Before even making the decision to replace your roof you need to make sure that it is in need of being replaced. This depends on the existing roofing material and the weather. Asphalt shingles may need to be replaced as early as 15 years after installation. Wood and rubber tiles can usually last 30-50 years. Metal typically can last at least 50 years, and slate, one of the most durable roofing materials, typically lasts the lifetime of the house.

Like any other housing material, there is a direct relationship between price and durability/longevity of the material. In short, if you want something that’ll last longer you’ll need to pay more for it. This is why most Americans use asphalt shingles on their home. It’s cheap, easy to install and fairly resilient. They also come in a variety of colors, and asphalt shingles tens to look aesthetically appealing for many different home styles. If you’re an environmentalist though, you might want to avoid asphalt shingles because they’re not usually recyclable because of the layer of fiberglass added to the shingles.

Wood shingles and shakes allow for a variety of different wood styles (including cedar, redwood, pine and more). Wood shingles tend to be a little costlier than asphalt, but they do blend pretty well with most home styles, particularly ranch, cottages and contemporary-style homes. The big concern with wood is its low fire safety rating. This risk can be offset with a fire-resistant treatment, which usually comes with an additional cost

Slate, as mentioned above, tends to last forever (or at least as long as the house). Slate is also very environmentally friendly, since it is not only made from a sustainable mixture, but it’s also recyclable.  However, it is expensive and very heavy, and it tends to only work well with Mediterranean, Mission and European-style homes. Also, keep in mind that it is often a darker color, so it’s not ideal for high-heat locations.

There are several other popular roofing options out there, including synthetic shingles, clay & concrete, metal and fiber cement. They all come with different price points, durability and colors. When choosing the right roofing material you’ll need to factor in your budget, as well as the style of your home. Of course, when installing or repairing your roof it’s always a good time to consider adding solar panels.

Greyhound General, a San Diego home remodeling contractor will help provide you with all the different options for your home and roof. If you have any questions about remodeling your home or roof, or if you’re interested in a free estimate please fill out the form here or call 800-781-1015.

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 800-781-1015.

Home Office Remodeling: In the internet age a lot of business owners are working from home. You might be using a spare bedroom or you may have been lucky enough to purchase a home with an “office” in it. Often times, these work spaces are small and/or too close to the rest of the house. If you have cleaners or a nanny over  you want your space to be away from these distractions. Expanding upon your existing office, or even building a separate home office, either attached or detached from your house, might be a great option to consider.

Corporate Office Remodeling: While Greyhound General is a residential remodeling contractor, many small businesses blend residential property with their “corporate” office. Whether you need to improve the layout of your office to accommodate for employees, or you’re a one-man-show, Greyhound General can help review all your options.

Convert Office Into Den or Bedroom: You may have purchased a home with an “office,” but find yourself with little use for it. Greyhound General can help you convert this office into a den, family room or even a bedroom addition.

If you’d like to learn more about how San Diego home remodeling contractor Greyhound General can help remodel your office leave us a message here, or call us directly at 800-781-1015.

As a consumer you have to do your due diligence to find the best general contractor. They don’t carry around MVP trophies or gold medals around their necks, but the best general contractor might be easier to find than you think. You’ll want to look at their:

1. BBB Rating: look for a company with zero complaints
2. Photos of previous work: You should be able to find this on the contractors’ website
3. Yelp, Citysearch and Google ratings: Make sure you examine all of these to see if there are any discrepancies. A 5 star Yelp rating is ideal!
4. Youtube channel: Photos are great, but a well-produced video will really give you an idea of the quality of their work
5. Speak to & visit former clients: Just like videos trump photos, an in-person walk-around of a remodel job and a discussion with former client both trump videos
6. Facebook Page: Not quite as valuable as the examples mentioned above, but it’s always nice to see what other people are saying about the company you’re interested in

Cost of materials: Buying Winter clothes in June or July will often mean heavy discounts, and the same thing is true of many materials. It’s not necessarily a seasonal thing, like clothing, but it’s more of a matter of supply and demand. It makes sense to purchase materials when they’re cheapest, so planning ahead for remodeling work will allow you to monitor the pricing of the materials you need.

Busyness of Contractors: When contractors are extremely busy they inevitably can devote less attention to your project. It’s similar to going to a restaurant during the dinner rush; you have to wait your turn. It doesn’t necessarily mean the service isn’t “up to snuff,” but it just means that it’s more ideal to be the focal point of your contractor. Also, during the busy season, you’ll have to work more with your contractor on start dates, since they have to juggle multiple projects, whereas in the non-busy season, you can have more of a say when the project starts.

