Looking to Build Yourself a “Man Cave”?

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Super Bowl Sunday is only a couple days away, so naturally people are making party plans. If you’re hosting one of these NFL season-ending bashes then you need to prepare. In addition to the food and drinks you’re going to have to think about where to host these guests. In your living room? Den? Chances are the room with the biggest TV will be the area your guests are congregating. Maybe your living room just isn’t cutting it? Or maybe you have formal room or basement that just isn’t being used? Man cave anyone?

Wikipedia defines a “man cave” as “a mantuary, or manspace, a male sanctuary, such as a specially equipped garage, spare bedroom, media room, den, or basement. It is not a cave but rather a metaphor describing a room inside the house, such as the basement or garage or attic or office, or outside the house such as a wood shed or tool room, where “guys can do as they please” without fear of upsetting any female sensibility about house decor or design.” Now that we’re clear on the definition, let’s discuss the essentials of your man cave, so that you can get working on it for next years’ Super Bowl…

1) Pick your space: You’ll need to find a room with enough space for a big screen TV and at least a couch and recliner. More importantly, you’ll need to find a space that isn’t currently being occupied by your significant other (or this could cause a lot of trouble). Consider the living room, family room, or den. However, if these spaces are all occupied then you’ll want to look at step 2…

2) “Fix up” or remodel the space: If you have a space that could be expanded on or a basement that needs finishing, you’ll need to help remodeling these spaces in order to get them ready to become  your man cave.  Consider hardwood floors (to help with beer spills) and sound proof walls. You’ll want to consult with a general contractor to explore all of your options.

3) Pick out a TV: The TV is the centerpiece of any man cave. Some would argue that the location of the TV should be taken into account for steps 1 and 2. A good idea would be to invest in a 50 or 60 in. TV (which you can find for under $1,000 now), and utilize other older models that you might be looking to get rid of, as “extras” in case you want to have multiple games on at once.

4) Pick out your furniture: Popular furniture items  for “man caves” are La-Z-Boy chairs, mini fridges, and recliners are man cave staples. No need to splurge on furniture, just make sure everyone invited over has a seat!

5) Decorate: This is where you hang every piece of sports memorabilia you own. Posters, autographs, and old street signs are just a few cool items that will help you “snaz up” the place.

6) Enjoy: Crack open a beer and enjoy the fruits of your (or your general contractor’s) labor!

Obviously the biggest, and most important, step in you getting you man cave completed is the remodeling phase. For many, your potential room may already be ready for a big screen TV, furniture, and all the other man cave essentials. However, many of the best man caves are specifically remodeled as such. Consider a room addition or basement remodel for your future man cave. Of course, you’re going to need help with the remodeling, and San Diego home remodeling contractor Greyhound General can help. Contact us today for a free man cave estimate, or call us at 800-568-7108.

As San Diego home prices rise, home remodeling becomes more affordable

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As we near the end of 2010, there are still many questions with the economy, particularly the housing market. This is not surprising given that the lending industry was at the heart of the financial collapse that lead to this past (and current) recession. However, there is some good news for San Diego residents. Despite dips in housing prices, San Diego was one of only four cities nationwide to record increasing home prices between October 2009 and October 2010, according to Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller Home Price Index.

This is great news for San Diego home owners. Obviously, if your home’s value continues to drop remodeling becomes more and more unfeasible. If your home’s value increases then remodeling is something to consider. Before you even consider remodeling, you should take notes and ask yourself (and your spouse) several important questions:

  • Do we want to remodel or add on to our house?
  • If add on, do we have the space? How will this change our yard and property?
  • If remodel, what is the top priority? How essential is this upgrade?
  • Do we have the budget?
  • How much value will this remodel bring to our house?

Chances are, you’ll need some help answering at least one of these questions. That’s where Greyhound General can help. If you’re looking to remodel your kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, or add on to any portion of your house, contact San Diego Home Remodeling Contractor Greyhound General today, or call them directly at 800-568-7108.

