Elliott Construction Group follows six stages: consultation, design and planning, a fixed-price proposal, permits and scheduling, construction, and final walk-through with warranty. Most schedule savings happen before construction starts, because a complete design and permit package is the single biggest factor in staying on schedule in Los Angeles.
1. Consultation
Every project begins with a visit to your home. We walk the property with you, listen to what you want to change and why, and talk openly about budget and timing. We also check the basics that shape every Los Angeles project: zoning and floor-area limits, whether the property is in a fire hazard zone or the coastal zone, the condition of utilities, and site access for crews and deliveries.
By the end of the consultation, you should have a clear sense of what is realistic, what the next steps are and whether we are the right fit for your project.
2. Design and Planning
Next, we develop the design with our in-house design consultants or alongside your architect. This stage covers floor plans, structural engineering, energy calculations, and selections for cabinetry, tile, stone, fixtures, appliances and lighting. We review costs as the design develops, so decisions are made with real numbers instead of guesses.
For projects that will need a permit, the goal of this stage is a complete, well-coordinated permit set. Incomplete or inconsistent plans are the most common cause of delays at plan check.
3. Fixed-Price Proposal
Once design is complete, we prepare a detailed, line-item proposal that shows exactly what is included: scope, materials, allowances, schedule and payment milestones. If something is not in the proposal, it is not assumed. During construction, any change you request is priced and approved in writing before it is built.
A tip worth knowing: California law limits the down payment on most home-improvement contracts to $1,000 or 10 percent of the contract price, whichever is less. A contractor who asks for a large deposit upfront is a warning sign.
4. Permits and Scheduling
We submit plans to the correct agency and respond to plan check comments. While the plans are under review, we order long-lead items such as windows, custom doors, cabinetry and appliances so they arrive when construction needs them.
We also plan the construction schedule around Los Angeles weather. Most of the region’s rain falls between late November and March, so we aim to schedule roofing, framing and exterior openings for the dry season whenever possible, and we save interior work for the wetter months. Near the coast, we schedule paint and sealants for the drier part of the day during the spring and early-summer marine layer.
5. Construction
Your project manager coordinates every trade and inspection and keeps you informed with regular photo updates and site meetings at key milestones. We protect your home with floor coverings and dust barriers, keep the site clean at the end of every day, and follow local construction-hour rules.
Quality checks are built into each phase. We photograph framing, plumbing and electrical work before walls are closed, flood-test shower pans before tile is installed, and verify that materials match the approved selections.
6. Final Walk-Through and Warranty
When the work is complete, we walk every room with you to create a detailed punch list, finish every item on it, and pass final inspection. You receive documentation of the work, product information and care guidance, and a written workmanship warranty. Our relationship with your home does not end when the last tool leaves the site.
Every remodel uncovers something unexpected, especially in older homes. Ask any contractor you interview how they handle hidden conditions and how change orders are priced and approved. A clear, written answer tells you more about the experience ahead than any brochure.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the design stage take?
Design typically takes four to eight weeks for kitchens and bathrooms and longer for additions, whole-house remodels and custom homes, depending on engineering and decision-making.
What is included in a fixed-price proposal?
Scope of work, materials, allowances, schedule and payment milestones, broken down line by line. Changes are priced and approved in writing before work is done.
How much deposit is required?
California law limits the down payment on most home-improvement contracts to $1,000 or 10 percent of the contract price, whichever is less. Remaining payments follow completed progress milestones.
How will I know how the project is going?
Your project manager provides regular photo updates and meets you on site at key milestones. You always have one person to call.
Last reviewed: November 2026 by the Elliott Construction Group team. Building codes and permit rules change often; we confirm current requirements for your property before design begins.