Installing an outdoor pool in San Diego (a great idea)

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It’s almost summer, and for many of us that means BBQs, parties and pools! The weather is heating up and there’s no better way to cool off than in a pool. While temperatures in San Diego stay pretty constant throughout the year, there’s arguably no better time to install that dream outdoor pool than in the Spring time, right before Summer starts.

Here are a few things to consider if you’re looking to add a new pool to your backyard (or front yard):

Make sure you have enough space (around): seems self explanatory, but you need to give yourself an extra 20 feet around the entire perimeter of the pool. You’ll want to account for accessories like slides, a diving board, and sheds, as well as a walk way.
Make sure you have enough space (above & below): Watch out for overhead telephone lines or electrical wires, as well as underneath septic systems, sewer lines or electrical cables.
Keep the wind out: Choose a space where there is not much wind, as wind will lead to more water evaporation.
Find a sunny area: Stay away from trees as they’ll lead to more leaves getting in the pool. This will also keep the pool temperature up.
Pick the right general contractor: The right general contractor will help you confirm the zoning regulations, obtain permits, pick the right pool and install the right circulation system.
If you’re considering installing an outdoor pool to compliment your San Diego home, consider an experienced general contractor like Greyhound General. Contact Greyhound General today at 800-568-7108.

2010 is a great time to remodel your San Diego home

Importance of an architect when remodeling your home

How to make your San Diego home green

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“Going green” has been the hottest trend for the past few years. We always hear about ways that we can “go green.” Whether it’s using paper instead of plastic at the grocery store, driving less, or simply recycling more, green is everywhere. For homeowners there are many opportunities to go green. Here are a few simple ideas to make your home greener:
1) Invest in CFLs: This is the first step in improving you carbon footprint, and reducing your energy bills. Switch out your light bulbs from standard incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). Start by changing the most frequently used light bulbs and you’ll start to notice a difference in your energy bill within a year. They might be more costly than regular light bulbs, but they last longer and cut down on your energy bills.
2) Insulate your walls and attic: By preventing heat from leaving your house during the winter or entering your house during the summer you’ll use less energy to heat or coll the house. When considering installing insulation the installation itself is much more important that the material used. All types of insulation (fiberglass, cellulose and most foam) will reduce heat conduction of your walls, if installed properly.
3) Replace the windows: Old and leaky windows often allow heat to enter and escape, driving up energy bills. Consider installing new energy-efficient windows or at least upgrading your windows with weatherstripping.
4) Invest in energy-efficient appliances: Appliances count for a significant size of nearly every home’s energy bill. Consider replacing your old water heater, dishwasher and refrigerator. Older refrigerators are typically the least energy efficient appliance. Also, consider whether or not you need that second refrigerator.
5) Plant a tree (or two): Even if you have bad insulation, you can help save energy by planting trees in your yard. This will provide more shade and save energy. Consider using deciduous trees planted on the west side of the house.
6) Go solar…and get tax benefits: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provides tax benefits for those who upgrade their home in 2010. The tax benefit can cover up to 30% of these home improvements. Consider a solar hot-water system, geothermal heat pumps, or solar panels to heat your pool.

While there are many simple things homeowners can do to go green, the process can be overwhelming. If you are considering remodeling a portion of your home and you are concerned about it being as energy efficient as possible then consider a San Diego green contractor, Greyhound General. Contact Greyhound General today for information about making your home green.

Tips for upgrading your backyard

How to turn your bathroom into a spa

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The bathroom is perhaps the most important room in your house for relaxing. However, it is often neglected by home owners who seem to look to upgrade their kitchen, back yard, or other areas before they think to remodel their bathroom. The amenities available in the bathroom today rival those you’ll find in the kitchen. Whirlpool jacuzzi tubs, granite counter tops, and heated towel racks are just a few of the plush features you can add to your bathroom. Of course, there are a few things you can do to spruce up your bathroom before you’re ready to remodel:

Improve the scents and colors of the room- throw a fresh coat of paint up, preferably soothing colors, and invest in some scented candles to set the mood right
Buy new towels- thick, soft towels feel great and you can match their color to the other colors of the bathroom
Heat those new towels- a towel radiator will keep your towels nice and toasty, and you can find one for only a few hundred dollars
Add some music- bring in a portable radio to the bathroom

If you really want to transform your bathroom you might want to consider remodeling your entire bathroom. Remodeling your bathroom gives you the flexibility to add or remove walls, play with the dimensions of the room, upgrade the sink and toilet, and much more. This could free up space for that new stone steam shower room you’ve been dreaming about. You might also want to consider upgrading the tub to a jacuzzi-like tub with jets. Replacing tile, the sink and the vanity mirror are also important elements of a bathroom remodel. Of course, if you decide to remodel your bathroom don’t forget to consider the simple tips mentioned above to add a finishing touch to your beautiful new bathroom.

If you are in the San Diego area and you’re considering remodeling your bathroom you should call award winning home remodeler Greyhound General at 800-568-7108. Contact Greyhound General today.

Greyhound Helps Non Profit – Bitterroot Therapeutic Riding

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Greyhound General is no stranger to giving. They have donated their time and money to many organizations over the years. One non profit that they are particularly fond of is Bitterroot Therapeutic Riding, in Missoula, Montana. Bitterroot is a program that helps children and adults who have physical handicaps, mental disabilities, and other ailments improve balance, build confidence, and build social skills. This is done through horseback riding. This type of therapy has existed for decades and has been proven to be an excellent form of therapy for people of all ages and abilities.

