rjk enterprises

What makes me different?

My emphasis is always on the client’s needs. I do have an ego, but I satisfy it by making my clients happy with their final product. Most of my work is in answering the following questions:

• What do you need?

You may want to tear down a rickety-old multi-million-dollar house and build your dream home, as they did here.

Or maybe you simply want to squeeze out a little more space in your nice little kitchen and breakfast room.

Whatever you need, I help you get it done while making it look and feel great.

•  What do you like?

People can’t always describe their style, so I usually ask them to point out an example in their neighborhood, or in a magazine, or even in my portfolio.

This is an example of one of the drawings in my portfolio.

Also, many of my clients had already seen one of my other projects, and said they liked that style.

I’ve primarily worked in Mediterranean, Spanish, and Traditional styles, and I have done some Craftsman and contemporary projects.

• Can it be done, or are you just dreaming?

There are so many regulations that determine how much you can do to your property. Every city, the county, the state, Homeowners’ Associations, the Coastal Commission, have their own ideas of what’s reasonable and fair. Sometimes it means you can’t do what you really want, or you need to file for special consideration and pay more fees.

I have the experience to navigate those numerous agencies, so you can make an informed decision… whether to build in one step, or maybe a few phases, or maybe not at all. I have even advised clients that it would be cheaper and easier to tear down and build new rather than remodel.

• What’s your budget, really?

Most people need an idea of the costs for a project before they can do anything. Contractors need a fairly complete set of plans in order to prepare an estimate. So how do you begin? You talk to me, of course.

We verbally work out a general plan, and I get a sense of your desired finish level (Hyundai …. Mercedes), you will get a good feel for the costs involved, including construction, engineering (if needed) and those ever-present city fees. I always advise people to add at least 20% to their budget for those unexpected changes and additions.

• What information does the contractor need to build this?

You could attempt to build a structure without plans, but if it's bigger than a dog house, you’ll need the details. Which walls are removed, where do the new walls, doors, windows and appliances go? How high is the ridge? How many electrical outlets and recessed lights will there be, and where are they placed? 

I take pride in the drawings I produce, not just because they look good, but because of all the information on them. Perhaps you have heard stories of projects that went way over budget, or took way too long. (your own project maybe... I hope not!)

One reason this happens is that the original estimates are based on incomplete plans. When there are not enough details, and the architect is not consulted for information, the project, and ultimately, the owner, usually suffers.