K.C. Customs & Remodeling, Inc.

Don't Move. Improve!

2011-11-21T14:23:00.001-08:00

You may already be living in your dream home and you just don't realize it!

You don't need to leave your neighborhood to get the home that you want. All you need is a list of what you would like to improve, a designer to help you visualize it and a builder to get it done.

There are many reasons why remodeling could be the better choice for you.

Here is our top 5 reasons to remodel:

1. Customization:

You get to customize the way you live! You are already settled into your life, why leave your great neighborhood and uproot your family to get the home you want? Stay put and fix it up.

2. Cost Effective:

The only other option that comes close to living in your deam home would be to build a custom home from the ground up. While K.C. Customs can do this for you, you should know it is more costly than just making a few changes/updates to your existing home.

Even if you just moved to a new home there is no guarantee it will have everything you need/want. Buying a new home and paying all the moving costs would be a lot more expensive and inconvenient than staying in your current one.

3. Double your space:

You can double your living space by building up, finishing your basement or utilizing garage space. Maybe your family is growing and all you need is another bedroom, or just another bathroom. A new addition would be a simple solution to a "growing" problem.

4. Value:

Increase the value of your home simply by updating materials. Next to adding living space with a bedroom addition, the best way to increase value is to remodel your kitchen. With a kitchen, it is all confined to one space of your home. Update your cabinetry, get a new counter material, add interest with a backsplash... There are numerous simple ways to update the space.

5. Energy Savings:

New windows, insulation, roofing and weather stripping to seal up the house so you don't need as much energy to heat or cool your home.

More efficient equipment such as tankless water heaters that use less energy. This water heater fires up instant heat so it isn't running when you don't need it. If you take a 15 min. shower you've only used 15 min. compared to 1,440 min. (that's 24 hours)

Cutting down on wattage (electrical use) by utilizing different lights. Fluorescent lights only take 24 Watt and LED lights take even less at 7 Watts. Compare this to your normal Incandescent light at 75 Watts and you can clearly see the difference in energy used.

At K.C. Customs, we are here to make your home interior dreams come true. We can take any room and transform it into a living space you will feel at home in. We will work to create an environment that you will fall in love with!

Veterans Day!

2011-11-11T14:28:00.000-08:00

Happy 11.11.11 everyone!

Veterans day is a day for us to pay tribute to our brave soldiers who protect and serve our great country.

Thank you to all of those who have served our country. We are proud of you!

Before and After Gallery

2011-11-07T16:00:00.000-08:00

If you are anything like us, you probably love a good before/after picture gallery.

Here is just a sampling of our collection:

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

Like what you see? To view the entire gallery, visit our website or you can give us your feedback on facebook album. We would love to hear from you!

New Deals!

2011-11-02T16:45:00.000-07:00

$30 for 2 hour in-home interior design consultation from K.C. Customs & Remodeling, Inc. ($300 Value)

Bring a bit of elegance into your home with specialty design services from K.C. Customs & Remodeling, Inc. -- a premiere full-service interior design firm focusing on residential/commercial interior design.

Our Designers put their full experience into every design, with special care toward space planning, color scheme and decorating along with graphics design offer the perfect blend for modern day interior styles. Making sure that every design reflects your persona, attention to detail and an exceptional eye for color has helped them design beautiful yet functional homes.

Mention this deal while making an appointment!

Rainy Days at Sunset Celebration Weekend?

2011-06-03T14:02:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday, Everyone!
Well, we have been on weather watch this week, looking at the forecasts of impending rain for the weekend. If you have been following our blogs, you know that this Saturday and Sunday, Sunset Magazine is having their annual Celebration Weekend, which is one art/wine/homeshow not to be missed. (http://www.sunset.com/marketplace/celebration-weekend-2010-00418000067282/)

We will have our typical trade booth there for anyone interested in remodeling, new builds or just a spring update to their homes, not to mention our design services. Yes, even in the unusual weather, we are still looking forward to this show and will be there with umbrellas, smiles and maybe even a nice glass of wine in hand, (if not some of the great gourmet and artisan food tidbits).

So, we just wanted to put the word out to our friends, followers and future clients that we will be there rain or shine and we really hope that you take time to come by and say hello. As usual, no pressure sales and lots of information freely given at your request. Cheers!

H. Kitchen Remodel Before and After

2011-05-25T09:38:00.000-07:00

The H. Kitchen Remodel is complete!

This is what our final design drawings looked like.

This is what the project looks like actually built!

As you can see, the only real differences between the drawing and the physical result is that some of their materials (ie. backsplash) changed.

If you remember our first post, this began as a narrow galley kitchen. You had to walk through the kitchen to get into the family room.

Now, you can walk directly from the entry to the family room. We opened up the wall that connects the two rooms and covered the stairs with new hardwood flooring instead of the carpet you saw before. The result is this beautiful transition from entry to kitchen to family room.

There was next to NO counter space due to having a cook top and a separate wall oven.

Now, they have a slide in, with ample counter space on either side of it. Taking out that wall oven gave them more room for upper cabinet storage as well.

Before, there was never really a good place for the refrigerator. This area looked awkward and unfinished.

Now that the entry is moved to the other side, we moved this end of the kitchen into a "U" shape. This gives the refrigerator, sink and dishwasher a better designated area to be.

Want to see more? You can see all of the pictures on our website or check it out and let us know what you think on Facebook.

Update

2011-05-23T11:16:00.001-07:00

A few months back we were working on a full home remodel. The family wanted to update their home to a contemporary design.

One of the challenges when undertaking this kind of remodel is working with the city. If you plan on changing the exterior of you home, it is likely you will have to go through a design review.

At first look, the city seemed to think that our design would be able to go through. We submitted our design plans and let the city take a closer look. According to the guidelines, the garage needs to be 2 car's wide. Our plans only allowed for 1. The plot didn't allow for us to expand out to achieve a 2 car garage. We would have to cut into the living space to make room for another car.

