Author: Flegels Construction

7 Things to Look for in a Home Remodeling Contractor

Written on May 20, 2020.

Quality Makeovers require Competent and Reliable Partners

Undertaking any type of home renovation is a big decision for every homeowner. Whether you’re planning a minor refresh for a couple of rooms, or a complete overhaul for your home, you need a partner who understands and executes your vision. You also want your project to be completed on time and within your budget. Consider these 7 things to look for in a home remodeling contractor, to achieve a seamless and stunning transformation.

Top Traits of an Exceptional Renovation Specialist

Home remodeling projects involve a number of complexities. Drawing up innovative plans, carrying out the demolition and reconstruction, sourcing the right materials, and managing the crew are just some of the tasks. Every activity needs to work in an organized manner to stay within the agreed timelines and budget. Your contractor will also need to account for other logistical aspects, depending on whether you stay or leave home during the renovation.

This handy checklist of traits reiterates what to expect from a home remodeling contractor, and may help you narrow down your choices.

Professionalism: In addition to checking the necessary qualifications and licenses, evaluate how the contractors conduct themselves. How effectively do they communicate? How meticulous is their initial assessment or quote? Do they have the skills and efficiency to manage the entire operation?

Experience: Expertise alone is not sufficient, experience counts. Does the contractor have time-tested methods and proven results in this field? Can they provide testimonials, references or site walk-throughs? Do they have sufficient knowledge of the local building codes? Can they obtain the permits that may be necessary for large remodeling projects?

Coordination and management: From designers, carpenters and masons, to plumbers, electricians, and painters, you may need a number of specialists depending on the nature of your project. An integrated network will not only enable a seamless flow of different activities, but also help you save time and money. It’s important to check whether the contractor has the ability to gather, schedule, manage, and oversee the various professionals needed for the renovation project.

Visualization and delivery: Besides a strong work ethic in your hired contractor, the success of your project largely depends on their ability to understand your vision and bring it to fruition. It’s possible you may not have a clear vision to start with, but it is the contractor’s responsibility to learn about your lifestyle and needs and steer you towards ideas that meet your overall renovation goals. You can gauge this trait by the way the contractor handles the initial assessment. What questions did they ask? Could they break down the overall requirements into smaller projects that address your priorities? How well did they involve you in the discussion? Did they exhibit a client-first attitude or try to push their own design concepts?

Resourcefulness: Another important trait for a good contractor is the ability to identify and address potential issues, as well as prepare for the unexpected ones. From weather, labor shortages, and budgetary concerns, to structural complications, material delivery delays, or on-site mishaps, your remodeling project could face numerous obstacles. Assess the contractor’s ability to provide alternative solutions and find out how they plan to keep your project on track if they encounter unforeseen challenges.

Transparency in dealings: No matter how small or large your project, your contractor should be able to keep you abreast of every development. Find out how often they will provide progress updates. Are they transparent and proactive in informing you about any hurdles that may be interfering with your agreed timelines or budget? Will they assign a single point of contact? It will be beneficial for you to have an assigned project manager or a site supervisor who will liaise with you on all aspects of the makeover with complete honesty and integrity.

Service quality: Ultimately, the goal is to make your home remodeling project as smooth and hassle-free as possible. While you may do your due diligence, credibility checks, and initial assessments, they may not give you sufficient insights into a contractor’s service levels. However, some aspects could give you a fair indication of what to expect. For example, how diligently did they prepare and present the initial designs or quotes? Were their submitted plans reflective of your priorities and lifestyle requirements? Did they promptly respond to any queries or concerns that you raised on the proposals?

Hire an Experienced and Dependable Home Remodeling Contractor

Renovating your home can be a challenging process, especially if you are initiating a complex or full-scale makeover. Choosing the right home remodeling contractor will minimize stress and maximize your return on investment. At Flegel’s Construction Co., we have over two decades of experience in custom home remodeling projects. You can count on us for functional yet luxurious designs, top-notch workmanship, and flawless execution.

Happy homeowners across the Bay Area vouch for our attractive makeovers, effective customer service, and consistent delivery.

Looking for a capable home remodeling contractor to transform your Bay Area home? Get in touch with the renovation experts at Flegel’s Construction. Contact us online.

