Your Home Through Other People’s Eyes
Best Rate Remodel / November 15th, 2014
Your home may look a lot different when you see it through other people’s eyes.
The holidays have a way of making even the most secure homeowner house conscious. First of all, we are digging into every nook and cranny for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas/Hanukah decorations, which can give us a new perspective of our home. Second, putting up decorations means that we get to take a hard look at each room and our year-round decorations. However, the one thing that always gets us to notice our house in a different (sometimes more critical way) is having other people over. Maybe it’s your turn to host Thanksgiving this year or you decide to hold the office holiday party at your home. You may also invite your family over to Christmas dinner or for Hanukah celebrations.
Before you know it, your home will be filled with your friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors, and suddenly you’ll see your house as they see it. Does your kitchen feel suddenly small? Do you notice for the first time that your countertops are scuffed with age and use? Do you worry about guests using the tiny bathroom upstairs with the leaky faucet? Maybe you’ve been meaning to look into a room addition, but the need becomes obvious when you are put out air mattresses or lay blankets on the couch for traveling family members.
As much as it might hurt to consider your home through the eyes of others, it could also be the fresh perspective you need to make changes that will improve the look of your home and the quality of your home life. If the holidays highlight a few things you would like to change about your home, then consider speaking with a remodeling company. If your project is small, like installing new kitchen cabinets or putting down granite countertops, a design and remodeling firm may be able to get it done just in time for the Christmas party season. Larger remodels like a kitchen build out or room addition will take more time, but you can start the process now. Next year you will love showing off your home when the friends and family come knocking again for the holidays.
Which Remodels Give You The Best Return For Your Investment?
Best Rate Remodel / October 15th, 2014
Do you know how much your remodel is worth?
First and foremost, a home remodel should be about making your home more functional, more beautiful, and more tailored to your family’s preferences and needs. With that in mind, we all know that a remodel also increases the resale value of a home, which shouldn’t be overlooked. Like many homeowners, you probably want to rehab a lot of different areas of your home but don’t have an infinite budget. If you understand which remodels give you the best return on your investment, this knowledge can help you make your decision on how to spend your remodel dollars.
Fortunately, Remodeling Magazine actually crunched the numbers and came out with a fascinating Cost vs. Value Report that lists which home projects (from a list of 35) provide the highest return on investment for homeowners.
You’ll probably be surprised to learn what topped the list in the Pacific region, which includes California:
- Deck addition wood: 109% ROI
- Minor kitchen remodel: 104%
- Attic bedroom: 102% ROI
- Family room addition: 90% ROI
- Bathroom remodel: 92% ROI
- Major kitchen remodel: 89% ROI
- Master suite addition: 81%
- Bathroom addition: 78% ROI
A remodel isn’t cheap, and homeowners always wonder if they’ll ever see all of the money that they are sinking into a project. The results of this report should give you hope. What I think is very intriguing is that one of the best returns on investments is a minor kitchen remodel. Even if you aren’t ready to plunk down $50,000 for a major kitchen overhaul, just replacing your cabinets, countertops, appliances, and lighting can be well worth the cost. Also, never forget the value you’ll get when you enjoy your house more.
For example, if you add an attic bedroom, your second child can finally have his or her own room, or you can finally feel secure in inviting family and friends to stay over in your new guest bedroom. These improvements can increase your quality of life and help you fall in love with your home all over again. The fact that you’ll get more for your home when you choose to sell is just icing on the cake.
Take a look at the full Cost vs. Value report for the Pacific region. If you are ready to invest in your San Diego home and your happiness at home, contact Best-Rate Remodel.
Designing A Remodel For The Needs Of Your Family
Best Rate Remodel / September 16th, 2014
Every family is different and needs a different kind of removel
In this age of glossy home magazine spreads and Pinterest, it’s easy to fall in love with somebody else’s home interior. We have access to so many gorgeous remodeled kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms and more, that when it comes time for our home remodel we may forget one extremely important lesson.
Your room or whole home remodel should fit the needs of your family.
Every family is different in how they live and operate within their home. These differences should be embraced by your remodeling contractor so that your home remodel will help your family live better.
Jim and Susan are the ultimate power couple. They work hard during the day and love to come home and relax at night. They don’t have a lot of time to cook, but Susan does love to have friends over on the weekend for wine and “girl time”. Jim wishes he could spend more time at home, rather than in the office.
