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Kitchen Makeovers Are a Big Part of Home Renovations

Don’t Limit Your Remodeling to a Kitchen Contractor

As you plan your kitchen update, have you considered how to coordinate the changes with connecting rooms — or your whole home for that matter? Architectural details, colors, and materials can pull together a cohesive look, even if their design inspirations are decades apart. At Flegel’s Construction, we go beyond what a kitchen contractor can do, by facilitating comfortable family lifestyles. While they tend to be the most popular, kitchen makeovers are a big part of home renovations. So, when you partner with our design team, we consider nearby rooms, the outdoors, and the rest of your home.

How to Rethink the Kitchen with Your Whole Home in Mind

Often, homeowners hire a kitchen contractor to change cabinetry, install new appliances and change the flooring. While these may be part of your remodeling task list, why limit your kitchen makeover to these changes? For a true transformation, think beyond the space within your kitchen. You can blend your new kitchen design with elements in connecting rooms for greater impact.

Here are a few considerations we take into account to ensure your dream kitchen matches the form and functionality your family needs:

  • Add elements that match the architectural detail of the adjacent rooms. Custom cabinets and countertops that coordinate with woodwork in your adjoining living room or family room minimize differences to create consistency in the overall look of the space.
  • Do you have a traditional fireplace? Kitchen wall and floor tiles with a similar look and feel can help ensure a seamless look. For example, vintage ceramic floor tiles convey a rustic look in the most modern kitchen.
  • Enjoy custom kitchen remodeling for Eichler homes. If you own an Eichler home, we can integrate a kitchen design that won’t mar the distinctive open concept feel. Glass backsplashes, white marble counters, and white or neutral cabinets update your kitchen while blending in with distinctive Eichler architectural elements. We’ll also take advantage of natural light streaming through your floor-to-ceiling glass walls.  
  • Consider statement lighting fixtures. Match the pendant lights that hang over new countertops and islands with the lighting scheme in your living room or dining room. Statement lighting can help tie together an open floor plan.
  • Plan for a spacious look. Kitchens designed in the 70s and 80s often feel isolated and restricting to modern families. Our licensed contractors can execute a more efficient layout that doesn’t cut off the chef from conversations and social activity in adjoining rooms.
  • Do you need more storage? You don’t have to double the size of your kitchen for more storage opportunities. However, our experienced contractors can add on space to expand your kitchen or blend it in with your outdoor living area. You can have a place for everything and everything in its place!

Let’s Think Beyond Your Kitchen for a Stunning Home Makeover

Get the help you need for a kitchen that fits your lifestyle. At Flegel’s Construction, we can help you achieve an Insta-worthy kitchen with improved functionality, luxurious aesthetics, and homey elements that make your guests feel welcome. 

Contact us when you need a contractor who understands that kitchen makeovers are a big part of home renovations. We serve customers throughout San Jose, Cupertino, Santa Clara, Mountain View, Campbell, and Palo Alto.

15 Steps for Planning for a Major Home Renovation

Experts Suggest 15 Steps for Planning for a Major Home Renovation

Identify Your Goals, Decide on a Budget and Hire the Right Contractor

As you plan and execute your home renovation project, it’s important to know your end goal, set a budget, and consider how the renovation will impact your daily routine. Partnering with the right construction company can put your mind at ease about the details and the quality of the end result. To ensure a successful remodel, follow these 15 steps for planning for a major home renovation in the San Jose area.

Key Steps for Planning your Home Remodel

Our construction team put together a list of steps to help you avoid the struggles many homeowners find themselves in during a home renovation. Get ahead of the game with proper planning when you follow the steps below:

