Posted by Jason Larson on Thu, May 20, 2010 @ 07:04 AM
In a remodel, there are a few choices you can make to become more efficient in your home. These choices are not necessarily more expensive than other choices, and they aren’t flashy “green” choices either. However, asking your contractor to help you with these decisions will guarantee you a remodel that is not only beautiful, but offers more energy savings than you had previously.
- Install appropriate insulation in area to be remodeled.
Making sure you insulation does its job is one of the foremost ways to be green in your remodel. You won’t see it on the surface, but you’ll notice in your heat and air conditioning bills. Which ever insulation your remodeler recommends, make sure all spaces are sealed so air can’t escape or get in. One effective way to insulate fully, and get into tight spaces and crevices is to use blow-in insulation. It will cover every space you blow it onto, leaving no gaps—eliminating a lot of energy waste in the future.
- Install high-efficiency windows.
Heat and cool air escape through closed windows—not just open ones. By installing windows with glass that has Low-E coatings, you’ll reduce the amount of heat loss. Pair that with a double paned window to keep cool air in, and you’re saving heating and cooling costs year-round.
- Seal all exterior penetrations in areas being remodeled.
Exposed holes where light fixtures were or other spots where you’re working with exterior walls should be air sealed. Leaving even small spots open to the outside can eat up energy during your remodel.
- Install only low-flow water fixtures.
If you are remodeling a bathroom, choose fixtures that are low-flow or choose to add aerators. Such choices are easily made if you’re re-doing anything anyway, and you’ll save water and money in the long run!
- Purchase only Energy Star®-rated appliance.
This is another decision that won’t take any more time than if you didn’t do it. Either way, you’re likely going to be choosing new appliances if you remodel your kitchen. So why not be sure to choose Energy Star®-rated appliances? Appliances with the Energy Star® rating typically us 20-30% less energy than federal regulation requires.
Posted by Jason Larson on Mon, Apr 26, 2010 @ 07:08 AM
When deciding to remodel the kitchen, many of us consider the return we might receive when we sell our homes. Plus, we often renovate on a budget so while we may splurge in one area, we often look for cost-cutting decisions in others. Here are some great budget-friendly ideas for updating your kitchen with both resale value and your budget in mind. Use one or all—either way, you’ll be pleased with the results.
- Solid Surface Counters
Solid surface counters are durable, water resistant, stain resistant, easy to clean, and come in many colors. Solid surfaces these days are not the linoleum of old—they are attractive and resemble stone closely. A great choice for an affordable price, solid engineered surfaces will make your kitchen look updated and fresh.
- Matching Appliances
One of the biggest detractors to any kitchen is mismatched appliances. If you have a beautiful professional-grade stainless stove, it won’t make a great impact if the refrigerator is a bisque side-by-side from 1995.
Many people make the mistake of falling in love with one major appliance, causing them to cut corners on the others. Especially if you plan to move—do NOT do this. Instead, use your budget to invest in matching appliances be they white, black or stainless.
- Lighting
People often underestimate the importance of lighting when remodeling their kitchens. And truthfully, nothing makes your kitchen welcoming like a great lighting scheme.
To take the most advantage of your lighting, make sure you have three types:
- Overhead lighting in the center of the room or above the main gathering spot, such as the kitchen table
- Spot or canister lighting to highlight certain areas
- Under-cabinet or task lighting so you can see what you are preparing
- Refreshed Cabinets
Notice we didn’t say “new cabinets.” That’s because it’s possible refinishing, painting, or refacing your cabinets might work just fine. In fact, you might even consider removing some cabinet doors for the trendy “open shelving” look.
Most older cabinets are made of solid wood—often oak or maple. If yours are made of one of these and are not too beaten up, one of the above-mentioned options will work well for you. Our advice though, is to be realistic with what you’re working with—it may simply be time for new cabinets. Painting a dumpy, worn out cabinet does nothing besides make a dumpy cabinet a different color.
- Light Colors
If you are improving your kitchen, do yourself a favor and choose a light color scheme. If you love loud or rich color, make up for it with dishes, towels and accessories. Your kitchen will look larger, brighter, and believe it or not, cleaner than if you choose a darker, or more saturated color.
Colors that are fun and bright for kitchens include pale blues, yellows, and greens.
Posted by Jason Larson on Tue, Mar 23, 2010 @ 07:16 AM
Over the years, bathrooms have transcended “utility room” status and have become personal retreats. We escape to the bathroom for a moment of peace and quiet, or maybe take a slightly longer shower just to enjoy the time alone. Whether spending a quick five minutes sprucing up, taking a nice soak, or reclining on a chair with a magazine, we want our bathrooms to feel like a sanctuary from everything outside.