Home Renovation Projects Often Start in the Kitchen

Written on May 10, 2020.

A Kitchen Remodel Can Uplift Your Home’s Overall Appeal

It’s not surprising that home renovation projects often start in the kitchen. Every member of the family spends time here and has an opinion on how it can be more functional and attractive! From the layout, storage, and seating solutions, to the materials, fixtures and amenities, every aspect influences the aesthetic appeal and comfort of this space. The remodeling experts at Flegel’s Construction offer some ideas for luxurious and practical kitchens that cater to your cooking habits and complement your family’s lifestyle.

Kitchen Remodeling Ideas for a Successful Home Makeover

A cleverly planned and well-executed kitchen makeover will significantly improve the value and appeal of your home. When you discuss your project scope and examine top kitchen trends with a home renovation specialist, consider some of these factors:

Designated activity spots:Mealtimes, entertaining guests, the kids’ homework, your home office, and many more activities take place in your kitchen. Depending on the overall space available, you can look at creating designated spots that can be useful for each family member and their requirements. For example:

Get an island with an extended countertop to seat your kids in comfortable high-chairs and oversee their schoolwork or craft projects, while you cook.

Build a cozy breakfast nook that serves as a less formal eating area for the entire family.

Extend the cabinetry to add a built-in desk for creating a workspace, in the absence of a dedicated home office.

Open layout: As the heart of your home where all things converge, your kitchen layout must promote easy movement and clear sight lines. Depending on the size of your home and the possibilities to build out or take over adjoining spaces, you may be able to achieve a beautiful, open-concept kitchen. This would allow you to keep an eye on young kids, even if they are in other areas of the home when you cook. Knocking down some walls will also help in blending and enlarging your cooking and entertaining areas for hosting friends and family.

Comfortable cook space: Besides its many additional roles, your kitchen must do its core job of catering to your cooking habits and preferences.
- Thinking through the placement of your refrigerator, stove, and sink will allow you to achieve an ideal work triangle. This will promote better flow and movement to enable speedy, efficient prepping and cooking.
- Selecting durable and easy-clean materials for your countertops and cabinets will keep your kitchen clean and tidy. Eliminate the extra time and effort of cleaning stains and scuffs.
- Adding thoughtful storage solutions and amenities will increase your prep space and keep the kitchen clutter-free. An attractive cook space will seamlessly blend with the dining room, family room, and other areas of your open concept home.

Stunning Kitchen Makeovers by Trusted Home Remodeling Contractors

Renovating your kitchen is not just about changing out the countertops and cabinetry, upgrading the appliances and hardware, or applying a fresh coat of paint. It is also about enhancing the functionality of your cook space, to create a warm, welcoming environment for the entire family. At Flegel’s Construction Co., we are passionate about designing and delivering custom kitchens that reflect your personality and complement your lifestyle. Our team of innovative designers and master craftsmen focus on your requirements and deliver your dream cook space within the agreed timelines and budget.

Our renovation experts have successfully completed several fabulous kitchen transformations for homes across the Bay Area.

Ready to give the heart of your home a striking makeover? Hire the home remodeling experts at Flegel’s Construction. Schedule a consultation and contact us online.

What is a Home Renovation Specialist

Written on December 20, 2019.

Know What to Expect When You Hire One

If you’re scouring websites and seeking referrals of reputable contractors for your home improvement project, the task can seem overwhelming. Perhaps you’re evaluating general contractors and remodelers, but not quite sure what exactly a home renovation specialist is. Although most people use these terms interchangeably, at Flegel’s, we believe that specialists offer more holistic designs and hassle-free project completion. Read on to know what makes us a leading home renovation specialist in the Bay Area.

Custom Renovations by Flegel’s

A home renovation specialist, such as Flegel’s, can add value to your home improvement project in more ways than you may imagine. Here are the top three advantages of hiring us for transforming your homes.

1. Stress-free home remodeling:

We have the experience and expertise to create functional, luxurious spaces that reflect your lifestyle and preferences. With an integrated team of passionate designers and master craftsmen, we aim to deliver a seamless remodeling experience for you.

Our designers spend quality time mapping your requirements, understanding your lifestyle, and working out detailed proposals that cater to your renovation goals.