After some deliberation, we decided along with the client that this was not worth the compromise. Alas, this project will never be built.

Z. Master and Guest Bathroom Remodel

2011-05-20T15:58:00.000-07:00

We remodeled this couple's Master Bathroom, Guest Bathroom, and replaced their old carpet with beautiful wood flooring. This was a nice and simple remodel that didn't require much more than updating materials. It is amazing the difference that something as simple as that can make.

Master Bathroom:

Two simple changes they made to the Master Bathroom Immediately updated the look. The first being that they replaced the hanging pendant lights with wall mounted sconces. They also took out the carpet from the vanity area and replaced it with tile.

Guest/Hall Bathroom:

The first obvious thing from this bathroom that needed to go I would say is the wallpaper. It really dated the look of the Guest/Hall bathroom.

Linoleum was replaced with tile. The interesting thing about the tile is that pieces of the back splash were cut and placed into the flooring. This really helps tie the materials together

There was one minor wall change. They took out the wall separating the tub and the toilet to make room for the tub they've always wanted. They replaced the tub with a stand alone clawfoot tub. They couldn't be happier with it. We ran wainscoting around the walls which really finished off the look and feel that the clawfoot tub brought in.

Want to see more? You can see all of the pictures on our website or check it out and let us know what you think on Facebook.

J. Kitchen Remodel

2011-05-16T13:00:00.001-07:00

This April we were busy, busy busy finishing up jobs and getting pictures!

One of our favorite transformations was this Kitchen Remodel.

Here is a shot of the kitchen looking toward the backyard. As you can see the sink sat directly under the window. There is a half wall separating the kitchen from a laundry area. This wall really closed off the kitchen as well as closing off light from coming in. Design wise, this partition wall created a lot of problems.

Here is essentially the same shot after the remodel. The sink moved from the window to the wall where there was previously a short partition wall. Removing that partition wall opened up so much space, you can see already how much this kitchen has brightened up.

Now we'll take a look at the opposite shot toward the front of the house. You can see how the partition wall eliminates any room for counter top or cabinet space.

After we came in there is so much more cabinet space that, when asked about it, the client told us they still hadn't filled all the cabinets yet. The slide-in-stove was replaced with an electric cook top. There is no island hood overhead because a vent comes up from the cook top and sucks in the air from behind

This is also a really good shot to show the sun tube above. The large "light" on the top right corner of this picture is actually a sun tube. More and more clients are implementing sun tubes in their remodel projects. It is a great way to save energy and allow more natural light to flow into your space.

Here we have a look at the dining nook before the remodel.

This is the same dining nook with a custom made banquette. The windows stayed in place, but are shorter to make room for the seating. The banquette and windows were both custom stained to match the new cabinetry.

The sink was located under the window facing the back yard. Since we eliminated the partition wall, the sink was moved to another location and this area was open for anything.

We used this space to give them a workstation, storage and a place to put their cookbooks.

The wall directly opposite the partition wall was just cabinetry for storage. The problem with this type of storage is that anything above can be difficult to get to.

With all the extra storage, keeping this wall as "storage only" was not a priority. We were able to fit in a double oven, microwave and refrigerator to this wall. The reason for the counter top here is specifically for the oven and microwave. When you are taking something out of the oven, you need to have a place to directly set the hot item. The microwave is somewhat custom as well as it is a drawer style microwave oven.

Want to see more? You can see all of the pictures on our website or check it out and let us know what you think on Facebook.

B.L. Kitchen Remodel Before and After

2011-05-09T09:31:00.000-07:00

Back in August 2010, we wrote about the B.L Kitchen Remodel. You can re-read all about it just by clicking on the link.

The job is complete! Without further ado, here are just a few before and after pictures.

You can see all of the pictures on our website or check it out and let us know what you think on Facebook.

B. Guest House Remodel

2011-03-01T12:49:00.001-08:00

This client grew up in this home. When she got older, she inherited the home. It was a bit outdated in it's finishes and materials, so they looked to us for a remodel. They actually live down the street in another home, but wanted to keep this house. It is now officially their guest home.

They previously had a small narrow entry. There really wasn't much to it. Now, it has some character. It makes a great first impression as you first walk in.

They opened up the kitchen to flow with the living room and a dining nook. As you can see in this before picture, they cut an area for a skylight in the middle of the kitchen.

The laundry space became a beautiful wetbar.

Here is one of the bathrooms they had redone. They really loved the idea of wainscoting, but were having a hard time with it in the transition between the tub and shower. They found a tile that looked so much like the wainscoting, they knew they had to use it. When I walked in and saw that tile, I almost couldn't tell the difference.

They couldn't be happier, and they should be! As you can see this guest home turned out great!

You can see all of the pictures on our website or check it out and let us know what you think on Facebook.

S.H. Master Bathroom Remodel

2011-02-23T12:41:00.001-08:00

You've already remodeled your kitchen and you're wondering what to do next. Most people start work on the master bathroom.

That is exactly what this client did. She had remodeled her kitchen a few years ago, and decided it was now time to give the Master Bathroom some new materials.

She already had a decent layout. The only floor plan change that was made was the removal of a step up to the tub. The rest was simple. Refacing the cabinets, new tile, new counter tops and new paint! Sometimes that is really all it takes to transform a room from boring to sophisticated.

Her project is finally done, and this is what she had to say:

"...The remodel of the master bathroom is complete and I am very pleased withthe finished product. A large part of my satisfaction is due to the many wonderful people whith whom I worked on this project, including Craig Espinosa's initial involvement, as well as all of the "Subs" along the way and Laura Mason. Mike Farmanian and Kristi Picetti deserve speical mention. It was a pleasure working with them every step of the way.

