Remodeling Resource Guides
Deep, honest, research-backed guides to the remodeling decisions that matter most in Northern California — each one connecting the science and the local details to the work we actually do.
These are our pillar guides — long-form overviews that pull together what the research says, how it applies to Northern California homes, and where to go next. Each links to our detailed cost guides, articles, services, and the cities we serve. We cite primary sources — universities, national laboratories, government agencies, and industry research groups — and never invent statistics or costs.
Flooring for Northern California Homes
Hardwood, engineered, LVP, laminate and tile compared — moisture behaviour, subfloor requirements, radiant heat compatibility, and where each belongs.
Read the guideSystems in Older Northern California Homes
Repiping, knob-and-tube wiring, panel capacity, lead and asbestos, plaster, and ductwork — what an older home actually needs when the walls come open.
Read the guideStructural Interior Changes
Wall removal, vaulted and coffered ceilings, stairs, millwork and soundproofing — what is structural, what is finish, and what California seismic design adds.
Read the guideBuilding an ADU in California
How California's statewide ADU laws work, the types of accessory dwelling units, the approval timeline, and what it costs — with research from UC Berkeley's Terner Center and California HCD.
Read the guideWildfire Home Hardening
How homes ignite in a wildfire and the exterior upgrades that reduce that risk — grounded in building-science research from IBHS, Headwaters Economics, UC ANR, and Cal Fire.
Read the guideKitchen Remodeling
Planning a kitchen that works — layout and the work triangle, materials, budgeting, and what the remodel returns, with guidance from the NKBA and Harvard's Joint Center for Housing Studies.
Read the guideBathroom Remodeling & Aging in Place
Waterproofing, ventilation, layout, and barrier-free design that lets homeowners stay safely at home — referencing the NKBA, the U.S. Access Board (ADA), and CDC guidance.
Read the guideHome Energy & California Title 24
How California's Title 24 energy code shapes windows, insulation, and HVAC in a remodel, and which upgrades pay off — drawing on the California Energy Commission, LBNL, and the U.S. DOE.
Read the guideRemodeling Cost & ROI
How to think about remodeling budgets and resale value in Northern California, using the Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report, Harvard JCHS market research, and NARI.
Read the guideJames Hardie Siding
The complete guide to James Hardie fiber cement siding — every product line, ColorPlus colors and textures, the HardieZone HZ5/HZ10 system for California, installation, and the 30-year warranty.
Read the guideOur guidance is grounded in primary research and authoritative standards rather than marketing claims. Across these guides you'll find references to:
- Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS)
Leading academic research center tracking the U.S. remodeling market (the LIRA index and the 'Improving America's Housing' report) and long-term housing trends.
- UC Berkeley — Terner Center for Housing Innovation
University research center whose studies on California's ADU laws documented the surge in accessory-dwelling-unit permits after the state's 2016–2020 reforms.
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory — Building Technology
U.S. Department of Energy national lab researching building energy efficiency — windows, envelopes, and the science behind California's Title 24 energy standards.
- Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS)
Independent, insurer-funded building-science research lab whose full-scale testing underpins wildfire home-hardening and ember-resistance best practices.
- Headwaters Economics — Wildfire Research
Nonpartisan research group studying the wildland-urban interface, home-hardening costs, and the economics of building for wildfire in the West.
- UC Agriculture & Natural Resources (UC ANR) — Fire
University of California Cooperative Extension research and outreach on defensible space, home hardening, and fire-adapted communities.
- National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA)
The kitchen-and-bath industry association that publishes design planning guidelines and annual design-trend research.
- National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI)
Professional association for the remodeling industry, publisher of the Remodeling Impact and homeowner-guidance resources.
- Remodeling Magazine — Cost vs. Value Report
Annual industry study comparing the cost of common remodeling projects to the resale value they recoup, broken out by region.
- California Geological Survey (CGS)
State geological agency mapping earthquake fault zones and seismic hazards that inform foundation and retrofit decisions across Northern California.
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