How We Work
When you live in southern California, cocktail party conversation inevitably turns to one subject: real estate. Whether home values are up or down, whether it makes sense to buy a new home or improve your present home, and – oh, by the way, do you know how impossible it is to find a good contractor? And, then, the horror stories follow.
We don’t believe in horror stories. We believe in customer service, communication and delivering quality workmanship on time and on budget.
Here’s the answer to some common questions clients ask:
How can I set up an appointment for an estimate and how much will it cost?
To set up an appointment, call our office at 805.306.9514 or click on this link to e-mail us. Our regular office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. We are, however, in and out all day but someone will return your call within 24 hours. We will schedule an appointment to visit your home, discuss your project, and take the necessary measurements. The estimate is free and we do our best to get it to you within seven working days.
How do I know you’re a reputable company?
Whenever you hire a contractor, you should check their license number on the California state licensing board Web site: www.cslb.ca.gov. Our license number is 895492. We are not the only JC Creations listed with the licensing board –our company is actually listed as SRO Properties Inc.
In addition, we carry all the necessary liability and worker’s compensation insurance to protect you as we proceed with your project. The first thing we do when we come to your home is provide you with a sheet listing all the relevant insurance information.
Do we need pool or landscaping plans before we call you?
No. Most of our clients come to us with their ideas – they want the pool and spa in one corner of the yard, an outdoor barbeque in the other. We will offer suggestions on design and materials and, working together, we will come up with a plan that works for you. Some clients do bring us architectural plans and we’re always happy to work from them. If you do want more detailed drawings, we can refer you to a landscape architect with whom we work quite often.
Do I need to hire an engineer? And what about permits?
We take care of it all. We will provide the engineering plans and we work with HOAs and local municipalities to facilitate the process. You will, however, be responsible for the engineering and permitting fees. The engineering costs depend on the complexity of the job and the permit fees vary with the municipality.
Once I get an estimate, how do we proceed?
The first estimate we send you most likely won’t be the final estimate. We will work with you to make sure that we are clear about the work that will be performed, the materials that will be used, and the time frame for accomplishing the project. Once we agree, we will sign a contract and you will give us a down payment of 10 percent or $1,000, whichever is less. The contract will also outline a payment schedule that will enable you to manage your finances as we work our way through the project.
Any questions we haven’t answered?
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