Guide to Remodeling: Do’s & Don’ts

Guide to Remodeling: Do’s & Don’ts  

You don’t ever want to start a project without being fully prepared, and remodels are one of those projects that take ample preparation. Remodeling can end up being a major disaster if you aren’t ready to take on the size of the project. There a few things to take into consideration before you start home improvements.

When planning for a remodel it is recommended to plan your BUDGET wisely. You don’t want to stretch yourself too thin and end up with an unfinished room because you spent your budget faster than expected. Budgeting gets tricky, you can spend too much on a remodel if you aren’t careful only to lose money and you can spend too little on poor quality work to lose money.

One thing homeowner’s do forget when planning budgets for remodels are the Resale Values. Resale Value means the amount your home will be worth if it went on the market. It would be a nightmare to put a $100,000 into a remodel hoping to increase the value of your home, when homes in your neighborhood aren’t valued at the price you would need to sell to make that money back in to break even. Even if you aren’t planning on selling in the near future, always have that fact in the back of your head when remodeling your home. Now the down side to being frugal, spending your budget on the “cheap” option. Cheaper is not always better. Quality is important when investing in a remodel. You want to have a remodel that improves your home and lasts a lifetime. For instance, don’t go with the first choice in flooring for cost- laminate for your kitchen may be more cost effective but it could hurt your remodel if you are putting stainless steel appliances and marble countertops in.

Weighing different flooring options, appliances, and paint colors takes time and Research. Consider making a Pinterest or Houzz account to gather ideas and research your choices. What do you want the main function of the room to be? What do you see for your remodel? Make sure you write a list of questions to ask yourself and ideas to compare before you begin your remodel project. It is very important to maximize space if you aren’t adding more square footage, think of ideas for areas that you really don’t use and see if you can have built-ins custom designed. If you are looking for contractors or architects to help, don’t be afraid to research them as well and ask for references.

Hiring a professional company is always smart on any scale remodel. Professional companies can help with all of the above and ensure you are making educated decisions that will benefit in the long run. You can bet you will get a schedule and budget break down before you sign any contracts. Designers and architects can assist you in building your dream home, and may even bring ideas to the table that you never thought of.

So before you jump into your next remodel, make a plan and do it right the first time.

Small Bathrooms with BIG design ideas

Small bathroom remodel, big ideas.....

 

You may not have a 1000sq foot bathroom, but there are things you can do when designing your remodel to maximize space and make your room feel larger than average.

Here size doesn’t matter! And you can have it all in any size bathroom remodel.

When redesigning a small bathroom you want to use your space wisely and make the room more open. By opting for a corner shower tub combo, you can have the luxury of a bath tub while not losing space in the room. If you have that awkward corner in your bathroom, utilize this space for your new shower stall. The great thing about current bathtub designs is the fact that they are becoming more innovative and makers are thinking of bathrooms of all sizes. If you don’t love a corner shower and you want to have a modern look and feel to your small bathroom look into free standing bathtubs, such as Freestanding Slipper Tub. http://www.vintagetub.com/randolph-morris-freestanding-slipper-tub-no-faucet-drillings-rmocfs130.html?utm_id=IDAXX&gclid=CNqj8piovccCFQwyaQod-HkGZA. These deep soaking tubs add style and don’t take much space.

Another way to make your room feel larger is to cut clutter and utilize storage space. Less clutter will open up any room and give it a fresh and clean design. A piece of framed art work can be hinged and hung to hide a sunken storage compartment in the wall, if you can’t cut back on clutter.  Floating shelves can be built in places where space isn’t used for instance above a bathtub or above a window, or you can turn a wine rack into a towel holder hung on the wall. Having a floating sink installed in place of an old vanity could be a good choice for a small guest bathroom remodel. These modern sinks take less space and remain clutter free! Think “Less Is Better” in spaces that are tight or cramped.

