We have been in business for 10 years. We provide excellent craftsmanship at an affordable price. Our projects are completed on time and on budget. Most of our competition is 50% slower and 50% more expensive. Our services include: home building home remodeling basement construction accessory dwelling units
We have been in business for 10 years. We provide excellent craftsmanship at an affordable price. Our projects are completed on time and on budget. Most of our competition is 50% slower and 50% more expensive. Our services include: home building home remodeling basement construction accessory dwelling units
Hi, my name is Larry Murphy, and I'm the owner of Lakota Design Group. We've been designing and installing custom landscape projects in the Bay Area for the past 50 years. During those years we've designed and built everything you can imagine and completed over 5,000 projects. We've also worked for some of the most influential people in Silicon Valley, including executives from Apple, Yahoo & the San Francisco 49ers. From both design & construction viewpoints, we know what works and what doesn't, what looks good & what doesn't. We'll work with you using our custom 3d design process to create your dream landscape design. Then, using your new landscape design, we'll get bids for you from our list of vetted contractors. If you then choose to use one of our contractors for your installation, your design is free since our contractors pay us for it. They also pay us to manage your project, so you don't have to. You can check us out at https://www.lakotadesigngroup.com. We'd love to work with you!
"Punctual. Informative. Friendly. Good work, excellent completion. Pleasing sight."
jan f on September 2024
Hi, my name is Larry Murphy, and I'm the owner of Lakota Design Group. We've been designing and installing custom landscape projects in the Bay Area for the past 50 years. During those years we've designed and built everything you can imagine and completed over 5,000 projects. We've also worked for some of the most influential people in Silicon Valley, including executives from Apple, Yahoo & the San Francisco 49ers. From both design & construction viewpoints, we know what works and what doesn't, what looks good & what doesn't. We'll work with you using our custom 3d design process to create your dream landscape design. Then, using your new landscape design, we'll get bids for you from our list of vetted contractors. If you then choose to use one of our contractors for your installation, your design is free since our contractors pay us for it. They also pay us to manage your project, so you don't have to. You can check us out at https://www.lakotadesigngroup.com. We'd love to work with you!
"Punctual. Informative. Friendly. Good work, excellent completion. Pleasing sight."
jan f on September 2024
Welcome to Cal Green Remodeling. We do our best to take the stress out of home remodeling, working directly with our clients to make sure they understand the process, options available, and budget. Our goal is to make your project everything you dreamt it would be. From custom kitchens to concrete floors we do it all and our experienced professionals can help you figure out what products are right for you. We offer industrial grade finishes that can handle excessive traffic, as well as fine finishes for your home. Contact us today for a free estimate, we look forward to hearing from you. Website - https://calgreenremodeling.com/ Phone - 800-803-9927
"We were looking to remodel our kitchen or bath for a few years. We kept getting estimates from different companies and always felt the price was off or the person was not a good fit. Then, finally, we met Shai with Cal Green Remodeling. What a great guy! He is very upfront and honest about what we can expect in terms of cost and work flow. Because of his honest approach, we hired him. We felt he gave us the good and bad and how to resolve the bad as well. In the end, the process was fairly smooth, and the few hick-ups we had, for example, the city and their permit process, were well explained to us at the beginning, so we were ready. Our kitchen or bath looks amazing, and I plan to work with Cal Green Remodeling again. Thanks Shai!"
Albert R on December 2023
Welcome to Cal Green Remodeling. We do our best to take the stress out of home remodeling, working directly with our clients to make sure they understand the process, options available, and budget. Our goal is to make your project everything you dreamt it would be. From custom kitchens to concrete floors we do it all and our experienced professionals can help you figure out what products are right for you. We offer industrial grade finishes that can handle excessive traffic, as well as fine finishes for your home. Contact us today for a free estimate, we look forward to hearing from you. Website - https://calgreenremodeling.com/ Phone - 800-803-9927
"We were looking to remodel our kitchen or bath for a few years. We kept getting estimates from different companies and always felt the price was off or the person was not a good fit. Then, finally, we met Shai with Cal Green Remodeling. What a great guy! He is very upfront and honest about what we can expect in terms of cost and work flow. Because of his honest approach, we hired him. We felt he gave us the good and bad and how to resolve the bad as well. In the end, the process was fairly smooth, and the few hick-ups we had, for example, the city and their permit process, were well explained to us at the beginning, so we were ready. Our kitchen or bath looks amazing, and I plan to work with Cal Green Remodeling again. Thanks Shai!"
