Maintaining customer satisfaction is a crucial aspect of any business, but it’s even more important for remodeling contractors that have earned the prestigious Diamond Certified award. For NuHome Remodeling, the key to keeping customers happy is simple: always put their needs first, no matter what. “It’s important for us to treat every client like they’re family,” says co-owner Guy Kristshstein. “Sometimes that’s lacking in the construction industry, but it’s really important to approach customers with respect and transparency. Ultimately, our goal is to deliver their projects on time and do whatever it takes to make them happy.”

NuHome Remodeling has been providing various remodeling services for residential clients in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties since 2020. The family-owned and operated company utilizes its design/build capabilities to remodel everything from kitchens and bathrooms to entire homes, and it’s also qualified to build room additions, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), patio enclosures, and more.

Unlike less experienced remodeling contractors that take a “hands off” approach to keeping their customers informed throughout the construction process, NuHome Remodeling prioritizes communication in every aspect of its operations. “We start each project the right way by putting communication first,” affirms Mr. Kristshstein. “By listening closely to our clients and communicating effectively, we can help them find the right solutions for their needs. To us, the customer experience is just as important as the end result.”

Ultimately, Mr. Kristshstein sees NuHome Remodeling’s ability to offer “one-stop shop” remodeling services as its most important attribute. “We deliver the entire project seamlessly, from the permits and design plans to material shopping,” he says. “Our service philosophy is quality over quantity. We only take on a few jobs at a time so we can completely focus on our clients and give them the outcomes they want. The harder we work for them, the better their jobs match their dreams, and that’s what we’re here for.”

Research is the key to creating a successful remodeling plan.
Before you start working with a design/build contractor on a remodeling project, the first thing you should do is determine how to best take advantage of your property. Most sites have discernible features that you can highlight. This can be something as dramatic as designing an entire house around a great view or as simple as maximizing your kitchen’s aesthetic appeal. Here are some other tips to consider when taking on a remodeling project:

Do your homework. California has numerous building regulations that dictate certain aspects of remodeling projects (including height restrictions and finishing material requirements), and these regulations need to be carefully considered before you start designing. For instance, most municipalities have minimum requirements for the setbacks of your property. This means you and your neighbors will have to keep permanent structures a certain distance from the property lines.

Get creative. Look at various houses and house plans to get inspiration for your own project. Drive around your neighborhood or search online for photos of homes you like. You can take these photos to your design/build contractor and ask for a similar blueprint. You can also buy a drafting sketch pad (which has a grid pattern on every page), designate a certain number of feet per box on the grid and sketch some ideas for room layouts.

Use reference points. Measure the room dimensions of your current home to gain some perspective on how the finished product will look after the remodeling work is done. You’ll want to avoid making design/plan changes during the construction process, so it’s vital to finalize all the details of your plan before construction begins. In the world of construction, changes equal cost for everyone involved.

Review bids line by line. According to Guy Kristshstein, co-owner of NuHome Remodeling in San Jose, it’s important to compare the details of each bid and get to the bottom of why some numbers are larger or smaller than others. “Only then should you move forward and hire a contractor that promises to provide the quality, value, and service that you’re looking for,” he says. “Also, don’t hesitate to get that promise in writing—any good contractor will be happy to do it.”

Q: Will the price change from the original estimate?
A: No, we honor the price quoted on the original estimate. If we find something that will impact the time or cost of the job, we’ll talk to you about it.

Q: Do you accept change orders?
A: If you change your mind during the job or want to add things that weren’t in the original estimate, we can help you. This usually comes with an additional cost, but we’ll be honest and clear about that before any decisions are made.

Q: Do you offer design services?
A: Yes, we provide design/build services as requested. Designing is a trade by itself, so we’re upfront about explaining our design process and how that planning works. We have dedicated designers on our crew, and we also work with talented design subcontractors.

Q: How many people will be working in my home?
A: It depends on the type of work and the size of the job. For demolition, there may be four to six people working, and for other parts of the job, there may be three framers and two electricians. Once we know the details of your project, we’ll be able to tell you how many people will be on your property. We’ll also explain how the work will be structured in terms of crew members.

Q: Can you suggest places to shop for finish materials?
A: We have a list of showrooms and vendors we’ve collected over the years. Many of these places offer good discounts and carry a variety of products, and most offer different tiers of materials to fit every budget. Because we have experience working with these vendors and showrooms, we know about their lead and delivery times, which saves time and minimizes the likelihood of waiting for materials.

Q: Can I talk to your previous clients and see jobs you’ve completed in the past?
A: Yes. We’re happy to share references, and we can even take you to jobsites so you can talk to those clients in person. We also publish pictures of our work on our website so you can see the quality that we provide.

Q: How do you stay current in your industry?
A: There are always new things to learn in the construction industry, so every few months, we have a representative from a painting or roofing company show us new products and introduce us to new codes and information. It’s important for us as professionals to always stay ahead of the game and innovate.