As the average price for homes in Long Beach, California continues to rise, many homeowners who would otherwise choose to sell their current home and move up to something larger or nicer are instead choosing to add on or remodel. Some are hesitant to give up the low interest rate that they locked in several years ago, while others simply like their neighborhood.
For any type of major home remodel, it is wise to bring in a Long Beach architecture firm for design, and to draw up the plans in a way that the City of Long Beach needs to see. You may be able to find a general contractor who will claim to be able to draw up plans for you, but hiring an architect is likely in your best interest. While general contractors will have practical experience with construction, they don’t always have the design sense of an architect. In addition, architects are trained in space planning, and can get the most out of the available square footage—a huge bonus if you live on a small residential lot in Long Beach!
For the best outcome for your home remodel, you want to work with both an experienced Long Beach architecture firm and a reputable general contractor!
An experienced Long Beach architect will have an extensive portfolio of completed projects and will have likely dealt with many of the issues you want to remedy in your current home. You might be surprised how much a talented architect can transform a typical tract home!
Grisafe Architecture, a Long Beach architecture firm, has this perspective on home remodels in Long Beach, California: “We work with a lot of families to help transform their Long Beach homes into spaces that work for them. It doesn’t always involve adding more square footage. It often just means reallocating the space in a way that makes sense for our clients and their lifestyles.”
They continue: “Even if your home was perfectly adequate when you first bought it, your family’s situation may have changed since then. Your kids grew up and moved out; you added to your family by having kids or taking in an elderly family member; or you now work from home and need some office space. Needs change over the years, and your home could likely benefit from some changes as well.” A talented architect can help you reimagine your space, as well as help you come up with creative solutions that you (or your general contractor) may not be able to envision. It’s helpful to come to an architect with ideas of your own, but also be open to their ideas for transforming your living space. For the best results, find an architect who is easy for you to communicate with—who will listen to your ideas and explain theirs in ways you can understand. At the end of the day, you want your home to fit your lifestyle and be a reflection of your style.
