Create Your Perfect Home With Our Home Renovation Guide

Home renovation

The complete guide to planning your next home renovation.

How to Budget for a Home Remodel

WATCH ANY HGTV home improvement show and you quickly realize the cost of remodeling in Marin County isn’t exactly commensurate with prices in the rest of the country. In fact, a luxury kitchen can cost as much as a turnkey home in other parts of the U.S. “For projects in Marin, you’re looking at renovation costs of around $400 to $600 per square foot,” says Michael McCutcheon, owner of the Berkeley-based McCutcheon Construction. But that’s only a rough estimate, he adds. “We’ve done jobs that cost the owner as little as $250 per square foot to as much as $2,000 per square foot. It depends on an owner’s expectations.”

While costs are admittedly steep, there’s a silver lining to living in one of the most expensive real estate markets in the nation: “Every dollar you spend on a kitchen or bath remodel returns up to $4 per square foot in resale value,” says Thomas Dreyer, president of the San Rafael–based Marin Realtors Association. There’s also value in simpler projects like creating a user-friendly entryway, updating flooring, redoing lighting, landscaping or just painting, assuming you don’t over-improve for the neighborhood. “The metrics are obviously different for a modest home in Terra Linda and a luxury estate in Belvedere,” Dreyer says.

Exact costs depend on a range of factors, including scope, finishes and just how much hand-holding you need. The all-in price for a DIY project, for example, will relieve you of considerably less cash than one that engages architects, engineers, contractors and interior designers.

Price aside, noise, mess and general interruption into your daily life during a full remodel is just too much for some homeowners. As an alternative, consider a soft remodel — one that doesn’t require construction, but can still go a long way toward making a dated house feel new. The results you can achieve simply by refreshing paint, flooring, fixtures and window treatments can be astonishing, especially if you spring for new furnishings. “It’s the reason I encourage clients to hire a stager when it comes time to sell,” Dreyer says. Read more.

California Dreamin With Hadley General Contractors, Inc.

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Hadley

Hadley

Over the years Hadley has become synonymous with a quality of construction that is second to none and service that creates lasting relationships with our customers. We are the premier homebuilder in Marin County because we always act in our client’s interest, we never waver from our commitment to quality, and we stand by our work. As part of the community, we give back to the place that has given so much to us. By doing this, we have prospered for 70 years and will continue to thrive.

85 Beach Road, Belvedere, CA • 415.383.0583

A Marin Home Gets Remodeled for Outdoor Living

Crafting the perfect home happens with many iterations. The Sullivan-Newman family’s journey started in 2016, with a significant remodel of their home’s interior.

Now, four years later, they have completed the finishing touches — the expansion of their outdoor living. Read more.

Drapes & Designs by Becky James

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Drapes & Designs

Becky James specializes in designing contemporary to traditional styles with emphasis on kitchens and baths. She feels the important element when working with a client is to capture their vision and dreams for their home while working within their budget. Visit her showroom featuring authorized dealer cabinet lines, and a beautiful display of lighting, fabric options, window coverings, furniture, rugs and home accessories to help with the complete design.

828 Grant Avenue, Novato, CA • 415.269.3330

How Healthy is Your Home? Expert Tips For Upgrading Your Space

How Healthy is Your Home? Expert Tips For Upgrading Your Space

Mill Valley, California-based architect Sherry Williamson, known for her high-end residential interior architecture, custom furniture and lighting, is an expert in healthy homes and LEED platinum requirements, and was one of the pioneers in the field before it gained the widespread visibility both in the industry as well as in consumer consciousness that it has today. We recently spoke to her about what “healthy home” means in practical terms and what steps you can take now to make your own home healthier. And, given the current spotlight on global health—and the fact that we’re all spending a whole lot more time in our homes— isn’t this something we should all be thinking about? Read more.

Architecture, Interiors, Strategy Planning With Crome Architecture

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Crome

Crome Architecture was born and raised in Marin. Since 2001 we have served our clients with a commitment to quality design and personal service. When clients visit our light-filled studios, they will immediately sense that it’s a remarkable place for design. We love to guide you through the process of turning ideas into reality. The culture of Crome Architecture is built on more than the talent, technical rigor, and dedication of its staff, it’s built on our commitment to collaboration with each other and with our valued clients.

