADBS, Santa Monica, Culver City, Burbank, and the others.

What if I don't like the contractors you introduce me to?

Tell us what didn't feel right — too expensive, wrong specialty, something felt off in the first call — and we'll go back and find different options. We'd rather take another pass than have you sign with someone you're unsure about.

How do you vet the contractors in your network?

License verification through CSLB, insurance verified in real-time through TrustLayer, financial stability check, past project photos reviewed, and reference calls with actual past clients. We ask the uncomfortable questions — how did they handle a problem, did the budget hold, would you hire again. We accept fewer than 1 in 10 contractors who apply.

Permits and Inspections for Home Renovations in Los Angeles (2026)

Do you need a permit for a home renovation in Los Angeles?

Yes — most structural, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work in Los Angeles requires a permit. Cosmetic work like painting, flooring replacement, and cabinet hardware does not. The distinction matters because unpermitted work creates real financial and legal risk.

What Work Requires a Permit in Los Angeles?

Work Type	Permit Required
Structural changes (removing/adding walls)	Yes
Room additions	Yes
ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit)	Yes
Electrical panel upgrade	Yes
New circuits (any)	Yes
Plumbing relocation	Yes
HVAC system installation or replacement	Yes
Water heater replacement	Yes
Roof replacement (over 25% of roof area)	Yes
Window additions or enlargements	Yes
Painting interior or exterior	No
Replacing flooring (same type)	No
Cabinet replacement (no structural changes)	No
Countertop replacement	No
Tile replacement (walls and floors, no structural)	No

How Long Does Permit Approval Take in Los Angeles?

Project Type	Express Review	Standard Review
Simple electrical/plumbing	1–5 business days	—
Kitchen/bath remodel	1–10 business days	—
Room addition (under 500 sqft)	2–6 weeks	4–10 weeks
ADU (standard plan)	2–4 weeks	4–12 weeks
ADU (custom design)	6–16 weeks	12–24 weeks
Historic property / HPOZ	4–12 weeks	8–20+ weeks

Pre-approved ADU plans: The City of LA maintains a library of pre-approved ADU plans that can reduce permit timelines to 2–4 weeks. If building a standard ADU, this path is worth exploring.

What Causes Permit Delays?

Incomplete drawings — Missing dimensions, energy compliance documentation, or structural calculations
HPOZ or hillside conditions — Additional review requirements for historic and hillside properties
Plan check corrections — Each correction round adds 2–6 weeks
Fire/life safety issues — Egress, fire separation, and sprinkler requirements
HOA approval — Not a city process, but delays can hold up work start even after permits are issued

What Work Most Commonly Fails Inspection?

Rough Framing: Missing or undersized headers, incorrect nailing patterns for shear walls, missing straps and hold-downs.

Rough Electrical: Wiring not through conduit where required, buried junction boxes, incorrect wire gauge for circuit amperage.

Rough Plumbing: Missing cleanouts, incorrect slope on drain lines, lacking pressure test documentation.

Energy (T-24): Insufficient insulation R-value, missing air sealing at penetrations, non-compliant windows or glazing.

What Happens If Work Is Done Without Permits?

Stop-Work Orders: LADBS inspectors can halt all work until violations are resolved
Mandatory Demolition: Non-compliant work may require demolition even if fully completed and finished
Re-Permit Fees: After-the-fact permits carry investigation fees of 2–3x the standard permit cost plus penalties
Title Problems: Unpermitted work must be disclosed in California real estate transactions
Insurance Claim Denials: Homeowners insurance may deny claims for damage originating in unpermitted work
Lender Issues: Mortgage lenders flag unpermitted additions, which can delay or kill a refinance

How Do Zoning and Setback Rules Affect ADUs?

California state law has liberalized ADU rules significantly for 2026: one ADU and one JADU permitted on most single-family lots, minimum lot size requirements largely eliminated, owner-occupancy requirements suspended through 2029, 4-foot rear and side setbacks required for detached ADUs, and heights up to 25 feet in most zones.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I pull my own permits in Los Angeles as a homeowner?
Yes. California law allows homeowners to pull permits for work on their primary residence without a contractor's license. However, all work must still pass inspection.

Q: What's the difference between LADBS and other LA-area building departments?
Santa Monica, Culver City, Beverly Hills, Pasadena, Burbank, and other municipalities have their own building departments with different fee schedules and timelines. Always confirm which jurisdiction governs your property.