Check out our collection of stunning kitchen remodeling jobs below. If you’re considering remodeling your kitchen give us a call to request a free estimate, or just fill out the form here.
Remodeling your kitchen can be expensive. In this article we’ll dive into a specific strategy for saving money on your next kitchen remodeling project. In fact, this approach will help you avoid even needing a complete kitchen remodel. That’s right, we’re offering suggestions so that you don’t have to pay us, but you just have to be realistic with your expectations.
One of the biggest tasks in remodeling any kitchen is replacing the existing cabinets. This obviously necessary because is most remodels the layout and dimensions of your kitchen are altered, affecting the positioning of the cabinets. Of course, nothing quite makes a kitchen “wow” you like beautiful cabinets (as well as nice counter-tops and stainless steel appliances).
If your kitchen is run-down, from the flooring to the lighting to the cabinets and even the overall use of space, then you really need to consider a complete kitchen makeover. However, if the biggest issue is the cabinets, you may be better off simply resurfacing them.
Resurfacing your cabinets will likely only cost you about a third of the complete kitchen remodeling total, possibly more. Also, some of the cabinets built 20 to 30 years ago are more solid and durable than the prebuilt cabinets built today, making resurfacing an appealing option.
The work typically requires one or two craftsmen. You’ll start by removing doors and drawer fronts. You’ll want to “rough up” the face frames and side panels to get them ready for the new covering. The new finish can then either be nailed or glued over the old, with trimmed edges covering up the nail holes.
Then you’ll want to attach the new cabinet doors and drawer fronts, with new hardware on each of them. Your options for the finished look are: wood veneer, plastic laminates or rigid thermofoils (RTF). All have advantages and disadvantages, so you’ll want to talk to an experiences contractor or craftsman about each.
As we mentioned earlier, you need to weight your options with kitchen remodeling, determining what you want to improve and what your budget is. If you’d like to learn more about your kitchen remodeling options, and you’re in the San Diego area, talk to Greyhound General today, You can leave us a note here or call us directly at 800-568-7108.
Home is where the heart is! For most people this saying conjures up images of family and friends gathering for a nice meal. Think of the last time you entertained guests, or even just prepared a nice dinner for your immediate family. Did you find yourself with limited space to do all the prep work? Did you have to look thoroughly to find additional space for your dishes? Or did you simply notice the worn down look our your kitchen? These are signs that your kitchen may be in need of a makeover!
Here’s a list of the top 5 signs you need to remodel your kitchen:
1) Cabinetry is Looking Rough: If your home was built in the 1970s or earlier, and you have the original cabinets, I’m probably preaching to the choir. Wooden cabinets should reflect the overall look and feel of the kitchen. Sometimes you can get away with simply painting or staining your kitchen cabinets, but if you’re even considering replacing them then you need to think about overhauling the rest of your kitchen.
2) No Counter Top Space: No space to do your prep work? Have your counter-top appliances taken up all the working space? Has junk mail and other miscellaneous items cluttered the center island? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions you’ll want to consider remodeling your kitchen. According to the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), a Kitchen should have a minimum of 158″ (13 ft) of linear counter top space. BUT that’s just a minimum! You can try to move appliances around, and that might free up some space. Also, if you have a smaller-sized kitchen, but a breakfast nook and/or dining room, you might consider knocking down a wall or two to open it up. You’ll want to talk to a full service remodeling contractor who can review your design options.
3) Lighting & Flooring: Look up and then look down. Are you happy with what you see? Is your lighting and flooring showing its age? Old lighting can not only look bad, but it can cost you money! Newer, “greener” light bulbs can last up to 30,000 hours, whereas typical light bulbs only last about 900 hours. Furthermore, you can power 6 LED lights with the same amount of energy it takes to power one incandescent light bulb!
Check out your flooring. Are there any gouges in it? Are the edges, where the floor hits the base boards, showing age? Or is it simply old or unsightly, like linoleum? Sure you can simply replace the existing flooring, but if there are other areas of your kitchen in need of upkeep then consider a full kitchen remodel.
4) Outdated Appliances: Just like light bulbs have advanced to become “greener,” so have appliances. If you’ve owned your home for more than 10-15 years or more and you have the original appliances chances are they are, or are starting to become, an eyesore. Consider an energy efficient refrigerator, dishwasher, stove and oven.
Your kitchen is where your family and friends come together, so make your kitchen look its best, and save yourself some energy costs in the long run. Make sure you speak with a trusted home remodeling contractor that can help you with the design phase, as well as the remodeling phase. If you’re looking for a San Diego kitchen remodeling contractor then leave Greyhound General a message, or call us directly at 800-568-7108.
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.
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.
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:
The first step any homeowner should take before remodeling their home is determining what their budget is. It’s a good idea to have a rough budget in mind before bringing out a contractor to give you an estimate. Often times a contractor may come out multiple times in order to fully understand the scope of the work. In fact, this is essential for almost any project. For many remodeling projects blueprints and permits are required. Once you do get an estimate from a contracting company make sure that they give you a fixed price and they take the time to clearly go through the scope of the work.
The next step after determining your budget is to analyze exactly what you want upgraded. If you’re hoping to remodel your kitchen and you’ve determined your budget then you can think about the layout that you’d like, the materials that you want and appliances that you’d like. For counter tops you’ll want to consider granite, stainless steel, marble or engineered stone if you have a bigger budget or if counter tops are high on your list of upgrades. Even more inexpensive alternatives such as laminates, wood and tile can get pricey if they are customized. For any material used it is important to understand the pros and cons for its potential to chip, stain, scratch, or dent, as well as how much maintenance they require. The same thought process should be applied to the appliances that you choose. Make sure your contractor offers you a variety of choices of materials and appliances, and is well versed in the pros and cons of each.
If you’re opting to remodeling your entire home or add on to it then you have many more options. One option to consider is whether or not to go solar. Any new room or addition will likely require a new roof. Placing solar panels on your roof will cost more up front, but will save you a lot of money in the long run. Another idea to consider if you’re remodeling your home is repainting the entire house. Often times construction companies will simply paint the newly built area, but neglect the rest of the house. However, there may be problem areas with paint chipping or peeling, stucco cracking or worse, wood rotting. Even if the last paint job was within 5 years you may want to consider adding another coat of 100% acrylic paint for wood or elastomeric paint for stucco.
No matter how big or small your project, you’ll want input from the contractor you choose. If you are in need of a contractor who can help you through this process then look no further than Greyhound General. Contact
Greyhound today for a free estimate.
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:
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
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.
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.