In 2010, the “spa bathroom” concept has been taken to a new level with trends that are both luxurious increasingly common at the same time.
- Spacious Soaking Tubs
Gone are the days of the large jet-tub surrounded by several feet of decking. In 2010, the trend has gone away from noisy tubs that take up huge spaces in favor of deep, peaceful soaking tubs. Soaking baths tend to be prettier than their jet-setting predecessors, and offer a deep, quiet soak without water spurting up to disturb your magazine page turns.
- Windows and Skylights
Since we’re spending more time in the bathroom, it’s only natural to seek more daylight there. To avoid any concerns about a “peepshow”, add skylights and creatively placed windows to bring in the light. Consider windows behind your sink area, above a vanity, or a wall of glass blocks that let in the light without exposing you.
Large and Luxurious Walk-In Showers
Long ago, the shower stall separated itself from the tub in bathroom remodels. Now we’re taking it a step further away by getting rid of the “stall” and making the shower luxury in itself. Today’s premier showers are walk-in (often without doors) and have enough space to stretch out and enjoy multiple shower heads. Also being installed more often in showers: Chromatherapy lighting, speakers, and rain showerheads.- Heated Flooring
Heated flooring, even in San Diego, is a welcome addition on cold dark mornings (especially right after daylight savings has ended!). Imagine stepping out of the shower onto a warm surface--talk about a cozy room! Plus, radiant heating systems tend to be energy efficient so it won’t be a boon to the electric bill.
- Bold Colors
Throughout the 90s and many of the last several years, bathrooms took on a “vanilla” quality—painted predominantly white, grey and beige. Today, people are adding some personality back into their bathrooms by way of color. Golds, blues and greens have become common wall colors in commodes everywhere. What’s your color personality? Don’t be shy!
Whether these trends work in your remodel or not depends on what you’re looking for in your bathroom, your budget, and your space. Everyone’s needs are different, and we’re here to help.
Give us a call!
Posted by Jason Larson on Tue, Feb 23, 2010 @ 07:22 AM
Where else but San Diego can you sit outside, virtually weather-and-bug-free, year round? With the hours San Diegan’s spend outside, why shouldn’t our yards become part of our daily living space?
Add a Room…Outside!
One of the latest and greatest trends in home remodeling is the outdoor living space. And we find this to be a perfect trend for Southern California. Your home’s square footage is no longer confined to your four walls. Want more kitchen space? Step outside. Want a casual room to watch sports and drink a beer? Step outside! Virtually anything you can think of can be moved outside—and beautifully, we might add.
Being Comfortable at Home has Never Been So Important
Over the last two years, Americans have slowed travel plans and have increased their number of “staycations.” This has led to an increase in home remodels, and a change in how we use our homes. Expanding outside has enabled many of our clients to build rooms with gourmet kitchens, flat screen TVs, pizza ovens, ice cream makers, heated towel racks for the pool, and more!
Get the Room You Always Dreamed Of…Without Breaking Down Walls
If someone told you that you could increase your living space without breaking down walls in your home, would you be interested? Well that is one of the major benefits to building an outdoor living area. Here are some more:
- Enjoy the outdoors year-round, not just during the summer
- It can be cheaper than adding that man cave or game room to the inside of your house
- Utilize space that previously might have gone largely unused
Plan an Easy Going, Comfortable Space
Unlike the inside of your home, your outdoors doesn’t have walls to divide up spaces for different purposes. You will have to design and divide from scratch. This is where you’ll want to work with a designer. You can use natural materials to help define your outdoor room—but you’ll want a nice balance between hardscape, plants, and furniture depending on the room you want to create.
Next Month’s Topic: Our Top 7 Bathroom Remodeling Ideas for 2010
Posted by Jason Larson on Thu, Nov 19, 2009 @ 07:26 AM
Lars Construction Honored as #64 of the Top 500 Remodeling Firms in the US
For the ninth year in a row, Lars Construction has been named to Qualified Remodeler Magazine’s prestigious list of Top 500 remodeling firms in the nation.
Ranked #64 out of 500, Lars was evaluated on elements such as industry awards and community service, in addition to overall performance standards and sales volume.
“We are honored to be part of such an esteemed and select group of the very best in the remodeling industry,” commented President Jason Larson. “It is a testament of our ongoing commitment to outstanding craftsmanship.”
Qualified Remodeler is the premier publication of the residential and commercial remodeling industry reaching 82,000 readers each month. No other remodeling magazine has a larger audience of residential remodelers.
