Author Archives: Dave Jovin

Popular Home Color Trends for 2015

If you’re looking to upgrade your home you may not need to remodel. Sometimes a fresh coat or two of paint will do the trick. This is true for kitchen cabinets, bedroom walls, exterior siding, and decks.

So you’re considering painting, but not sure on colors? According to Benjamin Moore, one of the largest paint manufacturers in the US, the color of the year for 2015 is “guilford green.” As you can see here it’s kind of a soft olive color.

Darker tones are also popular this year, particularly deep blues. According to HGTV, blue is the best color for your master bedroom. The reason is that it’s considering soothing, which can help you relax and sleep better. Furthermore, darker colors, like blue, make the room look bigger.

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Due to the elements, painting your home’s exterior is an essential part of your maintenance. How often you need to paint it will depend on the siding.  For wood siding (hardboard or lapped) you’re safe with any color. However, if you go with a drastic color change you should prime with a 100% acrylic latex primer (and possibly 2 coats of paint).

For vinyl siding, avoid selecting a color that is darker than the original color. Darker colors absorb more radiant energy from the sun, which may cause the vinyl to warp.

For aluminum siding, you’ll want to avoid latex primers since they contain ammonia that has a chemical reaction with aluminum. This can the primer to expand and bubble. Instead, opt for an oil-based primer followed by 100% acrylic paint.

For stucco, the key is patching and calking appropriately. Then find a reputable acrylic latex paint. If you’re going light over a dark color you may need two coats.

If you’re considering remodeling or painting your home and you’d like to learn more about how Greyhound General can help then leave us your information here or call us at 800-568-7108. We proudly serve the entire San Diego area.

New Encinitas Home Remodel

Greyhound General’s latest project was a home remodel in Encinitas, CA. This exterior makeover consisted of several key highlights, including

  • 2 new bedrooms
  • New laundry room
  • New bathroom
  • Family room extension
  • New garage and driveway
  • New stucco and fencing

In addition to the quality work, one of the highlights of this project was the fact that it was completed in only two months!

Here are some of the transformations for this remodeling project:

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If you’d like to learn more about remodeling your home then give Greyhound a call today at 800-568-7108. You can also leave us a note here.

Kitchen Trends in 2015

Kitchen remodels continue to be one of the most popular home remodeling projects. The National Association of Home Builders noted that kitchens remain just slightly behind bathrooms as the most common remodeling job for remodelers in 2014.

So what’s new with kitchens?  Here are some recent Greyhound projects that highlight unique trends for 2015.

 The classic black accent color:

This is a timeless look emphasizes contrast. Technology, appliances and materials change, but the combining black with white or in this case, black with tan, gives your kitchen a warm and modern feel.

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Unique fixtures:

One way to highlight you cabinets – beyond simply refinishing them- is to install unique handles and knobs. Also, you can really dress up your kitchen, and highlight the look you’re going for, by adding unique light fixtures.

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The Countertop:

Granite has been a kitchen staple for the past decade or so, and for good reason. It’s versatile, coming in many colors, and it’s cheaper than a lot of other stylish counter tops, such as soapstone, copper, and quartz. Still, you can find other stylish and practical counter tops for around the same price as granite. Consider tile, zinc, stainless steel, or even wood.

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When researching a remodel there are many things to consider. Are you going for a traditional, contemporary, casual, rustic, or transitional look? You may not even be sure what you want, which is why having a partner like Greyhound General is so vital. We can walk you through all of your options, from colors to appliances to counter tops to light fixtures (and so much more).

If you’ve been considering remodeling your kitchen get in touch with Greyhound today for a free quote. Simply leave us your information here or call 800-568-7108.

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:

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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.

Dance Studio Remodel

One of Greyhound General’s most recent projects was a unique one: a remodel of a dance studio in San Diego. You can see some of the “before” photos below. Scroll down to the the transformation in our “after” photos.

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Take a look at the transformation with the “after” photos below…

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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.

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.

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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.

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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.

 

Another New Kitchen Remodel from Greyhound

Out with the old and in with the new! Greyhound General is at it again! They’ve finished up yet another kitchen remodel for a San Diego family.