Do Jim and Susan really need to remodel their kitchen? Maybe, but perhaps a better idea would be to add a home office for Jim so he can work from home more often. Another option is to build an outdoor patio so Susan and her friends can enjoy sitting outside during the warm San Diego nights.
Kyle and Barbara have different needs than Jim and Susan. Barbara is a stay-at-home mother and spends a lot of her time taking care of the couple’s three children. Their kitchen is small and cramped, and Barbara wishes she had more space to cook, and maybe a duel sink.
Kyle and Barbara are prime candidates for a kitchen remodel. Barbara spends a lot of time in the kitchen cooking for her family, so any improvements in the kitchen will have a big positive impact on her life. A more spacious kitchen could also make it easier for her family to operate so that the kids and adults won’t trip over each other when they are each grabbing breakfast in the morning.
Even the same type of remodel and the same budget can yield vastly different results depending on what factors are the most important to a family. Even if Jim and Susan do decide on a kitchen remodel, they may want to focus on adding granite countertops, oak cabinets, and the latest and greatest appliances. Barbara and Kyle, on the other hand, may simply want to add a duel sink, more cabinets for extra storage, and a central island so Barbara has more space to cook.
Don’t let a magazine or a pretty Pinterest picture define what you think the perfect kitchen, bath, or master bedroom should look like. Your remodel should be all about you!
Contact Best-Rate Remodel to discuss your tailored remodel today.
Five Life Events That Deserve A Home Remodel
Best Rate Remodel / June 11th, 2014
Is your dream home still missing the perfect touch? A remodel can make your new home meet all your needs.
A big life event doesn’t just change who you are; it changes your external needs as well. Life is always moving, always shifting in small ways. Sometimes our current home isn’t big enough or doesn’t have quite the features we need to face these big life changes. In these cases, it might be time to consider a San Diego home remodel so that your house can grow and adapt just like you during these exciting times! Here are five big life events that may beg for a home remodel:
Buying A New Home
Buying a new home is a very exciting endeavor. We all have a vision of what our dream home looks like, but it is rare to find a house on the market that checks all the boxes we want unless we build from scratch. Rather than searching endlessly for the perfect home, you might consider buying a place that meets most of your needs (especially in regards to location) and then remodeling the home to fit your vision. That could mean laying down wood flooring instead of carpet, expanding the kitchen, adding a double sink to the master bath, or installing a large, beautiful shower stall with a gorgeous tile backsplash. You could also buy a fixer-upper and spend the money you save to remodel the home to fit your preferences. Either way, consider the purchase of a new home your opportunity to turn it into your dream castle!
Selling A Home
Moving for work or ready to upgrade to something bigger and better? Make sure you can sell your current home quickly and get the price you want. You might have been able to live with the old cabinets in the kitchen or the dingy laminate flooring in the bathroom, but buyers may not be so impressed. A few small and affordable upgrades can make a huge difference in how potential buyers see your home. Upgrading fixtures, cabinets, and countertops in the kitchen will make even a small apartment, condo, or home seem glamorous. The best thing about these remodels is that you can raise the price of your home, so you’ll get a lot of that investment back when you close.
Marriage
Are wedding bells ringing in your future? Congratulations! These days, marriage comes in all shapes and sizes, from young newlyweds, to remarriages that combine existing families. Whatever your particular situation, you may find that the home of a single individual is no longer enough for two, especially if children are coming along as well.
A kitchen remodel can turn a bachelor pad into a more welcoming place for gourmet cooking and entertaining. If children are coming to live in a home, this may mean adding another bedroom or turning a half bath into a full bath. You may even remodel so that an individual’s home becomes the couple’s home, reflecting their shared tastes and needs.
Baby on the Way!
Is your fridge covered with grainy utero pictures? Congratulations on your new future family member. No doubt, you are beginning to shop for all the essentials, like a crib, car seat, and a million adorable onesies. But is your home prepared for your child? Do you have a nursery close to your bedroom? Is it time to consider some stain-proof carpeting?
That baby is coming, so make sure your home is ready for the future.
