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Kitchen & Bath Design

At Mark Houston Associates, Inc. you will discover kitchen and bath design done right!

Good kitchen and bath design starts with good communication.

We pride ourselves on being excellent communicators. That means we listen to your ideas and concerns foremost. We make sure we understand your kitchen and bath renovation goals and what it is you want to accomplish as an end result.

To learn how we ensure that our projects are completed smoothly and with the least amount of challenges, read about our processes below…

At MHA, your kitchen and bath renovation expert, we follow a nine-step process that streamlines the remodeling process and relieves as much stress as possible. We designed so our clients can better understand how the design build process unfolds.

Step #1: Project Design and Permit Expediting

Every jurisdiction has different permit and building plan requirements. With years of experience in the greater Los Angeles area, Mark Houston Associates has worked with dozens of city and county department personnel in their various capacities. We prepare the structural, mechanical, electrical and plumbing plans for each department in the correct format converting preliminary design plans into construction plans for city approval and permit issuance.

Step #2: Setting Up the Jobsite

Once permits are pulled work begins in your home. Throughout the demolition phase of the project, electrical wires, piping, nails and studs will be exposed and floors may be removed, creating a temporarily unsafe environment. Because of this, we close off the workspace as necessary to ensure that your children or pets don’t enter while work is being done.

The workspace can get pretty messy. It’s impossible to completely prevent this, but some effective steps can be taken to mitigate the mess. We install dust barriers at every entry to the workspace and floor protection where tradesmen are working.

Step #3: Demolition and Squaring

When starting the demolition process of a kitchen remodel, for example, we disconnect all the lines (water, gas and electrical) going to sinks, ranges, lights and outlets. Next, all the old cabinetry, appliances, countertops, etc. are removed and either discarded, recycled or donated to charity.

The squaring or framing of the room is one of the most important beginning steps for a contractor to take. The squaring process consists of making sure that the walls are perfectly straight and meet with the floor at a uniform height. You would be surprised how many homes have out-of-square and out-of-plumb conditions. When a kitchen remodeler skips over this step to save time and money, the quality of the work will suffer. We never cut corners.

Your end result is out next referral!

Step #4: “Roughing In”

At this step in the process the trade contractors – electricians, plumbers and heating and air conditioning, etc. arrive to “rough in” the plumbing, electrical lines and ductwork. “Roughing in” is the process of bringing the wires and pipes through the wall to where they will need to be for the finished kitchen. Close supervision in this process is important to exsure the successful completion of the project.

Step #5: Building Inspection

This step of the process is simple but essential. At this point we schedule the building inspector to visit the site and verify that everything has been done to code prior to starting the next phase.

Step #6: Closing-In

After the “rough-in” inspection, we install insulation and drywall to “close in” your kitchen. At this point you should start getting a feeling for the new space.

Step #7: Substantial Completion

This is when the finish work such as cabinetry, tile work, countertops, flooring, painting, etc. is executed. Lastly, the plumber, electrician and mech. contractors comes to ”set and finish” the plumbing, electrical fixtures and heating and air conditioning, registers and trim and the appliances and the electrician comes back to install the lighting.

Step #8: Getting Acclimated with Your New Kitchen

When the remodeling the kitchen is complete, there is still the job of showing you how to care for your new kitchen. We will demonstrate how to clean the tile work and countertops, and how to use your new appliances. A final inspection is made to ensure that everything is perfect and then it’s on to step 9.

Step #9: Enjoy!

When you are ready to begin the kitchen and bath design process; or if you just need some answers to your many questions, give us a call at (626) 357-7858 and ask for Mark.