I am an apartment owner/investor and want to let other apartment owners know about my experience…read morewith Reverence Engineering. Last year, I obtained an inspection of the deck and balcony at my family's 10 unit apartment complex in order to comply with Senate Bill 721. After learning that our cantilevered balcony needed structural work, I began calling engineering firms. I chose Reverence Engineering because I wanted to work with a smaller firm and I was impressed with my initial call with principal engineer Brett Sauers. During that conversation, he explained in simple terms how he would approach creating plans and seeking permits for a major retrofit of our balcony walkway. From there, I was kept well informed by email at every step of the way. Because I live out of state and was not able to be present for any site visits, Brett prepared an explanatory video for me so that I could see exactly what he was seeing and understand how we could solve the structural challenges. The draft plans were ready more quickly than I expected and Brett personally addressed all my questions with patience and precision. The City took longer than I had hoped to do its plan review, but Brett's staff sent me weekly updates. In addition, they walked me through all the forms that I needed to sign so it ended up being a pain-free process from start to finish. I really couldn't be happier with the attentiveness of Brett and his team, as well as the outcome. They deserve accolades for exceptional structural engineering work, at a very reasonable cost.

I submitted a request to Reverence for an Architect in early January 2026, I received a call back…read morefrom Brett to go over the services Reverence provides and their approach to support the clients. At the end of the call, Brett stated he would work on the contract and send over for review. The following week, I called Reverence to better understand the timeline for contract creation so I could maintain realistic expectations; I was told I should have the contract that day (January 13) or the following day (January 14). I contacted Reverence on January 20, after not receiving a response and was advised a message would be sent to Brett for an update. I again did not receive a response (no callback nor email) and contacted Reverence on January 22 and again on February 2, and was provided a similar response (that I should receive the contract soon if not today or the next). I subsequently left a message on February 4, indicating that I no longer wished to proceed with their services and would look elsewhere. I have no doubt that Reverence provides customers with solid service once contracted, however, I find it is equally important to effectively communicate with prospective clients to ensure transparency. I would have gladly waited a few more weeks if that was the standard and was communicated to me. Hopefully future clients will have a better experience.

Kristin was referred to us by friends. We sat down with her back in 2016 and she came up with a…read morefabulous plan for pop-out and remodel of our kitchen. It was everything we wanted, large center island, no upper cabinets so we could have windows all around the kitchen area, walk-in pantry and a wine cellar. It just took us 1-1/2 years to get started....not sure what we were doing in that time because our kitchen is absolutely stunning! We chose one of her contractor referrals, W.A.Jackson Construction, and they were great to work with and did a fabulous job.

Kristin designed our master bath remodel and acted as the general contractor for the job. She made…read morethe whole thing so easy, from helping us decide what we wanted, to making sure the job got done on time. I would highly recommend her and look forward to working with her in the future on other house projects.

Andrew was a real pleasure to work with. He took on our master bathroom design, which is a very…read moresmall project for any architect. Despite this fact, he took his time when meeting with us and was very attentive to our needs. His design turned out great too! I will highly recommend him to friends and family because he's affordable, has great design ideas, and is great with his clients.

I highly recommend Andrew as he has an extensive knowledge of the trade. He was kind enough to…read moreanswer all my questions about permits (very important in the Oceanside area) FOR FREE. It is rare to find someone in this industry that genuinely wants to help others. Andrew's attention to detail really sets him apart from the rest!

We had to re construct our kitchen after unfortunately pipe leak. We were extremely glad my…read morecoworker recommended Amden Homes for the work! We contacted several contractors before deciding to work with Amden. Matan and Dean were quick to respond to questions and were very understanding to our needs. Their team were quick to get started and they did great job and were always open to our needs and scheduling. I would definitely recommend them for home improvement/remodeling/construction project! ​

We recently completed a master bathroom remodel with Amden Homes and are very happy with the…read moreresults. The quality of workmanship is truly 5-star -- the finished bathroom is beautiful, and the attention to detail really shows. Their team was also very good with communication throughout the entire process, which we really appreciated. There were a couple of material clarifications along the way. During bidding, we discussed solid wood cabinets and copper piping. When selections were finalized, cabinet options were more limited than we initially expected, and the contract allowed for "PEX or copper." Once we brought up our preference for copper, they were responsive and made the change. Overall, we're very pleased with the outcome and the professionalism of the team. Just be sure to clearly confirm material specifications in the contract from the start.

