Experts in Garage Conversion & ADU

Author: Moshe Mike MDM

You might spend just an hour or so out of an entire day, but the bathroom is undoubtedly one of the most crucial places in the house. And there is very little doubt that it is the trickiest place also when it comes to design and renovation.

Hundreds of thousands of house owners find themselves in the middle of nowhere when it comes to bathroom remodeling in Los Angeles. And we know it for sure that their concerns are very much justified.

Keeping in mind the kind of problems or situations house owners have to face at the time of bathroom remodeling, we have decided to give all of you a head start about the process, what you need to keep in mind, how you should start, etc.

So, here we will be covering the most common questions that we have to face while taking up any bathroom remodeling project. All these questions are very relevant and will help you give an outline of what you need. So, let’s get started…

How Should I Plan The Layout In The First Place?

This might not be an easy call, but you need to keep a few factors in mind. First, make a list of all the things that you like and you don’t like about your bathroom. Take a clear note of the pipework, where it comes from, where does it go, etc. Also, you need to look at the electric work as well. When you have a clear picture, it will be easy for you to plan things out.

If the space is large, you can think of different things. You can also refer to our profile at Thumbtack to have an idea about the kind of design you can have for your bathroom.

What Is The Best Flooring Type?

This is another very important concern that troubles the house owners. While selecting floors, the safety should always be the first priority. Forget about the stylish images of marble floors. This is a sure-fire way for disaster. Walking on a marble floor with wet feet is never a sensible decision.

Also, you need to avoid wooden or laminate floors, those are also not a suitable option. The best option is to go with tile or vinyl flooring.

What Is The Right Size Of A Bathroom?

There is no specific guideline to it. This largely depends on the overall area of your house. If you have the space, you can always go with a large bathroom. But if there is space constraint, you can have a bathroom that is 76 cm in width.

But, if you ask for our opinion, we would always prefer a spacious bathroom. This not only looks good; this is a lot more advantageous. With the space, you can maintain the required distance between the fixtures, bathtub or shower, passage etc. Have a look at these images from our Angieslist profile and decide yourself.

Should I Go With A Shower Or Tub?

We face this question a lot whenever we take up any bathroom remodeling project. And to be very honest with you, a bathtub is for spacious bathrooms and for compact bathrooms, a shower will do the job. This is more about the space you have in the bathroom. However, if you have another bathroom in the house with a shower, you can always go with a tub in the other one.

But getting in and getting out of the tub might not be a very convenient option for the elderly people. This offers a little risk. On the other hand, shower offers no such risks.

What Is The Role Of Ventilation?

Well, when house owners ask us how to maintain their bathroom, at MDM Custom Remodeling Inc, it is our responsibility to tell them the truth. We tell them to have proper ventilation in the bathroom. This alone can deal with a lot of issues. The humidity levels in the bathroom are very high, which is the perfect breeding condition for mold and mildew.
A ventilation fan and a window can mitigate the problems to a large extent. When the bathroom is engaged use the fan and when it is not open the window.

So, now that you have the answers to questions related to your bathroom design. It is time to hire the best remodeler in the city. If you are naive in this matter, you can have a look at this guide to have all the answers.

So, select the best remodeling contractor as per your requirements and watch your bathroom transforming from ordinary to extraordinary.

Millions of house owners in Los Angeles prefer to remodel their house every year. And it is highly likely that you too will join the brigade sooner or later. Maybe you don’t like the color of your bedroom anymore, or you might think that another bathroom in the house is a necessity. The reasons can be many, and the solution is home remodeling in Los Angeles.

No matter how modern or how old your house is, it is very unlikely that you will live with the same design and structure of your house for your lifetime. If you want to keep your house contemporary always, remodeling is the solution you would love to adopt.

If you have not yet experienced the process, then things can be a little daunting for you initially. But let us assure you that it is not that awful when you have the right help.

Let’s first talk about a very few eminent reasons for opting for remodeling service. Who knows, you might find one or two reasons for your house too!!

Reasons to Remodel Your House:

Adding more space: If you think that the space inside your house is not sufficient, an extra room or a kitchen will do the job. You can always make use of the open space available.

