House Repair Extraordinaire Frequently Asked Questions

(510) 295-9322
2141 Ward Street
Berkeley, CA 94705
Principal Rolf Bell is a third-generation contractor.
Q: What are the types of questions your female customers ask?
A: "Typically, female customers have a desire to understand the repair or modeling sequence, so they know what to expect. They want to be certain we have the expertise to do what they’re requesting. Women also want assistance with critical decision timelines, so they know their remodeling job is being kept on schedule."
Q: Do you pull permits?
A: "We pull permits probably 75 percent of the time. We always give clients the option to do a project fully permitted, and we tell them the consequences of doing it either way."
Q: What’s your stance on job site cleanliness?
A: "I always ask clients to give me their requirements for cleanliness, and I’ll explain my philosophy: The cleaner we make a job site, the more time it’ll take to perform the job. If a client needs to come home to a clean house every night, we’ll completely clean and dust it. If they want the work to be done as quickly as possible, we’ll put up a vapor barrier and spend more time building. I really listen to what a client’s cleanliness preference is and respond accordingly."
Q: Do you offer design/build services as well?
A: "No, but I have numerous concept architects and cabinet people who I bring in if that’s valuable to a client."
Q: How soon can you begin working on my project?
A: "I begin by asking clients about their desired outcome. When do they want to start the project? When do they want to have it completed? Once they share that information with me, I’ll immediately respond with a clear answer. I don’t lead on clients and then underperform—I’ll give a yes or no answer based on their timeline needs."
Q: How do you handle security on site?
A: "About 80 percent of our clients give us their keys and alarm codes. We’ve never had a client complain about something being lost or stolen by anyone in my crew or any of my subcontractors. I have a trustworthy network made up of people who’ve never let me down."
Q: Do you use lockboxes?
A: "Our jobs last anywhere between four hours and four months, so using a lockbox depends on the site. Most of the time, we don’t bring a big container, park it in a driveway and lock everything inside. We usually work with clients to find a space in their basement or garage for securing tools and other valuables. That approach has worked well for us."