               Light and color play a large role in making a room appear larger than it is. If you can add a window or make a window larger, do it. If you can’t take down walls to increase space – add windows or skylights.  Bringing in light and the outdoors will add the idea of space. You can have a bay window act as a shelf to display bathroom essentials, adding style and function to the window. Dark colors will make a room seem smaller, so chose light and bright colors for small bathroom remodels. Don’t let this scare you away from using patterns and texture when remodeling. Adding an accent wall, wood paneled wall, or textured wall paper can draw the attention off the size of the bathroom and onto the great style. If you have a freestanding tub – chandeliers make a statement and add bright light to the room. The use of floor to ceiling tile will also make a room larger, stay away from horizontal designs which make your ceiling feel low overhead.

For more bathroom remodel ideas check out our HOUZZ account and get your creative juices going: http://www.houzz.com/projects/1228298/guest-bathroom-los-angeles

Benefits and Beauty: Accordion Walls

Benefits and Beauty: Accordion Walls

Get more space without knocking down wall, just open up with custom Accordion Walls. Accordion walls are a series of individually operated panels along a track system that are designed for maximum space and flexibility. They can be arranged quickly, easily and efficiently. Accordion doors are suspended from an overhead track and provide instant space division whenever it's needed. To close the opening, just grab the handle on the lead post, walk the door across the opening, and latch into place. The custom walls are designed for the space and come in an array of materials and can be fit to any wall. Glass, frosted glass or wood – these walls can fit any décor style or room purpose, and you don’t have to open the whole wall of panels to use access the space. Most accordion walls have a single panel that can be opened and closed just as a regular door. Accordion walls are not limited to the house; they can be fitted into pool enclosures, garages, sheds and greenhouses. They can be arranged quickly, easily and efficiently. You don’t have to worry about security with these doors as they include a special locking device on each panel that makes breaking in more difficult than other doors.

http://www.houzz.com/photos/37559675/Sherman-Oaks-New-construction-modern-living-room-los-angeles

Homeowners love glass accordion walls in place of old sliding glass doors or French doors to a back yard patio. These custom walls can open up your kitchen to your back yard patio and be a great place to host parties, or open up your living room to your garden to give you a peaceful oasis. Accordion walls are not just a great feature to bring the outdoors into your home, but they can be added between any rooms in your home to add space and personality. A new way to use these accordion walls are between a master bed room and office turned nursery, or to separate your kids’ bedrooms. Accordion walls are custom measured and designed for each space they are desired. Installation takes anywhere from 6 to 12 hours, and can range in price up to $5,000 for the walls alone – depending on the size. You can increase the value of your home and size by having this amazing featured installed.

These walls are a real show stopper too! You can open the accordion walls to create one open floor space and then close them off to separate the space – in a blink of an eye!

Contact Spazio LA if you would like your home measured for Accordion Walls or would like help with your home remodeling needs.

Survive a Remodel

Survive a total house remodel  

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed just contemplating renovating your entire house, but we can help. Spazio LA has compiled the top tips from remodel clients and contractors to help eliminate stressful remodels. Just think of how happy you will be to enjoy your home once the project is completed. Please let us know if you have any great tips or advice to add for future remodels.

1. Set a schedule - Have days and times outlined for remodel work. This will allow time for you to get a break from the noise and crew, if you plan on staying in your home for the build. Generally remodels are done in Phases for each stage of the remodel. Phases and timelines help you prepare for which areas of your home you will need to avoid for that time period. For example, have one area off limits to work can be your sanctuary during the chaos.

Fun Tip: Make it an adventure and eat out at restaurants you haven’t ventured to in the past. You can also order take out and have a romantic candle lit meal at home.

2. Power, Water and Gas Shut offs- You can expect that at some point in your remodel a valuable element will be temporarily shut off to allow for safe construction. Plan your schedule around these shut offs so you aren’t stuck in a jam. For instance make sure you have used the shower and have used the water needed before your crew arrives for the day of water shut off. Crews should give you an advance notice, but always ask if you aren’t sure.

3. Store valuables elsewhere- It is always good idea before a remodel to store anything of value or that cannot be easily replaced. Accidents do happen, but no one ever wants to accidentally break a family heirloom or valuable. If it cannot be stored or moved to another room make sure you cover items and furniture. Your home is turning into a construction zone and dust is to be expected.

4. Park off site- The worst thing would be having to wait for a truck to move because you are late for work and blocked in. Clients of remodels have found it easier to park off site during construction hours to avoid any issue or delay. You don’t have to park a mile away, but steering clear of your drive way may make it easier for deliveries and trash clean up.

