Having the Right Motivation With Remodeling

SACRAMENTO — When planning for a home remodeling project, it’s important to reflect on your motivation. Otherwise, you may end up making decisions that you later regret. For example, a lot of homeowners get caught up in following the latest remodeling trends. However, while trends change, functionality always remains the same. You want your new kitchen or bathroom to function well over the next 20 years, so be sure to prioritize function over fashion.

Another motivational pitfall that some homeowners fall into is becoming overly focused on the reactions of others. They want to “wow” their friends and neighbors, so that becomes the focal point of the remodel. In reality, you should be designing your new kitchen or bathroom for yourself, not for others. If your friends like it, that’s great, but it’s more important that you like it.

Building Permits In Remodeling

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO — A common question homeowners ask when planning a remodeling project is whether any building permits will be needed. The reality is, in almost any instance where you’re making significant changes to your home (remodeling a kitchen or bathroom, replacing a roof, removing load-bearing walls), you’ll need to obtain one or more permits. If you have any questions about whether your project requires a permit, call your local building department and they’ll be able to tell you.

Remember, if you neglect to get a permit for a job that requires one, you put yourself at risk of several consequences. In addition to being fined up to 10 times the cost of each permit, your project will be “red-tagged,” which means no work can continue until you pay the fines and obtain the required permits. So, don’t take any chances—make sure you or your contractor get all the necessary building permits before doing any work on your home.

Choosing Kitchen Cabinets and Countertops

NOVATO — When it comes to remodeling your kitchen, two of the most important choices to make are which types of cabinets and countertops to install. Here are a couple of basic tips to help you make an educated choice:

Cabinets: Custom or Modular
With kitchen cabinets, you have two basic options: custom cabinetry that’s made locally or modular cabinetry that’s produced in a large manufacturing facility. While many consumers assume a local cabinet maker builds everything from scratch, many actually purchase components such as doors and drawer boxes separately, as well as send the cabinets to a separate location for finishing. In contrast, most modular cabinet manufacturers do everything at a single location: they dry their own lumber, make their own doors and drawer boxes, and do their own finishing. So, in a way, modular cabinets might be considered more “custom” than locally made ones.

Countertops: Granite or Quartz
In terms of countertop materials, there are generally two products to choose from: granite (including marble) and quartz. One of the main benefits of quartz is it’s mixed with an epoxy that acts as a natural sealant, which makes it impervious to stains. Granite offers a more natural look, but it requires a bit more maintenance, including sealing.

The Importance of Long-Term Goals in Remodeling

BERKELEY — While some remodeling projects are relatively simple, others involve multiple phases that consist of consecutive segments leading up to an eventual finished product. In this scenario, it’s important to think about your project holistically, considering both the initial phases and the final result. By establishing long-term goals ahead of time, you can better ensure efficiency throughout the remodeling process.

The biggest benefit of establishing long-term remodeling goals is it enables your contractor to plan efficiently and design consecutive phases to be compatible with future ones. In contrast, when long-term goals aren’t established, work performed in a project’s early phases may have to be redone to accommodate later ones, which can result in reduced efficiency and substantial added cost. To avoid wasting time and money, be sure to discuss your long-term goals in great detail before the work begins.

Assessing Your Home’s Foundation

BRISBANE — Earthquakes are an ongoing concern for anyone who lives in the Bay Area. One way you can be proactive about protecting your home and family is to know the condition of your home’s foundation. If you understand the signs to look for, you can determine if measures are needed to bolster your home against earthquake damage.

Depending on when your home was built, the character (as well as the quality) of its foundation can vary. For example, many houses built in the 1920s and ’30s have foundations that were engineered using local materials, which isn’t good. Local sand contains impurities, which leads to degradation of the concrete. Also, builders in those days likely didn’t use enough Portland cement, as it was very expensive.

To assess the condition of your home’s foundation, perform this simple test: go down to your basement with a hammer or screwdriver and attempt to scrape off a piece of your foundation. If you’re successful, it’s a sign that the foundation’s integrity is compromised, in which case you should call a structural engineer.

