Posts made in April 2020

Getting Back To Your Remodel Amidst Ongoing Social Distancing?

The most important factor that San Diego homeowners look for when interviewing contractors are as follows:

  • Honesty
  • Excellent communication
  • Quality craftsmanship
  • Promptness
  • Cleanliness during remodel

During this time of continued quarantine, social distancing, and exceptional safety standards to slow and flatten the curve, here is what our home owners have been asking:

  • How soon can I get back to my remodel if the lock down starts to loosen in May?
  • How do we keep planning and making decisions so that we are ready when things open up?
  • How can I make sure I am covering all basis if we aren't meeting with the contractor in person?

During such an important time for the safety of our community, it is vital that we are careful in asking and answering these questions.

But don’t worry. You’re in the perfect place! 

In this article, we'll answer all your questions so you can make a great decision about your remodel for you and your family.  

Teknik Testimonial

How Soon Can I Get My Remodel Started as The Lock Down Starts to Loosen?

The nature of the design-build process allows us to work with you and for you whether we are meeting in person or not. The collaboration and design decisions can often be made remotely and with the aid of Zoom meetings and material sample deliveries. 

Though there should be no need for you to delay design and collaboration, the process of construction has slowed somewhat, so you may find a later start or completion since all the projects that were going on during the second half of March are also experiencing delayed wrap up.

Regardless, we recommend getting started sooner rather than later.

How Can We Keep Planning & Making Decisions So We Are Ready When Things Open Up?

If you are already engaged with a design-build firm, then each meeting in their process should include homework and next steps for you to complete between meetings. 

  1. Contractor--If you are still kicking tires or looking to choose a contractor soon, follow these steps to make the right selection
    1. Call 3 to 5 contractors
    2. Intentionally qualify each over the phone considering character, integrity, experience, and follow-up.
    3. Schedule a site visit with only your top 1 or 2 and get a ballpark range from each based on pictures and experience.
    4. Select your contractor 
    5. Follow the remote process to collaborate on a design, layout, and scope that you love. This collaboration will produce your detailed estimate, or Teknik True Quote. Yes, this price will fall within the initial ballpark, unless the scope is increased. 
    6. Complete your project on time!
  2. Materials--Create a Houzz.com Ideabook
    1. Create a Houzz.com account.
    2. Hover over the "My Account" button on the top-right of your screen
    3. Click on My Ideabooks
    4. Create a new one and choose a name

Finally, use the search bar to find photos that you love! You may find your tile, plumbing, flooring, and light fixtures. Ensure that you make notes under each photo to specify which features you've noticed in each photo. When you select your contractor, you can share it with them on houzz.com. This will save you lots of time during your interior design & finish material meetings.

How Can I Make Sure I Cover All Bases If We Aren't Meeting With The Contractor In Person?

Our remote design consultants are not computers; they are not automated! They are live! For each and every question, comment, or concern you have, a real person will reply and walk you through it personally. 

Regarding samples, you do not have to make your selections 100% online. We have a dedicated team to pick up and hand deliver your top three options so you can see them in your home for a couple of days before making a choice.

Please feel empowered by this: it is truly the responsibility of the design-build firm you are working with to ensure that no steps are missed. You should really make sure you can trust their process; that they are organized and lay out a clear path for you. 

For more info on selecting the right contractor visit this article: https://teknikinc.com/how-to-plan-your-kitchen-remodel-around-the-post-covid-19-san-diego-market/

Finally, you will eventually meet in person and be able to review everything face to face, or mask to mask. We have simply re-ordered the process to accommodate greater safety precautions. 

Will The Design Process Ever Get Back To Normal?

In some ways, this is like asking if our cell phones will ever go back to normal. Change can be a great thing, even if a tragic pandemic was what forced us to be better.

We will keep our improvements and avoid slacking off or letting old habits sneak back into our NEW sharper processes. 

The biggest way that we have become better is to take on the burden of planning and organization more fully and even more upfront.

The site visit used to be step 3/4, depending on the situation. Now, we stack a lot more work up on ourselves to make your life easier before its necessary to send anyone to your home. 