Fun Tip: Make sure you say hello to neighbors if you are parking off site. A remodel client had a police officer called on him for parking a “suspicious” car by a neighbor’s house that didn’t see the owner of the car.

5. Expect surprises- Delays and setbacks can be part of the deal with remodels. Everything is planned in advance but sometimes there are timeline breakers, for instance if an appliance or counter top delivery is off schedule. Be as patient as possible, no one wants your home remodel to last longer than

Contact us for your next project.

Cabinet Transformation Nightmare!

Cabinet Transformation Nightmare Written by: Leandra Nicole         August 15, 2015

How I survived and why you should hire a professional.

If I would have known the amount of pain this Cabinet Transformation Kit was going to cause me, I would have walked the other way while in the aisle at the home improvement store. Now I am not talking literal pain, but man this sure was no walk in the park. I am a self-proclaimed DIYer, meaning I do most projects on my own and am very successful at them. Not this time. This is the one project that tested me and made me come to terms that some things are better off left for the professionals. Anything involving paint and cabinets is one of those things.

I am one of the many people who hate the sight of their old, outdated kitchen cabinets. Having NO budget for a professional remodel we decided to buy a Cabinet Transformation kit in the light color Winter Fog. I was hesitant to use the kit because it made so many promises which generally mean it will fail. Luckily I decided to try it on our Travel Trailer first before tackling my kitchen. This was the only good decision the kit made me make. The kit promised of professional, easy and fast results. The one idea that sold me on the kit was the fact that you did not have to sand the wood before painting.

So this is where the nightmare begins….

Imagine taking off every cabinet door and drawer, handle and hinge- now that you have everything in pieces; move them into a separate room where you can work on them. The going really gets fun now, that wasn’t even step one. The kit comes with multiple steps, step one, a de-glosser which cleans and does exactly that – de-glosses. You have to wipe every surface that you will be painting, and then re wipe with a clean damp cloth. I give credit to those people whom clean the entirety of their kitchen including soaking down cabinets, but I haven’t met anyone who does- because it’s more work than anyone wants. Don’t attempt to try this kit without taking the time to tape off the inside of cabinets and around areas you don’t want painted.

Once everything is wiped down twice you can begin Step two – bond coat. I painted the cabinets and drawers and cabinet boxes with two coats as the instructions say, leaving 4 hours in between coats. Still the appearance was streaky, so I applied a third coat to everything just to get to a point that looked somewhat decent. By this point in the process I was 2 days into the project and very worried about the outcome. The kit also contains a Glaze that is supposed to make your cabinets look “high end” and “custom”, personally I think this Glaze is added to the kit so there is some chance to save your cabinet transformation. The Glaze is said to give your cabinets a wood grain look, so I said what the heck. The bond coats in Winter Fog look cheap and nothing high end, so I applied the Glaze with the Dry Cloth method. You can YouTube “How to Glaze cabinets” and see different methods for different personal choices. The Glaze is messy and does not look like wood grain or custom. The only thing custom is the fact that no other cabinets will look as DIY as mine after using the Glaze. The last step is to apply a Protective Coat to everything. If you have been keeping track I have now painted my cabinets and drawers and boxes 5 times. I would have taken sanding and painting once over painting them 5 times.

The outcome is okay, for my travel trailer, but nothing that I would brag about nor ever attempt in my kitchen. I will be contacting a professional for my kitchen remodel after this DIY disaster.

Kitchen Trends ahead of our time!

Food brings people together so it is no wonder kitchens are a major selling point in a house. Get the most of your next kitchen remodel with these kitchen trends of next year. Stay ahead of your remodel with 2016 ideas.

Looking ahead into 2016, the Open Kitchen trend will be a big popularity among homeowners. Open Kitchen designs of next year include combining your kitchen, living room and dining room in one open floor plan. The floor plan will create a seamless layout great for hosting parties. You can achieve this look by taking down any walls that separate the three rooms. Keep in mind to speak to a contractor before knocking down walls that may be structurally needed to hold your roof up. Talking about kitchen layouts, surprisingly Kitchen Fireplaces will be a trend to watch out for during 2016. If you want to keep that open kitchen feel, think about installing a fireplace that can be enjoyed from every angle such as with a Peninsula fireplace.

