Client: David
Location: Eagle Rock
Approximate Cost: $3,200
Hire Again: Yes
Project Type: Builder – Homes, Carpentry – Woodworking, Remodeling – General

Project Description: Demolished and removed old staircase from parking area up to house.  Dug out area to allow significant room for staircase.  Built new staircase with railing and landings.

Client Comments: This is an excellent company to work with. One important point is that they had great communication from beginning to end: they came out quickly to take a look at the job; provided me with a prompt and thorough written estimate by email; were in steady communication throughout the project; and followed up after the job was completed to make sure I was absolutely satisfied. Once the work began, their crew worked long days each day until the project was completed. The crew was well staffed and all the guys were working efficiently and continuously. They seemed to enjoy what they were doing and it shows in the quality of their finished work. Honestly, I just wanted to replace a broken down staircase with something functional and safe. They provided something so professionally done and solid looking it makes my actual house look pretty shabby by comparison. Their work also shows a level of detail and thought that I was not expecting. Instead of just putting up a basic railing for the stairs they copied the railing pattern from my deck and matched it exactly. It looks really, really great and it is just one example of the pride they clearly take in doing an excellent job. When they were done, they cleaned everything up and took everything from the work-site. There is no sign of the old stairs, no sign of the big pile of dirt they removed, and no sign that anyone was working in the area where they set up their saws and tools. I recommend them without reservation for any building job you have. I will use them in the future for any building or remodeling projects I have.

Overall Ratings: A

Client: Mark & Yuka
Location: Burbank
Approximate Cost: $200,000
Hire Again: Yes
Project Type: Remodel – general

Project Description: Complete re-build of a 1500 sq ft 3 bedroom 2 bath house including all new interior walls and ceilings, new copper plumbing, new electrical and boxes, new roof, reframing of kitchen ceiling joists, reconfiguration of walls to open kitchen and expand master bath. Demolition/removal of a large brick fireplace replacing it with wood double french doors. All new floors including oak wood floors for most of the house, travertine floors for the two baths, the kitchen, laundry and back landing and steps. Resurfaced front porch with multi color slate. Replaced all windows with wood dual pane windows. New Insulation of all walls and ceiling. New addition of laundry room with utility sink. Complete remodel of kitchen with wood cabinets, ubatuba granite countertops, glass mosaic tile backsplash and kitchen island with 3′ x 8′ ubatuba top. Recessed lights through house. Complete remodel of both baths. First bath: removal of tub and installation of a full shower with travertine surround and floor. Master bath travertine double steam shower, travertine backsplash and travertine surround for jacuzzi tub. Wood exterior and interior doors. Closet framing for bedrooms. Interior and exterior paint, exterior stucco repair and stains for floor and doors. Front sprinkler system.

Client Comments: We liked Rick and Lucia from our first meeting. They really understood what we wanted to do with the house. Rick is uniquely talented, combining the practicality of a builder with the creativity of a designer. He helped us with many suggestions and basically came up the look and design of the kitchen and baths. We loved his ideas but had to wait a while for his actual bids. We were pressed for time and we had actually decided to use someone else, when we got their bid at the very last minute. Our initial plan was to add a laundry room, reconfigure the kitchen and enlarge the master bath and cosmetically redo the rest of the house for around $120,000. The project got bigger as we went. Midway Rick convinced us to take out a wall and completely open the kitchen. This meant also reframing the ceiling to take the extra load and increasing the cost. It was a hard decision but in the end it completely transformed our house! The house was built n 1939, so the plaster couldn’t be patched well so we decided to take it all out put in new drywall. The old cloth electrical was a disaster waiting to happen so we replaced that as well. The roof was rotted and water damaged and we wound up replacing the whole roof with new plywood and 40 year roofing. Rick’s design for our baths, especially the master bath are just beautiful, the travertine stonework is just gorgeous. Rick’s crew are great guys. They do first rate work, they show up everyday, they work really fast, they clean up everyday. They are polite and considerate to us and our neighbors. They work hard but seem to have fun at the same time. Rick even surprised us with a barbeque lunch he cooked in our own backyard for us and all of the guys! The majority of the work was done in about three months. The windows were delayed over three weeks and ended up stopping work because so many city inspections depended on their installation. Then we delayed the project for a few weeks because we couldn’t decide on the all of the paint and stain color combinations. In the end it took just over five months to complete the project. This is incredibly fast if you look at the extent of the work. If there is a downside it is that Rick’s crew work so fast that Rick has a hard time to keep up with the paperwork. We often would get change orders to look over after the work was already finished and we didn’t know what the costs were until then. Often they were higher than Rick originally told us verbally. To be fair, though, if we had a problem with the cost, Rick was always willing to work with us on it. Our house turned out much better than we ever thought it could be. Our friends are amazed at the transformation and we love to show it off.

