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.
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.
Why Visiting A Showroom Is Critical When Choosing Your Next Kitchen Remodel Contractor
Remodeling your kitchen is an exciting undertaking.You have all these wonderful ideas and concepts flashing through your eyes and you can’t wait to get it all done. If executed well, a kitchen remodel can add convenience, class, and value to your home. To make sure that your kitchen remodel goes well so that you can enjoy all these things we advise that you pop into a showroom when choosing your kitchen remodel contractor. And here’s why:
See their expertise and skills firsthand
A showroom allows you to experience firsthandwhat your kitchen remodeling contractor can do for you. It takes a lot of guesswork out of the equation and saves you a lot of time. Instead of looking at pictures online, on a catalogue, or in an email you get to see the real thing – in person. One minute into a showroom and you can already tell if the designer fits your style or not. You will clearly see what their design strengths are and what architectural styles they lean towards. You may not even need to ask about their past work or request referrals of past clients. Everything you need to see is right in front of you. And this helps save you from choosing the wrong contractor for the job.
Discuss designs and trends one on one
Another great perk of visiting a showroom is that you get to discuss your remodel needs in a space where you can clearly explain what you want. You can point at various types of lighting, compare different types of countertops, go over various tile designs, and basically explore almost all design ideas within a practical setting. Even if you previously had no idea of what you wanted, the showroom will allow you to practically put together a vision of what design elements you’d like in your dream kitchen. This will allow you to explain your vision to the kitchen contractor, and vice versa. Communication on what you want and what they will/can do is therefore very clear and very easy as well. And that greatly helps to prevent mistakes within the entire process.
Experiment to see what works and what doesn’t
Within a kitchen design showroom you and your contractor have the ability to do a little experimenting as you try to put together the vision for your dream kitchen. It’s the perfect space for you to see what within your vision will work and what will need to be changed. From countertops to appliances, and even wall paint, a showroom will enable you to see which design ideas are good and which ones you need to rethink. And the same works for the remodel contractor. All this helps to ensure that you get better results in the end.
If you are on the hunt for a kitchen remodeling Carlsbad contractor we are just what your kitchen and home needs. Get in touch and we can set up a meet at our showroom to discuss how to bring your dream kitchen to reality.
5 Signs That Your Kitchen Needs A Remodel
The kitchen is easily the most renovated space in any part of any house. This is largely due to the fact that the kitchen experiences the most hours of tear and wear in any given household. By a rough estimate, most domestic kitchens will need some sort of renovation every five years. And that should beg the question – when was the last time your kitchen got a remodel? Below, see how you can tell whether it’s time to give your kitchen a facelift.
1. Outdated paint or wallpaper
The walls of a kitchen will betray the age and neglect that it has endured over the years. If your kitchen has peeling paint, stained wallpaper, or smoke-covered ceilings, that’s an indicator that the space could do with a fresh coat of paint and some new vibrant colors to brighten up the place again. Luckily, these are easy areas to cover. It can take as little as a day to repaint the walls; and it doesn’t cost as much.
2. Squeaky and leaking faucets
Plumbing is the key infrastructure of any given kitchen. If your kitchen has squeaky faucets or leaky pipes then that’s a clear indicator that your plumbing system needs a critical look. You may need to install new faucets and have the drain pipes reworked as well. This will help ward off leaks and burst/blocked drain pipes that could damage the walls, cause rot, and eventually stall your kitchen operations, albeit temporarily (but not without costing you some good money, of course).
3. Not enough floor space
With time, kitchens are becoming bigger and bigger. While kitchens in the past just needed to be nooks where food could be cooked and prepared in, today’s kitchens have taken over other mandates such as entertaining guests and even sharing meals. Plus, modern kitchens have to hold a lot, from appliances to pantries. So if your kitchen is starting to feel a little small, chances are that it is. And with a remodel you just may be able to increase the floor space and create a larger space.