Albert R on December 2023
At Tool Time Construction, no project is too big or too small. From quick handyman fixes like drywall patches to full-scale home remodels and rebuilds, we bring exceptional craftsmanship and care to every job. Based in San Jose, we proudly serve the Bay Area, offering a seamless experience and results you can trust. Why Choose Us? • Versatile Expertise: Whether it’s a minor repair or a complete home transformation, we have the skills and experience to handle it all. • Customer-Focused Service: Your satisfaction is our priority. We ensure open communication and a stress-free process from start to finish. • Attention to Detail: We take pride in delivering high-quality results that stand the test of time. Let’s Build Together From the smallest fixes to the biggest dreams, Tool Time Construction is here to help. Contact us today to discuss your project: • Website: gotooltime.net • Phone: 408-547-9444 • Email: contact@gotooltime.net Let us help make your home everything you’ve imagined—and more!
"They did a good job!"
Andre S on March 2025
At Tool Time Construction, no project is too big or too small. From quick handyman fixes like drywall patches to full-scale home remodels and rebuilds, we bring exceptional craftsmanship and care to every job. Based in San Jose, we proudly serve the Bay Area, offering a seamless experience and results you can trust. Why Choose Us? • Versatile Expertise: Whether it’s a minor repair or a complete home transformation, we have the skills and experience to handle it all. • Customer-Focused Service: Your satisfaction is our priority. We ensure open communication and a stress-free process from start to finish. • Attention to Detail: We take pride in delivering high-quality results that stand the test of time. Let’s Build Together From the smallest fixes to the biggest dreams, Tool Time Construction is here to help. Contact us today to discuss your project: • Website: gotooltime.net • Phone: 408-547-9444 • Email: contact@gotooltime.net Let us help make your home everything you’ve imagined—and more!
"They did a good job!"
Andre S on March 2025
We specialize in remodeling and addition ADU’s kitchens and baths of all kinds water heaters windows ,acrylic stuccos ,regular stucco, siding, roofing, electrical, plumbing anything that has to do to a house we do it
We specialize in remodeling and addition ADU’s kitchens and baths of all kinds water heaters windows ,acrylic stuccos ,regular stucco, siding, roofing, electrical, plumbing anything that has to do to a house we do it
Unique Home Design & Remodeling is a leader in providing value-added construction services to our customers by creating a successful partnership throughout the construction process. Our pledge is to establish lasting relationships with our customers by exceeding their expectations and gaining their trust through exceptional performance by every member on our construction team. Unique Home Design & Remodeling's mission is to accomplish full customer satisfaction in every area possible from color selection to project completion. Unique Home Design & Remodeling's main focus is to provide our future clients with a professional home improvement experience. We vow to our customers with the highest level of quality construction services at fair market and competitive prices. To ensure the longevity of our company through repeat and referral business achieved by customer satisfaction in all areas including timeliness, attention to detail and service-minded attitudes.
Unique Home Design & Remodeling is a leader in providing value-added construction services to our customers by creating a successful partnership throughout the construction process. Our pledge is to establish lasting relationships with our customers by exceeding their expectations and gaining their trust through exceptional performance by every member on our construction team. Unique Home Design & Remodeling's mission is to accomplish full customer satisfaction in every area possible from color selection to project completion. Unique Home Design & Remodeling's main focus is to provide our future clients with a professional home improvement experience. We vow to our customers with the highest level of quality construction services at fair market and competitive prices. To ensure the longevity of our company through repeat and referral business achieved by customer satisfaction in all areas including timeliness, attention to detail and service-minded attitudes.