Upgrading cabinets, fixtures and counters: With time our tastes and habits change and a decade old cabinet or fixtures might not suit your preferences or taste anymore.

Creating a floor plan: Adding a new floor in the house is very common, and this will require you to have a proper floor plan first.

Adding a master suite: You might think at some point that adding a master suite in the house is necessary. Who would you get in touch with? Of course, your remodeler.

Increasing the resale value: Last but not the least, remodeling your house is always a great way to increase the resale value of your house. After all, no one wants to buy a house that looks and feels 10 years old.

Should you go for DIY?

In our decades old journey of assisting people with their various needs related to the home remodeling service, one thing we have found very common among the first timers and that is DIY.

Many home owners who have not gone through the process before, think of performing the remodeling process by themselves.

But, in a majority of the cases, it has proved this to be a dumb idea.

The remodeling projects that we take up every year, out of them almost 35% of projects are failed DIY projects.

You can refer to our Yelp profile to know about a lot of our remodeling projects.

Where is the Starting Point?

As we have already discussed several reasons to opt for a remodeling service, you need to first find out what you want to do with your remodeling project. List down your needs and requirements one by one.

Think of the design and look of your house, you can refer to Magazines and various websites. You can visit our gallery for ideas.

The next thing to keep in mind is the usability, functionality and efficiency of your house. You might want a green house. This will include replacing the old windows and wiring system, adding insulation, etc.

When you have all your requirements and ideas on the same page, it will become a lot easier to plan the entire process for us as remodelers.

If you are still struggling with ideas, you can visit our Houzz profile to have clear concepts about the process.

And the final step is to finalize the amount you are ready to spend for the remodeling project.

Checklists for Hiring the Remodeler:

There are plenty of things to keep in mind while you are going out to select your remodeler. Here are a few of them:

  • Make sure to contact your local builders’ association to check if the remodeler is registered with them. You can also seek suggestions from friends and colleagues as well.
  • Make sure that the remodeler has a permanent business location like we have in LA.
  • How long your remodeler has been in the business? Normally, it takes at least 5 years for a traditional business to become financially sound. You would definitely want to look into it.
  • Make sure they have enough number of workers so that your project can be completed timely. There shouldn’t be any delay during the project.
  • Check out the rating of the remodeler and if there is any complaint against them.

Finding all this information is never an easy job though, but considering the purpose, we think that it is worth investing your precious time for the due diligence.

We have mentioned it earlier as well that we are in this business for many decades now. We have experienced all kinds of situations that can be arrived at while remodeling your house.

We have the best and the most competent team of workers who work tirelessly round the clock to get the project done. You can always get in touch with us with your requirements.

We will be more than happy to offer you our expert service. We maintain complete transparency in the business.

Getting your house remodeled the way you want it to be is a dream come true for most of the house owners. And MDM would be glad to get the opportunity to be a part of that dream.

With Father’s Day around the corner, sons and daughters all over the world are all gearing up to make the day special for him. He is the man who has been the backbone of the family with very little demand and a rare ability to sacrifice almost everything to see his kids happy and smiling. Now, it’s time to put a big smile on your dad’s face.

Buying something for your dad as a gift is a difficult call to make, you don’t really understand what to give someone who has given you everything. So, this time, let’s do something unusual and surprise him. Why not create a separate space for your dad in the house and provide him the space that he deserves? Here are some home remodeling ideas for you that will last for the lifetime.

Relax room

This is the place in the house where your Dad can sit and relax and enjoy either with friends and family or alone. The decoration of this place will showcase the favorite things of your dad. This can be a large, flat screen TV set, a small bar and a fireplace. The furniture and other elements in this particular area of the house will be very selective, just to make him feel relaxed. The colour concept should be very soft and there can be natural plants as well to offer a fresh feeling. Different home remodeling ideas can be applied to come up with the best designs for this place.

Study room

Is your father into books? Does he love to read a lot? Well, instead of presenting some of his favorite titles this time, why not present him a dedicated study room for himself? This can be a great way to convey to your father that he can now sit, relax and enjoy his time reading the best titles for hours without any disturbance.

The design concept of a study room can be very simple yet elegant. You can find us on Houzz and browse through various designs related to study-room. A large and stylish book-shelf in the middle of the wall, and an exceptionally cozy seating will do the job. The lighting of this place can be creative and reading-friendly as well and should complement the home remodeling ideas.

