Articles by TJ Kidder
T.J. Kidder is a home remodeling specialist dedicated to helping homeowners make informed, confident decisions about their renovation projects. Drawing on years of experience in research, homeowner education, and remodeling best practices, he provides practical insights that help clients better understand planning, budgeting, design, and construction.
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What Does It Cost to Build an ADU in San Diego in 2026?
There is no single official 2026 average for the cost of building an ADU in San Diego. Based on Lars Remodeling & Design’s experience planning and building local ADUs, homeowners can use several broad investment ranges as an initial guide: approximately $90,000–$150,000+ for a garage conversion, $120,000–$200,000+ for a junior ADU, $200,000–$350,000+ for an attached […]
Remodeling in a San Diego Historical District
San Diego’s historic districts include far more than the 11 places named in older lists. As of August 12, 2026, the City of San Diego Historical Districts GIS dataset contained 30 mapped records. A separate March 2025 City inventory report also reported 30 known districts as of October 2024, but its list is not identical. […]
5 Smart Home Upgrades for Your Remodel
You have already decided to give your residence a whole new look, yet you’d like to add some smart features to improve the overall functionality and comfort. If you’re planning to sell your property, such upgrades can positively influence the appraisal value. It’s important to devote some time to scan your home for areas that […]
Warm and Functional Whole Home Remodel Case Study: San Diego, CA
Client Success Story Sandy & Reza Family Whole Home Remodel • San Diego, CA 8 Spaces Transformed 10 Months Total Build Time WHOLE HOME Project Type GOOGLE How They Found Us Their Story Sandy and Reza came to Lars with a clear point of view: their 1977 San Diego home needed to work better before it […]
San Diego ADU Guide 2026: Costs, Rules & Timeline
Plan a San Diego ADU up to 1,200 square feet with current cost, permit, setback, financing, rental, and project-timeline guidance for local homeowners.
Home Remodel Budget: How Much Should You Actually Spend?
Most homeowners should keep total renovation spending under 30% of their home’s current market value. On a $900,000 San Diego home, that’s a $270,000 ceiling across every project combined. Individual rooms carry tighter guidelines than that, and the bigger risk usually isn’t spending too much overall. It’s spending too much relative to the houses around you. […]
How to Remodel a Kitchen on a Budget: Where to Save and Where to Splurge
On a kitchen remodel, cabinets take 30% to 40% of the budget and labor takes another 25% to 35%. Together that’s more than half the money before you’ve picked a single tile. Which is why the decisions that actually control a budget kitchen remodel aren’t the backsplash or the faucet finish. They’re layout, cabinets, and what you leave […]
Master Bedroom Remodel Guide: Layouts, Costs, and What San Diego Homeowners Are Getting Right
The primary bedroom is the one room in your home that belongs entirely to you. It’s where the day starts and ends, where you retreat when the rest of the house is at full volume, and where the quality of design either restores you or doesn’t. Most San Diego homes were built with primary bedrooms […]
17 Kitchen Remodel Ideas on a Budget That Make a Big Impact
The best kitchen remodel ideas on a budget improve what you notice and use every day without paying to rebuild what already works. Keep a functional footprint. Refresh sound cabinets. Repair good surfaces. Add useful storage and layered lighting. Then spend on replacement only where condition, safety, or daily function makes it necessary. That approach […]
How to Protect Yourself When Hiring a Remodeling Contractor in San Diego
Hiring a remodeling contractor is one of the largest financial decisions most San Diego homeowners make. A kitchen remodel, home addition, or whole-home renovation involves significant money, months of living disruption, and a contractor working inside your most valuable asset. The protections you put in place before work starts determine how much control you keep […]