Adding an attic bedroom to your home

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So you have some extra money to invest in your home and you’re wondering which part of it to upgrade? Well, according to Remodeling magazine’s most recent survey, renovating your attic into a bedroom or spare room packs a bigger resale payback than any other room remodel. This may come as news to some, but the resale payback for an attic remodel is 83%, compared to 71% for a mid-range bathroom remodel and 72% for a major kitchen remodel.

With interest rates at an all time low, refinancing your loan can save you thousands monthly, which can ultimately be reinvested in your home. The attic is a great room to remodel, not simply because of its return value. It allows you to add an extra room to the house without having to add on to the structure (which can cost significantly more). Also, if you’ve been storing Christmas decorations, old children’s toys, and other “storage” items in your attic, remodeling can help you get rid of junk and organize items that you want to hold on to.

If you’d like to learn more about renovating your attic then contact Greyhound General today for a free consultation. Greyhound will thoroughly discuss all your options. Feel free to call us today at 800-568-7108.

New Kitchen Remodel by Greyhound General

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This latest San Diego kitchen remodeling project by Greyhound General features many new kitchen additions. This amazing new kitchen was completely remodeled in only 45 days. Th project included:

  • Re-engineered structural bearing points and altered framing to eliminate view obstructing wall
  • Installed new kitchen windows
  • Installed new cabinetry
  • Installed new granite countertops
  • Upgraded lighting

Beautiful Pacific Beach Kitchen Remodel

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In this amazing Pacific Beach kitchen remodel Greyhound General transformed an outdated kitchen with an obstructed view into a beautiful, modern kitchen with an amazing ocean view. The project included:

  • Interior and Exterior walls and subfloors re-engineered to eliminate view obstructing wall
  • Altered and removed walls, posts and soffits
  • Installed a Coverglass USA frameless door system
  • Installed Showplace cabinets and Silestone countertops
  • Upgraded lighting and appliances
  • Installed recessed LCD TV
  • New tile flooring extending through kitchen onto patio

    • Upgrading your kitchen cabinets in San Diego

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    In a previous post I mention how you can remodel your kitchen on a tight budget. I also wrote another article that focused on the best kitchen countertops. In this article I’d like to focus on another key element of you kitchen: your cabinets. Whether you are remodeling your kitchen on your own or hiring a contractor to do the work, you’ll need to make a decision about your cabinets at some point. If you are considering a general contractor, consider one that works with a variety of different styles and even one that can do custom kitchen cabinet design.

    A well-versed general contractor will help you through the selection process. If you plan to install your new kitchen cabinets on your own, here are a few things to keep in mind:

    1) Do you really need to replace the cabinets? Your cabinets may look a little rough around the edges, but do you really need to tear them out and install new one’s? Consider refinishing or refacing your cabinets. Refinishing simply involves sanding off the old paint or varnish and applying a new coat or two, while refacing involves replacing just the fronts of your cabinets.

    2) Plan out the project. You need to account for:

    • Spacing (wall space, cabinet dimensions, alignment with room, etc.)
    • Materials (plan out your entire list ahead of time)

    Make sure you have everything planned out.

    3) Pre-installation. Before you install the new cabinets, you’ll want to:

    • Remove the old cabinets
    • Remove baseboards for lower cabinets
    • Paint the room
    • Get cabinets ready (remove the doors)

    Make sure the kitchen is properly prepped.

    4) Install cabinets:

    • Install upper cabinets first (without the doors)
    • Locate the studs in the wall
    • Start in the corner of the room
    • Test the fit, and if necessary, remove cabinets and make any cutouts necessary for electrical outlets, plumbing or hookups
    • Install lower cabinets (make sure to test fit the countertop)
    • Caulk around the sink area & install the sink, then caulk between the back of the countertop and the wall

    Get down to the dirty work.

    5) Finishing up. Reinstall your appliances and add the baseboards, if you removed them in the beginning.

