Many homeowners these days are opting to invest in their current homes rather than move. “Renovations and expansions are a great way to add value to your existing space,” says Gonen Kinstlich, the co-owner of ​​D&L Builders in San Diego. “But you need to do your homework before diving in.” Below, Kinstlich shares how homeowners can set their renovation projects up for success from the outset.

Authentic enthusiasm. Kinstlich has been keen on creating things since he was young. “I’ve always loved building things, starting with Lego,” he says. His earliest training included working under experts in the flooring and plumbing industries. “I loved it right away,” he says. After working in construction for several years, Kinstlich decided to create something for himself. “I joined with my business partner in 2019 to launch D&L Builders, and the rest is history.”

Passionate problem-solving. For Kinstlich and his team, money is a byproduct of the work itself. “The ability to fulfill our customers’ dreams — that’s the biggest achievement for us,” he says. Even the complicated ups and downs of any project don’t faze Kinstlich. “The challenges make it worth it, especially at the end of the day when you see the result,” he says.

Ready to renovate? Below, Kinstlich shares a few tips to help you prep.

1. Get All Your Questions Answered

“Dig into the details of what your contractor will supply and handle,” Kinstlich says. “Contractors know you’ll have a lot of questions and they should be ready to answer them.” Some of those details include confirming the plans, understanding the permitting process and selecting your preferred materials before any walls come down.

For this contemporary kitchen remodel in San Diego, Kinstlich prioritized listening to exactly what the homeowner wanted rather than forging ahead with his own plan of action. “Top-tier, licensed contractors will listen to what you want,” he says. “And the more questions you ask and we answer at the beginning of the project, the better the end result will be.”

2. Establish a Clear Plan of Action

Deciphering blueprints and project plans isn’t in every homeowner’s wheelhouse. If that’s true for you, be sure to work with a contracting team that emphasizes transparent communication. “Read through the project plan and description carefully,” Kinstlich says. “If your contractor said, ‘Yes, we can do that,’ make sure you see that formalized clearly in the plan.”

Structural changes often introduce the most confusion, like at this large-scale, midcentury kitchen remodel in San Diego. “You might have the misconception that the structure of your renovation can be as easy as one, two, three,” Kinstlich says. “But sometimes the engineers don’t know what they’re getting into until the project starts.” By working with a communicative contractor, you’ll stay apprised of any changes to the plan along the way.

3. Make Sure to Model It First

The best channel for clear communication is 3D modeling. “No matter what, whether the project is big or small, we always provide a 3D design for our clients just to make sure they understand what they’re getting into,” Kinstlich says. For a homeowner, there’s no better way to be sure your vision is being clearly articulated. Plus, your contractors can move ahead with the full confidence that every project collaborator is on the same page.

For this striking San Diego bathroom remodel with intricate stonework, the homeowners had a clear vision they hoped the D&L team could deliver. “We worked together to model all the finished materials, lighting features and tiles to see how they would look in the space,” Kinstlich says. “It’s great because you can guarantee there won’t be any surprises. And our clients have a lot of fun with the process.”

Interested in learning more about the featured remodeling project? Check out our Projects page to see more pictures and details of many of our previous projects!

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