We provide step-by-step project tracking and timely updates to ensure transparency in communication, keeping you in the loop on all aspects of the project.

You can count on us for innovative features and amenities, quality finishes, and project delivery that matches your timelines and budgets.

2. Flexible approach: What exactly do you need assistance with?

Comprehensive project management from design to execution?

Standalone project coordination to oversee the subcontractors?

Ensure on-time and on-budget delivery of the design prepared by your chosen architect?

Pre-build consultative services for controlling costs, shortening timelines, or assessing the plans submitted by other contractors or architects?

We can address assignments of any scope, scale and complexity. Whether it is end-to-end project management, or third-party liaising for managing your project timelines and budgets, we are happy to participate in any stage of your home improvement journey.

3. Specialists in Eichler home renovations: Looking to restore the beauty of your old Eichler home while also making it more energy-efficient?

We specialize in repairing and modernizing Eichler homes without detracting from their characteristic charm. From adding rooms and reinforcing roofing or insulation, to building gourmet kitchens, or updating living spaces, we can bring your Eichler home into the 21^st century, while remaining fully compliant with the applicable guidelines.

Bay Area’s Trusted Home Renovation Specialist—Translating Your Vision to Reality

At Flegel’s Construction Co. we have over 30 years of design-build and project management experience, creating spaces that are compatible with your lifestyle and budget. With creative solutions and quality execution, our professional designers and skilled craftsmen add tremendous value to a range of home renovation and custom home building projects.

We have improved the homes and transformed the lifestyles of hundreds of happy clients across the Bay Area, including Palo Alto, Los Altos, and San Jose, CA.

Looking to hire a home renovation specialist for your Bay Area home remodeling project? Contact us online.

Eichlers in Mountain View

Written on December 11, 2019.

Be the Proud Owner of an Eichler in Mountain View

Buy, Remodel, or Custom Build a Characteristically Charming Home

Exploring options to buy and remodel an Eichler? Planning a custom build for your Eichler-style home? These architectural gems feature an abundance of charm and character, along with other features that you typically look for in modern homes. Here’s a quick rundown on Eichlers in Mountain View, an area that offers exciting opportunities to buy, build or own this style of home.

Eichler Homes are Full of Charm, Style and Amenities

Symbolizing the mid-century modern style, Eichler homes upstaged several other architectural ideologies to become one of the most popular and affordable residences in the 1950s and 60s. Spread across Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area, Eichlers represented a new breed of construction that:

Featured a minimalist design with flat roof lines and open concept layouts.

Promoted indoor-outdoor living and plenty of natural light by incorporating skylights and floor-to-ceiling windows.

Offered distinctive façades with a characteristic pattern making Eichler homes easily recognizable.

With modern aesthetics, visionary design, and the ability to build entire Eichler communities, architect Joseph Eichler created legendary homes that remain highly desirable even today. With a few modifications and upgrades, an expertly remodeled Eichler could give contemporary home styles stiff competition in every aspect of design and functionality.

Where Can You Find Eichlers in Mountain View?

Fascinated with the idea of owning a bright, airy Eichler home, and updating it with luxurious designs and modern conveniences? Check out the two large developments in Mountain View, CA that together feature over 275 Eichler residences.

The Fairview tract: There are over 200 Eichlers, built in the mid-1950s in the Monta Loma neighborhood. Find them on Quincy Drive, Emmons Drive, Richard Court, Thaddeus Drive, Nedson Court, Thompson Avenue, Benjamin Drive, Victory Avenue, Dell Avenue, and Alvin Street. Most homes feature 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. In this subdivision, you may also find Mackay Homes and Mardell homes that have a certain resemblance to Eichlers, since one of their designers was originally an Eichler architect.

The Bell Meadows tract: This area houses around 75 Eichlers, most of them along Eichler Court, Trophy Drive, and Eichler Drive. Built in the early 1970s, these homes are relatively larger, and offer an extra bedroom as compared to the ones in the Monta Loma neighborhood.

Bay Area’s Premier Remodeling Contractor for Eichler Home Upgrades

The team of passionate designers and skilled craftsmen at Flegel’s Construction Co. have over 30 years of experience in building and remodeling homes. We specialize in repairing and upgrading Eichlers, and comply with the applicable guidelines for retaining their characteristic charm. From adding or upgrading rooms, to improving energy efficiency, and repairing structural elements, we can meet the renovation goals for your Eichler home.