Another thing to look for when assessing your home’s earthquake readiness is signs of foundation settlement, which can be caused by anything from poor soil compaction to drainage issues. In most cases, signs of foundation settlement can be found inside the home in the form of wall cracks, whether in corners or diagonally above doors and windows. Another common sign is a door or window that suddenly becomes difficult to open or close. If you start to notice these signs in your home, it might be time to get a professional assessment from a structural engineer.

Crucial Aspects of Green Building

SANTA CLARA – When it comes to designing and executing a remodeling project, one of the most important considerations is energy conservation. Building codes require a certain level of energy efficiency, but there are many opportunities to go above and beyond these basic standards to maximize energy conservation in your living space.

Insulation
By keeping the heat in and the cold out, insulation is a crucial part of maintaining an energy-efficient home. There are a few different types of insulation, all of which entail varying costs and levels of performance. For example, having fiberglass batt insulation in your walls and attic satisfies local building codes and provides a reasonable level of insulation. However, further measures such as sealing your attic with spray-on foam insulation can provide substantial savings both in terms of energy usage and heating/cooling costs. Another important aspect of home insulation is replacing old, inefficient windows with modern double-pane windows. After all, even if you put a lot of insulation in your walls and ceiling, poorly insulated windows will compromise these measures.

HVAC systems
When it comes to HVAC technology, there are a lot of high-efficiency products on the market that maximize energy conservation and keep operating costs low. Additionally, a high-efficiency HVAC system will give you better climate control and keep the temperature more stable throughout the day.

Water conservation
Besides energy conservation, another major focus of today’s Green technology is water conservation. For example, cutting-edge appliances like tankless water heaters and hot water recirculation pumps help minimize the amount of water that’s wasted down the drain, and graywater systems collect lightly used water from sinks, showers, and washing machines so it can be reused for lawns and plants.

Solar
Another way homeowners are boosting the energy efficiency of their homes is by installing solar energy systems. Most people know that solar systems can save a bundle on energy costs; in some cases, homeowners are actually able to create more energy than they use, which they can then sell to their utility companies. As long as your home gets an adequate amount of sunshine, you simply can’t lose by adding solar panels to your property.

Getting Ready to Meet with a Remodeling Contractor

OAKLAND — If you’re planning a remodeling project, one of your first steps should be to meet with a contractor. However, in order to make the most of your initial meeting, it’s best to be prepared by having an idea of what you’re looking for in your remodeled space. Here are a few tips for getting ready:

Browse design ideas. If you’re struggling to come up with design ideas for your remodeling project, go online. These days, homeowners have access to all kinds of home remodeling and design resources on the web. For example, Houzz is a fantastic resource that’s well-organized and easy to use.

Make a list. Write up a list of features you’d like to include in your remodeled space, organized by room. These features may include everything from cabinetry and countertops to finishes and appliances. Feel free to be as detailed as you want.

Draw a picture. Sketch out a floor plan and/or an illustration of what you’re envisioning for your remodeled space. Don’t worry—your drawing doesn’t have to be a work of art. Even a crude sketch can communicate a design idea better than a verbal explanation.

Price-shop products online. Browse prices for various appliances, fixtures and materials, and take notes on what you find. This preliminary research can be helpful for your contractor when it comes to putting an estimate together.

Versatility of an Accessory Dwelling Unit

BERKELEY — An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is a detached residential structure built on the same lot as a single-family home. Often referred to as a “granny unit,” an ADU can take a variety of forms, such as a converted garage, room addition or detached backyard structure. In 2020, new laws went into effect that made it easier for California homeowners to build ADUs on their properties.

One of the great things about an ADU is its versatility of application. Here are some common uses for an ADU:

• Multi-generational compound
• Rental property
• Office/workout room
• Guest house for visitors

Not only is there are a variety of ways to use an ADU, it’s easy to adapt your use of it as your family changes. For example, you may start out by renting out your ADU to pay off the mortgage. Later in life, if you decide you want to age in place at your current residence, you can move into the ADU and rent out your main house. That way, you get an ADA-friendly living situation (no stairs) and, since you’ve already paid off your mortgage, you’ll also generate some nice retirement income.

A Simple Way to Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency

SEASIDE — One aspect of home energy efficiency that many homeowners aren’t aware of is air loss prevention, despite the fact that the transmission of air between the interior and exterior of a home is a major cause of energy loss. Fortunately, there’s a simple, effective and fairly inexpensive way to address this issue.

