Frequently Asked Questions

Aldridge Construction is a full-service general contractor specializing in ADU construction, kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling, home additions, full home renovations, garage conversions, and property management repair and remodel work. Brian Aldridge brings third-generation contractor experience to every project — from a master bathroom overhaul to a multi-phase whole-home renovation. The team handles projects both large and small across Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Santa Clara Counties.

Yes on both counts. ADU construction is one of Aldridge Construction's primary services, and the team handles permits as part of the process — so you're not navigating the planning department, environmental health, and building departments on your own. California's ADU regulations have evolved significantly in recent years, and the team understands current requirements including Monterey County's Coastal Zone administrative permit rules and 2026 building code updates. Whether you want a detached backyard unit, a garage conversion, or a JADU, we'll walk you through what's feasible on your specific lot.

ADU costs vary based on size, site conditions, finishes, utility connection requirements, and whether you're converting an existing structure or building new from the ground up. A garage-to-ADU conversion typically falls in a different range than a detached 1,200 sq ft new build. Aldridge Construction provides site-specific consultations and formal proposals rather than generic price sheets, because no two lots — or two clients' goals — are identical. Reaching out for a consultation is the most reliable way to get a realistic number for your specific project.

It's one of the most common motivations we hear. Many homeowners across Salinas, Seaside, Gonzales, and Santa Cruz are building ADUs specifically to generate rental income — and with housing demand across the Central Coast still high, it's a practical long-term investment in your property. We've worked with property owners who are building their first rental unit and with experienced landlords adding to their portfolio. The team can discuss realistic timelines, what the finished unit will require for rental readiness, and how permitting affects your rental eligibility.

Yes. ADU legalization — bringing an as-built, unpermitted space into compliance — is a distinct process from new construction, and Aldridge Construction has experience with it. The typical path involves assessing the existing structure, working with the local building department to determine what documentation and inspections are required, and completing any code corrections needed to achieve approval. In Monterey County, this process may also involve coordination with environmental health and water agencies. It's worth doing correctly, because legalized ADUs have a meaningful positive impact on property value and rental legality.

A kitchen remodel through Aldridge Construction covers the full scope — layout planning, cabinet installation, countertop work, flooring, electrical updates (including panel upgrades for induction cooking if needed), plumbing for new fixture placement, and appliance installation. Clients have mentioned high-end results including built-in refrigerators, dual ovens, induction ranges, and ice machines — not because those are standard, but because the scope is built around what each client actually wants. We also help coordinate selections during the planning phase so you're not left to manage multiple vendors on your own.

A standard bathroom remodel — including new tile, a shower conversion, vanity replacement, fixtures, and flooring — typically takes two to three weeks for the construction phase, depending on the scope and whether any structural changes or plumbing relocations are involved. Lead time before construction begins varies based on material lead times and scheduling. For a master bathroom with a complete redesign including walk-in shower conversion, waterproofing, and full fixture replacement, four to five weeks is a reasonable planning estimate. Aldridge Construction will give you a specific timeline in your project proposal.

In most cases, yes. Multiple clients — including one who described a gutted-and-renovated whole home completed while they lived there — have confirmed that the Aldridge Construction team works in a way that's respectful of occupied homes. The crew maintains a clean worksite, communicates clearly about what to expect each day, and minimizes disruption to the parts of the home that aren't actively under construction. For very large-scope projects where whole-home access is limited simultaneously, the team will discuss the sequencing with you upfront.

Yes. Aldridge Construction's service area covers Monterey County, Santa Cruz County, San Benito County (including Hollister), and Santa Clara County (including Gilroy and Morgan Hill). Secondary locations include Carmel, Seaside, Monterey, Gonzales, Watsonville, and other Central Coast communities.If you're not sure whether your location is covered, just reach out — the answer is likely yes.