Don’t let people call your kitchen remodel “so last year.” 2016 we will see impressive custom kitchens containing everything from built-ins to wine rooms. Cabinets will have slide out racks for hanging pots and pans and other doors will open to reveal personal coffee bars. This remodel let your designer know all your wishes and see what custom ideas they can come up with to make your kitchen amazing. How can you get this look? Check out ideas for cell phone docking drawers, built in wine racks in place of cabinets, and even pop up outlets straight out of your counter top. You can even have a built in spaces for your recycling containers. Don’t let us forget that the newest appliance on the rise will be the Kitchen Aid Pro Range- this puppy will cook up some great food and be the conversation starter of your kitchen.

You won’t have to worry much about choosing a color for your kitchen remodel of 2016. White and Gray are still on top of the list. Gray is shown to represent calmness and balance, and is the perfect backdrop for any style. Jessica from Freshhome.com tells us, “Gray is the hot new “in” color. It’s recently taken front and center, upstaging its neutral cousins, taupe, beige and ivory. Gray is the little black dress for your home. It’s the new must have essential color that’s modern and edgy yet timeless and classic. It’s the perfect chameleon as it suits just about every room, every mood and every setting.” The clean look of the colors White and Gray make them easy choices for remodeling kitchens, and they pair well with almost any countertop material and fixture. Get this look without losing your style – go two toned. Paint your upper cabinets a lighter color than your lower ones. Throw in a pop of bold colors and patterns to show who you really are.

If you don’t like to follow trends, let us help you make your own!

Counter tops good for the environment! #GoGreen

When looking for quality countertops for your home remodel why not choose a material equally beautiful as it is good for the environment? Eco conscious home owners are turning to recycled material for their home projects these days. Some of the most unique and cutting edge countertops are made from recycled material. Ecofriendly design doesn’t have to be boring. Don’t think for one second that you are losing out on style and statement by going green! You can easily find amazing countertops that match your design idea as you can countertops that are not so great. You may want to check out materials before you select your cabinets. And hey, you never know, you may find something better than you expected.

Go bold: go ecofriendly!

You can easily find materials for countertops that are almost 100% recycled or manufactured using less energy, such as wood countertops.

I know, I know, I am talking about being environmentally friendly and then I mention cutting down trees for your countertops. But, there is such a thing as wood countertops made from “sustainably harvested” wood material. This means that manufacturers are aware of when to use a tree and the impact it will have on the whole forest,  versus cutting down a huge field and having devastating effects on the wild life and earth. This also ensures that they used hand saws to remove the trees with no gas powered polluting machines. This helps save wood as one of our natural resources. Look for the SFI or FCS seal of approval before you buy. Wood countertops also cut down on the amount of chemicals being washed down storm drains into the ocean. They only need to be cleaned with soap and water due to the inherent natural properties that protect them against bacteria growth. Plus you will always have a built in cutting board with this solid countertops.

One sleek countertop that should never be used to cut on is stainless steel. Stainless steel countertops are becoming ever more popular for their shiny look and because they are comprised of a large amount of recycled material. Stainless steel is not only durable and non-pourus it is also fully recyclable at the end of its usable life. When you use a recycled material to create a new product it takes less energy as you would use when dealing with raw materials. Saving energy means lowering pollution rates as well.

Other options for ecofriendly materials for countertops are Terrazo and Recycled Glass. Terrazo was originally only seen in Italy, but is making its way into American kitchens with great force. Terrazo is made from recycled materials such as: marble chips, crushed stone, glass, metal and even seashells. It can be made custom and in any color you could imagine. Some even use it as flooring, but that’s another subject. Recycled glass countertops are a great way to green your kitchen also. Not the color green of course, unless that’s what you want! 100% recycled material and one of the best options if you are worried about the environment.

Energy Efficient Remodels: Go Green!

Energy Efficient Remodels: Go Green!

News headlines today about energy range from home solar panels and homes that generate their own power, homes that are energy independent and recycle rain water for personal use.

You don’t have to go to extreme to be energy efficient, but making changes to your home can help save more energy AND money.