  1. Know Your End Goal. Are you selling your house or fixing it up for your family to enjoy? Also, consider what other homes in the neighborhood are like. Scale your renovation to achieve your goal.
  2. Set a budget. Outlining a budget can help you prioritize changes you wish to make. You should also include at least a 10% contingency fund for incidentals and unexpected costs.
  3. Map out the construction schedule. Pad in a few extra weeks to ensure you complete the project before the holidays or other important events.
  4. Conduct the necessary research. Find out as much as you can for every stage of the project, beginning with these tips for the planning stage. The designers and craftsmen at Flegel’s Construction have successfully completed many renovations in the San Jose area. So, feel free to pick their brains.
  5. Know when to ask for help. Perhaps your DIY home renovation hasn’t panned out the way you thought. After you decide which projects you could do yourself, determine whether you have the time to take them on. If you need help recovering from a DIY nightmare, the team at Flegel’s can provide a free quote on what it would take to get back on track.
  6. Ask your contractor for references. Even if you have already shortlisted a remodeling company, take that extra step to check their references. Reputable construction companies will be happy to share reviews and customer testimonials.
  7. Declutter and pack. Renting a storage pod to store and protect your belongings can help you declutter your home and make the renovation go more smoothly.
  8. Kid-proof and pet-proof construction areas. If you plan to live in your home during the renovation, take steps to keep your family safe. Installing child gates can prevent your children from getting hurt. Do you have pets? Loud, busy construction sites can stress out your cat or dog. Consider crating them or getting a trusted friend to keep them until the project is finished.
  9. Make a master to-do list. Keeping a comprehensive list can help you stay on task and adjust your budget or renovation plan as required. Work with your remodeling company’s project manager to ensure that you don’t forget items such as permits and supplies.
  10. Create drawings of your finished renovation. Whether you use software to mockup your desired changes or hire an architect, drawings help you and your construction team visualize the result. Work with a construction company that’s familiar with working with architectural drawings. This ensures that your finished project will look as good as it did on paper.
  11. Apply for permits as early as possible. Obtaining the proper building permits ensures that your remodeling project doesn’t violate structural and safety requirements. Choose a remodeling partner that understands local building codes and how to work with the appropriate authorities in your jurisdiction.
  12. Schedule cleanup time. Work with your construction team to establish starting and closing times that allow for daily cleanup. That gives you enough time to wind down at the end of the day if you live in your home during the renovation.
  13. Take the opportunity to make basic improvements. If you are stripping a room down to the studs, it might be a good time to consider whether to include electrical upgrades or improve the plumbing in your home. Although it adds to the project budget, improvements to the infrastructure of your property will increase the overall value, and they are cheaper to do during a renovation rather than at a later stage.
  14. Hire Your construction company well in advance. Book the help you need to complete your renovation ahead of time to ensure that you can finish the project on schedule.
  15. Check weather conditions. Your home renovation may include interior and exterior changes. Plan ahead to complete projects at the most advantageous time of the year.

At Flegel’s Construction, our team gives the appropriate care and attention to every aspect of your home remodeling project, from the first consultation to the final cleanup. We serve the entire Bay Area, including San Jose, Cupertino, Santa Clara and Mountain View.

To understand the key steps in planning for a major home renovation, you can rely on the courteous professionals at Flegel’s Construction. Contact us online with your questions and to book a consultation.

Top 10 Favorite Features of an Eichler Home

Decoding the Epitome of Mid-Century Modern

Eichler homes have remained a coveted construction style for several decades. With smart design principles that redefine living spaces, Eichlers have many interesting characteristics. The experts at Flegel’s offer some insights into the top 10 favorite features of an Eichler home.

Understanding the Timeless Appeal of Eichler Homes

Built as affordable residences in the 1950s and 60s across Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area, Eichler homes are full of panache and amenities. No other construction style comes close to the minimalist design, open floor plans, and bright, airy ambience of the Eichler homes. In fact, many cities throughout the Bay Area have introduced guidelines for preserving and upgrading Eichler homes without detracting from their characteristic mid-century modern charm.

Here are the top 10 favorite features of an Eichler home:

  • Exclusive detailing: Whether it is the simple façades, and clean, geometric lines on the exterior, or the innovative open concept living areas and exposed beams on the interiors, Eichlers offer charming details that make them truly unique.
  • Roof references: Featuring distinctive post-and-beam construction, Eichler homes usually have flat roof lines or low-sloping A-frames. The Eichlers that feature a shingled hipped roof, clipped gables, and copious use of glass offer a beautiful modern take on the traditional, thatched English cottage.
  • Indoor-outdoor living: Besides attractive indoor living spaces, Eichler homes bring the outdoors in. Generous-sized private backyards, floor-to-ceiling windows, and abundant skylights add a special touch to the typical Eichler home.
  • Underground utilities: Preserving their clean lines and minimalist look, Eichler homes feature underground utilities. Which means, the vast network of cables and pipes transporting water, gas, or electricity is usually completely hidden.
  • Potential for expansion: Most Eichler homes offer sufficient space and scope for expansions, as well as easy upgradability for 21st century lifestyles and preferences.
  • Indoor-outdoor gardens: Whether it is impressive edible gardens on the inside, or decorative foliage on the outside, the bright and airy structure of Eichler homes have an organic way of encouraging gardening enthusiasts.
  • Visual appeal: The exclusive construction style of Eichlers makes them easily recognizable on a street lined with different types of homes. Their distinctive visual appeal is a special quality in itself.
  • Atrium models: The 1959-built East Bay area atrium-model Eichlers feature a low-slung mid-century post-and-beam profile. Sleek, operable covers on the central atrium allow you to switch between a sun-drenched look and a cool, cozy one by simply closing off the area to the elements.
  • Double ‘A’ frames: Rarely available and highly coveted, the double ‘A’ frame Eichler homes offer a unique design and extra square footage. Soaring tongue-and-groove ceilings and expansive glazing makes these homes truly one-of-a-kind.
  • “Super Eichlers”: These Eichlers are usually oriented around a large tree and offer even more rooms and spaciousness than the regular Eichlers. Also known as Gallery Eichlers, only a handful of these specific models exist throughout the state of California.

For Eichler Home Upgrades, Count on the Bay Area’s Premier Remodeling Contractors

At Flegel’s, we specialize in Eichler home repairs or remodels throughout the Bay Area. Our creative designers and skilled craftsmen are well-versed with the local guidelines and building codes that focus on preserving and maintaining Eichler homes. We offer innovative, lifestyle-friendly solutions to update your Eichler home and make it more luxurious and energy efficient, while retaining its distinctive style. When you hire us, expect nothing less than creative design, superior finishes, and consistent customer service.

