This page cannot find its design files. If you opened it from inside a ZIP file, close it, extract the whole ZIP first (right-click the ZIP, then Extract All) and open the page again from the extracted folder. On a live website, make sure the whole website folder was uploaded, not just the pages.

Blog

Practical, source-checked remodeling guides for San Jose homeowners and business owners, written by the GLS Construction team.

Featured guide

Hiring
Start here

How to Hire a Licensed Contractor in California

The right contractor makes a remodel feel manageable. The wrong one can cost you your savings. These nine checks take about an hour and protect you for the whole project.

  • 8 min read
All guides

Plan it right, build it once

Every guide is built around the real requirements for California and the City of San Jose, and lists its sources at the end so you can check the numbers yourself.

Kitchens

Planning a Kitchen Remodel

Plan a kitchen remodel with confidence: layout rules, aisle and counter clearances, lighting, ventilation, San Jose permit basics and a realistic order of work.

  • 9 min read
Bathrooms

Bathroom Remodel Guide

Plan a bathroom remodel with the right clearances, waterproofing, ventilation and permits, including the San Jose rules for fans, showers and toilets.

  • 8 min read
Permits

Do You Need a Permit for a Remodel in San Jose?

Which San Jose remodel jobs need a building permit and which do not, how minor and major remodels differ, how inspections work and what to do before you start.

  • 8 min read
Planning

Planning a Whole-Home Renovation

How to plan a whole-home renovation: set goals, design before demolition, phase the work, budget for surprises, handle hidden conditions and live through construction.

  • 7 min read
Commercial

Commercial Remodel Planning

A planning guide for San Jose business owners: reviewing your lease, building a scope and budget, permits and plans, accessibility upgrades and keeping downtime short.

  • 7 min read

Ready to Start Planning?

Tell us about your space and your goals. We will walk through the scope, the schedule and the permit path with you, with no obligation.