Plan Your ADU, Remodel or New Home in Santa Barbara County
Black Oak guides Central Coast homeowners and buyers plan smarter before hiring an architect or contractor. We provide early-stage feasibility guidance, permitting strategy, budgeting, and construction estimating for remodels, ADUs, additions, and custom homes.
Serving all of Santa Barbara County — Santa Barbara, Montecito, Hope Ranch, Summerland, Carpinteria, Goleta, Gaviota, Solvang, Buellton, Santa Ynez, Los Olivos, Los Alamos, and Santa Maria.
Book a Free Strategy Session.
Experience Changed Our Perspective
“Like many buyers relocating here from across the globe, we initially approached remodel projects, custom home builds, and ADUs as a sequence of steps:
Find the property > Secure financing > Move forward
Our experience changed that view. We saw homeowners struggle with remodel budgets, permit delays, and construction decisions because planning started too late.
We watched good projects become stressful not because of the property, but because strategy and execution were misaligned.
Those lessons reshaped how we work.”
Cris Lapp, Founder
Our Passion
Strategy first, tactics second
Clear-eyed advice when decisions get uncomfortable
Professional management from first call to project completion
Dan Ferguson - Melissa Krantz - Cris Lapp
Remodel & New Construction Planning Services
Feasibility studies for home additions and whole-home remodels in Santa Barbara County
Cost-range planning for kitchen, bathroom, and primary suite renovations
Scope definition before hiring an architect or contractor
Phased remodel planning built around real budgets and timelines
Value-add upgrades to maximize resale value in Santa Barbara County
ADU Feasibility & Budget Strategy
ADU site planning, including parking and access review
Evaluation of attached vs. detached ADU options
Guidance on California ADU regulations and local Santa Barbara County ordinances
Preliminary ADU size and layout recommendations based on zoning requirements
Budget and timeline expectations for ADU construction in Santa Barbara County
Owner's Representative & Project Management
Coordination between architects, engineers, and contractors
Construction schedule and budget tracking for homeowners
Review and comparison of contractor bids and scopes of work
Support with permits, inspections, and agency coordination
Change-order review to protect your renovation budget
Regular budget and progress updates for out-of-town property owners
Punch-list and close-out support at the end of construction
Our Sister Company
BLACK OAK LAND and CAPITAL
"Stuck in Santa Barbara County Permitting? We Get You Approved."
WHY WE EXIST
For 35 years, we've watched great projects die in permitting hell.
Families lose their dream homes to red tape. Investors bleed cash waiting on approvals that never come.
Architects forced to redesign because nobody checked the constraints first.
You deserve certainty. We deliver it.
Stay Informed
Dan Ferguson
Investor Consultant
Flips, Value Add, ROI Analysis - DRE 02305088
📞 805 538 6044
Cristopher Lapp
Founder and Managing Broker
Real Estate Broker - DRE 01093529 Mortgage Broker - NMLS 337660
📞 805 538 6044
✉️ cris@blackoaklc.com
Melissa Krantz
Property Advisor & Project Manager
📞 805 697 1337
✉️ melissa@blackoakhm.com
© 2026. All rights reserved. Black Oak Homes
Equal Housing Lender