Erickson Zebroski Design Group, Inc.

I’ve worked with Erickson-Zebroski on several projects, including a large home remodel in 1998 (over $100,000), a medium sized one in 2010 ($50,000-$100,000), and a smaller entry re-design in 2011 (under $10,000). I'd use them again in a heartbeat. The first project involved re-configuring the back of our house, moving kitchen, powder room, laundry and staircase, and improving indoor-outdoor access. The second was a reconfiguration on the second floor, involving master bedroom, bath, and office space and replacing a deck. The third was a creative solution to an awkward design situation resulting from a remodel by previous owners. Chet and Laurie are thoughtful, practical, and excellent listeners who strive to understand and achieve clients’ goals and are excellent at articulating them. They are astute at using consultants, such as a lighting designer, to enhance their work. They are great collaborators over the course of a building project, and always there when you need them (including rough spots involving tradesmen). They have exceptional professional ethics and integrity. We first met Chet and Laurie when they were starting their practice. We had lost our home in the Oakland Hills firestorm and interviewed many architects, both when we planned to rebuild and when instead we bought an existing house to remodel. A high-end contractor we knew through friends recommended Chet, who had been the project architect for a well-established firm (coincidentally one we’d interviewed) on a firestorm rebuild in our neighborhood. It’s not unusual for contractors to grumble about architects, so that recommendation meant a lot to us. Chet’s prior experience as a general contractor had helped the rebuild to go smoothly (and I suspect to contain costs). For that reason, and also because of their attentiveness to our design goals, we chose EZDG from among the many architects and firms we’d considered. As we’ve watched others go through tribulations with remodels, it’s a choice for which we’ve always been grateful.

I hired EZDG for what turned into a massive remodel of a San Francisco Victorian. It was a long, complex project that involved every phase of a build: Design, Cost Estimation and Value engineering, FInancing, City Planning & Design review, and Construction. EZDG was...phenomenal. The project itself was wildly successful, which in some sense tells you all you need to know, but *how* it got done is important to note as well. Some specifics: - Really great ability to both listen and advise. We rely on architects and designers to hear our wishes but still keep us (the client) from making mistakes. Chet and Laurie are awesome at striking that balance. - Creative solutions. Remodels have pre-existing conditions, and I think it takes a special talent to figure out how to turn those things into opportunities. - They are a good team, and complement each other's strengths nicely. - Great people to work with through the whole process. Really top rate, both for the experience as well as the outcome. Can't recommend them highly enough.

We hired the EZDG team to design an extensive remodel to our early 20th century home in San Francisco. Our home presented a challenge as it was in very poor condition when we bought it, had no discernable style to build upon, was cramped, dark and poorly maintained by the previous owner. From the very first meeting, Chet and Laurie were friendly, knowledgeable and flexible. They have extensive knowledge of residential design and took a very collaborative approach to working with us. They presented some creative ideas to help us stay within our budget, as well as some green/sustainable solutions, such as bamboo flooring. They opened up our dark cramped space to maximize the natural light. Our house turned out to be a much larger project than we had originally anticipated! All throughout the process, Laurie and Chet kept us informed, on budget and well-organized. Our end result is a house filled with charm, personality and loads of modern appeal. I recommend the services of EZDG to anyone looking to work with a creative team who are experts in home design and a joy to work with.