Updating Your Living Space

If you’re a homeowner living in the South Bay, and you’re looking to remodeling your home instead of spending large amounts of cash on building or buying a new one, you might want to check out San Jose-based Case Handyman Remodeling.

Started in January, 2005 as a franchise of Bethesda-based Case Design and Remodeling, the nation’s largest full-service franchise remodeling company, Case Handyman Remodeling offers a wide variety of services including basic home repairs, cosmetic fixes and living space renovations, but above all, specializes in kitchen and bathroom remodels. “That’s our sweet spot,” says owner Jim Kabel, who worked 25 years in the high-tech business but retired to start Case when he got frustrated with the lack of local contractor interest and capability in doing smaller projects at his home.

Case prides itself on quality work and optimal customer service— working closely with clients from the moment they sit down to discuss their more complex project through the use of a “planning agreement,” —a stand-alone agreement which lays out the scope of the remodeling project, with the specific details to be defined—rather than a standard bidding contract that most contractors use. “We primarily use it for remodels with lots of details—kitchens, larger baths, and additions but it’s not a construction contract,” says Kabel. “Instead, working closely with the homeowner, they decide what the scope of the project is going to be within a budget range and we design to those goals. We take exiting measurements, produce several layout options, help the client choose a design, refine the design, and then work with them to choose finishes—the granite, cabinets, fixtures, or whatever finish details are required to complete the design within budget,” he explains.

At that point, the client can decide if they want to move forward with the project, or increase or decrease the budget for the project if they do continue. Only at that point is a formal contract signed. “At the end of this process, we’ve designed exactly what will be built with detail drawings, what materials will be used, and how much it’s going to cost before the homeowner commits to construction,” explains Kabel. 

This eliminates misunderstandings and minimizes change orders after the project is started, which can be costly and delay the schedule.

Case offers a staff of lead carpenters, a dedicated project manager, professional handymen, along with an in-house certified interior design, who can work with a client on a project from start to finish. The cost for the preliminary planning agreement service is $500-$3000 depending on the project size and complexity. “We’re working with a design-build model, so in that, we’re getting a smaller retainer up front compared to what an architect or designer might charge to design the project,” says Kabel.

 In a recent project, a couple who split their time between two cities decided to remodel their master bathroom in a home located in Los Gatos. 

“It was a high-end project, costing around $70,000,” says Mike Brennan, Remodeling Consultant on the project for Case. “The home was an 80’s California-style house, typical two-stories, with stucco,” he explains. The client’s complaint was that the bathroom was outdated. “It had a walk-in closet inside, typical walk-through with a single door, double vanity on the left, mirrored closet doors, a walk-in tub/shower/ toilet arrangement. It was just as stock as you could get,” he explains. According to Brennan, the couple was unhappy with their bathroom because it “just wasn’t very inviting.” The area was compartmentalized and storage wasn’t efficient for clothes. 

After meeting with his client, Brennan drew up a planning agreement and took her out shopping for all the necessities for the new bathroom. 

After agreement that the budget was realistic, a formal contract was signed and Case began remodeling the home. “We blew out everything, opened all the walls, and captured space from an adjacent bedroom that adjoined the room. We expanded the space significantly, raised the ceiling, added a jetted tub and put in a large 4 x 5 shower with all the bells and whistles. We enlarged a window over the toilet,” Brennan explains. 

The client was extremely pleased with the results, and ended up remodeling two other bathrooms, along with other rooms throughout the house. “We were able to tackle a whole bunch of projects at the same time,” says Brennan. Thanks to the use of the planning agreement process, the job went smoothly: “Without stress, we were able to move onto the construction phase and get it all built.”

For more information, contact Case Handyman and Remodeling, 6155 Almaden Expressway, Suite 400, San Jose. Telephone (408) 323-5300, http://www.SanJose.CaseRemodeling.com.

Join us for a FREE 2 hour seminar!

You’ll learn about the latest kitchen and bath trends, three levels of remodeling, setting timeframe for project completion, how to live through a remodeling project and setting a realistic budget.

Saturday, June 26th • 10 am to 12 noon

Saturday, July 24th • 10 am to 12 noon

Saturday, August 28th • 10 am to 12 noon

6155 Almaden Expressway, #400 • San Jose

Space is limited, so reserve yours today.

RSVP (408) 323-5300