Need Space For A Rental Unit On Your San Diego Property? Check Out These Ideas
The real estate market in San Diego has been on the rise in recent times. While this may mean higher buying prices, it also means more demand and lucrative rental prices for those already owning a piece of property in this section of Southern California. With the help of a company such as Creative Design & Build, you can easily turn some of your space into a fully functioning rental unit and start earning some decent passive income. Interested?
Below, see some of our ideas on some of the areas you can convert into a rental unit in your home.
- Garage ADU
Got a garage that you no longer actively use? This could be a perfect rental space if it is big enough, e.g. a double garage space. This space is already connected to the main house and is insulated. All that is needed is an ADU (accessory dwelling unit) remodel to get this space ready and habitable. It could act as a bedroom or small studio for a single adult. And they can have their own independent entrance door so you still get to enjoy your privacy.
- Basement remodel
Have a basement that you have no idea what to do with? Not everyone has their basement functioning as a man cave, home theatre or children’s play room. Quite a lot of basements are empty and neglected. With a bit of investment these large spaces can be turned into guest wings that can then be rented out. Most often have a bathroom so a kitchen is then added via a kitchen remodeling San Diego installation. After working on the flooring, lighting, walls, and adding furniture, the space is usually good to go.
- Pool house installation/remodel
If you have a pool house on your San Diego home that too can easily be flipped into an awesome rental unit. It can even work as a short term rental unit that you could list online for visiting tourists. A pool house is likely to fetch very good rental rates if done well because it has the potential to carry that leisurely high-end look and feel. If you don’t have a pool house but have adequate outdoor space and a pool, we could install one for you. And when you’re not renting it out you could use it as a guest wing or as an actual pool house.
- Room addition/ house extension
If your outdoor space is not that abundant, a good alternative is a room addition process. This is where we add a new room somewhere adjacent to your existing house. We can even add a new living suite complete with a kitchenette and a bathroom thanks to our bathroom remodeling San Diego experts. We often do this for families who have outgrown their house. But the same also works very well for shrewd homeowners who don’t mind becoming landlords as well.
Feeling like a landlord yet? For any of the above projects Creative Design & Build can handle the entire project management including application for permits, drawing up designs, and even installing furniture.
Does Your Bathroom Need A Remodel?
Bathrooms are some of the most ‘delicate’ spaces in any home. Unlike other rooms that can be allowed to age a little bit, bathrooms have to be in good shape all year round because they are the hygiene headquarters of any given house. The kitchen holds the same position too. However, let’s focus on the bathroom for now. How do you tell that your bathroom needs some work? Here are a few pointers.
Mold infestation
Bathrooms are highly susceptible to mold due to the water and moisture that is constantly circulating and flowing around its surfaces. The walls and ceilings are especially affected. And because most bathrooms are light in color, the mold stands out like a sore thumb creating an eyesore for all that visit. If this is the case with your bathroom, a fresh coat of paint is past due. Not only that, you may also need to improve air circulation/ventilation in there by maybe installing a larger window.
Cracked, dirty or stained tiles
Most bathrooms are covered in tiles. There are tiles on the floor and there are tiles on the walls. Over time, tiles will show signs of age (or neglect). And it does get to a point where the only solution is to replace them. If your tiles are broken, cracked, or stained, you most probably need to retile the bathroom. The same applies if the grouting on your tiles is chipped, stained or missing in whole. Retiling your bathroom not only gives it a facelift, it also helps prevent water damage behind the walls and underneath the floor.
Poor lighting
No one enjoys taking a shower or a bath in a poorly-lit space. For one, everyone needs good visibility when taking a bath. Secondly, lighting is very important if the bathroom is to be kept clean. And third, great lighting simply makes a bathroom look elegant and chic. If your bathroom has just a single lonely dim bulb or no natural light whatsoever then consider installing modern lighting, improving the flow of natural light, and probably changing the wall décor to allow better light reflection.
Leaky faucets, pipes, shower or shower base
Plumbing is critical for a bathroom. The moment pipes and faucets start to fail the bathroom starts to get dysfunctional. And you don’t want your bathroom getting dysfunctional, whether it’s the toilet, the faucet, or the shower system. Not only can it get unhygienic, messy, and wasteful on water, it can also lead to water damage, rot, mold, algae, termites, and other related issues.