Mike Farmanian was a wonderful project manager. He is skilled, dedicated and he demonstrated an interested and caring approach to my project. We communicated well, with phone messages, product and design suggestions as well as all the necessary details of the project..."

-S.H.

You can see all of the pictures on our website or check it out and let us know what you think on Facebook.

Staying on Budget

2011-01-26T13:02:00.001-08:00

Here is an update on the J.E.H Kitchen Remodel as well as a few words on budgeting.

While the clients loved the design proposal, they didn't quite love the price.
This is a problem that most people (clients or otherwise) will run into all the time.
So, what makes your budget skyrocket? Usually, it is the allowance items.

Some items in the quote will rarely change once quoted out to the subcontractors. For example, the cost of labor to install flooring, counter tops, tile, plumbing, electrical or cabinetry.
Allowance items are things that you change your mind on. This may include: appliances, tile, granite, the style of door or wood you have chosen for your cabinets, plumbing fixtures, electrical fixtures, etc.

You may have just picked out the perfect tile for your floor. It is so perfect that it matches the mosaic that will go behind the stove. This is great until you realize that you have just picked out tile that drives the cost of the job up a few hundred dollars ultimately blowing the budget.

So, how did we get the budget down for this client? Here are just a few of the changes we made.
The new sliding doors we had picked out weren't necessarily vital to the project. This cut the cost they would have spent on the doors and the work that would have needed to be done in that area on the interior and exterior walls.
We went with a new sliding window instead of a garden window.
We cut down on the amount and style of tile back splash.
We cut out a few linear feet of cabinetry. They may have lost a little bit of counter space, but overall, we've given them enough counter space that it hardly makes a difference.
We gave them hardwood flooring instead of tile that was special lay. Hardwood flooring still looks beautiful and is significantly less expensive that tiling an area. If you have just laid down hardwood floor instead of tiling, it can sometimes make your kitchen look dark. All you need to do is throw a light rug on the floor to break it up.
They decided to go with KitchenAid appliances instead of Jenn-Air.

By making these changes we were able to get the quote down to the client's magic number while still maintaining a better functioning and aesthetically pleasing kitchen.

They gave the new design proposal an "okay", and we just got it permitted last week. They will now start to meet with the Project Manager to finalize everything and set up dates for demolition and installation!

Tile

2011-01-17T10:15:00.001-08:00

We are currently working on a project for a family that is growing up. They have a boy and a girl who currently share a bathroom and it is already getting a bit cramped for them. Our solution is to give them each their own small bathroom. At the same time, we gave the parents their own updated Master Bathroom. This particular bathroom remodel meant one thing: Tile.

Tile was meticulously chosen, proposed, re-chosen and approved for each bathroom. Now comes the time to order this "perfect" tile. What most people do not realize are the things that may go wrong:

The product may be more expensive than you originally thought. Whether you forgot to check the price, or the price was raised since it was last checked, prices can be higher than expected. A solution to this may be to purchase it online from a discounted tile company. The downsides to doing this is the shipping cost, and you will likely have to buy more tile than you need because most must be purchased by box instead of by square footage.

The product has a long lead time. This was actually a problem we encountered with this project. There were no suppliers with the particular size we needed so it became a special order to be put in with a manufacturer directly. This meant a 10 week lead time when we were supposed to start the project in 3. We needed a 12x24 tile, but we found a supplier that had 24x24 in stock. They told us it could be shipped within 5-6 business days. This was the best solution for us. We ordered the 24x24 and once we receive it we can cut it down to the correct size.

Mosaics can be bought in pieces or already put together on a mesh. It is not common to order or receive a mosaic in pieces. This is because one you receive the pieces you have to puzzle them together, and your tile installer will usually charge more for this. The point here is that you have to be aware of what you are ordering. Making sure your mosaic is already put together will save you time and money.

Your product has been discontinued. It is a real headache when you've found out the tile you fell in love with has been discontinued.Once this happens, you don't have many other options other than to just pick out a new tile. More often than you think, you will be able to find a tile similar enough to the one you had picked out.

Be aware that your project might not go as smoothly as you've planned. Try to be aware of potential problems so you already have a solution when they happen. Give yourself a little room to let your project change if the need should arise and you'll save yourself a lot of grief.

We had a few of these very problems with this family's tile. Luckily, we are able to overcome them, and we are just waiting for the last couple of boxes of tile to show up. They should be able to start tile installation next week!

Update: Q. Master and Hall Bathroom Remodel

2011-01-12T15:24:00.001-08:00

Update on the Q. Master and Hall Bathroom Remodel.

The construction crew is wrapping everything up! They are currently going through the punch list to make sure everything is perfect and done!

For those who aren't familiar with what a punch list is allow me to explain. It is a list of every detail of the project. Fresh eyes come in and inspect every detail making sure there are no mistakes. For example, the punch list for this project pointed out that there were some scuff marks on the tile in one of the bathrooms. Before we can call this job "done", we have to go in and clean up those scuff marks and anything else that may not have passed on the list. This ensures that you, the client, get a perfect end product.

Keep watching and we'll have pictures to share!

Disguised Kitchen Remodel

2011-01-04T14:36:00.001-08:00

The inspiration photos this client shared with us show a very unique style. It suggests that you aren't walking into a kitchen at all, but maybe a living room. The pantry is more curio cabinet-like than anything, and there are decorative feet adorning the toe kick of all the under cabinets. Upon first look, the only thing that identifies this room as a kitchen is the sink and stove.

She had her own ideas about which elements she would like to use, and we have implemented them into our original design. The result is a beautiful, functional kitchen.

Construction Documents for Bathroom Remodel

2011-01-04T14:12:00.001-08:00

Sometimes, all you need are the construction documents for your project. We do that! We just recently spoke with a couple who have decided that are at a place where they can update their hall and master bathrooms. They had already spent a significant amount of time researching materials, lighting and plumbing fixtures before they even contacted us. Once we got what we needed to draw up the plans to be permitted, we found that they had some additional questions.

