Question 1

How long does a Mountain View building permit take?

Accepted Answer

For a minor remodel keeping the layout, weeks rather than months. Additions and second stories take longer because of engineering and review. ADUs meeting objective standards get a 60-day ministerial review under state law. Mountain View has a dedicated development permits site where you can track where an application actually sits, which helps a lot with scheduling trades.

Question 2

My house has exposed beams and a flat roof. What does that change?

Accepted Answer

Quite a bit. Post-and-beam construction means many interior walls carry no load — which is liberating — but the ones that do are critical and not always obvious from inside. Add radiant slab heat, low-slope roofing, and large single-pane glass and you have a house where standard remodel assumptions do not transfer. It is worth using someone who has worked on this construction before.

Question 3

Should I replace the radiant heating in my slab?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes it can be repaired; sometimes the honest answer is that the original tubing is at the end of its life and chasing leaks in a slab is throwing money away. We assess the existing system before designing around it, because that decision affects flooring choices, ceiling heights, and the mechanical budget for the whole project.

Question 4

Do ADUs make financial sense in Mountain View?

Accepted Answer

The rental market here is among the strongest in the country, so the payback period on a detached unit is shorter than in most of the Bay Area. Lots in the mid-century tracts are generally regular and often deep enough for a real unit with yard left over. Garage conversions cost less, with the trade-off of losing covered parking.

Question 5

Can I replace the big glass windows in a mid-century home?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and it is usually one of the highest-return upgrades on these houses — the original single-pane glazing is the main reason they are uncomfortable. The requirement is meeting Title 24 while keeping the sightlines and frame proportions intact. Getting that balance right is what separates a good mid-century remodel from one that reads as wrong.