Game room

When did you last see your father play an indoor game? Is your dad into fitness and loves to stay fit? If it is so, you can apply different concepts to create a game room for your dad this Father’s Day. Nothing can be more satisfying than seeing your dad playing the game he loves. You can even install a playstation for an ultimate gaming experience.

Dads are special and if you want to let him know about that, you can obviously present him a personal space in the house. For ideas, you can refer to our Buildzoom profile. You can find a lot of design ideas there and select the one you think will suit the taste of your father. Convey your regards and love to your father with a twist in the tale this time. Just go for it.

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a small dwelling unit set on existing residential property. The state policies passed in 2016 have allowed the property owners in Los Angeles to build it. It can be attached to your home with a separate entrance or detached from a home. The state laws have also allowed garage conversion in terms of an ADU.

Are you planning to build an ADU? Do you know everything about it? If not, then you must read this entire blog. Here, you will come across a few crucial things about the Accessory Dwelling Unit. So, carry on reading!

Crucial things to know about the Accessory Dwelling Unit

Go through the following points attentively before you build an Accessory Dwelling Unit.

1. How can you use the ADU?

The ADU provides affordable housing options to family members, the disabled, students, friends, etc. You can also give this property on rent for extra income. Nowadays, many people have realized the value of an isolated space for the elderly. And that\’s where the importance of an ADU lies.

2. Do you require a building permit for an ADU?

Yes. You will require a building permit for this new building. But the good news is that the state law has made it easier and faster to obtain. You can incorporate a bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom to your ADU.

3. What should be the size of ADU?

An ADU can be up to 1,200 sq ft regardless of the size of your primary house. But it needs to meet Floor Area Ration calculations.

4. Why should you install the Accessory Dwelling Unit?

People in Los Angeles build it for plenty of reasons. But most people construct it for rental income and providing accommodation to their relatives. It’s an affordable type of construction as you need not require purchasing land or new infrastructure.

5. How much does it cost?

The cost of building an ADU depends on the size of it, distance to utilities, etc. But if you opt for prefabricated ADU, you can save up to 30% of the cost of a site built ADU. A prefabricated ADU usually starts at $99,000.

6. How will you connect utilities to an ADU?

You need not bring an extra connection from the street in this respect. You can make the connection of the utilities for your ADU from your primary house. It’s truly a big cost-saving approach for the homeowners.

7. Can you build more than one ADU on your property?

Many people in Los Angeles build a junior ADU that covers 500 sq. Ft. You can also add two ADUs within the walls of your primary home.

8. How long will it take to build an ADU?

It usually requires four to six months to build an ADU. And in terms of a prefabricated ADU construction, it needs less than three weeks of actual site construction.

We, MDM Custom Remodeling Inc., can build an Accessory Dwelling Unit for you. Our experts are well aware of the rules and regulations regarding this. We provide affordable service to our clients in the Greater Los Angeles area. So, call us today!

Currently, due to the pandemic, countless people are facing uncertainty for an undecided and unpredictable period. No doubt, just like any other field of life, COVID-19 has impacted the on-going home remodeling projects too. Want to learn if the home remodeling experts can still work on your project? Go through the following passages -.

Let’s check out what the Cabinet minister Michael Gove says. Builders doing their jobs that are critical to the nation and the life of the economy should continue to work even at the time of the coronavirus pandemic. He further says that it would be inappropriate to carry out construction jobs entailing intimate contact in someone’s home, along with remodeling a house where the property owners are still living.

However, according to the homeowners, builders, and architects, the instructions regarding the residential projects are not clear enough. So, this is a concern of almost all the property owners with on-going home remodeling projects – ‘what am I supposed to do in the middle of my major home remodeling project’?

Well, you need to consider several factors as follows:

An Essential Project

Now, this is a big issue since the government has not yet clarified the definition of \’essential\’ home remodeling projects. According to the recent government advice (26th March), work that is going on at people\’s houses, such as maintenance and repairs, can be carried on. And that will be possible only when the tradesperson is healthy with no symptoms of illness. No need to mention that, at this point, people should follow the guidelines regarding social distancing for the safety of everyone.