No time is better than during a remodel to make your home energy efficient. The definition of energy efficient is doing more with less power. We aren’t asking you to have a time period where you shut down the lights in your home every day; there will be no walking around with candles bumping into furniture. We are asking you to look deeper and see what other options you have to save energy while living comfortably. Who doesn’t want to see their utility bills cut down by nearly 20-40% every month?

Insulated walls and attic – If your home is not well insulated the rate of heat escaping your house during the winter and entering your home during the summer will be increased. Thus meaning you will be paying more for heating and cooling your house and wasting money. A properly insulated home will stay cooler in the summer and remain warmer during cold months.

Light bulbs- Upgrading traditional light bulbs to LEDs or CFLs light bulbs can save 25-80% energy used and last 25 times longer. If you change out light bulbs not only do you save energy but you will have to replace light bulbs less often.  Changing light bulbs may seem like a minor detail and is often missed when doing home remodeling, but any penny saved counts.

Windows- Ensure your windows are not single glazed and up to par to keep your home the right temperature. Single paned windows should be replaced to cut your air conditioning and heating bill down by 24%. Weather stripping around windows should not be cracked or leaking.

Appliances and Central Air Systems- Having two refrigerators and three deep freezers are a need or a want? If you have any old appliances that you don’t absolutely need or use to its full advantage; recycle them. New energy efficient appliances today are built and designed to save energy without sacrificing style or function. Setting your central air system to a heat and cool point can help regulate room temperature and save energy by turning on only when needed.

Updating furnace- Check the date your furnace was installed. If it was installed before 1992 research shows that it wastes 35% fuel that is uses. Have your furnace inspected for fuel utilization efficiency before you replace it.

Water heater efficiency- Start with checking the water temp setting, it should be turned down to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Who takes a scolding shower anyway? By lowering the temperature on your water heater you aren’t making your water heater work harder for no reason, thus saving energy. Another way to save energy is have your water pipes insulated so that they stay warmer longer in between uses. Professional contractors can install a special pump to work on demand and save water heating energy.

Landscaping- Don’t forget about the outside. To lower the heat radiating into your home from the outdoors have shrubs and plants planted around your house. This adds as shade to your home and also a block to the heat. You can add plants that are low maintenance so that you are saving water also.

There are some simple and then more complex ways to make your home remodel more energy efficient.

Consult with a professional to ensure you are making the most out of your energy use.

Pros and Cons of Flooring Options

Pros and Cons of Flooring Options When remodeling your home you may feel overwhelmed with the many choices of Flooring Options. And there are many options! You may want to consider a few things before you laydown that floor solely because it looks good.

Spazio LA will break down the options and factors that will help you make the right choice.

Things to consider when doing your flooring are:

1. Cleaning and Durability:

If you have pets and kids you may want to consider an option that is easy to clean. Choosing an option that will hold up to traffic and accidents is important.

2. Cost and Value:

It is important to consider the quality of the flooring and the value for your money. You don’t want to throw away money to replace a floor that you had remodeled only a few years back because you went with a cheaper option.  Also, installing quality flooring adds value to your home for years to come.

3. Location, Location, Location:

The ideal flooring can change based on where you are installing it as well. Rooms used more often will require durable flooring. Bathrooms will require flooring that is moisture and water resistant- and safe! Some flooring options and the way it is installed can make an area look larger, or smaller. You want durable flooring in a kids rooms but it needs to be safe and warm also.

Here we lay out the pros and cons of only a few different flooring options. Never the less if you are in doubt call a professional to help you with your home remodeling needs.

Pros & Cons

                       

Carpet

Pros -Carpet can act like another layer of insulation and help keep cold or warm drafts from seeping through the floor.

-It goes without saying that carpet is always going to be the softest of any type of flooring. -Carpet helps to reduce sound and noises from one floor to the next. Cons -Regular vacuuming is needed (every one to two days for high traffic areas) frequently. Spills need to be removed immediately to prevent staining and liquid to seep deep into fibers to cause mold and mildew.

Hardwood

Pros -An upgrade to hardwood floors will add a lot of value to your home. -Hardwood floors are easy to care for by sweeping or vacuuming them daily and wiping them with an approved wood cleaner. -There are many different types of woods, stains and plank sizes to choose from.

