Frequently Asked Questions

A bathroom remodel usually takes 4 to 8 weeks, a kitchen remodel 8 to 14 weeks, and a major home addition 4 to 8 months from permit approval to final inspection. The Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety permit timeline is often the variable we don't control, particularly for hillside properties in Sherman Oaks and Encino that trigger additional geological review. We build realistic schedules, name a dedicated project lead, and text you when crews are en route.

We walk the space, take photos and measurements, listen to what you need the space to do, and ask about budget range and timeline. Within a week, you receive a written, itemized estimate with a fixed price for the defined scope, not a ballpark. There's no charge for this estimate and no pressure to decide on the spot. We find that homeowners in Beverly Hills and Brentwood especially appreciate having time to compare our documentation against other bids.

Yes, we pull all required permits and schedule inspections for every project. Sherman Oaks falls under the City of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety, and we handle the plan check, permit application, and inspection scheduling. You receive copies of all permits, inspection sign-offs, and final documentation. Working without permits in this market risks stop-work orders and complicates resale, particularly in the 32-50 buyer demographic that researches permit history.

Sometimes, but it depends on the scope. A single-bathroom remodel or kitchen update usually allows you to stay, though you'll lose that room for weeks. Whole-home renovations, additions with roof removal, or projects requiring utility shutoffs mean relocating is more practical. We've managed phased projects in North Hollywood and Tarzana where clients stayed in one wing while we worked in another. We'll tell you honestly during consultation whether your project is livable-through.

We seal work areas with plastic barriers and ZipWall systems, run HEPA air scrubbers, and schedule the dustiest work when you're away if possible. Our crews clean the work zone daily and do a deeper clean weekly. The Haven Standard requires photo documentation of conditions, so you see what we found and how we protected against it. Clients in West Hollywood and Santa Monica particularly note this in their feedback.

For the Sherman Oaks climate, hot summers and mild wet winters, we typically specify IKO or Atlas architectural shingles for their UV resistance and wind ratings up to 130 mph. On Spanish Colonial or Mediterranean revivals common in Encino and Studio City, we use Boral clay and concrete roof tiles for authentic appearance and 50-year durability. Every material choice is documented in your written scope with model numbers and warranty terms.

Yes, we specify Tamko Heritage series shingles for clients who want a mid-price architectural shingle with solid wind and algae resistance. They're a good fit for duplexes and investment properties in Van Nuys and Northridge where the owner wants reliable protection without premium pricing. Like all materials we use, Tamko products come with documented warranty registration and installation according to manufacturer specifications.

You can, but we need to review and approve them before installation. Owner-supplied items carry no workmanship warranty from us if they fail due to product defect, and they sometimes lack the compatibility documentation our crews need. If you have a specific Boral tile or Atlas shingle color in mind, tell us during consultation and we'll source it through our supply chain with full warranty protection intact.

Yes, every professional working under our name in Sherman Oaks is required to hold the California contractor license and insurance the state requires. You receive license numbers on your written estimate and can verify them through the CSLB. We're not a referral network dispatching whoever is available; the crews on your job work to the Haven Standard with documentation to prove it.

We maintain general liability and workers' compensation coverage as required for California construction operations. You receive a certificate of insurance naming you as additional insured upon contract signing. For major additions and hillside work in Sherman Oaks and Beverly Hills, we also carry builder's risk coverage for the construction period. Specific policy details are available on request.

The crews working under the Rowan Construction Group name in Sherman Oaks are independently owned and operated local businesses that have agreed to work to the Haven Standard. Every pro is required to hold the license and insurance their state requires, and we verify that documentation before they work under our name. The local business is the franchisee - their trucks, their neighbors, their community reputation.

We address urgent structural issues, storm damage, and safety hazards during our operating hours: Monday through Friday 7:00 AM to 7:30 PM, Saturday 7:00 AM to 6:30 PM, and Sunday 7:00 AM to 6:30 PM. For true emergencies like roof collapse or major water intrusion, call (213) 221-0788 and our coordinator will connect you with the local team. We are not open 24/7, but we do prioritize safety issues within our hours.

Stop work in the affected area and call us at (213) 221-0788. We document the condition with photos, assess whether it affects the agreed scope, and provide a written change order if additional work is needed. Hidden conditions like termite damage or inadequate existing framing are not uncommon in Sherman Oaks homes built in the 1940s-1960s. The Haven Standard requires we show you evidence of what we found, not just tell you about it.

Most projects begin 2 to 6 weeks after contract signing, depending on permit status and material lead times. Custom cabinetry, imported tile, and certain Boral roof tile colors currently run 8 to 12 weeks. We don't do urgency theater or pretend slots are disappearing. Your written contract includes a start-by date and a completion timeline, and we text you when your crew is confirmed and en route.

We provide a written workmanship warranty on every project, with terms documented in your contract before work starts. Material warranties come from the manufacturers - IKO, Atlas, Tamko, and Boral each carry their own product guarantees that we register on your behalf. The Haven Standard requires that both workmanship and material warranty terms are in writing, with claim procedures spelled out, before anyone swings a hammer.

The Haven Standard is the documented promise that governs every Rowan Construction Group project: written price and scope before work starts (Clause 1), scheduled arrival with named crew and text notification (Clause 2), verified licensed and insured professionals (Clause 3), photo and reading documentation of conditions found (Clause 4), and no surprise charges or scope creep (Clause 5). Over 4,000 projects have been delivered under this standard since 2007, every one with a written price before we started and a documented record when we left.

We address concerns during the punch walk, where you and the project lead review every element against the written scope. Anything that doesn't match gets added to a written punch list with completion dates. If issues emerge after final payment, your workmanship warranty covers defects in our labor. We don't disappear after the check clears - the local team's reputation in Sherman Oaks, Studio City, and North Hollywood depends on how we handle the last 5% of the job.

Yes, our workmanship warranty applies to all work we perform, whether it's a renovation of a 1950s Sherman Oaks ranch, an ADU on a Tarzana property, or a full custom build in Brentwood. The warranty covers our labor and installation methods. Existing conditions or previous work by others are documented with photos before we start, so there's no confusion about what we touched and what we inherited.

Written by Grant Rowan, Owner at Rowan Construction Group, serving Sherman Oaks since 2007.