I hired Rummy from IL Total Design for a major three-story remodel permit that included adding…read moresignificant square footage, and she exceeded expectations in every way! This was not a simple cosmetic project -- it was a complex build with structural changes, multiple levels, and a lot of moving parts in a coastal zone. Throughout the process, Rummy was incredibly resilient. Whenever challenges came up (and with a project this size, they always do), she stayed solution-oriented and kept the project moving forward without hesitation. She was also extremely responsive. Calls were returned, questions were answered quickly, and updates were consistent. I never had to chase her down ever! Communication was clear and direct, which makes a huge difference on a large remodel. What stands out most is her "get it done" mentality. She doesn't give up no matter what the city says -- takes ownership and executes. She handled everything with professionalism and confidence. If you're looking for an architect/design team that is dependable, responsive, resilient, and truly delivers results -- IL Total Design is the perfect choice!

I met Rummy Dechner, owner and lead architect with IL Total, via a design/build firm last year for…read morean ADU project. Eventually, I fired the firm (read my other review), but Rummy stayed with us to help us move forward. Without a city approved design we already sunk $25k into (most of which she probably didn't make) we depended on her almost daily for the first few months after the mess with not one but a second builders as well. We were going solo through the toughest part of the ADU process. I mean we really, really depended on her. Rummy drove this to the end for the permit to finally be granted to us. Through thick and thin she'd be there with updates and keeping us in the loop about forms, payments, and any changes she was forced to make, etc. The design itself is beautiful. She's not only talented but honest and dependable. Answers all questions. Rummy knows ADUs and the ins and outs of city permitting headaches and most of all she's loyal to her clients. I didn't know her firm also does builds as well. If only I met them at the beginning I could have saved myself a ton of time and heartache. Highly recommend! Look at her YouTube channel for all of the ADUs she has designed throughout San Diego. https://youtube.com/@iltotaldesign?si=Lh4BJ_pdmOK5OFG9

I want to start by saying that I'm genuinely grateful this long process finally ended with my…read morepermit being approved. Having the resolution was a relief, and the job captain became responsive toward the very end. Unfortunately, the overall experience with Streamline Design & Permitting was extremely difficult, and I think future clients deserve a clear and factual account of what occurred. Background I purchased a home where the previous owner had illegally converted storage space into a studio unit. When I received a code violation, I began the permitting process with another company, but their drafter became unavailable mid-project. That gave me a point of comparison for transparency, communication, and timelines. I interviewed two new companies. One said submission would take 3-4 weeks; Streamline promised submission within one week. Because I was losing rental income, I chose Streamline based on their faster timeline. In reality, the kickoff call didn't happen for a week, and the first submission went in roughly three weeks after hiring them. That slow start reflected the rest of what became a nine-month process. 1. Lack of Transparency The previous company had been clear about timelines, what the City typically requires, and how reviews worked. Streamline did not offer the same level of transparency. I repeatedly asked for City comments so I could understand progress, but I almost never received them directly. The only reason I became aware of several major issues was because the previous drafting company was still copied on City emails and forwarded them to me. This created the impression that I was not getting full visibility into City feedback or into avoidable errors being made. 2. Repeated Avoidable Mistakes Several errors added delays and extra rounds of review: * The first submission labeled the unit as a JADU, even though I explained during the kickoff call that my zoning does not allow a JADU. * When the title was corrected, the internal sheets still referenced "JADU" throughout. * After a phone call I requested with the City--where reviewers clearly stated the space must be submitted as a non-habitable owner's office unless I pursued an ADU--Streamline resubmitted it as "living space." This contradicted explicit City direction and triggered additional comments, delays, and added costs. When I asked about the error, I was given an explanation referencing terminology used on another project rather than a clear acknowledgment that a mistake had been made. None of these issues were proactively disclosed. 3. Invoicing and Lack of Clarity I repeatedly asked for a breakdown of how the billed hours were spent. The previous drafting company separated administrative coordination from drafting work. Streamline billed everything at drafting rates without itemization, including tasks like forwarding emails, coordination, and follow-ups--some of which I ultimately handled myself. When I requested clarification, the responses felt defensive rather than explanatory. 4. Communication Tone From Leadership When I expressed concerns about transparency and billing, the CEO's response felt dismissive. He stated that if I didn't like their pricing, I should have hired someone else, and noted that questioning hours could result in the project being placed on hold. This was after nine months of delays and multiple attempts on my part to express concerns constructively. 5. After the Permit Was Finally Approved Despite everything, I reached out again for the next phase (an ADU conversion) because I hoped Streamline might handle the next stage more smoothly, especially since the job captain I had worked with was no longer with the company. I requested drafting support only--not submission--so I could personally manage communication with the City. Instead of a drafting-only scope, I received a large proposal priced as if the project was starting from scratch. When I requested my CAD files so I could hire a different drafter, Streamline asked for additional fees. I ended up hiring a new drafter who is recreating the plans for less than Streamline quoted to update the existing ones. Summary Streamline presents very confidently on the sales side, but in my experience the drafting quality was inconsistent, mistakes were not acknowledged, transparency was limited, and communication lacked accountability. The job captain was pleasant and responsive at the end, but there were many avoidable errors throughout the process. The experience was far more stressful, time-consuming, and expensive than it needed to be. Final Note Streamline's contract includes a non-disparagement clause. Everything above reflects documented facts: dated emails, City correspondence, the project timeline, and written communication with Streamline. My intention is to provide an accurate account so future homeowners can make an informed decision.

