Guides

Start Here
Owner's Guide to Residential Construction Team, timeline, budget, contracts & how to structure a complex project
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Understanding CMAR
What is CMAR The delivery method defined
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Why CMAR Benefits of the at-risk model
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Construction Oversight How accountability structures protect your budget
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How We Work
The Architect's Role Collaboration, not competition
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Feasibility Report What you receive in 3-4 weeks
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Budget Development From feasibility to GMP
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Construction Contracts AIA documents, GMP agreements & general conditions
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Deliverables What you receive at each phase
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Cost & Planning
Construction Costs What drives the number in LA
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Construction Timeline Full phase-by-phase breakdown
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Deep Foundation Costs Unit costs for piles, retaining walls, earthwork, slope stabilization & T&M rates
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Foundation Systems Geotech coordination & structural interface
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Insurance & Rebuild Costs Coverage gaps, replacement value & what policies miss
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Building in Los Angeles
Hillside Construction Geotechnical & site complexity
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Retaining Walls Engineering, drainage & Ordinance 176,445
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Grading Limits BHO formula, export logistics, ZAD & haul routes
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Waterproofing & Water Intrusion Building envelope, below-grade systems, drainage & remediation
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Tree Protection & Relocation Protected species, ordinances, boxing, relocation & root protection zones
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Shoring & Underpinning Temporary & permanent earth retention, adjacent structure protection
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Locations
Beverly Hills Trousdale to the Flats - Design Review, BHMC & hillside standards
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Hollywood Hills Bird Streets to Laurel Canyon - geology, BHO, access & due diligence
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Malibu CDPs, seawalls, septic & sea level rise
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Palos Verdes Peninsula Four cities, Art Jury, landslide zones & septic
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Pasadena Foothill Corridor Pasadena to Sierra Madre - hillside overlays, historic review & fault zones
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Fire Recovery
Fire Rebuild Recovery & reconstruction
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PGRAZ Fire Rebuilds Palisades recovery guidance
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Foundation Certification Can your foundation be reused? LA codes, testing, costs, and timeline.
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Before You Build
Lot Due Diligence What to evaluate before you close
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Tear Down or Renovate Zoning, cost comparison & feasibility
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Structural Remediation Investigation, retrofit & code compliance
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Major Renovations Code triggers, thresholds & permitting
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Codes & Site Conditions
Zoning in Los Angeles FAR, setbacks, overlays & what your lot allows
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Building Codes & Compliance Triggers, enforcement & unpermitted work
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Seismic Risk & Retrofit Code eras, vulnerability & retrofit methods
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Environmental & Hazmat Asbestos, lead, protected trees & compliance
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Los Angeles Permitting Multi-agency coordination
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Reference
Construction Glossary 224 terms covering delivery methods, contracts, cost structure, foundations, structural systems, grading, waterproofing, seismic, fire rebuild, insurance, permitting & more
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37 guides  •  224 glossary terms

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