Frequently Asked Questions

A full kitchen remodel takes 10-14 weeks from permit approval to final walkthrough in San Jose, while a whole-home renovation can run 4-8 months. Permitting through the City of San Jose adds 4-8 weeks for most residential projects, longer if your home is in a historic district or requires variances. We build realistic schedules with named start windows and text updates when crews are en route.

We walk the property, document existing conditions with photos and measurements, and discuss your priorities and budget. Within a week, you receive a written scope with line-item pricing and a proposed schedule. There is no charge for this estimate, and no pressure to decide on the spot. We prefer you compare our documentation to other bids.

Yes, we pull all required permits and schedule inspections for every project we manage in San Jose, Santa Clara, Campbell, and surrounding cities. Permitting is non-negotiable for structural, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work. We handle the applications, corrections, and inspector meetings. You receive copies of all approved permits and passed inspection reports in your project file.

Often yes, for kitchen or single-room projects, though dust and noise are real factors. For whole-home renovations or projects involving asbestos abatement, we typically recommend temporary relocation. We install dust barriers and HEPA filtration, and we coordinate work phases to preserve access to at least one bathroom and cooking area when possible. We'll tell you honestly if your project is not livable-through.

We document everything with photos before demolition and share findings immediately. If we encounter substandard wiring, active leaks, or compromised framing, we stop work, show you the evidence, and provide a written change order with options before proceeding. Haven Standard Clause 1 applies even to surprises: no work proceeds on a change until the change order is signed.

We work with Ameristar, Jerith, Bufftech, and ActiveYards for residential and commercial fencing projects across San Jose and the South Bay. Ameristar's ornamental steel holds up well in our coastal-influenced climate with less corrosion risk than lower-grade alternatives. Bufftech vinyl fencing resists the UV exposure that degrades cheaper products in Sunnyvale and Mountain View. We specify the exact brand and model in your written quote, not "or equivalent."

We specify #2 grade or better kiln-dried Douglas fir for most residential framing in San Jose, sourced through established regional suppliers. For outdoor structures in Campbell or Los Gatos, we often specify pressure-treated lumber rated for ground contact or redwood heartwood for natural decay resistance. Your quote lists every material specification by grade and treatment so you know what you're paying for.

Yes, though we require that all fixtures meet California Plumbing Code and carry valid UPC or cUPC listings. We've seen homeowner-supplied faucets fail inspection in Santa Clara because they lacked proper certifications. We inspect your selections before installation and will flag compatibility issues early. Our labor warranty covers our installation work regardless of who supplies the fixture.

Yes, every pro working under our name in San Jose is required to hold the California contractor license and insurance the state mandates. License numbers are provided on every proposal and displayed on all project vehicles. We carry general liability and workers' compensation coverage as required by California law. Documentation is available on request before any contract is signed.

Verify general liability, workers' compensation, and an active California State License Board license in good standing. Ask for certificates of insurance naming you as additional insured during the project period. Uninsured contractors leave homeowners exposed to liability for jobsite injuries. We provide this documentation automatically with every proposal under Haven Standard Clause 3: Verified crews.

We engage skilled tradespeople through various arrangements, and every individual on your property is required to meet the same Haven Standard: licensed as their trade requires, insured, and background-checked. License numbers and insurance certificates are maintained in our system and available to you. The work quality and warranty obligation rest with Rowan Construction Group regardless of engagement type.

We respond to genuine structural emergencies: storm damage, tree impact, fire damage board-up, and compromised load-bearing elements. Our phone is answered 24/7 by a live coordinator who connects you with the local team. For non-urgent remodeling or planned additions, we schedule consultations during regular business hours. Emergency response focuses on stabilization and safety, not permanent reconstruction.

Evacuate the affected area, shut off utilities if safe to do so, and call a structural professional. Do not re-enter until the load path has been assessed. We provide emergency shoring and stabilization services in San Jose and surrounding cities, documented with photos and engineering assessment. Permanent repair follows with a written scope and fixed price under standard Haven protocols.

Yes, seismic retrofitting and earthquake damage repair are core services in our market. San Jose's proximity to the Hayward and San Andreas faults makes this a priority for many homeowners, particularly in older neighborhoods like Willow Glen and the Alameda where pre-1980 construction may lack modern shear walls or bolted sill plates. We assess, engineer, and permit seismic upgrades with documentation of before-and-after structural capacity.

We provide a written workmanship warranty on every project, with terms specified in your contract before work begins. Structural work carries extended coverage as required by California law. Your project file includes photos of completed work, inspection sign-offs, and warranty documentation. Claims are handled through our local office, not a distant headquarters.

The Haven Standard is the documentation and pricing protocol that governs every Rowan Construction Group project: written price before work starts, verified and insured crews, photo evidence of conditions found, on-schedule arrival with text notification, and no scope changes without signed authorization. It was developed from the administrative habit that distinguished this company when Haven acquired it: no work proceeds on a change until the change order is signed. This is why projects finish within a few percent of the quoted price.

Call our local office at (669) 271-8644. We document every project with photos and readings, so we can verify what was done and determine whether the issue relates to our work, a product defect, or changed conditions. Warranty claims are assessed promptly, and repair scheduling is communicated in writing. Our reputation in San Jose and surrounding communities depends on how we handle the occasional problem, not just the routine success.

We provide scheduled inspection services for decks, exterior structures, and hardscaping in our climate, which accelerates wear from winter moisture and summer UV. Annual inspections catch deterioration before it becomes structural damage, particularly important for redwood and pressure-treated structures in Los Gatos and Saratoga where seasonal variation is pronounced. Maintenance visits are quoted in writing like any other service.

Written by Grant Rowan, Owner at Rowan Construction Group, serving San Jose, Campbell, Los Gatos, Santa Clara, Milpitas, Saratoga, Cupertino, Sunnyvale, Fremont, Mountain View, Los Altos, and Los Altos Hills since 2007.