Happy Thanksgiving!

Ever since I was a boy, growing up here in La Mesa, I have fondly looked forward to the holiday season. Thanksgiving at the Pykles house always brought happy feelings of Family, Football and especially good Food. When my folks started out with their home, here in La Mesa, it was a single story with 1 bathroom and 2 bedrooms and things were fairly modest when it came to the way they lived. The home that they knew then was never really a reality for me as I was the last in the line of my 5 siblings, but it never fails to make me smile seeing pictures of my Family when we were the new kids on the block. Over the years, as our Family grew in size, my Dad and Mom decided that they would need to add on to their home in order to accommodate all of us kids. So, they took their 2 bedroom 1 bathroom house and added a Family room downstairs. And then they added two more bedrooms and another bath. Followed by the final addition of a laundry room, guest bedroom and bathroom over their garage with an adjoining deck over their driveway. Needless to say, my Family aren’t strangers to the remodeling process. We know and have had many experiences with changing the space in which we’ve lived. So, without getting too sappy or sentimental, I really enjoy looking back at old photos of the time when my parents were newlywed, expecting their first couple of kids in that house, because I’ve known all along that we have had many things...

American Express sponsors Small Business Saturday – Nov. 29th!

Hello Everyone! We are excited to announce that on November 16th, 2014 anyone who is an American Express Card Member can register to receive a $10 statement credit for spending $10+ in our store with their registered AmEx Card on November 29th! It’s what American Express calls Small Business Saturday! Simply go to ShopSmall.com starting November 16th, register your card and spend more than $10 at 3 of your favorite local stores and you’ll get a $10 statement credit on each purchase! For any specific questions regarding the offer visit ShopSmall.com/OfferTerms or call the number on the back of your American Express Card.   Thank you for supporting Pykles Remodeling as a locally owned small business in La Mesa, CA. We have been Family owned and operated as a local business since 1946 and it is only because of our local customers that we can say that. Pykles Remodeling – 8348 Center Dr. Suite A – La Mesa, CA – 91941 – (619) 463-1600 P – (619) 668-4683...

Bio-Clean… the drain cleaner that’s Green!

Today it was announced that Bio-Clean, an environmentally safe drain cleaner, will be featured in an upcoming episode of “Innovations” with Ed Begley, Jr. slated to air later this year in December on the Discovery Channel! Bio-Clean is a drain cleaner made up of a  proprietary formula containing natural bacteria and enzymes that biodegrade organic waste which cause problems in drain-waste systems which is why Pykles has been using and recommending it to our customers for over 20 years! Keep reading to see just how valuable this product can be to you and your home drain maintenance. “Innovations“, an information based television series geared toward educating the public on the latest breakthroughs in all areas of society, will feature Bio-Clean‘s unique ability to clean drain lines by DIGESTING dead organic waste found in your plumbing system (i.e. grease, hair, soap scum, food particles paper and cotton) without effecting the strength or integrity of your pipes! And even better yet, Bio-Clean does not produce heat, dangerous fumes or boiling like chemical drain cleaners do! If you have not used Bio-Clean before all you have to do is mix one tablespoon of solution into one pint of warm water and treat whatever sink, tub or shower drain that is running slow 5 days in a row followed by an application once a month. And because Bio-Clean needs time to work it is best applied when drains will NOT be used for 6 to 8 hours (at bedtime for example). Each 2 lb. jar of Bio-Clean comes with a 1-table spoon scoop so mixing the solution is easy. Thorough directions for treating floor drains, toilets, garbage disposals, multi-story homes and even...

How to Avoid Falling in your Home

This blog post comes to you via an article my Dad, Craig Pykles, received in the mail the other day from my last living Grandma, Hilda Serr, of Camarillo, CA. The article was written by Betty Berry, a senior advocate for Senior Concerns, as an editorial for my Grandma’s local newspaper, The Star, dated Wednesday, August 6th, 2014. Hilda is my Mom’s, Mom and she is a young 94 years old. And although she is still sharp as a tack mentally, her physical prowess just isn’t quite the same as it was a few years ago. Thinking of my Grandma falling worries me. She lives on her own and, although she has regular visitors, she could easily get caught up in a bad situation just by doing what used to come to her naturally. If you or a loved one are looking for solutions to make your home a little safer, we hope you wouldn’t hesitate to call us at our office and/or come into see the wide array of products we have on display in our showroom to make aging in your home as easy as possible. From stairlifts to grab bars to walk in tubs, Pykles Remodeling has everything you need to help you enjoy your home as long as you like. To begin your aging in place journey, we hope you enjoy the following article and find the time to visit us soon. “Q: Do you have any hints on how to avoid falls, especially in the home? A: Not every fall can be prevented, but may can be. Thought beforehand on behalf of the senior...