Retirement
Ahhhhhhh, after decades of working hard, saving smart, and raising your kids to be good people, it’s time for you to enjoy the golden years of your life. After retirement, you’ll likely spend much more time at home, entertaining more often, and hosting more friends and family. Now that you are in a comfortable financial situation, why not splurge and upgrade your home? Maybe that means remodeling the kitchen with some high-end tile, cabinets, lighting, countertops, and appliances. Maybe you’ve always wanted a man-cave or a crafts room, or an outside living space. Your remodel may also incorporate Aging In Place techniques so you can live comfortably and safely for many years to come. Whatever your vision, retirement is the time to create the home you’ve always wanted.
Whatever stage of life you’re in, let Best-Rate Remodel be a part of it. We want you to love your home each and every day. Call us for a free remodeling consultation at (619) 229-0116.
Improve Your Sanity And Raise The Value Of Your Home By Turning A Half Bath Into A Full Bath
Best Rate Remodel / May 15th, 2014
Turn your half bath into a luxury full bath to keep your family happy and increase the value of your home
In the 1960s and 1970s, it was common for an entire middle class family to share a single bathroom. This might have been your situation growing up. Somehow your family was able to make it work, even if this involved whining at your sister to hurry up through the locked door or enduring cold showers if you were the last one in.
Those days are over. In our current era, it’s almost impossible to imagine a whole family sharing one bathroom! If you live in an older house with only one full bath and a half bath, you’ll probably run into traffic jams in the hallway in the morning as your family fights to be first in. You might also have trouble selling the house.
Even in a modern house, you may find that two bathrooms are not enough. If you have older children or even grown children who have moved back into the house, they may each expect their own bathroom. Another situation we see often is an older parent who moves into the home of an adult child. The home may have two bathrooms on the top floor, but the parent has difficulty climbing stairs.
In all of these cases, a great solution can be to turn an existing half bath into a full bath. It does take some work, but it’s not as hard as you may think. The piping is already in place for the sink and toilet, so the real trick is adding a bath and/or shower.
In most cases, transitioning a half bath into a full bath will require a build out to add more space in the bathroom. We will also need to call in a skilled plumber to fit in extra piping. This isn’t a small remodel, but it also isn’t as big or expensive of a new bath construction or large kitchen remodel. You may also be able to get a good portion of your investment back when you sell the house. The website RealEstate.com estimated that an additional full bath added around 20% to the value of a home. Full baths also make a home more appealing to potential homeowners, helping your home bring in more bids and sell more quickly.
Also, there is no price you can put on having a happy family!
While you already have a San Diego remodel team adding a shower and tub to your bath, you may also want to consider new tiling, cabinet additions and even a new vanity. This can be your opportunity to turn your half bath into a beautiful full bath masterpiece.
Ready to turn your half bath into the real thing? Contact Best-Rate Remodel today for a quote!
Remodeling A Kitchen For YOU!
Best Rate Remodel / April 15th, 2014Understand Your Values And Needs Before Starting A Remodel
What type of kitchen will best fulfill your family’s needs?
When homeowners first begin thinking about remodeling a room like the kitchen, it’s easy to start flipping through issues of Good Housekeeping or jumping on Pinterest. It’s exciting to pick out the kind of tiles you want, look at different lighting options, and start comparing shades of paint.
However, before you start mentally moving all the perfect pieces into your imaginary kitchen, you must first answer a big question – How do you want use your kitchen?
A remodel doesn’t just make your kitchen look beautiful; it also helps your kitchen function better to meet your needs. Let’s look at two different couples to understand why this question is so important.
Jim and Julia
Jim and Julia have been married for 30 years. Their last child left the house five years ago. Both spouses plan to retire in the next three years. Julia can’t wait! She wants to spend more of her time volunteering and entertaining. She imagines inviting her adult children and their families over for dinner once a month, starting a book club, and cooking big meals for friends in the kitchen.
Jim and Julia love their home, but the kitchen is small and cramped. Rather than move to a home with a bigger kitchen, they opt for a remodel. Good choice! When they give me a call, I ask them the golden question, “How do want to use your kitchen?”