About Lars Construction
Lars Construction specializes in home remodeling with over 16 years of experience in the design and remodel of kitchen, baths and home additions. Highly experienced designed and manager work one-on-one with clients throughout the whole process beginning with a free design consultation in a state-of-the-art design center where plans are presented on a 3D plasma viewing screen. A member of the National Association of Home Remodelers (NARI), Lars Construction prides itself on remaining up-to-date on technology, trends and legalities, assuring clients the very highest standard of professionalism and workmanship in the industry. For more information, visit www.larsconstruction.com.
Posted by Jason Larson on Thu, Aug 13, 2009 @ 07:29 AM
Click Here to view article on the Professional Remodeler Website
Few areas have been hit as hard by the downturn as San Diego. Yet Jason Larson, president of Lars Construction, has managed to continue growing his business. Senior Editor Jonathan Sweet talked to Larson about how he’s keeping focused on the opportunities of the current market. Some highlights:
One thing that really strikes me is you have such a positive attitude about this. Why is that important?
You really have two ways of looking at this. You can be a doom-and-gloomer and think woe is me. I don’t think that gets you anywhere. It’s not going to fill your day. One of the things I do, and I teach my kids this, is to start your day with a smile. It sets the tone for the entire day.
It’s no different at my company. It makes the day go by so much better. It makes life so much more enjoyable. It’s infectious to all the people you come around. It’s really proven in my life that it attracts the good people that you want to keep in your life — tradesmen you really enjoy working with, good employees, clients. That’s going to create that environment that attracts the kind of people you want to get in your world.
There are so many opportunities if you really stop and look around. I’m getting more commitment and service from my employees because the people that are still working on the team — instead of being complacent — they are happy that they even have a job and they are very grateful that they are a part of the team moving forward.
We’re getting more service from tradespeople than we have for 18 years. We used to [feel like] we worked for the trades — we have to keep these guys happy so they will give us good service and good pricing. Now it’s kind of flipped around. We don’t take them for granted, but these trades know that if we have this long list of work coming down the pike, we’ll take care of them — they’ll be a part of this thing.
You’ve gotten very involved in social media, using LinkedIn and Twitter. What are you hoping to get out of using it?
You know, I don’t know at this point because it’s so new to me. I just know that if you’re not embracing this technology it’s a mistake. I feel like we have to embrace this and start moving in this direction and see how it works.
I can learn from other people all over the country, get feedback, get support. That will change the way we do business. Just today I must have received 20 e-mails from other remodelers from LinkedIn and Twitter. We’ve only scratched the surface on this technology, but this will be the wave of the future. If I’m not embracing this and moving us toward this, I think it’s irresponsible as the owner of the company.
Do you think this will drive new business?
This is something that is so deep, so sophisticated that you just can’t expect that overnight. That will come. If we can get a customer to contact us because of where we are, where we’re visible on the Internet, that’s a great thing.
This is the way we live, the way we do business, the way people contact us. I just heard a statistic that 32 hours a week is the average people spend on the computer. Sixteen hours a week is the average they spend watching TV. That’s amazing.
So where are your marketing dollars best spent? If more people are spending time looking at their computer screen, shouldn’t you be moving in that direction? That’s why I think the whole social networking thing is just sort of about getting your name out there. It’s an easy way to do it.
Even if I did not get a single client out of all my time spent on Twitter and other sites, but just talked to people and they could help me and I could help them, that’s a great thing, too.
How is the current economy affecting your business?
Unfortunately, it’s very difficult for banks to lend money right now, so that makes it difficult for people to do some of these bigger projects. We’re definitely down from where we were last year, but I think the product we’re delivering is far superior to what we ever have delivered.
There is interest there. Our calls have never been better. We’d normally get 40 to 60 appointments a month; we’re running 80 a month now, which is just phenomenal. People are still skittish out there, but there are a lot of people out there who love their homes and want to remodel.
Has this changed the way you handle the sales process?
What it’s made us focus on as a team is that the business we’re in is a people business. It’s all about building relationships and building trust in these relationships. It takes time. You need to build relationships that allow people to understand the value you’re bringing to the table.
I’ve told my designers, who are my sales team, that with some jobs you’re going to go out there and spend a couple days out there, getting to know what their wants and needs are, to see how our company is going to fit in this transaction.
Posted by Jason Larson on Fri, Aug 07, 2009 @ 07:34 AM
Every year, San Diego’s Union Tribune readers nominate and vote for their favorite service providers in San Diego.
The poll is the best indicator of word of mouth success in San Diego—because it’s completely driven by the public—not a group of judges.
At Lars Construction, we are especially proud to have been voted Best Home Remodeler in San Diego for two years running: 2008 and 2009. The competition is fierce, but our commitment to incredible customer service, quality craftsmanship, and serious product warranties have shown to make a difference.
We are grateful to be at the top of San Diego’s list and we have every intention of staying there!