Save $100 by Installing a New Toilet or Water Heater!

Pykles is proud to tell our customers about SDG&E’s 2015-2016 Home energy efficiency rebate application and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s SoCalWater$mart rebate program! These incentive based programs are offering Southern California residents great rebates on everything from new high efficiency toilets, refrigerators, clothes washers, air conditioners, natural gas furnaces, wall insulation, electric/natural gas/heat pump water heaters and variable speed pool pumps and motors! The SoCal Water$mart 2014-2015 commences on June 1, 2014 and ends on June 30, 2015 for Metropolitan Water District’s residential water rebate customers. All of the same products and rebates from the previous program are still available. There are no changes in the requirements from the previous program and rebates offered by local water agencies are available through the “Estimate My Rebate” tool. Effective June 1, 2014, rebate incentives are being enhanced for High Efficiency Toilets with a 1.28 GPF to $100. Check out the list of qualifying toilets by clicking on this link! –>qualifying_list_het To participate in SDG&E’s Home energy efficiency rebate program all you have to do is purchase a qualifying product between January 1st, 2013 and December 31st, 2015 and have Pykles install it by February 1st, 2016! Here is a copy of the Home Energy Efficiency Rebate Application: SDG&E Rebate Application SDG&E’s program will end December 31st, 2015 or earlier if allocated funds are spent before that date. If you have any questions regarding the program you can call Pykles Remodeling at (619) 463-1600 or SDG&E directly at (800) 644- 6133. So if you need to upgrade your home appliances call Pykles Today and Save! Pykles Remodeling – 8348 Center Dr....

7 Things to Keep in Mind for Your Next Renovation

Here at Pykles Remodeling we try to help our Clients and their families plan ahead before undertaking any major remodels or projects. This does a couple of things. First, it reduces any stress and potential anxiety our clients may unexpectedly experience during the remodeling process through prior education, and secondly it allows our team to be most effective and efficient in solving potential problems in the general construction process. In short, we take good care of our clients and their expectations by being organized and methodical in our communication and construction so everyone benefits. Here is a list of 7 things Gary Gooding, a remodeling expert here at Pykles, says to keep in mind for Your Next Renovation. Make a list of what you want to change. Look at websites and magazines to get inspiration for the redesign. Write down what you like and why you like it, and look online and at Pykles Remodeling to get a price estimate. Once you know what you want to change, prioritize your list by ranking each item in order of what needs to get done first. Refer to your list throughout the project to help you stay on track.   Consider your resources: time, budget and energy. When deciding between an update and an overhaul, take into consideration the amount of time, money and energy that you’ll have to dedicate to the project. Set a budget. Once you figure out how much you can spend, subtract 20% to 30% from this number and set it aside for contingencies. Sketch it out. A rough sketch of the layout of the space will...

Home Improvements Increase a Home’s Value and Appeal

At Pykles Remodeling we are happy to share information with our clients that can help them decide where to invest in their homes. This recent article we found in REMODELING magazine shows just what YOU can expect from making improvements to your home. Whether you’re considering the purchase of a new home or ready to prep for a quick sale, you know there are home improvements that can increase your home’s value and appeal. So, which remodeling projects offer the potential for some of the biggest paybacks? The following mid-range remodeling jobs offer the highest returns. Remodeling Job                                     Estimated Cost                  Return on Investment Entry door replacement (steel)                       $1,137                                             85.6% Deck addition (wood)                                        $9,327                                            77.3% Garage door replacement                                 $1,496                                            75.7% Minor kitchen remodel                                     $18,527                                           75.4% Window replacement (wood)                           $10,708                                         73.3% Attic bedroom                                                      $47,919                                          72.9% Siding replacement (vinyl)                                $11,192                                           72.9% Window replacement (vinyl)                            $9,770                                            71.2% Basement remodel                                              $61,303                                          70.3% Major kitchen remodel                                      $53,931                                           68.9% If you’re looking to make any of these improvements call Pykles Remodeling to get a free estimate today! Pykles Remodeling – 8348 Center Dr. Ste. A – La Mesa, CA 91942 – (619) 463-1600 P – (619) 668-4683 F –...