Keep in mind that not all contractors are created equal. The best contractors will help you find the best deals on the highest quality materials. The best contractors will also provide the same excellent service no matter how busy they are. To learn more about what to look for in a general contractor click here.

If you want to talk to an experienced general contractor in San Diego then contact Greyhound General today, or call 800-781-1015.

It’s probably too late for people on the East Coast and Mid West follow these tips and provide time for adequate repairs, because many have seen snow already and temperatures are likely to fall about 30 degrees in the next month. For those of you in San Diego, there’s no need to panic! While Winter is cooler, it is fairly mind, and late October is a perfect time to examine your house.

1) Examine your roof/ gutters/ downspouts for debris: It’s very important to keep your gutters and downspout clear of all debris, including pine needles, leaves and dirt. Pay close attention if you have trees surrounding your house. Also check the flashing around your chimney, as well as skylights, to make sure there are no leaves built up and no leaks.

2) Change your filters: If you have central AC, remember to change the filter regularly. Check your stove vents and clothes dryer vents as well. Cleaning your vents will help keep your family healthier in the Fall and Winter, when people are more likely to get sick.

3) Prepare your fireplace: Remember to always discard old ashes and make sure the damper is open when using the chimney, so that air can move freely through the chimney. Make sure the damper is working properly by checking the handle and springs to see if it opens and closes properly. When not in use, close the damper to keep cold air out. Also, consider a chimney cleaning every few years, if not more frequently based on your use.

4) Examine your hot water heater: If the area you live has hard water then it’s likely that there’s sediment building up in your hot water tank. Consider draining your hot water tank and making sure that there is no rust build up. If there is rust, consider buying a new hot water heater that is more cost effective and energy efficient.

5) Check windows & doors for drafts: Start by investigating around all windows to make sure that the seal and caulking around the window frames are in good condition. Check the front, back and side doors to see if air is getting in underneath. There are cheap, temporary fixes such as rubber draft stoppers and even bean bag blockers that can easily be pushed away when you need to leave the house. Another temporary fix is to add heavy drapery around a particularly drafty window.

6) Store seasonal outdoor furniture: In San Diego, you’re in a different boat than the rest of the country with this tip. That being said, outdoor furniture can still deteriorate even in the mild Winters. Rain can do a lot of damage to furniture, so consider either investing in a cover for your furniture or finding a cool, dry place to store it when the rain picks up.

I left off several other tips, but they’re aimed at folks who own homes where it snows. Make sure to always inspect you home in the late Summer or Fall, regardless of the temperature. Making it a habit will help you spot issues early on, and give you time to fix any potential problems.

If you have any questions about home maintenance tips, or you’d like to learn more about San Diego home remodeling, then contact Greyhound General at 800-781-1015.

Whether you call it a living room, family room, den or rumpus room it’s a very important part of your home. Upgrading your living room doesn’t need to cost you tens of thousands of dollars. There are many elements to the living room that can be upgraded on a much smaller scale, without the work of a general contractor.

In most cases you’ll want to at least consult a general contractor about your ideas. Expanding your room, knocking down a wall, and adding new flooring & walls are just a few of the things that most homeowners need a general contractor to do.

If you’re looking to spruce up the focal point of your home, here are a few things to focus on before you make any decisions:

1) What’s going in your living room: Obviously there will be furniture, but do you really like the furniture? Even if you do, does it go with your overall vision of the room? Get rid of all items that clutter the room as you’ll want to start with the basics to see if additional or replacement pieces of furniture are needed.

2) Assess the floor, ceiling and walls: Do you currently have carpet, but would prefer hardwood? Are the walls and ceiling the right colors? Are the light fixtures the right style? These are things you’ll have to ask yourself. You can even throw some paint test patches up to see if a color sample translates well onto the wall.

3) Check online for living room styles that you like: the Internet has a plethora of home design ideas. I recommend you do your research online to see how others are improving their living room. Sites such as hgtv.com (Home & Garden TV) have tons of ideas, tips and photos.

4) Select a focal point for the room: The focal point can be an object, such as a large painting, or it can simply be a wall or patterned fabric. Whatever your focal point is, other items in the room should compliment it and reinforce the color palette.

5) Consult a general contractor: You don’t necessarily need to get to step 5 to contact a general contractor, but it helps to have an idea or vision for your living room first. Of course, you don’t necessarily need a contractor to improve your living room look. Sure, you can paint the room on your own,  but if you’re planning to replace flooring, wall or ceiling fixtures, expand the room, or install a stereo or electrical outlets then it is a good idea to contract a home remodeling contractor.

