Drought-Resistant Landscaping

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Right now in San Diego county we are being “asked” to conserve 20% of our water usage. In many areas of the state it is mandatory, and without a “miracle” we will be next.

In February, the federal government cut off all the water to Central Valley farmers being supplied water from the delta. We are somewhat protected down here because most of our water comes from the Colorado river, BUT the snow-pack in Colorado and Wyoming is way below normal so we will soon be in trouble down here as well. Regardless, our water rates are going up 20-30%.

In Valley Center, our water bill was around $450 per month the first year we moved up here, and that was to water two small lawns and some trees. Now, with the cactus and no lawn, our water bills last summer were less than $85 per month. As you can see, our cactus project will pay for itself in 3-5 years. Once established (4-6 months), you don’t have to water any of the cactus in the video at all. They survive on the meager rainfall we get and morning fog.

If you’d like to save money on your water bill by using less water talk to Greyhound General today. Just fill out the form here or call 800-568-7108.

Beautiful Kitchen & Bath Remodel in Scripps Ranch

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One of Greyhound’s most recent projects was a kitchen and bathroom remodel in the Scripps Ranch area of San Diego.

Here are some of the kitchen remodel highlights:

  • new cabinets go all the way up to the 9’ ceiling line for additional storage
  • very modern, sleek and minimalist kitchen look & feel, which is becoming more popular in San Diego

scripps ranch bathroom remodel

Here are some of the bathroom remodel highlights:

  • concrete shower and floor
  • ¾” thick glass counter tops lit thru the edges with LED strip lighting
  • Ipe wood bench that appears to have no visible means of support underneath (used a stainless steel angle iron bracket which we attached to the studs). Welded to that bracket were 1-1/4” stainless steel all thread that was drilled thru the individual Ipe boards at the spacer blocks. The bench actually goes through the glass shower wall (the glass was notched out for the bench)
  • the vanities also are “floating” and are supported by brackets coming out of the wall (no legs)

scripps ranch kitchen remodel

If you’d like to learn more about updating or upgrading your kitchen or bathroom talk to Greyhound General today. We serve the greater San Diego are, and we’d be happy to come out and give you a free estimate. Just fill out the form here or call 800-568-7108.

Remodel vs Buy a New Home

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San Diego kitchen remodelingIf you’re lucky enough to live in San Diego you know how important location is. If you’re happy about where you live but not happy with your living space you might want to consider some upgrades that don’t involve moving.

Before we address some solutions to common space concerns, I’ll highlight the benefits of remodeling vs buying a new home. First of all, real estate prices are on the rise, especially in San Diego. According to real estate agent John Ranco, the previous president of the Greater Boston Association of Realtors, “remodeling away your house’s shortcomings can cost tens of thousands less than trading up to an already remodeled house, which commands a major premium now.”

Keep in mind that when you move you also have realtor fees and moving expenses. Plus, let’s be honest, no matter how “ready” your new home is, there will always be things you’ll want to modify to really make it yours.

Here are a few solutions to common spacing problems:

1) No first floor bathroom: This is a problem in many pre-war homes, and an inconvenience for guests (especially elder guests). However, if you have a large coat closet, pantry or under-stair area you might be able to add a half bathroom. You really only need about 15-16 square feet. The key here is to work with existing space, if possible, and utilize existing plumbing by building next to, above, or below the laundry room, kitchen, or another bathroom.

2) Small master “suite”: Does you master bedroom leave much to be desired. No walk-in closet of bathroom? Can you barely fit in that king size bed? Consider taking an existing bedroom. While you can certainly save money by knocking down a wall connecting the two bedroom (vs building out or up), this option can really vary in price depending on how extravagant you go with the bathroom. Also, be aware of how many bedrooms your neighbors have, as you don’t want to drop below the neighborhood average, or you could take a hit on your home’s value.

3) Too few bedrooms: So you’ve just combined two rooms into one huge master suite, or you have an unexpected new guest joining the family…what to do? Look up, as in the attic. First of all, you save by not building out, which requires adjustments to the foundation. Secondly, bedrooms do not require plumbing or other expensive appliances. That said, attic remodels can get pricey. You need to have a permanent staircase, and you typically need about 70 square feet of finished space at least 7 feet high. Talk to Greyhound about the latest code requirements.

4) Kitchen too small: This problem, combined with the kitchen simply being outdated, are two of the most common complaints. The simple solution? Knock down a wall. The first place to look is the wall between your kitchen and dining room, or any adjoining room. If you’d like to keep the dining room or living room “as is” consider a small kitchen addition.

These are just a few of the more common spacing problems we run into. Each home is unique and requires unique solutions based on your budget. If you’re considering remodeling your home talk to Greyhound General today. Check out our 5 star reviews on Yelp, or our video collection of beautiful San Diego remodeling projects. we’d be happy to provide a custom quote for you.

To learn more just fill out the form here or call 800-568-7108.

Stunning Mission Hills Home Remodel

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Greyhound General’s latest work is an amazing home remodel of a early 1920’s home in Mission Hills. The house, despite it’s beautiful view of the San Diego bay, had very little work done to it since it was constructed.