Welcome to Sky Tech builders, a general professional construction company. Our Decades of experience in the construction and home improvement Industry will help you achieve all your dreams and have the home you always wanted. At Sky Tech we are not just general contractors, we are also homeowners. We know what it’s like to have a big home improvement project in front of you. But we also know the satisfaction of the finished job, enjoying a new, updated home that you created. That’s why we are dedicated to making it as easy as possible for you to get exactly what you are seeking. As a construction company we want to help each and any of our customers accomplish their dreams of a complete home renovation. Our mission is to give you the best quality products and customer service making you and us enjoy this mutual adventure. We guarantee your satisfaction, and we won’t leave until the job is done right. We pride ourselves on the quality work we provide, while delivering great customer service! Check out our services offered and call or click to schedule an estimate today!
"We hired Skytech Builders to renovate our kitchen and bathroom, and they sent Leo to manage the project. From the start, he was fantastic—an excellent communicator who really listened to our needs and took detailed notes during the entire consultation. Once we decided to proceed, Leo guided us through the material selection process, making everything run smoothly. Overall, it took about a month to plan and another month to complete the construction. We're thrilled with the results and will definitely reach out to them for our next project."
Tyler Francis J on November 2024
Welcome to Sky Tech builders, a general professional construction company. Our Decades of experience in the construction and home improvement Industry will help you achieve all your dreams and have the home you always wanted. At Sky Tech we are not just general contractors, we are also homeowners. We know what it’s like to have a big home improvement project in front of you. But we also know the satisfaction of the finished job, enjoying a new, updated home that you created. That’s why we are dedicated to making it as easy as possible for you to get exactly what you are seeking. As a construction company we want to help each and any of our customers accomplish their dreams of a complete home renovation. Our mission is to give you the best quality products and customer service making you and us enjoy this mutual adventure. We guarantee your satisfaction, and we won’t leave until the job is done right. We pride ourselves on the quality work we provide, while delivering great customer service! Check out our services offered and call or click to schedule an estimate today!
"We hired Skytech Builders to renovate our kitchen and bathroom, and they sent Leo to manage the project. From the start, he was fantastic—an excellent communicator who really listened to our needs and took detailed notes during the entire consultation. Once we decided to proceed, Leo guided us through the material selection process, making everything run smoothly. Overall, it took about a month to plan and another month to complete the construction. We're thrilled with the results and will definitely reach out to them for our next project."
Tyler Francis J on November 2024
We have the experience and dedication to bring your dreams to reality! Specializing in remodeling services of all kinds, we guarantee your satisfaction and we won’t leave until the job is done right. We pride ourselves on the quality work we provide, while delivering great customer service! Check out our services offered and call or click to schedule a free estimate today!
"I found Build the Bay through Angi’s List and I’m so glad we went with them for our bathroom update/remodel! Working with Eitan and his team was like night and day compared to other contractors I have worked with in the past. Specifically what I appreciated is that he treated me with respect and would take the time to explain in layman’s terms what was needed. (I’m not a construction pro by any means.) Eitan even shared a list of vendors that he has worked with in the past for materials and finishes, as well as a checklist to ensure I ordered all the finishing pieces in time. He would even be willing to review any products I was interested in to let me know if it was good quality. It’s only normal for unexpected issues to come up during construction, and what was also great is how communicative Eitan and his team were with me. They would quickly let me know what the issue was, explain what my options were, the cost for each, and what those options would mean in the long run. Eitan always responded very promptly via email or text if I had any questions or requested any updates. Our project has been done for about a month now and I have to say that I strongly feel like Eitan and his team delivered high quality bathrooms in a timely manner. I would definitely reach out to the Build the Bay team again if we needed to do work on our home again."
Samara W on April 2025
We have the experience and dedication to bring your dreams to reality! Specializing in remodeling services of all kinds, we guarantee your satisfaction and we won’t leave until the job is done right. We pride ourselves on the quality work we provide, while delivering great customer service! Check out our services offered and call or click to schedule a free estimate today!
"I found Build the Bay through Angi’s List and I’m so glad we went with them for our bathroom update/remodel! Working with Eitan and his team was like night and day compared to other contractors I have worked with in the past. Specifically what I appreciated is that he treated me with respect and would take the time to explain in layman’s terms what was needed. (I’m not a construction pro by any means.) Eitan even shared a list of vendors that he has worked with in the past for materials and finishes, as well as a checklist to ensure I ordered all the finishing pieces in time. He would even be willing to review any products I was interested in to let me know if it was good quality. It’s only normal for unexpected issues to come up during construction, and what was also great is how communicative Eitan and his team were with me. They would quickly let me know what the issue was, explain what my options were, the cost for each, and what those options would mean in the long run. Eitan always responded very promptly via email or text if I had any questions or requested any updates. Our project has been done for about a month now and I have to say that I strongly feel like Eitan and his team delivered high quality bathrooms in a timely manner. I would definitely reach out to the Build the Bay team again if we needed to do work on our home again."