Since air transmission is usually conducted through cracks, joints and other gaps between a home’s interior and exterior, a simple way to address this is to fill in these gaps with supplemental sealing agents. The application of caulking and expansive foams within various apertures throughout your home can make a considerable difference in reducing air transmission and improving energy efficiency.

This becomes even simpler during a remodeling project, when a home’s walls, ceiling or floors are already opened up. Discuss this option with your contractor—for just a couple extra hours of work, this small step will go a long way toward reducing your energy usage and improving comfort inside your home.

Considerations for Hiring a Contractor

GILROY — When choosing a contractor for a building project, you should focus on three key aspects: the content of the bid, the content of the company’s referral list and the deposit amount (if any) requested at the contract signing.

Bid content
When going over a bid, it’s important to know what to look for. First, the bid should be legible (preferably typed) to ensure clarity. Second, it shouldn’t simply give a vague sum for the job price; rather, it should include an itemized list of the various items and services to be performed, as well as major materials and appliances. Third, the sum total cost should indicate the contractor’s profit and overhead. Remember, these are always included in the cost, whether they’re accounted for in the final price or cunningly slipped within the numbers. Finally, the bid should include an approximate estimate of your job’s timeframe.

Referrals
Referrals are important because they verify a contractor’s record and give you an idea of what it’s like to work with them. A good referral list will provide references from a variety of phases, including long-term clients, clients whose projects are currently in progress (who can give you an idea of the crew’s dependability) and clients whose projects have recently been completed (who can give you honest opinions of their experiences). You should also make sure all sources are verifiable—it’s easy for a dishonest contractor to falsify references.

Deposit amount
It’s common for a contractor to ask for a deposit in advance of a job, but you need to be aware of the legal limitations to this request. In California, the maximum amount a contractor can collect at the contract signing is $1,000 or 10 percent of the job’s total cost—whichever is less. So, for a job estimated at more than $1,000, a contractor can collect no more than $1,000, and for a job estimated at less than $1,000, the most they can collect is 10 percent of the total projected cost. Once the contract is signed and the work begins, your contractor can ask for more money, but until then, the law states you don’t have to pay more than this allotted amount.

Upgrading Your Electrical Wiring

REDWOOD CITY — If your home was built prior to the 1960s, it may still have its original knob-and-tube electrical wiring, a precursor to modern Romex wiring. While it would be excessive to say knob-and-tube wiring is dangerous, there are some potential safety concerns. The main one is that its sheathing tends to decay and fall apart over time due to high heat exposure. This can create an unsafe condition—you don’t want heat conductors coming into contact with metal boxes and light fixtures.

To avoid this safety risk, consider replacing your knob-and-tube wiring with Romex. In a Romex cable, all wires are securely housed within a vinyl sheathing, which insulates and protects them. Plus, unlike knob-and-tube wiring, Romex wiring is grounded. That’s why modern homes have three-pronged electrical outlets while older homes have two-pronged outlets—that third prong connects to a ground wire, which knob-and-tube wiring doesn’t have.

An ideal time to upgrade your wiring is during a home remodeling project. Since the walls will already be opened up, this measure can be done for little additional cost—a small price to pay for the increase in safety.

How to Fix a Swinging Door

HEALDSBURG — If you have a door that frequently swings open or closed, you may think the only way to fix it is to completely remove and reset it. However, in many cases, this problem can be corrected with a quicker, easier solution.

After closing the door, remove the pin from one of the hinges—use a hammer to tap the pin upward from below and then pull it out the top. Place the pin on a piece of wood or another hardy surface and use the hammer to give it a slight bend in the middle. Next, return the pin to its hinge.

While this may seem ridiculously simple, it should create enough resistance to keep the door from swinging. Depending on the extent of the issue, you may have to repeat the step with two or even all three pins, but in most cases this should solve the problem.

