山火事で自宅全焼の記録ーーーーー第28回：『今度こそ、工務店コンペ開催ーーー遂にオークの樹：問題解決！』【新展開の】9月編 Contractor Competition finally Starts!

(This is the interior of the Tesla Cybertruck.)

Chronicles of a Home Destroyed by a Wildfire —— Part 28: “This Time for Sure, the Contractor Competition Begins—Finally, the Oak Tree: Problem Solved!” [New Developments] September Edition: Contractor Competition Finally Starts!

(This is the “Tesla Cybertruck” I spotted near my workplace in Downtown LA.)

For this 28th installment, titled “This Time for Sure, the Contractor Competition Is On—Finally, the Oak Tree: Problem Solved!” [New Developments] September Edition, I’d like to focus on the “Prelude to Autumn” that took place in September 2026.

This post covers the following four topics.

[September 2026: A Hint of Autumn in the Air]

* Will the “Construction Company Selection Competition” actually take place this time?

* There’s a problem with the balcony in the rental unit—is this a “baseless complaint from the LA City Hall”?

* A reunion with an old friend and new developments…

* “Construction Company Selection Competition”—> Will it really happen this time?

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As of mid-September,

I’m researching two construction companies near my home,

but I’ll also look into the three companies recommended by my architect supervisor,

get cost estimates from a total of about five companies,

and ultimately decide on one.

Additionally, during the contractor selection period,

* Confirm the allowance from FIMA after the rental income from the insurance company has been exhausted

* Carefully review the content of the documents to be submitted to the architect and contractors

* Gather knowledge about the contractor selection process, ensure I understand it, and apply that understanding in practice.

* The process for selecting a contractor and points to note:

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Basic Process for Selecting a Contractor

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1. Defining Project Requirements and Setting a Budget

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First, clearly define the type of construction you wish to undertake (e.g., kitchen remodel, ADU [accessory dwelling unit] construction, full-scale renovation, etc.). At the same time, establish a total budget that includes not only construction costs but also design fees, permit application fees, and a 10–20% contingency fund to cover unexpected issues.

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2. Compiling a List of Potential Contractors

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Search for candidates through word of mouth, past projects in the neighborhood, and home-focused platforms. In Los Angeles County, it is a golden rule to select contractors with extensive experience in similar projects (e.g., complying with regulations in historic preservation districts, foundation work on sloped sites, etc.).

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3. Obtaining Comparative Quotes (Bids) (From at Least 3 Companies)

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From the perspective of California consumer protection, it is strongly recommended to obtain bids from at least three contractors. Be wary of contractors who submit bids that are extremely low, as there is a risk they may later charge high additional fees (change orders) or cut corners on the work.

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4. Strictly Verify Licenses and Insurance (*Most Important)

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While gathering bids, be sure to verify the contractor’s credentials. In California, a state license is required by law for any construction work totaling $500 or more.

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5. Signing the Contract

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Once you have agreed to all terms, sign a written contract that complies with California state law.

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“5 Key Points” for Selecting and Contracting in Los Angeles County

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① Check with the CSLB (California State Contractors License Board)

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Be sure to search for the license number provided by the contractor (usually a 4- to 8-digit number) on the CSLB’s official website (cslb.ca.gov).

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Confirm that the status is “Active.”

Check to see if there have been any serious consumer complaints or disciplinary actions taken by the state in the past.

Also, verify that the name on the contractor’s photo ID (such as a driver’s license) matches the name on their license.

② Verifying Insurance and Workers’ Comp

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Confirm that the contractor has the following insurance policies, and have the insurance company issue a “Certificate of Insurance” directly to you.

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General Liability Insurance: Covers damage to your home during construction.

Workers’ Compensation: Covers workers who are injured on the job site. If the contractor does not have this insurance, there is a risk that the homeowner will be billed for the worker’s medical expenses and lost wages.

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③ Legal Limits on Down Payments

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California state law strictly limits the amount of down payment that can be required at the time of signing a contract for home improvement work.

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The legal limit is the lesser of “10% of the total project cost” or “$1,000.”

Contractors who demand that you “pay half the cost in advance before construction begins” are operating completely illegally (a red flag), so you must never sign a contract with them. Also, always make payments via check or bank transfer—methods that leave a paper trail—and avoid paying in cash.

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④ Responsibility for Building Permits

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Ensure that permit applications submitted to the Building and Safety departments of Los Angeles County and individual cities (such as Los Angeles and Pasadena) are obtained in the contractor’s name and under their responsibility. Some contractors may suggest, “We’ll give you a discount if you apply as an owner-builder,” but if you do this, all legal liability in the event of an accident or construction defect on the job site will fall solely on the owner.