4. Poor layout
Poor layout in a kitchen will greatly hinder its functionality. The various spaces in the kitchen need to flow seamlessly in order to allow maximum output when preparing meals, cooking, serving meals, or when cleaning up. If your kitchen’s layout is inhibiting this flow then perhaps you need a remodel to reorganize it. You could move different things about and create a new layout that puts everything where it needs to be.
5. Outdated electronics
Another way to tell if your kitchen needs to be guided into the modern era is outdated electronics. No one is saying that a kitchen has to have all the bells and whistles. But it wouldn’t hurt either if you can afford it. Besides, outdated electronics will need to be replaced eventually. If you invest in modern electronics you’ll improve the efficiency of your kitchen, increase the value of your home, and probably save more on electricity because newer electronics are likely to be more eco-friendly.
Need kitchen remodeling San Diego experts? Look no further. Creative Design & Build can reimagine your kitchen and add modern, elegant touches to it.
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.
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.
5 Reasons Why White Kitchens Are Coming Back
Every now and then there are certain architectural or décor aspects of a build that everyone is either getting or aspiring to get. When it comes to kitchens, white is all the rage right now. A lot of people are raving about white kitchens and can’t wait to have one. For clarity, a white kitchen is one where most of the decor is white. This includes the cabinets and drawers, the countertops, as well as the walls. You may be in the same boat. And if you’re not it helps to know why so many people are drooling for all-white kitchens.
So here’s a quick rundown of some of the perks of having a white kitchen.
White is classic/timeless
White is a classic color when it comes to many things, especially fashion. The same theory applies to kitchens. White kitchens are the same. They have a classic and timeless look that, although they might get overtaken by other trends from time to time, they will always get back in vogue. This makes a white kitchen an easy bet if you want a kitchen that will retain its looks for many years to come without needing another facelift.
White accentuates lighting really well
Another reason why lots of people are in love with white kitchens is lighting. Everyone knows that a kitchen needs to be well lit. Well white kitchens help to bounce the light around thereby keeping the entire space quite well lit. This works with both natural light as well as artificial light (white & warm). The effect is a sparkly kitchen akin to what you may see on a show room/house.
White works well with other décor aspects
When putting together a kitchen you must factor into consideration all the décor aspects involved. For example, you have the floor, the backsplash, the countertops, the lighting fixtures, etc. This might require delicate balancing if your kitchen cabinets, countertops and walls all had different colors. However, with a white kitchen you’re in luck because you have very few other colors to work with. And white works with just about every other color.
White looks clean
The kitchen needs to be the cleanest space around your house because that’s where all your food is prepared from. And it’s not just enough to keep the place clean. It helps if the space looks clean as well. Some colors and shades can easily be mistaken for dirt. And spaces with such colors are a chore to maintain. Luckily, white looks clean just by default. It’s also easy to spot dirt on white surfaces and get rid of it
Simplicity wins
Last but not least, an all-white kitchen embraces simplicity. And there’s something very charming about that. Sure, white kitchens have a very sophisticated look. They look expensive and high-end, which is good. But the concept of an all-white kitchen is quite simple in design terms. And in today’s world where it’s easy to overthink or overcomplicate what you want, simplicity sometimes is usually the answer.
We are kitchen remodeling San Diego experts and we know all about white kitchens. Talk to us about your upcoming remodeling ideas!
5 Kitchen Remodel Layouts To Consider
You one day walk into your kitchen and decide that it may be time for a remodel. But what options do you have? The traditional kitchen remodeling set up that separates the kitchen counter top from the sinks and other appliances has evolved over the years, making modern kitchens more functional work zones. We take you through the top five kitchen layouts that you can consider. So grab your notepad and let us dive right into it.
- One – Wall kitchens
Do you live in a loft or a studio apartment? Then the one –wall kitchen layout is the best for you. It is also known as the ‘Pullman kitchen’. The kitchen area is concentrated on one wall, where all the cabinets, the sink, and other kitchen appliances are fixed onto the wall. The Pullman layout allows for total maximization of the limited space. That said, this layout may require you to set up the dining area slightly away from the kitchen area due to the limited space.