According to the membership services at Federation of Master Builders, any work that people need to achieve in a weather-proof and secure site with the safety of the stored material will be a critical work. As NHS reports, people can carry that out by taking all the relevant precautionary measures.

According to experts, people should enforce safe social distancing practices. Property owners, as well as the professionals involved in the remodeling project, should implement all the following on their still-active projects.

  • There should be limited workers as possible. And all present there should practice the measures of safe social distancing at the two-meter distance between each other.
  • The workers arriving at the project site should not be using public transport. They should arrive by van or car.
  • In case the above measures cannot be maintained, all works on the site should cease. People need to review the on-going job for enabling the above as far as possible.
  • Anyone with even mild symptoms of COVID-19 should avoid being on the project site. They should follow the government guidelines and remain at home for 14 days.

What To Do If Your Household Is Self-Isolating?

Well, in this regard, the government has clear advice that people should continue no work in any household that is self-isolating or where a person is shielded.

The Home Remodeling Contractor

We MDM Custom Remodeling Inc are aware of the severity of the current pandemic. And we are coming with all the precautions while we work with you. We ask you to be safe and follow all the necessary guidelines so you stay on the side of security. And no need to mention that you can rely on us regarding satisfaction-guaranteed solutions.

The coronavirus pandemic has slowed people’s life down in the US. Many people have been infected, and the number of cases is increasing day by day. That’s why the entire nation has been put under lockdown to combat the spread of this virus. The government prohibits private and public gatherings strictly and issues several restrictions on the movement of people. Its vaccine has still not been introduced. But the way the government is controlling the situation, we can lead our normal life shortly.

However, in this miserable condition, a question is lurking in the minds of Americans. And that is the construction projects that can be continued during coronavirus pandemic.

All activities have been halted in the US due to lockdown. But certain construction projects can help a lot to tackle this situation. And that’s what many Americans want to know. Well, you can get info regarding it in this blog. So, keep on reading!

These Projects Can Be Continued Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

The government of the US has permitted to continue the following construction projects related to COVID-19 response.

Housing Construction

The housing construction projects can be continued if they provide new housing without expecting any income. It will help meet the critical needs of the entire nation by providing shelter to the victims of coronavirus. The government has also permitted to continue the construction of temporary shelter and housing.

The large public-private development project can also proceed. These are multi-phase development projects that involve constructing several buildings.

Remodeling Project

The residential remodeling projects which are underway may proceed. It’s because any delay in completion may pose security, safety, and sanitation risk. And it will affect the habitability of the residence. But one needs to abide by the following to continue the project in a vacant residential unit. These include:

  • Ventilation and heating work needs to comply with code requirements.
  • Carpet replacement needs to maintain sanitary floor covering.
  • It’s essential to maintain a clean and sanitary wall while painting.

Apart from that, many Americans raise a question if they can continue their ongoing remodeling work for bathroom and kitchen. Well, you can move on if you are in urgent need to remodel these areas. It’s because the kitchen and bathroom can minimize the travel outside of the home. And having a sanitized and repaired bathroom will be helpful for the isolation of the people who are COVID-19 positive.

Hotels

If the hotels are close to completion and they agree to provide rooms for the patients, then it would be allowed. Besides, if a hotel is under construction and can show their requirement to complete this, they can continue.
Aside from these, the public works projects related to essential governmental function can proceed.

Well, our experts always carry out their tasks with maintaining hygiene. And in this situation, we have paid more attention in this regard. So, you can rely on us.

You can read our other blogs to know about our other projects. Stay home and stay safe!

Incorporating a countertop is undoubtedly an ideal way to give a kitchen and bathroom a new look. Well, it has been observed that the demand for it in the US is rising by almost 2.8% per year. It is expected that countertop demand will continue till the year 2024. And its value will be $42 billion.

However, most homeowners in the US prefer to add a countertop when it comes to remodeling their kitchen and bathroom. And they prioritize choosing high-quality materials such as granite to increase the home’s value.

The countertop study reveals that single-family homes prefer a larger kitchen and multiple bathrooms. Even it has become the latest trend in the US.