Check out the Eichler makeovers we have done to understand the scale and complexity of the upgrades that we can deliver.

Upgrading an Eichler home in the Bay Area? Hire the trusted Eichler home renovation specialists at Flegel’s Construction Co. Contact us online to discuss your custom home renovation project.

Tips for Planning a New Kitchen’s Storage Needs

Top Tips for Planning Your New Kitchen’s Storage Needs

Ensure an Efficient, Cost-Effective Kitchen Remodel

Drawing up a wish list for your dream kitchen may be easy when it comes to your preferred layout, lighting, appliances, or paint color. However, visualizing practical and space-efficient cabinetry can be challenging. The makeover specialists at Flegel’s offer useful tips to help you plan the storage space in your new kitchen. 

Boost Your Kitchen’s Function and Appeal with the Right Cabinetry

Kitchen remodeling is one of the most exciting projects in home improvement. A successful remodel involves:

Kitchen cabinetry is one of the most visible elements in your cook space. At the very least, you will have one wall dedicated to shelving and storage. Which means, cabinetry-related modifications play a significant role in the end-result of your kitchen renovation project.

Here are our top tips for planning a new kitchen’s storage needs:

  • Choose cabinetry according to function: Once you finalize the kitchen layout with your remodeling contractor, you will have a general idea of the available storage space and the location of your major appliances. This is the time to decide on the cabinetry according to your lifestyle and kitchen usage. What do you want within an arm’s reach? For example, wouldn’t it be practical to plan storage for the cooking utensils and supplies closer to the stove, and wine glass shelves closer to the refrigerator? Basing your decisions on better functionality will make your work in the kitchen quick, easy, and efficient.
  • Plan cabinetry types: Whether it is open shelves, closed door cabinetry, tall pullouts, drawers, or corner cabinets, each accommodates different types of storage. While some may need static shelves or racks, others could house revolving racks or some other useful features. Deciding the split between different types of cabinetry and internal arrangements will help you enhance the functionality of your kitchen. For example, consider adding trash pullouts, silverware organizers, sponge racks, and other such handy features while planning your new kitchen’s storage needs.
  • Maximize space: Determine your basic storage requirements based on:
    • Your cooking style
    • Typical ingredients and the number and size of the utensils you use
    • Appliances, tools, and equipment that you work with

Detailing your storage needs will help you take advantage of every available inch. For example, an extra 6 to 8 inches available on the side or corner of your cabinetry wall could make for a great wine bottle rack. You could compartmentalize the same space a little differently to store baking sheets, cookbooks, or recipe cards.

Make Your Kitchen Cabinetry Work for You

In addition to storage decisions, your kitchen remodeling specialists will help you make design decisions on cabinetry paneling, door styles, colors, materials, hardware, and other related components. As experts in their field, they will also propose options for usage, flow, physical infrastructure, and other aesthetic aspects. However, as homeowners, you know your requirements best. Detailing your wish list and providing timely feedback will help your contractor deliver a truly functional space that meets your vision and lifestyle.

Quality Kitchen Makeovers with Bay Area’s Top Remodeling Contractors

At Flegel’s Construction Co., we have decades of experience in delivering custom kitchen makeovers. We build cook spaces that are luxurious, lifestyle-friendly, and practical. Our team of skilled architects and master craftsmen deliver impeccable designs and superior finishes to make your dream kitchen a reality.

Happy homeowners across the Bay Area count on us for our systematic project planning, outstanding craftsmanship, and consistent customer service. If you’re looking for inspiring ideas, talk to our team about the latest trends in kitchen remodeling.

For an efficient, stress-free kitchen renovation, count on Flegel’s Construction, Silicon Valley’s premier home remodeling contractors. Contact us online to schedule a consultation.

IN THE NEWS

2018 Silicon Valley Modern Home Tour

2018 Silicon Valley Modern Home Tour

Join us on June 9th for the 2018 Silicon Valley Modern Home Tour. Be sure to see our project “Sunnymount Avenue” along the route!

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TESTIMONIALS

  • Video Testimonial

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  • I would hire Scott again in a heartbeat

    I would hire Scott again in a heartbeat. He did our Eichler total remodel from roof to radiant. The workmanship is 5-star. Scott understands the uniqueness of Eichlers and modern design.

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  • I am confident that your expectations will be far exceeded…

    “Our home in Palo Alto was in need of help. Built in the early 1950s and barely updated since, there was a lot to do. Over 12 months and two phases, our home was transformed into the perfect mid-century modern oasis for our

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  • As easy for as us as possible…

    “We interviewed at least 7 contractors for our Eichler remodel and decided on Flegel’s construction and I am so glad we did! Working with Scott and his crew was such an pleasant experience. We had heard so many horror stories

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  • Stands by his work…

    “I cannot say enough about Scott Flegel. He is on the ball. He works on the project with his employees. He has very high standards and his employees follow his example. Our architect has come back to look at the project

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