Thanks to advances in construction technology, it’s not only possible to build during winter, in some cases, it’s actually the perfect choice–especially if you’re a homeowner looking to build an ADU in California. 

Our prices are highly competitive in the winter months because there tends to be less demand in the winter.

Call us for a free estimate: (650) 400-3600

Wintertime construction concerns and myths:

1. Pouring Concrete: With careful planning, we can pour concrete in California in the winter months and it will set in the initial 24 hours. Concrete poured in cold weather can actually be stronger than concrete poured in warmer months since it has a longer curing time with additives.
2. Easier to Get a Permit: Limited interest in construction projects in the winter makes it easier to get a permit than at other times of the year.  In the winter, you can sidestep much of the wait time simply because there aren’t many other homeowners filing for permits at the same time.
3. Shorter Build Times: We can get your project started and finished faster in the winter months since there are fewer construction projects and greater availability of workers and contractors.
4. Much of the Work Can Still Be Done Indoors: Once the outside shell is completed, most of the work can be done indoors.
5. Planning, Planning, and More Planning: The road to success is detailed planning.  We will work with you to iron out all the details of your ADU to ensure that you get what you want in the final unit.

We pride ourselves on maintaining a high level of construction quality. We go out of our way to demonstrate that our workmanship is as good as (or better than) workmanship you would get any other time of year. That’s just good business.

Call the Building Division at 375-7411. Staff can usually advise you over the phone if the project you are considering does or does not require a permit.

Click for a copy of the Hillsborough Building Permit Application

A Hillsborough building permit provides legal permission to start construction of a building project in accordance with approved drawings and specifications. Building permits are beneficial to you and your community. As you work with Building Division staff, you will benefit from their knowledge of the building codes to ensure your construction project is built right, it will be safe and it will last. Safe construction practices help protect you, your family, your friends and your investment. Be sure to get your local code official involved with your project, because the Building Division is your partner.

Click for Hillsborough Community Information.

A big current push in contemporary kitchen design is toward kitchens that are timeless and will never go out of style. This means a movement toward spaces meant to accommodate you and all of your needs at the same time. When form follows function within the space, the results are sure to be lasting ones. How do you even start something like this? Which improvements will appeal to buyers down the road? Consider the following helpful tips.

1.     DO: Consider how you’ll use the space

When most people think about a kitchen remodel, they have a similar finished product in mind: professional-grade stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and a huge island. There are other options. Rather than just meeting the status quo, consider how your family will actually use the kitchen. Do your kids do their homework there? Would you like a desk to be included in the design? Do you entertain often and need a long dining table to accommodate guests? Whatever your personal needs, make sure they’re a part of your design plan.

2.     DON’T: Neglect your budget

This is true for all remodeling projects, but it’s especially important where kitchens are concerned. As you design your ideal space, make two lists — a must-have list and a wish list. Then, price out each of your desired projects and compare them to your budget. The lists will give you a clearer idea of where to invest the bulk of your money and where to try and save.

To make your remodel more affordable, consider refacing cabinets rather than replacing them,  or purchasing your appliances from a wholesale supplier. If you’re on a truly limited budget, simply replacing drawer pulls and fixtures is often enough to give the room a fresh look.

3.     DO: Pay special attention to the layout

The layout is a crucial element of a kitchen remodel. It won’t matter how nice your new refrigerator is if you’re unable to open it fully because your countertop gets in the way. Give us a call to ensure your new space functions the way it’s supposed to, we’ll help you draw up a working layout.

4.     DON’T: Forget about storage

Kitchens are often one of the most overstuffed spaces in a home. Homeowners often find that they don’t have enough space to store what they need. If you’re going to spend the money on a remodel, be certain you include storage options that are both functional and stylish.

Take stock of your current inventory. Be honest with yourself about which items you want on hand and which only get used on special occasions. Brainstorm options for how to store these items as effectively as possible.

5.     DO: Make sure there’s enough lighting

There are so many visual components to cooking a meal — chopping up ingredients, measuring them out, reading the stove temperature. The last thing you want is to attempt any of these while squinting for more light. Kitchen lighting is one occasion where more really is more.

Envision yourself working in the space while considering where to add lighting, include some light by the stove, near the sink and over a kitchen island. Consider adding extras like under-cabinet lighting to make the room a little brighter.

6.     DON’T: Play it too safe

Return on investment, or how much equity you’ll get out of an improvement when you go to sell your house, is a common topic among those considering a kitchen remodel. Often buyers name an updated kitchen as a top priority. This intense focus often leads homeowners to settle for cookie-cutter designs. Instead, choose a happy medium and add a little personality so your finished product stands out from the crowd.