Bitterroot employs only NAHRA certified instructors, as well as trained volunteers. Bitterroot is known for helping children and adults in the western Montana area; however, they are asking for charitable donations from people from all over. Any amount of donation would be greatly appreciated, as every dollar goes to helping keep this incredibly valuable program alive. Please visit the Bitterroot website for more information on becoming a sponsor and donating. Or you can call (406) 961-2999.

In these tough economic times, it is often the non-profits that suffer the most. Please reach out to Bitterroot Therapeutic Riding. Any donation helps and is greatly appreciated.

How to create the ultimate garage

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Garages are often the most cluttered and underused areas of your house. In fact, it is very common to see garages that are used more as storage units than anything else. While the garage is a great place to store things, many people take this concept to the extreme and pile junk to the ceilings of their garages. Obviously the first step to ameliorating the situation is parting ways with some of this clutter. This means getting rid of (throwing away) unused items. You’ll have to pull out everything from the garage to get this done.

If you’ve made it this far then you’ve accomplished a lot. Unfortunately, once your garage is empty you may look at it and wonder, “do I still really like my garage?” Better yet, “How can I create the ultimate garage?” You know, the one where everything is neatly put away, the floor is shiny and nice, the work bench is organized.

Start by categorizing all of your “stuff”: sports equipment, camping gear, Christmas decorations, etc. Then find appropriate boxes for them. Before you put anything into the garage you should consider painting the interior walls and installing insulation (if there is none yet installed). Improving the lighting is another option to consider in the beginning. Finally, installing new flooring is always a good idea. You’ll need to consider the activities that you’ll be using the garage for. If all you’re doing is storing cars, bikes and other accessories, then you can go cheap. If you plan on doing a lot of work then you’ll want something a bit more heavy duty. Many people opt for epoxies; however mats and tiles hold up well, and you’ll likely have more color and style options.

Finally, you’ll need to find the ideal place for all your “stuff”. By now you’ve got organized boxes, so you just need a place to put them. Consider using storage shelves that hang from the ceiling. You’ll be able to easy pull up and down the shelf, when necessary, to get to your belongings, but they’ll be completely out of your way when you’re not using them. There should be ample cabinet space for storing tools and other accessories that need to be accessed quickly.

Transforming your garage can be quite a chore. Often times you may want to consider a professional organizer. However, you may be considering remodeling your entire garage or adding a detached garage. Whether you need more storage, you’d like to spruce up your existing garage or you’re simply looking to build the garage of your dreams, San Diego home remodeler Greyhound General can help. Contact Greyhound General today for a free garage remodeling estimate.

How to remodel your kitchen on a tight budget

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In a down economy many people may ask themselves: how can I possibly afford to remodel my kitchen? You may have outdated cabinets, unsightly counter tops, beat up flooring, or just a 1970s style kitchen in need of a serious makeover. You know you need it all (or most of it) replaced, but how can you do it without spending $10,000, $20,000, even $30,000? Well, there are simple things you can do to cut your total expenses significantly.

The first thing you need to do is prioritize. If you are working with a limited budget there’s no way you can remodel every aspect of your kitchen. That’s just the facts. Unless you are a skilled contractor and are willing to spend weeks getting it done on your own, you’ll have to determine what would benefit from a upgrade the most.

Here are some ideas for various sections of your kitchen that you can upgrade on a budget:
1) The sink and faucets
For as little as $300 you can buy a new stainless steel sink. Add a pull out faucet and your total investment can be less than $600. You can opt of the extra deep sinks and chrome or copper faucets for a little more, but they can instantly improve the look of the kitchen.

2) The cabinets
Instead of replacing your cabinets completely, which can be costly, try refacing or refinishing them. For painted cabinets you can simply repaint them, or strip the paint off if you’re feeling adventurous. Staining unpainted cabinets can also brighten up their look. Even if you opt to upgrade other sections of the kitchen, you can upgrade you cabinet knobs for well under a $100.

3) The counter tops
New counter tops can do wonders for improving your kitchen’s look. Some laminates cost as little as $25 per linear foot. While granite and quartz will cost over $100 per linear foot, they are well worth it because of their durability and look.

Some additional things to consider upgrading are: lighting, flooring, appliances and the walls/wallpaper. Of course, if you are considering remodeling your kitchen it is best to contact a trusted kitchen remodeling company to give you a detailed estimate. If you’re in the San Diego area contact Greyhound General today for a free estimate.

Greyhound General gives back to the community

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Greyhound General is making a big splash in the news again. This time it has nothing to do with the amazing remodeling jobs they’ve done or the numerous happy clients they’ve earned. It is about their work in the community. Greyhound has worked with several service projects in the past, including Smile Train, Bitterroot Therapeutic Handicap Riding, Halvarsons Romania Outreach, and The Susan G Komen Breast Cancer 3 Day Walk.

Another organization that has benefited from Greyhound’s generosity is Interfaith Community Services. This past December, Greyhound donated blankets, socks, and gloves for men, women and children. They also donated numerous turkeys and cases of food to help feed the needy families of the Interfaith Community during the holiday season. At a time when unemployment is high and foreclosures are rampant many families are simply unable to make ends meet. These families rely on the generosity of those who give to Interfaith to help them with the very basic necessities.

Businesses like Greyhound General truly reflect the generosity and caring that makes our world a better place. They strive to not only make a difference for home owners who use their services, but also for those who don’t have a home and are in need of help.