USEFUL INFORMATION

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Project Planning Tips & Cautions

1. Know precisely what you plan to accomplish; and define your parameters.
2. Understand the permitting process: Contact your local Building Dept. and/or Planning Dept. for guidelines concerning timeframes, fees, & requirements.
3. Develop a budget you can afford; or discuss possible financing with your lender. Be realistic - shop around to gain some knowledge of current product & material costs. Buyer beware of unusually low-priced materials or products, particularly on the Internet. Warranty issues with such products are often difficult and cumbersome.
4. It is generally best to have your General Contractor (or sub-contractors) provide & warranty fixtures and appliances, as they will usually handle things in your behalf if problems develop down the road.
5. Select a reputable Architect or General Contractor to help you through the process. Some projects will indeed require the services of both; though many smaller projects may not necessarily require an architect. Always check references and consult the Better Business Bureau as well as the Contractor's State License Board before hiring.
6. Make your best effort to inform your Architect and/or Builder of what you like. Make sketches; take photographs; clip examples from home improvement magazines; or bookmark examples on Internet websites. Also convey any special needs or desires, such as handicap issues; allergy concerns; utilization of specific green building materials or energy saving systems; specific product selections; color preferences; etc. This will aid in streamlining the design process.
7. Talk to friends, family, & neighbors who have experience regarding what to expect during construction. Knowing what to expect and how to prepare will make the process much more enjoyable for you and your family. Be sure to also discuss what you learn, as well as any other questions you might have, directly with your General Contractor.
8. Work closely with your General Contractor to develop a "preliminary budget study" for your project; and if necessary, be quite specific & up-front about your upper cost limitations in order to facilitate a workable budget - ("Champagne taste on a beer budget" will likely slow down your initial planning process).
9. Above all, use common sense and be prepared to deal with the many idiosyncrasies and occasional problems common to the construction process in a rational manner; and you will surely persevere through the successful completion of your special project.

Agency Resource Contact Data

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Contractor's State License Board  -  California Dept. of Consumer Affairs
9821 Business Park Drive
Sacramento, CA 95827
(800)321-2752 www.cslb.ca.gov

Better Business Bureau
1112 South Bascom Avenue
San Jose, CA 95128-3507
(408)278-7400
www.bbb.org

Monterey Peninsula Water Management District
5 Harris Court  Bldg.'G'  Monterey, CA 93940
(831)658-5600
www.mpwmd.dst.ca.us

Local Building & Planning Department Listings:

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City of Carmel Building & Planning Depts.	(831)620-2010
www.ci.carmel.ca.us/carmel/index.cfm/government/staff-departments/community-planning-and-building
Monterey County Building & Planning Depts.
www.co.monterey.ca.us/building/	(831)755-5027
www.co.monterey.ca.us/planning/	(831)755-5025
City of Monterey Building & Planning Depts.
www.monterey.org/building/buildingpermits.html	(831)646-3890
www.monterey.org/planningengineering/	(831)648-3183
City of Pacific Grove Building Dept.
www.ci.pg.ca.us/cdd/building.htm	(831)648-3183
www.ci.pg.ca.us/cdd/planning.htm	(831)648-3190
Pebble Beach Architectural Review & Building	(831)625-8455
www.pbcsd.org/contact.html
City of Marina Building & Planning Depts.	(831)884-1214
www.ci.marina.ca.us/Directory.aspx?DID=22	(831)884-1220