Samara W on April 2025
At Rock Bay Construction & Remodeling we transform visions into reality. Based in the heart of the Bay Area, CA, and backed by over 10 years of experience. Our family-owned company prides itself on delivering high-quality construction, remodeling, and design services tailored to meet the unique needs of each client. Whether modernizing kitchens and bathrooms, adding new rooms, or executing complete home renovations, our expert team ensures precision, reliability, and unparalleled craftsmanship. Partner with us to elevate your space with the perfect blend of functionality and style. Contact us today to get started! Licensed, bonded and insured. Lic # 119693
"It was such a smooth process. Our bathroom looks amazing. The team was very accommodating to last minute changes by us, very transparent in communicating to us on the milestones. We were also at work during the day and felt very safe with the workers around our dog. The project manager brought the right skilled plumbers, electricians and tile people to work on the project and it felt like a white glove treatment. On the cost side, very affordable for the quality of work they perform and we found the transparency in pricing very critical to us picking them."
Nilotpal P on February 2025
At Rock Bay Construction & Remodeling we transform visions into reality. Based in the heart of the Bay Area, CA, and backed by over 10 years of experience. Our family-owned company prides itself on delivering high-quality construction, remodeling, and design services tailored to meet the unique needs of each client. Whether modernizing kitchens and bathrooms, adding new rooms, or executing complete home renovations, our expert team ensures precision, reliability, and unparalleled craftsmanship. Partner with us to elevate your space with the perfect blend of functionality and style. Contact us today to get started! Licensed, bonded and insured. Lic # 119693
"It was such a smooth process. Our bathroom looks amazing. The team was very accommodating to last minute changes by us, very transparent in communicating to us on the milestones. We were also at work during the day and felt very safe with the workers around our dog. The project manager brought the right skilled plumbers, electricians and tile people to work on the project and it felt like a white glove treatment. On the cost side, very affordable for the quality of work they perform and we found the transparency in pricing very critical to us picking them."
Nilotpal P on February 2025
Landscape design and installation. All phases (softscape/hardscape). Owner operated. Multi -year Angie's List Super Service Award winner. Cal-poly trained landscape architecture designers. Free design consultations. Free written estimates and proposals. All sized projects. Sprinkler and other landscape repairs. New sod lawns. Hand selected guaranteed nursery stock planting, drought tolerant landscaping, synthetic turf. Serving the entire Silicon Valley. Fast turn-around. Friendly service. Fully insured. Accepting all major credit cards and online payment apps. State of California licensed landscape contractor (C-27) since 1993 (CSLB #682755). Quality-Value-Service "Great landscaping designed to budget!" "The art and science of great landscaping!" Composite and wood decking. Arbors and pergolas. Drought friendly landscaping, Automatic drip and spray irrigation systems. Irrigation timer clocks/controllers. Redwood and composite decking. Interlocking pavers. Retainer walls. Concrete. L.E.D. low volt landscape lighting. Drainage. Flagstone. Brickwork. Outdoor kitchens. Firepits. Gravel. Mulch. Tile. Water features. Boulders, River rock. Pool decks. Pool Removal. Pergolas. Arbors Irrigation and landscape lighting repairs, fences and gates. ...and more! ask about our new "Express Build" "Complete landscaping in record time!"