Take It From Our Happy Customers


"Kevin had the work done as if it were his own house and the project was completed before the contractual completion date."  - Jack B., San Diego, CA

“This is our second remodel with Kevin. Once again, done on TIME! Great job! Just sorry we’re out of bathrooms! 🙂 He’s on speed dial in case we have another project.”   - Gary G., Encinitas

“Kevin told me to allow 25 days and it was done in just over two weeks.”  - Gina H., San Diego, CA

Call (888) 747-2013 or click here for a free consultation now!

What Should We Expect In The New Normal?

“A ton of people’s lives are going to change. A ton of people are going to realize that they love working from home but they can’t work out of their kitchen so they will have to change their lives accordingly.” – Dave Rubin

We can expect the remodel focus with shift slightly to include more living spaces, dens, and office remodels. 

“This is changing everything. People don’t realize, but things will never be the same again.  This is going to change things permanently”. – Gary Vaynerchuck

Historically, during times of uncertainty and instability, an unprecedented number of people turn from full-time employment toward starting small or online businesses as a way of having greater control of time and money. Expect to see more internet business, expect the flip from brick and mortar to online!

“Back to normal? No. Nothing is going back to normal. We don’t want normal. Things will never be the same again.” – Steven Furtick

Human resilience and human kindness are unbeatable. We are more kind, more patient, better listeners. We can expect significant loss. We can also expect to get through it and come together with more conviction to serve our fellow man and with more resolve to find great ways of doing business. 

Why Choose Teknik for Your Remodel?

Our industry is known for three areas of frustration:

  • Late Completion  
  • Going Over Budget 
  • Overuse of Subcontractors

Let us show you our perfect remodel process and demonstrate how we have been helping families avoid this frustration for over 20 years!

From your Dream Design, to collaborating to build your True Quote, we will walk you through each step to get your project Complete On-Time.

1 - Dream Design

Step 1: Dream Design


We’ll collaborate with you to transform your dark and outdated space into bright and inviting space.  It all starts with your free consultation so book now!

Step 2 - True Quote

Step 2: True Quote


You can trust our service agreement!  We get to know your home intimately before working on it to ensure we stick to budget with no change orders.

Step 3 - Complete On-Time

Step 3: Complete On-Time


We'll make your dream come true and do it on-time and on budget!  Then it's party time!  Perhaps leave out your friends who get jealous easily.

Call (888) 747-2013 or click here for a free consultation now!

How To PLAN Your Kitchen Remodel Around The Post COVID Market

Hey, if you’re a San Diego homeowner and wondering if it's possible to plan for your 2020 or 2021 kitchen remodel, you're not the only one who's asking. These are some of the questions that our families have been texting and emailing us since the quarantine was ordered on March 19th:

  • how can I do more of my research on the front end?
  • how can I get more done before site visits?
  • how can I take all the safety precautions during a site visit?
  • how can I ensure I like my materials if I'm selecting them online?
  • as a contractor, how would you shop for a contractor?

Boy, do we know how it feels to be in the midst of the global Coronavirus pandemic and be unsure how to navigate. We are in this together. None of us have ever been here before. At Teknik Design & Remodeling, we've stayed lean and nimble so that when times get tough....really REALLY tough, we are still able to help folks get their essential home functions put back together so they can take care of their family.

We have been chipping away at our process, eliminating inefficiencies, and narrowing our focus for over a decade so that we can get your work completed with safety and speed. Now, with social distancing, shelter in place, and all businesses closed except for essential services, we are glad that we have! We are ready.

Read on. You’re in the perfect place! 

In this article, we’ll answer the five questions above so you can make a great decision about your kitchen planning for you and your family.  

Teknik Testimonial

How Can I Do More Research On The Front End?

Using Home Advisor Resources

HomeAdvisor.com is a wonderful resource for San Diego home owners. Their catch phrase is "Don't Overpay, Compare Pros!" This has lead some readers to believe that they will be able to see how much their project may cost, right there on their screen, before they have to interact with any contractors. Nope!

The method that homeadvisor.com uses so you can compare pros is to have you fill out their form by answering basic questions about the work you'd like done so they can share your information with four different contractors.

