Client Success Story
Whole-Home Remodel · Bay Park, San Diego, CA
When Bill reached out to Lars in the spring of 2024, he carried with him something far heavier than a renovation wish list. His family was going through a great deal, and amid all of it, Bill had found one thing he could do: get his daughter a beautiful home to live in. He and his wife Cris owned a small 1940s bungalow in Bay Park, the very home Cris’s father had built by hand in 1949, and as it happened, their daughter taught at a school just down the street. It felt like kismet. Their mission was clear: transform this sentimental, 879-square-foot house into a true home for their daughter, her husband, and their three young grandchildren.
The stakes felt enormous. Bill and Cris had bought out six siblings to keep this property in the family, and now they wanted to honor that legacy while giving it an entirely new life — one built around a growing family of five who needed room, light, and the spirit of the home Cris had grown up in. It wasn’t about a remodel. It was about giving their family something solid to hold onto.
This was never going to be a simple addition. The home needed to grow from a 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom rental into a 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom family home of roughly 2,000 square feet — without losing the coastal bungalow character that made it so special. The grandchildren’s excitement said it all: when Bill would pick up the kids from school and drive by the job site, they’d press their faces to the windows and say, “This is where my room’s going to be.”
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“My daughter has cancer. What can I do? Well, one thing I can do is get her a beautiful house to live in. Lars were the people I trust.” — Bill, reflecting on why this project mattered |
Bill’s project was a whole-home remodel and major addition that touched nearly every system and surface of a beloved 1940s Bay Park bungalow — transforming a 879-square-foot rental into a spacious, multi-generational family home rooted in coastal character.
Every decision — from the tile selections to the cabinet heights — was made with one goal in mind: to create a home worthy of the family history it carries, and the new life it’s being built to hold.
Bill found Lars through an online search, but it was what happened next that set the tone for everything. Before he ever scheduled a formal meeting, he interviewed or requested proposals from 16 different architects. The experience left him exhausted and frustrated — he quickly realized that managing separate architects and contractors would put him in the middle of a complex project at the worst possible time for his family.
When he connected with Lars, he encountered something different from the start. Ken came to the house — multiple times — and did something no one else had thought to do: he brought a camera on a pole to photograph potential rooftop views, gauging whether a second-story deck was worth pursuing. That level of genuine curiosity and investment, before a single dollar had changed hands, told Bill everything. “He said, ‘I’m going to take care of you from the beginning to the end.’” That promise was the one Bill needed to hear.
From Design Consultation in mid-2024 through a signed agreement in December and construction delivery in March 2026, Lars guided the Goddard family through every phase of a complex whole-home transformation — with clear communication and a steady hand at every turn.
Case Study
Bill and Cris sat down with the Lars team to formally explore the scope. Single-story and two-story options were presented. The project was officially defined: a whole-home remodel and major addition rooted in coastal bungalow character.
Full site measure completed and interior design discovery conducted with Wendy, Interior Designer. Bill and Cris shared their vision: simple, curated materials, custom cabinetry throughout, and a design that preserved the 1940s charm Cris had grown up with.
Design Review 1 and Design Review 2 completed. The Lars showroom gave Bill and Cris a place to point at finishes, materials, and styles and say ‘we want it to look like that’ — turning abstract decisions into something they could see and touch. Seeing the floor plans and renderings come together made the dream feel real for the whole family.
The Home Improvement Agreement was executed and the first milestone payment completed. With design finalized and trust firmly established, the project moved into permitting and pre-construction planning.
Selections meeting held with Wendy, Interior Designer, and Christy, Design Coordinator. Kitchen, guest bath, and primary bath finishes were locked in — including a sky-blue backsplash, smoky hex terrazzo tile, and Stillwater cabinetry with wood tile flooring.
Project Manager introduced to the family. Geotechnical and environmental testing completed. Scope addendum finalized. Weekly construction meetings and the project portal were set up so Bill and Cris stayed informed at every step.
Demolition and structural work commenced. The team managed all trades, permits, and coordination — absorbing the complexity so the family never had to. Weekly meetings kept everyone aligned and any issues were worked through collaboratively.
Construction completed and the home delivered. A 1940s Bay Park bungalow — transformed into a spacious, light-filled family home — ready for the next chapter.
From the very first conversation, the Lars team understood that this was not a standard renovation. Bill arrived with real emotional stakes — this home was something he could do for his family at a time when they needed it most — and Ken responded accordingly. He didn’t lead with a pitch or a proposal. He visited the house. He came back again. He arrived with a camera on a pole to capture potential rooftop views. He listened long before he ever drew a line. Interior Designer Wendy brought that same quality to the design process — and she needed it. Cris and their daughter didn’t always agree on design direction, and Wendy had to navigate both of them with care. Bill put it simply: she was “firm, but a good listener.” She pushed when it was right, stepped back when it wasn’t, and landed somewhere both of them were genuinely proud of. Function always before flash. History always honored.
Bill had done his homework — exhaustive, thorough, and ultimately frustrating homework. He had contacted or interviewed 16 architects before finding Lars. What he encountered elsewhere confirmed his fear: he would be pulled into a chaotic liaison role between separate architects and contractors, managing complexity he didn’t have the bandwidth for. What Lars showed him was different. The integrated team — architecture, interior design, permitting, project management, and construction all under one roof — meant Bill could step back and trust. The design reviews gave his grandchildren something concrete to dream about. The presentation of multiple renderings helped the whole family see what the home would become. By the time the design agreement was signed, confidence had already been earned, not just promised.
