How to get started on a San Diego room addition or remodel

Homeowners often ask this question: “What’s the best way to get started on a home remodel or addition? Here are a few steps that we recommend:

1. First, identify the general contractor and architect you want to work with.  Many times the optimal situation is to find a general contractor and architect that have worked together in the past, and this can save you money when both are involved in the planning process from the beginning.  When architects and general contractors are not on the same page, a 3 to 4 month project can turn into 9 months to a year or even longer.

2. Do walk throughs of your property with the general contractor and architect to convey your vision and objectives of the project, and follow this step with preliminary drawings and cost estimates from the team. This normally takes several meetings to refine drawings and identify materials.

3. Approve drawings and costs

4. Submit plans to city for permits

5. After permit approval, set a start and targeted completion date

We asked one of our customers that followed this process about their experience with Pacific Improvements:

“We decided to do a combination room addition and kitchen expansion remodel in our home in the Birdrock area of La Jolla. Kevin helped us plan from the beginning and brought in an architect to do our drawings. By planning from the beginning, Kevin’s team was able to complete the job ahead of the initial schedule. We started with a fairly small kitchen remodel and ended up adding a beautiful family room addition with the large kitchen island that my wife always wanted. We were very impressed that Kevin was involved in the day to day work and always available to discuss what was going on.  We even made a few changes as the work progressed and found Pacific Improvements to be totally accommodating to our needs and desires.”

James P.S.

La Jolla (Birdrock)