905 Fourth Street, San Rafael, CA • 415.453.0700

Full-Service Siding Replacement & Installation ExpertsGVD Renovations

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GVD Renovations
Photo by Dennis Anderson

GVD Renovations is a family owned and operated, full-service siding replacement company serving Marin and Sonoma county. We specialize in siding replacement and installation, replacement windows and exterior renovation services. We are fully licensed, bonded and insured through the CSLB. Driven by a highly experienced, professional and talented construction team our goal is to offer homeowners high quality products, excellent workmanship and outstanding customer service at a competitive price.

As a James Hardie Elite Preferred Contractor, we install James Hardie Siding which has been rated as the #1 for Return on Investment by Remodeling Magazine for 12 years in a row and has been installed on more than 8 million homes across North America.

We’re proud to offer you a free, no obligation estimate on your home improvement project that is fair, accurate and includes everything needed to handle your renovation project from start to finish.

415.429.0887

All White Kitchens Are Not Created Equal

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Designing a white kitchen is like beginning a painting with a blank canvas – the possibilities are endless. Whether traditional, contemporary, or transitional – expansive, family-sized or efficiently compact – the use of materials, textures and finishes is how Sandra Bird Designs creates spaces unique to the individual clients and their homes. Visit www.sandrabird.com or Sandra Bird Designs on HOUZZ.com

415.927.1171

The Bests in Modern Design

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Marin’s go-to for modern renovations. From choosing light fixtures to figuring out furniture layouts, we’re here to help you complete your renovation project. Visit the Design Within Reach Larkspurstore to explore 20 fully realized rooms, each designed to inspire ideas and help you envision our sofas, tables, chairs, storage and more in your own home. We’ll also help you put it all together at no charge. Our complimentary Design Services include: Space planning, In-home measuring, 3-D renderings of your rooms. Ready to wrap up your renovation? Stop by the Larkspur store any time, or book an appointment in advance at dwr.com/studios. We also have stores in San Francisco, Berkeley and Palo Alto. We look forward to seeing you soon.

2801 Larkspur Landing Circle (across from the ferry terminal) • 628.212.1003

Modern. Simple. Badeloft

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Here at Badeloft, we take a modern yet minimalistic approach to the design of our bathroom fixtures. We specialize in Stone Resin freestanding bathtubs, freestanding sinks, wall-mount sinks and counter-top sinks. Our Stone Resin products are made from marble and limestone mixed with a polyester resin.

As far as bathtubs go, people are moving away from the acrylic and fiberglass tubs as they have zero heat retention. Since Badeloft products are made with natural minerals and the tubs are one-piece, solid fixtures, they have noticeably strong heat retention and will help the water inside stay warmer, longer.

Badeloft is a global brand based in Berlin, Germany. With showrooms throughout Europe and N. America, our US offices and showroom are located in the San Francisco Bay Area. Our products are designed in Berlin ensuring that all of our products demonstrate both practicality and modern innovation. We are confident that they will be the focal point of your new bathroom.

2829 Bridgeway, Suite 101, Sausalito, CA • 415.644.5888 or 877.892.3445

Healthy Home Interior Design Products at Pine Street Natural Interiors

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Pine Street

Since one of the largest contributors to indoor air pollution is home furnishings, all Pine Street Natural Interiors products are created without using harmful chemicals. Our standards of design are based on principles, which explore the effect of the built environment on human health. Knowledge of healthy products and our design experience ensures your home will nurture your mind, body and spirit.

323 Pine Street, Suite A, Sausalito, CA • 415.331.9323

Grounded Modern Architecture

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We design modern homes grounded in their unique connection to the surrounding landscape. These buildings highlight their natural environment and are rigorously tailed to our clients’ lifestyles.

Tyreus Design Studio is located in the vibrant Marin County neighborhood of Sausalito. Our services include architecture, interior, and exterior hardscape design. Our design process involves extensive 3D modeling, photorealistic renderings, and professional timeline management. Each design milestone includes builder pricing sessions so that design options and their associated cost are fully understood.

Two decades of experience designing custom properties has allowed us to create a highly efficient process with cohesive project results. Our close coordination with building and planning departments during each phase of the project is essential to moving smoothly through the complex permitting process. Our design team is intimately familiar with the unique challenges of each of the many building departments throughout Marin County, San Francisco, Sonoma, and Napa Valley. Contact us to discuss your next remodel or custom house.

