Archive for March, 2010

How to Elevate Your San Diego Condo Remodeling Project

March 30th, 2010
Posted in Condo Remodeling, Design, Design and Build, Modern/Contemporary | No Comments »

JDR_SDCondosWhen it’s time to remodel, urban luxury condo dwellers have a special set of circumstances to consider. The aspects of a city condo that make it so desirable, such as proximity to a bustling downtown environment, residence in a landmark building, or the views from living high above ground, require a remodeling company with specific expertise handling projects in an urban setting. If you are thinking about San Diego condo remodeling, keep the following in mind:

Does the interior of your condo inspire you as much as your surroundings?
If you have been living in your condo for several years, chances are a remodel of a kitchen or bath is in order to update your home to the way you live today. Whether you decide to remodel for functional improvements or visual enhancements, you want the design to make sense in the context of your lifestyle and your building.

Is your personal style expressed in your space?
The design of condos in landmark luxury buildings is usually quite tasteful, but does the design express your personal style? Customizing your space transforms a high-end condo into a space that feels like home and makes a statement about your values and personality.

How unique is your condo design?
When you choose a remodeling company for your home, you want to work with a team that has experience with projects in your building, or a comparable building in your city. At the same time, you want to arrive at a design that is truly individual. Nothing is more disappointing than investing time and money in a remodel, only to see a duplicate of your home design in another condo. Working with a remodeling company with professional designers on staff can help you achieve a beautiful space with your personal stamp.

Does your remodeler know how to work in a luxury building in an urban setting?
Special skills are required to successfully navigate the intricacies of working in downtown condo buildings. San Diego condo remodeling requires a depth of knowledge about building codes, dock delivery standards and working in a busy urban setting. Special attention must be paid to the privacy and comfort level of neighbors, respect for common areas and HOA guidelines.

As a San Diego condo owner, you live in one of the most attractive areas in the world, with access to both the beauty of nature and the vibrancy of downtown living. When you choose a remodeling company for your project, select a team with the know how and experience to create interiors as distinctive and awe-inspiring as your views.

|

How to Make the Right Moves for Your San Diego Relocation Remodeling Project

March 19th, 2010
Posted in Relocation | 1 Comment »

JDR_RelocationRelocating is stressful enough. When you need to remodel the new home you’ll be moving into, you face the extra challenges of living far away from your project. Homeowners often think they need to be close by to monitor every aspect of their remodel. But if you choose the right company to work with, you can achieve the results you want with a surprising absence of worry. Keep the following checklist in mind when choosing a company for your relocation remodeling project:

1. Professionalism: Since you won’t be working with a company in your current community – where you could more easily receive a “word of mouth” reference – it’s essential to research the remodeling firms you are considering. The internet is the most common place to start research from afar. Pay attention to the company’s website: is it up to date and informative? Does the website include a portfolio of work performed that features the level of quality you are after and has any of the work won awards? What can you learn about the company’s team? Any internet research should obviously be followed up with a phone call or email. Pay attention to how quickly you receive a response and to the professionalism of the people you talk to in the company, from the person who answers the phone or email to the person with whom you discuss your project details. Find more tips for selecting a contractor here.

2. Communication: Any remodeling firm that promotes relocation remodeling should have a well-structured and demonstrable system of communication in place. Communication will be critical to your satisfaction and peace of mind during the remodeling process, especially because you cannot be on-site. Ask questions about how the firm will communicate with you during the remodeling process, from the initial evaluation and estimate phase, through design, construction and completion. The more specific the answers to your questions about communication, the happier you are likely to be during your remodel.

3. Reputation: Credibility and reputation are particularly important when you are choosing a remodeling company from a distance. How long has the company been in business? What kind of awards have they won? Do they belong to any professional and/or industry organizations? Ask for references that include past and current clients, particularly those with projects similar in scope and size to yours. And take the time to speak with current clients. Past work is important, but today’s work is what you will be experiencing. This effort will give you a good sense of the company’s resilience, professionalism, quality and customer care.

Relocating and remodeling at the same time doesn’t have to be stressful. If you’re relocating to the San Diego area, you’re lucky enough to be moving to “America’s Finest City”! Take the time to do the research upfront, choose a company you can trust and let stress transform to peace of mind during your San Diego relocation remodeling project.

|

The Architect Advantage: How Working with an Architect Enhances Your Remodel

March 15th, 2010
Posted in Architects, Design, Design and Build, Whole Home Remodel | No Comments »

JDR_ArchitectsWhen you’re choosing the right team for your remodel, you might wonder how much of a difference it makes to have an architect on your project. How do architects contribute to a successful remodel? Here are some points to consider:

1. Expertise: Architects are licensed professionals who have undergone rigorous education, internships and exams. The role of an architect is not just to design buildings. Through the design, the architect must also protect the health, safety and welfare of the general public and the users of the buildings. Therefore, like medical doctors, one must have a license granted by a U.S. state or territory in order to refer to oneself as an “architect.” (source: AIA – American Institute of Architects)

2. Perspective: A home remodel is a complex fusion of planning, design and construction. Architects are able to see the many aspects of a remodel – the homeowner’s needs, space and materials requirements, budgets, timetables and permits – and develop the best possible solutions.

3. Vision: An architect can help you clearly define your project – its scope, features, purpose and functionality – and achieve your goals both functionally and aesthetically. The architectural design discipline includes organizational and technical expertise; it also requires the intangible aspects of emotion, psychology and artistry. Giving the responsibility of designing your new home to a draftsman or design consultant can often lead to inappropriate, inaccurate and uninspired design solutions. An architect helps you express your own very personal vision.

4. Value: Because an architect is able to forecast how new construction ties into your existing home’s structural and technical systems and ensures that construction documents are prepared efficiently and accurately, you avoid any costly mistakes during the transition from concept to reality. Architects are also trained to capture energy savings and improve the overall efficiency of your home. The enduring marketability of good design contributes to your home’s value.

When you work with a design build remodeling firm with architects on staff, you access a team of designers, architects and construction professionals that share the expertise to make your remodel more inspiring and less stressful during every phase. Working with an architect can make the difference between “new” space and “dream” space.

|

JDR 2010 Industry Blogger Awards – Voting is Now Closed

March 5th, 2010
Posted in Contests | No Comments »

2010JDR_BloggerVote for your favorite blog here! You can vote for one blog in each category: Interior Design, Construction Business and Remodeling. Winners will be announced on April 22, 2010. You can track the progress of voting anytime between now and April 15 here on our blog.

The nominees that receive the most votes in each category will be the winners. Winners will receive a $500 prize and a JDR Blogger Awards Winner badge for display on their blog.

JDR has been a pioneer in the design and build remodeling industry for over twenty years. We believe in embracing innovation and excellence. We’re hoping that the JDR Blogger Awards will bring additional recognition to the work of our favorite bloggers, while supporting our efforts to promote the professionalism of the remodeling industry and keep our clients informed about the latest trends in home design.

Place your vote in the JDR 2010 Industry Blogger Awards here!

|