Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Resources to finding the right general contractor

Finding the right general contractor can require a lot of research, reference checks, and be generally very time consuming.  Unfortunately, the risk of not finding the right contractor can be even worse.  Ending up with the wrong general contractor cause further headaches and even result in litigation for incomplete work.

The key is to find contractors that are both reliable as well as willing to work with you to create your dream home.  Besides the general contractor serving as the individual whom you coordinate your project with, a good general contractor also serves as your business partner, consultant, and advisory board.  You should feel comfortable bouncing your ideas off the general contractor and he/she should proactively guide you along the process.  A good general contractor will advise you along the way and giving you input where necessary to help you avoid problems.  The more experience the contractor has in your field of work, the better the result will be.  Remember to look for a general contractor that has a lot of experience in the type of work you wish him/her to perform.

Since remodeling and/or building a custom home is such a large and long term investment, being cheap in the near term may create problems later on.  Building your dream home is a lot like getting LASIK.  There are many cheap offers out there but it's better to spend a little more and be sure your getting the procedure done right.

A good place to start will be the Better Business Bureau.  They are a great resource for someone new to the business to quickly find out if the contractor is legitimate, as well as if there are any compliant filed against the company.  For more information please click here.

In addition, you want to make sure you are working with an individual licensed to work in your area.  There are individuals out there soliciting your projects that have never taken the exam and been certified by the California State License Board.  Some other individuals may have let their license lapse.  You want to make sure that the license of the contractor you are planning on hiring have the most up to date credentials.  For more information please click here.

Avoid businesses that require you to deal with multiple project managers, as many items can be forgotten or lost in translation.  End of the day, the general contractor you choose will be working with you for the next 12-18 months to complete your custom home/remodeling.  Because of this, personality match will be important as well.  Generally you will want to work directly with the owner/general contractor, as he/she will be the individual who can exert the most influence on the outcome of the project.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Fremont Wooden Project

This two story house built in 1998 on Wooden Hills in Fremont is located in Mission Hills. The 4300 sq ft of living space includes a living room, family room, dining room, breakfast room, kitchen, laundry room, 1 master bedroom, 4 bedrooms, 1 power room with shower, 1 master bathroom and 2 full bathrooms. Attached to the house is a 3 car garage. The dining room, hallway, family room and kitchen are separated with columns.

The entrance features a granite floor and curved maple wood stairs. The flooring for the house along with staircases are sold maple hardwood. The kitchens are finished with maple cabinets and granite counter tops. The master bathroom has a jacuzzi, and shower room with steam finished with marble. The backyard includes a swimming pool and the two fireplaces are located in the family room and living room.


Fremont Vistahill Project

This two story house on Vistahill Terrace, Fremont, located in Mission Hills was built in 1999. The 5500 sq ft of living space features a living room, kitchen, laundry room, 2 master bedrooms, 5 bedrooms, 1 powder room with shower, 2 master bathrooms and 2 full bathrooms. Next to the kitchen is a walk –in pantry and storage room. There is a 3 car garage that is attached to the house.

Included in the family room is a wet bar and fireplace. The master bedrooms and living room have fireplaces as well. The two master bathrooms have jacuzzis and shower rooms. One of the shower rooms has a steam feature finished with marble slabs.

There are many aesthetic details in this house including a curved ceiling with an octagon design, curved walls, various levels and curved floors and decorated columns.

Palo Alto Ramona Project

This two story house on Ramona St in Palo Alto was built in 2002. The 2800sq ft of living space includes a living room, family room, dining room, breakfast room, kitchen, laundry room, 1 master bedroom, 4 bedrooms, 1 master bathroom and 2 full baths. Attached to the house is a 2 car garage.

Inside the master bathroom is a jacuzzi and shower room. The entire house has solid hardwood oak floors and cherry cabinets with engraved cabinet molding. The counter tops are covered with granite and marble slabs, while each bathroom features different designs mixing both ceramic tiles and marble tiles and slabs. The curved stair rail features an eye catching design and the multi-leveled roof also features a variety of designs.

Palo Alto Ross Project

This two story house on Ross Road in Palo Alto was built in 1999 and has 3900sq ft of living space, featuring a living  room, family room, dining room, breakfast room, kitchen, laundry room, 1 master bedroom, 3 bedrooms, 1 powder room, 1 master bathroom, and 3 full bathrooms. There is a 3 car garage attached to the house.

The master bathroom has a jacuzzi and shower room finished with marble slabs. The entrance floor, bathroom walls along with the fireplace and kitchen counter tops are covered with granite slabs. The floor, cabinets and curved stair rails are made of solid maple hardwood. The exterior entrance columns and floor are a precast design ordered from Architectural Facades.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Palo Alto Addison Project

This two-story custom new house in Palo Alto was built in 2000.

It has 4300 sq ft of living space with a living room, family room, library, theater, dining room, breakfast room, kitchen, laundry room, 1 master bedroom, 5 bedrooms, 1 powder room, along with 1 master bathrooms and 3 full bathrooms. There is a large pantry room next to the kitchen. The master bathrooms have a jacuzzi, shower room with steam, all finished with marble slabs. There is a 1 car garage, and one carport in the backyard, detached from the house. The garage gate is remote controlled.

The house has solid maple hardwood floors and staircase. All cabinets are also made of solid maple and the counter tops are granite. The floor and trim of the exterior front entryway and the floor and handrail of the patio and stairs are cast stone ordered from Architectural Facades. All downspouts are made of copper.

Palo Alto Louis Project

This two-story custom new home in Palo Alto was built in 1990.

It is 3600 sq ft. living space with a living room, family room, library, dining room, breakfast room, kitchen, laundry room, 1 master bedroom, 5 bedrooms, 1 powder room, along with 1 master bathroom, 3 full bathrooms, and an attic used as a playroom. There is a 3 car garage, and 1 carpool attached to the back of the house.

There is a round skylight above the curved staircase. Between the staircase and front window on the second floor, there is a beautiful and bright tea area, along with another rest area in front of the master bedroom.

There are two fireplaces--one in the family room and another unique freestanding wood burning fireplace in the living room. The hardwood floors are maple, while the bathrooms are tiled with marble. There is a whirlpool jacuzzi and Spanish tile roof.

There is a Japanese garden surrounded by a stucco fence, and automatic gate on the driveway.