"I want to make a few small structural and design changes to my home. Do I need to have a contract drafted for the work or can I get away with making small changes without using one?" Answer from Ross: As any of my clients know, I will always advocate for having a signed contract before starting work on any project. Not only do they ensure that both parties understand their respective roles and responsibilities but they also give you some protection if the project is not comp

"We have a family friend who is a contractor and he says he can do our remodel project for us. Is there any advice you would give us before we hire him?" Answer from Ross Sanders: Hiring friends can often be a questionable decision as it is very easy to trespass the client/business owner relationship leading to frustration and dissatisfaction. However, not knowing the specifics of your particular relationship, I would prefer not to address that side of the issue but what I wi

"I have been hearing acronym ADU thrown around in conversation and have no idea what it means. So, what exactly is an ADU and why is everyone talking about it?" Answer from Ross: Dear Jake, ADU stands for Accessory Dwelling Unit, but they are also commonly referred to as “mother-in-law apartments” or studio apartments. These secondary dwellings are created auxiliary to, and smaller than the main dwelling on the property. They can take form in a variety of ways, including; the