Planning a Kitchen Remodel

Kitchens are the hub of the home and as is commonly known, kitchens and baths sell the home. Kitchens on average are remodeled every 12-15 years.

A kitchen remodel requires careful planning and foresight. This space, more than any other room in the home, is often the most expensive per square foot and the remodel construction phase has the potential to temporarily disrupt the family’s routines.

Homeowners should start the process by defining the scope of the kitchen remodel, often with the help of a professional kitchen designer, to determine a practical budget and a time frame for completion.

For example, if you are planning to expand the kitchen to include a breakfast nook or design an open concept kitchen with great room, change out windows or add garden access doors, the cost and timeline will reflect the structural changes and/or the new square footage added.

A successful kitchen remodel demands careful consideration of functionality in the space, efficient layouts for the work zones, aisles and traffic paths, and , proper dimensioning for locating plumbing, electrical and ventilation systems.

The development of new technologies to conserve natural resources is evident in kitchen showrooms and local home improvement centers. Energy star appliances from refrigerator/freezers to dishwashers, and low wattage fluorescent and LED under cabinet task lighting and decorative interior cabinet lighting are standard in today’s kitchens. The offerings are diverse for other design elements such as cabinetry, counter surface materials, decorative backsplash wall tiles and flooring.

Professional Remodeling

A kitchen remodeled by a professional, experienced residential construction contractor has significant advantages over the “Do It Yourself” (DIY) handyman approach.

A residential design and build company experienced in remodeling projects, offers a range of valuable services that include design development, finish selections, the permit process, project management and quality construction. One such company that serves Bay Area homeowners is Mediterraneo Design and Build (MDB) of Menlo Park, CA.

MDB has over nineteen years of experience with residential building projects including kitchen remodels. A variety of completed projects can be viewed at www.mediterraneodesignbuild.com. To contact MDB, please call (650) 368-1361 or email info@mediterraneodesignbuild.com.

Why Remodel Your Kitchen

Kitchens on average are remodeled every 12-15 years and as is commonly known, kitchens and baths sell the home.

If you are planning a kitchen remodel it is essential to have a clear understanding of the motivating factors and personal vision for the project. Your estimated budget and timeline for the design and construction phases for the project will be determined by your expectations.

The common reasons for kitchen remodels are:

• the existing kitchen space does not meet the needs of the homeowner/s or family lifestyle
• the layout restricts functionality and accessibility
• there isn’t enough natural light or views to the exterior landscaping
• the overall kitchen style and design elements are dated
• the overall components are damaged or in disrepair from water damaged cabinetry doors, cracked tile or scratched laminate counter surfaces and worn out flooring materials
• appliance performance is poor and the water and electricity consumption demand is high
• the lighting is inadequate and inefficient
• the existing pantry, cooking equipment and serving wares storage is inadequate
• you are preparing to sell and want to present a “turn key” home to prospective buyers
• 
  

When you have assessed the “why”, you then begin to develop your personal objectives and vision for the project.

The scope of the project may be a complete remodel that involves gutting the existing kitchen, often exposing the wall studs and floor and ceiling framing.

Partial remodels may involve upgraded appliances, often with the result that the existing cabinetry may need adjustments to accommodate the new appliance dimensions or to create a built-in appearance. The existing cabinetry layout may be satisfactory but the door and drawer panels need replacement and a new counter surface is a necessity.

Knowing what you want and what you must have will influence your remodeling budget, as will the quality and cost of the materials and appliances you select.

Homeowners with “Do It Yourself” (DIY) skills may choose to execute their own project but for the majority of homeowners, a successful kitchen remodel is dependent upon the residential design and build professionals you collaborate with.

A Successful Kitchen Remodel with MDB

If you are a Bay Area resident, you should consider contacting Mediterraneo Design and Build for a complimentary consultation.

MDB, located in Menlo Park, CA, is a full range residential design & build services company with over eighteen years of experience in providing homeowners with a professional and comprehensive approach to their remodel, addition or new home project.

As MDB is a single source of service, the homeowner is better able to communicate and monitor project progress. Furthermore, single entity responsibility can result in significant cost savings.

For kitchen remodeling or any residential building project, please call MDB at (650) 368-1361 or email info@mediterraneodesignbuild.com. Visit www.mediterraneodesignbuild.com for more information about the company and their wide variety of completed projects.

The Room Addition Solution

As your family expands or as the family’s lifestyle evolves, often the existing floor plan and number of rooms no longer meets the family’s needs.

Consider the possibility of adding on to your existing home. Perhaps an at home office is needed, or another bedroom either for a child or visiting grandparents, or a more spacious family room adjoining the kitchen. Enlarging existing rooms or building new rooms is often a viable and practical solution to the alternative of moving to a larger home.

