What Is the 30% Rule for Remodeling?

Know that the 30% rule is a general benchmark, not exactly a strict budget cap. It just encourages you to keep your remodeling costs proportionate to your home’s total value. For example, if your home is worth $400,000, you would ideally aim to have your renovation cost less than $120,000.

The reason for this rule is to balance your upgrade with a realistic resale potential. Pouring extra cash into your home remodel in a neighborhood of more modest homes will not necessarily yield the financial return you would hope for. On the other hand, investing less in a higher-end property can also work against you when you are looking to sell. That is why many find this rule useful – it gives a target to aim for and helps the homeowner prioritize what to remodel first.

Prioritizing Your Budget: Where Should the Money Go?

Once you have outlined your maximum budget with the 30% rule, you then need to decide how to spend the money. The fact is that some upgrades have a bigger impact than others, both in terms of use and potential investment return.

Consider the following breakdown:

• 40% on kitchen and bathroom, which are usually the most expensive but also the areas that add the most value.
• 25% on flooring, paint, and finishes to freshen up the space.
• 20% on systems including plumbing, electrical, or HVAC.
• 15% on miscellaneous expenses or unexpected costs (almost inevitable in remodeling

Building in a contingency fund (10-15% of the total budget) can be useful in the event of unforeseen problems like hidden water damage, mold, or structural issues.

How the 30% Rule Applies Room by Room

Not every remodel needs to follow the 30% rule literally, especially if the project is focused on single rooms. Here is a rough idea of how much to spend on each room as a portion of the home’s value:

• Kitchen remodel: up to 10-15% of the home’s value
• Bathroom remodel: 5-10%
• Living room or bedroom updates: 1-3% each
• New flooring throughout: 2-5%

These smaller percentages show how the 30% rule can be applied on a micro level. This can be helpful if your renovations are being done in different phases over time.

How to Stay on Budget Without Sacrificing Style

One of the biggest challenges faced by homeowners is making design choices that do not blow the budget. Remodeling on a budget does not have to mean settling for cheap materials or cutting corners. The first step is to identify where to save versus splurge. For example, splurge on custom cabinets or quality countertops, but save on hardware, lighting fixtures, or flooring, and choose cost-effective and attractive alternatives.

Shopping during holiday sales, using reclaimed materials, and checking local reuse centers can also stretch your dollar further!

When You Can Go Beyond 30%

There are times when it is justified to go beyond the 30% rule. If you intend to live in your home for a long time and want it customized to your exact needs, then spending may be worth it. Also,  if the home is a fixer-upper, you would potentially need major repairs to make the home livable.

That being said, it is in your best interest to consult a real estate agent or appraiser before going all in, even more so if you are concerned about the resale value. Their expertise can help you see whether your investment makes sense based on market trends and local comps.

The Role of a Remodeling Contractor

Even if sticking to a budget comes to you naturally, it can be very overwhelming to handle a renovation without professional help. A remodeling contractor can be there for you to plan smartly, estimate costs realistically, and coordinate timelines with vendors and suppliers. Contractors can also guide you through local building codes and permits, which would prevent costly mistakes. A good contractor can help you stay within the target percentage and still achieve the look of your home you are hoping for. Get a consultation today!

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Modern Flooring Trends for the New Year

 The interior design elements of fashion are constantly shifting due to developments in craftsmanship and technology. Work with a professional to ensure your flooring is both classic enough to withstand changing styles and trendy enough to be “of the moment.”

Some flooring trends are gaining and set to make a space in 2025. The following have been identified as trends to watch in the industry:

1. Terrazzo 

Terrazzo is a ceramic material that can be employed for several different purposes. Many people use it for countertops, flooring, spare tiles, and other uses. Terrazzo can be cut and molded to custom specifications to give your flooring a personal touch.

2. Natural Stone

Natural stone carries a sense of gravitas in that it stands the test of time. Marble, in particular, is an ever-popular choice due to its aesthetic character and durable constitution. Natural stone can be employed in most areas of the home and is a particularly popular choice for one’s shower and bathroom.