5 Ways to Vet a Contractor

PETALUMA — Due to the widespread damage caused by both wildfires and flooding, there’s currently a shortage of general contractors in Sonoma County and the surrounding areas. To supplement this shortage, a lot of contractors are coming in from central and southern California, and even from out of state. Unfortunately, in this type of situation, it’s often difficult for homeowners to find a contractor that’s qualified, honest and reliable. That’s why it’s crucial to be diligent about vetting any contractor you’re thinking of hiring. Here are five smart steps:

1. Verify that the contractor has current licensing and insurance on file with the California State License Board (CSLB). You should also see if any complaints have been lodged by former clients. You can do this by visiting the CSLB’s website: www.cslb.ca.gov.

2. Request up-to-date liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance certificates, as well as an additional insured endorsement.

3. Request a list of references that includes both current and past projects. This will allow you to call the contractor’s current and former clients and ask them about their experiences.

4. Expect the contractor to provide a detailed bid that includes an itemized breakdown of construction costs and a written scope of work.

5. Insist on a signed contract and give a deposit of no more than 10 percent of the project’s total cost (as per the legal limit in the state of California).

Code Compliance in Construction

SAN JOSE — An important aspect of any building project is making sure things are done to code. The State of California has rigorous building code standards, both in regard to structural integrity and energy efficiency, so it requires careful diligence to stay in compliance with the law.

Due to the stringency of California’s building code, it’s easy for do-it-yourselfers to miss important details. For example, many homeowners do their own shopping for finish materials like faucets and light fixtures, but if they aren’t familiar with code requirements (especially those outlined in the California Green Building Standards Code), they may end up getting materials that aren’t code-compliant. This can result in an expensive mistake when the city inspector informs them that their new fixtures have to be replaced.

To avoid these kinds of issues, it’s important to partner with your contractor or designer to ensure code compliance at every level. By staying in line with building code requirements, you can ensure a smooth process and avoid costly mistakes.

Checking for Mold During a Remodel

OAKLAND — If you’re remodeling your home, one of the most important things you can do is check to see what’s behind your walls. Why? Because if there’s any hidden mold or mildew, it could jeopardize your entire project.

In most cases, it’s impossible to know whether mold or mildew is present behind the walls in a home, but it’s better to find out for sure than to make a wrong assumption. This is especially important if you live in an older home, where the combination of time and inferior building methods and materials increases the opportunity for mold or mildew issues to take root.

Consider a real-life example from a home addition project I recently did in Berkeley. Initially, when we opened up the walls, everything looked good on the inside, but as we got further into the project, we discovered there was a lot of mold and mildew. It’s a good thing we found it—otherwise, we might have completed the project without fixing the problem, which, as with all moisture-related problems, would only get worse over time and potentially ruin the work we did.

Considerations for New Baseboards

ROHNERT PARK — If you’re planning to install new baseboards in your home, there are a couple of things you’ll need to consider. One is the type of material to be used. You essentially have two choices: authentic wood or medium-density fiberboard (MDF).

MDF is the more affordable option, but it has a few drawbacks. For one, since the material is so dense, it “puckers” each time a nail is applied, which results in small imperfections throughout the baseboard. To ensure these don’t show in the finished product, each nail hole needs to be sanded down, primed and painted over. Another drawback of MDF is it produces very fine dust, which can pose an inhalation hazard. Additionally, MDF isn’t as durable as authentic wood and is more likely to swell or warp under certain conditions.

Authentic wood baseboards, on the other hand, are very durable and easier to cut and finish. Additionally, since they’re not as dense as MDF, the nails are able to completely disappear into the wood. That way, there won’t be a bunch of imperfections that need to be hidden after installation.

Another consideration with baseboards is the types of corners your house contains. Typically, the walls in a home will either have square, 90-degree corners or rounded corners, known as bullnose corners. With the former, installing baseboards is simple, since they naturally come together at the corners. With bullnose corners, things get a bit more complicated. One option is to buy corner pieces that match the profile of your baseboards. Otherwise, you can buy some extra baseboards and cut out pieces to fit the corners. However, instead of having round corners, you’ll now have three-piece, slightly angled corners that have little gaps on the top. To fill these gaps and still achieve a pleasing aesthetic effect, you’ll need to hire a skilled painter.