Happy Eichler home owners across Mountain View, CA admire our creative solutions, professional touches, and unparalleled customer service.

Upgrading an Eichler home in Mountain View or other areas in the Bay Area? Hire the trusted Eichler remodeling experts at Flegel’s Construction. Contact us online to discuss your custom home renovation project.

Should You Stay or Go During a Home Remodeling Project?

Written on November 16, 2019.

Should You Stay or Should You Go During a Home Remodeling Project? Can’t Decide?

Understand the Pros and Cons of Both Options

Getting ready for a major home renovation is never easy. You may have to prepare your home and family for weeks of ongoing work involving tearing down walls, building additional rooms, replacing cabinetry and countertops, installing new flooring, and so on. Along with the eagerness to see your dream renovation take shape, you’ll also have to face the noise, dust and mess. It’s a common dilemma for homeowners—should you stay, or should you go during a home remodeling project? You’ll need to decide whether to start looking for temporary accommodations or reorganize your home and routine to manage the inconvenience. It’s best to know the pros and cons of both options.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Staying Home During a Renovation

Statistics from the National Association of Home Remodeling (NARI) show that 90 to 95% of homeowners prefer to remain in place during home renovations.

It may be akin to ‘camping out’ in your own home, but the advantages include:

Saving the time and hassle of finding temporary lodging, such as a short-term rental, a hotel, or friends and family willing to share their homes with you.

Saving the added costs and time associated with packing, moving out, rent or room charges and meals.

Closer supervision of the renovation project, improving your chances of avoiding expensive rework.

Here are the key disadvantages of staying home during the renovation:

The expense of ‘phasing out’ work can add as much as 5 to 20% to your overall renovation costs. Often, electricians, plumbers, or other subcontractors will have to make multiple trips to your site, especially if you have closed off some portions of the home for your stay and needs.

Staying home would entail additional activities, such as daily cleanups, installation and removal of dust barriers, and frequent resealing of rooms. This will hike up the overall completion time and could add around 10 to 15% to the project’s cost.

A family with children, seniors or pets may find it challenging to live through the dirt and dust, especially if you have allergies, respiratory issues, or other chronic health problems.

The space crunch and constraints in carrying out routine activities can be disruptive for you and your family. Rising frustration and tempers may impact the quality of relationships, until familiar routines and lifestyle are back to normal.

Choose a Trusted Bay Area Contractor for Stress-Free Home Remodeling

Choosing the right contractor is the first step in ensuring a home renovation project without unnecessary stress and hassle. At Flegel’s Construction Co. we have extensive experience in home remodeling projects that enhance your lifestyle and suit your budget. With creative design solutions, skilled craftsmanship, and unparalleled customer service, we ensure that you truly enjoy the process of transforming your living spaces. Whether you choose to stay at home or move out during the remodel, you can count on us to deliver superior finishes, on time, and to your exact specifications.

Check out what our past clients across the Bay Area have to say about their completed home renovation projects.

Still unsure whether to stay or go during a home remodeling project? Discuss your concerns with the experts at Flegel’s Construction and learn more about our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. Contact us online.

Why Were Eichler Homes Popular?

Written on October 18, 2019.

Question: Why Were Eichler Homes Popular?

Answer: Minimalist, Modern, Distinctive Style

If you are a modernist who identifies with clean lines, minimal ornamentation, and bright, open plan living, then you may already be a big fan of Eichler homes. For those who are wondering why Eichler homes were so popular, Flegel’s Construction Co. offers some insights.

Eichler Homes: The Epitome of Mid-Century Modern Style Homes

Eichler homes were modern, affordable homes that changed the reigning architectural ideology in the 1950s and 60s. With over 11,000 residences built all over Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area, these homes got their name from the primary architect, Joseph Eichler.

Here are some of the key features that made Eichler homes popular:

Fresh, modern, budget friendly style: Most homes at that time were compact brick houses, with small windows and asphalt shingles. In contrast, Eichler homes introduced indoor-outdoor living by featuring huge windows, open-air foyers and open concept layouts. However, the modern, innovative design style remained budget friendly and affordable, making it very popular with the suburban middle class.