3. Geometric Patterns

The liberal use of geometric patterns is a style forecast that many have predicted coming forth in the new year. Whether it is concentric circles or a pattern of layered zig-zags, this type of look can add depth and vitality to areas of the home.

4. Natural Woods

Natural woods are a classic choice that has remained in style for several years. This material is prized for its ability to meld with its surroundings and simultaneously enhance them. Real hardwoods can be somewhat expensive, so for those operating on a budget, it might be wiser to look into engineered hardwood lookalikes or even laminates that appear similar to the hardwood you are trying to imitate.

5. Mosaics

Mosaics are obviously a tried-and-true design choice. After all, they were utilized in the towers of ancient societies like Rome. That said, mosaics exude an effortless grace that makes them an excellent choice for any era. Utilizing mosaics in the bathroom can be a good way to give your bathroom a sense of timelessness that nevertheless feels contemporary. There are several different mosaic patterns that one can choose from, adding a sense of versatility to it as a design choice.

6. Checkerboard Patterns

Checkerboard tiles are coming back into style, according to multiple sources. They can be a subtle yet colorful way to inject spaces that might be a bit dry with some personality and grace. Adding a checkerboard to your bathroom or kitchen can add an aura of quirkiness or a vaguely “retro” feeling aesthetic.

7. Long Plank Hardwoods

 Extended plank hardwoods are a subset of hardwood designs that involve utilizing very long boards of hardwoods. The primary purpose of this design choice is that it can give the inhabitants and visitors of a space a sense that the space is more significant or more spacious than it actually is. This makes it a great design choice for individuals trying to add a sense of mild grandiosity to an area.

8. Warm Tones

 Warm tones are currently a popular design choice for those who are trying to add a sense of cozy hominess to their surroundings. Whether it’s through the use of hardwoods or ceramics, choosing warm tones and colors can give a sense of comfort and gentleness to whatever space they’re applied to.

Your Friend in Remodeling

King Remodeling San Diego is a forward-thinking remodeling contractor for those who are interested in having the most contemporary styles implemented into their homes. If you are interested in discussing your remodeling goals with one of our agents, contact us today.

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Why Replace Your Floors?

Floors need replacing for many of the same reasons that many of the other elements of the home will eventually need replacing. Due to the constant use and wear and tear that can be applied to a house’s flooring, there is a very high chance that it will need to be replaced at some point.

How often your floors need to be replaced will depend on their material, how they are used (a dance studio’s floors will need to be replaced more often than the floors in a mediation studio, for example), and how often. Certain practices—for example, refinishing hardwood floors frequently—may prolong the period between required floor replacements.

Signs It Is Time to Replace the Floors of Your Home

There are some telltale signs that you should consider replacing the floors of your home. You should the following into account if you are considering floor replacement:

1. There Is Visible Wear and Tear on The Surface of Your Floors

If your flooring displays visible signs of wear and tear, such as stains, discoloration, and scratches, consider replacing it. This kind of wear and tear is common and can appear on floors that have been meticulously taken care of. Replacing such flooring will eliminate this issue and make one more pleased with their flooring, creating a happier home environment.

2. You Hear Squeaking or Creaking Noises When You Walk Across Your Floor

This type of problem most commonly appears as floors begin to age. Sometimes, this issue is indicative of the fact that the floorboards of your flooring have begun to warp, which can bring previously separated elements into collision with each other. If your flooring has begun to warp, then it is likely time to replace it before the problem worsens.

3. Your Floorboards Have Become Too Thin to Sand

If you have hardwood floors, sometimes you can rectify minor imbalances in the shape of the wood by employing do-it-yourself sanding. In more severe cases, a professional can come in and do some professional sanding.

This technique can be a suitable alternative to replacing home floors for some time, but after multiple sanding sessions, the floors may become too thin to sand. In this case, you will need to consider replacing your floors, as sanding will be ineffectual.