Overall Ratings: A

Client: Sean & Leslie
Location: Topanga Canyon
Approximate Cost: $20,000
Hire Again: Yes, we just hired them for the second time. They did previous work for us and we asked them to come back again.
Project Type: Remodeling – Kitchen & Bathroom.

Project Description: Project 1 – Kitchen remodel. Cabinets refinished, new hardware, new appliances, supervising counter installation and tile work.
Project 2 – Miscellaneous small but important projects such as fixing a fish pond, repairing the roofing, etc.

Client Comments: Azteca 111 Builders is great. We love Rick and Lucia. They’ve got great taste and a stellar work ethic.

Overall Ratings: A

Client: Kristan Cunningham Design
Young Hollywood Home event for Hollywood Life magazine, featuring Hollywood Life’s 5th Annual Style Awards, the Gibson Music Room (as televised on the Rachael Ray show)

Location: Pacific Design Center, West Hollywood
Approximate Cost: $20,000
Hire Again: Yes
Project Type: Complete fabrication.

Project Description: Framing of walls & installation of salvaged French Doors. Fabrication, installation & painting of coffer ceiling. Wiring and installation of light fixtures & sconces, outlets & dimmers. Installation of drywall – tape & finish. Installation of plywood sub-floor and installation of recycled leather flooring.

Client Comments: We have used Azteca 111 Builders, Inc. both in our own home and as a contract partner for the Young Hollywood Home event for Hollywood Life magazine. Rick, the general contractor, was a pleasure to deal with. His work ethic and positive energy are highly commendable. When we fell behind in meeting our project deadline, Rick and his crew worked for 24 straight hours to ensure completion, smiling and dancing the entire time. My only issue with Azteca 111 Builders would be that Rick’s creativity and enthusiasm sometimes overshadow the time line. I recommend negotiating a strict budget and time frame in advance to avoid any unwanted misunderstandings. With guidelines in place, I am 100% confident that Azteca’s craftsmanship and positive attitude will exceed your standards.

Overall Ratings: A
Video

Client: Seth & Tony
Location: Eagle Rock
Approximate Cost: $35,000
Hire Again: Yes
Project Type: Remolding – General.

Project Description: Project 1- Built a deck, patio with flagstones and a gazebo for a spa.
Project 2 – Azteca 111 Builders did work on retouching my deck. They had actually built the deck a year before.

Client Comments: It was excellent. They just had a really great artful eye and they were really easy to work with. They were good on punctuality since they were always there on time. Rick holds himself and the crew of Azteca 111 Builders to high standards and is not satisfied until everything is perfect. He is very personable and is easy to communicate with. He has an “artist’s eye” and his crew had the expertise to bring his vision into fruition. I found him on Angie’s List and I now know why he has so many glowing reviews!

Overall Ratings: A

Client: Cedric
Location: Pasadena, Los Angeles
Approximate Cost: $79,000
Hire Again: Yes
Project Type: Ceramic Tile, Concrete – pouring & repair, Drywall, Electrical, Framing, Insulation, Lighting, Plumbing, Remodeling – general, Carpentry – woodworking, Painting –interior, Doors.

Project Description: Rick designed and built a workout facility in a commercial building. Including two spa-like showers with a Zen appeal. We now have a great facility to use here at work that is enjoyed by all.

Client Comments: My overall experience with Azteca 111 Builders, Inc. and Rick Valdez has been nothing but great. From the first day I met Rick it was easy to communicate with him and what my expectations where for the project. Rick’s attention to detail and years of experience made it possible to see the project thru without any big city code issues. Rick and his crew worked hard to complete the project, an effort that stands out when you are in the workout room and showers. Rick’s vast list of resources helped with all the pieces to complete two beautiful Zen showers. I will definitely work with Azteca 111 again in the future. Rick thanks again for your attention to detail I will definitely tell others of your great work.

