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Frequently Asked Questions

Questions About Hiring
Complete Builders Inc

Everything from pricing and permits to timelines and how we work — general company questions, plus project costs, planning, hiring advice, and commercial tenant improvement. For deeper project-specific detail, see the FAQ section on each service page.

Quick answer: residential and commercial construction, remodeling, and renovation — kitchens, bathrooms, ADUs, room additions, outdoor living, and commercial tenant improvement.
Complete Builders Inc is a San Diego general contractor. We handle kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling, ADU construction, room additions, decks and outdoor living spaces, and commercial tenant improvement for offices, restaurants, and retail spaces. See our full services overview for details on each.
Quick answer: San Diego County, from coastal communities to East County.
We serve San Diego County, including coastal communities like La Jolla, Del Mar, Point Loma, Ocean Beach, and Pacific Beach; central San Diego neighborhoods like North Park, Mission Hills, Hillcrest, Kensington, Clairemont, and Mira Mesa; and East County communities including Escondido, El Cajon, Santee, Poway, and Spring Valley. See our service area page for the full list.
Quick answer: request a free estimate online or by phone; we visit your property and provide a detailed written quote.
You can request a free estimate through our website form or by calling (619) 295-3123. We'll gather details about your project, visit your property when needed, and provide a detailed written estimate that itemizes materials and labor — not just a single final number.
Quick answer: yes, both.
Yes. We handle residential projects like kitchen and bathroom remodels, ADUs, and room additions, as well as commercial construction and tenant improvement for offices, restaurants, and retail spaces.
Quick answer: yes — design, permitting, and scheduling are coordinated as part of every project.
Yes. We coordinate design details, permitting, and scheduling as part of every project, and Frank Megura, our founder and owner, is personally involved throughout — not just a project manager who relays updates. Read more on our About page.
Quick answer: it depends on scope — from a few weeks for a bathroom to several months for an ADU or addition.
Timelines vary by project. A bathroom remodel typically takes a few weeks, while a kitchen remodel, ADU, or room addition can take several months. We provide a project-specific schedule after reviewing your scope, since timelines depend on permitting, material lead times, and the complexity of the work.
Quick answer: scope, materials, site conditions, permitting, labor availability, and project complexity.
Cost depends on the scope of work, materials and finishes selected, site conditions, permitting requirements, labor availability, and overall project complexity. We don't give blanket price quotes without reviewing your specific project — every estimate is based on your actual scope and plans.
Quick answer: have your goals, budget range, timeline, and any existing plans ready.
It helps to have a general idea of your goals, budget range, and timeline, along with any plans, inspiration photos, or existing permits you may have. If you have blueprints or architectural plans, having them ready speeds up the process — but they aren't required for an initial conversation.
Quick answer: search the license number at cslb.ca.gov. Ours is #722402, Class B.
Go to the California Contractors State License Board website and search the contractor's license number. You can confirm the license is active, check the classification, and see whether there are any disciplinary actions on file. Complete Builders Inc holds CSLB license #722402, Class B – General Building Contractor.
Quick answer: your contact info, property address or ZIP, project type, timeframe, and a brief scope description.
Your contact information, the property address or ZIP code, the type of project, your general timeframe, and a brief description of the scope. The more detail you can provide up front, the more accurate our initial conversation will be — though a full written estimate typically requires a property visit or plan review.
Estimates & Pricing
Quick answer: roughly $40,000–$120,000+ depending on scope, layout changes, and finish level.
Kitchen remodel costs in San Diego typically range from about $40,000 for a cabinet and countertop refresh to $120,000+ for a full gut remodel with layout changes, custom cabinetry, and high-end finishes. See our kitchen remodel cost guide for a full breakdown by scope.
Quick answer: roughly $15,000–$60,000+ depending on whether it's a powder room refresh or a full master bath gut-out.
Bathroom remodels in San Diego generally run $15,000–$60,000+, driven mostly by whether plumbing locations move, the shower/tub configuration, and tile and fixture selections. Our bathroom remodel cost guide breaks this down by project type.
Quick answer: roughly $180,000–$350,000+ for new construction, or $80,000–$150,000+ for a garage conversion.
New detached ADU construction in San Diego typically costs $180,000–$350,000+, while garage conversion ADUs run $80,000–$150,000+ since the existing structure and foundation are already in place. See our ADU cost guide for details by ADU type.
Quick answer: roughly $80,000–$250,000+ depending on square footage and whether it's single- or second-story.
Room additions in San Diego generally range from $80,000–$250,000+, with second-story additions and full suite expansions at the higher end. Our room addition cost guide covers bedroom additions, master suites, and family room expansions separately.
Quick answer: roughly $15,000–$80,000+ depending on materials, elevation, and whether it includes a kitchen or pergola.
Decks, covered patios, and rooftop outdoor living spaces in San Diego typically run $15,000–$80,000+. Simple ground-level decks sit at the lower end; elevated rooftop decks, pergolas, and outdoor kitchens push toward the higher end. See our outdoor living cost guide for specifics.
Quick answer: yes, free and no obligation.
Estimates are always free with no obligation to hire us. We'll walk your property, talk through your goals, and provide a detailed written estimate you can take your time reviewing.
Quick answer: differences in what's included, material allowances, crew type, and how detailed the estimate actually is.
A low number often means fewer inclusions, lower material allowances, or heavier use of subcontractors instead of an in-house crew — not necessarily a better deal. We provide detailed, itemized written estimates (not a single final number) specifically so you can compare bids apples-to-apples. See our guide on how to choose a contractor.
