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TURNING HOME REMODELING WISHES INTO REALITY FOR OVER 24 YEARS, ON TIME AND ON BUDGET.
Blog (11)
A culmination of information regarding home remodeling, renovation and tips for every room in your home.
Roofing Choices You Wont Regret
Written by StateWide Home RemodelingRoofing is your home's umbrella. So it's important to make sure it will keep out rain and snow. The average asphalt roof is expected to last around 15 to 30 years, which may make you think of purchasing something more permanent. But all roofing types have their pros and cons.
Metal may be your best bet in fire-prone areas of the Southwest. It is effective in preventing the spread of fire and some insurance carriers may give safety discounts for a metal or other non-flammable roof. New styles are available that are made from attractive copper, steel, or aluminum, unlike the old style metal farm roof made from corrugated steel. Metal roofing is quite lightweight and quite effective in preventing leaks as well, and of course it will not rot away.
Clay tile is a very long lasting option, as well as very beautiful, and can last for centuries. Think of those Roman bathhouses and Italian villas. These tiles are interlocking for stability and are available in numerous colors and styles. Concrete tiles are similar but less expensive and less durable than clay. This is another fireproof option. One drawback of these types of roof tiles is the weight. You should have your home inspected by a structural engineer to make sure it is stable enough to support the weight of all that concrete or clay tile, plus snow if you are in an area where its snows. Mediterranean style homes are most conducive to using this look.
Slate tiles for roofing are lovely as well and very long lasting. Slate from some of the areas of the US's East Coast will last 50 years or more depending on conditions. Can you picture a New England home with a slate roof to hold back the ocean's fury? Slate is fire safe and waterproof, and you will not have to seal it, treat it, or do much of anything to maintain it. Slate is, however, labor intensive to implement and costly to purchase, but it provides a unique look that can't be beat.
Wood shingles are beautiful and work well with an older or historic home. They are machine cut and last about 30 years, like asphalt, but are a pricier material, about six times as much. Wood shakes are actually cut by hand which will understandably add to the cost. Wood is not particularly fire safe but can be treated to mitigate risk.
Composite shingles can be made to look like many of the other types. They are quite durable, said to last around 50 years, but since it is a new material the jury may still be out. Good thing it's warrantied for 50 years. But it's expensive and may be hard to find in your area.
Asphalt is the least expensive, and the least of these is made partially of fiberglass. It comes in many colors and styles nowadays, and can even be made to look like slate, tile, or wood shake. Mid century homes were known for asphalt roofing and that is certainly the most common in the Midwest.
Now you most likely know which material you want to use on your home. It's time to start thinking about the color of your roofing material.
One thing’s for sure, if you’re remodeling your kitchen, choosing the right countertop material can be a daunting prospect.
Aside from choosing the right color scheme, you also have an abundance of options to choose from when it comes to the different types of materials available.
So we’ve pulled together list of the top 4 stone countertop surfaces mostly used in kitchens.
Granite
This 100 % natural stone produces colorful hues via its mottled appearance and is incredibly durable; knife nicks and heat are no issue to granite. It is removed from the ground as one large chunk of stone, then smoothed and cut to shape. Since it is a natural stone, there may be variations in color and pattern.Granite does have to be sealed periodically to prevent staining and dulling of its shine. It is also extremely heavy, so will require strong, durable cabinetry beneath it.
Quartz (Engineered Stone)
Quartz countertops, also known as engineered quartz is made of about 90% natural quartz crystals, crushed and mixed with anywhere from 5-10% polymer resins (clear liquid plastic product) which is where the name “engineered quartz” came about. Because it is mixed and shaped in a factory, it can be easily made into any shape and color imaginable, as well as, offering many choices for edging, allowing it to conform to all styles of a home.
Engineered quartz is becoming extremely popular due to its similarity to natural stone, extreme durability, and unlimited color choices, making it a perfect choice for all styles of high traffic kitchens. It is also non porous which keeps this countertop 99.9% bacteria free, easy to clean, and maintenance free. It never needs to be sealed, or polished and will look shiny and new, for many years, as it did the day it was installed. One downside of quartz to be aware of, is they may change color when exposed to light. So if you have sunlight from a window beaming on part of the quartz for long periods of time, be aware that it may change color over time, in comparison to the part that isn’t exposed to direct light.
