Spring Cleaning Ideas from Greyhound General

Spring is officially here, as is April, and Greyhound General is here to help you organize you spring cleaning “to do” list. Here is a breakdown of different ideas for projects you can take on around the house:

  • Dusting: No one likes to dust, but as we enter Spring, and allergy season, it is very important to dust. Some hot spots are: ceiling fans, base boards, lamps & lights, wall corners, wall art, your entertainment center, and household appliances. You’ll likely want to wipe down each of these areas after you’ve removed the dust.
  • Clean the oven and refrigerator: Sweep underneath both units first and then clean the inside thoroughly. Remember to vacuum the coils of your unplugged refrigerator
  • Run the dishwasher empty: Add vinegar or baking soda to the empty dishwasher before running it
  • Take down drapes, curtains and blinds: And wash them thoroughly. Also take down window screens and rinse.
  • Clean the toilet, shower and tub: Wash your shower curtain while you’re at it. Remember to use a commercial cleaner to scrub away soap scum build-up
  • Clean the carpets and rugs: Take your rugs outside and shake any loose dust out of them. If you haven’t had a professional clean your carpets in over 6 months consider calling a carpet cleaner. You may also want them to treat your rug.
  • Vacuum couch and chairs: Take the couch apart and use a vacuum attachment to get in all the crevices. Consider using a rug shampoo machine if a couch or chair is particularly soiled.
  • Mop up: Consider mopping the non-carpeted areas of your homes, especially your kitchen and bathrooms.
  • Organize: Take a look at your garage, basement or attic and come up with a plan of attack to better organize these areas. This may mean you have to throw away some items. More than likely you’ll want to pull everything out of these rooms and then analyze the space before you put the room back together. Big plastic bins and filing cabinets are a must.

So you’ve tackled your entire spring cleaning list and you’re wondering what’s next? Well, take a look at the rooms you’ve reorganized. Could they be better utilized? Maybe you’ve moved all your storage to the attic, freeing up room in the basement or garage? Maybe your reorganizing of the garage or multi-purpose room freed up half the room?

Whatever the case may be, if you’re considering a home remodeling project of any kind this Spring, consider Greyhound General. Contact Greyhound to see how they can help with your next home improvement project, or call 800-568-7108.

As San Diego home prices rise, home remodeling becomes more affordable

As we near the end of 2010, there are still many questions with the economy, particularly the housing market. This is not surprising given that the lending industry was at the heart of the financial collapse that lead to this past (and current) recession. However, there is some good news for San Diego residents. Despite dips in housing prices, San Diego was one of only four cities nationwide to record increasing home prices between October 2009 and October 2010, according to Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller Home Price Index.

This is great news for San Diego home owners. Obviously, if your home’s value continues to drop remodeling becomes more and more unfeasible. If your home’s value increases then remodeling is something to consider. Before you even consider remodeling, you should take notes and ask yourself (and your spouse) several important questions:

  • Do we want to remodel or add on to our house?
  • If add on, do we have the space? How will this change our yard and property?
  • If remodel, what is the top priority? How essential is this upgrade?
  • Do we have the budget?
  • How much value will this remodel bring to our house?

Chances are, you’ll need some help answering at least one of these questions. That’s where Greyhound General can help. If you’re looking to remodel your kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, or add on to any portion of your house, contact San Diego Home Remodeling Contractor Greyhound General today, or call them directly at 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.