Tuesday, January 23, 2024

Expert Bathroom Contractors in Los Angeles: Transforming Your Space with Structura Remodeling

 

Are you tired of grappling with the challenges of bathroom design in Los Angeles? At Structura Remodeling, we understand the struggle of working with confined areas, outdated aesthetics, and the need for climate-friendly materials. But fear not, you're not alone in this battle. Our team of expert bathroom contractors in Los Angeles is here to offer a solution that transforms your bathroom into a functional and aesthetically pleasing space.


With our maestros of bathroom design, we bring a personalized touch to every project, understanding that each space has its own unique requirements and potential. We specialize in overcoming the constraints of LA's compact bathrooms, breathing new life into outdated aesthetics, and incorporating sustainable materials to create a climate-friendly environment.


At Structura Remodeling, we humanize the renovation process, ensuring that your vision and concerns are heard every step of the way. Our expert contractors work closely with you to bring your dream bathroom to life, offering innovative design solutions and superior craftsmanship that surpasses expectations.


Say goodbye to the daunting task of bathroom design in Los Angeles - let our team at Structura Remodeling turn your vision into reality.

Monday, January 15, 2024

HOW TO SAFELY LIVE IN YOUR LOS ANGELES HOME DURING A MAJOR RENOVATION PROJECT


Ok, the contract for your LA Home Renovation project is signed…and your General Contractor is ready to begin. That means the plans are in place and you have made the decision to weather the dust storms, the noise, and experience living in your home during the stages of your upcoming renovation project.


You will need to know what to expect, how you can keep your family safe, and stay sane through it all!

DAY ONE – HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO CONSIDER FOR RENOVATION SAFETY:

The demolition phase is the messiest and most chaotic step in your renovation. It may look fun and exciting on your favorite HGTV show but trust us when we say, “plan to be out of the house until the demolition is complete and the area being renovated is sealed off.”

NEW FAMILY SAFETY RULES:

  • No one goes barefoot in the construction site

  • Tools are not toys

  • The more you can stay out of the way the faster your general contractor & crew can work

  • Sleeping in late will be put on pause until you’re on the flip side of your remodeling project.

HOW TO SAFELY LIVE IN YOUR LOS ANGELES HOME DURING A KITCHEN RENOVATION

Plan ahead and set up a second kitchen site. Luckily, living in Los Angeles you can cook outside most of the year. If you are concerned about the weather, choosing the summertime for your home renovation could be really helpful.

Use your old cabinets to create a pantry and store your dishes. Move your microwave and refrigerator to a convenient location nearest the outdoor grill or camping stove. Great time to pull out the instant pot and air fryer you received as gifts last holiday season. Set up a folding table as your prep area and you will be good to go.

If you have a utility sink in the garage for washing dishes and pots …. great! If not, purchase a large metal tub to get the job done. You can always use it as a planter later to grow your own veggies. Stock up on paper plates. It’s not the “greenest” solution…. but sometimes you must go with a practical alternative. This is a great time to get each family member a new water bottle.

Be gentle with yourself. There are some great healthy, pre-made microwavable meal options that will simplify your life. Time to reinstate a weekly Pizza Night!

Have everything emptied out and packed away before your LA Renovation Team arrives. Great time to get rid of the items in the back of the cabinets that are just taking up space.

Don’t forget to pack up your good dishes and crystal glassware. Even if they are stored in the dining room the hammering and vibrations from the renovation can endanger delicate items. Better to be safe than sorry.

HOW TO SAFELY LIVE IN YOUR LOS ANGELES HOME DURING A BATHROOM RENOVATION

We suggest, you proceed with one-bathroom renovation at a time, so patience is your friend! All the above rules apply when it comes to your safety. Please remember to completely remove your items from the bathroom before the renovation demo team arrives.

Set up family rules for sharing the second bathroom. Even though your contractor will clean up at the end of the day, in Los Angeles, you should be prepared for extra dust.

Bathroom renovations can be thrown off schedule if mold is discovered during the demolition. This is common in older Los Angeles homes. This could add a week or more to your timeline. That’s where your patience will be tested.

THE POSITIVES ABOUT CHOOSING TO STAY IN YOUR HOME WHILE RENOVATING:

  • You are available to make quick decisions on materials and design options

  • You can easily check on the progress

  • You are around for any necessary troubleshooting when unexpected problems show up

  • You will save money on AirBnB or hotel stays

  • You won’t have to move in with your In-Laws…which for some people this will be a blessing.

With a little pre-planning, you can stay safely in your home while your Contractor manages a professional renovation project to create the home of your dreams!


Friday, January 5, 2024

HOW TO BUDGET FOR A COMPLETE HOME RENOVATION IN LOS ANGELES


This is one of those big life decisions, do you renovate, or do you sell? Some things are hard to replace. If you have fantastic neighbors and a community of friends that you have cultivated over many years, that is hard to give up and maybe irreplaceable. The garden you have tenderly nurtured with its heirloom plants and prize-winning blooms is not something you can easily pack up and take with you. And then there are the memories, the good times and the not-so-good time, all the moments that add up to the sum total of your life to date.