They presented us with the counter top material and what they were thinking of using for the back splash in the hall bath. We gave them feedback and quickly turned into a conversation on what may or may not work together. Our time was up, but we met again with them just last week. They had found this beautiful free standing tub to put into the hall bath. From there, we decided some of the construction drawings would need to change. They brought in pictures and samples they were using as inspiration and we were able to help them make some concrete decisions.

Their plans are really coming along great and it won't be long before construction is underway. We will have some great "before" and "after" pictures before long.

Update

2010-12-20T14:33:00.001-08:00

Update on the Master Bath/Walk-in Closet Addition.

We started demo on this project at the beginning of December! It is expected to be wrapped up and completed the first week of February.

In addition to the construction documents we drew up for them, we are giving them a full design proposal. This includes preliminary drawings of what the new bathroom is going to look like based on the materials our Senior Designer chose.

They are getting some beautiful tile from Porcelanosa, and custom cabinetry designed by our Senior Designer, manufactured by Fernandez Brothers. It is going to look great. We are confident that they are going to love their new bathroom.

H. Kitchen Remodel

2010-12-08T10:59:00.000-08:00

This client recently bought a new house and are updating the interior before moving in.

The first thing they wanted to touch is the kitchen. When you walk around the corner from the entryway you immediately walk into the narrow kitchen. It is dark, has inadequate counter space, inadequate storage and is in dire need of updated materials and appliances. From the kitchen you walk onto carpeted steps down into the family room/dining area. We aren't necessarily touching this area, but it impacts the way the kitchen is to be remodeled.

Here is the existing floor plan. You can easily see it is not currently a very good layout.

Our layout gives more light, more counter space, more storage and is overall more aesthetically pleasing.

As you can see we moved the opening of the entrance over to the wall and extended the wall. This will not only allow for more cabinets to be placed on that wall, but will give a much better first impression of the kitchen and family room for someone who is coming around that corner from the living room. We moved the steps and covered them with tile instead of carpet. This looks cleaner and will help bring the kitchen and family room together.

The window that was originally at the end of the room will be replaced with a garden window. Garden windows are great for giving the illusion that you have more space. When you walk into the kitchen and look down the end at the garden window, it looks as though the room just keeps going. When you are standing at the sink looking through that window, it brings the outside in.

They are getting all new Jenn-Air appliances including a Jenn-Air counter depth refrigerator. Counter depth refrigerators are really the way to go these days. They still hold the same amount of volume, but they fit better into any layout.

We are putting an island seating area to the kitchen with mini pendants above. This not only adds counter space, but it gives them a lot more storage space. It provides a great area to sit and chat while the cook is making a meal.

Here is a preliminary sketch of what the new space might look like.

Dish Drawers

2010-11-04T16:28:00.000-07:00

We recently ran across a potential kitchen cabinet storage problem. I'd like to share with you our solution.

This family wanted a really open kitchen and living room area. In order to make this happen, they ended up limiting the amount of upper cabinets that they could have. This didn't leave a lot of places for them to store their dishes.

Our solution? Put your dishes in your drawers!
Putting your dishes in a drawer can be very beneficial. Unloading your dishwasher suddenly becomes that much easier. No more placing heavy dishes overhead, you can just lower them into place.

"Love, love, love my drawers. I keep all of my dishes and bowls in the drawers next to my dishwasher. So easy to unload the dishwasher(of course my dd does this most of the time which makes it even easier!). The dishes do not slide around. The drawers are not extra wide~I think 15". I was really surprised at how much can fit in a drawer!" --quote taken from Garden web.com

One woman online suggest this, "If you go with dishes in drawers I really recommend the soft close feature" The soft close feature will ensure that the drawer doesn't slam every time you have to shut it. (Having that many dishes in a drawer can become quite heavy)

Contemporary Design

2010-10-21T13:06:00.000-07:00

Eichler homes are a dime a dozen in this area, so it isn't surprising when the job we are working on ends up being one. What isn't as common is when a client wants a contemporary/modern remodel design. That is exactly what this family wants, and that is exactly what we're giving them.

It's not usually a mystery why someone would want to remodel their Eichler, but this family has at least 2 really good reasons! They just welcomed twins! So, they were looking for more room to expand.

So what are some of their "must haves"?

They want separate bedrooms for their 3 kids.

Generous storage.

An office near their bedroom. As with most designers, it isn't uncommon to work late into the night and having the bedroom nearby is a plus.

A place for a guest to stay. "...not necessarily a guest room, but a place for them to have a little privacy."

Open space. They love high ceilings and a kitchen that opens up into the living room area.

Contemporary design.

There are a few challenges. The first being that there is only so much square footage allowed to expand on their lot. With any good design, it is important to optimize every space so none is wasted. You can never have too much room, it seems.

Then, there is the big one: getting the design passed through the City. Some neighborhoods have restrictions on the type of architecture allowed. Something as contemporary as the design we are proposing needs to go through a review with the city to see if it is acceptable or not. If we did not meet certain architectual guidelines, the design will never happen.

Here are our preliminary sketches of what this home looks like now, and our proposed design.

A little home that lives big

2010-10-18T10:04:00.000-07:00

Do you have a relatively small home and want to optimize your space? Here is another article from Sunset Magazine that may give you a few good ideas.

Beautiful inside and out:

This cabin near Twisp, Wash., is packed with ideas for small-home living, from its open rooms, multiple levels, creative details, and outdoor living rooms.

Every part of it is oriented toward the floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the mountain view of Washington's Methow Valley and the Cascade Sawtooth Mountains.

Outdoor extensions:

Living space doesn't have to mean four walls and a ceiling.

The Johnstons think of the veranda as another room. "The concrete steps off the veranda extend the house further," Mary explains.

"And in the summer, people sit on the granite rocks below."