Marble
A very traditional choice; this stone exudes style and elegance and whose radiance cannot be matched by any other surface. Marble is also the least expensive of the solid natural hard surface materials such as granite or courts. Marble has no problem with heat where a lot of baking is done. But marble, however, does need to be sealed. Even when sealed properly, marble can stain, if acidic foods such as red wine or tomato sauce is spilled and left on for a period of time, even if it has been sealed properly.
Slate
A nonporous, natural stone that is echo friendly and all natural. You may be used to seeing slate used in flooring, or roofing and other exterior areas. But, this stone has a lot of great qualities, allowing to be used in the Kitchen. Slate actually does not soak up stains as marble does, nor does it chip or crack easily, is heat resistant and needs very little maintenance. So it’s great to use in the kitchen. There aren’t as many color choices as granite or quartzite though. Usually, the shades of slate are black, gray, blue or brown. Also know that there aren’t many choices for edging, as there are with Quartz (Quartzite). Due to the rough edges of slate, there aren’t many options for edging for countertops. Mostly they are shaped in a standard square edge, with the edges being softened up. Also, be sure to check a sample of the particular slate you may purchase, and test it with foods, chemicals, and wear and tear before choosing to purchase, as not all slate sones are the same.
Each stone is unique. To consult with Joe Grimberg, licensed engineer and remodeling contractor to Los Angeles for the past 24 years with State Wide Construction and Remodeling to find the right materials to use in your new kitchen, call him directly at
818-633-5462 for a free consult.
Investing in your home is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make.
Being clear and upfront with what is expected from the start, will help to ensure that you get the desired results from your project. By making sure that your project is managed by an expert who is a licensed CSLB (California State License Board) engineer and remodeler, and that they have clarity on your vision for your home, assures that the renovation project will be a smooth one.
Try to avoid third parties who are middle men in the project management process; firms that use external project managers or project managers employed with the company but whom aren’t licensed often don’t retain as much control over the job and subsequently the quality of the job. Make sure your Project Manager is directly employed by your remodeling company AND licensed as a general remodeling contractor.
Always perform research first so that you can make an informed remodeling choice. Research materials to be used for the remodel, colors, styles. By doing this you will experience fewer doubts about the project as it progresses; this research will give you peace of mind.
You should be prepared that your plans and vision may shift, alter and change as your project advances; don’t worry about this unduly. Unforeseen obstacles and design alternations are part and parcel of the remodeling process. This is a normal thing which may happen. But, with any experienced and licensed remodeling contractor worth their salt, they will be able to suggest pragmatic and cost effective solutions to any issue that may present itself.
Most remodeling contractors have a wide range of experience, but you need to make sure that they have a background and experience in the type of remodelling project that you are looking to undertake. Here are some of the different types of specialities remodeling contractors should have:
- Planning & Design
- Kitchen and Bathroom design/ remodeling.
- 3 D Computer Layout
- Room Additions
- Exterior/Interior Painting
- Electric & Plumbing
- Residential Remodeling
- Commercial offices
- Restaurants
- Industrial
Modern remodeling contractors provide computerized 3D design services on their projects; these include projections of what the finished project will look like. This helps you to see your vision come to life prior to the construction. Contractors can do a 3D design for your kitchen remodel, room addition and bathroom remodel.
Remodeling or re-designing your home delivers many benefits ranging from greater energy efficiency, to more space for an increasing family. Before you start to remodel, it is advisable to use a whole house design system and to carry out a full energy audit because this will enable you to understand the energy efficiency improvements that need to be made and how you might go about making these improvements
Now, that you learned some important tips to enable you to hire a contractor whom will take your old and drab room and bring it to an updated and beautiful reality, begin your research process to find the right Los Angeles Remodeling Contractor for you
You found a house that suits you well. It has the spacious yard to enjoy, the neighborhood you like, and its close to your work, family and friends! Yet, you need it to have more space, through the existence of another room in the house.
