Home Improvement Archives - Page 4 of 32

Orange County General Contractor Shares 5 Updates with Greatest ROI

By Inspired Remodels / Home Improvement / Comments Off

Exterior upgrades continue to deliver the best return on investment (ROI) in Orange County’s housing market. If you’re looking for the most impactful, cost-effective improvements, focusing on the home’s exterior is still the smart move. Inspired Remodels, a local Orange County general contractor shares 5 updates that return the greatest ROI. Not surprisingly, four of the five upgrades impact the curb appeal of the home and only one can be seen from the interior.

Entry Door Replacement (Steel)

Adding or updating a steel entry door returns the greatest bang for the buck in Southern California. According to Zonda Media’s 2024 Cost vs. Value Report, the money you spend on a new steel entry door returns about 300% of the cost in added home value.

Factors such as a relatively low cost for materials and labor compared to the positive high impact on exterior appearance make this update a no-brainer in the bang-for-the-buck department.

Garage Door Upgrade

This perennial ROI winner falls to second place in 2024, behind the entry door replacement. For many years, garage door replacement topped the ROI lists.

Like the entry door, garage doors won’t break the bank and add an incredible amount of curb appeal to homes.

These days, people opt for wood-look doors, doors with windows, and doors with architectural embellishments. No longer just a functional panel you raise when you take the SUV in and out, garage doors contribute to the overall style of the home.

With an ROI of 293.8% on average in this area, a garage door upgrade or replacement continues to be a great way to add value and curb appeal to your Orange County home.

After general contractor adds versetta manufactured stone panels to front of California house to look like stone

Source: Versetta Stone

Manufactured Stone Veneer

This product mimics the looks of natural stone. However, it costs less and is easier to install than natural stone, allowing it to pack a real ROI punch.

Depending on the amount of manufactured stone veneer installed, you can reap an ROI of up to 220% on a $12,000 project.

Don’t relegate stone veneer to the front of the home. This material’s versatility makes it the perfect choice for the backyard as well.

Create a Grand Entrance

Welcome home! Impress yourself, neighbors, and visitors with an impressive entryway. Removing the existing door, reframing, and adding sidelights and a new door create an awe-inspiring entry to your home.

This type of project requires more materials, more detailed work, and more labor than other exterior upgrades, so the ROI drops to 163%. Quite an impressive return on creating an impressive entrance to the home.

Minor Kitchen Remodel

This is the only interior project of the top 5 projects with the highest ROI. A minor kitchen remodel keeps the same layout, updates the cabinet fronts, replaces the flooring and appliances, and adds new hardware and countertops.

You can expect to see an ROI of about 139% with this type of update. However, this return doesn’t consider the energy savings from replacing old appliances with energy-efficient new appliances. Use the Southern California Edison Marketplace to compare the energy efficiency of your appliances before you purchase. Once you factor in energy efficiency, you may find your ROI is higher.

One Orange County General Contractor For All Your Needs

Whether your goal is ROI on the sale of your home or just a more modern, functional, and beautiful space, Inspired Remodels is the Orange County general contractor for all your needs.

From whole house remodels to kitchen renovations and shower remodels, let Joe Mueller turn your remodeling dreams into reality.

Schedule a consultation today.

Orange County Kitchen Renovation Inspiration

By Inspired Remodels / Home Improvement, Kitchen Remodel / Comments Off

Thinking of updating your home this fall? Whether you want to update older elements, create an entirely new floor plan, or create an open concept, Inspired Remodels has design ideas to get your creative juices flowing. Check out these Orange County kitchen renovation ideas and get inspired.

3 Common Reasons to Renovate the Kitchen

Most kitchen renovation projects start with a need to create a larger or more usable space. Maybe you bought a home and need to renovate the kitchen to your needs. Growing families often find their kitchens fail to meet their changing needs.

New floor plan

Some kitchen remodels start with a need for more storage or better layouts for cooking and entertaining. Homeowners want a kitchen that better accommodates their current lifestyle, whether it’s for gourmet cooking, socializing, or family meals. This often involves moving walls, windows, doors, and islands. Open-concept floor plans combine living, cooking, and entertaining areas.

Update design elements

Many Orange County homeowners update the look of their kitchens to reflect contemporary styles and personal tastes, or simply to give a new look to the space. Since the kitchen is often a focal point in homes, this room is often updated before other areas of the house.