Cons

-Every step that is taken on wood floors can be heard. Not to mention, furry friends can slip and slide because their padded feet can’t grip the shiny, smooth surface.

Laminate

Pros -The protective layer on laminate helps protect it from something that would normally stain easily. -Vacuum away loose dirt and debris and mop with a damp mop.

Cons                                                                                                                                                                     -Laminate may look like hardwood, but doesn’t have the value like hardwood. -Laminate flooring is easily dented. Laminate flooring cannot be sanded or refinished. Areas with large scratches or gouges need to be replaced with new laminate flooring.

Tile – Ceramic/Stone/Porcelain

Pros -Easy, fast clean up – and great for high traffic.

-Adds a clean and elegant finish to a room.

- Nontoxic and great for those who suffer allergies as it doesn’t harbor allergens.

Cons -Not a good insulator for heat.

-Dangerous when wet!

-Tiles can crack and need to be replaced.

Important Kitchen Remodelling Guidelines on Electrical and Ventilation Components

Out of all the rooms in your home, there is one that is always going to cost you the most in the event that you have it rebuilt, redesigned, or remodeled – the kitchen. Aside from being the most expensive, you can also expect your kitchen remodeling project to be the most challenging of all the home improvement projects you have ever launched. Before you back out of your decision to improve this room in your house, you should know that, a properly and impressively remodeled kitchen can bring in so many benefits. Since it is where almost everything happens – from preparing food to having family talks -   making this area comfortable, attractive, and functional is a wise decision.

You need to understand though, that remodeling your kitchen involves more than just picking out pretty furnishings, beautiful finishes, and innovative gadgetry. You also need to make smart decisions in the overall design and décor to ensure that the overall safety, security, and accessibility of the room are also enhanced. Read on to find out how to achieve these goals.

Electrical Components and Ventilation Systems

Make sure that all of the receptacles that service your countertop areas are protected by ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). There should also be, at the very least, one one wall-switch controlled light in it. Have this control built at or near the entrance, for easy access. It is also advisable that your kitchen is made of at least 8 percent windows. Lights should be available on every work surface in the room too.

Never underestimate the value of a top notch outdoor-venting system. Go for one that has a minimum of 150 cu. ft. of air/minute exhaust rate. Range hoods are now considered to be a must in kitchens as well. These should be placed at least 2 feet above your stove. If the manufacturer has specific instructions for this device, follow them.

Potential Kitchen Safety Concerns

It is crucial that you understand the dangers that can arise from the kitchen. These hazards are not only harmful in nature; they can also be sometimes life-threatening. There is always going to be a possibility of fires, falls, cuts, and scalds happening, so it is a must that you protect yourself and your loved ones from these risks. Here are a few tips on how you can avoid such unfortunate events:

1. Have a fire extinguisher easily accessible and placed in a visible area. Keep it away from the cooking equipment. Everyone in the household should be knowledgeable on how to operate it.

1. Never have a cooking surface right below a functional window.

1. Do not install window treatments above the oven or a the stove top.

1. Make sure that the countertops you are going to install have rounded or clipped edges, which are far safer than those with sharp edges.

1. Use childproofing devices and accessories in all areas of the kitchen that can be accessed by small and young children.

Being able to complete a kitchen remodeling project can be a very rewarding experience, so make sure that you keep in mind the tips discussed above.

10 Things to consider when choosing a home remodeling company!

  Before you start any remodeling project at your home, make sure to do the appropriate research in hiring the right company that best suits you.  Here are 10 Things to consider when choosing a home remodeling company:

1- Do they provide you with a complimentary in house design consultation?

2- Does the company provide you with a detailed written proposal of the entire scope of work?

3- Do they provide you with a stage payment schedule contingent upon completion of work?

4- Do they provide you with an onsite designer to take your ideas or bring new ones and make them work in your space?

5- Does the designer take the clients to showrooms to select materials as well as provide a contractor's discount from all the retailers?

6- Do they provide an onsite project manager so that the project runs smoothly and you have someone in charge of your project at all times?

7- Are their workers or subs people that they work with on all their projects?