Overall Ratings: A

Client: Dennis
Location: West Los Angeles
Approximate Cost: $32,000
Hire Again: Yes
Project Type: Painting – exterior Doors, Remolding – General

Project Description: Exterior painting, installing new door, installing large amount of terra cotta and malibu tile on front porch and along side of house, fabrication and installation of wrought iron gates in front and along side of house.

Client Comments: All of the work went extremely well because of the combination of quality products and quality craftsmanship. Rick oversees his crew in the same way you would if you were in charge of the project. He is as fussy about details as you and makes sure that the crew executes everything as perfectly as possible. In addition, he has a great design sense and suggested details that I would never have thought about. His crew laid terra cotta and malibu tile on the partially covered front porch, along the side of the house and on the path leading to the porch. The existing concrete surface was prepared so as to prevent future problems. One part of the concrete, which is exposed to rain, had sunk somewhat over the years because of rainwater not draining. Rather than just leveling the surface with additional concrete, he removed this sunken concrete and re-poured it so that it gradually descends to a drain that he installed on the porch. He also laid a line of terra cotta between the sidewalk and the lawn, which flows into the terra cotta leading to the porch. That’s one of those details that I would have never thought of. He also installed a door that is perfectly hung.

Overall Ratings: A

Client: Sarah
Location: Silver Lake
Approximate Cost: $60,000
Hire Again: Yes
Project Type: Plumbing, Plumbing – Drain Cleaning, Remodeling – General, Roofing.

Project Description: I contacted Rick to demolish and rebuild my garage as well as giving me estimates on remodeling my bathroom and kitchen. He responded quickly and we made an appointment to meet and go over the project. We met two days later and he looked over the areas that I needed to have either rebuilt or remodeled. I was delighted when his bids came in quickly. I reviewed the details with him and we decided to start on the biggest project, which was to demolish and rebuild my garage that was beginning to collapse. The garage had been red tagged by my homeowners insurance company as too dangerous to use. I was eager to get started as quickly as possible. Rick had the plans drawn up and submitted them to me to review. After reviewing the plans and making a few changes we agreed on the project and he applied for the permit to demolish and rebuild according to the plans. That is when the problems began. Rick made at least 8 to 10 trips to get the permit. Each time the plan checkers would add on new requirements and reject the plans. We hired a structural engineer to review the plans and make the changes required by building and safety. Again, he went to the plan checkers and they again rejected the plan. The frustration for both of us was beginning to build. Finally, in November, he again took the revised plans to be reviewed. At first the plan was rejected but this time he explained that his client was ready to file a lawsuit unless the plans with the changes were promptly accepted. He explained to them that all the changes they had required had been incorporated into the new plans and there must be a point when they would find the plans acceptable. After waiting more than three hours while the plan checkers and their supervisors had a conference over the plans, he was given the permit to go ahead with the demolition and framing of the garage. By this time it was almost December and of course, the rains had started. There were numerous delays due to the weather however, I must say that Rick’s crew was very efficient and worked as much as they could to prepare the site for the new garage. The initial plan called for a foundation, concrete floor and the installation of a french drain on the side of the garage near the property line that I shared with a neighbor. When it was discovered that the original garage had no foundation, the plans needed to change. We had the structural engineer develop new plans to add the foundation and reinforcing the retaining wall. (I probably have the only garage in Silver Lake with a 12-inch thick retaining wall) Again, the plans were not accepted. Each time he took the plans, there were modifications from the plan checkers even though he had complied with every change they had previously recommended. This project was becoming a nightmare! I appreciated Rick’s patience throughout the entire project as the delays and demands seemed to be endless. He worked with the engineer and made all the changes only to hear that more were needed. I might add that this was a very simple building with walls, a roof and a floor. There was a little in the way of electrical wiring but no plumbing. Finally sometime in February, after several trips, meetings with the engineer and conferences with building and safety, the rest of the permit was issued. Work began again immediately and the building took shape quickly. I wish I could say that this was the end of delays but that would be way too much to ask for. Rick was patient and reasonable through this entire project. His work was always cleared without modifications when the site inspector reviewed what had been done. Our site inspector seemed to truly understand how to build a garage. I don’t believe I can say that about the plan checkers. The building proceeded until completion. The final inspection was over quickly and the garage was ready to use sometime in late April. There was still some additional work to complete but it moved along quickly. While Rick and his crew were working, I mentioned I needed to call a plumber for a slow running drain in my bathroom. Rick said not to bother, as he would have one of his crew clear it. Another nightmare began. The drainpipe fell apart where it goes into the outside wall. Upon further inspection under the house, they found my drain pipes in that area was all disintegrating. Further, they found that the previous contractor who replaced the plumbing and installed copper pipes for the waterlines, actually installed copper where it could be seen and connected it to galvanized pipe. The sight under my house was a horror story. The pipes were leaking and we found that the bathtub drain was simple draining into the dirt under the house. My waterlines needed to be redone with all copper and drain lines needed to be replaced. This was most unexpected. Rick prepared an estimate, which I thought to be most reasonable and the work began immediately. He checked out the kitchen lines and found a water leak that had been caused when my cabinets were installed 25 years before. A nail had nicked the hot water line and the water had dripped into the wall for years. His men worked several days and made all the repairs including replacing all the galvanized waterlines with copper. In less than a week, I had drains that actually drained water and new water lines with incredible water pressure. I cannot say enough about the problems we encountered and the thorough way that Rick addressed them. Yes, it did cost more as one would expect but when everything was finished, my house and garage were sound again. When you live in the hills of the Silver Lake area in an older home, problems do happen. Each time we encountered one of these problems Rick had a reasonable solution, which would work for me. I have never had the opportunity to work with a more pleasant contractor. His work crew was polite, considerate of my home and worked hard the entire day. This has been a long building experience but I can’t say enough good things about Rick’s diligence in completing it. I am certain that none of us ever expected the problems that were encountered in the process of building a simple garage. I plan to have Rick come back when I can remodel the kitchen and bathroom. By the time he finished this project the garage was completely rebuilt, at least 5 windows in my home had to be replaced due to the new and unexpected requirements for the garage roof, a couple of leaks in my house roof were repaired, my yard sprinkler valves (which leaked constantly) were replaced and my house has new and better plumbing with drains that actually work. Yes, it cost a lot more than we expected but I certainly got my money’s worth.