4. You Have Allergies

 Carpeted flooring can be hazardous to individuals with allergies. Over time, carpets can begin to accumulate small bits and pieces of materials that can aggravate allergies, including dust, pollen, and animal fur.

If you have found that your carpeted flooring is beginning to aggravate your allergies, consider replacing it with a fresh layer of carpet. This has the potential to alleviate these symptoms and quickly increase one’s quality of life.

5. Your Flooring Has Incurred Water Damage

Both textile and wood flooring suffer heavily from water damage. Water damage can cause the primary flooring and subflooring to warp and swell, as well as crack open in more extreme cases. This kind of water damage can be fairly disastrous, as it can induce sagging and rot that can threaten further damage to one’s home’s infrastructure.

The Top Remodeling Agent in San Diego

King Remodeling San Diego is one of the most highly regarded resources for home remodeling in San Diego. If you are looking for advice from an expert regarding the floor of your home, contact our office today to set up an appointment.

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If you want to change the relationship between your bathroom and the rest of your home, you might need some tips to enhance your experience. However, these tips might only be intuitive with the help of an expert. If you are thinking of designing your bathroom, take a look at this guide, which can offer you some advice regarding bathroom remodeling.

 8 Tips For Designing the Perfect Bathroom

1. Keep Efficiency in Mind 

Although style is important, you must balance it with an efficient and functional bathroom that allows you to complete the daily maintenance that you need in your life. Following this, you should take care that some of the stylistic efforts that you make with your bathroom do not supersede the space’s functionality. In the long run, this helps prevent you from having to return to the space for redesign efforts.

2. Pay Attention to Lighting

Lighting is one of the most important factors in any space, and the bathroom is no different. Good lighting can make a big difference in making the space somewhere that you would actually look forward to spending time in rather than just somewhere that you have to go to obligatorily. In general, ceiling-mounted lighting fixtures work well for primary lighting, while accent lighting can enhance things further.

3. Take a Chance With The Tub 

If you have the privilege of having a bathtub in your bathroom, you should consider taking some chances with the design. This element of the bathroom can allow you to approach it with some level of design flair. For example, consider implementing a claw-foot design or incorporating some element of modern design flair into the look of your tub.

4. Think About the Cabinets 

Certain classical design elements are associated with the classical single-sink vanity cabinet, which can be easily modified with other styles. Contemporary, traditional, vintage, and Old World styles can all contribute positively to the overall feel of a space, depending on the overall aesthetic design that you are going for.

5. Pick a Practical Material for Your Floors

The floors of a bathroom are not where you should trade beauty for functionality. They need to consider a number of practical concerns, including being impervious to water and slip-resistant. That being said, you should not take this to mean that you cannot consider pleasing aesthetics for your bathroom floors at all.

6. Go Wild with Amenities

Once you have figured out the functional aspects of your bathroom, you should be able to indulge in some of the design of the non-essential amenities of your space. These elements are some of your opportune moments to express your creative flair with your bathroom space. For example, drapes, in-floor heating, decorations, and other pleasing elements can add quite a bit to giving your space a sense of personality.

7. Do Not Skimp on The Colors

Humans respond strongly to colors regardless of context, and the bathroom is no different. Consider what kind of space you want to curate with your bathroom, keeping in mind that this can significantly impact how others perceive the space. In addition, you should keep in mind that the perception of color can come from more than just the color of paint you use—you should try to keep a balanced palette from the other elements of your design as well.

8. Experiment With Your Windows

Adding a sense of privacy is highly important for a bathroom space, and this can be expressed quite fluently with the dressings that you choose to add to your windows. Take some time to consider what kinds of fabrics and elements you want to use to dress your windows, as it can have a big impact on the overall feel of your space.

San Diego’s Top Home Remodelers

King’s Remodeling is one of the top home remodeling agencies in San Diego. Now that you have tips for designing the perfect bathroom, contact our office today to set up a consultation and discuss your options for home remodeling in San Diego.

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