Cost shifts, materials and the decisions behind better-built homes. The Renology Magazine.
Compare the unit, the installation and the site work before comparing the price.
Comparison · 10 min read
Read the guideCompare the shower, the work behind it and the details to settle before ordering.
Planning guide · 13-min read
Reported spending through mid-2025, local estimates and the scope behind each number.
Cost guide · 16-min read
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How-To · Oct 16, 2026 · 10 min read
NOAA expects a strong El Niño through March 2027. In 28 of 36 city-winters during past strong events, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and Sacramento ran above normal. Here is what to fix on the house first.
Data · Oct 16, 2026 · 5 min read
California has had nine strong El Niño winters since 1957. Across Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and Sacramento, 28 of 36 city-winters finished above normal, against about 40% across all years. The full station-by-station record.
Comparison · Oct 16, 2026 · 14 min read
The best gas fireplace insert for a California home in 2026: 11 brands, 8 parent companies, specs and warranties read from the makers' own documents.
Data · Oct 11, 2026 · 5-min read
A Renology data analysis of over 64,000 permits finds San Francisco is the fastest for ADU permits among four major West Coast cities, while San Diego is the slowest.
Howto · Sep 27, 2026 · 21-min read
A contractor's guide to a garage conversion ADU in California. Learn the true costs, timeline, and hidden structural risks before you start this complex but rewarding project.
Howto · Sep 24, 2026 · 20-min read
A pragmatic contractor's guide to converting a garage into a legal apartment in California. Learn the step-by-step process, statewide costs, and how to avoid common inspection fails.
Howto · Sep 22, 2026 · 21-min read
Converting your garage is more than drywall and paint. It's a full-scale renovation requiring structural upgrades, utility rough-ins, and a permit. Here's how to plan it right.
Howto · Sep 20, 2026 · 23-min read
A contractor's guide to converting a garage into a bedroom in California. Learn the real costs, timeline, and steps to legally add square footage to your home.
Howto · Sep 17, 2026 · 20-min read
Converting a garage in California? Compare a room conversion with an ADU, check the existing structure, and spot missing costs before hiring.
Process · Sep 15, 2026 · 17-min read
A permit for a garage conversion in California takes 16 to 30 weeks. Learn the four phases of the process, from design and permitting to final inspection, and what you can do to keep your project on track.
Howto · Sep 13, 2026 · 19-min read
A step-by-step guide to building a detached ADU in California, covering costs, timelines, and the construction process from a contractor's perspective.
Howto · Sep 10, 2026 · 18-min read
California's AB 1033 now lets you sell your ADU like a condo. This guide walks you through the entire process, from design and permitting to the legal steps required to create a sellable property.
Process · Sep 8, 2026 · 17-min read
A realistic look at the 6 to 14-month timeline for getting an accessory dwelling unit permit in California and completing the build, from a contractor's perspective.
Editorial · Aug 31, 2026 · 14 min read
You have three quotes for the same ADU, but the prices are thousands of dollars apart. This guide breaks down where that money goes and what to ask before you sign.
Editorial · Aug 29, 2026 · 16 min read
Three bids for the same project can have a spread wider than the cost of a new kitchen. The reason is rarely the contractor's profit margin.
Editorial · Aug 29, 2026 · 7 min read
You have remodel bids in hand, but the numbers are far apart and the details are confusing. This guide covers the critical questions to ask before you choose a contractor for your California home.
Howto · Aug 27, 2026 · 18-min read
A pragmatic contractor's guide to building an accessory dwelling unit for rent in California, covering costs, timelines, permits, and the realities of construction.
Howto · Aug 25, 2026 · 16-min read
A step-by-step guide to developing accessory dwelling unit plans in California, from defining your goals and navigating local codes to hiring a team and securing a building permit.
Editorial · Aug 23, 2026 · 7 min read
The most useful ideas have little to do with luxury. Here are five decisions Bay Area homeowners can apply to a kitchen, addition or whole-home remodel.
Real Renovation · Aug 23, 2026 · 18-min read
A San Francisco garage ADU conversion cost $463,000, revealing the true price of seismic upgrades and extensive site work required in the city's dense neighborhoods.
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