The first thing that many homeowners think of when wanting more space, is having a room addition built. But, if the home’s lot size isn’t big enough, then adding a room, would take space from the yard, making it cramped and an impractical option. So what do you do? Well, the majority of homes in Los Angeles county have attics. In fact, most of the times these attics are very spacious. This unused space in your home, can be transformed into a beautiful, full functioning and comfortable room in your home, complete with electricity, plumbing, and HVAC (Heating, Venting & Air Conditioning). Yet, this space is over looked by many homeowners.
The options for the use of this room are endless. You could choose to make it a room for the kids, or an at home office, or maybe use this extra room for a game room. With today being Fathers Day, the family may choose to make it a dads getaway, or moms, or both. A lot is possible when it comes to choices for this room.
Although people know the attic to be a dark unused space, this all changes with a complete attic conversion. By adding a window and recess lighting, you take a dark space and make it bright and airy. When plumbing is run through the walls of the attic for a bathroom, as well as a complete HVAC (Heating, Venting and Air Conditioning) unit, proper insulation and drywall, you are left with a room easily kept at a comfortable temperature all year long. When an attic remodel is done by an experienced and licensed remodeling contractor like Joe Grimberg with State Wide Construction and Remodeling in Los Angeles, the results are stunning! And the uses are limitless.
Heres to the Fathers that give their best all year long. They deserve a room to get away and recharge their batteries.
Happy Fathers Day DADS!
Interested in finding out how we can turn your old attic into the extra room for your home, call CSLB Licensee, Joe Grimberg directly. 818-633-5462, for a FREE in home Estimate
Complete Attic Conversion
There are many choices to be made when remodeling your kitchen. From color choices, layout, style, and type of materials to be used throughout the kitchen. With so many choices to be made, you may not know where to start. The main investment in your kitchen is the cabinetry you choose. When chosen correctly, it makes the kitchens ease of use and pleasure of cooking a whole lot better. As a licensed remodeling contractor in Los Angeles, I personally recommend to my clients to first decide on what TYPE of cabinetry they want. There are two main choices of cabinetry to choose from. Custom Built Cabinets or Ready Made Cabinets, also known as Stock Cabinets.
To make an informed decision, its important to know the differences between the two types of cabinets.
Ready made cabinets also known as “stock cabinets” are usually made ahead of time and stocked by a distributor ready for sale. These cabinets come in specified pre-made sizes ranging from 9″ to 48″ in width, usually in 3″ increments. Because ready made cabinets have specified sizes, they limit the options for cabinet height, width and depth, which may limit the space available in irregular shaped kitchens, and can make fitting in extra large appliances difficult. Also, ready made cabinets are most likely made of thinner materials and lesser quality components such as the hinges, etc. These ready made or stock cabinets need to have fillers used, which are wood pieces that are similar to the color of the cabinetry, that fill in the extra space left over between the cabinets.
Custom made cabinetry allows you to utilize the space of the kitchen to the fullest extent. By having your cabinets custom made you get to choose between options that may not be available to you with ready made cabinetry. Some of these choices you get to decide with custom built cabinets are the depth, height, width, type of wood and choice of color that suits your needs and taste buds. Being able to choose which height, size and depth, allows you to maximize the space available to you, because the cabinetry is built and designed however you choose, giving you the features you desire, such as deeper spaces for large dishes. Also, there is no need for the use of fillers with custom cabinets, as they are made to fit exactly as needed. The higher quality construction and features of custom built cabinets means your kitchen will be enjoyed for much longer and will make your cooking, storage and overall use of your kitchen more enjoyable! Most likely custom built cabinets will only be slightly more expensive. But the slight extra cost will be worth it, as you get exactly what you want.
The Many Benefits of a Kitchen Remodel
There comes a time in every homeowner’s life when they feel the need to remodel their kitchen, especially since the kitchen is considered by many, to be the most important room. Embarking on a kitchen-remodeling project can be challenging; a kitchen remodel may entail design alteration, changing of storage cabinets and/or restructuring the floor. However, these challenges are minute compared to the near infinite benefits of remodeling your kitchen.
