Category Archives: Outdoor Remodeling

Greyhound General Featured in San Diego Coastal Homes Magazine

Greyhound General’s work was recently featured in San Diego Coastal Homes Magazine for September 2016.

backyard-buildup

In this Carlsbad outdoor remodeling project Greyhound worked with interior designer Laura Wireman to execute this beautiful outdoor living room.

Wireman said: “Dave Jovin of Greyhound General did a remarkable job executing my plan and vision for the home owner.”

If you’d like to learn more about our backyard remodeling or to schedule your consultation just give us a call at 800-568-7108 or leave a note here.

Collection of Outdoor Remodeling Projects

Check out Greyhound General’s collection of outdoor and backyard remodeling projects from in and around the San Diego area:

To learn more or to schedule your consultation just give us a call at 800-561-7108 or leave a note here.

 

New Backyard Remodel in San Marcos

Greyhound General’s latest backyard remodeling project was for a customer we have done work for in the past, starting with a new kitchen in 2009 and a new master bath remodel in 2014.

This San Marcos home had a backyard with several issues, including a leaking water fixture. Greyhound helped to:

  • remove the leaking water feature
  • Construct a new retaining wall and firepit
  • Install quartzite on patio and a retaining wall cap

This project was completed in only two weeks! You can see the before photo here:

before backyard remodel in San Marcos

 

…And after Greyhound’s work:

backyard remodel project  san marcos

after backyard remodel san marcos

If you’d like to learn more about how you can give your backyard a “facelift,” then please leave us a message here or call 800-568-7108.

If you’d like to see more of our outdoor remodeling projects click here.

Brilliant Cardiff Back Yard Remodel

One of Greyhound’s most recent projects involved a beautiful home in Cardiff-by-the-Sea. This project was primarily a backyard remodel, including the installation of privacy fencing, a BBQ area fire bowl and more.

backyard remodel 1
backyard remodeling 2 backyard remodeling 3

The project also involved some other work. In addition to a full interior paint job, Greyhound also installed a new front driveway. Take a look at some more stunning photos below.

front driveway remodel interior painting sunset

If you’d like to check out some more backyard remodels by Greyhound click here. To learn more or to request a free consultation just leave us a message here. You can also call Greyhound directly at 800-568-7108.

 

Beautiful Backyard Remodel in Carlsbad

Greyhound’s latest project was a backyard transformation for a home in Carlsbad. The design was done by Laura Wireman of Innerspace Designs, and Greyhound provided the actual building plans, permits and engineering.

Some of the projects highlights are:

  • steel pavilion
  • palapa: powder coated steel with “Hardi siding”
  • landscaping
  • landscape lighting
  • fireplace: using natural gas
  • spa

The palapa weighed 1,900 lbs and the support bolder was over one ton, so that in itself made the project a little more challenging. You can see this incredible transformation here:

Special thanks to our sub-contractors and designers, including the aforementioned Laura Wireman; PoolSpecs of San Diego, who constructed the spa; and National Quarries in San Marcos, who provided the granite and did an incredible job on the BBQ countertop, the round palapa bar top, and supporting bolder.

If you’d like to learn more about remodeling your backyard then leave Greyhound a message here, or call us at 800-568-7108.

 

Summer Fun in the Yard

Summer is almost here, and with the warmer days and longer nights comes backyard BBQs and pool parties! Whether you have family coming to town or simply plan on hosting a Summer party, now is a great time to evaluate you front yard and backyard. Here are a few areas to look at:

Your deck: How is it holding up? Has it been painted or stained in the last 2-3 years? Check for warping of the wood or peeling paint. If you’re considering remodeling, rebuilding, or expanding on your deck, or simply building a new deck, then check out this article about deck remodeling.

Your pool: It goes without saying that a pool requires maintenance. This generally mean checking the water on a weekly basis and adding chlorine & other chemicals, when necessary. However, if you have an older pool, it is also wise to evaluate the tile or other material around the edge of the pool for cracking or chipping. The same goes for the base of the pool. Keep an eye out for any cracks. Now, if you’re looking to install a new pool then I recommend you check out this article.

 Your yard & landscaping: Start by evaluating your lawn. You may need to re-sod the entire area depending on the state of the grass. Next look at your flower beds. Could they use some mulch and some new flowers? Just these two steps alone can dramatically improve the appearance of your yard. You can always take it a step further and consider some additional landscaping ideas, such as stone walkways or water fountains.

Other ideas: Bring your home outside! Nowadays outdoor “living rooms” and outdoor kitchens are all the rage. The furniture makes for an inviting and comfortable outdoor experience. Just make sure it is meant for outdoors and that you cover it when not in use, store it in a shed, or at the very least, keep it protected from any rain or dew.

As for outdoor kitchens, when a simple charcoal BBQ isn’t enough, a full-blown outdoor kitchen may be best for you. You can incorporate the grill, refrigerator, sink, counter-tops, shelves/drawers, and even a hot tub, into one solid structure. Like indoor appliances, stainless steel and granite hold up very well against the elements (just make sure you cover your grill when not in use). If adding the hot tub stretches your budget then consider concrete counter-tops, which are cheaper, but also very durable. Check out this article about outdoor kitchen remodeling.