The project involved:

  • stripping the house to the studs
  • pushing out the lower floor by 10′ to enlarge the master bedroom and bathroom
  • relocating most of the interior rooms of the house (including the kitchen, bathrooms and bedrooms)
  • extensive engineering (beams on the roof) was required to eliminate many of the walls on the second floor. This created one large open room for the living room and kitchen
  • pushed out the living room on the second floor to make it larger
  • added extremely high-quality bath and kitchen accessories, including cantina doors, wine grotto in the original part of the basement, exterior deck with glass rails, new windows and more!

As you’ll see by the following video, our description of the work doesn’t quite do it justice. Just see for yourself this amazing transformation:

Summer Maintenance Tips for Your Home

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San Diego Summer home maintenance tipsUnlike many parts of the country that experience harsh weather in the Winter and Spring, San Diegans have it mild year round. This helps keep home maintenance work from piling up. That said, it’s still a good idea to examine a few areas of your home as the weather heats up and we head into Summer.

1) Keep Cool: If you have AC, remember to replace your air filters every 30-60 days, or whatever the manufacturer recommends. You may even consider replacing them more frequently if you have pets or allergies. Also, if you’re looking to cut down on your energy bills consider installing ceiling fans.

2) Clean the Gutters: This one is self-explanatory. If you’ve let leaves and debris build up in your gutters over the past few months (or since last Fall) you need to clear them out or you risk water damage. Also consider installing a wire mesh cover for your gutters to keep larger debris out.

3) Clean the Dryer Vent: We’re not talking about the lint trap. Use a vent cleaning brush kit or vacuum to clean out the dryer vent tubing. You simply need to disconnect the tube from the wall and remove all the trapped lint.

4) Watch the Paint: Examine the paint on the exterior of your home, particularly the sides that get the most sun. Is it cracking, bubbling or peeling? You’ll want to get that taken care of so you don’t risk exposing bare wood to the elements. Just scrape/sand, prime and then paint over these areas. Also examine for mold or mildew. That can be cleaned by power washing with a mild detergent.

5) Examine Your Deck: Look for curling, cracked or rotting wood. Any boards that fit that bill will need to be replaced. Also consider re-sealing your deck every year, whether it gets a lot of sun or not. Sunlight can fade or dry the wood and shade can lead to algae and fungus spore growth. Simply power wash, remove the old seal, sand, and re-seal (after removing the dust from sanding).

These are just a handful of tips for keeping your home safe and beautiful during the Summer here in San Diego. For more information about beautifying your home through a remodel leave Greyhound a message here, or call us directly at 800-568-7108.

Installing a Tile Backsplash

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kitchen-remodel-tile-backsplash-san-diegoThere are many subtle things you can do to enhance your kitchen without spending thousands of dollars. We’ve given some tips for saving money on a kitchen remodel in the past, but in this article we’ll focus on one specific approach: installing a tile backsplash.

1) Prep the Area: start by turning off power to all appliances and removing face plates. Remove your range and install a temporary ledger. Then you’ll want to prep the surface area by roughing up the paint or prime any dark paint with a sealer-primer. You’ll then want to determine the how many sheets you need by finding the focal-point, measuring your tile sheets & marking where they should be cut, and noting appropriate position on the wall.

2) Mix & Apply: Start by mixing the thinset and then applying it with a v-notch trowel and leveling it with the notched side. Then smooth the notches. After that you’ll want to press the first sheet of tiles to the wall along the centerline. Make sure that you work from the bottom up. One tip for keeping the tiles even as you apply them is to gently hammer them down using a block. This will keep them even. Then wait 15-30 minutes for the tile to start to set.

3) Touch Up: Lightly wet the paper face with a damp sponge over about 5 to 10 minutes. This will cause water to absorb into the paper, releasing the glue. Then we’ll remove the paper face. Remember to keep your hands damp during this removal, so the adhesive doesn’t stick to them. Lastly, you’ll want to fill in tiles around receptacles and other obstacles. If you have to cut tiles for this work make sure you use two-wheel glass snippers. Once all the tiles are installed, let them sit for 48 hours, then clean them with a sponge and remove thinset.

4) Finishing Up: Start by grouting the area with pre-mixed grout. Then wet the tile with a sponge and use an epoxy grout float to push the grout into the joints. To remove any excess grout just pull the float across the tile diagonally. Then with a lightly dampened sponge clean the tiles. Lastly, you’ll want to caulk the edges and let the wall cure for several hours. Then you’re free to remove the ledger and re-install the range and appliances.

We’ve obviously simplified the process a bit, and we don’t recommend you take on this type of project without doing some more research. That said, this is one cost effective way to upgrade your kitchen. If you’re looking to compare do-it-yourself work to the cost of a full kitchen remodel then consider San Diego kitchen remodeling contractor Greyhound General. Give us a call at 800-568-7108 or fill out a form here to request your free consultation!

