Getting Started

Bathroom Remodeling

Q: What's the first step in remodeling?

A: Measure space and check CA plumbing codes. We provide free 3D designs.

Contracts, Scope, and Project Management for ADU Design Engaging an ADU design contractor involves more than just drawings; it is a project management relationship that should be structured by a clear written contract. The California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) provides consumer guides recommending that home improvement contracts specify scope of work, project price or pricing method, approximate start and completion dates, payment schedule, and change-order procedures. For design-build ADU contractors, the agreement often combines design and construction phases but should still delineate what is included in each stage. For design services, scope should define deliverables such as conceptual layouts, code analysis, permit-ready construction documents, structural and energy calculations, and the number of plan revisions included. It should also clarify whether the contractor will handle permit submittals, track plan-check corrections, attend counter meetings if needed, and coordinate consultants like surveyors or engineers. Industry practice in Los Angeles ADU firms often includes separate design agreements upfront, with construction contracts executed after bids or final pricing based on completed plans. Payment structures may involve fixed fees for design and preconstruction services, and progress payments or milestones for construction. CSLB guidelines caution against large upfront payments and specify statutory limits on down payments for home improvement projects, encouraging homeowners to align payments with completed work. From a project management perspective, homeowners should expect a single point of contact for schedule, communications, and coordination, with documented procedures for addressing scope changes, unforeseen site conditions, and city plan-check comments. Regular design review meetings and updated schedules are common best practices in residential construction management and help keep ADU projects aligned with budget, scope, and permitting timelines.

Interior repainting in older buildings may trigger specific lead-based paint requirements. Federally, the Environmental Protection Agency’s Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule applies to work that disturbs painted surfaces in pre-1978 target housing and child-occupied facilities. Under this rule, firms performing renovation must be EPA-certified, employ a certified renovator, and follow lead-safe work practices such as setting up containment, minimizing dust, using HEPA vacuums, and conducting cleaning verification.

The EPA also requires that property owners and occupants receive the “Renovate Right” lead hazard information pamphlet before work begins. California has its own lead regulations that operate alongside federal requirements. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) sets standards for lead-related construction, including certification of workers and supervisors involved in abatement or extensive disturbance of lead-based paint.

State regulations define lead hazards in terms of paint condition, dust levels, and soil contamination, and mandate specific clearance testing protocols after abatement in certain settings. In Los Angeles County, the Department of Public Health provides additional guidance for contractors and property owners on identifying potential lead-based paint and safely planning renovation. For interior repainting that does not rise to full abatement, trade and government guidance still recommends lead-safe practices when working in pre-1978 structures.

These practices typically include testing or presuming the presence of lead-based paint, using methods that generate less dust (such as wet sanding or chemical stripping where appropriate), avoiding open-flame burning and power-sanding without HEPA capture, and protecting occupants from contaminated dust and debris. Many liability and risk-management resources for contractors emphasize documenting compliance with RRP and state rules, keeping training and certification records, and clearly communicating the scope of disturbance to building owners, especially when work includes window trim, doors, or friction surfaces with higher lead risks.