"Hardscapes make or break your garden" Part 2

Our friends recently completed this patio project at their home in Murrieta, California. The finished result is marvelous. Just off the back of the home under her new patio cover is counter/bar complete with gas grill, mini-fridge and gas fire pit with blue glass beads. 
A few steps away are patio furniture and a two-sided fireplace with a TV. 
The homeowner designed this entire project herself. She hired a contractor to complete the job. 
The cost was under $20,000.00 including the large patio cover above.  
We were not involved the process. 
See note of caution below about how to protect yourself from unscrupulous contractors. 

 Bar/counter with fire pit. 


 The working side of the bar with installed gas grill and mini-fridge.


 Outdoor furniture and a two-sided fireplace with TV above. This is all under the weather proof patio cover. 


Closeup view of the two-sided gas fireplace and TV. 

Note of caution: If you live in California please be aware that no contractor is allowed BY LAW to ask you for an initial deposit of more than 10 percent, or one thousand dollars, whichever is less. In other words, $1,000.00 is the maximum deposit amount. Period!
The homeowner of this patio project first hired a contractor who demanded $10,000.00 up front. THAT IS ILLEGAL! However, she paid him. Then he disappeared. Fortunately for her she gave him two separate checks for $5,000.00 and was able to stop payment on one of them. But the other $5,000.00 was lost. 
Her second contractor completed her project professionally. 
It is legitimate for your contractor to ask for additional partial payments as the job progresses. This can be negotiated at the time of signing. The contractor might need this interim money to meet his payroll or pay for materials. That is reasonable. But you should restrict such payments to cover only what you have received to that point.
Many people and contractors are unaware. Another friend almost hire a contractor for a seven thousand dollar bathroom remodel who asked her for two thousand dollars up front. I had already informed her about 10%/$1,000 max law. The contractor told her that the law did not apply to him. He was wrong about that. He later apologized but my friend had already hired someone else. 
Here is the website of the California State License Board (CSLB). See the 2nd page under "Financial Information."

Please contact me if you need additional information at:

Tune in or listen online to our live radio interview on Sunday January 6, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. Central (7:00 a.m. Pacific) on the Mike Nowak Show on WCGO AM-1590 Chicago or Listen Live at: 

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