- Galley Kitchens
Don’t we all love functionality? The Galley kitchen layout is ideal were one has the advantage of a slightly larger space than a loft or studio apartment allows. The kitchen is set up in a 2 wall layout where the kitchen appliances, cabinets and the sink are fixed on either side of the wall. It creates a sort of walkway right in the middle of the kitchen. Galley kitchens are simple to install, as the ‘hallway setup’ eliminates the hassle of installing troublesome corner cabinets and sinks.
- L – shaped kitchens
Don’t mind corner cabinets? Clients that wish to take advantage of the corner spaces can forgo the galley layout for the L- shaped one. It maintains a 2-walled setup; only this time, the two walls are perpendicularly adjoined, forming an ‘L’. It is ideal in houses where the walkway in galley layout does not leave enough room for traffic. The L – shaped kitchen allows for appliances and countertops to be installed to the furthest corner, maximizing the space available for traffic for a more functional work-area.
- U – Shaped kitchens
Are you more of a family guy? The U – shape kitchen; also known as the ‘horseshoe kitchen’ is just right for you. The layout is best for roomy kitchens with the advantage of occupying three walls. The sink, cabinets and appliances are installed on each wall. A counter is then installed right in the middle of the kitchen, giving it that horseshoe or ‘U’ design. If the kitchen is roomy enough, you can install dining seats around the counter. The horseshoe layout allows for functional traffic flow around the kitchen.
- Kitchen islands
Kitchen islands are not that different from U – shaped ones. The layout consists of sinks, appliances, and cabinets on the three walls. The noticeable difference is the counter in the middle of the kitchen. It is slightly larger than normal, increasing the work surface of the kitchen. Do you need more work space? You may install additional cabinets and sinks to the middle counter while leaving enough room for dining seats around it.
Creative Design & build is able to guide you on the most functional kitchen set up for your remodel based on the kitchen size, number of appliances and expected traffic for the kitchen. Contact us today and transform your old set up into your dream kitchen!
The decision to have your home remodeled is a pretty straight one to make. However, choosing the right contractor for the home remodel may not be as simple. Clients get bombarded with hundreds of results upon initiating a simple search on the internet. So how do you choose the right contractor from the hundreds of available firms? We have compiled for you a list of 5 critical questions that you should ask a potential contractor before commencing any repairs or remodeling works.
- How long have you been in the industry?
Practice makes perfect. It is within your right to want to know how long the contractor has been in the industry. Experience, just like in any other work scenario, contributes a lot to the quality of work. A contractor that has been in the industry for at least 10 years has most likely tried all the market trends and innovations in the construction field. Therefore, they are more likely to offer better services compared to younger firms/contractors. Although this is not an exact science, you are better off with a contractor that has more years under their belt.
- Are you licensed?
A home remodel costs money; your hard earned money. So you want to be served by a firm that is legally qualified to offer such services. Most contractors are regulated by the state government. For instance, contractors in California are required to be licensed and registered with the California Department of Consumer Affairs Contractors State License Board. Working with an unlicensed firm could get you on the wrong side of the law. In case of malpractice, your building may face demolition.
- Have you handled such a project before?
Contractors are different. Some specialize in roofing, others in paving, and others in bathroom remodels and so on. Renowned firms have a reliable team of experts that specialize in every project. Be keen to ask if they have undertaken a similar project in the past. A confident contractor will give you a detailed response on their procedures. You can also insist on viewing their portfolio of previous projects just to be sure.
- What ideas can improve my project?
You hire contractors because they have the technical knowhow of what works and what doesn’t. A good contractor shall provide you with specific details concerning ways of improving your project or why they prefer a certain material to another. For instance, a contractor seeking to undertake a kitchen remodel should advise you on the different kitchen layouts that work for your space. A contractor that refrains from giving you their professional input is a red flag.
- Do you have any references that may vouch for you?
Good work speaks for itself. Satisfied clients like recommending a good firm to others. Dissatisfied clients, too, are sure to voice their complaints. Asking for references gives you an insight of what others think about the contractor’s services. You can view these from testimonials on their website, or independent and trusted reviewers such as Yelp or Home Advisor.