Significant info found in the countertop study

Here are the details unveiled by the countertop study.

Engineered stone will be the fastest-growing materials despite heavy tariffs

It is expected that the engineered stone will become the fastest-growing countertop surface material by 2024. The popularity of this material has been started increasing since 2014. It comes with diverse color options and makes the countertops robust. That’s why people in the US are leaning towards it despite heavy tariffs. But the trade tension and steep tariff on quartz slab imported from India and China may prevent this faster growth. It’s because the other low-cost sources of quartz slab fail to meet the surging demand for this product in the US.

Kitchen and bathroom remodeling is still driving the countertop market

The kitchen and bathroom remodeling applications have still made the countertop market robust in the US. Actually, the fact is countertop replacement still remains one of the most popular home improvement projects in the US. And that’s the fact what is supporting this market growth. Besides, the countertop surface materials include engineered stone, porcelain slab has drawn the attention of people. They are choosing these materials instead of laminates to give their kitchen and bathroom a beautiful look. This shift away is enough to retain the demand for countertop till 2024.

Laminates may lose market share

It has been predicted that the laminates may lose market share by 2024. It’s due to the popularity of dominant countertop surface materials. These are truly aesthetically pleasing compared to the laminates.

But the usage of laminates will remain widespread. It’s an ideal choice for budget-conscious customers. Besides, it requires minimal maintenance. The laminate countertop manufacturers have expanded their offering with decorative laminates. Along with this, they are also paying attention to the other countertop material such as engineered stone.

You can read our other blogs to gather relevant info, updates, and news on remodeling.

Kitchen remodeling is a crucial home improvement project. It’s an ideal way to add value to your property. Are you planning to go for it for your home? Well, Houzz has recently conducted a survey on it with almost 2598 U.S homeowners. It has revealed the latest kitchen trends towards which the people are leaning nowadays.

However, if you want to remodel your kitchen, you can take a look at the survey first.

This survey concludes that people invest more in kitchen remodeling projects these days. In 2019, the homeowners paid attention to major remodels. They could complete it within $35,000, 17% more than the previous year ($30,000). But the rate of remodeling kitchen has declined for the second year in a row. For instance, upgrading the countertops and sinks are not as widespread (89% and 83%) as it was two years ago (94% and 90%). The structural upgrades are also not on rising. These include changing kitchen layout (46%), adding square footage (35%), opening the kitchen to the other interior rooms (46%), etc.

According to the statement of Nino Sitchinava, Houzz\’s principal economist, the rate in which people spend on kitchen remodeling will grow twice in the upcoming third year. This increased spend after a two-year declination ensures significant price inflation in the home remodeling industry because of the changes in international trade policy. Then the homeowners have to deal with increased product prices. It denotes the demand for engineered flooring materials will reduce and sluggish growth in the use of engineered quartz.

Trending kitchen styles, features, finish the homeowners are embracing

Farmhouse Loses Steam, Transitional Style Emerges

The popularity of transitional and contemporary style for kitchen remodeling is increasing. Almost 85% of homeowners have chosen this style. And after rising the market share compared to the last two years (11% in 2019 and 10% in 2018), modern style has gone up. It has placed third. But the farmhouse style is lagging (11%) in comparison to the previous two years (14% in 2019 and 12% in 2018).

Kitchen Island And White Cabinet Are On Rising

White cabinets continue to grow in popularity (45%). On the other hand, the wood-tone cabinet has reached no. 2 positions (22%). Two out of five homeowners who have upgraded their kitchen island have chosen contrasting colors for it. Gray and blue are the right choices for contrasting island cabinetry (26% and 19% respectively).

Shaker Style Cabinets Rule

The property owners opt for shaker door styles for their upgraded cabinetry (61%) followed at a distance by a raised panel, and flat-panel (18% and 20% respectively). The updated islands come with a contrasting door style (13%). And among the upgrades, louvered door styles (27%) and flat panel (31%) are common.

Neutral Colors Are Still Popular

The colors people choose for backsplashes, walls, flooring, and appliances in the remodeled kitchens remain the same. The neutral tones of white, gray on wall surfaces continue to grow. Many homeowners are paying attention to the alternative looks like blue walls (7%), black appliances (9% in black stainless or 6% in another black), beige flooring (9%).

