Kaljian Construction Inc. provides a wide range of handyman/home repair and remodeling services for residential clients in Northern Contra Costa County. As a general contractor, the company is able to handle all types of construction projects, including kitchen, bathroom and complete interior house remodels; door, window and flooring installations; cabinet refacing; and more. Its handyman services extend to “anything my customers’ homes need,” says owner Robert Kaljian.
Mr. Kaljian operated a cabinet shop for 10 years before shifting his focus to home repair/remodeling and establishing Kaljian Construction. He has been involved in construction since he was in high school, when he worked for a man who taught him the fundamentals of the trade. “I’ve always been mechanically inclined, but the knowledge I gained from that experience really sharpened my skills,” says Mr. Kaljian.
Kaljian Construction emphasizes the importance of preparation and meticulousness when working on its clients’ projects. “I firmly believe that if I always follow the same process, I’ll turn out good products,” says Mr. Kaljian. “Shortcuts don’t work in construction—there’s too much planning and skill involved. I take my time and make sure I have the right tools for the job at hand.”
“My approach to every job is simple: Do it once and do it right. I take great pride in my workmanship, and my detailed business approach is evident in the special care I show to each client’s property. Ultimately, I strive to use my decades of industry experience to ensure complete customer satisfaction.”
One of the quickest ways to transform a bathroom is to change the look of its walls.
Before you choose paint, wallpaper, paneling or tile for a bathroom remodel, it’s important to remember that a bathroom wall covering must be able to stand up to moisture, heat and frequent cleaning. Mixing and matching materials for their different strengths is a good idea, especially if the room’s space is divided. Here are some tips to consider for three of the most common bathroom wall coverings:
Paint
Paint is the least expensive covering for bathroom walls and ceilings, and it’s also the easiest to change for aesthetic purposes. Besides choosing a color, you’ll also need to choose a finish type. Gloss and semi-gloss finishes work best in bathrooms because they repel water and clean easily. However, glossier paints exaggerate a wall’s lumps and bumps, so make sure you apply them to a flat, smooth surface.
Traditionally, alkyd (oil-based) paints outlast their latex (water-based) counterparts, but newer latex formulations rival alkyds for durability. Alkyds dry slowly and require paint thinner instead of soap and water for cleanup. Also, the use of alkyd paints is restricted in some parts of the United States due to environmental concerns. If the surface to be covered is tile, glass or porcelain, use epoxy paint instead.
Ceramic tileCeram
c tile can be costly, but its advantages make it worth considering for at least some areas in your bathroom. It cleans easily, doesn’t fade or stain and, when installed correctly, is fully waterproof. Floor and wall tile comes glazed and unglazed, plain and patterned, and in an unlimited palette of colors. In addition to buying stock machine-finished tiles, you can purchase hand-painted tiles or design your own patterns. A common dimension for wall tiles is four- or six-inch squares, but many other sizes and shapes are available. You can apply ceramic tile to any drywall, plaster or plywood surface that’s smooth, sound and firm.
The Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI) has developed a rating scale that can effectively guide you through the process of choosing the right ceramic tile for your particular application:
Class 1 (no foot traffic):
Recommended for wall use only in residential and commercial applications.
Class 2 (light traffic):
Recommended for both wall use and bathroom floor applications.
Class 3 (light to moderate traffic):
Recommended for countertops, walls and floors that experience normal foot traffic.
Class 4 (moderate to heavy traffic):
Recommended for all residential, medium commercial and light institutional applications.
Class 5 (heavy to extra heavy traffic):
Recommended for all residential, heavy commercial and heavy institutional applications.
Glass block
Glass block is popular because of its sleek, modern look and ability to transmit light while preserving privacy. It can be used to create both walls and windows, but it’s very expensive compared to other materials—the cost can vary from $40 to $60 per square foot, depending on the complexity of the job, labor costs and type of block. Most glass block installations require mortar, so it’s best to hire a company with masonry capabilities to achieve the best results.
Maintaining customer satisfaction is a crucial aspect of any business, but it's even more important for handyman/home repair companies that have earned the prestigious Diamond Certified award. For Kaljian Construction Inc., customer satisfaction has always been dependent on the company's ability to effectively communicate with its clients throughout every phase of their projects. "We keep an open line of communication with our customers and provide them with the work they want, but we also know how to read between the lines of what they're asking for," explains owner Robert Kaljian. "By asking the right questions, we can often steer them toward the true finished products of their dreams."
Kaljian Construction has been providing handyman/home repair and remodeling services for residential clients in Contra Costa County since 2002. As a general contractor, the company is able to handle all types of construction projects, including kitchen, bathroom, garage and whole house remodels; room additions; and door, window and flooring installations. "Also, our handyman services extend to anything our customers' homes need," adds Mr. Kaljian.
Unlike handyman/home repair companies that have to charge more for their services because they handle everything in-house, Kaljian Construction works with other contractors and subcontractors in order to stay price-competitive. Mr. Kaljian says this approach greatly benefits his clients in the long run. "With several dedicated professionals onsite comes several professional points of view during every phase of the process, which means the job gets completed quicker and more efficiently."
Another distinctive feature of Kaljian Construction is its emphasis on owner involvement throughout every job–a hands-on approach that's rarely seen in the handyman/home repair industry. "I don't just bid the job and sit in my office–I'm very involved in the work," says Mr. Kaljian. "My name is at stake on every project, so I make sure everything is done to the highest standards. I'm a very detail-oriented person, and that allows me to communicate with each client so they understand the whole project."
