The Kastrop Group, Inc. Architects

03/02/2022

By Lorianna Kastrop, VP/CFO, The Kastrop Group, Inc. Architects This is the most difficult blog that I’ve written, but I think it is important to share the bad experiences of residential construction as well as the good ones, so that our clients are well-informed. We hope to help you avoid the same problem. As you may have read in our blog post “Installing a Solar Power System for New Residential Construction” posted on August 2, 2021, we wrote that we received bids from three companies for a system with solar panels and battery for an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) at our own home....

By Lorianna Kastrop, VP/CFO, The Kastrop Group, Inc. Architects This is the most difficult blog that I’ve written, but I think it is important to share the bad experiences of residential constructi…

10/28/2021

By Lorianna Kastrop, Vice President/CFO, The Kastrop Group, Inc., Architects Hello there, new client! Yes, we know you would like to text us or call our cell phones whenever you wish. It’s convenient for you and it is efficient to keep the communication lines open on your project. Here’s why we recommend that you continue to communicate with us via our company phone or by email....

By Lorianna Kastrop, Vice President/CFO, The Kastrop Group, Inc., Architects Hello there, new client!  Yes, we know you would like to text us or call our cell phones whenever you wish. It’s co…

10/12/2021

09/29/2021

By D. Michael Kastrop, A.I.A., Principal Architect, The Kastrop Group, Inc. Being on top of the roof exposes you to weather, including sun, wind, and rain. Sunlight can be controlled using trellis structures and umbrellas. Note that umbrellas and furniture need to be well secured to the roof so that they do not lift and blow off the roof in a big storm....

By D. Michael Kastrop, A.I.A., Principal Architect, The Kastrop Group, Inc. Being on top of the roof exposes you to weather, including sun, wind, and rain.  Sunlight can be controlled using tr…

08/02/2021

By D. Michael Kastrop, A.I.A., Principal Architect and Lorianna Kastrop, VP/CFO, The Kastrop Group, Architects Adding solar energy systems to new and existing buildings is an important step in reducing our reliance on fossil fuels (coal and natural gas) and less environmentally-friendly energy sources such as nuclear power plants. Building codes are changing as more communities require solar power to be used in construction to reduce loads on an aging and inadequate power grid infrastructure....

By D. Michael Kastrop, A.I.A., Principal Architect and Lorianna Kastrop, VP/CFO, The Kastrop Group, Architects Adding solar energy systems to new and existing buildings is an important step in redu…

07/29/2021

Construction progress photos for a new 2-story home in Redwood City.

06/14/2021

By Lorianna Kastrop, Vice President/CFO, The Kastrop Group, Inc. Architects You want to build an Accessory Dwelling Unit on your residential property. How much will it cost? That’s the big question and it’s difficult to answer. I decided that I would share with Kastrop Group blog followers the general costs that we paid for an ADU on our own property. I am showing the costs paid by category, knowing that your own local providers may be able to give you more competitive bids....

By Lorianna Kastrop, Vice President/CFO, The Kastrop Group, Inc. Architects You want to build an Accessory Dwelling Unit on your residential property.  How much will it cost?  That’s the …

05/04/2021

By Lorianna Kastrop, VP/CFO, The Kastrop Group, Inc. Architects You’ve been working with a qualified licensed Architect and hired a recommended licensed General Contractor. So, you can now just sit back and wait for your ADU to be completed, right? Wrong! There are likely to be many decisions that you will be making in collaboration with your architect and contractor to customize the space to fit your needs....

By Lorianna Kastrop, VP/CFO, The Kastrop Group, Inc. Architects You’ve been working with a qualified licensed Architect and hired a recommended licensed General Contractor.  So, you can now ju…

02/19/2021

By Lorianna Kastrop, VP/CFO, The Kastrop Group, Inc., Architects This is a continuation of our series on building an ADU. Mike and I are building one in our own backyard. In this blog post I would like to reflect on the emotional impact of construction on the affected homeowners. When thinking of construction, most people think of things being created, not destroyed....

By Lorianna Kastrop, VP/CFO, The Kastrop Group, Inc., Architects This is a continuation of our series on building an ADU.  Mike and I are building one in our own backyard.  In this blog p…

02/12/2021

Construction progress photos for a new 2-story home being built at the back of this R-2 zoned property.