Journal · field notes from the crew

Building knowledge, one project at a time.

Practical guides on remodeling, ADUs, roofing, concrete, pools and windows — written by the people who build them in Los Angeles.

Featured · ADUs

June 14, 2026 · 8 min read

The 2026 ADU Permit Guide for Los Angeles Homeowners

What LADBS actually reviews, how long approvals take right now, and the small design choices that shave weeks off your ADU timeline.

Comp shingle, clay tile, standing seam, or torch-down — how each material performs against LA heat, wildfire zones, and homeowners insurance.

May 28, 2026 · 7 min

An honest 2026 breakdown — cabinets, stone, appliances, permits, and the line items every generic estimate leaves out.

May 10, 2026 · 9 min

Soil, sun, root pressure and rebar spacing. A short field guide to concrete flatwork that actually lasts in Southern California.

April 22, 2026 · 6 min

How to read the wear layer, spot water damage, and decide whether that 1948 oak floor has one more sanding in it.

April 5, 2026 · 6 min

Dual-pane, Low-E, argon fill, and the real energy math for Southern California — not the marketing brochure version.

March 18, 2026 · 7 min

From soils report to first swim — a realistic timeline for gunite pools in LA, including the two things that always cause delays.

March 2, 2026 · 6 min

Cost, longevity, drainage, and the LA-specific reasons pavers have quietly overtaken poured concrete for patios and driveways.

February 15, 2026 · 6 min

Why converting an existing garage is still the fastest path to a rentable ADU in Los Angeles — and where the hidden costs actually hide.

January 28, 2026 · 7 min

The questions to ask, the license lookups to run, and the red flags that separate a real GC from an operation that will disappear mid-project.

January 12, 2026 · 8 min

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