8- Are they working on more than 5 to 6 projects at a time? companies that take more than 6 projects simultaneously, tend to sacrifice on their quality of work by taking too many jobs.

9- Make sure to call their previous clients that can share with you their experience working with the company

10- Go with your gut feeling about the company, if you get a good first impression and the company seems honest and they provide you with all the points discussed before, then you are most likely to be in great hands.

Remember, choosing the right company to perform any type of remodel in your house is really important.  Not only will they be at your home for a medium to a short period of time, depending on the size of the project, but also you will have to engage in constant communication with the designer and the project manager.  So make sure they understand your needs and are always available to talk about the project and go over details with you.  But above all, make sure you have a good feeling about them.  Don't forget, this is a short term relationship so the success of your project depends on this relationship to work well while the project is in progress.

Check out our work and call us for a free in house design consultation.

What are the advantages of using a DESIGN BUILD company?

  Most people when they want to remodel their entire home or just one specific area such as the Kitchen, or the master bathroom, they call up a general contractor or a home improvement company to get bids.  Little do they know that, in most cases, contractors or home improvement companies have no experience in designing spaces.  They will rely on the client to tell them what to do in terms of finishes and overall look.  This is where it gets tricky for the clients, most people don’t have the vision to successfully create a new space from scratch, let alone tell a contractor what to do.  So things can get out of hand and usually projects will take longer than normal leaving the clients very frustrated at the end of the project.

When people hire a Design Build company like Spazio LA , clients get a full team of experts.  In other words, a Designer in charge of absorbing all your design wishes as well as incorporating functionality within the overall design; a contractor with a full team of professionals to work on the project, and an onsite project manager that will, periodically, inspect the progress of the project.  Design build companies also have a number of highly qualified architects that work in conjunction with the designer in the cases where new additions, structural changes or even new construction building permits are required.

Designer:

A designer is a professional with a degree in art and design that has the tools to come up with ideas and put them on paper or computer so that it can be transformed into reality.

What kind of services does a designer provide to my home remodeling project?

For one, you can actually look at your designer as your personal assistant and best friend throughout your remodeling process.  Your personal designer will listen to your ideas, will share inspirational pictures, and will try to put together your perfect space just like you have dreamed it; and in most cases, even better than your dreams.  Your designer will also take you to showrooms to select finish materials such as, tiles, wood floors, fixtures, curtains, and even furniture and art work.  A designer from Spazio LA will also visit the project on a regular basis to make sure his designs are well executed by our builders.  In sum, your designer is the go to person throughout your entire project and is an immeasurable value to the success of your project.

Contractor:

As licensed general contractors, Spazio LA can build and remodel anything that we set our minds to.  From complete home remodels to room additions, to kitchens, bathrooms and even outdoor spaces such as pools and patios; Spazio LA has done it all. Different from most home improvement companies, that in order to cut on costs, they would bring a crew that will basically start and finish your project.  The same crew that does your demolition will also be doing your plumbing, and your electrical as well as your drywall and tile installation.  This been a normal practice among home improvement companies, at Spazio LA we run the show in a different manner.  Every crew that comes to our client’s projects is specific to their trade.  The demo crew does only demolition and cleaning of all trash and debris.  We only use license electricians and plumbers and our tile installers are exclusively doing that for us.  This guarantees our clients that the project is done right by a trade professional and with the highest of qualities.

Project Manager:

Why is important to have a project manager at my home remodeling project?

Think of your project manager as your quality control guy, as well as your problem solver.

We all know that no matter how good a construction crew is, there are always surprises along the way.  A project manager is the one that is there to take care of those problems when they arrive.  A project manager makes sure to schedule each crew according to the progress of the project in a seamless way so that there are no intermissions in the job, guaranteeing the early completion of the project.  Our project managers have worked in the construction field for over a decade and are very knowledgeable in all aspects of the construction process.  Between your personal designer and your project manager, you can make sure you can sleep well at night; your house is in great hands.

Spazio LA, was born with a single great goal in mind “customer satisfaction”.  By providing a full design build service, we are able to get close to our clients in ways that the home remodeling industry has been lacking.  We take pride in our work and are fueled by our client’s satisfaction.