Maintaining customer satisfaction is a crucial aspect of any business, but it’s even more important for kitchen and bathroom remodelers that have earned the prestigious Diamond Certified award. For Today’s Kitchen & Bath, the key to keeping customers happy is simple: provide professional, hands-on guidance throughout every step of the remodeling process. “Most people don’t really know where to start with a kitchen or bathroom remodel, so we help them with everything from designs to picking out materials,” says co-owner Eric Aslami. “We give our clients honest opinions and treat their homes as if they were our own, which they really appreciate.”

Today’s Kitchen & Bath has been offering cabinets, countertops and flooring products at its Livermore showroom since 2014. In addition to helping customers choose materials for their remodeling projects, the company utilizes its contractor’s license to remodel kitchens and bathrooms, build room additions, and provide other residential construction services for clients in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.

Unlike less experienced contractors that take a “one size fits all” approach to every job, Today’s Kitchen & Bath works to give each client exactly what they want and even helps them explore options they didn’t realize they had. “A lot of people want to install cabinets during a kitchen remodel, but we go deeper and determine if they also want things like spice racks or Lazy Susans,” explains Mr. Aslami. “We can also create 3D designs so our clients can see what the finished products will look like in their homes, and they’re welcome to peruse our showroom to see which of those products they like the best.”

As a family-owned and operated company, Today’s Kitchen & Bath is able to focus on its clients’ needs and be flexible when it comes to designing within their budgets. “The size of a customer’s budget doesn’t matter to us—we’ll work with them to get them exactly what they want,” says Mr. Aslami. “Ultimately, our goal is to provide them with high-quality work that they can enjoy for many years.”

Kitchen and bathroom trends are leaning toward low-maintenance finishes and longevity in design.

Kitchen and bathroom renovations aren’t cheap, and most homeowners will only take on one or two remodeling projects in their lifetime. So, it makes sense that smart consumers are looking for ways to maximize their remodeling budgets in ways that will benefit them for the long term.

Less maintenance, more convenience
Having a beautiful home is important to many people, but keeping kitchens and bathrooms clean is becoming a huge design consideration as well. According to Eric Aslami, co-owner of Today’s Kitchen & Bath in Livermore, new designs that focus on reducing maintenance are bringing beauty and convenience together. “For example, granite countertops are becoming less popular than quartz,” he says. “It’s mainly aesthetic—you get a marble look without paying a marble price. But there are maintenance benefits as well. You don’t have to seal quartz and you don’t need to use a specific product to clean it.”

Bathrooms are seeing material changes, too. “A lot of people are going with bigger tiles with closer joints,” says Mr. Aslami. “Bigger tiles can avoid up to 70 percent of grout, which makes for less maintenance. People are also going with porcelain that’s already sealed and staying away from travertine floors. Everyone is going for lower maintenance.”

Design longevity for happier, healthier living
As the population ages, homeowners are starting to think about their needs for the coming decades. Aging in place is becoming a trend, and designers and remodelers are responding. “A lot of people are adding grab bars and benches in the bathroom,” says Mr. Aslami. “We’re also seeing a lot more ADA bathrooms, linear drains and walk-in showers so people don’t need to step over shower pans.”

While accessibility options may add to the cost of a bathroom remodeling project, they can also add a lot of value and comfort while giving homeowners the confidence to safely stay in their homes while they age, which makes them a smart investment.

Q: How long will it take to complete my project?
A: It depends on a lot of factors, but we’ll give you a time estimate once we determine everything your job needs.

Q: How will you access my home while I’m at work?
A: We’ll put a lock box outside of your home so you can just lock the door when you go to work. We’ll also let you know who will be working on your home each day.

Q: When will I be expected to pay for the work?
A: We’ll give you a schedule that includes the different phases of payment. That usually includes the initial down payment and certain points of the job like cabinet and flooring installation.

Q: Can I supply my own materials?
A: Yes, you can supply materials like specialty lights, faucets and appliances if you want. We’ll give you a list of materials we need so it doesn’t slow down the job.

Q: Will you help me understand how to stay within building codes?
A: Yes. Sometimes, renovation projects can trigger code requirements, but we know all those codes and we’ll bring everything to your attention beforehand. For example, we’ll look at your electrical panel and tell you if you need dedicated circuits or panel upgrades before we add appliances.