Differentiating Cabinet Styles

WALNUT CREEK — Some homeowners assume shopping for new kitchen cabinets will be a simple endeavor, but there are actually numerous options from which to choose. By familiarizing yourself with the various cabinet styles ahead of time, you’ll be able to make a more educated choice. Here’s some information on three of the most common styles:

European cabinets
Also known as frameless cabinets (due to their distinct lack of a face frame), European-style cabinets are structurally supported by “gables,” which are situated on either side of the cabinet, as well as on the top and bottom. In addition to being very sturdy, frameless cabinets offer advantages such as ample storage room and optimal shelf access.

Framed cabinets
A framed cabinet is essentially the same as a frameless cabinet, except it has a face frame. The frame is comprised of two elements: the upright elements (“styles”) and the side-to-side elements (“rails”). The styles and rails act as points to attach doors or drawers, and they also provide stability for the cabinet once it’s installed. While it’s an aesthetically pleasing option, framed cabinets have functional drawbacks such as more limited access and smaller drawer box size, both of which are caused by the protrusion of the face frame.

Inset door cabinets
With an inset door cabinet, the door and drawer faces are flush with the cabinet’s face frame. As with framed cabinets, the design of an inset door model limits access and gives you less room for drawer boxes, but what it lacks in functionality, it makes up for in aesthetic style.

When selecting cabinets, it’s important to establish a balance between your aesthetic goals and your storage needs. By carefully weighing the various aspects involved, you’ll be able to choose the right cabinets for your kitchen.

Electrical Upgrades for a Kitchen Remodel

SAN FRANCISCO — Are you remodeling your kitchen? If so, you probably want to upgrade your lighting fixtures and appliances. However, if you live in an older home, there’s one thing you may be forgetting: your electrical panel. If your panel isn’t up to code, you’ll need to upgrade it—otherwise, it may not be able to handle the power needs of your newly remodeled kitchen.

The extent to which panel upgrades are needed can depend in part on the age of your home. For example, if it was built in the early 20th century and still has knob-and-tube wiring, you’ll need to replace its old fuse box with a modern breaker panel. This will make your electrical system safer, improve its performance and lower your home insurance costs.

Here are a few other factors to consider for upgrading your electrical panel:

Clearances

As per the National Electrical Code (NEC), a breaker panel must be situated a specified distance from things like the ceiling and HVAC equipment. Additionally, it can’t be enclosed in a closet or have anything blocking it (like garbage cans, for example). These rules are designed to prevent potential hazards and ensure ample accessibility to the panel when needed.

Arc protection

An arc fault can be caused by loose or corroded wires, which can generate heat that potentially leads to an electrical fire. As of 2014, the NEC requires that all electrical panel breakers be equipped with arc fault protection.

Sub-panel

In some cases, a kitchen remodeling project may involve the installation of a sub-panel—a smaller service panel that functions as an offshoot of the main panel. Sub-panels are often used to provide more convenient access to breakers or in cases where the main panel doesn’t have room to install additional breakers.

Due to the important role electricity plays in kitchen remodeling, it’s wise to get an electrician involved early in your project. For one thing, you’ll get a clear idea of how much work will be needed, which will help you determine your budget. Also, your electrician will be able to work with your designer and contractor to ensure you get exactly what you’re looking for in your remodeled kitchen.

Taking a “Hands-On” Approach to Home Remodeling

WALNUT CREEK — When it comes to remodeling, a lot of homeowners just point to a picture in a magazine and say, “I want that.” The problem with this approach is that the homeowner has no tangible experience of what it’s like to live in such a space. If your entire remodeling project is based on pictures, when it’s finished, you might come across issues you hadn’t considered before. Worse still, you may not like the end result as much in reality as you did on paper.

To avoid buyer’s remorse, it’s best to take a “hands-on” approach by immersing yourself in the colors, textures and design of the space you’re planning. Here are a few examples of how to do this:

•  If you have plans to alter your home’s layout, put some masking tape on the floor that demarcates the location of the new wall/counter space/etc. Live with that for a few days and see whether the changed layout fits within or disrupts your daily flow.

•  When choosing new paint colors, apply samples to pieces of cardboard and tape them on your walls. This will give you an impression of how it feels to live with these colors on a daily basis.

•  Get a firsthand look and feel of any remodeling components you’ll be handling on a regular basis, such as door knobs and cabinet hardware. You may be surprised by the differences between seeing them in a magazine and handling them in person.

Utilizing these and similar techniques, you’ll be able to make more informed choices regarding your remodeling project and ensure satisfaction with the end result.

