With home values down and sales still soft in San Diego, many homeowners will look at ways to improve their existing footprint.  Even when homes start to increase in value again, many homeowners will still opt to stay put and remodel or add on instead of selling.

According to the National Association of Home Builders’ Remodeling Market Index (RMI), hit a five-year high in the fourth quarter of 2011.

[See the 5 Best (and Worst) Home Remodeling Projects.]

Home remodeling decisions are reflective of the times, and resale values.  Here are some trends that are constant:

Home again. Remodelers are seeing a bigger demand for “companion units” (typically called granny flats whether children or parents are moving in) as part of new additions or as a detached building.  Some baby boomers are already reaching their golden years and families are remodeling their homes for aging in place a creative long term care solution.  For many families, this is a lower-cost option than retirement homes or assisted-living.

According to the National Association of Home Builders, 62 percent of builders surveyed were working on home remodeling for aging in place 2010.    AARP is working with builders on a designation for Certified Aging in Place Specialists.  There are builders trained in designing and remodeling buildings for the elderly.  Approximately 3,000 builders, contractors, remodelers and architects have already been certified.

Outdoor Spaces. In San Diego, increased property values led to the development of luxury outdoor living spaces like stone hardscapes, gourmet grilling kitchens, and elaborate patios with fireplaces.   The recession may have slightly dinged the remodeling industry when it comes to outdoor spaces, but the concept survives.  The investment in outdoor living spaces is a necessity even for homeowners that are budget minded.  Consumers may be scaling back their wish list, but improving their outdoor living spaces for entertaining and family time is still popular.  After all, families are traveling less, and staying home more.

Efficient Kitchens. Efficient means you can cook meals in a shorter period of time.  At the peak of the real estate market in San Diego, you would hear words like “granite” and “high-end appliances”.  Now, “cost effective” and “value” are key words for kitchen remodeling.  Homeowners are willing to give up a little food preparation area in favor of larger eating areas and family rooms.  Large islands with ample storage and eating areas are very popular and help make kitchens look less like a work space and more like an expansion of the family room.

I was proud to see this article in the San Diego Union newspaper on Saturday, May 30, 2011 featuring a home we remodeled in the 90′s:

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/apr/22/point-loma-listing-has-ties-portuguese-pioneer/

We remodeled the exclusive 1934 Frank L. Hope Jr. home in 1995.

815 Armada Terrace

Photos courtesy of Pauline Lim-Endresen.

The Scope of work included restoring exiting kitchen cabinets, new counter tops and back splashes, structural interior reconfiguration, expanding balconies, building out a wine storage room and other general remodeling.  At the time, it was one of our largest projects.

Murray Lampert Construction

I am very pleased at the response and interest of homeowner’s visiting us at the Del Mar Spring Home Decorating & Remodeling Show.  This was the most rewarding show we have done.  We had a past client from 1975 come bye our booth to say high and tell us how they still enjoy the family room my grandfather built.  Another couple from 1989 in South San Diego came by who are ready to remodel their kitchen and bathroom.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awwHSfn9Epo

Now that summer is near, it is obvious people are ready to improve their homes, and now is a great time while our crews are available and cost are still the low.

As always, we provide in home design and accurate quotes with no up front costs.  A new service we offer is fully detailed color 3D renderings and virtual walk through.

We also build custom cabinetry out of 100% wood product.  Our expertly crafted cabinets carry a lifetime warranty on workmanship and finish.

There have been many recent articles predicting that 2011 will be a big year for San Diego Kitchen and Bath remodeling.  Here are some recommendations to help you start the process:

1.  Take into consideration how long you plan to stay in your home and establish a budget.  If you anticipate moving in less than 5 years, your budget should be more modest, choosing conservative finishes and mid range fixtures.  Otherwise, it is worth spending more for your own long term enjoyment.

2.  Go to model homes and open houses to get ideas.  Take photos and make note of cabinet types, counters materials, tile or stone you like.

3.  Visit your local plumbing and appliance showroom where you can see working kitchens and baths with the latest products.

4.  Create a wish list of what features or changes would make your kitchen and/or bath more functional.

Once you have done your homework, it’s time to interview contractors.  A design/build general contractor will handle the conceptual plans and provide a accurate quote with finish and fixture allowances.

With the right approach, San Diego Kitchen & Bath Remodeling is a wise investment for personal enjoyment and long term resale value.

One of the most scenic and lively towns in all of San Diego is Pacific Beach, referred to as P.B. by the locals. The small beach community is just north of Mission Bay, south of La Jolla, West of Interstate 5, and East of the great Pacific Ocean. The beautiful city has a very young and exciting feel to it but also a romantic coastline and several family friendly neighborhoods. On any given day you can find the rich and famous mingling with the college kids scene right on the boardwalk. Grand and Garnet Avenue are the main streets with plenty of nightlife, restaurants, cafes, and shopping. The city is surrounded with water sports, biking/walking paths, and beautiful scenery. You can go for a jog in the morning, surf for lunch, and be sailing in the afternoon. There is never a shortage of fun activities in P.B. Whether surfing is your thing or you just enjoy the ocean breeze, Pacific Beach has something for everyone and is the center of San Diego’s youthful lifestyle.

Pacific Beach is an above average city in almost every statistic. The town has an estimated population of 45,000, median age of 31, and over 64% of its inhabitants have an education level of bachelor’s degree or higher. There are a total of 22,747 households and of those, 7,000 are family households. The per capita income of $31,117 is much higher than the national average of $21,587, most likely due to the higher cost of living in San Diego’s coastal region. The average household net worth is $450,349 and median home sale price is $630,000. The weather is beautiful year around with January’s average high at 65 degrees and low at 49 degrees, as well as July’s average high of 75 degrees and low of 65 degrees in July. During the hot months, you get a cool ocean breeze to keep you and your home from overheating. P.B. is located only seven miles from the San Diego International airport and three miles from University of San Diego.

Most residences in Pacific Beach were built between the years of 1950 through 1989. Any home in the area is most likely at least 22 years old and probably much older, leaving a lot of uncertainty to the stability and quality of its infrastructure. Each year, repairs must be made to balance the extreme amount of erosion from the salty air. Most people are surprised by how strong the sea breeze is and how much damage it can cause to a home even a couple miles inland. Landlords must charge higher rents to pay for the repairs and renovations and home owners living in their home need to keep an eye out for structural damage, especially to the exterior of the building. The weather may seem perfect all year around, but there is more household erosion in Pacific Beach than most cities in the U.S. will every experience.

Common Pacific Beach renovations are room additions, second stories, kitchen remodeling, outdoor spaces and even complete tear downs/rebuilding.  Since Pacific Beach is a damp climate and ocean air can cause corrosion, clad aluminum or vinyl windows are a wise choice.  Other construction enhancements to protect Pacific Beach homes from the weather are Tyvak house wrap for a tight building envelope, extended overhangs over west face walls to prevent leaks from a driving rain and positive drainage away from all foundations.

Image: Rawich / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image: Felixco, Inc. / FreeDigitalPhotos.net