Gridley Company Blog
Learn How a Home Remodel Adds Value, Functionality, and Style
The 2020 pandemic forced homeowners to use their homes in new ways: as a functional office, a school, and as a place to unwind after work. A design + build renovation can address all your family’s multiple needs. Imagine reinventing the Master Bedroom to include the addition of a private office for deep focus just steps away. Then unwind in your home spa by stepping into your Master Bathroom that’s been remodeled with a dry sauna and steam shower. The
A Step-by-Step Guide to Remodeling Your Home
Once you’ve decided to remodel your home, getting started can feel cumbersome. Benefit from this easy step-by-step guide that will not only save you valuable time and money throughout the process, but it will act as an easy-to-use reference for checking important details off the to-do list. Whether you are tackling the tasks independently or you’re working with a design-build remodeling contractor, such as Gridley Company, these steps can help.
Ranch Home Additions That Modernize & Refresh Your Residence
Traditional single-floor ranch style homes are abundant in the state of California after their rise in popularity during the 1950s and 1960s. Whether you own one of the classics or a new build that mimics the signature open-concept layout and devoted patio space, you may be interested in additions that will modernize your home, improve its overall functionality for your growing family, and/or incorporate universal design features that support aging-in-place. Design-build firm Gridley Company, based in the San Jose area,
Start Planning Your Spring Remodel with These Inspiring Design-Builds
Utilize winter dormancy to start planning your spring home remodeling project with inspiration from with these innovative and customized design solutions. These recently completed projects by design-build Gridley Company will not only show you what is possible, but they can help you envision new ways to improve your home’s value. Whether curb appeal, luxury interiors, or universal design features are improvements you’ve been thinking about making, the following highlights will give you some noteworthy ideas. Begin the planning process so
5 Top Reasons Design-Build Firms Simplify the Process & Maximize Your Results
Remodeling your home can initially feel intimidating, daunting, and incredibly overwhelming when you look at everything that needs to be done, but it doesn’t have to be. Let go of trepidations and embrace the idea that the process can not only be pleasant, but it can be easy when you hire a design-build firm.
The Increasing Popularity of Custom Design and Multi-Generational Homes in the Bay Area
With an increasing need for affordable housing and multi-generational living options, homes that add ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) that incorporate ADA or Aging-In-Place design modifications and Universal design are gaining popularity in the Bay Area. While keeping population density in mind, State regulations and local lawmakers are easing up on their permitting restrictions to accommodate families seeking more innovative housing solutions. Pre-pandemic, ADUs were built to offset the rising cost of living within the area, however their rising demand is
Design/Build Method Advantages
The design/build method offers homeowners many advantages for most remodeling projects. Before design/build, homeowners typically used the design/bid process. If you wanted to remodel your home, you had to find and hire an architect to design your project and then find and hire a builder to construct it. This can be a time consuming two-step process and if things go wrong you can find yourself uncomfortably in the middle between your architect and builder.
Establishing Your Remodeling Priorities
In order to get the most out of your remodeling project, it is important that you and your remodeling firm know and understand the priority order of what is most important to you.
Questions to Ask References
Find a list of questions that you should consider asking a prospective remodeler’s past clients. Ask them all or select the ones you feel are most important to you.
Questions to Ask Remodelers
Here is a list of questions you might want to consider asking a prospective remodeler. Ask them all or select the ones you feel are most important to you.
The Hidden Value of an In-House Permit Coordinator During Your Home Remodel
How Gridley Company’s design-build team helped navigate a complex San Jose home addition and avoid costly permitting delays. When planning a home remodel, most homeowners spend their time thinking about floor plans, finishes, and how their new space will function. Building permits rarely get the same attention, yet they can have a significant impact on a project’s timeline, budget and even what’s possible with the design. In cities like San Jose and the greater South Bay area, where building regulations
The Best Kitchen Features Are the Ones You Use Every Day
At Gridley Company, we believe a well-designed kitchen starts with the homeowner, not a checklist of features. The goal isn’t necessarily to have the most storage, the biggest island, or the latest gadget. It’s to create a space that makes everyday life a little easier, more efficient, and a little tidier for you. That’s exactly how our talented in-house designer, Vivienne, approaches kitchen design. She looks for the details that can save you a few steps, keep the counters clear,
Designing Beyond Trends: A Los Gatos Kitchen Remodel Made for the Homeowners
Design trends can be a great source of inspiration. But when it comes to remodeling your home, the most successful spaces aren’t necessarily the ones that look like the latest Instagram trend. They’re the ones that reflect the people who live there.