Outdated features
Last but not least, your bathroom needs a remodeling if it has outdated features. It’s very important to keep your décor updated with the times. And in 2019 some features are just too drab to have anymore. For example, if your bathroom still has glass bathroom tiles or that 1960’s green wall paint then it’s time to change it. A bright contemporary theme will immediately transform your space and make you want to spend more time in there.
Say no more when it comes to bathroom remodeling San Diego. Creative Design and Build has got you covered. We will help you choose the right style, source materials, and we’ll manage the entire project from A to Z!
Stamped Concrete: What We Love About It!
Since it came into style a few years ago, stamped concrete has enjoyed great success and lots of positive feedback from clients and contractors alike. We work with stamped concrete a lot and we love it too. And the same reasons we love this paving technique are the same reasons why you might want to install the same in your driveway, poolside, patio, or other part of our outdoors.
Quick & easy to install
Stamped concrete is easy to install. The process is straightforward and not complicated at all. Once the ground has been prepared and stabilized, the concrete is simply poured into place. It is then stamped into the agreed design before being left to cure and harden. As you can see, chances of things going wrong are quite minimal here. Not only can the ground be installed within a relatively short amount of time, the process also doesn’t require fitting of pieces bit by bit as is the case with pavers.
Ideal for kids use
It is important to evaluate just how friendly your choice of paving is to your entire family. Stamped concrete provides a safe and gentle surface for kids to play on. Unlike asphalt or paving blocks which are rough and textured, stamped concrete has a smooth and even surface. Your kids can play on this surface without incurring any breaks or cuts on their skin easily. Even for textured finishes you can have smooth pebbles added onto the surface and still enjoy a smooth finish that is safe for kids’ use.
Easy to clean
When it comes to maintenance, stamped concrete and even plain concrete surfaces are quite easy to work with. They do not stain as easily as pavers, tiles or natural stone and they are easier to wipe or brush compared to asphalt. In most cases simply spraying the surface with a high pressure washer will do the trick. Whether you have kids or like to entertain outside, cleaning up after won’t be that much of a chore.
Numerous designs to choose from
One of the most attractive perks of stamped concrete is the design versatility it offers. The finished surface can be stamped into almost any design. Most interestingly, you can get designs that resemble bricks, pavers, timber, tiles, natural stone, brick, cobblestones, and more. This way you can enjoy the affordability and easy maintenance of concrete while adding the aesthetics of timber, brick or any other material.
Versatile use
The versatility of stamped concrete goes far beyond design. It also stretches to use. Grounds covered in stamped concrete can be used for a lot of uses, either exclusively or all together. These applications include parking cars, as outdoor eating areas, patio grounds, kids’ playing grounds, driveways, cleaning areas, DIY workshops, etc.
Love stamped concrete just like us? Request a quote from Creative Design & Build to see just how affordable it can get. We also provide other hardscaping options such as laying pavers and fire pit installation and more.
Important Factors To Consider Before Carrying Out A Garage ADU
A garage ADU (accessory dwelling unit) is a great way to add a functional space into your home by converting your already existing garage space into something else. If carried out well, a garage ADU can expand the total livable square feet in your home, improve the value of your property, and add to the aesthetics of your home, among many other perks. However, it is not advisable to jump straight into a garage ADU. It’s important that you first weigh these important considerations first.
Your need for a garage space
When you carry out a garage ADU, you essentially get rid of your garage. It ceases to exist and converts into some other space. For that reason, it is important that you carefully consider your need for garage space. After the ADU is completed you won’t be able to reclaim your garage space back. If you plan to buy a car or sell the property in the future you might want to weigh how your ADU will affect that process.
Local building permits
Every local government has strict codes that govern construction and development. And this applies to ADUs as well. It may be illegal, you may need to carry out an inspection first, or you may even need to pay a fee. Your county or state could be an exception if you’re lucky but it is advisable to err on the side of caution. Check with your local building inspector and see what the law says about building your ADU. Your building contractor can also shine some light on this if they have carried out similar work in the area.
