General
	Flooring
	Wall Tile
	Stone Fabrication
	Cabinets

General Questions

What are the benefits of working with a licensed contractor?

Just as you wouldn’t take your child to an unlicensed person posing as a doctor, you should not allow an unlicensed contractor to work on your house. Licensed contractors are experienced; in California a minimum of 4 years of experience in the field is required to obtain a license. Most states (including California) require contractors to pass a written examination on construction law, business organization and the skills of their occupation. Because licensed contractors are held accountable for their work by the state board they have an incentive to providing quality work and ethical service. Finally, licensed contractors are more likely to carry liability and workman’s compensation insurance, both of which are essential for your protection.

Should I ask for references?

Of course! It is not enough to merely verify that a contractor has a license. A contractor’s license does not guarantee good workmanship or business ethics. At Studio-Haus we are proud of our work and know that our reputation is our greatest asset. Not only do we want you to check our references, we also want to show you pictures of our work and take you to one of our jobsites currently under construction.

What is the advantage of hiring a General Contractor?

Many trades are necessary to bring a large project to completion, and it is best to have a General Contractor overseeing the entire project. For example, at a minimum a kitchen remodel involves demolition, rough electric, rough plumbing, drywall, texture, prime, cabinet production, cabinet installation, countertop fabrication, tile installation for floors and backsplash, appliance installation and painting. A General Contractor can perform some of this work, and will direct the specification and flow – and ensure quality control – of the rest. This is crucial for preventing costly delays and problems. Also, having a General Contractor overseeing the scheduling of each facet of the project can drastically reduce the construction time and therefore the inconvenience to the homeowner.

Does Studio-Haus work with subcontractors?

Although most of our work is done with our in-house crews, we also work with a select group of subcontractors with whom we have long-term relationships. Each of these subcontractors has passed our stringent qualification program and agrees to adhere to strict rules of conduct.

Can we use our own subcontractors for some of the work?

If we are taking on the job as your General Contractor, we prefer to use our own crews. We have complete confidence in our crews’ ability to do the quality work that our customers expect, and know that our workers understand our work methods and expectations. From the project timeline perspective working with our own crews is most efficient and allows us to be flexible regarding any changes that may occur during the construction process. In addition, there is also the issue of trust. Our crews are accustomed to working with each other, and therefore are not worried that tools or equipment will “disappear,” as commonly happens in the construction field. There’s also the issue of your personal belongings: we can only take full responsibility for the security of your jobsite if we are allowed to work exclusively with our own work crews and subcontractors. However, we are sensitive to our clients’ needs, and consideration will be made for special circumstances regarding the use of subcontractors.

What work can Studio-Haus do for our project?

We can take care of all aspects of the project, from design through procurement, construction and project management. One of the many benefits of working with Studio-Haus is that we handle the entire project for you.

How will my job be supervised during the construction period?

Because quality control is so important to us at Stone Craft, we’ve designed a multi-level supervision system. Each work crew has a Head Technician who is in charge of his or her team and supervises the on-site construction on a daily basis. A Field Supervisor will also be assigned to your project; he or she will regularly visit your jobsite to check on the Head Technician’s progress and ensure quality control. In addition, we also have a Director of Installations with overall responsibility for the Installation Department, including overseeing all projects and ensuring that all applicable safety and quality control policies and procedures are in place.

What days and hours do you work?

Studio-Haus is typically working at the jobsite Monday to Friday. Our start time is between 8:00 and 9:00 am and we usually finish work between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m. We have found these hours to work best for our clients’ lifestyles, but we can be flexible to meet your specific needs.

How do the workers get access to the home when we are not there?

There are a few options available. One tactic is to use a lock box, similar to what is used by real estate agents. Another possibility is for you to leave a key with our Field Supervisor. We can work with whatever method makes you most comfortable.

How long will the construction process take?

This depends entirely on the scope of work to be done. Prior to beginning construction we will provide complete timelines for your job.

What types of questions should I be asking?

Every question that you want answered! There are NO “dumb” questions. At Studio-Haus we want our clients to feel completely comfortable with every aspect of their home remodeling project. We want you to ask questions.

Flooring Questions

What type of flooring products do you offer?

As part of our design, procurement and installation services Studio-Haus offers a full range of flooring products, including:

1. Natural stone
2. Porcelain and Ceramic Tile
3. Solid Wood
4. Carpet
5. Nu-Heat (a product that is installed under the surface of the floor, which heats up the floors to a comfortable temperature)

Do we need to install a sub floor?

A sub floor is a layer that is installed over floor joists that provides a surface for the installation of finished flooring such as wood, ceramic tiles, carpeting, etc. A sub floor can be made of a variety of materials, including plywood, tongue-and-groove and hardwood. Anytime we install a wood floor on the ground floor of a building over a slab foundation, we need to first install a plywood sub floor as a moisture barrier between the wood flooring and the home’s foundation. We also recommend installing a layer of concrete prior to installing any hard surface on a second story or raised ground floor area.

Will I need a slip sheet?

If your home is under 10 years old and you are installing a natural stone floor (such as travertine, limestone, marble or granite) it is highly recommended that a slip sheet be used. A slip sheet is applied to your slab foundation to help prevent land settling from causing cracks in you floor’s surface. Many of the slip sheet products available today also offer protection against moisture. The process of installing a slip sheet can vary from fiber glass patching of existing cracks to a complete roll-on slip sheet application.

How do I maintain my wood floors?