Each of the four then has the opportunity to reach out to you, and you can work with each to go through their estimating process. For helpful info on how to select a contractor, see the final two paragraphs in this article.

Using Houzz.com Ideabooks For Your Finish Materials

Here at Teknik, we love having our clients save time during the design and planning process by gaining clarity using the Houzz.com Ideabook feature.

  1. Create a Houzz.com account.
  2. Hover over the "My Account" button on the top-right of your screen
  3. Click on My Ideabooks
  4. Create a new one and choose a name

Finally, use the search bar to find photos that you love! You may find your cabinet style, tile, plumbing, flooring, and light fixtures. Ensure that you make notes under each photo to specify which features you've noticed in each photo. When you select your contractor, you can share it with them on houzz.com and eliminate two to five hours from your discussion process 🙂 Preserve your energy. What a WIN!

How Can I Get More Done Before My Site Visit?

The site visit is no substitution for doing your due diligence online. By the time you schedule your site visit you have already verified that the contractor:

  1. Is licensed, bonded, and ensured. Verify here https://www.cslb.ca.gov/OnlineServices/CheckLicenseII/CheckLicense.aspx
  2. Is in good standing with the Better Business Bureau. Verify here http://bbb.com/
  3. Has been recently engaged in other projects in the community. Verify on their website or social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Yelp, and Houzz. Remember, most contractors are pretty small businesses, so it's okay if there aren't lots of recent updates. You just want to make sure they have been active! 
  4. Is receiving a good proportion of recent 5-star reviews. Are they leaving their clients satisfied customers or raving fans? Are they being invited back to complete a second or third project?

Construction has changed a lot in light of keeping our communities safe and slowing the spread of COVID-19. We are all working hard so that you and your families avoid exposure at all costs.

The primary purpose of a site visit was to build friendship and trust. But in light of the social distancing rules in place, much of the conversation that builds this connection can happen over a zoom meeting or on a conference call. Remember, the content of the conversation will include project details, but the substance of the conversation is to see if a friendship and trust can be built.

It is only after you have grown somewhat comfortable that you will be able to share your target budget range or inquiries about special customization. If you connect well, and share ideas easily, then you are on your way to uncovering if it makes sense to partner up on your remodeling project. All this can happen before a site visit is scheduled - hooray!


How Can I Take More Safety Precautions During My Site Visit? 

  1. We interview every person every day to ensure there are no symptoms
  2. We wear masks
  3. We ask that you wear masks
  4. We sanitize and wash our hands continuously
  5. We sanitize and wash our tools and gear continuously
  6. We ask that if it's possible, the home or that area of the home be empty during and after our site visit
  7. Whenever possible, we construct a containment & sanitation area to keep the area in question sealed off.

We call and text multiple times to confirm all is well. We ask that all parties are fearless and proactive in their communication of any need to reschedule the site visit.

Take It From Our Happy Customers


"Kevin had the work done as if it were his own house and the project was completed before the contractual completion date."  - Jack B., San Diego, CA

“This is our second remodel with Kevin. Once again, done on TIME! Great job! Just sorry we’re out of bathrooms! 🙂 He’s on speed dial in case we have another project.”   - Gary G., Encinitas

“Kevin told me to allow 25 days and it was done in just over two weeks.”  - Gina H., San Diego, CA

Call (888) 747-2013 or click here for a free consultation now!

How Do I Know I Will Like My Materials If I'm Selecting Online?

You can actually follow our process and get your materials in your house after all!

  1. Our designers will help you to create a short list of favorite products online
  2. We will order samples for pickup
  3. We will deliver them to your home. If you prefer to pick them up, we can arrange for that too
  4. You get to decide on your favorite selections
  5. If it is both essential and safe, we will schedule only one site visit to
    1. confirm scope
    2. demo & discovery
    3. obtain measurement for quantity
    4. Our designer will confirm that you still love the materials you’ve selected

As A Contractor, How Would You Shop For A Contractor?

And how can I have fewer or only ONE in my home?

The following is how we as a contractor would search for our own contractor.

You'll see the first column is what was common before the Coronavirus Pandemic. The second column is what we recommend so that you can minimize or eliminate your contact with other people and get work accomplished in the midst of social distancing. 

