General contractor in Lafayette, CA

Detached ADUs are the most common choice on Lafayette's larger hillside lots because there is usually enough usable flat area in the yard to site a standalone structure. Sloped lots require a foundation designed for the grade — often a stem wall or pier system rather than a flat slab. We assess the usable area and grade on each property before recommending a footprint and foundation type.

Most galley kitchens in Burton Valley's 1950s and 1960s ranch homes are separated from the dining area by a non-load-bearing wall. Removing that wall opens the kitchen to the main living space and allows for an island or peninsula. We verify the wall's structural role before demo and check for any plumbing or electrical running through it that needs to be rerouted.

Adding a primary suite bathroom is one of the most common projects in Lafayette's older ranch homes, which were often built with a single shared bathroom. The most practical approach is to convert a closet or a portion of the primary bedroom into a new bath, keeping the new plumbing close to existing supply and drain lines. We scope the plumbing layout and structural conditions before finalizing the plan.

Many Lafayette properties have a grade change between the street and the rear yard, which means additions that step down the slope need careful structural planning where new framing ties into the existing foundation. Drainage also matters on hillside lots — water that runs toward the home during winter rains needs to be directed away from the new addition's foundation.