Wet mop cleaning is not recommended for wood floors. In most cases the floors should only be dry mopped. There are also some rejuvenating oils and waxes available for engineered and solid wood floors. One of Studio-Haus’s consultants can help you determine which type of cleaning agents and methods are best for your particular floor.

How do I maintain my natural stone floors?

Natural stone is porous and will show stains. The more polished a floor is, the more the stone will reflect light imperfections. It is recommended that natural stone floors be professionally sealed once every 1 to 3 years, depending on your floor and lifestyle.

Wall Tile Questions

How does Studio-Haus construct showers?

Unlike the construction methods used by many other contractors, Studio-Haus’s signature shower system utilizes only the best techniques to help protect our clients from the problems inherent in low-quality shower walls. We do not use green board or hardy backer for any of our shower walls. Our full float system uses a fully floated concrete wall protected with tar paper. A high-grade seal is installed beneath the surface stone and then a dense acrylic base compound is used to adhere the tile to the concrete and provide further insulation for your shower walls. A similar process is used for shower pan installations, with an additional “hotmop” layer (resembles tar) applied prior to floating the concrete.

What type of tile can we use?

Any type you want! Studio-Haus provides a full range of tile types, including natural stone, porcelain, glass, metal and even slab.

Stone Fabrication Questions

What is slab fabrication?

Slab fabrication is the shaping of large slabs of stone into countertops or other surface tops. This is done using specialized machinery that also adds decorative edge profiles to the exposed sides of the stone. Slab fabrication is used to create kitchen countertops, bath tub decks and any other stone-like surface where smaller tiles are not desired.

How large are stone slabs?

Most stone slabs are 6 feet tall and 9 feet long. The majority of slabs used on the West Coast are ¾ of an inch thick. Of course, because these are natural stones, slab will vary. If requested, Studio-Haus can also utilize slabs that are 1-¼ inch thick. Keep in mind that a thicker stone slab is not necessarily a better stone slab; it just means that you will need to take into consideration the installation requirements and restrictions pertaining to it.

How long does it take for my new countertops to be fabricated and installed?

From the day the templates are taken of the existing cabinets it typically takes 5 to 10 business days for the slab to be ready for installation. There are times when production may be delayed up to an additional 10 days. Depending on the size and intricacy of the job, installation usually takes 1 to 2 days.

What is the difference between under mount and over mount sinks?

An over mount sink rims itself and sits above the surface of the countertop. This means that it needs to be caulked, and this rim makes it more cumbersome to clean the surrounding countertop. In addition, some people find that caulking on an over mount sink tends to build up mold and become unsightly.

An under mount sink sits flush under the surface of the countertop and has no rimming around the countertop area. This provides for a more modern, clean look while making it easy to wipe things straight into the sink bowl from the surrounding counter area.

How much of an overhang can I have on my countertops before I need additional support?

Depending on your State laws, the maximum overhang is 12 inches. However, Studio-Haus does not recommend any overhand beyond 10 inches due to the strength variation between different stones. For any overhang beyond 8 inches we install metal supports that get counter sunk (routed) into the plywood sub top. This process does not alter the look of the counters, as the metal supports are hidden between the plywood and the granite.

What options do I have for our backsplash?

Studio-Haus specializes in alternative backsplash design. We understand how important this design element is in the final look of your overall project, and we provide a full array of options for you.

Do my counters need to be sealed?

We install both natural and synthetic counters. For natural stone, sealing is recommended once a year. This is an easy process that shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes for a large kitchen. Sealing is not required for a synthetic product such as Caesar Stone. Stone Craft recommends that you base your decision regarding whether or not to use granite on your design preferences rather than the stone’s maintenance requirements, as today’s clean-and-seal products make maintenance fast and easy.

Can new countertops be installed over my existing counters?

We do not recommend installing a new slab countertop over your existing counters. Demolition and new plywood can be completed in less than half a day and represent a small cost in your overall project. By starting fresh you can get a higher quality finished product, the structural integrity of a new sub top, the benefits of a thicker slab, and the option of taking advantage of your choice of many different edge profiles.

Can new countertops be installed with my existing cabinets?

In most cases, there isn’t a problem. Our consultants will advise you regarding the specifics of your project.

If I want to change my countertops from tile to granite will I also need to get a new sink?

Yes, for two reasons. First, it is very rare that an existing sink can be salvaged during a tile demolition. Second, even if the sink is salvaged, it is likely to look old and outdated next to your new countertop. Because replacing a sink is not a major cost, we always recommend installing a new, updated sink as part of the overall project.

Cabinets Questions

What should I be asking about when looking for cabinets?

Many clients feel that cabinetry is the most complicated part of their remodel. Studio-Haus gladly takes the time to review your options and recommend the best cabinets for your needs and preferences. Some of the things that you should consider include your preferences regarding:

1. Cabinet style
2. Wood type
3. Stain type and color
4. Overall look that you want to achieve

How long does it take to make custom cabinets?

Cabinet production generally takes anywhere form 3 to 9 weeks, depending on the production load at the time. To reduce down time we take this into consideration when planning our construction time line.

How do I know what my kitchen will look like?

Before we begin production on any cabinets, we prepare fully rendered perspectives, elevations, floor plans and samples for your approval. A computerized 3-dimensional rendering of your project can also be created, to provide a 360-degree “walk through” view of your finished room(s). Although perspectives can be made with color, to prevent misunderstandings due to software issues we rely on actual stained samples for true color representation.

What type of hardware will I get?

We have many options for hardware, ranging from soft close to self close, side mount to under mount. Your designer will recommend the best choices for your project.