Julia tells me about her plans for big meals, the family dinners, and the book club. It’s clear to me that Julia needs a lot of space. I might suggest breaking down a wall so we can put in a big range oven that will allow her to have several bubbling pots on the stove and a dish in the oven at the same time. She’ll need plenty of counter space so she can chop vegetables, roll out dough, and mix mash potatoes. She’ll also need a lot of cabinet and storage space for all her pots, pants, dishes, etc… She could also probably use a nice big refrigerator and extra big sink and dishwasher.
But that’s not all. Julia wants to create a warm and welcoming environment in the kitchen. This may mean breaking down a second wall or building out the kitchen so she can create a space where she can chat with her daughters as she cooks. In this extra space, we could add a bar, where Julia and the members of her book club can sit and chat over a glass of wine. All of these changes to the structure of the kitchen focus on allowing Julia to fulfill her dream of being a queen entertainer.
Hannah and Henry
Hannah and Henry are recently married and just bought their first home. Both are busy professionals who hardly have time to sit down for a quick breakfast, much less make a big meal for dinner each night. They are also trying to start a family.
Their new kitchen needs a little TLC. The cabinets are old and squeaky, the sink drips, and the floor has seen better days.
When I ask Hannah and Henry how they will use their kitchen, their answer is very different from Jim and Julia. They are not focused on entertaining. Instead, they want convenience, efficiency, and durable.
In this case, we could focus on adding new flooring that is easy to clean and doesn’t stain easily. If Hannah and Henry will soon have a little one in the family, they can expect lots of spills in their future. Additionally, durable counters will also be needed to hold up to small children. Hannah and Henry don’t need all the bells and whistles that Julia wants in their stage of life. They just need a functional and comfortable kitchen that will hold up well as their family expands.
Once you understand how you want to use your kitchen, your remodeling contractor can help you develop a design that will incorporate and support your needs. Your new kitchen will be beautiful and made just for YOU!
How To Bring Aging Parents Into Your Home – Granny Flats
Best Rate Remodel / March 5th, 2014
Keep your aging parent close without giving up your privacy with a granny flat.
Many of us in the Baby Boom Generation are at a great point in our lives. We’ve worked hard, climbed the corporate ladder or have become highly skilled at our trade. We are at the peak of our professional careers, enjoying lots of opportunity and looking ahead to a wonderful retirement. However, many of us also worry about aging parents.
You may, for example, worry about your 80-year-old mother living alone after your father passed away, or it might be time to have a talk with your father about giving up the keys to the car due to his worsening eyesight. You may even consider bringing an aging parent into your home so that they don’t have to live alone. This is a very big decision that will have a large impact on your life and on the life of your parent. You want to ensure that you can provide a safe and comfortable environment for your parent that also allows for privacy and autonomy.
If you have the resources, a granny flat (also known as a secondary suite) could be a great option in this type of situation. A granny flat is, essentially, a small separate dwelling on your property. Granny flats come in all shapes and sizes. Some granny flats are attached to the side of a primary residence but have a locking door between the primary home. Others are built on top of a detached garage or built on a different part of the property (sometimes known as garden flats).
Granny flats vary in size and layout. Simple granny flats may resemble a studio apartment, while a more extensive granny flat can have a living room, separate bedroom, small kitchenette and bathroom. When you start planning your granny flat, the design will depend on the size of your property, layout of your existing home, your budget, and the specific needs of your family.
A granny flat renovation is a big project, but it can be a good idea for a variety of reasons:
- Gives you the ability to care for your parent
- Eliminates the need for your parent to live alone in a big house or to drive unnecessarily
- Provides your parent with privacy and autonomy
- Provides you with privacy too!
- Increases the value of your property
- Can be used to house children who move back in or host other guests and family members
To learn more about a granny flat for your San Diego property, please contact Best-Rate Remodel. We would be happy to come out and provide you with a free consultation and price quote.
Why Your Habits and Family Size Matter When Remodeling a Kitchen
Best Rate Remodel / February 5th, 2014
How does your family use the kitchen?
When you start working with a remodel company on a kitchen remodel, you will meet with the project manager to discuss your goals, budget and vision for the remodel. This can be a fun and exciting process, where you and the project manager slowly begin to turn your dream kitchen into physical plans. The project manager will ask you a lot of questions during this process, including questions about how you and your family use the kitchen.