"In September 2024, I contracted with Scott C. McIntyre, the owner of Landscape Solutions to do landscaping work at my residence in Los Altos, Ca. The work consisted of replacing existing retaining walls and steps in my back yard and installing a new patio on an already flattened area on the hill in my back yard. Mr. McIntyre declared the work completed on November 4, 2024 although there remained issues with incomplete and substandard work and failure to adhere to rules imposed by the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB). I have filed a complaint (currently not resolved) with the CSLB. I paid Landscape Solutions $56,385.41 of a Total Contract Estimate cost of $58,790.00 (with a not to exceed clause of $60,000) with final payment to be made when the project was completed to my satisfaction. The project was never completed to my satisfaction with some (not all) of the outstanding issues described in this review. ISSUES WITH WORK QUALITY - NON-CODE COMPLIANT, SUBSTANDARD, NOT COMPLETE 1. The Guard Rail over the lower retaining wall is not building code compliant. The most serious issue with the work that Landscape Solutions did was that the guard rail built over a retaining wall does not meet building code and is not child safe. A picture of the guard rail is shown in the review I posted on Yelp (posted with a one star rating on January 20, 2025), but I am not able to show a picture on an Angi's List review. The guard rail is made up of vertical posts spaced approximately 45 inches apart and two horizontal rails between the vertical posts. The upper horizontal rail above the surface of the newly built patio forms the top of the guard rail. A second horizontal rail below it is halfway between surface of the patio and the top of the guard rail, leaving two large gaps between the horizontal rails, each gap approximately 19 inches wide. Code dictates the maximum gap in the guard rail is 4 inches. A child could easily fall through the large gap in the guard rail to the level below. A baby crawling on the patio could plunge head first off the patio to the lower level and be seriously injured. I emailed a picture of the completed retaining wall and guard rail to my city's Building Code Enforcement Division and inquired if it was building code compliant. A Code Enforcement Division representative replied with an email message (Client can provide the actual email message). Following text is from the email message: "The rail needs to be 42" high and there needs to be a maximum of 4" between the horizontal rails. The fence as shown does not meet the standards and intermediate rails need to be added." -----End of quote from email message sent by city's Code Enforcement Division------- NOTE: ALLOWING A CONTRACTOR WHO DOES NOT KNOW THE BUILDING CODES TO BE LICENSED PUTS THE PUBLIC IN DANGER. 2. Incomplete and substandard work i. There are areas with no pavers, just dirt, adjacent to the lower retaining wall. Contractor fixed some but not all areas along the newly built lower retaining wall. A picture showing an example of this issue is shown on my Yelp review but I am not able to show a picture on an Angi's List review. The picture shows where paving stones should have been installed next to the retaining wall. ii. Gate not installed in lower retaining wall. The retaining wall that was being replaced had a gate. I called this to Mr. McIntyre's attention in a reply message to his message that the project was complete. He replied in an email message that he would replace the gate. iii. In doing the work, Landscape Solutions workers moved items (e.g., wooden glider bench, other patio benches, chairs, patio table, an umbrella stand) from the flattened hill area to other parts of the back yard. I requested that the items be returned to their original locations. Mr. McIntyre, in an email message, agreed to do so. This was not done. Returning items moved to their original location should be a standard part of Landscape Solutions clean-up work upon completion of a project. ISSUES WITH NON-ADHERENCE TO CONTRACTORS STATE LICENSE BOARD REGULATIONS In items 3 and 4 below, quoted text is from Contractors State Licensing Board publication "Contracting for Success", which was downloaded from the CSLB website. 3. Contractor did not give buyer a copy of the signed contract as CSLB requires. "Before any work is started, the contractor must give the buyer a copy of the contract signed and dated by both the contractor and the buyer." 4. On the day work began, Contractor asked for payment of $15,000 along with the signed contract. "Except for a down payment, a contractor can't demand or accept payment for work or materials until the work is actually done or the materials are delivered. The down payment may not exceed $1,000 or 10 percent of the contract amount, whichever is less." Contractor gave following reason why he asked for $15000 at start of project. Quote is directly from an email message he sent client. Client can provide the actual email message. Text of email message from Mr. McIntyre, in quotes: "My son is out of state at college and it is very expensive. My cash flow and bank account funds do not allow me to pay for your materials before delivery and pay my payroll in advance of getting paid by you if this is what the CSLB requires." --------End of quote from email message sent by Mr. McIntyre-------------- 5. Contractor made additional changes not in contract without a change order being added to the contract. Contractor's office manager then billed client for the unauthorized work. The Contractors State Licensing Board publication "Terms of Agreement A Consumer Guide to Home Improvement Contracts" (downloaded from the CSLB website) states the following: "Extra Work and Change Orders become part of the contract once the order is prepared in writing and signed by the parties prior to the commencement of any work covered by the new change order.""