Client Comments: I believe you have an accurate picture of how the project went. While I would not want to frighten anyone away from working on an older home, it is important to work with a contractor who has a good understanding of the problems that may be encountered in the project. I feel that Rick is very capable when it comes to resourcefulness. When we found that many more roofing tiles were needed to finish the garage roof, he found a wonderful place in the neighborhood to purchase used mission tiles. The used tiles mixed with my remaining tiles allowed the roof on the garage to match the one on the house, which gave a much better overall appearance to the finished product. I have asked him to reconstruct a pergola that was outside the back of the garage. We discussed the project; he submitted a bid, which I had to have modified. When we reached an agreement and the project started. I expect it will be completed in a very short period of time. I am very satisfied and have received many complements on the appearance of my new garage. When I am ready to start the other projects, I will certainly be calling Rick to complete them. I went through a large remodeling project 25 years ago. It took a year and a half. The contractor hired individuals that I had to ask him to remove from the job for their language, inappropriate comments to my teenaged daughters or poor workmanship. There was never a time that I didn’t appreciate the consideration shown by Rick’s crew for my home and yes, even my big dog.

Overall Ratings: A

Here are some tips for landscaping in an eco-friendly way:

1) COMPOST:
This is a very good way to feed your plants and make sure they have all the necessary nutrients to grow, while responsibly disposing of certain materials from your home. Compost is a form of recycling that is very beneficial to plants. To begin, you can make a compost using any old vegetables and fruits, tea bags, grass clippings, pine needles, wood ashes (in small amounts), hay, cardboard, newspaper, leaves, sawdust, or manure. Mix this into your garden and landscape soil, and your plants will thank you for it!

2) KEEP ‘EM SAFE:
Use only eco-friendly fertilizers and insecticides. Fertilizers are important to helping your plants grow, but many contain chemicals that are bad for the environment. Consider buying a no-phosphorus fertilizer. Environmental scientists have found that too much phosphorus is prone to causing algae, which clogs our waterways and thus harms the environment in many ways as it is cleaned out.

Almost all commercial insecticides on the market today harm the environment. It is important to use insecticides on your landscape plants that won’t do this.