    If this sounds like too much trouble or not detailed enough then maybe you should consider a professional for your next San Diego kitchen cabinet remodeling project. Call San Diego general contractor Greyhound General today to schedule a free estimate: 800-568-7108

    San Diego kitchen remodeling tips

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    Here are a few tips to keep in mind if you’re considering remodeling your kitchen:
    1) Get multiple bids: Investigate more than 1 contractor (unless of course you had a excellent experience with one in the past). Make sure they show proof of their contractors license, workman’s compensation and business insurance. Compare each quote apples-to-apples, and compare the detail each contractor went into, not only in the quote, but also during the estimate.
    2) Investigate each contractor who gives you a bid: God bless the internet. It really helps weed out the “haves” from the “have nots” in any business. If a customer had a bad experience they can vent online. Use the internet to do research on your contractors. Check out their history with the Better Business Bureau. Take a look at the portfolios and testimonials on their website as well. I would encourage you to go even deeper than just the website. Utilize social media to your find more information about each contractor. Look them up on Yelp and check out their Facebook Fan page. The point is to find as much information out as possible before you invest your hard earned money.
    3) Use the right materials: This tip is very much intertwined with tip #1. Often times a contractor with factor in the cost of supplies in the bid. If this is the case then make sure to thoroughly investigate all of the materials being used. Make sure you’re clear with the contractor what your budget is and they should be able to give you several options, including which materials to splurge on where you could possible save some money. For countertops, check out our previous post about the best kitchen countertop solutions .
    4) Set up a payment plan: Make sure you are very clear with the contractor what your budget is, and then work out an appropriate down payment. You should never pay in full before the work has begun. Any reputable contractor will work with you to come up with a fair payment plan.

    Remodeling your kitchen should be a fun experience. If you’re working with a tight budget consider simply upgrading appliances or decor before splurging on new countertops, flooring, cabinets or a completely new floor plan. If you’re in the San Diego area contact today for a free estimte. Or call 800-568-7108.

    Tips for adding a second story to your San Diego home

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    So you’ve determined that it is better for you to remodel your home vs. move. Maybe you have an elder loved one moving in, a son or daughter moving back in or you just want to upgrade your master bedroom or add a hobby/rumpus room. Whatever the case, there are a few things to consider before you make any decision.
    1) Make sure you have the space: Map out in your head, or on paper, roughly the area that you’d like to expand on. You’ll surely go into much more detail later with the help of an architect, but you can at least make sure that the project is feasible.
    2) Get approval from local authorities: In most places, a permit is required to add a second story to your home. You’ll have to submit a design plan, so you might want to swap step 2 and 3 if you don’t have a detailed plan in place.
    3) Find a general contractor: A very important step. Consider general contractors with architects and plenty of references. They will be able to tell you right away if the project is doable, and then help you get the permit if you haven’t already done so.
    4) Structural considerations: Your general contractor will need to assess the foundation of the house to verify if it can hold a second story.
    5) Creating a detailed design: This is where an architect is essential. They will need to consider everything from the stairway to the plumbing, electrical wiring, and heater/AC duct placement.
    6) Choose the materials you’d like to use: This is where you determine all the costs for everything, including new slab, flooring, roofing, plumbing, and everything else.
    7) Pick a date and get started: You’ll want to pick a time frame where there’s little to no chance of rain because the roof will be the first thing removed from the home. You may want to consider relocating during construction, depending on the size of the project.

    The steps mentioned above can be switched around a bit, depending on your home and the scope of your project. The important thing to remember is that you will need to budget for this, you’ll need a permit, you’ll need a detailed blueprint of the project, and you’ll need a highly qualified general contractor with an architect.

    If you’re in the San Diego or Orange county area and considering a second story addition, contact Greyhound General to learn more about your options. Or call 800-568-7108.

    What are the best countertops for your kitchen?

