How to create the ultimate garage

5 Replies

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

9 Replies

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

2 Replies

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.

Another Amazing Kitchen Remodeling Project

1 Reply

One of Greyhound General’s recent kitchen remodeling jobs was the expansion of an 11′ x 24′ kitchen. This kitchen was not only enlarged, it was modernized with a new and amazing look. From the granite counter tops to the stainless steel appliances to the beautiful cabinetry, this was a fabulous job. The client’s testimonial speaks for itself.

If you are considering remodeling your kitchen, look no further than Greyhound General.

A Beautiful Kitchen Transformation

1 Reply

Check out the video below to see yet another amazing Greyhound General kitchen remodel. It involves the transformation of a 1970’s era kitchen to a beautiful, modern kitchen equipped with new:

  • granite
  • tile
  • cabinets
  • ceilings
  • bay window
  • can and pendant lights
  • and much more…

    • A beautiful remodel by Greyhound General

    Leave a reply

    Greyhound General is at it again with another beautiful residential remodeling project. This project was an entire home remodel, with many different elements, including:

  • add crafts room
  • add main level kitchen
  • add second story master suite
  • replace siding
  • replace electrical
  • paint interior and exterior

    • A total of 1400 square feet was added to the house! Feel free to leave a comment about this project.

    Outdoor Kitchen Remodeling and Design- the newest trend

    10 Replies

    The newest trend in home remodeling that has become very popular as of late is creating or remodeling your outdoor space. Families looking to spruce up their backyards are opting to design and install outdoor kitchens with nearly all the amenities of their indoor kitchens. Grills, refrigerators, stoves, and sinks are becoming more and more common. While installing pools and hot tubs can be very costly, outdoor kitchen spaces can be done for well under $10,000, depending on the scope of the work.

    There are a few key things to consider before remodeling your backyard living space and installing an outdoor kitchen. First, the materials that your appliances are made of must be taken into account. Stainless steel appliances are usually a good idea as they hold up well against the elements. Just like granite is popular material to use for counter tops indoors, it is also great for outdoors because it is easy to clean and it holds up well over time without ever wearing down. Concrete counter tops is a cheaper alternative to granite that is also very durable. Keep in mind that since concrete counter tops use colored dyes they are susceptible to lightening when exposed to the elements, so make sure to cure and seal these counter tops. It is also a good idea to incorporate some shade into your outdoor kitchen area to protect against the sun and the elements.

    Finally, have some fun with your space. Personalize it to fit your interests and lifestyle. Stereo systems, bars and fire pits are other great ideas to spruce up your outdoor space.

    Home Remodeling Tips To Follow

    Leave a reply

    When you decide to make the move to remodel your kitchen, bathroom or your entire house, the next step is choosing the right contractor. Here are several tips to follow when selecting your contractor:

    • verify that the contractor’s license is valid (visit cslb.ca.gov and enter their license number)
    • verify that the contractor has workman’s compensation and liability insurance (don’t just ask if they do, get proof)
    • ask if you can call any of the references provided (then go visit the property in person)

    Choosing the right contractor can be a daunting task. It is important to get at least 3 quotes. Don’t automatically go with the cheapest company, but weigh each bid with the service outlined and the reputation of the company. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to check with the Better Business Bureau to see if there have been any complaints either.

    If you’re looking for a bid on your next home remodeling project in the southern California area, contact Greyhound General: www.greyhound-general.com/contact.html

    San Diego Residential Remodeling

    Leave a reply

    Remodeling your home is one of the biggest financial deicisions you will ever make. Your home is your most valuable asset, and at a time when home values are dropping, investing in your home requires selecting the right remodeling contractor. You need a residential remodeling contractor that has a proven track record, highly skilled employees, and excellent customer service.

    Greyhound General has maintained a flawless record with the Better Business Bureau, and has yet to be invloved in any civil suit or arbitration. More importantly though, Greyhound General has established itself as an industry leader because of the relationships that they maintain with their clients, both former and current. No matter the size of the project, Greyhound will be there to walk the client through every step of the process, from the design phase to the permit processing to choosing the right appliances. Much of Greyhound General’s success is due to the fact that their clients come back to them for every future remodeling need. After all, when you choose Greyhound General you’re their customer first and their client forever.

    Welcome to the Greyhound General Blog

    Leave a reply

    Starting in 2010, Greyhound General will start to add remodeling project videos, as well as client testimonials to their blog. This is Greyhound’s way of providing everyone with the opportunity to experience the Greyhound difference.

    Coming off a year in which foreclosures were rampant and the economy fell to levels not seen since the Great Depression, many contractors and home remodelers were crippled by the lack of work. Greyhound General simply adjusted to the times and began working with more realtors and investors in “fixing up” these properties for short sales. Of course, this does not take away from the many phenominal home remodeling jobs that Greyhound completed in 2009. As the company grows one year older, expect more outstanding work from the San Diego remodeling company that has been a mainstay over the past decade.