Working with Devin and his team has been an absolute pleasure from start to finish. Their attention…read moreto detail and organization is unmatched -- every set of plans we've built from them has been clear, complete, and thoughtfully designed. As a contractor, that level of precision makes all the difference. They know the permitting process inside and out, and it shows. What could have been a drawn-out headache turned into a seamless, well-managed experience. Highly recommend to any homeowner or builder looking for a true professional partner in San Diego.

Jeanne is great to work with. Very communicative and her plans are organized and easy to read.read more

Jeanne is an absolute professional who clearly understands her roles and responsibilities. Jean is…read moreintelligent, sharp, and very clear in her communication. I have been very impressed with the thoroughness of Jeanne's work and her follow through to make sure the job is done in a timely manner. Jeanne is also a gem of a person and an absolute pleasure to work with. I also like that Jeanne makes helpful recommendations that I need for my house. Jeanne worked closely with the city to do preliminary historic review of my home and did it exceptionally well. Jeanne also worked closely with the drafter of my home renovation plans and worked very well with him. Overall I am very impressed with Jeanne and I not only recommend her strongly but also plan to use her services again in the near future. We are very fortunate to have Jeanne in SD.

I was introduced to Deborah through a friend for a new construction project that we were…read moreconsidering. We were hiring her to work with us on our architectural plans for twin homes in the Cardiff beach community. I have to say, Deborah is such an amazing architect with a very detailed eye. We came in with a wish list of how we wanted this project to turn out and she put together to most amazing plans that not only met my expectations but exceeded them. Her extraordinary suggestions & ideas to maximize the space and usage of the floor plan was appreciated and made it exciting to visualize the possibilities of this home. Deborah's knowledge of the city's permitting & building process was extremely helpful too. She is very educated on the building & planning requirements and created our plans to the inch of what was allowed. Not only am I a client, but I am also a Realtor® and have referred clients to Deborah because I personally know that they are in the best hands when it comes to a building project. I would highly recommend Deborah Shewaga's services. Her guidance, knowledge and vision are definitely top notch. If you are looking for an architect to bring your vision to life, Deborah is your person!

It was a pleasure to work with Deborah Shewaga. She listened to our concepts, made excellent…read moresuggestions and helped us accomplish what we set out to do -- update our home yet maintain the existing style. I especially appreciated Deborah's quick response to all our questions and her professionalism. I highly recommend Deborah for architectural services. The Wands of Carlsbad