General Contracting & Renovation
Full-scope remodeling — kitchens, bathrooms, additions, and whole-home renovation — managed from demo to final walkthrough.
Ventura · Ojai · Oxnard
Ventura County Remodeling Contractor You Can Actually Trust
Charles in Charge Property Solutions handles general contracting and renovation work across Ventura County — led by owner Kevin Drews, hands-on from first walkthrough to final punch list.
Ventura
Ojai
Oxnard
LA County
Santa Barbara County
About
Before the tool belt, a classroom
Before swinging a hammer for a living, Kevin Drews was a fully credentialed classroom teacher in California — he still holds that credential today. Years in front of a classroom taught him how to break a complicated problem into steps someone else can actually follow, which turns out to be exactly the skill homeowners need most from a contractor.
Around that same period, Kevin was also on the sales side of residential real estate — enough to see firsthand which improvements actually move a sale and which ones are just money spent for no return. Alongside it, his hands-on knowledge of construction was deepening in parallel, the way most contractors actually learn the trade: by doing the work.
That hands-on experience is where the real education happened: years of residential construction, renovation, and design. He's the guy who climbs into the attic and crawls under the house in the mud to find out what's actually going on before anyone spends a dollar on repairs. That habit of looking for the root problem, not just the symptom, shapes every estimate he writes — and the real estate perspective still shapes how he scopes a renovation today: the goal is always the improvement that's actually worth doing, not the one that pads the invoice.
Off the job site, Kevin's usually outnumbered — he and his wife are raising two sharp, curious boys who keep him busy. When there's time to spare, you'll find him on a bike somewhere new or down at the beach, which is one of the reasons Ventura County feels like home.
Specialties
What Charles in Charge Handles
Design & Space Planning
Helping homeowners plan layouts and improvements that actually fit how they live and what they're willing to spend.
Property Condition Assessment
A real walkthrough — attic, crawlspace, and all — before any work is recommended. You get a prioritized list, not a guess.
Investor & Relocation Projects
Turnaround renovation work for investors preparing a property and clients who need a home ready before they move in.
Our Work
A Sample of Completed Projects
Examples of past renovation and remodeling work — kitchens, baths, millwork, and outdoor additions.
Service Areas
Where We Work
Ventura, Ojai, and Oxnard are home base. Charles in Charge also takes on projects further out into Los Angeles County and Santa Barbara County — call to confirm your address is in range.
Ventura
Ventura's housing stock spans everything from older coastal homes near downtown and the pier to mid-century and newer construction further from the water. Coastal air and marine layer moisture put real wear on exteriors, windows, and roofing over time, so renovation work here often starts with an honest look at what the elements have already done to a property before we talk finishes.
Ojai
Ojai's housing stock is more custom and less cookie-cutter than the coastal cities nearby — Spanish Colonial and Mission-style homes near the downtown arcade, older ranch and craftsman houses on larger valley lots, and custom builds tucked into the surrounding hillsides. A lot of this inventory calls for careful, character-conscious renovation work that respects the original architecture while addressing real age-related wear. Hillside and rural parcels also tend to come with their own access, drainage, and defensible-space considerations that get factored into scope and budget from the start.
Oxnard
Oxnard covers a wide range of neighborhoods, from beachside communities to inland residential tracts near the agricultural areas the city is known for. That range means project scope varies a lot block to block — some homes need cosmetic updates, others need structural or systems work addressed first. A walkthrough before any proposal is non-negotiable here.
Extended Range: Los Angeles & Santa Barbara Counties
For the right project, Charles in Charge will travel beyond the Ventura core into neighboring Los Angeles County and Santa Barbara County communities. Reach out with your address and project scope and Kevin will let you know honestly whether it's a good fit.
How I Work
Your First 24 Hours
01
What happens first depends on where your project stands. If you're ready to move, that can mean walking the property, assessing condition, and starting to mobilize a crew right away.
02
If you're still in the planning stage, the first 24 hours is spent developing a full scope of work, floor plans, and a realistic budget before anything gets touched.
03
Either way, every project gets a plan built around your specific goals and timeline — not a one-size-fits-all process.
Why Work With Me
I Get Into the Problem — Literally
Clients call Charles in Charge because Kevin actually gets into the problem. He's climbed through attics and crawled under houses in the mud to figure out what's really going on before recommending a fix. That kind of hands-on diagnosis is why clients say they wouldn't have known where to start without him.
Because Kevin understands home systems and construction from the inside, he's able to walk clients through scope changes, unexpected issues, and repair decisions without the runaround. He stays calm, keeps the conversation respectful, and explains the tradeoffs in plain terms instead of jargon.
"After walking a property and going over what actually needs to happen against your budget, I'll tell you straight which improvements are worth doing — and which ones aren't."
No sales pitch. No padding the scope. Just a plan you can trust and a contractor who'll stand behind it.
Testimonials
What Clients Say — 5.0 Average, 3 Google Reviews
★★★★★
"Kevin is a fantastic contractor. I have needed his help many times, and is very reliable, trustworthy and dependable. Kevin takes the time and care to assess the root of the problem. He is very thorough, and I know that when I call him for help he will get the job done right."— Lauren Groves, Google Review, Sep 2024
★★★★★
"Charles in Charge was a great company to work with - they were extremely professional and responsive. They even went above and beyond. I had a section of baseboard replaced and instead of just painting that section, they painted the whole room to make sure it looked nice! I found that to be very conscientious. I will definitely use them again!"— Katherine Diodene, Google Review, Sep 2024
★★★★★
"Great work at a fair price. Did what he said he would do timely. Overall, a great experience and highly recommend Charles in Charge property solutions."— Ken Hamrick, Google Review, Sep 2024
FAQ
Questions Homeowners Ask
How long does a remodel or renovation project take?
It depends entirely on scope, permitting, and how ready the property is when we start. A single room can move fast. A full remodel with permits and inspections takes longer. I walk the property with you, map out the real scope, and give you a specific timeline for your project instead of a generic industry number.
How much will my project cost?
I don't quote a project until I've walked it and understand your budget and priorities. Then I tell you what's worth doing, what isn't, and what it actually costs to do it right. No lowball estimate that grows once work starts.
Do you handle permits and inspections?
Coordinating permits and inspections is part of the job as general contractor. I'll tell you upfront if your project needs them and handle the paperwork so you're not the one chasing the city.
What happens if you find a problem partway through the project?
It happens more than people expect, especially with older homes. I stop, show you exactly what we found, walk you through the options and cost impact, and we decide together before any additional work starts. No surprise invoices.
Are you licensed?
My CSLB license is currently in process. I'll list the number here as soon as it's issued. In the meantime, call and ask directly where things stand — I'd rather you know exactly where I am than guess.
Contact
Let's Talk About Your Project
Tell me what you're working with and what you're hoping to get done. I'll get back to you within 24 hours.