Christopherson Builders is now offering remodel services! We have been remodeling homes for years, and have brought new life to dozens of homes in Sonoma County. Due to increasing demand, we are also now offering our remodeling services to homeowners looking for complete home remodels or large-scale home additions. So what is the difference between remodeling and renovating? As there is always beautification and improvement when remodeling, the words are often used interchangeably, but there is a difference between the two.
When renovating your home, the general layout of the home will essentially remain the same. No structural modifications are made; rather, the work done is to update the look and feel of the home. Worn, damaged and dated materials will be swapped out with fresh and new selections, giving an existing home a new life. Renovations can be replacing cabinetry and counters in kitchens and baths, putting in new flooring, replacing windows and lighting elements, and changing out old tile to name a few. Renovating your home can be less costly and less time-consuming than remodeling, and is a great option to explore when buying and selling existing homes. Prior to selling, making some cosmetic changes can drastically increase the appeal of the home in the eyes of the buyers. It also opens the door of possibility when looking at a potential home to purchase that needs a little TLC before move-in. Alternately, if you are looking for gains in home equity, the tried and true method of buying a fixer-upper in a sought-after neighborhood rarely steers people wrong. If purchasing a home that needs some fixing, allowing a few months to perform renovations before you move in is very likely to result in a sharp increase in property value, and result in a much more comfortable living experience.
-
Santa Rosa Home Kitchen - After
-
Santa Rosa Home Kitchen - Before
-
Santa Rosa Home Great Room - After
Renovations are also often applied to historic homes – when you want to fix things that have deteriorated, but would like to preserve the charm and character of the home. We see a lot of that in our hometown of Santa Rosa – from the gorgeous, historic homes in and around the McDonald district, to the famous Eichler style homes of the 1960s and 1970s era. Whether restoring an historic home to it’s prior condition, or updating a home to be able to offer the lifestyle and conveniences similar to that of buying new, a home renovation is a great way to maintain and add value to the home, and create a more comfortable and enjoyable place to call home.
Remodeling, on the other hand, is typically a more involved process that changes the structure. When a home is not living like you would like it to, it could be time to consider a remodel. There are many types of remodeling projects that our clients are undertaking of late. One of the more frequent projects we see is opening up the layout of the home. Many older homes were built with lots of rooms. Today’s lifestyle has moved away from the small boxes of yore, and has gravitated to larger, open great room and kitchen that open up to dining areas. One of the primary reasons for this change is that an open space drastically increases the overall feel of spaciousness. In smaller homes, it is advantageous to have an open floor plan, as it can make the home live larger. The other reason to open up a living area is to embrace the feeling of togetherness that an open floor plan provides. The kitchen has become the heart of the home, and it is no longer hidden away from guests’ eyes. It’s now the place that guests want to be!
-
Santa Rosa Home Great Room - Before
-
Santa Rosa Home Dining Room - After
-
Santa Rosa Home Dining Room - Before
Another remodel type involves adding space through a home addition. Multi-generational living is on the rise, with kids staying home a lot longer than they used to, or parents moving in with their adult children. When space starts to become tight, a home addition can be the answer. There are many types of additions that can be done, but ultimately what can be done depends on the buildable area of the property. In a neighborhood setting, there are setbacks and limits the percentage of land that can be covered by a home. We can help you evaluate what can be done on your property, and determine whether you need to go up, or go out. The addition of a livable outdoor area, or loggia, is another very current remodel project. When we design a new home, we almost always include a loggia – this is a covered patio that becomes a very livable part of the home. It can be made very comfortable with overhead heaters and fans, and is a great place for a year-round outdoor kitchen.
At Christopherson Builders, your home renovation or remodeling project will start with a consultation at your home. We will schedule a time to meet with you, and have a general conversation about the potential scope of your project. This will be a great time to ask questions, and to be able to fine tune what you may want to do. Once we understand your scope of work, our estimating department will go to work on putting together an initial rough estimate for your project.
Engaging a licensed, qualified, experienced and vetted General Contractor is incredibly important. Not only will doing so ultimately protect both you and your home, but it will also minimize the disruption and inconvenience to the homeowner with proper oversight. When remodeling with Christopherson Builders, architectural drawings will be needed and appropriate permits are required, and we ask that the home be vacant while work is underway.
Interested in renovating or remodeling? We welcome all inquiries, and are happy to have a preliminary phone conversation with you. Please contact remodel@christophersonbuilders.com or call 707-584-6377 for more information.