Lots of open space:

"I love my kitchen," says Mary. "It's small and open and really efficient."

One of the couple's favorite things is the appliance-free island they made from a stainless steel and butcher block workspace they bought at a restaurant-supply store and covered on three sides with plywood.

"It was incredibly inexpensive, and it's become one of the central gathering spots in the house," she says.

Living space:

"Spatial economics is the idea that you should be able to live within the radius of your interaction," says Ray.

In other words, no extra rooms and no wasted space.

Cozy nook

"In a small space, the most satisfying thing is variety," Mary says of the built-in bookshelf on the wall above the staircase.

The inviting alcove is both a convenient throughway and another place to hang out.

Small sleeping quarters:

This area can't rightly be called a bedroom, so the Johnstons call it the "bed cabinet." It's a foot larger than a queen-size bed on every side.

"We were a little experimental," Ray says. Unless there's company, the doors are left open to the view.

The sleeping loft above the living room creates more spaciousness.

EVENT UPDATE!

2010-10-14T09:35:00.000-07:00

OKTOBERFEST!

Oktoberfest is coming up this weekend in Campbell.
The original "Oktoberfest" occured in Munich, on October 18, 1810 to commemorate the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxe H-Hildburghausen and by 1960, the Oktoberfest had turned into an enormous world-famous festival which is replicated the world over.
Campbell's own Oktoberfest will be held on October 16 and 17, 2010 and will showcase mouthwatering savory German foods including Bratwurst, sauerkraut, pretzels and German potato salad, a variety of beer and ales, over 100 fine artisans from all over the country and an impressive line-up of entertainment, including headliners AlpinersUSA.
We will have a booth, so come say hi, and get information on what we can do for you!

October 16 and 17, 2010
Held in Historic Downtown Campbell.
Hours: 10 am to 6 pm on Saturday and 10 am to 5 pm on Sunday
For more information contact the Campbell Chamber at (408) 378-6252

C. Kitchen Remodel

2010-10-06T14:29:00.000-07:00

This client decided it was time to give their kitchen a face lift, so they went to home shows. That is where they met Kevin.

"One of the best quotes I ever heard, “you never get a second chance to make a first impression”. This held true from the start when we met Kevin at the South Bay Home Show. The integrity and work ethic we recognized at our first meeting carried through the entire remodel project."--S & P.

After the final meeting with this client following the install of their kitchen, anyone could see how happy this couple is with the result of this project.

In fact, you can judge the quality of our work for yourself with these before and after pictures.

You can find their full testimonial and see all of the pictures on our website. Or, check it out and let us know what you think on Facebook.

A NEW LOOK

2010-10-01T14:19:00.000-07:00

We've been busy remodeling... our website! It is up and running, so go check it out and let us know what you think!

www.kccustomsinc.com

EVENT UPDATE!

2010-09-27T15:52:00.000-07:00

We have 2 places for you to look for us this weekend:

October 2-3, 2010

Lost Altos Fall Festival

10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Live entertainment

Children's Alley Featuring Scarecrow Contest

Children's Games and Train

Fine Wine's and Micro-Breweries

Over 150 Arts & Crafts Booths

Classic Car Show

Local Restaurants

Sunnyvale Rocktober Fest

10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Come celebrate where rock meets polka at Sunnyvale Rocktoberfest on Saturday, October 2 and Sunday, October 3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Plaza del Sol in downtown Sunnyvale.

Waitresses from the Firehouse Grill and Brewery will be serving Firehouse beers in Plaza del Sol to more than 50,000 guests rockin' out to the Bay Area's best bands. Local restaurants, BBQers and foodies will be selling gourmet food and delectables.

Our marketplace will be filled with more than 125 local artists and merchants, delicious food vendors and more beer! Not a beer drinker? Maybe you'd prefer our lovely wines or margaritas.

Go ahead and have a blast at the Los Altos Fall festival one day and then spend the next at Sunnyvale's Rocktober Fest! It will be a good time, we look forward to seeing you there!

Ideas on what to Remodel

2010-09-16T15:09:00.000-07:00

We like to keep updated on the latest designs and ideas, thats why we're always browsing magazines, websites and various building/home organizations for the latest and greatest. While looking through Sunset magazine, I found this article which just gives a great idea on what/why remodel. If you are looking for more space, but aren't sure how to get it, why not give this a try.

Family turns car space into people space, with room for guests.

Reed Maltzman and Jennifer Gosselin had a two-car garage off of their house in San Francisco, but they needed space for people, not cars.

A place to work or hang out with the kids:

“It’s small, but we’ve all found a different use for it when guests aren’t visiting,” says Maltzman, a fifth-grade teacher. He uses it as a quiet getaway where he can grade papers; 4- year-old Max has claimed the closet as a favorite hiding place; and Gosselin prefers the loft for napping.

“It’s exactly what we’ve always wanted,” Maltzman says. “It’s just cozy.”

They used Smith & Fong’s Durapalm for the flooring and added a dark stain. The plantation-grown coconut palm is relatively inexpensive and hardwearing.

Before

After

Replacing the flat roof with a gabled one created space for the loft, which sits above the garage’s remaining parking spot.

The couple wanted to take advantage of some roof space for the loft bedroom. It has more privacy, and there’s a nice separation if one is working at the desk below. It also allows for a messy bed to be kept out of sight. The makeover was less costly than a new addition. "We had to re-create a roof, float a wood floor over the existing garage ceiling, add a bathroom, frame new openings, and give it a seismic upgrade ― but that’s pennies on the dollar compared to building new," says architect Feldman.

This article was taken from Sunset Magazine.

I hope you got some great ideas out of this. Give us a call when you're ready to do something similar!

Full Home Build

2010-09-16T14:06:00.001-07:00

We are building a home from the ground up. This family had recently gone through the devastating ordeal of having their home burn down. K.C. Customs has taken on the responsibility of building it back up.

