In this blog I will do my best to describe the process I went through in turning my 1957 Ranch-style house into a 2006 Craftsman house as inspired by the Gamble House in Pasadena. Please feel free to comment on anything I write and ask questions as it is the only way we learn.

Note: Since completion of the house I have also decided to allow guest bloggers to post articles related to remodeling. This continues the education process.


TIMELINE
Architect Selection - December 2002 through January 2003
Getting a Permit - January 2003 through November 2004
Construction - November 2004 through September 2006
Post Construction - October 2006 through ???



School District Construction Fee

I hope this is the last one.
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Hired General Contractor

Today we hired our general contractor, Rich Wright Construction. Rich was highly recommended by everyone I talked to and is a master woodworker. He also surfs!
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Go Out For Contractor Bids

Today we sent out packages to four different contractors to start the bid process. I used Service Magic to get matched up to contractors that could do this sort of work.
We need to get this going as the contractor will be pulling the permits.
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City Plan Check Fees

The City asked for more money today to look at the plans.
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Drawings Sent to Structural Engineer

The design Development drawings were sent to the structural engineer at Palos Verdes Engineering.
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Art Jury Wants More Money

The Art Jury is requesting another payment to look at the plans.
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Soils Engineer Survey Performed

Tony Lee, a soils engineer, came out today to take core samples of the soil around 4 parts of the house.
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City Requests Soils Report

The city has requested a soils report today.
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Silhouette Comes Down

The silhouette finally can come down now that we waited the 15 days appeal time following the Planning Commission meeting.
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Appearance before Planning Commission

Today my architect, Olympia Greer, and I appeared before the Planning Commission.
Click here to see the meeting (44 min / 26.8 MB) and YES I know I move around too much in the presentation so please don't tell me.

In addition to the architect, I appeared before the board to counter complaints by the house next door to the North. The complaint was that ambient light would be blocked by the new house. I didn't sleep well the first night after hearing of the complaint but on the second night at 3AM I woke up with an idea. I went online and downloaded sun position data for the darkest day of the year in Los Angeles, December 21. Since this is the lowest the sun will ever be in the sky I could see what the worst case situation would be for the blocking of ambient light. I charted the sun position on overhead as well as side view charts showing both houses. It clearly showed that on the worst day of the year, the sun would go behind the top corner of the house from 2PM. At the meeting I gave each commissioner a set of charts and walked through them. Some were shaking their heads and making facial expressions that seemed to say "get a life", and "you can't dispute the facts". One commissioner thought they meant their view would be blocked. Three things, I believe, helped me.

1) They don't really have a view,
2) The house isn't in the direction of their view to the west/southwest, and
3) The written letter specifically said "ambient light".

Another complaint was by a neighbor to the southwest who complained that the house would look like a big apartment building. We accommodated them and put in a window and balcony to soften the appearance. I think I got the better end of the deal on that one.

Needless to say it was a nail-biter but we won approval by 3 to 2.
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Next Page

Be sure to browse the 2,000 picture Photo Gallery for more step-by-step construction details.