The process starts with a conversation and a site visit. Brian Aldridge or a team representative will come to your property, understand what you're trying to accomplish, assess the existing conditions, and put together a formal proposal. Many clients ask for rough ballpark figures before committing to a site visit, and Aldridge Construction is transparent about general cost ranges during that initial conversation. There's no obligation involved in requesting a bid — and comparing bids carefully is a reasonable thing to do before a major project.

A few things stand out consistently in client feedback: Brian Aldridge is a hands-on owner who is personally accountable to every project — not a sales rep who hands off to a crew. The team communicates clearly throughout the project, including on issues that come up mid-construction. And the work is done right: clients describe outcomes that exceed their expectations, not rework that requires follow-up calls. As a third-generation contractor, Brian brings trade knowledge that goes well beyond what you get from a newer operation, and the team's track record spans hundreds of thousands of square feet of construction across residential and commercial projects.

Yes. Aldridge Construction has worked with homeowners who handle their own finishes and want a contractor for framing, plumbing, and electrical only. This kind of split-scope arrangement is common for budget-conscious projects or for clients with the skills and time to take on part of the work themselves. The key is clarity upfront about exactly where your scope ends and ours begins — a well-defined contract prevents misunderstandings and keeps the project on track for both sides.

Yes. Whole-home renovations are well within the team's experience — including full gut-and-rebuild projects on homes occupied during construction. One recent project involved renovating nearly all of a house within a tight one-month window, including new flooring throughout, a full kitchen, and multiple rooms updated simultaneously. For whole-home work, Aldridge Construction coordinates the full scope rather than managing multiple subcontractors independently, which means fewer scheduling gaps and a single point of contact from planning through completion.

Yes. The team works on projects of all sizes — one long-term client specifically described a new shed and deck as receiving the same professional attention as a full remodel. Smaller exterior projects like decks, sheds, and backyard structures are handled with the same quality standards as interior renovations. If you have a specific project in mind, it's worth asking — Aldridge Construction's scope is broad.

Yes. Property management remodeling and repair is a dedicated service line. Aldridge Construction has worked with property managers on everything from single-unit turnovers to multi-unit renovation projects. The team understands that property managers need reliable scheduling, clean workmanship, and minimal disruption to tenant turnover timelines — and the relationship is built around being a contractor you can call back for future projects, not a one-time vendor.

Older homes in Salinas and the Central Coast can surface surprises — galvanized pipe, substandard prior work, or framing that doesn't match what the plans suggested. Aldridge Construction's approach is to communicate immediately when something unexpected is found, explain what it means for the project, and present options with clear cost implications before proceeding. Clients consistently describe the communication style as open and honest — no surprises tucked into a final invoice, and no decisions made without the homeowner's knowledge.

Yes. Aldridge Construction handles exterior repair and renovation work as part of the general contracting scope, including stucco, window replacement, and related exterior repairs. If your project involves both interior and exterior components, working with a single contractor for the full scope is typically more efficient than coordinating separate trades for each portion.

Yes. The team works with homeowners from the planning stage through final completion, helping with layout decisions, material selection, and scope definition before a single wall comes down. For ADU projects that require architectural drawings for permit submission, Aldridge Construction can coordinate that process. The goal is to be a single point of accountability from the earliest planning conversation through the day the project is complete.

Referrals are one of the most common ways clients find us, and they're something we take seriously — because every referral is a reflection of the work we did for the person who sent you. The starting point is a direct conversation, either by phone at 831-682-9788 or through the contact form at aldridgeconstruction.biz. From there, we'll schedule a time to see your space, talk through what you're hoping to accomplish, and put together a proposal that gives you something concrete to evaluate.

Yes. Aldridge Construction operates as a properly licensed general contractor in California. Working with a licensed contractor is important not just for legal protection but because permit-required work — including most ADU construction, structural additions, and major kitchen and bathroom remodels — requires a licensed contractor to pull permits and take responsibility for the work. It's one of the fundamental questions to ask before signing any construction contract, and the answer here is straightforward.