The Bay Park project touched nearly every system in a 75-year-old house: structural additions, full electrical and plumbing upgrades, roofing, geotechnical review, environmental testing, permitting, and a multi-phase interior fit-out spanning three baths, a kitchen, and an entirely new footprint. Bill’s family had a great deal on their plate. They did not need to manage vendors. They didn’t need to coordinate trades. They needed one trusted team to carry all of that complexity on their behalf. The Project Manager ran weekly on-site meetings, kept the family current through the project portal, and brought the kind of empathy the job demanded. The weekly meeting form has five stars to rate the experience. Cris gave him six. “He’s gone above and beyond what you’d expect,” Bill said. When something wasn’t right, it got resolved — collaboratively, quickly, and without drama. The issues were few. The trust was absolute.
This was a multigenerational project in every sense. Bill and Cris needed a home worthy of their family’s legacy. Their daughter’s family needed space for five — a primary suite, individual rooms for three young grandchildren, room for a home office, and bathrooms that could handle a busy household. Not every decision was simple. Bill had wanted an ADU; Cris didn’t. Rather than forcing a choice, the team found a third path: a 5th bedroom — a granny flat-style space that gave the flexibility Bill wanted without the separation Cris didn’t. “It’s so functional now,” Bill said. “And it’s so beautiful.” Interior Designer Wendy’s discovery was rooted in the same practicality: plan each space for function first, then layer in the coastal bungalow character that made the home distinctly itself. The material selections were curated to be beautiful but uncomplicated — because that’s what this family asked for, and that’s what they got.
Bill came to Lars with a clear emotional brief: honor the history of this home, don’t turn it into something it isn’t, and give his daughter and her family somewhere beautiful to begin this next chapter of their lives. When construction reached its final stages and Bill watched the cabinets go in and the rooms take shape, he said it plainly: “It was what I wanted, what I expected, what we really needed at this point.” No modern monstrosity. No McMansion. A coastal bungalow, restored and expanded with love — delivered with the precision and care this family deserved.
Every project has a moment where it stops being a plan and starts being a place. For the Goddards, it was the balcony. When the framing went up on the second story and they stepped out for the first time, Bill got goosebumps. Over the Fourth of July weekend — while the structure was still raw framing — the family climbed up and watched the fireworks from the roof. The view of the hills stretched out in the distance. The freeway hum below felt, as Bill put it, “kind of soothing.” In that moment, they knew. This was going to be their retreat. Their place. Exactly what they’d come to Lars hoping to find.
What Bill Goddard asked for was simple, and everything at once: a house where his daughter and grandchildren could live beautifully — one that honored the spirit of the 1940s home Cris’s father had built by hand, without erasing what made it theirs.
That home now exists in Bay Park. It is larger, brighter, and built to hold a family of five for generations to come. The grandchildren know which room is theirs. Their daughter has a home worthy of the life ahead of her. And Bill has the peace of knowing he did the one thing he could do — exactly as he’d hoped.
If Bill’s story resonates with you — the idea of taking a home that matters and turning it into something your family can truly grow into — we’d love to hear yours. Whether you’re in Bay Park, anywhere across San Diego, or just beginning to think about what’s possible, Lars offers a complimentary in-home Design Consultation with no obligation. We’ll come to you, listen before we say a word about design, and help you understand what your project could look like before you commit to anything. Just like we did for Bill.
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What should I expect from a custom home remodel?
When you decide to remodel your home in San Diego, count on our team of experienced builders and talented home design contractors to handle every stage of the design-build process diligently and professionally. We apply a wide range of skills to transform your living space with style and precision:
How long should my whole home remodeling project take?
We’ll discuss the length of your project during an initial consultation. Although the scope of a project will determine its length, we can provide you with an approximate estimate early on.
For more information, get in touch with our home remodeling contractors in San Diego. We’ll ask you a series of detailed questions about the upcoming home remodel, which will help us prepare a preliminary estimate.
How much should I budget for home remodeling?
It’s the complexity of each remodel, as well as the desired goals and needs of each client, that makes each project unique. Besides the type and size of your home improvement in San Diego, the cost of materials needed plays a key role in setting up the budget.
Feel free to give us a call if you have any questions regarding the final costs of the project and consult with our experts directly. Our home design contractors will be happy to answer all of them and provide you with a more accurate estimate.
What should I know before adding on to my house?
Before adding a room addition to your San Diego property, conduct a thorough inspection of your home and clarify your objectives:
Finally, you should know who to turn to for advanced assistance. Luckily, there’s a reputable local company serving San Diego communities. We at Lars Remodeling & Design would be happy to offer a detailed outline of the key aspects of your project.
Is it safe to live in a house while renovating?
For substantial additions or major renovations, it might be a good idea to think about staying somewhere else. To stick to your budget, you could stay with friends or family, or rent a place nearby so you can easily keep an eye on the remodeling progress. As experienced remodeling contractors, we’re eager to learn more about your project and explore all your options with you. Don’t hesitate to give us a call!
Is renovating an old house worth it?
Absolutely. However, the value of such a renovation largely depends on factors like the property’s location, the extent of work required, and the current market conditions. For any home design or design-build project, it’s advisable to consult directly with our experienced contractors. We’ll access your San Diego residence to identify the type of remodel that would offer you the best return on investment.