Terry E on February 2025
Landscape design and installation. All phases (softscape/hardscape). Owner operated. Multi -year Angie's List Super Service Award winner. Cal-poly trained landscape architecture designers. Free design consultations. Free written estimates and proposals. All sized projects. Sprinkler and other landscape repairs. New sod lawns. Hand selected guaranteed nursery stock planting, drought tolerant landscaping, synthetic turf. Serving the entire Silicon Valley. Fast turn-around. Friendly service. Fully insured. Accepting all major credit cards and online payment apps. State of California licensed landscape contractor (C-27) since 1993 (CSLB #682755). Quality-Value-Service "Great landscaping designed to budget!" "The art and science of great landscaping!" Composite and wood decking. Arbors and pergolas. Drought friendly landscaping, Automatic drip and spray irrigation systems. Irrigation timer clocks/controllers. Redwood and composite decking. Interlocking pavers. Retainer walls. Concrete. L.E.D. low volt landscape lighting. Drainage. Flagstone. Brickwork. Outdoor kitchens. Firepits. Gravel. Mulch. Tile. Water features. Boulders, River rock. Pool decks. Pool Removal. Pergolas. Arbors Irrigation and landscape lighting repairs, fences and gates. ...and more! ask about our new "Express Build" "Complete landscaping in record time!"
"In September 2024, I contracted with Scott C. McIntyre, the owner of Landscape Solutions to do landscaping work at my residence in Los Altos, Ca. The work consisted of replacing existing retaining walls and steps in my back yard and installing a new patio on an already flattened area on the hill in my back yard. Mr. McIntyre declared the work completed on November 4, 2024 although there remained issues with incomplete and substandard work and failure to adhere to rules imposed by the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB). I have filed a complaint (currently not resolved) with the CSLB. I paid Landscape Solutions $56,385.41 of a Total Contract Estimate cost of $58,790.00 (with a not to exceed clause of $60,000) with final payment to be made when the project was completed to my satisfaction. The project was never completed to my satisfaction with some (not all) of the outstanding issues described in this review. ISSUES WITH WORK QUALITY - NON-CODE COMPLIANT, SUBSTANDARD, NOT COMPLETE 1. The Guard Rail over the lower retaining wall is not building code compliant. The most serious issue with the work that Landscape Solutions did was that the guard rail built over a retaining wall does not meet building code and is not child safe. A picture of the guard rail is shown in the review I posted on Yelp (posted with a one star rating on January 20, 2025), but I am not able to show a picture on an Angi's List review. The guard rail is made up of vertical posts spaced approximately 45 inches apart and two horizontal rails between the vertical posts. The upper horizontal rail above the surface of the newly built patio forms the top of the guard rail. A second horizontal rail below it is halfway between surface of the patio and the top of the guard rail, leaving two large gaps between the horizontal rails, each gap approximately 19 inches wide. Code dictates the maximum gap in the guard rail is 4 inches. A child could easily fall through the large gap in the guard rail to the level below. A baby crawling on the patio could plunge head first off the patio to the lower level and be seriously injured. I emailed a picture of the completed retaining wall and guard rail to my city's Building Code Enforcement Division and inquired if it was building code compliant. A Code Enforcement Division representative replied with an email message (Client can provide the actual email message). Following text is from the email message: "The rail needs to be 42" high and there needs to be a maximum of 4" between the horizontal rails. The fence as shown does not meet the standards and intermediate rails need to be added." -----End of quote from email message sent by city's Code Enforcement Division------- NOTE: ALLOWING A CONTRACTOR WHO DOES NOT KNOW THE BUILDING CODES TO BE LICENSED PUTS THE PUBLIC IN DANGER. 2. Incomplete and substandard work i. There are areas with no pavers, just dirt, adjacent to the lower retaining wall. Contractor fixed some but not all areas along the newly built lower retaining wall. A picture showing an example of this issue is shown on my Yelp review but I am not able to show a picture on an Angi's List review. The picture shows where paving stones should have been installed next to the retaining wall. ii. Gate not installed in lower retaining wall. The retaining wall that was being replaced had a gate. I called this to Mr. McIntyre's attention in a reply message to his message that the project was complete. He replied in an email message that he would replace the gate. iii. In doing the work, Landscape Solutions workers moved items (e.g., wooden glider bench, other patio benches, chairs, patio table, an umbrella stand) from the flattened hill area to other parts of the back yard. I requested that the items be returned to their original locations. Mr. McIntyre, in an email message, agreed to do so. This was not done. Returning items moved to their original location should be a standard part of Landscape Solutions clean-up work upon completion of a project. ISSUES WITH NON-ADHERENCE TO CONTRACTORS STATE LICENSE BOARD REGULATIONS In items 3 and 4 below, quoted text is from Contractors State Licensing Board publication "Contracting for Success", which was downloaded from the CSLB website. 