You can check out the amazing transformation below. Here are some of the “before” images…

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And the result? Check out the new:

  • cabinets
  • counter tops
  • appliances
  • and more…

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If you’d like to transform your kitchen then talk to Greyhound General today. Just send us your information or give us a call at 800-568-7108 to schedule your free consultation!

San Marcos Kitchen Remodeling Project

Greyhound General has been busy with several kitchen remodels around the San Diego area. The latest project involved a home in San Marcos. Here’s what the kitchen looked like pre-remodel:

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Here are some of the details of this kitchen remodel:

  • remove non-bearing walls
  • installed a larger window
  • updated counter tops
  • updated cabinets
  • much more…

And the finished product? Check out the results of this kitchen remodel that was completed in only 20 days!

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If you’d like to learn more about Greyhound General’s remodeling services, or you’re interested in a free consultation, leave us a note here or call 800-568-7108.

Mandatory Water Restrictions Are Here

water restrictions san diegoLast week the San Diego City Council voted unanimously to make voluntary water restrictions mandatory, starting on November 1st. This was promoted by a continuing drought, and the announcement from the water wholesaler for Southern California, Metropolitan Water District, that it has only 49% of its usual water storage capacity available.

Back in March, we addressed the drought with some tips for drought-resistant landscaping. In that article I noted how I was able to lower my family’s monthly water bill from around $450 to less than $85 per month!

As we’ve seen over the past few months, demand for synthetic lawns has increased dramatically. Another solution to this drought is to plant cacti, succulents and euphorbia. These plants are perfect for areas with little to no water (and they look nice too).

We’re happy to announce our partnership with Desert Theater Nursery in Escondido. They have one of the largest and most exotic selection of drought-resistant plants in all of San Diego county.

If you’ve been contemplating an outdoor remodeling project you may want to incorporate landscaping that’ll help you save money. Talk to San Diego’s Greyhound General today to learn more about your landscape remodeling options. You can check out one of our latest projects here.

To schedule your free consultation just leave us a note here or call 800-568-7108.

Fall Home Maintenance Tips

San Diego Fall Home MaintenancePart of the allure of the greater San Diego area is the climate. You can count on it being pleasant for pretty much the entire year. However, that doesn’t mean that we don’t experience changes in the seasons. For home owners, it’s always a good idea to prepare your home for Winter.

Here are some home maintenance to-dos to look into in the Fall…

1) Heating: did you know that heating and cooling often amount to nearly 50% of a home’s energy bill? If you’re heating or cooling you want to make sure that your home is properly sealed. Check for air leaks around windows & doors and apply weather stripping and caulking as needed. Also, check for places around the exterior where pipes enter your home from the outside. You’ll want to make sure these are sealed.

You’ll also want to make sure that your air ducts are clean. It’s generally recommended that you have these cleaned every 3-5 years. If you have a fireplace you’ll want to make sure it’s in working order. Like your air ducts, you’ll want to have your chimney swept frequently. Many professionals recommend annual chimney inspections.

2) Appliances: As the weather starts to cool you’ll want to switch the direction your ceiling fans rotate in order to create an upward draft and redistribute warmer air from the ceiling.

Fall, like Spring, is also a good time to test and change the batteries for your smoke detectors and carbon dioxide detectors. Also, if you have a humidifier you use in the Winter make sure you clean it out as bacteria and spores can build up in a dirty water tank.

3) Yard: Unlike our friends in the Mid West and East Coast, we don’t have to prepare for snow.  We also don’t have to turn off the water to outside hoses. However, it’s still a good idea cover your outdoor furniture and grill. December through March are the wettest months in San Diego.

4) Exterior: Start your exterior inspection by checking for peeling or blistering paint. This could leave your home exposed during the wetter Winter months. You’ll also want to inspect your roof, or if its been a while, have a professional roofer inspect it. Lastly, you’ll want to clean your gutters and downspouts.

In addition to having to prepare less for Winter, San Diegans also have more flexibility when it comes to home improvement. Most remodeling jobs can be done year-round. If you have an area of concern or section of your home that you’d like improved talk to Greyhound General today! Schedule your free consultation by calling 800-568-7108 or filling out the form here.