How To Save Money on Your Kitchen Remodeling Project

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inexpensive kitchen remodelingRemodeling your kitchen can be expensive. In this article we’ll dive into a specific strategy for saving money on your next kitchen remodeling project. In fact, this approach will help you avoid even needing a complete kitchen remodel. That’s right, we’re offering suggestions so that you don’t have to pay us, but you just have to be realistic with your expectations.

One of the biggest tasks in remodeling any kitchen is replacing the existing cabinets. This obviously necessary because is most remodels the layout and dimensions of your kitchen are altered, affecting the positioning of the cabinets. Of course, nothing quite makes a kitchen “wow” you like beautiful cabinets (as well as nice counter-tops and stainless steel appliances).

If your kitchen is run-down, from the flooring to the lighting to the cabinets and even the overall use of space, then you really need to consider a complete kitchen makeover. However, if  the biggest issue is the cabinets, you may be better off simply resurfacing them.

Resurfacing your cabinets will likely only cost you about a third of the complete kitchen remodeling total, possibly more. Also, some of the cabinets built 20 to 30 years ago are more solid and durable than the prebuilt cabinets built today, making resurfacing an appealing option.

The work typically requires one or two craftsmen. You’ll start by removing doors and drawer fronts. You’ll want to “rough up” the face frames and side panels to get them ready for the new covering. The new finish can then either be nailed or glued over the old, with trimmed edges covering up the nail holes.

Then you’ll want to attach the new cabinet doors and drawer fronts, with new hardware on each of them. Your options for the finished look are: wood veneer, plastic laminates or rigid thermofoils (RTF). All have advantages and disadvantages, so you’ll want to talk to an experiences contractor or craftsman about each.

As we mentioned earlier, you need to weight your options with kitchen remodeling, determining what you want to improve and what your budget is. If you’d like to learn more about your kitchen remodeling options, and you’re in the San Diego area, talk to Greyhound General today, You can leave us a note here or call us directly at 800-568-7108.

San Diego Short Sale Remodeling

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short saleWhile the housing market has improved over the past few years, there are still many homeowners who are underwater on their mortgage or fighting to prevent foreclosure. This has lead to the rise of “short sales.” Often times the new homeowner is buying a house at a great price, but there may be work to do. That’s where Greyhound General comes in.

Some homeowners who don’t want to leave their property may neglect certain aspects of their home. As a buyer you’ll obviously want to have a thorough home inspection done to review everything. Short sellers have little incentive to keep up on maintenance, let alone upgrade outdated areas of their home, so there’s a lot of opportunity to make improvements.

Greyhound has been completing short sale remodels in San Diego for years, with experience in all types of residential remodeling, including kitchen, bathroom, room additions and more. Whether you’d like to add a deck and a pool to the backyard, redesign the kitchen or add a second story to your new home, we can help.

To learn more about how Greyhound General can help you with your short sale home remodeling simply leave us your information here, or call us directly at 800-568-7108.

 

Winter Home Maintenance Tips

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Unlike most parts of the country, we really don’t need to do a ton of prepping for Winter here in San Diego. Still, the temperature does drop significantly and most people start to turn on their heaters. Here are some tips for getting your San Diego home prepped for Winter and the Holidays.

1) Inspect your Holiday decorations: Putting up Christmas lights on your house is a fun way to get in the Holiday spirit, but it can turn into a nightmare if you don’t take a few simple safety precautions. Check your lights for any kind of wear-and-tear. Exposed or frayed wiring is a huge red flag. Also, make sure you keep your Christmas tree well-watered, as a dry tree is more likely to catch fire.

2) Keep the heat in: Make sure you inspect your HVAC filter before you kick-start it, and you’ll want to replace that filter every month if you’re running your heater on a daily basis. Also, check on your insulation. Anywhere where air can get in from the outside should be properly sealed. Check windows, doors and plumbing entering your home and make sure they’re all sealed up well.

3) Put together an emergency prep kit: You’re not going to ever have to worry about a snowstorm knocking out power in San Diego. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be prepared for other emergencies. Put together a kit full of bottled water, non-perishable food, flashlights, blankets, batteries & back up power sources and a first aid kit. Remember to replace the bottled water every 6-12 months.

4) Inspect your fireplace and chimney: A thrifty alternative to running the heater is lighting a fire. Just make sure that you properly inspect your fireplace and chimney before using it for the first time in nearly a year. You can inspect the chimney yourself for creosote, which builds up in the chimney when a fire does not have enough oxygen. Shine a flashlight at the top of the firebox, in the smoke chamber and around the damper. Check the flue as well. You may also want to pay for a chimney sweep if you haven’t done so in years. Lastly, when you light a fire, make sure the dampers are open in the bottom of the firebox (if provided), otherwise consider opening the nearest window slightly. This will prevent the fire from drawing warm air out of the rest of the house and replacing it with cold air.

Unlike most areas of the country, Winter isn’t a bad time to remodel in San Diego. If you’re thinking of remodeling your kitchen  bathroom, living room, or any area of your home, leave us a note here. You can also call Greyhound directly at 800-568-7108.