Kitchen remodeling gives homeowners the opportunity to transform their dull and boring kitchen into a vibrant new space; this is one of the primary reasons why homeowners remodel their kitchens. This is especially so since kitchen designs have undergone a transformation over the past couple of years. In the past, the work triangle was the most important aspect of any kitchen design; today however, kitchen designs have to incorporate other factors as well. Since the kitchen is the most popular room in a house, it is bound to feel the effects of family growth; the design of a kitchen has to suit the size of the family and Kitchen remodeling becomes important and beneficial when more space has to be created to accommodate more children. Remodeling will also create more space in the kitchen for easy movement while cooking.
The more space created through remodeling, gives food enthusiasts sufficient room to hone their culinary skills. In essence, homeowners are able to customize their kitchen space to fit their specific needs.
Another impact of family growth is diminishing storage space; creating more storage compartments requires creativity and resources, in other words it requires an experienced kitchen remodeling contractor. Kitchen remodeling offers a variety of creative ways of adding storage space. Innovations such as slide-out pantries have been born out of the need for modern updates. These innovations offer convenience and simplicity and at the same time provide additional storage.
Designers and real estate agents are all in agreement that the kitchen can determine whether a sale goes through or not. This is because most buyers will consider the condition and design of a kitchen before making their decision. Therefore, a kitchen-remodeling project is a worthy investment made on a home. According to statistics homeowners are sure to recoup between 68% and 75% of their kitchen-remodeling budget at the time of sale; no other remodeling project can boast a higher percentage return than a kitchen-remodeling project. Thus, it will increase the sales value of a home.
Remodeling a kitchen should always start with the basics i.e. updating kitchen appliances. The benefit of this is added safety. Having out-dated and worn out appliances in the kitchen can be dangerous and so is having worn out kitchen floors. The danger increases where children are involved. Remodeling can be an all-encompassing way to repair defects with electrical outlets and replace old and worn out appliances. Appliances such as refrigerators, when damaged, pose a serious threat to family members; updating such appliances will ensure that food stored is of the required healthy standard. Thus, kitchen remodeling improves safety as well as improves healthy living standards within a home.
I hope you can now see the very real benefits of remodeling your kitchen.
HOME REMODELING PROJECTS THAT ADD THE MOST VALUE TO YOUR HOME
Written by Super User
There a lot of ways to spend money remodeling your home, but not all of these developments will increase the value of your house. Sure, you want these remodeling projects to help you create that ideal home you’ve always dreamed about, but you also want to spend your money wisely and increase the potential listing price of your home, once you’re ready to put your house on the market. Here are the remodeling projects that will bring the most value to your home and they are all ideas that will also make your day-to-day life at home more enjoyable.
Exterior Painting
Sure, it’s not as extensive as some other projects, but doing some simple improvements can make your home a lot more attractive to potential buyers. Painting the outside of the house can have a dramatic effect that will make everything seem fresh and new. Interior painting, especially when combined with some new fixtures or furniture, can also make your home look ten years newer. These are also projects that offer minimal disruption to family life.
Kitchen Remodeling
One of the top features people look for in any potential home is a modern and highly practical kitchen. Kitchen remodels can range from a simple face-lift to a complete gutting of the space. New appliances are always a minimum investment and combining that with upgrades to the paint, backsplash and flooring can reinvent the kitchen area. From there, it just depends on your budget and your imagination. You can start with new cabinetry or go for the top end by replacing right down to the studs. It’s always good to keep in mind that you don’t want to build a kitchen that is too out of sync with the rest of the home, however there are still lots of ways to create the perfect kitchen space.
Bathroom Remodeling
While you can certainly stick with just minor cosmetic changes in the bathroom, you can boost a property’s value by going for a major reinvention. That includes new fixtures and paint, as well as even a nicer bath or shower space. The modern take on the bathroom is lush and slightly hedonistic; people want to feel pampered and a new bathroom is the perfect place to create that magical relaxing atmosphere.
Garage Conversion
Often a homeowner needs more interior space, but doesn’t have the room (or the budget) for an entirely new extension. A garage conversion is a great compromise, because it gives you a new room without the major expense of building it from scratch. In some ways a garage gives you a blank slate to create the perfect space, from a spare bedroom to the ultimate man cave!
