I worked mostly with Patrick on our home remodel. Both he and Stephen came out initially to listen to what I wanted and to discuss my budget. They both had great ideas although we did have to work out some more budget cuts before we started. They were so easy and accommodating to work with. Together we came up with a workable plan. I was living in the house while they completely remodeled my kitchen, master bedroom and bathroom. They took the walls down to the studs. I had a large kitchen area that they completely redesigned with lots of counter space and cupboards. My bathroom is gorgeous and my bedroom is just lovely! I live in a mid-century home and instead of starting from scratch, we saved a lot of what was already here and upgraded the look, while maximizing the spaces. Patrick gave me good interior design ideas, too, helping me to purchase design pieces that would go with the new construction. He even went with me to a showroom to look at plumbing fixtures. They stuck to the agreed upon time line in a smooth manner, making it feel so easy. All their subs are great, too, leaving my house neat and tidy each day. This was my first remodeling experience and I have heard some horror stories. I tell everyone that remodeling has been a delight for me!
- Susie Curtis, Cheviot Hills

Working with Stephen was instructive and enjoyable. I found him because his sign was in my neighbor’s front yard. I had googled other landscape designers and they were too grand (advertising the celebrity gardens that they had done); this was a turn off for me. I wanted a hacienda style landscape in a courtyard to go between my 1921 Mission Revival style home and small guesthouse in the back. It wasn’t a big job. I gave him my budget and he worked within it. He worked nicely with my ideas about the landscaping. If I didn’t like a suggestion he was fine with it, very flexible. I particularly liked our trips to the nursery where I showed him plants I liked and he would explain to me what would work in this climate. His suggestions were creative, often what I would not have considered. His communication was good—I could almost always get him on the cell phone. The garden came together very quickly once we decided what we wanted. I had a luncheon in the garden recently for friends and everyone was impressed.
- K. G., Santa Monica

I had back-to-back water damage from the condo above and the condo below. Gabor + Allen worked on my kitchen, living room, master bathroom and another bathroom. They came to me from a recommendation from another condo owner, an architect, in my building, although I did get a bid on the initial water damage from another source. Their prices are right in line with the market prices.
What set them apart from the very beginning was that they made it sound and seem so easy, and made many helpful suggestions. My main concern, having been through some remodels in the past with big surprises, was that they not go over budget. I was very clear about that and they shared my concern. With their graphic design expertise, they actually designed the entire remodel online and showed me how they could make any changes on the screen. They then itemized each and every item; they had pictures of these items, from faucets and light fixtures to sinks and tubs. It was a totally detailed budget, including electrical, plumbing and flooring. NO SURPRISES! And then they stuck to it. They even did the legwork, going out into the field to find what we needed. Occasionally we met them on site or at stores. They were always on time and easy to communicate with, always responding promptly to our calls. They made it all much easier than it could have been.
- Martha Sherrard, Marina Del Rey

Gabor + Allen took my rather closed in space and transformed it into an open loft-like feel taking advantage of my beautiful views. They helped me identify the clean, sleek, livable feel I wanted and carried it through in every detail. They went far and beyond, watching over workers to make sure the details they wanted were executed. They brought the job in on time and budget. Everyday I love the space I live in and owe it all to Gabor + Allan.
- Terry Berland, Beverly Hills

We had a good experience working with Patrick and his workers. Their pricing was very fair. At first the proposal was over our budget, so we told them what we could spend and they trimmed down the proposal. They were also great with us buying our own tile, toilet, and vanity, which really trimmed down the cost. Staying on budget was true to form. They completely abided by the proposal and even trimmed it down when the plumber came back with a less expensive quote. As for staying on time, the project from start to finish was 7 weeks. I was told it would hopefully take between 5 and 6, but I was fine with 7 weeks because the project came out exactly to our specifications. They did a great job and did not bat an eye at the alterations we asked for even up to the last week. Honesty was important to us, and Patrick's crew was always very straightforward about how things were going and how long things would take. The tilers Patrick used were perfectionists and very thorough. This was our first foray into the home improvement world, and our overall experience completely met our high expectations.
- Shanna L., Santa Monica

We remodeled our 1914 craftsman with Gabor + Allen. Patrick has a youthful enthusiasm and imaginative ideas, mixed with technical expertise – a nice combination! They were great with functionality, too. They really maximized the space. They are also lovely spirits – great personalities, which makes such a difference. The house is done and now Stephen is going to landscape our backyard!
- Stuart Hughes, Silverlake

Gabor + Allen are the ‘designers’ designer.’ I am a designer and I have very stringent standards. It was a treat to hire someone else to do a substantial remodel on my own place. Gabor + Allen had come highly recommended and they lived up to it. You could find another company to give you a lower bid, but I’ve learned that if you look only at pricing, you will end up spending more in the end. These guys are high quality and still affordable. Well worth the money!
- J.R. Roberts, Marina del Rey

We did a major remodel with someone else, but sadly found that “clean lines” translated into a plain box. Gabor + Allen re-landscaped our sloping front yard into steps and planters with mostly native, drought tolerant plants. They also redid the fa
- Christina Arndt, Westside Village

Gabor + Allen did a beautiful kitchen remodel for us. I interviewed three different companies and they were the only one that said they could stay within my budget. Patrick was amazingly wonderful. He really listened to what I wanted. He narrowed down the choices and went with me to choose fixtures and tile. I also wanted to use eco-friendly materials and he was great at showing me what was out there. Rather than put in new cabinets, he refinished my old walnut ones, and even redipped the hinges so they look completely gorgeous and new.
- Mary Beth Carosello, Westwood

I used Gabor + Allen to re-landscape my backyard and to completely redesign my master bathroom. I was very, very happy with their work – they had terrific ideas. They were on top of the job every step of the way. They enhanced my bathroom and backyard incredibly; I loved the colors and the design.
- Stacy Young, West Los Angeles

It was a very positive and wonderful experience, working with Gabor + Allen. They listened to our ideas, in stark contrast to other contractors we'd had. They took a real interest in our family and our requirements and came up with a magnificent design. I'd always wanted a vegetable garden, and they created raised vegetable beds outside our kitchen door. They had amazing ideas. I was blown away by how beautiful and unique our garden had become. We have two twenty-year-old kids; they, and all of their friends want to hang out in the garden with the fire pit.
- David & Pam Young-Wolff, Santa Monica

Gabor + Allen are not just "grass and plants.” They brought a lot of creative input to the process, and at the same time, definitely listened to other ideas. Because one person is a landscaper, and the other is an architect, they addressed both structure and design.
- Justine Smith, Venice

I'm glad to give a rave review of Gabor + Allen. It was the best experience I've ever had with a contractor. They have excellent taste. They breathe new life into whatever you want them to do. They listen very carefully. They're perfectionists with tremendous follow through. I found them to be extremely fair and honest.
- Whitney Green, Santa Monica

Stephen and Patrick truly went above and beyond the call of duty. They set up our house and garden to be completed in three phases, out of consideration for our budget. That we went back to them to do the second phase and will return to them for the third attests to the quality of their work. The finished product is stunning. They were attentive to our suggestions, on time, clean, flexible and trustworthy. They also hire really great workers.
- Tim and Michelle Guille, Marina Del Rey