A kitchen remodel isn’t just about making your kitchen look better; it’s also about making your kitchen function better for the specific needs of your family. For instance, if you and your spouse both enjoy cooking together, than an ideal kitchen for you might include enough counter space so that you can chop the vegetables while your spouse stirs the batter for dessert. You’ll also want a large stove range, so you can both manage pots and pans at the same time without running into each other. This might translate into an open stovetop on a central island with multiple access points.
If you have children in the family, then this can affect the size and layout of the kitchen. Your project manager might suggest wide aisles so you can squeeze by while your daughter opens the fridge for a snack. A breakfast nook may also be in order to accommodate a busy family that doesn’t have time in the morning to set and eat at a table.
Additionally, your own personal preferences will play a big role in the design of your kitchen. Do you love to cook? Than you probably have a complex set of pots and pans and lots of different dishes, bowls and trays to showcase your delectable creations. Your kitchen will require lots of cabinet space, or even other creative methods of storing your supplies, like a classy pot and pan rack.
Your specific needs and foot traffic can also determine things like lighting, window placement, floor tiling and countertop materials. The more information you give to your project manager about your family, the better recommendations he or she can make. The result will be a kitchen made just for you and your family!
To learn more about kitchen remodels in San Diego or to get a quote for a kitchen remodel, contact Best-Rate Remodel at 619-229-0116.
Ten Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Remodeling Contractor
Best Rate Remodel / January 15th, 2014
Don’t choose a contractor until you’ve asked these ten questions.
Choosing a remodeling contractor is a big decision that will impact your wallet and the quality of your home life. A lot depends on the remodeling contractor you choose, which is why you should take your time and do your due diligence before making a choice. Effectively comparing different contractors is about much more than price. You want to make sure your contractor will listen to your needs and deliver a quality remodel in a professional and efficient manner. Here is a short list of ten questions you should ask every contractor you are considering for your remodel job. The answers will help you effectively compare contractors and see beyond just a price point:
1. Have you worked on a project like this before?
It’s important to know if your contractor has any experience working on project similar to what you are seeking for your home. Each type of remodel has different challenges and requires a certain level of expertise. For instance, a kitchen remodel could require electrical re-wiring, re-piping and a build out. If you choose a handyman who has only ever laid tile, your contractor is going to be way in over his or her head!
2. Can I speak with previous clients?
Remodeling companies have no problems singing their own praises, but the real truth will come from the customers they’ve worked with. Any contractor bidding for our project should be willing to give you the contact information of one or more previous clients. When you reach out to the client, ask them about their experience working with the contractor and how they feel about the result of their remodel.
3. Can you break down your price quote?
Every contractor prices jobs differently, which can make it challenging for a consumer to effectively compare quotes. Some contractors also like to hide or roll up charges to make them less obvious. Ask a potential contractor to break down the pricing so you understand exactly where all your money is going and so you can better compare different quotes.
4. How long will this project take?
A remodeling contractor should be able to give you a basic timeline for your project. If not, then ask. The larger your project, the less certain the timeline will be, since there is a higher probability of unforeseen issues.
5. Can you walk me through the stages of the project?
As a homeowner you have the right to understand what the contractor will be doing to your home. That doesn’t mean you need to know the nitty gritty of how to mix plaster, but your contractor should be comfortable breaking down the stages of the remodel.
6. When will you be able to start?
Your remodeler should be able to give you a timeline for your project, but that doesn’t mean much if they are booked solid for the next six months. Make sure you understand when a contractor is actually available for a job so that you aren’t unexpectedly caught at the bottom of a long wait list. (Note: It’s a good thing if your contractor is booked for work; you just need to have a clear idea of when you can expect work to begin).
7. Who will be managing my project?
Larger remodeling agencies usually employ project managers who oversee a client’s project. In some cases, this is not the same person who you speak with initially when discussing your project and seeking a quote. Make sure you know who will be your main contact on the project. You want to feel comfortable with this person so that you can communicate effectively.
8. How do you communicate during a job?
Homeowners need to make sure that the lines of communication will remain open after the work begins on their remodel so that they can stay in the loop, ask questions and provide feedback. Ask the contractor how they communicate with clients during the work. For instance, are meetings scheduled, can clients call or email, etc.?
