Keeping warm is getting very expensive. December was the coldest in the Bay Area in 30 years. January rainstorms, followed by freezing temperatures, are bringing more cold weather in February. PG&E warns that consumers should expect their bills to be 32% higher than last year. Natural gas bills alone are five times higher in California
How much construction waste did your last remodeling project generate? Chances are, it was more than necessary. According to California's 2008 Statewide Waste Characterization Study, 29 percent of the state's solid waste stream comes from the "Inerts and Other" category, which includes construction and demolition. But with a little planning, you and your architect or contractor
The answer is something that the Marin County’s Office of the Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk (ARCC) want you to know about. Restrictive covenants simply put are contract clauses that are intended to limit the contracting party’s future conduct. In the case of land, they can prevent certain uses of the land. But the restrictive covenants Marin County’s
Think short order cook to chef – both have important jobs to do but they differ. If you are up for grabbing a quick bite to eat and don’t have time to dawdle, a diner might be your first choice. But if you are invested in the getting the best meal, and want to enjoy
Starting a large building or remodeling project can seem intimidating, especially if you’ve never worked with an architect before. You’ll probably have lots of questions about timing, process and cost, and a host of others are bound to come up as your project progresses. To take some of the mystery – and, hopefully, some of
Recent news headlines are screaming that the feds are coming for your gas stove. That’s more than a bit of hyperbole. What is true is that the use of a gas stove can have a negative impact on the inside air of a home or restaurant if not ventilated properly. That is because methane (natural
Commercial design is an essential part of your business’s marketing strategy. Your building’s architectural design is a hallmark of your brand. Send the wrong message, and you may lose clients or customers. Send the right one, and you can enhance your brand identity and recognition with your target audience. Moreover, the design of your building
You may be more familiar with the common forms of pavers made of stone or concrete. Yet, the variety of finishes, patterns and benefits found in porcelain pavers are causing them to grow in popularity. Before you finish off your pool deck, let’s explore the benefits of porcelain pavers. Porcelain has been around for centuries
Thanks to laws that went into effect January 1, 2020, building an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) – also known as a “granny unit” or “in-law unit” – is a more attractive option than ever for California homeowners who want to gain a little additional living space or get some rental income. If you’re considering building
Getting a building permit is among the top things people complain about when planning a building or remodeling project. It’s understandable: permits are sometimes a pain to get, they cost money, and they slow things down just when you’re eager to start on your project. It can be tempting to sidestep the whole permitting process,
