Your Guide to Kitchen and Bathroom Renovation

David Pinsley is vice president/senior designer/sales executive for First Rate Renovations, Inc. and Cultured Marble Products in San Leandro, California, serving the East Bay area. He has been in the business for more than 40 years, and knows everything about remodeling and renovating kitchens and bathrooms, and how to get the best value for your money. Here he gives his expert advice on everything from design-build tips to proper hood venting to the benefits of cultured marble products in the bathroom.

What is a Design/Build Team?

If you want to hire people who will be there from the very beginning to the very end, these are the people for you. They will oversee the job and coordinate everyone on the project so you don’t have to.

How to Choose a Design/Build Team

The great thing about hiring a design-build team is that you will have the same people overseeing your renovation project from conception to completion. That makes the need for finger-pointing superfluous if not everything goes according to plan, and just makes life that much easier overall.

Design-Build Tips

Know what you want, take your time and don’t be in a rush to hire the first person you talk to. If you want to get the job done right, you have to be willing to put in the time that requires – and do your homework.

Free Design Consultations

There is no such thing as a free lunch, and really no such things as a free consultation unless you want one that is pretty much worthless. Read on to see how “free consultation” should really mean “initial consultation.”

Reducing the Cost of Remodeling

Once you have a budget in mind, you can decide what needs to be done. Once everything is settled, you can look again and see where you can snip off corners to reduce your budget. But you need a tried-and-tested plan in the first place.

Reasons to Remodel

If you are tired of looking at your old kitchen or bathroom, it may be time to remodel. You might also want to call in the contractor if your sink leaks, your countertops are fading, your refrigerator stinks of mold and your cabinets are creaky.

Proper Hood Venting

If you want to convert your electric range to gas, the process is not all that difficult. But you have to know how. Read on to find out the most important things to keep in mind.

Why Does Grout Crack?

Grout can crack for a variety of reasons, and often the problem is because it was not mixed properly in the first place. Read on to learn how to identify the problem and how to fix it.

Getting Rid of Mildew on Paint

Mildew is often a prime cause of paint failure. But you cannot just paint over it. Getting rid of this dreaded fungus can take a lot of work, and you may need to call in a professional to make sure it does not return.

Trends in Kitchen Design

Do you have a wine captain, an enormous stainless steel refrigerator, and a huge island? What about pantry space? All these – and more – contribute to having the most up-to-date kitchen imaginable.

Increasing the Resale Value of Your Kitchen

There are plenty of rules to follow when it comes to getting the best bang for your buck as far as a kitchen is concerned. One thing to keep in mind is to keep it neutral, another is that you cannot go wrong with stainless steel appliances.

Should I Design My Kitchen Myself?

Are you a designer? Do you know how to measure things properly, taking side space and other important factors into account? If not, it is best to leave it to the professionals who have years of experience making the best kitchens possible.

Trends in Bathroom Design

The most beautiful bathrooms are usually the ones where the owner has the biggest budget. Of course there is no accounting for taste, but the more money, you have the more luxurious a bathroom you can build.

Best Bathroom Upgrades

Who doesn’t want a bigger, better and more luxurious bathroom? Heated floors, whirlpools, plenty of storage space – the list goes on and on.

Should I Build a Bathroom Spa?

If your goal is to come home after a hard day and relax in your own steam bath, sauna or whirlpool bath, then the answer is a resounding yes. But you need the space and a realistic budget.

Designing a Personalized Handicapped Bathroom

It is not hard to design the perfect bathroom with incredible access as long as you take the specific needs of the individual who will be using it into account. And there is no need to sacrifice taste and luxury for practicality.

Building a Handicapped Bathroom

Lots of ways are now available to build the perfect handicapped bathroom. Whether you want a walk-in bath, grab rails or a place to wheel a shower or wheelchair around, it could not be easier…

What Are Cultured Marble Products?

These are beautiful manmade products that can have a swirl of color added to them. They are made from real natural marble dust added to a resin, and are durable and lovely. Best of all, they stand up well over the test of time and are easy to clean.

Why to Use Cultured Marble Products

Cultured marble products are extremely durable, are incredibly easy to clean and do not require any grouting. So if you are fed up with cleaning your grout in the bathroom week after week, cultured marble may be for you.

Getting a Bath Made of Cultured Marble

This product can make beautifully seamless products that do not require the use of any grout. They are durable and can be made to any color you desire. They are also easy to maintain, so you can forget about cleaning the grout in your bath.