Inspired Remodels, Author at Inspired Remodels

3 Orange County Shower Remodeling Trends 2025

By Inspired Remodels / Bathroom Remodel / Comments Off

In 2025, Orange County shower remodeling projects continue to incorporate modern design, luxury, and more shower options than ever before. Inspired Remodels transforms ho-hum spaces into luxury spa-quality areas that perform beautifully and look fabulous. Here are the top trends for updating shower spaces.

Wet Areas

The shower remodeling projects with the most wow factor combine both the showering and bathing areas into one. Combined shower and tub areas provide the ultimate in luxury.

This wet area also offers multiple showering options. Whether you want a rain shower, a traditional shower, or the convenience of a handheld shower, there’s a spot for you. Tiled steps make the tub safely accessible. Glass doors and walls keep the rest of the bathroom dry. Note the use of the linear drain and keep reading for more about that new design trend in shower updates.

This remodeling project created a more traditional wet area. The soaking tub awaits after a quick shower from your choice of showerheads. You’ll never want to leave the bathroom area again.

Multiple Shower Options

Once, a handheld shower was considered a luxury – remember the early Waterpik Shower Massager?

Remember this oldie from the 1970s?

Then, shower remodelers began incorporating a handheld along with a traditional head.

Then came the rain shower shower head. This shower head style offers full body coverage with a gentle water flow that creates a sense of spa-like indulgence.

Today, many shower remodeling projects incorporate rain showers, traditional shower heads, and handheld options as well.

Linear Drains

Modern designs incorporate minimalist spa aesthetics, and linear drains support these designs.

By eliminating the traditional circular drain in the middle of the shower, the linear drain simplifies the shower floor slope and easily handles a higher volume of water created by multiple source points.

Courtesy Novo Drains

The unidirectional slope supports larger tile formats and increases your options for shower floor designs. Now you can really get creative with your shower remodel.

The one-way slope also creates a safer walking and standing surface. As Southern California homeowners age, this becomes a key consideration.

Shower Remodeling Done Right

When you are ready to watch your bathroom dreams become reality, talk to Inspired Remodels. This Lake Forest home remodeler designs and builds beautiful and functional bathrooms, showers, kitchens, living areas, and outdoor living spaces.

Bring your idea boards, desires, and want lists to the Inspired Remodels showroom and let skilled and licensed professionals turn them into valued changes to your home. Schedule a consultation and prepare to be amazed.

flooring contractor installed herringbone pattern wood planks in home entryway

Checklist for Hiring a Flooring Contractor

By Inspired Remodels / Home Improvement / Comments Off

When buying new flooring for your home, both the flooring material and the flooring contractor are important. But if you had to choose one as more important, the contractor wins every time. Good materials can’t compensate for bad installation, but good installation can elevate even basic materials.

So, use this handy checklist for hiring a flooring contractor.

Why the Flooring Contractor Matters

A great contractor makes even average flooring look amazing, but a bad contractor ruins even the best flooring.

Installation Impacts Durability

No matter how expensive or high-end the flooring you buy, a poor installation job with uneven subfloors, bad cuts, or wrong adhesives results in a waste of money. Instead of years of beauty, you get:

premature wear and tear
buckling or gapping
moisture issues
voided manufacturer warranties

Local Contractors Know What Works in Orange County

A skilled, local flooring contractor understands which materials are best suited for each space in the house. Different rooms present different challenges. For example, bathrooms need moisture resistance, and high-traffic areas require durability. Entry areas must take on everything that comes through the door.

An experienced contractor often catches issues homeowners miss, saving money and headaches down the line.

Flooring contractor after picture: Hardwood flooring on stairs and landing

Stair flooring is not a DIY project

Precision and Craftsmanship Matter

Even luxury flooring looks cheap if transitions are sloppy, planks aren’t staggered correctly, or seams show. A quality installer brings the craftsmanship needed for a clean, professional look.

A Quality Flooring Contractor Keeps an Eye on the Details

An experienced contractor develops an eye for the smallest details. These contractors know that much of the success of a floor comes before the first plank or tile is laid. They know what flooring requires acclimation and how to acclimate properly. When it comes time to install, they know how to:

test and level subfloors
handle moisture barriers
trim around obstacles cleanly
dispose of old flooring properly

Flooring Contractor Checklist

Use this checklist when evaluating flooring contractors. Download and print this version before you talk to contractors.

Credentials & Verification

Licensed in your state or county for flooring installation.
Bonded and insured (liability and workers’ compensation).
Provides a written contract with clear terms.