Be familiar with your lot size, setback requirements and the maximum square footage you can build on your property. Is there space in your rear yard to push out the back of the house or patio and deck areas that can be restructured into enclosed living spaces? Does the garage have the potential for adding a room or two above the required parking spaces?

Here are a few key points to keep in mind when considering an addition and or remodel project:

Determine your budget with an understanding of the project scope and entities involved. Consider design services, structural and civil engineering services, construction project costs, permit process fees, and miscellaneous costs i.e. tree removal.

Drafted plans should include a dimensioned site plan, floor plan and elevations.

Local planning and building departments will require that permit applications be filed.

Prepare for the inevitable disruption to your daily routines during the construction process.

Do It Yourself or Hire a Professional Contractor?

Many people are ambitious enough to embark on such an addition themselves. They may save some money but the project is likely to take longer and will lack the quality provided by a professional contractor. Some homeowners believe that they are truly saving money by not contracting with a professional residential building contractor. This is often not the case.

Mediterraneo Design and Build (MDB) of Menlo Park, CA specializes in room additions. The company has highly experienced professional architects, designers and structural engineers on its team and is very well equipped to examine your existing home and recommend how one or more room additions can be made at the least cost with minimal inconvenience to the occupants. The company prides itself on rigid adherence to high quality building standards, meeting committed delivery dates and staying within the homeowner’s budget.

For more information about MDB’s completed projects, please visit the company’s website at www.mediterraneodesignbuild.com. To contact MDB, please call (650) 368-1361 or email info@mediterraneodesignbuild.com.

A Central Vacuum System

There’s no better time to install a Central Vacuum Unit (CVU) than during the remodel of a home. This system has a number of advantages over the traditional vacuum cleaner, the most obvious being one doesn’t have to transport the unit around the house, especially if the house is on split levels. The central unit itself is located in a remote location like a garage, basement or attic. During remodeling, inlet points can be carefully selected and the necessary tubing can be fitted behind walls in such a manner as to be strategically concealed. Some of the other advantages in a CVU are:

Assurance of healthy air with each cleaning since collected dust is sent to a remotely located unit.

The unit is driven by a more powerful motor than the traditional portable model leading to more efficient suction.

No inconvenience of cord length and cords tangling with furniture or becoming a potential tripping hazard. Only the brush unit and hose is plugged into a conveniently located wall inlet.

Quieter operation since the central unit is remotely located where the walls insulate the sound of the motor.

A Central Vacuum System enhances the value of a house.

Mediterraneo Design and Build is a design and build firm located in Menlo Park, CA which specializes in remodeling of homes. This firm advises its clients on those installations and modifications that are best undertaken during a home remodeling. The firm can provide complete information on Central Vacuum Units, the costs and other advantages. For home remodeling or building additions, please call MDB at (650) 368-1361 or email info@mediterraneodesignbuild.com.

The firm’s website www.mediterraneodesignbuild.com has more on the design and construction services available and the various projects it has completed.

The Design-Build Philosophy

Mediterraneo Design and Build (MDB) is a Menlo Park, CA residential building firm that adopts the design-build construction project delivery system. In this system the design and construction of a project is awarded to a single entity as opposed to separate design and build bid tenders where design and construction are two separate companies. In this business model MDB is the design-build contractor or designer-builder. This design-build philosophy minimizes project risk for the homeowner and often reduces the overall project schedule through the implementation of simultaneous project design and construction phases.

In keeping with this doctrine MDB provides a professional team of architects, designers, engineers and contractors required to successfully execute a project on time and on budget.

Increased Accountability and Better Communication

Adopting a design-build philosophy enables a construction firm to complete a task more efficiently to the satisfaction of the homeowner. It is a relatively simple concept which contributes to project productivity by way of increased accountability. The outcome is better and more effective communication between a project team and the homeowner, as well as by individual members within the project team. This makes for swift resolution of problems that inevitably arise during a project thus ensuring the delivery schedule is adhered to. MDB as a designer-builder obtains all required permits necessary for project implementation.

For more information on MDB’s completed projects,, please visit the company’s website at www.mediterraneodesignbuild.com. To contact MDB, please call (650) 368-1361 or email info@mediterraneodesignbuild.com.

Earth Friendly or Bang For Your Buck: Need Not Be A Remodeling Dilemma

When it comes to home remodeling homeowners often feel that they are in a quandary. Homeowners are invariably faced with many options that influence the decisions to be made. What size home is appropriate for our lifestyle, how long do we plan to live in the home, will we design for resale value, should green building technologies be paramount, should the design focus on maximum functionality and full utilization of minimum space requirements, which finish materials and what colors appeal to us, and can we do it on our budget.

First time homeowners tend to embrace new building technologies and trendy design fashions. Mature homeowners often remodel their existing home with a focus on practicality, comfort and aging in place design features.