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    A while back I wote an article about how to upgrade your kitchen on a tight budget. In the article I outline some very basic ideas for sprucing up your kitchen without having to spend tens of thousands for a complete remodel. I want to go into a little more detail in this article about the countertops selection. Whether you are remodeling your kitchen on your own, or you are having a general contractor take care of it, you need to educate your self on the pros and cons of each possibility. As you’ll see below, I’ve broken up your options into low end, middle and high end.

    Low end
    Laminates:
    Pros: inexpensive ($35-$45 per sq. foot); fairly easy to clean
    Cons: very cheap; not heat resistant; easily damaged, scratched or chipped; porous
    Consensus: avoid laminates unless all you care about is cost
    Ceramic Tile:
    Pros: cost; heat resistant; can get creative with the tile; can be a do-it-yourself project
    Cons: grout; can be hard to clean; needs to be resealed often; can crack
    Consensus: Ceramic tile allows you to get creative when installing it, but be very careful about the grout installation and making sure it stays sealed
    Middle
    Solid surface:
    Pros: durability; sand-ability
    Cons: appearance
    Consensus: Not cheap, but not as expensive as stainless steel or granite. It’s all man-made material that can easily be sanded if scratched or gouged. A decent solution, but nothing to write home about
    High end
    Natural or engineered stone:
    Pros: appearance
    Cons: somewhat expensive ($50-$100 per sq. feet), natural stone (granite, quartz, slate) can be porous, while engineered stone holds up better
    Consensus: If you’re looking to sell your home or give your kitchen a more sleek and elegant look then definitely consider stone
    Stainless Steel:
    Pros: appearance
    Cons: expensive, questionable durability, may stain or corrode without significant care or maintenance
    Consensus: Even pricier than stone ($100-$200 per sq. foot). Unless you love this look and are ready to maintain it (or sell your home), stone may give you more “bang for your buck”
    Concrete:
    Pros: can get extremely creative with colors and texturing; truly a custom look
    Cons: expensive (up to $100 per sq. foot); very porous
    Consensus: While you can be as creative as your mind desires with concrete, I don’t recommend concrete as a countertop for anything but outdoor kitchens.

    It is important do your research when deciding on a countertop. The best countertop for your kitchen depends on your exact needs. Consulting with a well-established, professional general contractor is also a great idea. For more information on kitchen remodeling in San Diego contact San Diego kitchen remodeler Greyhound General today, or call 800-568-7108.

    Remodel your home vs. moving

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    If you’re looking to upgrade your home you have two options, remodel or move. It’s no surprise that in a down economy most people are opting to remodel rather than move. Even if the price tag on a home that would be considered an upgrade over you existing home has dropped, there are usually a lot more costs involved in moving (not to mention time and stress). There are many reasons why remodeling is a better idea than moving:

    • You can customize your home to your exact needs and wants. If if you find a great deal on another home, it will likely have several elements that you wish were different. When you remodel you have the final say.
    • Moving is a stressful experience. While a home remodel can takes months and cause some stress, moving involves packing everything, renting a truck, hiring movers and much more. All of this is added stress. This is only amplified if you have children who are along for the ride.
    • Moving requires you to leave your neighborhood.
    • If you have children, moving may require them to switch school districts. This may not always be the case, but the idea of switching schools can be stressful for both the parents and the children.
    • Remodeling is a better use of your money. Even if you find that sweet deal on a home you’re likely to spend somewhere between 8-10% of your home’s value when you sell it on moving expenses, broker fees and closing costs. If you sell your home for $500,000 and $50,000 is allocated to these fees, that’s $50,000 that could have completely remodeled your kitchen!
    • Remodeling allows you to take advantage of tax incentives. The Obama first time home buyer tax credit has come and gone, but there are still tax deductible remodeling expenses that you can take advantage of. Adding solar panels, a solar water heater, or geothermal heat pumps are all things that are tax deductible.

    To learn more about the different options that you have when remodeling your home contact Greyhound General today, or call 800-568-7108 for a free estimate.