What makes your home a reflection of you? Even though the majority of us are not homebodies, most people love to be home — a place to relax, to do our things, or just to do nothing at all. There lots of things that turn a simple house into a special home that reflects us in many ways. For example, a beautiful kitchen, a relaxing master retreat, a modern family living space or a fantastic outdoor escape. These examples and many others are some of the things that make your home distinctive, a reflection of you.
You have decided to remodel your San Diego home. It’s time to get some expert advice and good ideas on how to transform your property into the home of your dreams. Often times, there is a fair amount of apprehension when a homeowner decides to embark on a home remodeling project.The very first rule of thumb in home remodeling is to do your due diligence. Here are some helpful tips to get you started:
- Decide what exactly the project is and identify its purpose
- Decide on a budget
- Research any contractor before you hire them, licensing, BBB, etc.
- Meet with your contractor, designer and/or architect together to go over all project details prior to start
- Be sure your ideas and expectations match that of your contractors
- Keep to the schedule and raise concerns immediately
- Make sure all materials are ready to be delivered as you need them
Remember, there may be dozens of decisions to make when remodeling your home. Your style and the style of your contractors should match closely. Home remodeling projects can vary from a couple weeks to several months depending on their size and scope. Be sure your relationship with the contractor can stand the test of time, and if you are skeptical or uncertain, keep looking until you find a company can that understands your needs and preferences through out the entire project.
Many times people like to make some alteration in the design of their homes or do some remodeling projects such as the kitchen or the bathrooms. Some people believe that the services of an architect or designer may only be relevant in the construction of major buildings and not for simple remodeling projects. The truth is an architect and designers’ ideas may save you a lot of time and money in thelong run.Architects and designers have the ability to conceptualize your abstract ideas and transform them into a design that will not compromise the integrity of your existing house. They are also able to develop a vision of your house so that you can see and understand how the house will look upon completion.In addition, they also explain the design to the contractors so that they are better able to understand the work to be carried out.
Finding a great remodeling contractor is the most important decision in the whole project. A successful home-remodeling projectmay include a team effort: you (the homeowner), the contractor, architect and the designer. We work together for one common goal, a beautifully finished, on-time and within-budget project.
Caution: A great salesman can make even the worst contractor appear competent. Be sure to check references and on line reviews first, and check with the BBB for outstanding complaints. You should be wary of companies who ask for deposits before any work begins as well.
Also, a well designed, visually pleasing, easy to navigate website is a great indication that the contractor takes pride in his work, on and off the jobsite. It is reasonable for you to expect for your contractor to be professional at all times. That means: showing up on time, well organized, dressed appropriately, and have photos and testimonials from previous San Diego home remodeling projects.
Before starting a new remodeling project, remember this: you may be dealing with your contractor for months, be sure you are completely comfortable with the company you choose.
Just as every man is not George Clooney, not every house is a Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece.There are a lot of drab, even downright gloomy facades out there – especially among homes built after World War II, when many California home builders abandoned traditional architectural styling to streamline costs and mass-produce housing.
Thankfully, the cosmetic surgery required to put a beautiful face on your home won’t hurt a bit. It may not even require a big-ticket construction job.With a well-planned home remodel, you can boost your home pride, endear yourself to your neighbors and perhaps generate more interest from potential homebuyers in the future.
Assuming the house and yard are already well maintained, job one is to get rid of unsightly blemishes left by a penny-pinching builder or the misguided remodeling efforts of previous owners. For example, replacing the garage doors… The most prominent facial feature of many homes is the garage door. Upgrade your old ones to more visually appealing doors with moldings, windows or an old-fashioned carriage-house look. You may also add character with the addition of an interesting architectural element that can give your house some distinctiveness.
Curb appeal sets the tone for your entire home. Make your property’s curb appeal special . . . make it distinctive.
Remodeling for the first time can be downright frightening. Lets face it, if you are like most people your home is the single largest investment you will ever make. With so much at stake it’s no wonder there is a lot of anxiety associated with the process.
That being said, keep in mind that a successful project is not only visually satisfying but financially rewarding as well. There is usually a nice return on investment depending upon the type and size of project completed.
No matter what type of home improvement project you are considering, there are specific steps you must take to make it a success. There are also many questions to ask yourself before getting started.
Pacific Restoration can answer your questions and take you step by step through the entire process. Remember all projects no matter how large or small require the same steps and considerations. The larger ones just require more of them.As a courtesy,we’ll also take a look at any real dangers that can be hidden in your home such as harmful mold bacteriaand show you how to eliminate these hazardsto keep your family safe.
Kitchens and bathrooms are clearly the two most popular home remodeling projects. These two elements of your home are where you arelikely to spend many of your waking hours, especially during a busyworkweek. Kitchen and bathrooms should fit your lifestyle, be aesthetically pleasing and compliment your home to provide the most enjoyment for you and your family.
Also, a kitchen or bathroom remodeling project is a significant financial investment, and should be approached with focus on a solid ROI (return on investment). According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), homes with newly remodeled kitchens and bathrooms are more than twice as likely to sell for a higher price, in a shorter amount of time, than homes in which these rooms are outdated.