If you would like to learn more about how to improve your yard, or you’re considering an outdoor remodeling project, talk to Escondido-based general contractor and home remodeler Greyhound General. We serve all of San Diego, from Chula Vista to Oceanside, so don’t hesitate to leave us a note here or call us directly at 800-568-7108.

San Diego Deck Remodeling

Summer is almost here, so get ready to get outside and grill! There’s nothing like the smell of BBQ in the air on a warm summer day, especially when you’re accompanied by friends and family. These types of social gatherings bring people together, but before you think about hosting any summer party you need to assess your backyard. A good place to start is your deck.

If you have a deck then you should asses it structurally. How is it holding up? Has it been painted or stained in the last 2-3 years? Is there room to expand on? If you don’t have a deck, but you’re considering adding one, you need to assess the space available for a deck.

Here are several tips to consider when deciding whether to build a new deck or remodel an existing deck:
1) Who’s going to be using the deck? The size of the deck, as mentioned above, is very important and you need to know how many people you’d like to entertain on the deck.

2) How will the deck connect to the house, or will it? You need to think about all the side or back doors that you have and all the space arround each door. Ideally, if you’re planning on hosting big events the deck should be connected to the door closest to the kitchen.

3) What style of deck do you want? There are many different types of decks, one’s with trellises, multiple levels, steps, gazebos, and so on. You need to balance the look you want with the style of house you own. Does your home have a more modern look or a rustic charm? This will play a role in the style of deck you choose.

4) Are there any privacy concerns? Typically a new deck will mean that people are standing higher off the ground than they would be if there was no deck. If that’s the case then you need to determine if the fences surrounding your yard are tall enough.

5) How’s the weather? In areas where there is heavy snowfall and rain then simply using high quality stain should be fine. In areas with abundant sunshine, such as San Diego, you may want to consider some overhead protection for your deck, such as an awning or deck cover.

If you’re considering remodeling or adding a deck to your San Diego home then you should talk to Greyhound General. They will help find a deck that meets your budget and the architects will help come up with a design that fits your taste. Greyhound will also make sure that any and all work is up to code, based on local building codes and regulations.

If you’re interested in learning more about how you can upgrade your deck, or improve your entire backyard, then contact Greyhound General today, or call 800-568-7108.

San Diego Outdoor Remodeling and Additions

Spring is almost here and it’s time to start thinking about upgrading your yard and the outdoor space around your home. Whether you just got your big tax return or  you simply have a budget set aside to make some updates to your home, outdoor remodeling is a great idea for families looking to add a guest cottage, install a pool, or simply improve their landscaping. The best part is that outdoor remodeling is often less expensive than remodeling your home.

Here are some ideas for updating your yard and outdoor area:

  • Build a guest cottage: This could be a better option than adding a room to your home. Creating a detached guest cottage also won’t affect the day-to-day activities in your home. Furthermore, are prefabricated guests homes that you can look into to save some extra money. Whatever route you take, you’ll want to talk to a contractor about how to make it happen.
  • Install a pool: Is there a better way to cool down on a hot summer day? You’ll obviously want to make sure you have enough space, not only for the pool but for at least 20 feet around the perimeter of the pool. You’ll also want to make sure there are no trees nearby (or upwind), or electrical lines above or underneath. A contractor can review all of this with you.
  • Landscaping: Simple landscaping can often consist of a new garden bed with flowers. However, you can get a lot more elaborate than that. Installing and planting trees, waterfalls, a new lawn and much more. If your landscaping idea requires construction and architectural knowledge then you should turn to a contractor for help.

Whatever your plan is for improving your outdoor space at your home it is always advisable to consult a general contractor. Contact Greyhound General today for your next outdoor remodeling project in San Diego, or call 800-568-7108.

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

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.

Tips for upgrading your backyard

In a previous post, Outdoor Kitchen Remodeling and Design- the newest trend, I mentioned a few ideas for building an outdoor kitchen. Outdoor kitchens are great for families that like to have family and friends over to cook and entertain outside. However, there are several things you can do as a home owner to remodel and improve your backyard before you even consider that amazing outdoor kitchen.

For starters you may want to consider:

  • Upgrading the lighting- Improving the light can brighten your backyard and make it more inviting
  • Improve the landscaping- This could be fairly easy or a huge project. Planting flowers in an empty flower bed is a good start. Re-sodding your law and plating trees and shrubs is a bit more labor intensive. If you want to go all out you can consider stone walkways and water fountains
  • Replace the deck- Decks can last a long time if they are properly constructed and maintained. It is always a good idea to restain or repaint your deck every year or so to preserve it. If there is rotting then you may be able to simply replace some of the wood. However, if there is significant rotting you’ll want to replace the deck entirely
  • Utilize a tool shed- Unless your garage is exceptionally organized you might want to consider a tool shed. This especially true if you’re using you garage to park in or for more than just tool storage. These sheds can be found in many different sizes and materials for as little as $200-$300

Of course, you may just be in need of a total backyard makeover. Maybe you’re looking to add that guest cottage to the backyard you’ve been dreaming of, or maybe you want to add that new deck with the hot tub. Whatever the case, San Diego general contractor, Greyhound General can help you with more than just your home and kitchen remodeling needs. Contact Greyhound today for a free estimate, or call 800-568-7108.