The Teknik Perfect Remodel Process has always been true to what you'll see below in the column on the right. It has always been in the best interest of the homeowner. But now it is non-negotiable.

Selecting the Right Contractor | Process Overview


Living on The Other Guy's Timeline

  1. Call 3 to 5 contractors
  2. Schedule as many as 5 site visits
  3. Get an estimate from each
  4. Compare each and select your contractor--the nice guy who doesn't have the cheapest price or the most expensive one.
  5. Hope for no change orders
  6. Hope for no delays or surprises

Living on The Teknik Timeline

  1. Call 3 to 5 contractors
  2. Intentionally qualify each over the phone considering character, integrity, experience, and follow-up.
  3. Schedule a site visit with only your top 1 or 2 and get a ballpark range from each based on pictures and experience.
  4. Select your contractor 
  5. Follow the remote process to collaborate on a design, layout, and scope that you love. This collaboration will produce your detailed estimate, or Teknik True Quote. Yes, this price will fall within the initial ballpark, unless the scope is increased. 
  6. Complete your project on time!

Why choose Teknik for Your 2020 or 2021 Kitchen Remodel?

Folks, if your remodel can wait, we recommend that you wait for the safety of everyone. This COVID-19 pandemic is real, dangerous and should be taken seriously, despite some still treating it too casually.

If you feel that the time is now for your kitchen to be restored to it's required functionality and safety, then we are your best option for a smooth, safe, and honest remodel.

Please call our office today at 858-775-7628. Ask for the Office Manager to walk you through our initial questions to get to know your project. Ask our team members to share with you how we have been helping homeowners in San Diego avoid these three industry blunders for over 20 years:

  • Late Completion  
  • Going Over Budget 
  • Use of Subcontractors

Our Three Step Perfect Remodel Process worked before COVID-19 and it still works today. Let's get going on remote-collaboration so that when the time comes, you're all set to go. Can't wait to see your dreams come true.

1 - Dream Design

Step 1: Dream Design


We’ll collaborate with you to transform your dark and outdated space into bright and inviting space.  It all starts with your free consultation so book now!

Step 2 - True Quote

Step 2: True Quote


You can trust our service agreement!  We get to know your home intimately before working on it to ensure we stick to budget with no change orders.

Step 3 - Complete On-Time

Step 3: Complete On-Time


We'll make your dream come true and do it on-time and on budget!  Then it's party time!  Perhaps leave out your friends who get jealous easily.

Call (888) 747-2013 or click here for a free consultation now!

Finding Out What You Need for Your 2020 Bathroom Remodel After Quarantine

Hey, if you’re a homeowner and wondering how you should be making decisions about your 2021 bathroom remodel in light of COVID-19, we know these questions may be at the top of your mind:

  • how can I make sure I get the highest quality?
  • what if I can be flexible with my project schedule?
  • I don't want to compromise on quality - what should I focus on?
  • running a project myself; is this a viable option to save money?

Man, we know how it feels to be recovering your rhythm from self-isolation, being in quarantine, and being #TogetherApart. We know you need to move forward with fixing what is broken in your home, yet appropriately, you are still be concerned for family, friends, and loved ones who are on the front lines, helping to battle the spread of the Coronavirus. 

Don’t worry. You’re in the perfect place! First, breath. You don't need to rush. There is plenty of time.

In this article, we’ll answer these four questions so you can make a great decision about your 2020 bathroom remodel for you and your family.  

Teknik Testimonial

How Can I Make Sure I Get The Highest Quality?

It will be tempting to save money on tile, but know that you should be aware of how different types of tile may affect your cost in specific ways.

Different tile types withstand different levels of force.

  • Ceramic tile is the most brittle since it is essentially baked clay. It can be more affordable but you'll pay for it in lack of durability.
  • Porcelain tile is the most common to be purchased and installed in homes in 2021. Italy and Spain produce most of the world's porcelain tile and the product is both beautiful and durable. Italy takes first place in this competition! 
  • Stone tile is a premium option and the beauty shows through. If you're concerned that it might be too pricey, consider that your bathroom might be the smallest room in the house, which would keep your quantity down!
  • Glass tile is a stylish option. It can be more challenging to cut so you may need more tile and you may need to consider additional labor to account for tedious cutting.