Experience & Expertise

Specializes in the type of flooring you’re installing (e.g., tile, hardwood, LVP).
Has at least 3-5 years of installation experience in residential.
Knowledgeable about subfloor prep, underlayment, and moisture barriers.
Can advise on material compatibility for your space (e.g., pets, climate, foot traffic).

Past Work & Reputation

Shares before-and-after photos or a portfolio of completed jobs.
Has positive online reviews (Google, Yelp, Houzz, etc.).
Can provides at least 2-3 references you can actually call.
No unresolved Better Business Bureau (BBB) complaints.

Estimates & Transparency

Provides a written estimate, including labor, materials, prep, cleanup, and disposal.
Breaks down pricing for add-ons, such as stairs, transitions, baseboards, or floor leveling.
Offers a realistic timeline and start date.
Answers questions clearly and doesn’t pressure you to rush a decision

Jobsite Conduct & Cleanup

Cleans up daily and protects other parts of your home.
Uses proper tools and follows manufacturer installation guidelines.
Provides a warranty on workmanship (typically 1-2 years minimum).

Inspired Remodels for Residential Flooring

When evaluating flooring contractors, be sure to talk to Inspired Remodels for your Orange County flooring needs.

You will deal with a local company that checks all the boxes. Schedule an estimate today.

Design-Build Firm vs. General Contractors: Exploring the Differences

By Inspired Remodels / Home Improvement / Comments Off

Planning a bathroom or kitchen remodel project? One of your first big decisions is who to hire to get the job done. Most people start by searching for Orange County general contractors. While that’s a common approach, there’s another option that delivers a better experience and fantastic results: working with a design-build firm like Inspired Remodels.

Both general contractors and design-build firms can hold a general contractor license. The difference lies in the way they manage your project and the value they bring. No wonder more homeowners choose the design-build route for their Orange County remodeling project.

What General Contractors Do

General contractors focus on the construction side of a project. They take your plans (created by an architect or designer) and manage the building process. This includes hiring subcontractors, scheduling work, ordering materials, and keeping the job on time and on budget.

Most general contractors offer only construction services and not design services. That leaves the homeowner responsible for hiring a designer before construction begins. You must also keep the designer and contractor aligned and communicating. Talk about a stressful and time-consuming task for homeowners!

What Design-Build Firms Do

A design-build firm like Inspired Remodels brings design and construction together under one roof. Instead of hiring one company to design the project and another to build it, you hire a single team that handles it all. Design-build firms include in-house designers and licensed general contractors who work side by side.

A team approach streamlines the project. Homeowners no longer act as the go-between. From the first sketch to the final inspection, you use the same team all the way.

Why Hire a Design-Build Firm Over General Contractors?

Using a design-build firm offers many benefits and reduces the hassles of home remodeling.

Better Communication = Fewer Surprises

In a design-build firm, the designers and builders talk to each other regularly. This leads to better communication, faster decisions, and fewer problems. General contractors must interpret someone else’s plans. If something doesn’t work, you face costly change orders or delays.

A Smoother, More Organized Process

Design-build firms manage everything from start to finish. That includes design, permits, construction, and inspections. You have one point of contact — and one team responsible for the whole project. This creates an easier and more efficient experience than with traditional general contractors.

Real-Time Budget Awareness

When the design and build teams work together, everyone keeps an eye on the budget. They know how each choice affects the cost. If you decide to change the materials or layout, they make adjustments in real time. General contractors may not recognize the cost until the plans are finalized.

Faster Project Completion

Using one team moves ideas to reality faster. You lose no time between finding a designer and hiring the general contractor. No waiting for details to be clarified. The result? Your kitchen, bathroom, or whole-house project moves forward more smoothly and often finishes sooner.

More Accountability

One of the biggest benefits of hiring a design-build firm is accountability. If something goes wrong, you don’t have to wonder who’s to blame — the design-build team owns the entire process. That means less finger-pointing and more focus on quality and customer satisfaction.

What About the General Contractor License?

Worried that a design-build firm lacks the licensing of a California general contractor? Rest easy. Design-build firms like Inspired Remodels include a licensed general contractor on the team. The license is the same. You won’t notice a difference in licensing, only in the way the entire team works for you.

The Inspired Remodels Difference is Clear

If you want a guided, full-service experience — from ideas and design to construction — opt for a design-build firm and enjoy the added value.

Prepare to enjoy better communication, clearer pricing, one point of contact, and one team dedicated to bringing your vision to life.

Author: Inspired Remodels