This family really just wanted their old home back, so they didn't change too much to their floorplan. This time around, they will have updated EVERYTHING, from fixtures to materials. Now that they getting a brand new home, they are able to fix some of the problems the old home was having. Their new home will be retrofitted as well as having new foundation piers due to the movement of the hill it sits on.

We will post pictures of the site as it develops!

EVENT UPDATE!

2010-09-07T11:48:00.000-07:00

Come check us out and get information on several Home Improvement services.

The South Bay Home show has virtually every product and service available to improve or invigorate your home.

South Bay Home & Garden Show

September 10-11-12

Friday 12pm - 7 pm

Saturday 10am - 7pm

Sunday 10am -5pm

Located at the Santa Clara Convention Center

5001 Great America Parkway

Parking is FREE!

Enter Parking Garage on Bunker Hill Road, off of Great America Pkwy. Enter Convention Center on Level Three, (Top)

W. Master Bath/Walk-in Closet Addition

2010-09-02T15:22:00.001-07:00

This couple has decided to upgrade their master suite by adding onto their home. This new addition will allow the master bedroom size to

increase by almost 60 sqft not including the masterbath and new walk in closet they will be getting in the process.

We will be taking out the original master bathroom resulting in a more open room. One of the things the owners did not like about the original master bathroom was that there was no door attached and it was not exceptionally spacious.

The new addition consists of a good sized walk-in closet and a master bath with luxurious attributes. They will gain a sauna, shower with a bench, jacuzzi tub, 2 vanity sinks and a water closet that will separate the toilet from the rest of the bathroom.

Here is the existing floorplan as well as the proposed to give you an idea of how the new addition will look.

The new master bathroom will give this couple a lot more privacy as well as a few good ways to relax.

Henry Hill Home Remodel UPDATE

2010-08-26T14:46:00.000-07:00

Here are a few of the "before" photos of the home that was originally designed by Henry Hill.

Keep watching to see how we will transform this cramped, difficult work space to a more open and updated kitchen!

EVENT UPDATE

2010-08-26T14:36:00.000-07:00

We have TWO events coming up this weekend!

Kevin and our Senior Designer Kenny King will be giving a short lecture at the California Home, Garden & Design show in Santa Clara this Friday, Saturday AND Sunday (August 27-29).

It will be at the California Home, Garden & Design show August 27-29

Santa Clara County Fairgrounds

344 Tully Road

San Jose

Go check us out at the Palo Alto Festival of the Arts.

in downtown Palo Alto from August 28-29.

See you there!

B.L. Kitchen Remodel

2010-08-23T08:05:00.000-07:00

After the contractor they had in mind told them he was busy, this client turned to K.C. Customs. They walk by our office a few times a week to take a stroll through the park down the street. They watched it change from a drab old building to our lively new office. After seeing who we are associated with from our sign, they knew they could count on us for a remodel and came in to talk.

The layout of their current kitchen and living room is just too small and difficult to live in, so they decided a remodel was in their best interest. They had been thinking about this for while and by the time they came to us, they already had most of their selections picked out and paid for. Unfortunately, they didn't know the design process, and many of the appliances they bought may not work. One of the most important issues with getting your project up and going usually comes down to you, picking out appliances and materials. It was great that they had an idea of what they wanted, they just paid for them too soon. If they had come to us before purchasing them, we would have been able to solve the problem and everything would have worked in the new space beautifully.

Fortunately we were able to work around this, and came up with a beautiful design.

Henry Hill Home Remodel

2010-08-18T10:42:00.001-07:00

Over looking the hills of Los Altos, this home was built by the student of Walter Gropius, Henry Hill. The owners bought the home several years ago before they understood or appreciated it's value.

The layout design would be snug when they had children, but "If you buy this house and learn to live in it, you will never regret it." the real estate agent told them.
All these years later, those words turned out to be true. They have never looked back. The view through the large windows overlooking the valley is truly inspiring. These days, real estate agents will drop by asking for their price for the home. "Not for sale" they say. If this home was sold, the first thing that would happen is a demolition. What a shame for a true Henry Hill design to be destroyed.

Where does K.C. Customs come in? A remodel of the kitchen. It seemed like it was designed as an afterthought. It is as if the designer suddenly remembered that a home needs a place to cook. So, the current owners would like a new kitchen, but do not want to destroy the integrity of Hill's design for the rest of the home. As with all great remodeling design, the new space should look as if it had been built that way from the beginning.

One of the ways we are able to change the kitchen is by opening up a whole wall to look over the valley. When they stand at the kitchen counter, it will feel almost as if you are outside with all the open space the open wall will create.

Another important way to update the kitchen is by updating their fixtures. We were able to find some great new fixtures that actually resemble the old ones allowing the home to look as if it were still all put together at the same time.

This home is still a work in progress. Some more issues we will be figuring out is how to get around the fact that we cannot change the laundry room. It currently occupies a portion of the kitchen.

Stay tuned for pictures and more updates on how we are able to do a great working remodel on this Henry Hill home!

EVENT UPDATE

2010-08-12T08:42:00.000-07:00

San Jose Jazz Festival

K.C. Customs will be in downtown San Jose from Aug. 14-15!

Come join us and have a good time at the San Jose Jazz Festival.

The AT&T San Jose Jazz Festival is produced by San Jose Jazz, a 23 year-old non-profit organization.
San Jose Jazz is a 23 year old mission-driven arts organization that produces culturally diverse performance and educational programs designed to build a stronger, more vibrant cultural atmosphere in San Jose and the Silicon Valley. In 1989 the organization produced its first jazz festival, in 1993 it produced its first youth education program, today the organization is a well-managed, year-round arts organization that produces 9 educational and 4 performance programs annually. San Jose Jazz brings music to over 5,700 school-children a year, and produces hundreds of concerts and events.

For more information about the festival visit their site.

