How Your San Mateo County Remodel Works
From the first phone call to your final walkthrough, Brian and his team handle everything — design, permits, construction, and cleanup. One contractor, one point of contact, no surprises.
Local, fully licensed remodeling experts trusted by San Mateo County since 2004.
One Team From Start to Finish
Remodeling your home is one of the biggest investments you’ll make — and one of the most personal. That’s why Brian is personally involved in every project from the first conversation to the final walkthrough. You’re never handed off to a project manager you’ve never met or a subcontractor who doesn’t know what was discussed.
At Genuine Kitchen & Bath, the person who designs your space is the same person who builds it. There’s no disconnect between vision and execution. We handle the design, engineering, city permits, material sourcing, demolition, construction, and final inspection — so you don’t have to coordinate between five different companies and hope they communicate.
That’s how we’ve completed over 300 kitchen, bathroom, and addition projects across San Mateo County without a single unresolved complaint.
Your Remodel in 5 Straightforward Steps
Every project follows the same proven process — whether it's a guest bath refresh or a full kitchen gut-and-rebuild. Here's exactly what to expect at each stage.
Step 1. Initial Consultation
You reach out through our website or give Brian a call at 650-966-4190. Share a few photos of your space along with a description of what you’re looking to change. Brian will review your project, ask a few clarifying questions, and schedule a time to visit your home.
What to expect: A real conversation, not a sales pitch. Brian will give you an honest take on what’s realistic for your space, your goals, and your budget — before anyone sets foot in your house.
Typical timeline: Scheduled within a few days of your inquiry.
Step 2. In-Home Walkthrough & Design Discussion
Brian comes to your home to see the space firsthand. He’ll take measurements, review the existing layout, discuss your vision and priorities, and identify any structural or permitting considerations specific to your San Mateo County city.
This is where the project starts to take shape. You’ll talk through layout options, material preferences, and design direction. If you have inspiration photos, bring them — Brian uses them as a starting point to understand your style, then works with you to create something tailored to how you actually live in your home.
What to expect: A detailed, collaborative conversation. By the end of the visit, you’ll have a clear sense of what’s possible and what the next steps look like.
Typical timeline: 60–90 minutes at your home.
Step 3. Design, Scope & Proposal
This is where your vision becomes a concrete plan. Brian develops a detailed scope of work that covers every element of the project — layout changes, materials, finishes, fixtures, structural requirements, and permit needs.
You receive a written proposal with an itemized, fixed-cost quote. Every line item is accounted for — no vague allowances, no open-ended estimates, and no surprises that show up mid-project as change orders. You’ll know exactly what you’re getting and exactly what it costs before any work begins.
What to expect: Full transparency. We walk you through the proposal line by line so you understand every decision and every dollar. If you want to adjust the scope or swap materials, we revise the quote before you commit.
Typical timeline: 1–2 weeks depending on project complexity and material selections.
Step 4. Permitting & Construction
Once the contract is signed, we handle the entire permit process — applications, plan submissions, and inspection scheduling — with your local building department. Whether you’re in San Carlos, Redwood City, Burlingame, Belmont, or anywhere else on the Peninsula, we know the process and the people.
When permits are approved, demolition and construction begin. The same dedicated crew that starts your project is the crew that finishes it. We don’t pull from a rotating labor pool. Brian checks in regularly, keeps you updated on progress, and makes sure the job site stays clean and organized.
What to expect: Consistent communication. You’ll always know what’s happening, what’s coming next, and whether we’re on schedule. If something unexpected comes up behind the walls — old plumbing, outdated wiring — we flag it immediately and discuss options before proceeding..
Typical construction timelines:
- Bathroom remodels: 4–8 weeks
- Kitchen remodels: 8–14 weeks
- Home additions: 3–8 months depending on scope
Step 5. Final Walkthrough & Handoff
When construction is complete, Brian does a final walkthrough with you to inspect every detail. We go through the entire project together — cabinets, tile, fixtures, paint, hardware, appliances — to make sure everything meets your expectations and our standards.
If anything needs adjustment, we handle it before we call the project done. Once you’re satisfied, we close out final inspections with the city and hand you a fully permitted, fully documented finished space.
What to expect: We don’t disappear after the last nail. Brian checks in after the project is finished to make sure everything is holding up and you’re happy with how the space lives day to day. Our clients are our best source of referrals — and that only works if the finished product is something we’re all proud of.
Common Questions About the Remodeling Process
How long does a typical remodel take?
It depends on the scope. A bathroom remodel typically runs 4–8 weeks from demolition to final walkthrough. A full kitchen remodel takes 8–14 weeks. Home additions and ADUs range from 3–8 months depending on structural complexity and permitting. We build a detailed, accurate schedule before work begins — not a best-case estimate that shifts every two weeks.
Do I need permits for my remodel in San Mateo County?
In most cases, yes. Any project involving structural changes, plumbing, electrical, or mechanical work requires permits from your local city building department. We handle the entire permit process for you — applications, plan submissions, inspections, and final sign-off — whether you’re in San Carlos, Redwood City, Burlingame, Belmont, Foster City, or elsewhere on the Peninsula.
How does pricing work? Will the cost change mid-project?
Every quote we provide is itemized, transparent, and fixed before work begins. There are no open-ended allowances and no surprise change orders. You know the full cost before we schedule a start date. The only time a cost changes is if you request a scope change, and we’ll always get your approval in writing before proceeding.
Can I stay in my home during the remodel?
In most cases, yes. For kitchen remodels, we help you set up a temporary kitchen space. For bathroom projects, you’ll need access to at least one other bathroom. We keep the job site clean and contained daily, and we’re mindful that this is your home — not just a construction site.
What if you find unexpected issues behind the walls?
Older Peninsula homes often have surprises — outdated wiring, galvanized plumbing, or structural quirks. If we find something during demolition, we stop, document it, explain your options, and give you a clear cost for the fix before we proceed. Nothing gets added to the bill without your knowledge and approval.
Do you provide design services or just construction?
Both. Brian handles the design consultation, layout planning, material selection, and the construction. That’s one of the biggest advantages of working with Genuine Kitchen & Bath — the person who designs your space is the same person who builds it. There’s no gap between what was planned and what gets built.
What Bay Area Homeowners Say
Brian remodeled a small bathroom for me, and I have nothing but good things to say.
He and the men who work with him were talented, agreeable, polite, and hard-working. The price was extremely reasonable and they finished the job in under 2 weeks. I was very pleased with the finished product as it was exactly what I wanted.
J B., Redwood City, CA
Brian and his crew really know what they are doing and as soon as I saw their work through a friend I had to contact them. They were professional and very accommodating throughout the whole process of remodeling our kitchen and upstairs bathroom.
Brian worked closely with me the whole time and as I’m pretty neurotic that’s a task in itself; I always felt like I was in the loop.
I will definitely be using Genuine Customs again for future projects and look forward to working with them again. Useful Funny Cool
Tek O.
Brian and his team were fantastic to work with.
The end results were stunning, I only wish we had done the renovation sooner.
He stayed on budget and on schedule and was very transparent throughout the process.
Stacey R., San Mateo, CA
Ready to Talk About Your Project?
Schedule your free, no-obligation in-home consultation. Brian will personally visit your San Mateo County home, walk the space with you, and give you a straight answer on scope, timeline, and cost — before you commit to anything.
Call Brian at 650-966-4190 or request a free in-home consultation online.
Serving San Carlos, Redwood City, Burlingame, Belmont, Foster City, Millbrae, San Mateo, and all of San Mateo County.