3. Contractor did not give buyer a copy of the signed contract as CSLB requires. "Before any work is started, the contractor must give the buyer a copy of the contract signed and dated by both the contractor and the buyer." 4. On the day work began, Contractor asked for payment of $15,000 along with the signed contract. "Except for a down payment, a contractor can't demand or accept payment for work or materials until the work is actually done or the materials are delivered. The down payment may not exceed $1,000 or 10 percent of the contract amount, whichever is less." Contractor gave following reason why he asked for $15000 at start of project. Quote is directly from an email message he sent client. Client can provide the actual email message. Text of email message from Mr. McIntyre, in quotes: "My son is out of state at college and it is very expensive. My cash flow and bank account funds do not allow me to pay for your materials before delivery and pay my payroll in advance of getting paid by you if this is what the CSLB requires." --------End of quote from email message sent by Mr. McIntyre-------------- 5. Contractor made additional changes not in contract without a change order being added to the contract. Contractor's office manager then billed client for the unauthorized work. The Contractors State Licensing Board publication "Terms of Agreement A Consumer Guide to Home Improvement Contracts" (downloaded from the CSLB website) states the following: "Extra Work and Change Orders become part of the contract once the order is prepared in writing and signed by the parties prior to the commencement of any work covered by the new change order.""
Terry E on February 2025
In terms of construction, a log home and a stick‑built house often cost about the same. For example, a 1,500‑square‑foot cabin runs roughly $187,500 to $262,500. The price differences come from design choices and labor. Quality logs, complex rooflines, and specialty finishes add up, while a simple plan using local materials keeps costs close to those of a conventional build. Understanding these variables helps you decide whether a log structure meets both your style and budget.
Modern prefab kits streamline the build, but the upgraded finishes and design features mean they sit at the upper end of cabin pricing. You’re paying for precision cuts, insulated panels, and shorter build times, all of which raise the per‑square‑foot cost. While kits can still save on labor, expect the total price to fall within the higher range compared to a basic shell, especially if you choose premium add-ons or request design tweaks.
In many markets, building is the more budget‑friendly option. Purchasing a finished cabin means paying for someone else’s upgrades, profit margin, and often a prime‑location markup. When you build, you control the site, layout, and materials, allowing you to adjust costs as needed. Owners also tend to see a more substantial return on investment (ROI) at resale, particularly when the cabin is situated on ample land. Be sure to factor in land, permits, and any unexpected site work costs before making a decision.
The timeline for building a cabin depends on the design and site conditions. A prefab kit assembled on a prepared lot can be ready in a few weeks. A custom build on raw land—with clearing, utilities, and bespoke details—usually runs eight to nine months. Weather, material lead times, and permit approvals can extend the schedule, so budget for extra time when planning. Working with an experienced builder who lines up subcontractors early helps keep the project on track.
As cabins grow, the per‑square‑foot rate often stays steady, but the overall bill rises quickly. A compact footprint still needs a foundation, roof, and systems, so smaller cabins can feel more expensive per square foot than larger builds. Larger cabins, meanwhile, consume far more material, so even at $125 to $175 per square foot, the total cost rises quickly. Pinpoint your must‑have square footage before signing off on final plans.
Log cabins require more maintenance than conventional houses. Expect to inspect the exterior annually, clean and reseal it every three to five years, and address moisture issues promptly. The payoff for that extra care is longevity and character, but if you skip routine maintenance, small problems—like sun‑bleached logs or minor leaks—can turn into costly repairs. Budget both time and money for preservation to keep the cabin looking sharp and structurally sound.