Mediterraneo Design & Build presents to their clients the best options based on the project criteria. Most remodeling projects incorporate improved home operating systems, functional space design and harmonious visual aesthetics.

The number one concern to homeowner’s today is having an energy efficient home. Although the initial cost for high performance materials may be greater than standard building materials, the homeowner’s ongoing maintenance costs over the life of the home will be significantly lower.

Energy efficient homes contribute to a healthier indoor air quality, reduce our usage of water and demand for electricity, and utilize many post consumer recycled materials and materials free of harmful emitting chemicals.

Building with sustainable materials and installing systems and products that conserve our natural resources and reduce our carbon footprint has increased importance as local building jurisdictions mandate green point rating compliance on major remodels and new homes.

Single-Window of Responsibility

Mediterraneo Design & Build (MDB) is a highly respected design and build firm located in Menlo Park, CA which undertakes all types of residential construction projects including remodeling. The firm provides a full complement of architects, designers, engineers and “Certified Green Building Professional” builders. This approach translates into MDB taking total responsibility for a home remodeling project from design to completion. It makes it easier on the homeowner who simply has to work with a “single window” of communication throughout the duration of project.

MDB is fully informed of the latest developments in green and energy efficient homes as recommended by the U.S. Green Building Council. This places MDB in a position to advise the homeowner about green inputs, and design the project for maximum energy efficiency.

For more information about MDB’s completed projects, please visit the company’s website at www.mediterraneodesignbuild.com. To contact MDB, please call (650) 368-1361 or email info@mediterraneodesignbuild.com.

Flooring – An Impressive Design Element in Any Home

First impressions are lasting impressions. Flooring is a design element that is immediately noticed when you step into a home.

Replacing flooring material that is dated or in disrepair gives your home a new lease on life. Most remodel and addition projects include flooring upgrades and green flooring is often the preferred choice.

The use of sustainable, FSC certified and reclaimed woods is gaining in popularity and homeowners are more aware of building options that contribute to a healthy indoor air quality.

Environmentally responsible homeowners can be faced with a bewildering selection of eco-friendly flooring products. Bamboo, hardwoods, cork, linoleum, concrete, tiles and stone can be harvested, manufactured and distributed to qualify as certified green materials. Flooring materials free of formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds (VOC) do not release harmful off gasing chemicals into your home environment. When shopping for flooring materials we recommend you confirm that the products are “certified green” as specified by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Mediterraneo Design and Build for Remodeling

Successful green flooring selection and installation is best left to knowledgeable and experienced professionals. Mediterraneo Design and Build is a residential construction firm located in Menlo Park that has successfully utilized the Design and Build business model for 18+ years. The MDB team of professionals is very experienced in all the disciplines connected with residential construction and remodeling. MDB consistently meets committed schedules and maintains budgeted costs utilizing their “one stop” business model making the home owner’s entire experience much easier and far more effective.

More information about the company is available at: www.mediterraneodesignbuild.com. To contact MDB, please call (650) 368-1361 or email info@mediterraneodesignbuild.com.

An Energy Efficient Home

Energy efficient homes significantly reduce standard operating costs. Installation of high efficiency heating and cooling systems, energy star rated appliances, fans, windows and glazed doors, upgraded insulation, water efficient plumbing fixtures and high efficacy lighting can save as much as 40% of the home’s operating costs.

Homes utilizing high efficiency clean energy systems improve the indoor air quality (IAQ). Health hazards related to dust mites, pollen, mold, radon, combustion by-products and contaminants are reduced.

It is commonly known that energy produced by the consumption of fossil fuels contributes to carbon emissions, global warming, acid rain and other environmental problems. Green point rated homes built according to “Build It Green” standards produce significantly less pollutants and conserve our earth’s natural resources.

Residential building systems that maximize energy efficient materials and products requires staying current on product knowledge, resources, availability and cost. This planning and selection process begins in the design phase, impacts the project costs analysis, is mandatory during the construction process and essential to living in a healthy home with a minimum fifty year life cycle.

Efficient Construction Saves Project Cost

To minimize project cost without sacrificing efficiency it is highly advisable to award the contract to a design and build firm such as Mediterraneo Design & Build (MDB). Partnering with this type of residential construction company offers distinct advantages. Key benefits are clearly defined accountability, cost effective construction, quicker and better communication and most importantly, on-time completion of your residential building project. Homeowners planning to build an energy efficient home in the Bay Area gain these advantages by contracting the services of Mediterraneo Design and Build located in Menlo Park. MDB has the necessary expertise and employs the many required skills to ensure the project is completed on time and on budget.

To learn more about MDB’s completed projects please visit the company’s website at www.mediterraneodesignbuild.com. To contact MDB, please call (650) 368-1361 or email info@mediterraneodesignbuild.com.