Quick answer: we don't provide financing directly, but we can work with your budget and financing timeline.
We don't offer in-house financing, but many clients finance projects through home equity, refinancing, or personal lenders. We're glad to talk through project phasing to fit whatever budget or financing timeline you're working with.
Timelines & Planning
Quick answer: San Diego's mild climate means the calendar matters less than when you start planning.
Most interior work can happen year-round here — the main weather factor is our rainy season, roughly December through March, which can affect exterior-dependent phases. Since design and permitting take 6-12+ weeks before construction starts, the real answer is to start planning as soon as you're seriously considering a project. See our full guide: When's the Right Time to Build or Renovate?
Quick answer: as early as possible — ideally 2-3+ months before your target start date.
Between design, permitting, and contractor scheduling (especially in busier spring and summer months), it's smart to start the conversation well before you want work to begin. Booking early gives you more flexibility on scheduling and more lead time for material orders.
Quick answer: a remodel changes the structure or function of a space; a renovation restores or updates it without changing its layout.
A renovation typically means updating what's already there — new paint, flooring, fixtures — without changing the room's layout or purpose. A remodel involves changing the structure, layout, or function of a space, like moving walls, reconfiguring a kitchen, or converting a garage into an ADU. Most of our projects are remodels.
Quick answer: often yes for partial projects; full gut remodels usually require some temporary adjustments.
It depends on scope. A partial kitchen update or a secondary bathroom remodel usually allows you to stay in your home. A full kitchen gut-out or your only bathroom typically requires a temporary setup — like a portable kitchen station — while that space is unusable. We'll walk through what to expect for your specific project during the estimate.
Quick answer: we communicate proactively and document any changes to scope or timeline.
Occasionally unforeseen conditions — like what's found behind a wall during demo — extend a schedule. When that happens, we communicate it right away and document any resulting changes to scope, cost, or timeline before proceeding, rather than surprising you at the end.
Permits & Legal
Quick answer: it depends on the scope — cosmetic updates often don't, but plumbing, electrical, and structural changes do.
Purely cosmetic work like paint, cabinet fronts, or fixture swaps usually doesn't require a permit. Moving plumbing or electrical, structural changes, or a full gut remodel typically does. See our full guide: Do You Need a Permit to Remodel?
Quick answer: most residential lots in San Diego qualify, but zoning and lot specifics still need to be checked.
State law has made ADUs easier to build on most single-family and multi-family lots in California, and San Diego has its own ADU incentive programs on top of that. Whether your specific lot qualifies and what's feasible on it depends on zoning, lot size, and site conditions — something we review as part of a free consultation.
Quick answer: generally yes — trade fixtures are the tenant's personal property, even in a leased space.
Equipment, shelving, counters, and similar items a tenant installs to run their business are usually treated as personal property, not part of the building — so they can typically be removed at the end of a lease. Read our full explanation: Trade Fixtures: Why You Can Take Them When You Leave
Quick answer: we handle it — permitting is coordinated as part of the project.
We manage the permitting process for projects that require it, including submitting plans and coordinating inspections, so you're not navigating the local building department on your own.
Hiring & Trust
Quick answer: a general contractor is licensed to manage larger, permitted projects; a handyman typically handles smaller, unlicensed repair work.
A licensed general contractor can pull permits, manage multiple trades, and take on structural, electrical, and plumbing work as part of a full project. A handyman is generally suited for smaller repairs and tasks that don't require a permit. Kitchens, bathrooms, ADUs, and additions require a licensed general contractor.
Quick answer: yes — and compare what's actually included, not just the bottom-line number.
Getting a few bids helps you understand market range and see how contractors differ in scope and approach. The key is comparing detailed, itemized estimates rather than just the final price, since the lowest bid often means less is included. More tips in our guide to choosing a contractor.
Quick answer: our own in-house crew handles the majority of every project.
The majority of every project is built by our own licensed, full-time employees — not a rotating list of subcontractors. When specialist trades are needed, we bring in tradespeople we've worked with for years, but you're coordinating with one team throughout.
Quick answer: yes — CSLB license #722402, Class B General Building Contractor.
Complete Builders Inc is fully licensed, bonded, and insured. You can independently verify our license status, classification, and standing at cslb.ca.gov.
Quick answer: ask about license status, in-house vs. subcontracted crews, estimate detail, and who handles permitting.
Good questions include: Is your license active and in good standing? Is your crew in-house or subcontracted? Will I get a detailed written estimate or just a number? Who pulls permits and manages inspections? Our full contractor hiring guide covers red flags to watch for too.
Commercial Projects
Quick answer: yes — office, restaurant, and retail tenant improvement projects.
We handle commercial tenant improvement for offices, restaurants, and retail spaces, including permitting, landlord coordination, and finish work. See our commercial construction page and our commercial TI guide for more.
Quick answer: often yes, when the scope allows for phased or after-hours work.
When it's feasible for the scope, we coordinate scheduling — including after-hours or phased work — so a restaurant, office, or retail space can keep operating during construction. A full gut renovation usually requires closing, while finish work and partial reconfigurations can often be phased around business hours.

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