Lagoon-front and near-lagoon homes here have a specific set of constraints that inland cities do not: an association with its own architectural review, city rules about how much of the lot can be paved, and drainage that has to be designed rather than assumed.
That is why we start Foster City projects with the paperwork rather than the demolition. Knowing what the HOA and the city will approve before the cabinets are ordered is the difference between a 10-week job and a 20-week one.
面湖與近湖的房子有內陸城市沒有的限制：管委會有自己的外觀審查、市府對可鋪面面積有規定、排水必須設計而不是「應該沒問題」。
所以 Foster City 的案子我們從文件開始，而不是從拆除開始。在訂櫥櫃之前就搞清楚管委會與市府會核准什麼，這是 10 週完工和 20 週完工的差別。
What the work usually includes
Kitchen rebuild with new cabinets, counters and tile; removal of the wall to the dining room where the structure allows it; electrical and plumbing upgrades; and, on whole-home projects, flooring, doors, lighting and bathroom rebuilds.
工程通常包含
廚房重做（新櫥櫃、檯面、磁磚）、在結構允許處打通往餐廳的牆、水電升級；全屋案則包含地板、門、燈光與衛浴重做。
What drives the cost
Waterfront properties usually need more protection at the exterior — flashing, vents, drainage and sometimes elevation work — and that is where budget goes missing if it is not priced at the start. Inside, the cabinet package decides most of the rest.
費用由什麼決定
臨水物件在外牆需要更多保護 —— 泛水、通風口、排水，有時還要做高程處理，這是最容易在預算裡消失的一塊。室內則是櫥櫃等級決定大部分金額。
How long it takes
A kitchen is 3–5 weeks on site. Add 3–6 weeks up front for HOA architectural review, which runs on its own meeting calendar and cannot be accelerated by us.
工期
廚房現場約 3–5 週。前面要再加 3–6 週的管委會外觀審查 —— 它照自己的會議時程走，我們無法加速。
Permits in Foster City
Building permits come from the City of Foster City, and properties in the flood zone may need an elevation check before substantial improvement is approved. We confirm what applies to your address during the estimate.
Foster City 的建照
建照由 Foster City 市政府核發。位於洪泛區的物件在核准「實質改善」前可能需要高程確認。我們在估價時就會查清楚你的地址適用哪一條。
Questions we get asked
常見問題
For interior work, usually not. For anything visible from outside — windows, doors, vents, exterior finishes — almost always yes, and the association has its own forms and meeting schedule. We prepare the submittal as part of the job.
Comparable to the rest of San Mateo County: a mid-range kitchen in 2026 typically runs $45,000–$90,000, with waterfront exterior work and cabinet grade moving the number. We quote from a site visit, not a formula.
Some Foster City addresses are, and the answer changes what the city will require for a substantial remodel. It is checkable before design, and we check it.
Often, but Foster City houses vary and some walls carry the second floor or the roof. We confirm structurally before anyone cuts.
Yes — San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Campbell, Saratoga, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Mountain View and Palo Alto.