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⑤ Establishing a Detailed Payment Schedule (Progress Payments)

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The contract should specify a detailed payment schedule based on construction milestones. For example, “X dollars upon completion of foundation work and passing the city inspection” or “X dollars upon completion of wall framing.” Making “passing the city inspection” a condition for payment is a reliable safeguard in the United States.

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*Problem with the balcony of the rental unit—> A baseless complaint from the LA City Hall?

Early August

To the LA County City Hall

I submitted

the building permit application documents.

Two weeks later, the case officer, “Mr. D,”

pointed out the following issues, and I’m currently devising a strategy together with my architect, Mr. SV.

* The balcony protruding from the east side of the ADU section (the rental unit on the second floor of the garage) may infringe on the neighbor’s privacy.

As a countermeasure to this,

Mr. SV proposed the following two solutions:

Option 1: Based on his experience, there is no county code that addresses the specific issue at hand, so

* Given the limited experience of “Mr. D,” who was temporarily subcontracted and hired for this project,

* Although it is highly likely that this is a misunderstanding on his part,

* To avoid the application being referred to a public hearing

* and the resulting delay,

we should redesign the plan by extending the kitchen to cover the balcony area, effectively eliminating the balcony and increasing the interior floor area.

Option 2: While accepting the possibility that this may lead to a public hearing,

respect the original design and submit it as is.

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After discussing it with my wife,

* Given that it strongly smacks of either a baseless complaint stemming from a lack of knowledge, or

* a misunderstanding resulting from sloppy work due to being overloaded with projects and overwhelmed,

we decided to ask Mr. SV to request that Mr. D’s supervisor

reconsider the matter (appeal).

* A reunion with an old friend and a new development…

As I mentioned last time,

there was “R-kun,” who had been living out of his car

and staying on the streets in our neighborhood.

Fortunately,

with the help of a social worker,

he secured a spot in a nearby low-income apartment

and moved in safely.

We had been planning

to go to Panda Express for lunch,

but unfortunately, that didn’t happen.

Now that he’s able to return to work,

he’s regained the free and safe life he used to have,

so I’d like to celebrate with him.

I was so happy that he enjoyed

the “Orange Chicken”

I made for him the other day.

She’s a friend

I hope to stay in touch with for a long time to come.

Regarding this blog and its content:

My goal in writing these blog posts is to clarify my personal, distinctive criteria for evaluation—including my somewhat quirky perspectives—through my involvement with three-dimensional art (including cooking), and to document how I’ve satisfied and fulfilled my curiosity and desire to explore “beauty and deliciousness.”

Consequently, while I pay the utmost attention to the numbers, years, and detailed data that appear in my articles, it is possible that I may occasionally make significant errors or misunderstandings. In particular, key specifications and model years in automotive articles can often be confusing, so I would appreciate it if you treated them as general references only.

For my part, I feel as though I’m inserting dates and data into the articles as objective material to create a “flow” that connects my personal assessments of exterior design and taste to the broader themes explored in the latter half of the piece. What I ultimately prioritize are the new “perspectives” and “unexpected connections between pieces of information” that emerge from the chaotic jumble of memories in my own mind. The various data points are needed secondarily as part of that “flow” to generate that momentum.

As a slight digression, in the world of rakugo—which I love—there’s a playful format called “san-dai-banashi,” where a performer weaves a single story using three topics solicited on the spot from the audience. I feel like I’m doing something similar here, using the characteristics of three-dimensional sculptures and (the flavors of dishes) as my prompts. The countless ideas that flit through my mind during this process are completely unexpected and delightful; they often drastically alter the content of future articles or lead to new developments.

How This Blog Works:

“Spots and Lines of Curiosity x Whimsical Mental Circuits = Unexpected New Developments”

This blog may be a bit self-indulgent, but I hope you’ll continue to follow along.

P.S.: To create the “flow” described above, I take as many photos as possible using my own die-cast cars and home-cooked meals. However, I do borrow the absolute minimum necessary illustrations and photos from other bloggers’ posts and company websites. (I edit them to fit the article’s content and post them at the lowest possible resolution.) If there are any issues, please contact me, and I will remove them immediately.

Addendum 2: You are free to use the photos of die-cast cars and other images (taken by me) featured in this blog’s posts in any way you like without permission. I create these posts with the understanding that my personal creativity belongs to me alone.