15 Popular Kitchen Countertop Materials

When it comes to selecting a countertop for your kitchen, there are many choice’s at your fingertips. Since this particular surface influences many kitchen palettes, we feel it’s important our client’s choose something that looks good to them, will hold up under the kitchen activity of their household and comes with a price tag that suits their budget. Here is a quick guide to the Pros and Cons of 15 popular kitchen countertop materials to help you find the choice that best suits you! Soapstone Kitchen Counters Often used in laboratories for it’s resistance to stains, chemicals and bacteria, soapstone is a durable and natural choice for a kitchen. At $80 to $100 per square foot installed, it might be on the more expensive side, but it can be a lifetime investment. Granite Kitchen Counters There are plenty of reasons granite is so popular – this natural stone has plenty of character, with unique grains, colors and customizable finishes. When properly sealed, it’s one of the most durable options out there. While it can cost as low as $50 per square foot installed, prices can go up quickly with more exotic slabs and difficult installations. Copper Kitchen Counters It certainly isn’t common, but a copper countertop is surprisingly easy to clean and maintain. However, it’s not for perfectionists – since it’s a “living” surface, it reacts to different substances, creating a blend of matte reds, browns and greens. But for those who love the look, the minimum $100 per square foot cost is worth it. Engineered Quartz Kitchen Counters Perfect for the customized home, engineered quartz comes in just...

Top Trends in Bathroom Renovations

The Bathroom is the 2nd Most Popular room in the House to remodel, after kitchens. Source: Houzz, 2014 Winter Bathroom Trends Study The master bath takes center stage. 60% of homeowners who are renovating their bathrooms are renovating their Master Bathrooms, with 61% choosing to start completely from scratch after gutting the existing room. Who needs a bathtub? The older the homeowner, the more likely they are to skip a bathtub in master and other full bathrooms. 59% of homeowners aged 65+ plan to skip a tub in the master or other full bath. 36% of 25 to 34 year olds plan to skip it in the master. 39% of 25 to 34 year olds plan to skip it in another full bathroom. Top 3 types of tubs for bath lovers: Freestanding tub Drop-in tub Spa or jetted tub One sink or two?      91% of homeowners are replacing their master bathroom sink.      45% of homeowners aged 25 to 44 are installing two sinks; 58% of homeowners aged 45+ are installing two sinks. Glass rules the master bath.      79% of homeowners prefer glass shower doors over a shower curtain. Greener flushing.       91% of homeowners are installing high-efficiency toilets. White cabinet are the top choice for renovations. However, dark and medium wood tones are also popular. The top 3 wood choices: Cherry Maple Oak Recent Photos of Work Completed This new shower shows just how nice a glass shower enclosure can look. Another view of the bathroom from the entry looking back at the sink and toilet. Peter cleans up the shower glass made by Cardinal Shower...

Happy Anniversary!

Today we celebrate the 44th Wedding Anniversary of Craig and Donna Pykles here at Pykles Remodeling. They met on a Summer afternoon in their youth when Craig was on a lunch break as a summer assistant at the Scripps Institute of Oceanography in La Jolla during his undergraduate studies at SDSU. You may have walked down the concrete staircase that leads to the shores from the parking lot located on the corner of Kennel Way and El Paseo Grande. The story goes that Craig would walk down that staircase to eat his lunch for the half hour he was allotted everyday. And on one fine summer afternoon, out of the blue, a girl showed up that caught Craig’s eye. Donna happened to be on vacation visiting her Grandma in San Diego for a week having come down from Oxnard. Too shy to say hello, Craig ate his lunch quietly to himself and found the courage to casually mention to Donna’s Grandma, “you have a lovely daughter” before proceeding to leave the beach, half expecting to never see either of them again. That night, my Dad says he said a prayer, in which he asked God if he could see that girl, My Mom, again the next day. And the very next day, at the same time and the same location down that same staircase from the parking lot on the corner of Kennel and Paseo Grande playing in the waves and sand was my Mom. Now there is much more to this story that I don’t want to give away, including an epic first date culminating with their first...