Here is a homemade insecticide:
-5 tablespoons vegetable oil
-1 tablespoon baking soda
-4 tablespoons liquid dish soap.
Mix all of these ingredients together in one gallon of water and spray on your plants as an eco-friendly insecticide and fungicide.

3) USE THE PLANTS RIGHT:
Consider using only native plants in your landscaping. Native plants are much more hardy than non-natives because they were designed for your particular area. They will require less water and less insecticides and pesticides than other plants. Native plants also benefit the wildlife and help the life cycle of various other plants and animals thrive. If you don’t know what plants to look for when selecting those that are native to your area, visit the U.S. EPA’s Greenacres Program: www.epa.gov/greenacres

In addition, consider using a reel mower if you have a small lawn – it does not use gasoline and provides some outdoor exercise. With a large lawn, you may prefer to use a non-polluting electric mower to get the job done in a timely manner. Remember: enjoy landscaping and be sure to create a small, organically-grown garden to promote sustainability!

SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPE design creates beautiful outdoor living space without detracting from the natural surroundings. This style of landscaping has evolved in recent years to promote a more environmentally-friendly method of enjoying our outdoor property. Sustainable landscaping techniques can be integrated into nearly any garden style, including Mediterranean, English garden, and even desert designs.

The primary principles of a sustainable design are:
-Little to no use of treated materials, insecticides, and chemical-based products.
-Minimize reliance on limited natural resources – paving materials, water, fossil fuels, etc.
-Reduce waste and reuse resources.
-Create natural energy options whenever possible.
-Replenish wildlife by providing natural habitats and nesting areas.

Sustainable Outdoor Materials that complement the style of your home while minimizing the environmental impact of landscaping are an important part of sustainable outdoor design. Hardscape features are constructed with porous materials that encourage drainage; natural evergreen hedges minimize the use of materials. Treated materials and scarce natural resources should be avoided. We encourage incorporating recycled plastic, reused materials like crushed brick and salvaged wood, and natural elements such as shrubbery and stone instead.

Plants for a Sustainable Garden – Vegetation is crucial to an eco-friendly landscape design. Hardy, fast-growing bamboo is popular for shade and privacy, while natural wildflower gardens invite wildlife and require little maintenance. Organic vegetable gardens are often integrated into the plans and fruit or nut trees often replace traditional ornamentals.

These tips will help you choose the best plants for your sustainable landscape design:
1) Preserve existing plant life whenever possible
2) Relocate vegetation if necessary
3) Select plants that thrive in your area and buy them locally if possible
4) Know the water needs of each plant and group those with similar needs together when planting
5) Use shade trees and hedges to increase energy efficiency by positioning them to block mid-day sun or to shield your home from winds.

Sustainable Landscaping Techniques – there are several gardening techniques noted for their sustainability and environmental benefits. These styles integrate vegetation and beauty into your outdoor space, while also promoting a natural environment for growth and wildlife with minimal impact on the planet.

A few popular techniques include:

Green roofs: are common features in sustainable landscape designs. Rather than redirect rain water away from building tops, this garden style retains water and uses it to grow vegetables, potted plants, and colorful flowers. Green roofs make use of a typically ignored surface while reducing pollution.

Bioswales: are storm water drainage systems that double as natural garden areas. Ornamental grasses and native wildflowers provide refuge to wildlife and add maintenance-free vegetation to your outdoor space.

Rain gardens: are another sustainable option for drainage. A depression is created to collect, store, and filter rainwater runoff. A grassy area typically serves as the first filter, followed by a layer of mulch that allows nutrients to reach plants and trees. The depression stores a small amount of water and nourishes ground covers, shrubs, and trees within the planting area.

Xeriscaping: is a specific landscape style, utilizing native plants and natural planting areas to minimize dependency on natural resources. Xeriscapes require about 60% less water than traditional landscape designs. Sustainable landscape design can be used within any garden style by opting for eco-friendly materials and accessories and integrating sustainable features that reduce the need for nonrenewable resources.

AZTECA 111 BUILDERS, INC. can help you choose native plants that blend with the style of your home and can create a plan that will lower the environmental impact of your outdoor space. Remember: low-maintenance, versatile, and planet friendly, sustainable landscape design brings nature to your door.