2344 Marinship Way, Sausalito, CA • 415.841.2724

Custom Designed Frameless Shower Doors From Glashaus

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With extensive experience in design iteration we offer more than just the glass we install. Contractors, designers, architects and home owners have been leaning on our expertise as specialists in architectural glass for years. We place a strong emphasis on functional design and client consultation. For us working with our clients to conceptualize a project that is beautiful, functional, and structurally sound is what fuels our passion. Glashaus offers frameless shower enclosures, custom mirrors, glass railings, wine room enclosures, glass countertops and backsplashes.

This is our passion, we are Glashaus.

28 Mark Drive, San Rafael, CA • 415.479.0626

A Division of American Pacific Mortgage NMLS: All California Mortgage

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1850 All California has been helping families finance homes since 1992. We’re a full-service mortgage banker offering a variety of loan products. We want to help you buy, fix or expand your home. Rates have dropped, so now would be a perfect time to give us a call. Licensed by the DBO under the CRMLA. Equal Housing Opportunity.

17 E. Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Suite 200, Larkspur, CA • 415.464.8248

Complete ADU Design & Build

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Urban Building Workshop (UBW) has been providing residential design / build solutions for clients across the Bay Area for 20 years. UBW has led the effort designing and rebuilding fire destroyed homes in Sonoma County. Including numerous attached and detached Accessory Dwelling Units or ADUs. This recent experience familiarized the company with the great need and the market’s keen interest in ADUs.

UBW President, Kevin Skiles as newly appointed Chair of the Mill Valley Planning Commission has created exciting policy making it easier to build Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) on your residential property.

Due to the housing shortage, recent state laws allow homeowners to obtain permits to build an ADU on their properties within 60 days – without any public hearings or neighbor notifications.

UBW has three prototype offerings as a single point solution. UBW handles all the design, engineering, permitting and building for a fixed sum.

At Urban Building Workshop, we are in the solutions business. Solutions for people, for the environment and aesthetics. We build with the human factor in mind.

Let our expertise go to work for you.

2845 California Street, San Francisco, CA • 415.306.3431

Design Is the Mirror of Life

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Design begins with listening to our clients and pulling information that makes up their lives. Our process is very intense at times to be sure we have a clear understanding of you our client and your desires. We work closely with you throughout the completed project to ensure the vision becomes the reality.

Remick + Sessions Design, a boutique San Francisco Bay Area architectural design firm dedicated to inventive and highly detailed residential design. Designing smarter for our clients in today’s ever-changing environments, needs, and desires. Whether a dream home on a lot of land, remodel of an existing home, replacement home from wildfire, or addition – we place the same amount of energy and creativity into all that we do.

Our work spans from homes that are traditional, classical, contemporary, and every style in between. Design style is not forced but rather what is natural based on all aesthetics from existing homes (remodel), site conditions, and your life. Your home needs to function properly for your life, a mirror of life.

1230 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA • 415.896.9500

Rugs of Exceptional Artistic Merit

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Alexander’s Artisan Rugs is founded by nationally recognized rug expert Richard A. Habib. Established in 1991 as a leading source of unique and exquisite rugs to interior designers, architects, celebrities, Fortune 500 CEOs and discerning home owners. Offering access to well-vetted collections of modern, vintage, antique and custom rugs including Odegard Carpets. Premium hand wash repairs, restoration, appraisals, consulting and rugs design services.

1 El Paseo Lane, Mill Valley, CA • 415.309.3045 or 415.384.8261

Full Service Tile and Stone Fabrication and Installation From North Coast Tile & Stone

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Family owned and operated for over 30 years, they are the North Bay leader in tile installation and granite fabrication for residential remodels, new home construction and commercial jobs.

From start to finish, North Coast Tile is dedicated to working with you on accomplishing your vision.

Hundreds of granite, quartzite, marble, soapstone, limestone and onyx slabs to choose from in their acre large outdoor yard.

Inside is a beautiful boutique tile showroom offering hand selected tile lines from all over the world.

Six designers are on staff to help you achieve your vision. At North Coast Tile they are also happy to work with you and / or your Designer, Contractor and Architect.

Expertise, knowledge and trust make them the tile company that provides the solid foundation you will need to get your project started.