If you intend to hit the real estate market in a few years, you can still add visual interest through accessories. Think about adding bold lighting fixtures, patterned rugs or using statement furniture to make your kitchen feel like home.

Remodeling a kitchen can feel like an overwhelming task. Since it’s often one of the most used rooms in a home and one of the most sought-after features for resale potential, it can feel as though every detail needs to be perfect. With a little planning, you can ensure your vision for the space falls into place.

More than 1.2 million houses in high-hazard areas of California are particularly vulnerable to earthquakes because of the type of construction, according to the CEA. These homes are typically built before 1979, have a wood frame on a raised foundation and have a cripple wall in the crawl space under the house.

Most houses need to be seismically retrofitted in three ways: 1. The cripple walls of the house need to be braced with plywood. 2. The house needs to be bolted to the foundation. 3. The floor of the house needs to be attached to the braced cripple walls with shear transfer ties. These three steps serve to seismic retrofit and bolt a house to the foundation by converting the cripple walls into shear walls.

If any one of these three areas is not made earthquake resistant with a seismic retrofit, your un-retrofitted house can slide off of its foundation.

Above the first floor, interior finishes on the walls and partitions such as plaster, though not designed to resist earthquakes, do in fact provide a lot of earthquake resistance. Therefore, this part of the house above the crawl space does not need further bolting. The failures always occur in the crawl space, which is where the house needs to be bolted to the foundation here as well as convert the cripple walls into shear walls.

Summer is a great time to start a home improvement or upgrade project. Have you been putting of an improvement you’ve always wanted? This is a great time to replace your home siding, replace your windows, build a deck, install an outdoor kitchen or firepit, renovate your kitchen, or upgrade your bathroom.

Call us for a free estimate: (650) 400-3600

Spring is the perfect time to start checking off that ever-growing chore list. To motivate your spring-cleaning efforts, consider a home improvement project, add a deck, install outdoor lighting, finish your basement / water-proof it, paint the outside of your house, add a new room / accessory dwelling unit.

Spring officially began March 20, what a better time to start a new project. One of the very best ways to get pumped up is to spell out your priorities for your seasonal bucket list, then work your way through it.

How about upgrading your ceiling fan or your HVAC? One of the best things you can do to prepare for warmer weather is to make sure that your air conditioning system is operating properly and efficiently before it kicks into high gear.

Or, you could start that KonMari project you’ve considered for a while: KonMari for All: Part With the Excess—Are you crazy for this ultra-popular organization method—made famous by Marie Kondo in her book and Youtube video: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. KonMari can help you do a massive purge so that your space is prepped for deep cleaning and that new home improvement project. The idea is that you keep only what “sparks joy” and get rid of everything else. Once you’ve purged the excess, you can get serious about installing new storage racks, investing in storage cabinets, or a new closet system.

As a premier Bay Area construction company, we can help with your improvement projects – call us at: (650) 400-3600

STONE PATIOS: Call us (650) 400-3600 to install a great stone patio. From your design to the completion of the job, our team of deck and patio builders will handle every step of the construction process with the finest quality of work in the Bay area.

Steps you can take to protect your employees and customers during renovations:

• Post updated maps indicating which areas are currently under construction, and highlight all evacuation routes.
• Give your vendors the renovation schedule in case you need to make special accommodations for them.
• Designate someone to sweep construction areas every hour.
• Long extension cords stretching across your office or sales floor can be particularly hazardous, so try to limit their use.
• Give your employees protective gear if necessary.
• Create an emergency plan for safely shutting down operations in case your building becomes uninhabitable due to air quality issues or other unforeseen problems.

AGH Commercial  Can Keep You in Business During Commercial Construction and Renovation – Call us: (650) 400-3600

Let’s face it-clients aren’t impressed by your outdated office space. Bring it into the modern era by calling on AGH Commercial building renovation pro. From replacing the floors to scraping off the popcorn ceiling, we’ll update every inch of your business facility. You’ll be amazed by the transformation of your space.

Would you like to give your office a face-lift? Call now (650.400.3600) to schedule a no-obligation consultation about your commercial building renovation in the Bay area.

Don’t overlook any details

Remodeling your workspace is a huge undertaking. Make sure you’re not overlooking anything. After years of providing commercial remodeling services to business owners in the Bay area, we’ve worked on the interiors and exteriors of all types of properties. Call us now at (650) 400-3600.

Homes with qualifying brace and bolt retrofits may be eligible for discounts of up to 20 percent on California Earthquake Authority insurance premiums. More than 1.2 million houses in high-hazard areas of California are particularly vulnerable to earthquakes by virtue of when and how they were constructed: typically before 1979, with a wood frame on a raised foundation, and with a cripple wall in the crawlspace under the house.