Selling Your Home in San Diego? Remodel Your Kitchen and Sell Quicker
The southern California region around San Diego is a highly-sought after real estate market. Many people looking to live or work in the area look to buy homes or rent commercial spaces in places such as Poway and El Cajon. If you are making plans to sell your home in this area (or any area really), it helps to make sure that your kitchen is in great shape before listing. A small investment to remodel your kitchen can help you attract more bids and sell your house faster. Read on to learn more.
Why the kitchen?
Prospective home buyers will inspect each and every part of the house you’re selling, including the outdoor areas. And all of these areas matter to them. In fact some homebuyers are sold by the spacious and well-manicured backyard or an elegant master bedroom. But the one area that is never hit-and-miss is the kitchen.
The kitchen is the most focal room in the house. It is a very active space and it is quite exposed to everyone that comes into the house. Also, for most wives, the kitchen is their playground and they would like for it to be perfect if they are to buy the property.
Cool touches to consider for a modern kitchen
One of the most sought-after looks for kitchens today is a clean and elegant modern design. And you can remodel your kitchen to get this look in a number of ways.
i. New appliances:
Install new modern appliances, preferably in stainless steel. This includes a refrigerator, cooker oven, microwave, wine cooler, etc.
ii. Brighter walls:
A dull kitchen tends to look smaller and is functionally harder to work in. Brighten up your kitchen by painting the walls. Shades of white are perfect for a modern look and other bright colors are good options too. Also consider swapping dull cabinet doors and drawers for brighter hues.
iii. Better lighting:
Install modern lighting. Some of the favorite lighting options for modern kitchens include recessed ceiling lighting and pendant lights.
iv. Modern furniture:
Get rid of any worn furniture and set up some cozy and functional alternatives. One must-have is a set of stools for your breakfast nook or island.
v. Flooring:
Worn or ugly tiles have no place in a modern house that is up for sale. Plain ceramic tiles or wooden flooring are great options.
Other important rooms you could work on
If you have already worked on your kitchen, or if you think your kitchen is in pretty good shape, there are a number of other areas you could also work on to make your property highly attractive to prospective buyers in El Cajon and Poway. They include:
Master bathroom: Install a “his and hers” sink and a shower enclosure. A bath tub would be nice too if possible.
Master closet: Make sure the closet is large enough and bright. A large closet will go a long way in impressing buyers.
Living room: Create a relaxed atmosphere with lots of natural light, comfy seating, and touches of modern décor.
Outdoors: Add green grass and shrubbery to the outdoor and install recreational seating areas such as a patio, pergola, gazebo, raised deck, etc.
If you need kitchen remodeling El Cajon experts, look no further than Creative Design and Build. We serve all of San Diego including Chula Vista, La Mesa, El Cajon, Santee, Poway, and Del Mar.
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.
Here’s How You Can Add More Storage Space To Your Kitchen
Storage is often a big factor when it comes to designing, constructing or remodeling kitchens. Without sufficient storage, a kitchen can quickly lose its functionality and allure. Are you struggling with storage issues in your kitchen? Below are some great ideas on how to carve out more storage space from your kitchen, besides the normal cabinets and drawers, of course.
Pantries
If you need a lot of storage in your kitchen then a pantry is a must-have for you. A pantry allows you to carve out an entire section dedicated solely to storing pots, pans, and food supplies. And although it only takes up a small amount of your floor space, a pantry can hold a lot. They are especially ideal for storing supplies or utilities that you don’t necessarily use every day, such as blenders or long term storage food such as cans and jars. And you don’t need to worry about a pantry ruining the style of your kitchen. Modern pantry designs can complement your kitchen space or even camouflage it.
Hidden storage compartments
If you need extra storage and would still like to maintain a clean or minimalistic look on your kitchen then hidden storage is right for you. The same applies to homeowners with tiny kitchens. Hidden storage is very functional because you can cram a lot of items within a very small space. And because the compartment stays hidden 95% of the time, you don’t have to worry that it may look cluttered. Simple pull-out storage compartments, for example, are clever and make great use of spaces that might otherwise go underutilized.
Kitchen island storage
Do you have a kitchen island? Are you planning on installing one during your kitchen remodeling Poway project? Approximately half of all kitchen islands have no storage compartments built into them. This is unfortunate considering that islands provide great storage potential. Not only is it a lot of space, you can effectively utilize all of it. You could install an entire pantry under a kitchen island, for example. This would greatly allow you to declutter your space. And with use of clever cabinet doors, you could easily make it hidden storage
Countertop storage
If you are desperate for storage space in your kitchen you could compromise and go for countertop storage. The free space on and above countertops can be cleverly used to hold a lot of items. The best way to go about it is to install open shelves on the countertops. That way you can maximize on both the lateral and the vertical space. You can then load them up with storage jars, spice containers, canned foods, cutlery, and more. With this approach you don’t even have to use up much of your countertop space. A few racks or shelves might be all you need.
We hope this helps with your kitchen storage challenges. If you need help installing storage solutions in your Poway kitchen let us know and we’ll discuss all the viable options and designs with you.
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.
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!