The Long Beach Whole-Home

Quick facts

• Location: Long Beach, California
• Scope: Whole-home remodel
• Timeline: 12 weeks
• Investment: $150,000 – $200,000
• Materials: Engineered oak flooring, semi-custom white shaker cabinets, honed quartz, subway tile, updated electrical panel

The challenge

The homeowners bought a 1960s three-bedroom home in the Belmont Heights area. Every system was original or near-original: aluminum wiring, galvanized plumbing, single-pane windows, and worn linoleum throughout. The kitchen was dark and isolated. The bathrooms were functional but dated. The family wanted a unified home they could live in for the next 20 years — and they wanted to stay in the house during construction.

The design choices

Rather than tackle rooms one by one, we developed a single plan that updated systems, flow, and finishes together.

• Kitchen: Relocated to improve connection to the dining area; semi-custom white shaker cabinets, quartz counters, subway tile backsplash, stainless appliances.
• Flooring: Engineered oak installed throughout the main living areas and bedrooms, replacing linoleum and mismatched carpet.
• Electrical: New 200-amp panel, rewired circuits, LED recessed lighting, and added outlets.
• Plumbing: Repiped with copper where needed and updated fixtures.
• Paint: Warm white walls with a deep forest-green accent wall in the dining room.
• Bathrooms: Updated with new tile, vanities, and fixtures. *(Bathroom scope coordinated with Eaze, our sister brand.)*

The friction (and the fix)

When we opened the walls, we found aluminum wiring that had been spliced with copper using the wrong connectors — a known fire hazard. The electrical scope expanded to replace the affected circuits and bring the entire house up to current code. Because we had flagged aluminum wiring as a likely condition during the feasibility phase, the homeowners had budgeted contingency and the schedule absorbed the extra work.

The result

The home functions as one coherent space for the first time in decades. The kitchen connects to the dining area. The floors flow continuously from room to room. The electrical system can safely support modern appliances and charging demands. And the family stayed in the house throughout, thanks to careful phasing that kept one bathroom operational and dust containment in place.

Before and after narrative

Before: A disjointed 1960s home with failing systems, mismatched flooring, and a kitchen cut off from daily life.

After: A unified, updated home with safe systems, consistent finishes, and a kitchen that serves as the household hub.

Begin the conversation

Considering a whole-home remodel? CaliFirst Remodel will prepare a written feasibility, systems, and budget review for your home.