Guides
Remodeling guides and articles
Practical advice on every step of a remodel, from planning to the final coat of paint.
Remodel steps
The 7 Stages of a Home Remodel, Step by Step
From first idea to final walkthrough — the seven stages every Bay Area home remodel goes through and what happens in each one.
How to Set a Realistic Remodel Budget
How to build a remodel budget that holds up: scope, finish level, contingency and the hidden costs Bay Area homeowners often miss.
How to Choose a General Contractor: A Homeowner's Checklist
License, insurance, references, written contracts and communication — a checklist for hiring a general contractor in California.
Living Through a Remodel: What to Expect
Dust, noise, schedules and temporary kitchens — tips for staying comfortable while your home is being remodeled.
Bathroom Remodel Step by Step
The order of work in a bathroom remodel — demolition, plumbing, waterproofing, tile and fixtures — and why waterproofing matters most.
Kitchen Remodel Step by Step
Layout, cabinets, counters, appliances and lighting — the order of work in a kitchen remodel and how to keep it on schedule.
New home
Remodeling a House You Just Bought: Where to Start
Just closed on a home? A practical order of operations for remodeling a newly purchased house before or after you move in.
Renovating a Condo or Apartment You Just Bought
HOA approvals, noise rules, shared walls and building access — what to know before remodeling a newly purchased condo or apartment.
Painting
Interior Painting: A Homeowner's Guide
Prep, primer, sheen and color — how professional interior painting is done and how to choose finishes that last.
Exterior House Painting in the Bay Area
When to paint, how to prep siding and trim, and how Bay Area weather affects exterior paint.
Painting vs. Replacing Kitchen Cabinets
When painting cabinets makes sense, when replacement is the better investment, and what each option involves.
Flooring
Hardwood vs. LVP Flooring: Which Is Right for Your Home?
Comparing hardwood and luxury vinyl plank (LVP) on looks, water resistance, durability, comfort and resale value.
Replacing Hardwood Floors with LVP
Should you swap damaged or worn hardwood for luxury vinyl plank? What the process looks like and what to consider first.
Replacing LVP with Hardwood Flooring
Upgrading from vinyl plank to real hardwood: removal, subfloor prep, solid vs. engineered wood, and finishing.
Refinishing Hardwood Floors: What to Expect
Sanding, staining and sealing — how hardwood floor refinishing works, how long it takes and how to care for floors afterward.
Palo Alto
Remodeling Older Homes Near Lincoln Avenue, Palo Alto
Tips for remodeling older homes in Palo Alto's Lincoln Avenue area — historic character, permits, systems upgrades and tight lots.
Remodeling an Eichler Home in Palo Alto
Glass walls, post-and-beam framing and radiant floors — what to know before remodeling a mid-century Eichler in Palo Alto.
Mountain View
Home Remodeling in Mountain View: What Homeowners Should Know
Planning a remodel in Mountain View, CA? Permits, popular projects and how to plan a smooth renovation.
Building an ADU in Mountain View
Detached ADUs, garage conversions and junior ADUs in Mountain View — options, steps and what to plan for.
Kitchen Remodeling in Mountain View
Ideas and steps for remodeling a kitchen in a Mountain View home or townhome — layouts, finishes and timelines.