Function, aesthetics and resale value are the main reasons people choose to remodel their kitchens or bathrooms. There is, however, one distinction people tend to overlook when remodeling their homes. The pride of ownership — the number one reason people buy homes in the first place. It means you can paint the walls any color you desire, make bold design choices and decorate your home according to your unique taste. Newly remodeled kitchens and bathrooms reflect your pride of home ownership and give your family a sense of stability and security.
Please see our Kitchen Remodeling page and our Bathroom Remodeling page for more information.
Green (environmentally friendly) home remodelingis a hot topic these days… However, when it comes to doing a green home remodel correctly, few homeowners understand exactly what it all means or where to start.
The Association of the Remodeling Industry has begun a program to encourage contractors to offer green sustainable products to their customers. The program includes practical solutions for energy conservation, material waste, indoor air quality and perhaps most importantly, incorporating products into the home remodel that are better for the environment.
Today’s top home remodeling contractors are finding ways to save their clients money on utility bills by creating more energy efficient homes using new and exciting products and technology. A green home remodel may include:
- Incorporating many sustainable building materials
- Energy efficient appliances and fixtures
- Fluorescent compact lighting
- Drought tolerant landscaping
- Low VOC materials and finishes
- Solar panels and radiant floor heating
The Green Home Remodeling Guide is a great resource when your goal is designing and remodeling a more sustainable home. The guide is filled with expert tips and information about saving energy, recycling building materials and reducing indoor pollutants.
The idea of a smart home might make you think of George Jetson and his futuristic abode or maybe Bill Gates, who spent more than $100 million building his smart home on Lake Washington. Once a domain reserved only for the tech-savvy and wealthy, smart homes and home automation are becoming more common and affordable than ever before.
Smart home technology allows home electronics and appliances to communicate with each other and perform a variety of tasks to make your life easier. From wireless audio and video systems to home lighting and alarms, the number of automated high tech devices for you home has grown tremendously over the last decade.
Anything in your home that uses electricity can be put on your smarthome network to be controlled in the palm of your hand. Whether you give that command by voice, remote control or computer, the home reacts to your every whim. Most smart home applications relate to lighting, home security, home theater and entertainment and thermostat regulation.
Interior lighting is perhaps the most overlooked major element of home remodeling. It is a key factor to set the mood in any room. Great lighting conveys warmth and creates the right atmosphere for entertaining and every day activities. Architect and designers almost always include interior lighting for each major design decision. The four basic interior lighting types are:
- General or ambient lighting: illuminates the whole room
- Natural lighting: windows, doors and skylights
- Task lighting: provides light for specific task such as cooking
- Accent lighting: designed to illuminate a space or item in the room
Lighting dimmers are also a popular option for creating ambiance and conserving energy. The average home has 24 light switches, yet less than half of all homes have light dimmers. Dimmer switches set the illumination of any room with ease. Take your interior lighting above and beyond the ordinary with creative ideas that perfectly reflect the ambiance in any room.
Southern California homeowners have more opportunity to live outdoors than any other part of the country. The San Diego climate is idea for the relaxed outdoor life style many of us enjoy year round. The old tradition of a barbeque grill and a green lawn have given way to beautiful, fully functional outdoor living spaces. Beautiful landscapes and hardscapes, outdoor fireplaces and kitchens are some of the hottest trends in San Diego home remodeling right now.
A sparkling pool and spa, amazing gardens, outdoor lighting or a fire pit and seating area can tremendously increase the enjoyment of your home. Even a simple bench under a backyard tree can provide a relaxing space to read your favorite book.
A gorgeous outdoor living space also provides additional value and living space to your property. Great design for outdoor living spaces can create seamless transitions from the interior of your home to the backyard – making entertaining and hosting guests a true joy.
So you are finally finishing that home remodeling project and can’t wait to start enjoying your new space. Perhaps you had some ideas that didn’t quite make it in? Don’t let any self-doubt deter you from having the new home of your dreams. And even if the bulk of the work is done, many new design ideas can be incorporated near the end of the project. Be sure to ask you contractor which ideas are best done during the major renovation and which ones are not likely to be far more expensive if done later.
Here are some last minute ideas to make your home remodel project complete:
- New doors and windows
- Sconces and other lighting fixtures
- Stair railings and banisters
- New garage doors
- Drawer pulls and other hardware
- Exterior lighting and heating
- Window coverings
- Jacuzzi or spa tub
Remember, when you are completing a home remodeling project that has taken your valuable time in planning and executing, you really want to be completely happy with the many decisions you have made along the way.
We’ve all heard the horror stories about living through a bad San Diego home remodeling project.
At Pacific Restoration, we take pride in providing the most enjoyable customer experience throughout the remodeling process. Our reputation of honesty, integrity, clear communication and attention to detail ensures a happy client and a beautifully remodeled home at the end of every project.
“My home was getting old and starting to look dated. It needed a facelift badly but I had a bad taste in my mouth from past experiences with home remodeling contractors. Adam at Pacific Restoration changed all of that! He was on time and below cost on his estimate. I didn’t pay any hidden fees and the work was so wonderful, I cried when I saw my new kitchen.”
-Rancho Santa Fe Home Owner
Give us a call now at 760-632-7800 for a free, no obligation estimate for any of your San Diego Home Remodeling needs.