The Importance of Project Preparation

LIVERMORE — No matter what kind of home improvement project you’re planning, chances are you’ll need to invest some time and money into preparation. Doing so will allow you to get the best possible result with your project. Here are two examples of why preparation is important:

Tile flooring

Before laying down floor tiles, the subfloor needs to be assessed and prepared. Due to tile’s rigidity, if the subfloor isn’t level, some tiles will sit higher than others, resulting in “lipping” that can cause both an eyesore and a safety hazard. Waterproofing measures are also needed to prevent water intrusion issues after installation. By taking the time to ensure a level, waterproof floor, you’ll avoid long-term problems.

Painting

Preparation is crucial for ensuring paint’s integrity over time, especially when it comes to exterior painting projects. This begins with scraping and sanding off any loose paint to create a clean, smooth surface. Next, repair any areas that are affected by dry rot (if those are painted over, they’ll continue to get worse) and use caulking to fill and seal cracks, joints, and gaps in siding and trim (this will prevent water intrusion). Finally, thoroughly prime the surface before applying the paint.

How to Prevent Price Increases in Construction

MILPITAS — One of the biggest issues homeowners encounter when working with building contractors is unexpected price increases. This is typically done through the use of change orders, which provide contractors with a means of altering a project’s original contracted price. Typically, change orders are used when unforeseen costs or circumstances arise during a project. Unfortunately, some contractors use change orders to take advantage of clients by intentionally quoting a low estimate at the outset of the project, only to raise the price later.

The best way to avoid price hikes from change orders is to have your contractor sign an agreement that the quoted estimate will stay the same throughout the project’s duration. An experienced contractor should be able to confidently provide an estimate without resorting to change orders. If your contractor won’t sign the agreement, you may want to consider working with someone else. Otherwise, you leave yourself open to a lot of uncertainty regarding the final cost of the project.

Choosing the Right White for Your Trim

SAN JOSE — When it comes to choosing interior paint, most homeowners tend to focus on wall and accent colors, but it’s also important to consider trim color. Although trim is generally white, choosing the right hue of white is no simple matter.

From cooler whites to warmer whites to off-whites and everything in between, there are countless variations of white paint to choose from. Additionally, when choosing white trim, you need to account for all the existing whites in your home, like white doors, windows, ceilings, cabinets and appliances. Furthermore, white paint can take on warm or cool tones depending on the subtle hues that are mixed in, so it’s important to look at your trim in the context of your wall and accent colors.

Choosing the right type of white paint for your trim isn’t easy, but when you find the perfect hue, it’ll help tie the entire project together and achieve the feel you want for your space.

Planning Your Remodel in Reverse

PALO ALTO — When planning for a home remodel, most homeowners assume they should start by getting architectural drawings. However, I’m going to suggest something radical: start at the end of the process and work backward. Specifically, I recommend starting from the buying list by choosing all of your finishing products before having architectural drawings done.

First of all, this helps to give you a clearer idea of what your project is going to cost. Additionally, choosing finishing products at the beginning will influence your architectural drawings. If you have drawings done before knowing what products you’ll have, those drawings will likely need to be redone once you do. Designs tend to change a lot as products are selected. You may end up with a different cabinet layout or countertop style, or you may decide to install a wall-mounted toilet instead of a traditional one. If that’s the case, the drawings will need to be modified to reflect these changes. On the other hand, if you start by choosing your products, your architect will be able to base their drawings around those products and avoid the need to make changes later.

When selecting finishing products, I strongly recommend visiting other remodeled homes and experiencing different products in person (ask your contractor for references). Construction is all about feeling, and you can’t ascertain a feeling by simply looking at pictures. Getting a firsthand experience of various finishing products will help you make choices you’ll be happy with long after your remodeling project is completed.

Living at Home During a Remodel

VALLEJO — If you’re planning for a major home remodeling project, you’ll need to consider whether or not you’ll continue living at home while the work is being done. It’s important to remember that living at home during a remodel is no picnic—besides having workers constantly going in and out of your home, there will likely be noise and dust. If you’re thinking about remaining at home, you should ask your contractor the following questions:

• How do you plan to mitigate dust in my home? Will you put up plastic and/or use air filters?
• How noisy will the equipment be? Are there ways to reduce the noise?
• Where will the crew use the restroom? Will you order a portable restroom?
• Will you help me set up a temporary kitchen while my kitchen is being remodeled?