What Happens If I Can Be Flexible With My Project Schedule?

There are many factors that impact the relevance of this question. Eighty percent of the time, the flexibility of your schedule will not impact anything. But 20% of the time, you may have a situation that allows the contractor to work with you on price based on your availability.

Why might this happen in 20% of cases? You might have the option to be out of the house which can positively affect efficiency. You might have the option to extend the project timeline and save money by using all in-house labor and no subs; an option not available in rushed scenarios

.

I Don't Want To Compromise On Quality - What Should I Focus On?

You've got to choose the right company and that company will help you to choose the right materials.

Focus on the following items to ensure you keep your priorities straight:

  1. Choose to interview contractors in detail over the phone so you save time on site visits
  2. Get two to three general ballpark ranges so that you know what your cost range will be.
  3. Based on the general ballpark, choose to work with only one contractor on getting into the nitty gritty details of design, layout, selections, and scope increases if desired.
  4. Ask the contractor to actively give you feedback in real time, if you have a tight budget, when you are selecting materials that might entail excessive labor.

Running A Project Myself; Is This A Viable Option To Save Money?

Families do not always ask this question out loud...but it is often running across their mind. "Can we just run this project ourselves?"...the answer is unequivocally NO...IF you want your project to run smoothly of course.

Do you want an average or excellent surgeon to operate? Perhaps an average teacher for your kids? How about an average mechanic? We know that 10% of challenges cause 90% of our headaches in any area of life. Opening up one or more rooms in your house is complex and putting it back together requires finesse. That last 10% matters. Choosing a professional contractor is not mandatory and it's not optional. 

You can decide for yourself. You can only have the results of hiring a professional if you hire a professional.

Take It From Our Happy Customers


"Kevin had the work done as if it were his own house and the project was completed before the contractual completion date."  - Jack B., San Diego, CA

“This is our second remodel with Kevin. Once again, done on TIME! Great job! Just sorry we’re out of bathrooms! 🙂 He’s on speed dial in case we have another project.”   - Gary G., Encinitas

“Kevin told me to allow 25 days and it was done in just over two weeks.”  - Gina H., San Diego, CA

Call (888) 747-2013 or click here for a free consultation now!

Style Notes On 2021 Bathroom Remodels

White subway tile are still a classic look!

  • White grout in the kitchen makes for a clean look...but...
  • Never use white grout in the bathroom since excess steam can call long term mold that is difficult to clean out of bathroom grout. 

White shaker style doors are gorgeous. They are a classic choice. You can customize choices like:

  • cabinet pulls
  • inserts
  • face panels
  • size
  • arrangement
  • and more!

If you want a bright kitchen or bathroom, the white shaker style will not let you down.

Why choose Teknik for Your 2020 Bathroom Remodel?

Look, not every phone call, conversation and interaction is about closing a sale.

Call our office if you have questions. Call us if you're wondering about a few ideas. Call us if you're tired of reading and scrolling and would like to chat with a real local about your home! 

The point is, you don't have to feel ready to start a remodel process to have a phone call. We have lots of free resources and we would love to be of service to you weather you're wishing we could start yesterday or just kicking tires and checking things out.

If you'd like to know more about our process, we'll share with you how we've avoided these industry stereotypes for two decades and counting:

  • Late Completion  
  • Going Over Budget 
  • Overuse of Subcontractors

What Is The Perfect Remodel Process?

1 - Dream Design

Step 1: Dream Design


We’ll collaborate with you to transform your dark and outdated space into bright and inviting space.  It all starts with your free consultation so book now!

Step 2 - True Quote

Step 2: True Quote


You can trust our service agreement!  We get to know your home intimately before working on it to ensure we stick to budget with no change orders.

Step 3 - Complete On-Time

Step 3: Complete On-Time


We'll make your dream come true and do it on-time and on budget!  Then it's party time!  Perhaps leave out your friends who get jealous easily.

Call (888) 747-2013 or click here for a free consultation now!