Brass Tacks

Our Mission

Brass Tacks was created by total loss survivors Angela Bentley. James Peddie, and Tim Vortriede, In partnership with the Altadena Collective. After witnessing too many homeowners taken advantage of by builders who didn't have their best interests at heart, we set out to change that, making sure no one has to navigate the building process alone.

James Peddie

James's mission is clear to restore Altadena stronger than ever, ensuring that every family affected by the fire has the support and resources they need to rebuild with confidence.

Angela Bentley

After losing her home in the Eaton Fire, Angela left her 15-year career in project management and technical recruiting to help her community rebuild.

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Our Story

Brass Tacks is a grassroots organization founded through our partnership with the Altadena Collective and the many stories we've heard about homeowners being taken advantage of after the Eaton Fire.

As fire survivors ourselves, who are rebuilding, we know firsthand how overwhelming this process can be. This is why we created Brass Tacks, now a core part of Altadena Collective's community rebuilding effort.

We're independently built and community-driven no investors, no board, no outside pressure. That means our only priority is you.

What we've learned

Over the past year, we've been deeply involved in Altadena's rebuild process, working with homeowners, local architects, and builders, analyzing over 400+ contractor bids.

The average rebuild in Altadena should cost no more than $450–$550 per square foot depending on finishes, design complexity, and site conditions

Your initial bids are just a starting point to be refined and negotiated.

We're able to use the data we've collected as a baseline to quickly spot when numbers are off

Choosing the right builder matters just as much as the cost—it's a long-term partnership with a team you'll be working closely with for 10–12+ months.

A no pressure approach is the only approach homeowners need to be given the time and space to make final decisions when they are ready.

No one wants to navigate the building process alone—and finding trustworthy guidance hasn't been easy

Our Mission

"To help our neighbors move forward with clarity and confidence, always grounded in compassion for our community. No matter your budget or background, we're here to support you."

We support homeowners by cutting through confusion to focus on clear scope and transparent pricing so you can move forward and get down to building.

Meet The Team

Over 20 years of experience navigating Altadena's history, culture, and regulations to help bring your vision to life—preserving the character, style, and charm of every home.

Founder & CEO, BRASS TACKS

James Peddie

"Every family affected by the fire deserves to rebuild with confidence."

An Altadena native, James oversees rebuilding, navigating regulations to turn blueprints into reality for families.

Fire-resilient design New construction Altadena native

Founder & CMO, BRASS TACKS

Angela Bentley

"Rebuilding starts with knowing what was lost."

A seasoned architect passionate about preservation, Angela leads Brass Tacks' design vision, blending history with modern standards.

Project management Architecture Community

Client Account Manager

Hanna Peddie

"Dedicated to restoring efficiency, helping families navigate chaos with hope."

Hanna Peddie, an Eaton Fire survivor, has lived in Altadena for over a decade. Her background brings clarity to overwhelming processes.

Project management Architecture Community

How it works

Over 20 years of experience navigating Altadena's history, culture, and regulations to help bring your vision to life—preserving the character, style, and charm of every home.

Intake

We align with your goals and budget, crafting a supportive strategy.

Bidding

Builders submit bids for projects. Homeowners compare to meet their goals.

Review

We guide you through a straightforward bid analysis and comparison process.

Meet & Refine

You meet builders and we help navigate conversations and negotiations

Match

We review your contract so you can move forward confidently

$450–$550

Average cost per square foot

103

Homeowners served to date

What are people saying about
Brass Tacks?

5.0 · 10 Google reviews

“After losing my home in the Eaton Fire, the prospect of finding a builder was daunting. Thankfully, I found Brace Tacks. Angela Bentley went above and beyond to vet builders and review their bids, helping me find the perfect match for my rebuild.”

Linda Dyer

“Brass Tacks has been very helpful in our recovery from devastation and with our rebuild project. As opposed to just having an architect put together one's drawings for a new home, Brass Tacks provides tips and consulting services to help guide you through the rebuild process.”

Gordon Allen

“Brass Tacks offered a calm and steady voice in the early days of picking a builder and designing our replacement house. Perhaps the most valuable benefit Brass Tacks offered us was the sense that what we were trying to accomplish was possible.”

Ned Racine

“Thanks to Brass Tacks LLC for helping us find a contractor to rebuild our home after the Eaton Fire. They connected us with qualified, insured professionals who met our budget. Highly recommend Brass Tacks LLC!”

Randy Wiggins

Resources

Funds & Grants

RISE Fund

Resiliency Fund

CalAssist Mortgage Grant

Bridge Loan (Build Back Better Fund)

Loans

SBA Disaster Loan

Homeowner Rebuild Loan

Tools & Downloads

Known Discounts

Anatomy of the Bid

PDF

Building Workflow

PDF

Our Mission

Featured Projects

Make your dream home a reality

Current Projects

We've Been Mentioned In