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EASING THE STRESS OF HOME REMODELING

We all know home remodeling can be stressful. Money. Inconvenience. Intrusion. Dust. Decisions. Just to name a few. Here are some of the key causes of home remodeling-related stress and how we help to prevent it.

wood kitchen floorCOMMUNICATION: Poor communication is perhaps one of the biggest factors that can cause home remodeling-related stress. As your remodeling contractor, we want to make sure you know what the remodeling process is going to be like. Whoever you would with should take the time to learn what you want and what you don’t want. You should be told what to expect at each step and what information will be needed from you. Needless to say, Sea Pointe’s puts an emphasis on clear communication not only between our staff and you, but also among our staff members and our specialty trade contractors.

PLANNING: Poor planning causes home remodeling projects to go off track and that can cause stress. A properly planned remodeling project eliminates much of the opportunity for problems to occur. If time allows, we aim to have all materials ordered prior to starting the job to avoid any delays. The fewer surprises the better. Sea Pointe’s goal is to avoid ALL surprises.

GUIDANCE: While some homeowners really enjoy the design and selection process, for others, it can be stressful. However, if you have worked with us, you already know that we are always willing to provide guidance in both design and construction. And, with the comfort of knowing you have a go-to for all your questions, you can eliminate stress and enjoy the creative process of your new remodel.
Design/Build Process: One way of running a remodeling project is to hire an architectural firm to design a project and then put the project out to contractors for bids. However, this involves extra steps, as well as involving additional companies. And worse, with this approach there is the chance that what was designed won’t be buildable within your budget. This added complexity and uncertainty can easily cause stress. This is why we work as a Design/Build firm. Design/build offers homeowners peace of mind, simplicity and the ease of working with one trusted company from concept to completion. As the general contractor will are responsible for solving any issues relating to the design or the construction. This helps us ensure that our client’s projects will be completed on time and within budget.

TRUST: During the construction phase of your project you can have people in your home for weeks, or even months. Trust is a critical component to this. If you don’t trust the people working in your home, it can be even more stressful than just the constant invasion. When working with Sea Pointe, you can rest assured knowing that our team is carefully selected and trained to work in occupied homes. Our reputation depends not only on providing you with a fantastic-looking, well built, trouble-free project but also on making sure your remodeling experience was comfortable and smooth.

If you would like to lessen your chance of getting stressed out by your next home remodeling effort, be sure and contact us about your project. Then just relax and enjoy.

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SIZZLING KITCHEN REMODEL IN IRVINE

We are very excited to share this gorgeous kitchen in Irvine on the blog today.  These Sea Pointe clients love to cook and were ready to come home to their dream kitchen.  Since they were willing to think outside the box , they decided on two cabinet door styles in their kitchen—one for the upper cabinets and one for the base cabinets.    All cabinets are Bellmont 1900 series and for the base cabinets they decided on the Kahana door style in Sapele with French Roast.  For the perimeter cabinets, as well as the uppers, they went with the Islands door style in Sapele Natural with a Caramelized Bamboo finish.  On their large island they blended both kitchen cabinet styles to create synergy throughout the kitchen.  To check out more before and after pictures, see our facebook photo album: Sizzling Kitchen Remodel.

To bring interest to the island, our Sea Pointe designer helped our clients to pick out a slab of Silver Wave, a natural stone with tons of movement, while picking  a quartz product from Cambria for the perimeter countertops (style shown is Buckingham).  You’ll also note that we added glass door panels on each end of the island to add another elegant design element to the kitchen.

The backsplash in this kitchen is a glass mosaic in Golden Gate with a 4 ½” metal liner that is carried over from behind the hood.  The appliances chosen by the client include a Wolf dual fuel range, chimney hood, and drawer microwave oven.  They also add a wine cooler for entertaining in addition to the Sub-Zero side-by-side refrigerator.

Once we began construction, this couple also decided to replace their front entry tile to tie into the new kitchen as well as giving the adjoining powder room a facelift.  Sea Pointe also helped re-construct their fireplace and built-in entertainment center to round out the great room space.

We are thrilled to showcases how creative our designers and clients can get when they take a vision and craft a design.  If you have any questions about this kitchen or the products used, please don’t hesitate to email at clientservices@seapointe.com.

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SLASH ENERGY COSTS IN YOUR HOME REMODEL

If you’re considering a home remodel in Orange County, you may want to think about ways to incorporate upgrades that will reduce your energy bills. With a large project scope that involves opening or moving walls, just bringing your home up to current building codes will provide dramatic improvements to energy usage. But overhauls of drafty windows, under insulated walls and timeworn cooling and heating systems will minimize monthly bills and keep your family more comfortable year-round.

I bet you’re wondering, “Where do I even start?” Well, there would be little point in installing a high-efficiency HVAC (heating, ventilation & air conditioning) system without first sealing up the exterior of your home. First, consider what time of insulation you are willing to invest in. Spray foam insulation is roughly two to three times the cost of your standard fiberglass batting, but offers two to three times the effectiveness. The spray seals every nook and cranny, creating an air barrier, eliminating drafts. You also need to remember that a wall is only as airtight as its windows.

If you’re in the market for a new HVAC system, consider one that uses hot water as the “fuel” to heat the air stream—it’s about 96 more efficient—better than any furnace. The best feature is that it adjusts both the water temperature and the fan speed according to the system’s sensors. The equipment keeps up-to-the-minute track of weather conditions and the zones within the house demanding airflow. To expand on this, a favorite energy saver are the Nest thermostats. Using complex sensors, the Nest will learn your family’s routine and constantly reprogram based on real-time data. Each one can also be set up manually either in the home, or from a smart phone allowing you to alter your home’s environment from the road. The unit is said to reduce heating and cooling costs by up to 20 percent.

With just a couple upgrades and modifications, it’s easy to have more energy efficient home and watch those energy bills drop right before your eyes!

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BE THANKFUL FOR YOUR HOME: Care for It!

Easy Care for High Maintenance Surfaces

Hardwood

Problem: Dirt can dull flooring and make it difficult to reseal

Try This:  Sweep frequently.  For regular cleanings, wrap a damp rag around a push broom and plow away grim.  On tough messes, try a wood-safe cleaner.  Apply a coat of polyurethane as soon as the floor shows wear.

Skip That: Ditch silicone or acrylic-wax polishers and conditioners, which can leave a buildup that prevents polyurethane from adhering to the wood.

 

Granite

Problem: Though hard and durable, it can become stained, by oil in particular.

Try This:  Clean granite with warm or diluted dish soap, and dry immediately to prevent watermarks.  If oil seeps in, try a nontoxic degreaser, like Simple Green.  Coat annually with a water-based sealant.

Skip That: As with marble, acidic cleaners can eat away at granite, so don’t use them.

 

Stainless Steel

Problem: Aggressive cleaning, especially of fingerprints, can lead to scratches.

Try This: Remove fingerprints without streaking by rubbing in the direction of the grain with a soft cloth dipped in undiluted white vinegar; buff with a dry cloth.

Skip That: Avoid chlorine, like bleach as they can cause corrosion.  Also steer clear of harsh abrasives, which is a recipe for scratches.

 

Marble

Problem: This veined stone is easily scuffed, scratched and stained if not properly treated.

Try This:  Apply a nontoxic water-based sealer every six months to protect from frequently used counter tops.  Use a mild detergent to general cleaning, then target deeper stains with hydrogen peroxide.  Try ultra fine steel wool to buff away small scratches for scruffs.

Skip That: Never use anything acidic (even seemly harmless vinegar) to clean marble; it can dissolve and etch the stone’s top layer.