Budgetary requirements
Though small, a simple garage ADU could end up gobbling up quite some money before it’s completed. It is important that you tally up the costs diligently. Consult your contractor before you decide to start knocking down walls. Expenses such as insulation, roofing, electrical wiring, and flooring could push the total expenditure further up than you thought.
Construction disruptions to your ordinary life
Another factor that you should consider is how a garage ADU will cause disruptions to your ordinary life at home. For starters, if you have cars or good already under storage inside the garage you will need to clear them out. Then there’s the noise from the construction, the construction waste that will follow, and the possible knocking down of adjacent walls. Be sure that you’re ready for these disruptions and plan for them in advance so that you’re well prepared when the job starts.
Your remaining outdoor space
Last but not least, it’s also important to consider your outdoor space. Before you add another dwelling space to your home, ask yourself whether you’re okay with encroaching onto your remaining outdoor space any further. If you have a very small outdoor space, your garage ADU could take up a small portion of it thereby making it even smaller. However, if you have a huge front lawn then you won’t be as affected.
Creative Design & Build Inc. can help you plan your garage ADU in consideration of all these factors and more. We can also help you with your kitchen remodeling San Diego or bathroom remodeling San Diego project.
Great Ideas For Your Garage Space Conversion (ADU)
In this progressive age of advanced tech and amazing inventions, there are a lot of people who barely use their garage spaces. And the reason for that is they do not own cars. They either cycle to work or simply hail taxi rides from the comfort of their homes. Others own cars which they never use; they simply collect dust in the garage. If you are in a similar situation where you barely make any use of your garage space, an ADU (accessory dwelling unit) could be a great idea.
Through an ADU you get to make use of all your floor space. And, you can add an exciting new room to your home. This could be a:
- Guest wing
Want to give you and your guests more privacy? Impress your friends and family when they come to visit by providing them with their very own suite away from the main family living area. This can work well if your garage holds two or more vehicles because that provides enough space for a self-contained wing.
- Play room
Too much work and no play makes for a dull family. Give your family a space to play, laugh, and break away from the monotony that they’re used to. A play room is an exciting addition that parents, children, and guests will all love. You can add play features such as a pool table, board games, dance games, and more.
- Mud room
A garage is perfectly located to host the ideal mudroom. Make this a space where you and your kids can leave your wet clothes or muddy shoes before entering the main living quarters. This space can be made functional by adding shelving units and wall hangers to hold shoes and jackets respectively.
- Storage closet
A lot of family homes lack enough storage space. Convert your garage into a space where extra clothes, bedding, old furniture, or idle appliances can be stored until they are needed again; or until they can be disposed away. Again, most of what is needed for this conversion is built-in smart storage. Just think of all the clutter you could get out of your living room, kitchen, and bedrooms.
- Laundry room
Don’t have a perfect spot for your laundry room? Your garage can make for a cozy, spacious, and modern laundry room. It’s large enough to hold multiple washing machines and dryers, as well as washing sinks, a folding space, storage shelves, and space for holding all the dirty laundry.
- Sun room
You could also choose to convert your garage into a sun room. Sun rooms are great living spaces where you and your family can relax, have meals, host friends, and of course – enjoy nature. A sun room will also give your home an outdoor living space and look.
All the above garage ADUs would make for exciting additions to any home while adding great functionality and value to your property. At Creative Design & Build we can make these garage ADUs come to life. We are also the kitchen remodeling experts in San Diego with the experience and expertise to makeover any room in your house.
Remodeling Practices to Secure A Higher Home-Sale Price
Most home owners plan a home remodel for either of these reasons; to improve the functionality and quality of living or, in order to sell the house in the near future. The two differ in terms of feasibility. For instance, spending $65,000 on a kitchen remodel to serve you for the next two decades sounds reasonable. However, spending such an amount on your kitchen only to sell it after 8 months is a financial mis-step as the kitchen is less likely to add such a sale price to the home. Follow these remodeling practices to secure a higher sale price for your home.
Think Cost versus Value
The rule of thumb is, never spend more on a remodel than you can recoup. Before deciding on any remodeling, have your home valued by a qualified home inspector. With the figure in mind, hire a professional contractor to guide you on the cost of remodeling. A kitchen remodeling San Diego contractor can advise you on whether your kitchen needs surface remodeling or full-scale remodeling to fetch a higher sale price.