6) Final steps: Once the remodeling work is complete, you’ll then want to paint and add in the new flooring. This is also a good time to change any light fixtures. Once the painting is complete the crown molding comes next. One tip for crown molding is to match it to existing trim, or simply paint it white to match the ceiling.

7) Add in accessories: Time to finish up the job by putting up all decorative pieces, including artwork and window treatments. Set up the TV and surround sound (if you have one), and remember to choose a nice entertainment center to hide wires. Also, it’s not a bad idea to place some items, such as board games, blankets, and other miscellaneous items in a trunk, so they don’t clutter up the room.

If you’re looking for an experienced San Diego living room remodeling contractor then look no further than Greyhound General. To learn more about how we can help with your next remodeling project contact us today, or simply call us at 800-781-1015.

Here are some tips to keep in mind when inspecting your roof:

1) Some materials last longer than others:  Asphalt shingles sometime need to be replaced as early as 15 years after installation, and certainly by year 30, while wood shingles and rubber tiles can last anywhere for 30 to 50 years. Of the more durable roofing materials, metal can last at least 50 years, and slate, one of the most expensive materials, usually lasts the lifetime of the house.

2) Are shingles coming loose? Missing or loose shingles can expose your roof and home directly to inclement weather. This is one of the leading reasons for water damage to homes.

3) Are there curled or buckled shingles? Curled shingles occur when hot air from the attic force the shingles to curl away from the home. They are also a sign of inadequate roof ventilation and they will cause your roof to wear out more quickly. Buckled shingles, on the other hand, occur when hot air from an attic forces shingles to buckle away from the home. Buckled shingles, like curled shingles, cannot adequately protect your home.

4) Algae: You can spot algae from the dark streaks clinging to your roof. Algae can grow for long periods of time, and in addition to being unsightly and difficult to remove, it could mean that your roof may have other issues that need to be inspected by a professional.

5) Mold: More difficult to detect than algae, mold can be spotted by looking at the ceiling of your attic. Often times mold is a result of water leaking into your attic. If you discover mold in your attic you need to remove it immediately.

There are several other things you should look for on your roof, including proper ventilation, intact flashing and granule loss. It is important to be aware of any visible problem signs, as well as the age of your roof. Even if you see no warning signs it is important to have your roof inspected by a professional as you near the end of the average lifetime for the materials used on your roof.

If you’re looking to learn more about replacing your roof or remodeling your attic then contact San Diego roof remodeling contractor Greyhound General today, or call 800-781-1015.

Here are the steps you should take when evaluating a contractor for a potential job:

1) Determine the need or want for the remodel- Have you been saving for this remodel? Have you prepped any area for a potential remodel? Your answers don’t necessarily need to be “yes” for either of these questions, but you should know right away that remodeling jobs cost thousands of dollars, so prioritize your finances. I would not recommend financing the remodel unless it is a need, or unless you get a low rate on a loan you can pay back relatively quickly.

2) Do some basic online research for price ranges and determine your budget- If you’ve taken the next step and decided that this is a priority then do a little research to figure out a ball park for the remodeling job as best you can. Indoor areas, such as kitchens or bathrooms, have concrete square footage, so they’re easier to estimate.

3) Do a little more research online to find a few companies that you’d like to ask to give you a bid- If you’re satisfied that the ballpark is within your budget then start to research companies online. Find a handful online and start to go through their website. Do they have…

• A portfolio?
• Testimonials?
• Videos of previous work?

Also, make sure they’re licensed contractors, carry workers compensation and are fully insured. You can research that information in your state’s Department of Consumer Affairs website. Here’s a link to California’s website.

Finally, check out their online reviews and find out if they’re a member of the Better Business Bureau. Then start to narrow your candidates down.

4) Call at least 3 contractors who you’ve narrowed down in your research to come and give you an estimate- Between the time you called each one and the estimate make sure you have examined their website and reviews in more detail. Also take note of:

• how quickly they responded to your phone call or email
• how quickly an estimate was scheduled
• how courteous they were throughout the process
• how thorough the estimate process was

Here are some things to consider before remodeling your basement that Greyhound will discuss with you:

There are so many different things you can do with your finished basement, such as adding a:

• game or theater room
• fitness center
• bar
• home office
• bedroom
• bathroom
• storage
• and much more…

If you have any questions or you’re looking for an experienced San Diego basement remodeling contractor then contact Greyhound General today, or call 800-781-1015.