9. Are you insured and licensed?
You should never work with a remodeling contractor who is not a licensed remodeler and/or does not carry insurance. Not only is it illegal to work with an unlicensed and uninsured company, but you could end up with big problems. An unlicensed contractor may not have the knowledge and skills to perform the remodel you want. Also, if an uninsured worker is injured on your property, you may end up with the hospital bill!
10. What happens if I am unhappy?
There are no guarantees in the remodeling industry, but your contractor should have some policy in place to address concerns or complaints. The most important thing you want to hear is that your contractor is willing to listen to your concerns and help you find a solution.
I hope this list of questions to ask a remodeler will be helpful to you as you seek out a skilled remodeling company for your next remodel. If you live in San Diego or Orange County, give Best-Rate Remodel a call at (619) 229-0116, and we’d be happy to answer these questions for your remodel.
Give The Environment A Little Love – Green Remodeling in San Diego
Best Rate Remodel / December 1st, 2013
You can lower the environmental footprint of your home with some easy remodeling upgrades.
Aside from the occasional tornado, hurricane and earthquake, Mother Nature has been pretty good to us. She gives us sunshine, rain, trees, and a bounty of crops and minerals. We haven’t always been so good at giving that love back. San Diegans, however, are getting on board the environmental train.
Our homes require a lot of resources and energy to function. Therefore, they offer a big opportunity if you are interested in lowering your impact on the environment. A home remodel is a great excuse to also upgrade the green standard of your home. As another bonus, being more green usually means saving more green too.
There is no one standard way to make your home “green”. Rather, there are many different ways that you can lower the energy needs of your home, responsibly use materials and help your house function more efficiently. Below is a list of the five most popular and easy ways to green your home during a remodel. If you’d like a more complete list, then please contact us to schedule a free consultation.
Insulation
If your home is poorly insulated, the cold or heat from the outdoors could easily get into your home. This forces your heating or air conditioning system to kick on more often to keep your home comfortable. These systems require a lot of energy and result in a big energy bill at the end of the month. Just by asking your remodeler to re-insulate your home, you could drastically increase its energy efficiency. When your house remains cool during the summer or warm during the winter, you won’t have to use your heater or air conditioning nearly as much. This will save energy and money. Ask your remodeler about using insulation made from recycled materials.
Windows
Windows are another area that has a big impact on your home’s energy efficiency. Windows that are old or ill-fitted will let out air conditioning or heated air and let the outside elements in. If your windows are old, or if you can feel cold air leaking in during winter, it’s time to upgrade them. I suggest a high-quality dual-paned window that provides extra insulation. These types of windows can even help mute outdoor noises, so you won’t be as bothered by garbage trucks, the nearby train or your loud neighbors.
Energy-Efficient Appliances
The appliances in your home suck up a lot of energy. If you are planning on remodeling your kitchen, consider paying a little extra for an energy-efficient refrigerator and dishwasher. Why not splurge on an energy-efficient washer and dryer as well? If you are remodeling a bathroom, choose a low-flush toilet, which uses significantly less water than a typical toilet. One easy way to find energy efficient appliances is to visit the Energy Star website at www.EnergyStar.com to find a list of products that have earned the Energy Star label.
Recycled or Renewable Materials
Remodeling any room in your home means choosing new materials and furnishings. Consider picking renewable or recycled materials if possible. For instance, you can choose FSC-certified wood for your flooring, cabinets, patio or deck. FSC stands for the Forest Stewardship Council , a nonprofit agency that certifies wood that comes from responsibly managed forests
Solar Panels and Solar Water Heater
The majority of electricity is created by burning coal, which releases a large amount of pollutants in the air. Rather than rely on a shrinking supply of fossil fuels, why not rely on the sun to provide your home with energy? Sunlight is free, abundant and doesn’t release any toxins into the air. Solar panel technology continues to improve. While the panels themselves can be costly, you may be able to get a rebate or write some of the costs off on your taxes. You will also be able to drastically lower your energy bills each month. Solar water heaters can heat the water in your home without the use of electricity. Again, they require an upfront investment, but they may eventually pay themselves off through lower energy bills. The real payoff however, is in knowing you are helping to preserve the resources of the planet.
It’s best to speak to a remodeling contractor about how you can make your home more green. A skilled remodeling contractor, like Best-Rate Remodel can provide a wide range of green remodeling ideas to fit your home, budget and specific needs. Give us a call to schedule a consultation today.