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.

Kitchen Renovation Checklist: Permits, Ordering, and Living Through the Dust in Los Angeles

Pre-Construction Checklist (Complete Before Demo Day)

Permits & Approvals

Confirm which permits are required with your contractor (City of LA / your specific municipality)
Permit application submitted — do this at design finalization, not when you're ready to start
Permit approval in hand before any structural, electrical, or plumbing work begins
If in an HOA: HOA architectural approval received in writing
If in an HPOZ (Historic Preservation Overlay Zone): additional approval confirmed

Material Ordering (Lead Times Matter)

Item	Order When	Typical LA Lead Time
Custom cabinets	At permit submission	8–14 weeks
Semi-custom cabinets	At permit submission	4–8 weeks
Stone countertop (template after cabinets)	After cabinets installed	2–3 weeks from template
Premium appliances (Wolf, Miele, Sub-Zero)	At contract signing	10–20 weeks
Standard appliances (Samsung, LG, GE)	At permit approval	2–6 weeks
Specialty tile (imported, hand-made)	At design finalization	6–14 weeks
Standard tile	At permit approval	1–3 weeks
Plumbing fixtures (specialty)	At design finalization	4–12 weeks

The most common delay in LA kitchen renovations: Cabinets not ordered early enough. Order before permit approval, not after.

Design Decisions (Lock Before Demo)

Cabinet layout finalized and approved (changes after framing = expensive)
All material selections made (tile, countertop, hardware, fixtures)
Lighting plan finalized (recessed layout, pendant locations)
Appliance models confirmed and ordered
Paint color selected
Flooring material and direction confirmed

Do not start demo with unresolved design decisions. Every open question adds delay.

Dust Mitigation Plan

Contractor's responsibility: Temporary dust barrier at all doorways (ZipWall or equivalent), plastic sheeting over HVAC returns, daily cleanup — no debris accumulation overnight, HEPA air scrubber for demolition of drywall or plaster (especially in pre-1980 homes).

Your responsibility: Remove all food, dishes, small appliances, and soft goods from the kitchen before demo. Cover furniture in adjacent rooms. Plan for HVAC filter replacement weekly during demolition phase.

Temporary Kitchen Setup

Minimal (Free–$200): Mini-fridge in living room or garage, microwave on a folding table, hot plate or single induction burner, paper plates, bathroom sink for water access.

Functional ($200–$600): Full-size refrigerator in the garage, two-burner induction cooktop, toaster oven or air fryer, temporary cold-water line from plumber during rough-in, small folding table as prep surface.

LA-specific tip: With year-round good weather, an outdoor grill and side burner on a patio or balcony covers most cooking needs during a summer renovation.

Inspection Scheduling Plan

A kitchen remodel in Los Angeles typically requires 4–6 inspections. Your contractor should pre-schedule each one proactively:

Inspection	Timing
Rough plumbing	After pipes installed, before walls close
Rough electrical	After wiring installed, before walls close
Rough framing (if structural changes)	After framing, before insulation
Insulation	After insulation, before drywall
Final plumbing	After fixtures installed
Final electrical	After devices installed

After Demo: The Most Important Milestone

Schedule a walkthrough with your contractor immediately after demo is complete. This is when hidden conditions (mold, asbestos, galvanized pipes, knob-and-tube wiring) are visible. The scope can be adjusted with the least disruption. Bring a flashlight. Look at everything before drywall goes up — this is the most important moment in your renovation.