Q. Master and Hall Bathroom Remodel

2010-08-04T11:47:00.000-07:00

This young couple recently purchased a home in San Jose. It is an older home with older finishes. They just couldn't stand what the previous owners had put in there. This, of course, means making a few changes to make their home not only feel more comfortable, but also increase it's value. What better way to get started than by remodeling their 2 bathrooms.

The major problem seemed to lie with the master bathroom. The floor plan not only does the master suite an injustice, but it just wasn't fitting with this couple's lifestyle. It was too small and full of old, crumby materials. Overall, this is a simple fix for us to do for them. We will be changing the layout of the master suite, giving them a better closet to go with their larger bathroom.

(before pictures) Master Bath

Other than moving the wall connecting the two bathrooms, the hall bathroom doesn't need much more than changing the existing materials. This proves that it doesn't always take a lot to improve your space.

(before pictures) Hall Bath

The whole aesthetic will be transformed from boring and old to chic and contemporary with our new layout and by choosing different materials including floor tile, wall tile, hardware and fixtures.

Work begins shortly and it won't be long before this couple can enjoy the new feel these bathrooms with bring to the home.

*Stay tuned for a project update including "After" pictures!

Save Energy

2010-07-22T15:12:00.000-07:00

Energy-efficient design is one of the best opportunities you have for cutting costs and reducing your project's harmful environmental effects.

Windows and Daylighting

• Incorporate daylight design elements such as clerestories, light shelves, skylights and high-performance windows. Increasing the amount of natural light in your building or workspace will reduce your electricity bill, as well as help boost employee productivity and satisfaction

• Specify windows with a shading coefficient no higher than 0.4 on the south, east and west and a visible transmittance level above 0.6 to let sunlight in and keep excessive heat out. If you are building in a region with hot summers and cold winters, a U-value in the .25 to .35 range will provide adequate insulation against the heat and cold.

• Tune your window specifications to your building's orientation. Shading coefficients are most important on southern, eastern and western exposures, while northern exposures should have high visible transmittance and low U-values.

Electricity Use

• Site your building according to its heating and cooling needs. Adjusting a building's orientation by just a few degrees can have a big impact on the size of your heating and cooling system and your energy bill.

• Specify lighting fixtures with a coefficient of utilization of at least 80 percent.

• Make sure your fixtures and lamps are properly sized for use with one another. For example, T-5 lamps don't work as well in direct fixtures designed for T-8 lamps and may be too bright for some direct-lighting strategies.

• Install occupancy sensors to control lighting, ventilation, air conditioning and heating in enclosed areas that are occupied intermittently, including offices.

• Instead of using recessed fixtures to light a workspace, use a pendant strategy with an open top so light will hit the work surface and also reflect off the ceiling and walls into the task area.

• Emphasize light-colored surfaces that reflect light and appear brighter.

• Hire a lighting designer. A good lighting specialist will provide solutions that cut energy costs while creating a more pleasant and productive environment.

HVAC Syetem

• Hire an independent commissioning team early in the design process to check the design, installation, calibration and performance of your energy systems and help ensure you will meet your efficiency goals. Your design should include equipment to monitor water and energy performance over the entire life of the building.

• Implement features such as low-e windows, increased insulation, task/ambient lighting and energy-efficient office equipment to reduce waste heat, which will allow you to downsize your HVAC system.

• Consider staging multiple smaller HVAC chillers, rather than one large chiller. Compressors that run near capacity are most efficient. Variable speed drives can also help chillers operate more efficiently.

• Specify oversized ducts that will deliver air at a lower speed and enable you to reduce the size and electricity consumption of your fans. An added benefit is a much quieter mechanical system.

• Implement automated building controls for your HVAC system.

Office Equipment

• Choose photocopiers, fax machines, printers, water coolers and other office equipment that carry the Energy Star label, an indication that they use an average of 50 percent less energy than standard models.

• Ensure that the Energy Star "sleep mode" features are enabled on the equipment.

• Make use of laptop computers, which use 50 percent to 90 percent less energy than standard desktop models.

• Specify computer monitors with flat screens, which use half as much energy as CRT screens and offer sharper displays and less reflection.

*ref: www.nrdc.org

Los Altos Arts & Wine Festival

2010-07-09T08:17:00.000-07:00

Saturday and Sunday, July 10 and 11 from 10 am to 6 pm, we will be featured in the Los Altos Arts & Wine Festival.

The highly-rated Arts & Wine Festival showcases the distinctive works of artists and craftspeople form over a dozen states. The Festival also features select vintages by the glass from local wineries as well as a wide variety of foods.

This is the largest two day, mid-summer event in the Bay Area! Come have a good time and stop by our booth for any questions you may have about your home.

Cabinets and Closets

2010-07-01T08:24:00.000-07:00

Another Savvy Consumer tip from Diamond Certified:

Comparison Shopping for Custom Cabinets and Closets

When you make a substantial investment in custom cabinets or closets, it’s important to get several bids, but it can be tricky. Customers trying to comparison shop may not realize that in order to do an apples-to-apples comparison, they need to ask the right questions.

Customers often forget to request a detailed breakout of the items selected, such as type of drawer slides (full-extension, over-travel, and 3/4 extension), interior material (melamine or plywood), or door hinges (multi-way adjustable or clip-on). These options can sometimes make-up more than 20% of the bid and could mean the difference between using high quality components and someone who is cutting corners. Spend the time to understand the material and accessories being provided in order to make a fair assessment of the estimates and not just go with the lowest bid.

Bathroom Remodeling on any Budget

2010-06-22T15:54:00.001-07:00

It’s a balance between good design, fixtures and space.

You know it’s time to take action when you’re watching one of those home improvement shows and the BEFORE photos of a bathroom remodel look better than yours! Outdated and unattractive amenities are no way to start and end your day. Whether your space needs a shot in the arm or a complete facelift, the transformation is within your reach.