Where you can, refurbish
Remodeling is expensive. With regards to selling the house, it is better to refurbish certain rooms rather than incur the expenses of a full-scale remodeling. For instance, you can forego replacing the hardwood in your kitchen and instead, refurbish it by sanding. Also, replacing a window sash is a more viable option compared to buying entirely new windows.
Prioritize kitchens and bathrooms
According to realtors, the kitchen and bathroom of any home makes or breaks the sale. Families spend quite a lot of time in these particular rooms, making them more likely to require repairs. Additionally, when home owners buy a house, they instinctively calculate the staggering costs of remodeling the kitchen or bathroom before they can move in. Hire a bathroom remodeling San Diego company to perform a full feasibility of the state of your bathroom including any plumbing works/repairs.
Focus on countertops
The countertops on your kitchen or bathroom make up to 40% of the room’s appeal. Should you have weathered laminate countertops, replace them with ceramic, quartz or natural stone. They not only improve the optics of the room, but also reflect longevity.
Upgrade the fixtures and hardware
Any new home buyer will play around with the cabinets, dressers and other hardware to get a feel of their quality. Additionally, fixtures and hardware are among the top items that any savvy home buyer would want to remodel. Installing new fixtures and hardware will restore confidence in any home buyer.
Never forget to paint
Paint on the walls fade over time. Carefully-blended contemporary hues will transform any aged structure into a desirable home. When painting, use bright colors in space-challenged rooms as they improve ambient lighting and make the room look bigger. Also, do mind the deep shades as they tend to make a room darker in appearance.
Appearance over function
When remodeling to improve the quality of living, function usually takes the front seat. However, for resale purposes, appearance works far better than function. A home buyer will offer more if they like what they see, way before they can test the functionality of items such as a water heater.
The 5 Most Important Questions When Choosing A Designer For Your Kitchen Or Bathroom Remodel
Today, kitchen and bathroom remodels are a dime a dozen. Choosing to remodel your space is not the difficult part, clearly. The most difficult part of a remodel today is finding the right designer to work with; someone who will execute your vision as you see it. So how then can you find such a person, what do you need to look out for, what questions do you need to ask?
This is what you need to ask yourself before picking a designer for your kitchen remodel or bathroom remodel.
Have they done similar work before?
Contractors dabble in lots of fields. Most have their fingers in every type of work you can think of. And that may not necessarily be a bad thing. However, do not assume that any contractor you across automatically qualifies for the specific type of work you need done. Perhaps they have only worked on roofs and exterior works and have never built a kitchen or bathroom. So always find out if they have done similar work before. And if possible they should show you some examples for comparison.
Do they have a clear work schedule?
Still on some contractors having their fingers in various jobs, you don’t want to work with someone whose attention is split between various projects. You want a contractor that has all their focus on your kitchen or bathroom remodel. So always ask prospective candidates if they have a clear work schedule. And if they are slated to start on a certain project in the near future, make sure that they have enough time to complete your work between now and then; you don’t want them rushing your work just so they can jump onto the next job when the time comes.
Do they understand and love the idea behind your remodel?
A remodel is personal for you as the client. You are heavily invested in the process and you know exactly what you want to do to your spaces. It is important, therefore, that the remodel designer you choose to work with understands your idea and loves it just as much. That way they will be invested as well and will do whatever is needed to give you the results you want without compromising. Think about it, if your designer does not love the idea or understand it, how then can they actualize it?
Do they have great ideas to chip into the project?
It is not enough that your designer understands and loves your idea, can they add value to it as well? Can they contribute ideas to make your kitchen or bathroom even better and more durable or functional? It’s only right that they do because they are the experts and you’re paying them to add their value, skills, and experience to your project.
Are they licensed, insured, and bonded?
Last, but not least, ask your designer if they have the requisite documents to operate. These requirements will allow you to establish that you’re working with an authentic contractor and that your work is protected should anything go wrong. A state license tells you that they are allowed to do the work, insurance tells you that you will be compensated should something go wrong, and a bond assures you that your work will get completed should your contractor be unable to.
Creative Design & Build is your ideal partner for your kitchen remodeling in San Diego or your bathroom remodeling in San Diego. Talk to us today and let us help you achieve your dream space!