Questions homeowners ask us
Straight answers to the questions homeowners ask us most: how we design, what working with our team feels like, how we keep projects on schedule, and how we handle the surprises that come up in every construction project.
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Why Homeowners Hire Us
What sets us apart, what we stand behind, and how you can check our work before you decide.
01 Why do homeowners choose Design and Create Builders?
Homeowners hire us for our design expertise in kitchens and our knowledge of cabinetry, including semi-custom cabinetry, which lets us achieve a custom look without the custom kitchen price.
They also hire us because of our testimonials, because we bring them to see finished projects, and because we connect them with clients we have worked for. And we give them a very clear plan from A to Z for how their project is going to look before construction starts.
02 Can I see your finished projects and talk to past clients?
Yes. We'll bring you to see finished projects and connect you with clients we've worked for, so you hear about the experience directly from them, not just from us. You can also browse our completed work on our projects page and read every written review on our reviews page.
03 What do you never compromise on?
Three things: quality of workmanship, design, and timely delivery.
Quality of craftsmanship is one of the most important things. You are investing a lot in your home, and we make sure everything is done to the highest quality of work. Design is something we do every day and a big reason people hire us, so we make sure it is built the right way. And timely delivery matters because a lot of construction companies over-promise and under-deliver on timelines. We want to under-promise and over-deliver.
04 Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. Design and Create Builders is a licensed and insured California general contractor, CSLB license #1116111 (Class B). You can verify the license on the CSLB website anytime.
05 What areas do you serve?
We serve homeowners across Los Angeles County, CA and Orange County, CA, out of our Los Angeles and Costa Mesa offices.
How We Design Your Space
Design is built in from day one, by trained interior designers who stay involved through construction.
01 Do you have interior designers in-house?
Yes. We have professional interior designers in-house, people who went to school for this and have a trained eye for design. Design is not something we improvise standing in your house. It is a personalized process built around understanding how you actually live.
02 How does your design input make my project better?
It's not only about the look. It's about understanding how you function day to day: what's important to you, what style you're drawn to, and how your household uses the space. You put together a Pinterest board and send it to us, and we design around your needs, not just our own opinions.
Tying how you live into the design is how we get a result that's functional and also timeless, so you're not stuck replacing it in a few years because it feels dated.
03 Is design included, or is it a separate fee?
Design is included with any project at no extra cost. Layout, materials, and selections are worked out with you before construction starts.
04 Do you offer custom cabinetry?
We work with semi-custom cabinetry. Our knowledge of cabinetry lets us achieve a custom look without the custom kitchen price, and you choose your preferred cabinetry style with our designer early in the design process.
05 When will I see 3D renderings of my project?
After you sign. Once the contract is in place, our designer measures everything and starts creating interior elevations, and 3D renderings are produced where they apply to your project.
06 Does the designer stay involved once construction starts?
Yes. We make sure our design expertise is heard and implemented the right way, and part of how we do that is having our interior designer on site during construction, verifying that everything is built to the specs, measurements, and design she created.
Our Process, Step by Step
A very organized, detail-oriented process. You know what the first and second steps are, and we communicate the schedule throughout.
01 What does it feel like working with your team?
Working with our team feels like a very organized, detail-oriented process. You know exactly what's going to happen and what the next steps are, and we communicate the project schedule throughout.
That's very different from traditional construction, where things aren't organized and clients don't know what's happening from one day to the next. You get a dedicated project manager and weekly updates, so you always know where things stand.
02 What happens after I sign the contract?
We send our designer to measure everything and start creating interior elevations. Then we have a Zoom call with you to go over priorities and any layout changes. That is where you share your Pinterest board and your preferred style of cabinetry.
After that, to nail down the design and style, we take you to showrooms to see designs similar to your inspiration board, working toward the look you provided while adding our own input along the way. Then we build a very detailed construction schedule from A to Z, demo through final finish.
03 Do I choose all my materials before construction starts?
Yes. We connect you with our interior designers, take you to the showroom, and choose all the materials before construction starts. You get a detailed sheet of every item that is needed, so once construction begins, everything is straightforward and we are not scrambling for materials that turn out to be discontinued or out of stock.
04 Do you use subcontractors?
A lot of our work is done in-house, without subcontractors, so the process is controlled by us from beginning to end. Design and construction run through the same team, so one team is accountable for your project from start to finish.
05 What happens when I request an estimate?
A member of our team reviews your project details personally and reaches out to schedule a call. On that call, we talk through your scope, timeline, and budget together and outline next steps. No auto-replies, and no obligation to move forward.
Schedules, Change Orders & Surprises
Everything we can see goes into the contract upfront, and nothing moves forward on a surprise without your approval.
01 Will my project finish on time?
A lot of construction companies over-promise and under-deliver on timelines. We want to under-promise and over-deliver, and we stand behind the schedule we commit to: on time, guaranteed.
It matters most on kitchen and bathroom projects where people are still living in the house. We want to get you the finished project as quickly as possible, so it is as little of a disturbance to your daily life as it can be.
02 Do you charge a lot of change orders?
We're very transparent from the beginning: we don't like change orders, and we try to include everything upfront in the initial contract. Because every material is selected before construction starts, you're not getting hit with changes for things we should have planned for.
03 What happens if something unexpected comes up during construction?
There are always surprises, and sometimes issues come up during a construction project. That's normal, and there's no need to stress about it. We're problem solvers. Sometimes you open a wall and find something you didn't expect, and that has to be handled in a way that's fair for you and fair for us.
If you open a wall and find mold that couldn't have been seen beforehand, that gets handled at a fair market rate and price. Whatever comes up, we communicate it transparently, and we don't take the next step without your approval.
04 Have you dealt with these kinds of problems before?
Many times. We've handled surprises like this across a lot of projects, so we know what to expect and we have the right people to handle it.
05 Can I stay in my home during construction?
It depends on scope. A single kitchen or bathroom remodel is often livable with some disruption; a full home remodel, addition, or new build usually isn't. We talk through what to expect for your specific project before construction starts, and when you are staying in the house, we work to get your kitchen or bathroom back in use as quickly as possible.
Kitchen remodeling → Bathroom remodeling → Full home remodeling → Home additions →
The Design & Create Builders Guarantee
On Time, Guaranteed
Remodels are known for running late. Ours come with a guarantee: we commit to your completion timeline and stand behind it, from demo through the final walkthrough.
Ask About the GuaranteeFree Estimate
Let's Discuss Your Project
Submit a free estimate request and a member of our team will review your project personally and reach out to schedule a call, no auto-replies and no obligation.