$ Bathroom Botox®

You want to give your bathroom new life but don’t have want the hassle or expense of a big remodel? Think about a mini-facelift. By keeping your existing layout and changing out a few key items you can really bring your bath back to the future. Rejuvenate your powder room with new paint and fixtures. According to HGTV.com, hot trends are eco-friendly (think organic cotton towels and energy-efficient, table-top lighting); watercolor hues like turquoise and lush green; and brushed nickel faucets and accessories. Jim Kabel, at Case Handyman and Remodeling Services in San Jose explains that it can be as simple as swapping out towel bars and lighting fixtures but you may want to think about replacing that old toilet, too! “Custom touches like removing the medicine cabinet and filling in the wall niche and replacing the shower door with a pretty curtain or a new door in a satin nickel finish gives an immediate update.” Simple and low-cost bath projects can really refresh the space and give it new life and enjoyment,” says Jim.

$$ Bathroom Revamp

If your space needs a lot more help than just swapping out a few things, it’s time to talk to a contractor. Perhaps you’re ready to trade in that tiny, pre-fab shower stall for a walk-in one fit for a spa. And, the 1970s called and they want their vanity back! To cut costs, consider keeping the main elements: tub, shower and toilet in the same location so the plumbing doesn’t have to be moved. But, if your floor plan is so dated it doesn’t function well, a fresh layout may be just what the doctor ordered.

A trip to The Plumbery can provide endless inspiration. With locations in Dublin and Redwood City, it’s easy to visit one of their 12,000 square foot showrooms. From tubs and shower enclosures to faucets and fixtures The Plumbery is a one-stop shop for your bathroom project. “We’re seeing a move toward the contemporary,” says Sheryl Doyle. “Homeowners are desiring a spa-like feel. Rain shower heads, body sprayers, massagers and steam units make your morning shower luxurious.” Sheryl says espresso-toned vanities, glass mosaic accent tiles, brushed and polished nickel and even chrome are en vogue. Sheryl also points out that in this economy people are choosing to stay put and put their hard-earned dollars into creating the space they desire.

Jim Kabel says this “pull and replace” type of bathroom remodel is by far their most common job. A client in the Almaden Valley area of San Jose wanted new life to his well-worn bathroom. Case met the homeowner’s desires with a new maple vanity finished in rich nutmeg and topped with Kodiak Brown cultured granite and clean, modern chrome fixtures. “We replaced the standard tub with a spa tub and shower combo with shower body sprays and ceiling mounted shower head. Finishing touches included a new light fixture above the vanity and a coordinating wall cabinet above the toilet for linen storage. If leaving everything in its place doesn’t fix how your space functions, it may be time for some tear out. It can be as simple as moving the location of the vanity or more involved by borrowing some extra space from the closet.

$$$ Bathroom Overhaul

It is finally time. You’re done fighting with your spouse for space over your single-sink vanity. You want a master bath retreat with all the bells and whistles. This is the most complex type of bath remodel and requires design and architectural expertise. You want to make sure the addition blends with the existing style, character, and layout of the home. When embarking on this type of remodel, working with an experienced contractor is a must to ensure proper layout and building code compliances.

When homeowners in the Willow Glen area were ready for an overhaul, they turned to Case. The San Jose couple dreamed of transforming their 40-year-old bedroom into a master suite and bathroom. Case created more space without completely reframing the existing roof and stayed within property setbacks. Additional space was added at the back of the house and Case’s team of skilled carpenters and craftsmen produced a custom space with an open, contemporary feel. Working with well-qualified professionals for a bathroom remodel can bring together the capabilities needed for a successful outcome,” explains Jim.

by Heidi Doerfert: www.todayshomeresource.com

Taking the "Con" out of Contruction

2010-06-19T20:58:00.000-07:00

A message from the Diamond Certified Consumer Report. Written by Chris Bjorklund: The Savvy Consumer.

As long as homeowners need repair work done, con artists will be looking for opportunities to prey on them. The only way to fight back is to get wise to their tactics and schemes. That’s why I want to share part of my interview with Kia Ricchi, a licensed contractor and author of a new book, Avoiding the Con in Construction, with you.

I asked her what some of the big red flags are to help you identify the fly-by-night contractors. She didn’t hesitate. “They can’t provide a license number. They have no physical address for their business. Their office is only a cell phone,” according to Ms. Ricchi. “They’ll balk if you ask for proof of worker’s comp, or a copy of their license.” She suggests checking state government websites to verify credentials.

Con artists use scare tactics. Ms. Ricchi describes a common one. “They might tell you that your house is not up to code. But that in and of itself may not mean you need the work done. Safety issues have to be addressed in a timely fashion, but often, even though codes have changed, you probably don’t need to rush into the job.” Discuss the problem with your local building inspectors before approving any work.

Here’s another tidbit from the book. Watch out for claims about “free money” for installing more energy efficient windows and doors or adding insulation. While some rebates are legitimate and available in certain counties, make sure you understand the process and program requirements before you sign a contract.

GreenPoint Rated

2010-06-10T08:36:00.000-07:00

K.C. Customs & Remodeling, Inc. has recieved the distiction of being GreenPoint Rated.

These days, it seems like everyone's talking about green homes, and for good reason. Environmentally friendly homes not only save resources and money, they can last longer, be healthier and more comfortable, and hold their value better than similarly priced homes. But how can you tell if a home really is green?

GreenPoint Rated removes the guesswork by having a Certified GreenPoint Rater evaluate a home's green features allowing homes to be compared on a level playing field. GreenPoint Rated rewards building professionals and homeowners who create green homes by allowing them to brand their products with a recognizable, trustworthy seal of approval.
A GreenPoint Rated home is graded on five categories:

Resource Conservation

Indoor Air Quality

Water Conservation

Community

Energy Efficiency

You can learn more about green practices at Build it Green.org