Bringing the outside in: One of the key philosophies behind Eichler homes was to bring the outside in, while retaining an optimum sense of privacy. So, you may find floor-to-ceiling windows (glass walls) looking out on private outdoor areas at the rear of these homes. While most houses did not have any front facing windows, some featured small, discreet, frosted glass ones.

Distinctive exteriors: Eichler homes are all about post-and-beam construction and flat or low-sloping A-framed roofs featuring vertical 2-inch pattern wood siding. The simple, minimalistic façades and clean geometric lines gave these structures very distinctive exteriors, making them easily recognizable as Eichler homes.

Community living: Eichler’s vision went far beyond building standalone homes. He designed entire Eichler communities, integrating sidewalks, parks, community centers, and other community living features that many homebuyers seek even today.

A visionary, Joseph Eichler’s modern aesthetics continue to be inspirational and desirable in the 21^st century. Both homeowners and potential buyers consider these homes to be architectural gems. After all, who wouldn’t want to own a bright, airy home that offers an intimate connection with the surrounding landscape without compromising privacy?

Bay Area’s Top Renovation Contractor for Your Eichler Home Upgrades

As the Bay Area’s top renovation contractors, Flegel’s Construction Co. specializes in repairing and remodeling Eichler homes. From updating living spaces and building gourmet kitchens, to adding rooms and improving roofing or insulation, we cater to a range of requirements for making Eichler homes more energy efficient, functional and luxurious. Our creative designers and skilled craftsmen can modernize your home without detracting from its characteristic charm. We also ensure that our designs and construction are fully compliant with the Eichler home guidelines.

Our team has successfully completed many Eichler home renovation projects across the Bay Area, including in Mountain View, Palo Alto, Cupertino, Campbell, and San Jose, CA.

Looking to upgrade your Eichler home? Exploring the possibility of buying and renovating an old Eichler property? Speak to the remodeling experts at Flegel’s Construction today. Contact us online.

San Jose Eichler Neighborhood Recognized

Written on August 15, 2019.

Eichler is added to historic register

Congratulations to the residents of the Fairglen Additions neighborhood of San Jose who led a successful campaign to have the tree-lined district — distinguished by its 218 Eichler homes — added to the National Register of Historic Places this year. The neighborhood near Curtner and Booksin avenues is San Jose’s largest enclave of Eichler homes, built between 1959 and 1961 and known for their distinctive flat or lowsloped roofs, open floor plans and tall windows. And three of the homes, all within walking distance of each other on Fairwood Avenue, will be featured in a Preservation Action Council tour on Saturday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

At the same time, there also will be a Mid-Century Pop-Up Shop — with vendors selling period memorabilia, decor and furniture — on Fairwood Avenue, which will be closed to traffic for the event. Sally Zarnowitz, cochair of the Fairglen Additions Preservation Committee, will talk about the significance of the housing tract at 11:30 a.m., and author and historian Heather David will sign copies of her book, “Motel California,” and the San Jose Signs Guide at noon.

Tickets are available for $20 in advance at preservation.org or by calling 408-998-8105, or $25 on the day of the event at the pop-up shop on Fairwood Avenue.

Originally written by Sal Pizarro, Columnist, The Mercury News on Thursday August 15, 2019.

New Home Building Starts with a Plan

Written on July 24, 2019.

New Home Building is a Complex Project. Do You Have a Plan?

Get Your Basics Right

New Home Building Company Palo Alto, Cupertino, CA

Thinking of constructing your own personal haven, but not sure where to begin? Building a new home starts with a comprehensive plan that helps you navigate the entire project successfully, in time and on budget. As premier construction experts, we know how important it is to get your basics right. After all, it is the quality of your plan that can make or break your dream home project.

Characteristics of a Well-Made, New Home Building Plan

Building a new home is an exciting process, as long as you have a meticulous plan that keeps you on track every step of the way. It is not just about the schematic designs, with layouts and floor plans. From inspections and approvals, to design and materials, a well-made plan considers every aspect of the project. It helps you visualize the desired outcomes, and work out the finer details of structural elements, construction methods, materials, costs and timelines. Moreover, it also accounts for potential obstacles, and provides likely solutions to resolve each problem.

