Design Studio West provides plans and permits and we build and install everything we design from small remodels to new construction. We are truly an integrated design-build company.

 

Design Studio West is routinely selected by homeowners to complete their existing project team. Some of San Diego’s best Architects, Custom Builders and Interior Designers refer us to their clients to guarantee satisfaction and success.

 

Design Studio West dates back to 1985. We are definitely here to stay. Our specialized team and time-tested processes assure enduring value in every project we are involved in.

 

 

Do those first warm days of spring get you itching to sweep out winter’s cobweb’s? Or do they elicit a groan as you survey the dirty lawn furniture and stuffed garage? Here’s a quick checklist of some recommended home maintenance and cleaning tasks.

 

*Wash windows and repair screens.

*Vacuum dusty drapes and window treatments, send dirtier drapes to the cleaners.

*Defrost the freezer and dust the refrigerator coils.

*Remove grime and grease buildup on kitchen exhaust fan.

*Clean attic and basement, giving away or discarding unwanted items and clothing.

*Shampoo carpets and rugs.

*Dust corners and ceilings.

*Wash baseboards, doorjams, window sills, doors and walls.

*Wipe ceiling fans.

*Clean oven.

*Wipe refrigerator clean.

*Clean out office files.

 

*Check attic fan.

*Inspect caulking around tubs, showers and sinks; replace if deteriorating.

*Reseal grout on tile floors.

*Test ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets. (A GFCI outlet has a ‘test’ and a ‘reset’ button. Pressing the ‘test’ button will trip the circuit. Pressing the ‘reset’ button will restore the circuit. If pressing the test button does not work, then replace the GFCI outlet. If the outlet does pop when you press the ‘test’ button, but the outlet still has power, the outlet is mis-wired and it should be fixed immediately.)

*Tighten garbage disposal drain, connection and fasteners.

*Change furnace filters.

*Change batteries in carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.

*Lubricate door hinges and hardware.

*Update first-aid and emergency kits.

*Replace leaky faucet washers.

*Replace incandescent bulbs with energy-saving lighting.

 

*Clean and de-clutter your garage and shed.

*Wash outdoor furniture.

*Clean your grill and check for dead insects clogging the gas line.

*Pressure-wash decks.

*Pressure-wash siding.

*Scrub porch ceilings and walls.

*Clean umbrellas and awnings.

*Clean light-fixture covers.

 

*Inspect and repair or replace damaged roof shingles.

*Check around vents, skylights and chimneys for water leaks.

*Inspect and reseal roof flashing if necessary.

*Pressure-wash driveway and walkway.

*Clean and inspect gutters and downspouts.

*If you have a chimney, have it inspected and, if necessary, cleaned.

*Check the oil and air filter on your lawn-mower. (If it runs poorly, take it in for a tune up and have the blade sharpened.)

*Trim branches and shrubs that touch your home. (They provide a pathway for bugs or excess moisture to enter your home.)

*Inspect the exterior surfaces of your house.

*Touch up and areas that need paint.

*Reseal deck.

*Seal drafty doors and windows.

 

 

CSLB Press Release - 01/20/10

Contractors State License Board Encourages Vigilance as Winter Storms Batter State

CSLB offers tips to ensure storm repairs don’t turn into costly headaches

SACRAMENTO —As flooding and other problems due to rain, snow, and wind bear down on the state, the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) is urging California home owners to be vigilant when it comes to contracting for storm damage clean-up or repairs. Sometimes what appears to be the cheapest solution to remove a fallen tree, fix a downed fence, or patch a leaky roof may not be the wisest choice.

"A state-licensed contractor is the right choice when looking for a legitimate, qualified tradesperson—especially in an urgent situation," said CSLB Registrar Steve Sands. "A CSLB-licensed contractor who is skilled in the specific trade you’re seeking is insured and bonded, and is not likely to leave you in the lurch when it comes to properly completing the job at a fair price."

Consumers can use CSLB’s online resources, available at www.cslb.ca.gov or www.CheckTheLicenseFirst.com, to check the license status of the contractor they plan to hire, and to get tips on wise home repair and improvement choices. Any construction job valued at $500 or more in labor and materials must be done by a state-licensed contractor. California Business & Professions Code requires licensees to carry workers’ compensation insurance coverage for their employees, and to be bonded.

For tree trimming and removal jobs where the tree is 15 feet or higher and the job is more than $500, the contractor must be state-licensed. Business & Professions Code allows a gardener to do incidental pruning on trees less than 15 feet and under $500 without a CSLB license.

State law requires all Roofing (C-39) contractors to carry workers’ compensation insurance, even if they do not have employees, to ensure that consumers are protected in the event of an accident or injury on the homeowner’s property.

CSLB urges consumers to follow these tips when soliciting bids from any home improvement contractor:

• Hire only licensed contractors, and ask to see the license and photo identification.
• Don’t rush into repairs, no matter how badly they’re needed.
• Don’t pay more than 10 percent or $1,000, whichever is less, as a down payment. An exception exists for about two dozen contractors who carry special bonds that protect consumers. Those contractors are noted on the CSLB Web site.
• Don’t pay in cash, and don’t let the payments get ahead of the work.
• Get at least three bids, check references, and get a written contract.

The Contractors State License Board operates under the umbrella of the California Department of Consumer Affairs. CSLB licenses and regulates about 310,000 contractors and is regarded as one of the leading consumer protection agencies in the United States. In fiscal year 2008-09, CSLB helped recover nearly $36 million in ordered restitution for consumers.