PROJECTS: March to December 2020 • Demo Old Back Unit and Build ADU (2 Bedroom, 1.5 Bath, 1 Car Garage) • Add Driveway, 2 Car Parking Pad, and Fence w/Motorized Gate • Full Kitchen Remodel “Gut job” • Exterior Concrete Work and Drainage
After researching and interviewing several construction companies, we signed on with Eden Builders to demolish the unsafe back unit that came with our fixer upper and build an ADU for my mom. The project manager we met with, Oren Yona, spent the most time with us during the initial meet compared to other companies. He asked a ton of questions to really get a sense of what we were looking for. Oren did not take a salesman type approach like some of the others we met with, but he sold us with his matter-of-fact demeanor, intelligent questions, and overall trustworthy vibe. He got a very detailed proposal back to us outlining the expenses, timeline, and pay schedule, and we signed on.
Construction began right around the start of the pandemic, meaning we ended up working from home and were able to watch the entire ADU project from demolition to finish. Every single crew member was super hard working and competent, and they work long hours to really stick to the deadline. (Any delays had to do with the city or with products I ordered that were held up in shipping.) Our foreman, construction crew, electrician, plumber, and cabinet maker were all super pleasant to work with. Oren really stayed on top of the project, making sure to keep the team on schedule, and me also since I had to make a million decisions along the way! I don’t think he sleeps because he’s emailing at all times. I’m very grateful they were so patient with all our questions and some of the inevitable last-minute changes and add-ons.
Since we were so happy working with Eden Builders, we asked them to stay on for a second project and remodel the kitchen in the main house when they were done with the ADU, parking pad, and fence. This was a complete gut job where they replaced everything, including the old electrical wiring, floors, and sink above the window. (They had a ton to fix.) Our kitchen turned out GREAT! We got the modern retro vibe we were going for and love how our customizations came out: Narrow broom closet with power outlet for our Dyson floor vac, narrow shelves above our shutters for Funko Pops, garden window for our cats to sun in, usable corner cabinets, pull-out cabinet for waste and recycle bins, coffee maker/mugs cabinet with pocket doors, hidden cat litter cabinet with cat entry near the back door.
We definitely plan on using Eden Builders in our future remodeling projects! It’s one less thing to worry about when you know the vendor you use prides themselves in good quality work. 😊
PS: Photos of kitchen remodel included. I'll add photos of the ADU when I have time (and energy.)