By asking these kinds of questions ahead of time, you can make an educated choice and be prepared for living at home during your remodel.

DIY Cabinet Hardware Installation

PORTOLA VALLEY — Are you remodeling your kitchen or bathroom? New cabinetry is often the most expensive aspect of remodeling these areas of the home. Fortunately, there are ways you can save money on this aspect, one of which is do-it-yourself hardware installation.

To install cabinet hardware, you’ll need a drill and a Kreg Jig kit, both of which can be purchased at any hardware store. A Kreg Jig kit snaps onto the cabinet fronts and acts as a guide that enables you to drill holes into the door/drawer fronts. After drilling the holes, you can easily install the cabinet hardware. Doing this yourself (instead of having your contractor do it for you) is a great way to cut costs on your new kitchen or bathroom cabinets without sacrificing quality.

Planning Your Construction Project

SEBASTOPOL — A crucial aspect of planning a construction project is researching and choosing finishing products like countertops, appliances, flooring, cabinetry, and plumbing fixtures. To ensure product availability and timely delivery, it’s best to choose and order these items during the early stages of the project.

Naturally, before you can choose your finishing products, you’ll need to know what you want. Spend some time looking at remodeled homes in your area (ask your contractor for references) to get a feel for the kind of style and design you’re looking for. You can also draw inspiration from remodeling TV shows, magazines and websites.

Once you have an idea of the types of finishing products you want, it’s time to do some more in-depth research. For each product out there, there’s a wide range of quality and corresponding price points, so you’ll need to establish your budget and decide how much you want to invest in this aspect of your project.

Once you’ve put together your “wish list” of finishing products, share it with your contractor; they can tell you whether the products you’ve chosen are compatible with your design and suggest alternative options if needed. Once your contractor has given their stamp of approval, you should purchase your finishing products as early as possible. By ordering everything you need before your project starts, you can avoid disruptive delays during construction.

An Alternative Approach to Planning a Remodel

SAN JOSE — When planning for a remodel, homeowners often start by looking at cost and let that dictate the form the project takes. While this may be a financially prudent approach, it can also limit the project’s possibilities and lead to reduced satisfaction with the final result. An alternative approach to consider is imagining your project without looking up the cost first. This way, you start with your ideal and work from there. Sure, not every aspect may be feasible, but you might be surprised by what is possible. As the saying goes, “Shoot for the moon—even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.”

To successfully attempt your ideal project, you’ll need to find a good contractor. An experienced contractor may be able to make your budget stretch further than you would expect, and you might find that their estimated price is lower than you anticipated. Just don’t go for the cheapest estimate that comes your way—in many cases, low estimates wind up being a lot higher in the end. As with your project design, don’t let price dictate your decision. Assess the details of the estimates, do a gut check and choose the contractor that best fits the job.

It’s also helpful to spend some time educating yourself on remodeling products and materials. By learning what options are available and comparing prices, you may be able to achieve your desired results for a lower cost than expected. Naturally, you should also consult your contractor and their team for further insight.

Choosing Products and Materials for a Remodel

SAN FRANCISCO — When starting a home remodeling project, one of the most important things you can do is choose your materials and products early. For example, with kitchen remodeling, picking out cabinets is crucial. Cabinets take approximately six to eight weeks from the time of ordering to delivery, so you don’t want to wait until a week before the work begins to order. Likewise, when remodeling your bathroom, you’ll want to choose your vanity and tiles well in advance.

Ideally, you should decide on all products and materials during the beginning stages of the project—that way, your contractor can make sure they’re a good fit for the remodel and order them in a timely manner. Work with your contractor to ensure accuracy with things like measurements and quantities. Your contractor can also suggest alternative options in case a certain material or product won’t fit the design or is too expensive.

If you’re having difficulty choosing products and materials for your remodel, consult remodeling websites or magazines for ideas. Collect your favorite designs and share them with your contractor—this will help them understand the direction you want to go in. Remember, your contractor is there to help you make decisions, so don’t hesitate to rely on their professional insight.