Attic Conversion
Like the garage conversion, an attic conversion is all about creating new living space out of currently underutilized interior footage. The complexity of some attic conversions has a lot to do with the look and layout of the existing attic area; don’t assume that because your attic is small that it can’t be a workable space.
Room Addition
Sometimes the best choice is adding a completely new room. While it can be more expensive than just remodelling a garage or attic, it adds square footage to your home and it also offers you the chance to build the space you need, just the way you want it; a blank canvass of sorts
Any project should combine improving the look of your home while increasing the overall value and sale potential. If you are thinking of remodelling, it is critically important that you do your homework on local contractors and choose the right remodeling contractor for your needs.
TIPS FOR CHOOSING THE RIGHT REMODELING CONTRACTOR, THE FIRST TIME.
Written by Super UserYour home is your greatest investment. And when it comes to choosing a remodeling contractor, homeowners number one concern is, WHO to entrust your greatest investment with.
Not all contractors are alike. Many other contractors and companies send out an unlicensed person to “sell” the job. Once sold, the sales person hands your remodeling project to yet another unlicensed person in the company to “run” the remodel. All the while, the Licensed contractor is no where to be found. The larger the company, the more salesman/women are hired. This usually results in a remodeling nightmare, leaving the home owner in despair.
Over the years, we have had many clients come to us in this situation. We are happy to help them out of this remodeling disaster, and complete their remodel up to code, and in top condition.But, our hope is that homeowners do their research beforehand, and make the right choice the first time. State Wide Construction and Remodeling in LOS ANGELES is unique from other remodeling, design and construction companies.
What makes us unique? Your remodel from design phase to completion, is personally managed by Joe Grimberg, CSLB licensed engineer and remodeler of Los Angeles. This way, there are no miscommunications, because there are no middle men.
Licensed Remodeling Contractor Joe Grimberg, with State Wide Construction and Remodeling in Los Angeles has been providing homeowners, high quality workmanship, on time and on budget, for over two decades. This is the true meaning of an experienced remodeling contractor.
AS OUR CLIENT, YOU ARE NEVER IN THE DARK~ Joe Grimberg provides each client a written itemized outline schedule for the start and completion of each phase of their remodel. And should you, as our client, want to have anything changed along the way, this is always an option to you, as you have direct contact with Joe Grimberg, who will fill out with you, this Change of order form.
Call to schedule a FREE consultation and Exact Price Quote
Toll free: 1-800-840-5377
Direct Cell: 818-633-5462
http://www.swhomeremodeling.com/
If you’re ready to spiff up your home to put it back on the market or simply want to keep up with the construction boom in southern California, you’ll need to find the right Los Angeles remodeling contractor to do so. From the Hollywood Hills to Echo Park, there are plenty of neighborhoods serviced by contractors in the area. This can make it seem like a daunting task to choose the right Los Angeles general contractor for your remodeling needs. Before you even begin, you’ll want to sit down and think about what you want the final outcome for your home to be.
The first step towards finding the best remodeling contractor is to make a list of the areas in your home you want worked on, and any features you are interested in installing, as well as a rough guide of your ideal budget and timeline. However, if you have no clue what these numbers will be and you’re not even really sure what you want, that’s acceptable as well. A good Los Angeles general contractor should be able to offer suggestions and work with you to find out what the best course of action will be for your home. Hiring a general contractor is helpful because they take care of all the details from permits and inspections to knowledge and a winning team of remodeling professionals, to transform your room of choice into your own haven, so that you don’t have to worry about it.
You can create a list of potential Los Angeles remodeling contractor options through recommendations from friends, online guides, or review sites. With this list in hand, you can narrow it down to getting a price quote from three of the best matches for your particular project. Be sure to ask any questions you might have about experience, qualifications, and what the contractor proposes for your property. If you aren’t sure what you want, you will need a contractor who is strong with design. Contractors should be able to show you a portfolio, of past projects so that you can see the type of work that they have performed in the past.
It’s also important to work out a fair price when you are dealing with the remodeling contractor. Although you may have a budget in mind before you start interviewing candidates, you should also be open to changes in the budget and timeframe. Using a reputable general contractor is a great way to start building the home of your dreams, piece by piece.