What Makes a Great Interior Designer?
When you’re investing in a home remodel, you want more than someone with an eye for beautiful finishes. You want someone who understands how your family lives, anticipates challenges before they arise, and has the experience to uncover smart solutions you may never have considered.
How Thoughtful Kitchen Design Transformed This Award-Winning Remodel for Avid Bakers
A beautiful kitchen means very little if it doesn’t support the way you actually live. For these Campbell, California homeowners, the problem was not a lack of square footage. It was a lack of function and flow. As avid bakers, they spent a lot of time in the kitchen, yet the room felt dark, cramped, disconnected, and frustrating to work in. Prep space was limited. Storage lacked purpose. The layout forced too many functions into one small area, creating constant
How We Transformed and Doubled the Size of This San Jose Primary Bath
When these homeowners first came to Gridley Company, they weren’t just looking to update a bathroom; they were looking for clarity. As first-time remodelers, they knew their home needed work. They knew their existing primary bath felt tight, outdated, and inefficient. But how do you fix it? That is where Gridley’s Design Team Leader, Lisa stepped in to not just design a space, but to guide them through decisions along the way. As Lisa shared, “They knew they wanted a bigger primary bath… but they didn’t know where the tub would go, the shower, the toilet,
How to Plan a Remodel Without Cost Overruns or Delays
When it comes to remodeling your home, one of the biggest decisions you’ll make happens long before construction begins: how you plan the project. Do you fully design everything upfront with a design-build team, or move forward with a general contractor while making decisions as you go? While both approaches can get you to the finish line, the experience, and the outcome, can be dramatically different.
What Really Drives Remodel Costs? (And Where Your Money Actually Goes)
Every remodel starts with great questions.What really drives the cost?Why are cabinets so expensive, and is it worth it?Why does moving one wall change so much? We love these conversations because informed homeowners make empowered decisions. The more you understand what goes into your project, the more confident and collaborative the process becomes.[space-br][space-br]
Interviewing a Remodeler? Start Here.
Choosing the right remodeling partner isn’t just about pretty photos or a price tag, it’s about asking the right questions. Our designer, Vivienne Nguyen, has sat through hundreds of first meetings, and she knows exactly what homeowners ask… and what they don’t always think to ask (but should). So we asked her to share it all, the real questions that shape a smooth, successful remodel and the behind-the-scenes insight that helps you choose with confidence from day one.
Design: The Foundation of a Successful Remodel
Every remodel begins long before walls come down or drawings are shared. It starts with quiet observations, honest conversations, and a deep curiosity about how a home is really being lived in. In this three-part series, our design team leader shares the behind-the-scenes thinking that guides our process, the questions we ask, the things we listen for, and the design decisions most clients never see but feel every single day. These are the insights that shape successful remodels long before
Selecting the Right Remodeler
Importance of Selecting the Right Remodeler Not all remodelers are alike—some are highly qualified professionals, and some are not. Some are specialists and some are generalists. Carefully selecting a remodeler now can save you time, money, and trouble. Asking the right questions now can prevent unpleasant surprises in the future. Our remodeler will be in your home during workdays from early morning until late afternoon for an extended length of time. It is important that you trust and feel comfortable
Priced For Problems
Unlike when purchasing mass–produced, brand-name products, which are identical to each other regardless of the price, comparing the prices of remodeling firms is rarely the best indicator of the value you will receive. In fact, one industry observer has said many times that “remodeling horror stories often start with a great price.” Why is that?