3854 Santa Rosa Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA • 707.586.2064

Redefining Expectations… One Customer at a Time

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Lamperti
Kitchen designed by Lamperti Contracting & Design.

This is a standard we truly live by. Lamperti Contracting and Design has been providing exquisite and functional modern, transitional and traditional kitchens and baths in Marin County since 1965. The owner, Sean Kelly, has over 30 years’ experience in all aspects of the design/build industry; specializing in high-end Kitchens and Baths.

We invite you to visit our newly redesigned and comprehensive kitchen and bath showroom featuring Bentwood, Harmoni, Columbia, Woodharbor and the Sub-Zero/Wolf Parlor – showcasing the latest innovations and trends in appliances and cabinetry.

With a full-service design team, we will help you envision creative and functional ideas to incorporate into your dream home. Lamperti Contracting and Design takes pride in knowing each project reflects superior quality and artistic mastery.

1241 Andersen Drive, San Rafael, CA • 415.454.1623

Full-service Interior Design

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At HSH Interiors, sophisticated interiors are designed to be as unique as the people who live in them. The full-service interior design firm, helmed by Principal Designer and Founder Holly Hollenbeck, has been serving the Bay Area and beyond since 2002. For every project—whether it’s a large-scale remodel, ground-up construction, single-room revamp, or furniture selection—HSH Interiors drafts detailed road maps that make projects feel manageable without leaving a single detail to chance.

The HSH team works collaboratively with the client, architects and builders to run projects large and small on time and on budget. Highly experienced in working with diverse tastes and lifestyles, HSH Interiors brings the client’s vision to life with designs that are anything but ordinary. Their projects are throughout the Bay Area as well as Jackson Hole, Squaw Valley, Manhattan Beach and Beverly Hills.

7 Clement Street, San Francisco, CA • 415.702.6460

At the Heart of French Style

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Ligne Roset

Known for its artful collaborations with both established and up-and-coming talents in contemporary design, Ligne Roset offers clients an entire lifestyle with which to live boldly and beautifully via its furniture collections and complementary decorative accessories, lighting, rugs, textiles and occasional items. In-house manufacturing allows Ligne Roset to closely supervise the entire product creation process and uphold the highest production standards.

Matching its deeply-held belief in design with investment and innovation, Ligne Roset has grown from a small business to a multinational company with factories and headquarters in France, and more than 200 exclusive Ligne Roset stores and 1,000 retail distributors worldwide. All the while, the company has been family-run since its inception in 1860.

Our San Francisco showroom offers a full experience of the Ligne Roset design ethos at over 6,000 sq. ft. in size, located in the heart of the Design District. And with over 22 years of experience with Ligne Roset, owner Claudine Aubonnet-Musarra is proud to introduce the brand to newcomers. We welcome you to stop by our showroom.

150 De Haro Street, Suite E, San Francisco, CA • 415.777.1030 • [email protected]

Architectural Design Carpets: Design & Installation Experts

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Marin County’s hidden gem flooring showroom, ADC, has over 30 years of experience with an array of products ranging from luxury one-of-a-kind statement pieces to family friendly floors. We collaborate with the Bay Area’s top interior designers, real estate agents, and homeowners to achieve their flooring vision with our inspirational collection of broadloom carpets, rugs, and hard surfaces. The foundation of your home starts with us.

1111 Francisco Blvd East, Suite 3, San Rafael, CA • 415.458.1717

Chambers + Chambers Architects: Architecture • Interiors

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Chambers + Chambers is a boutique architectural practice specializing in residential and interior design services. Understated elegance, quiet luxury, richness in color and texture, classical detailing, and axial relationships are signature elements of our award-winning designs. Our work has been featured in Elle Décor, LUXE Interiors + Design, Veranda, House Beautiful, and Town & Country.

420 Miller Avenue, Mill Valley, CA • 415.381.8326

Integrated Design Studio: Planning | Landscape Architecture | Design

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Landscape Architecture is about the intimate and powerful relationship between humans and the natural environment. As we find ourselves increasingly attached to technology and screens, indoor-outdoor connectivity becomes a key component of enhancing our health and well-being. The designed landscape fosters relaxation and re-connection to nature and the people around us. We design these spaces…

227 Flamingo Road, Mill Valley, CA • 415.381.9500