Large Islands with Copious Storage

Most homeowners who upgrade Kitchen Island incorporate some storage in it (98%). These Include drawers (70%), cabinets with doors (79%), etc. The square and rectangular islands are also common options (84%).

Backsplashes Add Value

One in ten homeowners installs backsplashes to the ceiling (11%). Another 63% opt for tile from the counter to upper cabinets. But when it comes to choosing the color, white has taken the front seat (35%). Besides, people also choose multi-color (20%) and gray (15%).

Vinyl Flooring Is the Right Choice

Vinyl flooring has become very popular in terms of kitchen remodeling. It continues to rise from 10% in 2018 and 12% in 2019 to 14% in 2020. Besides, the stained or unstained hardwood floor (29%) and ceramic or porcelain tile (23%) are also famous.

Recessed Lights Are In High Demand

Among 79% of the homeowners, who have remodeled their kitchen have chosen recessed light to upgrade the light fixtures. On the flip, the demand for pendant lights, undercabinet lights are going down compared to the last year. 92% of the homeowners upgrade the island by choosing the new light above the island. Pendant lights are popular options in this respect (66%).

Receiving professional help has always been an ideal option over the past few years. Four among the five homeowners prefer to opt for this approach for kitchen remodeling (85%).

According to the survey, the general contractor ranks top (51%), following kitchen designers (22%), interior designers (13%), architects (11%), and kitchen remodelers (10%).

You can download the full 2020 US kitchen trends survey here.

Home remodeling can undoubtedly improve your living space. Even it plays a pivotal role in increasing the selling price of your home. That is why many people nowadays prefer to opt for this approach when it comes to selling their home. Are you planning the same? Then you must be well aware of the home remodeling ideas that boost the value of your home. It will help you achieve the best return on your investment. Well, in this blog, you will come across the smart remodeling ideas. So, keep on reading!

Home remodeling ideas to get a higher sale price

The coming up points will help you achieve the best return on your investment.

Update the kitchen

The kitchen can be considered as the heart of a home. Hence, you need to update it first. Many buyers forgive the other outdated areas when they see an updated kitchen in a home. However, you can install new appliances, upgrade the countertops in a kitchen. But it’s advisable to refresh the cabinets instead of replacing them. It is because these are highly visible in a kitchen. And this approach will save your bucks.

Improve energy efficiency

Many homeowners pay attention to the look while remodeling a home. Though it boosts the selling price of it, your home must be energy efficient. And that is what most buyers look for while purchasing a house. If you improve the energy efficiency of your home, the home buyers favor this upgraded home over the traditional home because of long term savings. But make sure that you have provided the utility bill so that they can see the ongoing cost.

Remodel your bathroom

An outdated bathroom could make an impact on the selling price of your home. Therefore, if you are planning to sell your house, you need to remodel it as early as possible. Studies have shown that a minor bathroom remodeling can provide a 102% return on your investment. However, you can consider changing the bathroom tiles that enhance its interior beauty. You should replace the toilet to give your bathroom a modern look.

Add a fresh coat of paint

Painting your home’s interior can be the cheapest way to add value to your home. It can benefit you more if the colors are unusual. But you should stay away from the deep shades that may darken your home. You should opt for the bright colors that reflect more ambient light. This option goes well with the small rooms such as space-challenged bedroom, guest bathroom, etc.

New flooring

Flooring can make a huge difference in your home. It will make an impact on the buyers. It’s the least expensive way by which you can make your property ready to sell. New flooring can brighten up your home instantly. Nowadays, many people prefer to place a hardwood floor. But if you are short on funds, you can replace the floor in the public areas such as the kitchen, living rooms. You can also place a less costly carpet in the bedrooms.

Increase the square footage

When it comes to selling your home, the living space matters a lot. So keeping this in mind, you can increase the square footage of your house. Your home’s valuation highly depends on it. This addition can be quite expensive, but it will benefit you a lot in terms of getting a high return on your investment.

Well, if you want to remodel your home, you need to contact a renowned remodeling company. And that is what we are. We have a team of skilled professionals who can remodel your home according to your needs. So, no more wait! Call us immediately. We will be happy to assist you.