To get a FREE in home price quote from CSLB licensed Engineer and remodeling contractor, Joe Grimberg with State Wide Construction and Remodeling in Los Angeles, call him directly at 818-633-5462 or fill out the form below. You will be contacted to schedule a meeting with Joe Grimberg, who will access the job and give you a free price quote.
The Benefits of hiring a remodeling contractor
Los Angeles is home to almost four million people. Many of these residents prefer to renovate their existing home rather than move to an already remodeled house or build a new one. These homeowners may feel that by doing some of the renovations themselves, they will save money. But, as you may be aware, choosing the DIY route can get tricky, leading to costly repairs. Many people feel that after watching numerous do-it-yourself videos or a certain number of home improvement episodes that renovating should be easy. Unfortunately, this is usually not the case, and homeowners may not realize this until a lot of time and money has been spent.
With the rising costs of materials that are needed for renovations, finding a reputable and experienced remodeling contractor can actually save you money. Contractors not only have materials available, but also have contacts to help you find the least expensive materials for your home renovation. Plus, a licensed contractor is familiar with all of the city permits and safety codes, which allows the job to be done correctly the first time, avoiding any costly mistakes. When you hire an experienced contractor, you won’t need to worry about finding different workers necessary when doing a complete remodel, such as quality electricians, plumbers, kitchen designers, flooring installers, etc. Instead, the licensed contractor has the correct professionals to do the work, and supervises the project, manages the stages of work, and guarantees their work.
So, when you want to update and remodel your home, take all the factors into consideration, when deciding to either hire a contractor to oversee the process for you, or to go about the project on your own, by Doing It Yourself (DIY)
As discussed earlier, some things that require more detailed work such as a kitchen or bathroom remodel, or if you are planning on adding more space to your home with a room addition or want to bring the outdoors in with patio enclosure , or decide to have your homes electric and/or plumbing upgraded, make life easier on yourself and hire a professional. If you you would like to hire a contractor but don’t know how to find the right contractor, we suggest you start by looking online. Not only will you get a list of available contractors, but you can also see reviews, as well as, before and after pictures. Be sure that the contractor is in fact licensed with the proper licensing, and licensing state. For California, you want to be sure the contractor is licensed with California State License Board (CSLB). The licensed remodeling contractor should be able to come to your home, see the work entailed and give you an exact price quote.
If you know a friend or family member who has had renovations done to their home and liked the results, find out who they used. References are the most important part of home remodeling and construction business. This is how we at State Wide Construction and Remodeling in Los Angeles, proudly get much of our work from. The best compliment we can get is referrals from existing clients.
Should you want to get a FREE in home, exact price quote for any remodel you may be considering, call our toll free number at 1-800-840-5377 OR call CSLB licensed contractor and engineer, Joe Grimberg, directly on his mobile at 1-818-633-5462
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Statewide construction offers comprehensive Water and Fire Damage Restoration Services for residential and commercial properties throughout the Greater Los Angeles.
Most of the time, water damage goes unnoticed due to not being seen, which is why many are noticed leading to more costly issues. Luckily, Everything is covered under your home owners insurance. You pay nothing from start to finish!! We take care of ALL types of Water and Fire damage restoration services at NO COST TO YOU. We contain and clear the water/Fire damaged area and takes care of all the remodeling and renovation to your home.
Water damage can originate from different sources such as: plumbing leaks, broken pipes, leaking roof, dishwasher leakage, washing machine overflow, clogged toilet, and bad weather (snow, rain, floods). Flooded indoor areas are unsafe and prolonged flooding will cause serious structural damage.
We provide prompt and professional attention to the project from start to finish.
If you notice that your home is flooded by water or had damage from a fire in your home, please give us a call as soon as possible. We will come to your home for FREE and will take care of all the paperwork for you. We will work to get YOU the most money from your home owners insurance so you will be able to get your home back, clean, safe and remodeled. We represent You the home owner, NOT the insurance companies.
Call us today at 1800-840-5377, or Contact CSLB Licensee Joe Grimberg directly at 818-633-5462