Partner with a trusted construction expert who can help you put together an all-inclusive custom home building plan. Ensure that the plan includes aspects, such as:

Approvals and procedural interventions: In older towns, such as Palo Alto, or protected areas, such as Los Altos Hills, you may have to conform to several city, or neighborhood-specific construction requirements. A good plan will list:
- Various guidelines and local building codes that you need to adhere to
- Licenses and permits required for construction
- Inspections that you need to pass for each step of construction to move forward

Layout, labor and materials: Did you get a feasibility analysis to check project scope and viability? Do you have rough estimates of the time and cost of labor, permits and building materials? A well-documented plan will help you track progress of all the listed parameters in terms of quality, timelines and budget.

Design and lifestyle-based features: Want a layout that integrates the natural surroundings into your home? Do you prefer interiors that make generous use of your favorite hardwood? You may have several design or material preferences, while creating a luxurious and functional new build. Does your plan incorporate the design statement you want to make, or the custom features that suit your lifestyle?

Protect Your Investment with the Bay Area’s Top Construction Contractor

When it comes to building a new home, focus on controlling costs, shortening timelines and avoiding expensive mistakes. With over 30 years of experience, Flegel’s Construction has the local knowledge and expertise to help you plan and build a custom home. From conducting a feasibility analysis and obtaining permits, to providing professional recommendations and project management services, we address all the requirements of new home construction. Our extensive planning ensures seamless, timely and cost-effective completion of each step, allowing you to sit back and enjoy the process of building your dream home. Serving Palo Alto, San Jose, Cupertino, Sunnyvale, Mountain View and San Jose areas.

Partner with Flegel’s Construction and let our thoughtfully created plans set you up for success in your new home building project. Contact us online.

Guidelines for Eichler Homes in Palo Alto

Written on July 13, 2019.

Expert Advice from a Trusted, Local Home Improvement Contractor

Guidelines to Preserve Your Palo Alto Eichler Home

Undertaking maintenance or remodeling of your aging Palo Alto Eichler home? The Eichler Neighborhood Design Guidelines, issued by the Palo Alto City Council, are a good starting point. Whether you are replacing expired materials, or adding lifestyle-enhancing elements, these guidelines will help you retain the characteristic features of your Eichler home.

Key Suggestions for Maintaining and Repairing Palo Alto Eichler Homes

The extensive guidelines issued by the Palo Alto City Council cover a variety of aspects important for preserving the design and ethos of Eichler communities. These include:

Recommendations on placement and design of doors, windows, roof forms and chimneys.
Advice on cladding materials, form and massing, and other exterior materials.
Suggestions for constructing basements, first-story additions, carports or garages, in keeping with the privacy requirements of the community.
Visible impact of upgrades related to mechanical systems, ducting, plumbing, and more.

Here are a few key maintenance tips to help preserve and maintain the characteristic features of your Eichler home.

Fenestration: Doors and windows are among the most noticeable features of any home. While the guidelines encourage homeowners to improve energy efficiency, they recommend treating or repairing the original windows and doors in place, if possible.

Consider options, such as adding high-quality clear films, or changing the weather stripping to reduce air infiltration and heat gain.

If you are replacing a deteriorating window trim or swapping out your single-pane windows for insulated ones, try to maintain the same size, profile and configuration as the original window.

While replacing entry doors or garage doors, opt for simple, flat appearances and minimal to no glazing, in order to blend into the signature Eichler community look.

Roof Repairs and Maintenance: The characteristic patterns of fascia, slopes and rafter ends give Eichler home roofs a degree of visual variety while retaining their modernist architectural style. If you are replacing your roof:

Try to retain the original design, height and profile of the roof, along with a relatively plain appearance.

Use roofing materials like single ply, foam, tar and gravel, or composite shingles.

Try to retain the overhanging eaves, exposed beams and soffits or the fascia boards, all of which are defining elements of Eichler homes.

If you are installing skylights or solar panels on the roof, try to minimize the visual impact of these features to preserve the Eichler look.

Replacing Exterior Cladding Materials or Paint: While repairing or replacing the existing cladding materials, maintain the vertical wood board or plywood siding. Avoid adding other materials, such as brick, stone, shingles, or vinyl to the exterior walls, as these are not in line with the typical look of Eichler homes. To repaint your home’s exterior, select colors that support the broad, mid-century modern characteristics of Eichler neighborhoods. As far as possible, use only one primary color, along with an additional trim / accent color.