Increasing home value

A well-renovated kitchen significantly boosts a home’s resale appeal and value. Potential buyers desire updated, modern kitchens, making kitchen renovation a smart move for homeowners looking to sell. Cosmetic upgrades like painting cabinets, replacing countertops, updating fixtures, or installing new appliances typically yield an ROI between 70-80% of the cost.

Use Contrast to Your Advantage

Mix and match cabinets. Who said uppers and lowers had to be the same color? Use complimentary but contrasting countertops. This Orange County kitchen renovation uses two colors of quartz for the countertops.

Keeping it Cool

White and grey tones give the modern Orange County kitchen a clean and cool look. From the choice of flooring to the art on the wall, this kitchen incorporates cool, coastal living vibes. Forget what you think you know about grey. Grey remains a popular color in kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms in Orange County. As a cool neutral tone, grey offers the opportunity to either add a pop of color or use black for drama.

Turning Up the Heat

2024 turned a corner on kitchen renovation trends. It marks the return of warm tones and more wood tones to the kitchen.

The warmth of the wood provides the perfect foil to the gorgous quartz countertops. Even the vent hood gets the warmth treatment with a little wood.

This Orange County kitchen renovation brought the dream of a casual, coastal kitchen vibe to life through the use of warm tones and natural finishes. Open shelves provide a great alternative to upper cabinets and make small spaces appear larger while offering great storage.

Get an Inspired Orange County Kitchen Renovation

Ready for a kitchen renovation that brings your dreams to life? Talk to Inspired Remodels. Their design and build approach to kitchen remodeling offers all the services you need while minimizing the hassle and stress of kitchen remodeling. Call (949) 716-1938 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.

4 Fall Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling Ideas

By Inspired Remodels / Bathroom Remodel, Home Improvement, Kitchen Remodel / Comments Off

As summer fades into fall, Orange County homeowners pivot their attention from outdoors to indoor spaces. If refreshing your home’s interior strikes your fancy, check out these four kitchen and bathroom remodeling ideas. Get inspired by the work of Inspired Remodels.

Add a Backsplash

Backsplashes make a splash in bathrooms and kitchens alike. Functionally, backsplashes prevent water from damaging drywall and make cleaning surfaces easier. From a design perspective, backsplashes provide a place to let your creative spirit shine.

In kitchens, use mosaic tiles, herringbone patterns, or subway tiles in designer colors for a classic yet contemporary look.

In bathrooms, create a backsplash and accent walls with textured tiles, glass tiles, or use marble or stone to add a touch of elegance.

Choose materials and colors that complement the existing decor, to create a cohesive and stylish look If the backsplash isn’t part of a comprehensive kitchen and bath remodeling project,

Add a Kitchen Island

A kitchen island addition significantly enhances the functionality and aesthetics of the area. It serves as an extra workspace, a spot for casual dining, and even additional storage.

If you love to cook, add an island with a prep sink or stovetop to work more efficiently. Is yours the home where everyone gathers? Create an island space that doubles as a buffet.

Use pendant lighting to transform an island into a focal point. Mix and match island cabinets and countertops to contrast with existing cabinets and countertops.

Whether your kitchen is large or small, a well-designed island transforms the space into a more practical and beautiful space.

Update Countertops

New kitchen or bathroom countertops create a fresh, new look without full kitchen and bathroom remodeling headaches or expenses.

Orange County homeowners love quartz countertops for the kitchen. Unlike granite, quartz doesn’t require sealing, making it an easy-care surface.

In the bathroom, granite has been the go-to option for years, but quartz is quickly gaining popularity for the same reasons people love it in the kitchen.

New countertops elevate the look of your kitchen and bathroom, giving them a fresh, modern vibe without the need for a complete remodel.

Accessorize

Sometimes, the smallest changes make the biggest difference.

Swap out the hardware on cabinets and drawers and update the look of your kitchen and bathroom without breaking the bank. These days, popular finishes include brushed nickel, matte black, and brass because they go with everything from traditional to modern styles.

In the bathroom, add lighted mirrors for enhanced visibility and the feeling of spa-like luxury every time you walk in the room.

Update the lighting fixtures in the kitchen and bathroom to create a dramatic impact without remodeling the entire kitchen or bathroom. Layer your lighting with ambient, task, and accent lighting to create functional and beautiful rooms.

Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling Design/Build Pros

Whether you plan on a minor renovation to the kitchen or bath, get a quote from Inspired Remodels. This Orange County kitchen and remodeling contractor employs a design/build approach to home improvement.

Enjoy a single point of contact and a team of professionals who make your remodeling dreams a reality.

Schedule an appointment today.