Real estate experts predict that home prices in Escondido and elsewhere in San Diego County will continue rising for a while. With the market in an upswing at the same time that energy prices are rising steeply, more homeowners are seeking out personalized, high-efficiency home upgrades to lower costs and increase home value. Homeowners want modern layouts and added space, and with the population rising, they are pursuing custom ADUs, adding attached residential units, and increasing their homes’ capacity.
Home remodeling firms are evolving quickly in response, and more homeowners now can find a contractor to design and build as unified design-build services replace outdated contractor models. Whether homeowners plan for a full remodel or a custom addition, these firms combine design and construction in one seamless process.
The Whole-House Remodel for Today’s Lifestyle
What is driving the rise in house remodeling in Escondido? Some of it is lifestyle-driven, and some of it is homeowners working to get ahead of the rising local real estate market with whole-house renovations. Homeowners are adding multifunctional kitchens, open living areas, and energy-efficient upgrades, ranging from upgraded windows to water-efficient systems and solar panel installations.
A whole-house remodel can be a major undertaking, involving a cohesive transformation of the house from floorplan to finish, but all of these steps increase a home’s livability (especially in San Diego County’s hot, dry climate) and the home’s eventual resale value.
The Unified Design-Build Process
Many remodelers in Escondido are turning to firms that offer a unified design-build process. Working with a single team to do both helps simplify decisions for homeowners. The single point of accountability also streamlines the time to completion (because a delay in the first stage doesn’t create issues with the handoff to the second), reduces cost overruns, and prevents the gaps in communication that occur when a homeowner is dealing with multiple contractors.
Design-build firms bring architectural vision and construction under one roof, so that the architect has the end build in mind, and the construction team has contact with the architect. This approach makes the whole-house remodel both less expensive and more successful than in the past.
ADUs: Smart Space for Extended Living or Rental Income
Local home construction isn’t all whole-house remodeling, however.
Los Angeles County has been making the news recently for its boom in backyard accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in the wake of recent fires. But ADUs are seeing growing popularity here in San Diego County, too. Families with aging parents or long-term guests turn to ADUs to expand their home’s capacity; others turn to ADUs to house tenants and bring in passive income.
In either case, permitting, designing, and building an ADU requires specialized local knowledge, prompting a rise in local ADU specialist design. ADU specialists do more than just dot the I’s and cross the T’s for compliance; they also work to improve the unit’s function and align it aesthetically with the adjacent house.
Choosing the Right Partner for Your Remodel or Build
Whether what you have in mind is a whole-house overhaul or a compact ADU, all the usual advice about vetting your contractors applies. Escondido homeowners should look for firms with extensive local experience and a record of transparent communication with clients. Find out if the firm you are considering has in-house architects, and ask them about past projects with similar goals to your own.
Finding the right professional team not only eliminates hassle in the short term but also yields long-term benefits. The right match can add value and functionality to your home while preserving your neighborhood’s aesthetics and your property’s curb appeal. A firm that uses smart layouts, eco-conscious materials, and installs efficient home systems can also go a long way toward future-proofing your house. Thoughtful, livable design improves your contentment and quality of life each day in your home.
Written in partnership with Tom White