While these are only guidelines, they can help you make informed decisions when you undertake repairs, maintenance or upgrades for your Palo Alto Eichler home.

Hire Palo Alto’s Trusted Construction Contractor for your Eichler Home Repairs or Remodeling

As Palo Alto’s premier home improvement contractors, the team at Flegel’s is well-acquainted with the guidelines for preserving and maintaining Eichler communities. We have extensive experience in repairing and reviving Eichler homes, without detracting from their overall character. With creative designs and skilled craftsmanship, we can transform your Eichler home into a more attractive, functional space that is better suited to your lifestyle and preferences.

Check out our many Eichler home remodeling projects across the Bay Area, including Palo Alto, Mountain View and Sunnyvale, CA. A growing base of happy customers vouches for our consistent service and superior finishes.

Need repairs, upgrades or remodeling for your Palo Alto Eichler home? Set up a consultation with one of the experts at Flegel’s Construction. Contact us online.

Building a Home in California is Expensive – Part 2

Written on May 29, 2019.

Building a Home in California Has Many Expensive Obstacles

Cost of Materials is a Key Factor

If you are exploring the idea of a personal haven in the Golden State, you’re probably wondering why building a home in California is so expensive. Creating your dream abode is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. However, the continually increasing cost of labor, materials and permits can make building a home in California very expensive.

As Silicon Valley’s premier construction experts, we are well-versed with the factors that impede new construction in this region. In the first of our 3-part series on this subject, we shared the issues that contribute to rising labor costs. We now investigate the second barrier: the escalating cost of materials.

Part 2: Expensive Materials Making Your California Dream Home Project Challenging?

Almost everything in California is more expensive than the rest of the country. The same holds true for labor, construction materials, permits and government fees for building a home. A study by Terner Center for Housing Innovation suggests that overall construction costs across the U.S. increased by 11.8% from 2011 to 2016. However, during the same period, construction costs in San Francisco grew by 12.6% and in Los Angeles by 13.6%.

Here are some factors that impact material costs in California.

Basic price fluctuations: Many commonly used construction materials have seen a significant price rise in recent years. According to the Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. (ABC) analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, April 2019 release, overall construction input prices are up by 2.5% in the twelve months from March 2018 to March 2019. This includes:
- 5.9% increase in fabricated structures and metal products
- 4.7% increase in iron and steel
- 4.5% increase in plumbing fixtures and fittings
- 8.4% increase in asphalt, tar roofing and siding products
- While softwood lumber showed a marginal increase during this period, it had a price escalation of 23% between June 2017 and June 2018.

Tariffs and trade policies: The imposition of tariffs and possibility of trade wars, combined with rising interest rates is a potent combination that causes construction material costs to skyrocket. For example, the trade policies of the current government have put a hefty price tag on steel, aluminum and lumber. As per the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), after the levy of tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber, supply falls short of the demand. A tight inventory leads to steep prices. They estimate that rising lumber prices alone contribute to a $4,000 increase in the cost of building a single-family home. While talks of trade deals for steel and aluminum are still underway with the European Union, California’s building material costs have yet to see their impact.

Prescriptive building standards: California’s building standards and codes are stringent. Contractors must use a specific quality of building materials for windows, heating or cooling systems and insulation, in keeping with the state’s energy efficiency goals. Meeting these standards and codes means sourcing higher quality, usually more expensive materials.

Hire an Experienced Contractor to Build Your Dream Home

At Flegel’s Construction Co., we specialize in constructing new homes that are attractive, functional, and most importantly, built with high quality materials. We are aware that several builders use sub-standard or replacement materials to help clients save thousands of dollars in upfront construction costs. However, in our experience, such homes face several long-term issues, including warped walls, cracked plaster on internal and external walls, warped decks and uneven floors.

Our skilled team works to your exact specifications to deliver your dream home with speed, efficiency and quality. Happy customers in and around the Bay Area are enjoying stylish, comfortable spaces, suited to their lifestyle. Now, it’s your turn!

Building a home in California is expensive, but isn’t that true of any dream home? Don’t give up on your dream. Contact us online to discuss your project.