Can you, in good conscience, walk away? Would your kids and or grandkids even tolerate the idea? Now I know that we have become a culture of nomads in this country. We do not live our lives in our communities as much as we exist online. I’m not sure that is a good thing. Time will tell. After losing many friends and neighbors this year, I am partial to the idea that home, family, and community are essential to our physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing.

SO HERE IS MY CASE FOR STAYING PUT AND GOING FOR A FULL HOME RENOVATION.

1.    It is a sellers’ market. You can get full price for your home, and then you are on the other side of the equation. Now is not the best time to buy. Do you want to go through a stressful bidding process where it’s you and twenty other families in an obscene bidding war for the same house?

2.    No matter what home you purchase, you will end up with a few renovation projects to make the house your new home. So, no matter what you do, you can’t avoid a construction project or two unless you are buying new construction. Either way, you are managing a build.

3.    It’s your house, so it is your choice about the renovation process. You can choose to do it in stages or pull the band-aid off and go for the complete house renovation. Living in Los Angeles, where the weather is excellent all year round, makes this prospect much simpler. No chance of snow, frost, and winter weather interfering with your project. You can set up an outdoor kitchen and live in your camper in the backyard. Think of it as a nature vacation.

4.    You decide your home renovation budget, so you control how and where the money is invested. Look for home renovation ideas on a budget. You will be on your own timeline so you can investigate budget kitchen remodels, budget bathroom remodels, and budget backyard renovations. Watch the home remodeling shows, read the home design magazines, go to the bath and kitchen showrooms. Go to open houses in your neighborhood and take the best design ideas you find.

Then you can start to assemble a working budget. You will know what things cost and how you want to invest your dollars. Here are some things to guide you on your journey to compiling your home remodel budget.

BREAKDOWN OF TYPICAL STARTING COSTS:

GUT RENOVATION VS. NON- GUT RENOVATION

In creating a budget, the first decision that impacts cost is deciding on a gut renovation vs. a non-gut renovation. A gut renovation is exactly as it sounds. You gut the house, removing everything down to the foundation. In a gut renovation, all visible surfaces are replaced. Interior walls are stripped down to the studs, and the framing is knocked out entirely.

A non- gut renovation may also involve a new kitchen, bathroom, new flooring, etc., but you will be using the existing structure and walls. A gut renovation will start at $100-$200 per square foot. A non- gut renovation will begin at about $75-$100 per square foot.

GENERAL GUIDELINE FOR A LOS ANGELES HOME RENOVATION BUDGET

·        Full-home renovation $100—$200 per square foot

·        Dry spaces- bedrooms and family rooms start at $50 per square foot.

·        Baths start at $400 per square foot.

·        Kitchens start at $300 per square foot.

·        Gut remodel with customization: $200—$300 per square foot.

·        Non-gut, remodel with customization: $200 per square foot.

·        Structural factors like staircases and second-floor additions- extensive customization: $300 per square foot+

·        Plumbing permits: from under $2,000 up to $5,000

·        Electrical permits: $900

·        Electrical permits: $900

Moving walls, adding staircases, shifting gas and plumbing, and electrical rewiring all contribute to a higher per-square-foot cost, plus add to the behind-the-scenes expenditures.

Since pricing for kitchens and baths runs higher than other rooms, more of those equal a higher price per square foot.

You can expect to see more extensive customization, fine finishes, and luxurious materials at this level and beyond. You will have access to handmade tiles, exotic wood grains, natural stone, and fine architectural details at this price point.

You might also see custom door casements and extensive lighting details at this level. There won’t be much in the way of off-the-shelf materials, and the artistry should be top-notch. Renovations that hit all of these notes can quickly run over $500 per square foot.

TIPS TO STAY ON TOP OF YOUR RENOVATION BUDGET:

·        Include an additional 10 to 15 percent in the budget for project overruns, unforeseen structural, plumbing, or heating problems.

·        Spend for high price custom materials only where it counts. Work with your designer to choose materials for maximum effect. Spend for the handmade tiles for your kitchen backsplash. They will create a standout design focus for your home. You can use standard material for the second bathroom to balance the budget.

·        Fix the plumbing and electrical infrastructure. Spend it now while you are under renovation or face more costly problems down the road.

·        Focus on kitchens and baths. Spend your money where it counts. Renovated kitchens and bathrooms add the most resale value to your home.

·        Consult experts upfront. If you plan to hire an architect or designer for a major home renovation, get them on board early. This can help save money by mapping out a clear plan to avoid costly changes mid-stream. Set aside 15 to 20 percent of your budget for your design team. Hire your licensed professionals early, a cost-effective way to prevent headaches later.

After planning your home renovation budget, it’s time to call in the experts. Structura Home Remodeling is the top company in the Los Angeles Area for a total home renovation.


AVERAGE COST OF ROOM ADDITION IN LOS ANGELES

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