Home Renovation in Coachella Valley: Our Remote Kitchen and Bathroom Remodel in the Palm Springs area.
After seven incredible years of full-time travel, we knew it was time for a change. Our kids were growing, and with that came a desire for stability, deeper friendships, and a consistent community. So, we made the big decision to put down roots near family in one of our favorite places—Southern California’s Coachella Valley.
Key Points: What This Blog Covers
Our experience buying and renovating a home in Coachella Valley while living in Mexico
How we hired a general contractor in Palm Springs we trusted to handle the kitchen and bathroom remodel
Full list of renovation work completed (kitchen, bathroom, interior, exterior, HVAC, and more)
DIY renovation projects we tackled ourselves
Budget tips and what to expect when renovating in California
Why we recommend Lua Construction for home renovations in Palm Desert and beyond
Buying a Fixer-Upper in Coachella Valley Before Moving Back
We spend our winters in Baja California Sur, Mexico, on property we purchased years ago. Before settling back into life in SoCal, we planned to enjoy one last winter there. So we began casually browsing real estate listings to see what was out there.
We came across a small, older home in desperate need of a full renovation—but we instantly saw the potential. Having renovated several homes in the past, we weren’t afraid of the work. In fact, we love the process of transforming a space and making it our own.
The challenge? This renovation was going to take months… and we were about to be 1,000+ miles away.
Hiring a General Contractor in California While Living Abroad
California has more permitting requirements and regulations than we’d dealt with in previous states, so we knew we couldn’t tackle this one alone. We needed to find a general contractor we could trust to handle everything while we were living in Mexico—and we’d need someone comfortable working remotely with us throughout the process.
We made a detailed list of everything we hoped to accomplish before returning and thought through which projects we wanted to tackle ourselves.
Like most people, I rely heavily on online reviews. I started researching local contractors and came across Lua Construction. They had consistently great reviews across multiple platforms. As I dug into the testimonials and read through client experiences, I felt more and more confident they might be the right fit.
Our Experience Working with Lua Construction
By the time we officially went under contract on the home, we were already back at our place in Baja. I reached out to Lua Construction and scheduled a call with their office manager, Britney. She was kind, professional, and walked me through their entire process. After our conversation, she had the owner, Ric, follow up to discuss the details more in-depth.
Ric was awesome—super knowledgeable, honest, and clearly experienced in California construction and permitting. After talking with both of them, we knew Lua was the team we could trust with our remodel.
We loved that they handled everything from permitting and inspections to construction and communication. They also use an online project portal where we could see progress updates, photos, videos, and pay invoices easily from afar. It gave us peace of mind knowing we’d be kept in the loop while out of the country.
Aaron happened to have a work trip in California, so he stopped by to meet the Lua team and do a walkthrough in person. While it wasn’t necessary, it was great to shake hands and walk through the space together.
What We Renovated: Kitchen, Bathrooms, and More
Here’s what Lua Construction completed while we were living in Mexico:
Kitchen Renovation in Coachella
Demolition of side wall (now it’s open to the living room
Framing of new cabinets and pantry
Plumbing and electrical upgrades
Granite countertops
New appliance installation.
Bathroom Renovation
(Master + Guest)
Custom tile showers with niches and benches
New vanities, sinks, lighting, and ventilation
Plumbing upgrades for modern functionality
Interior Home Renovation - Other
New drywall, ceiling texture, and lighting throughout house
Popcorn ceiling removal
Replaced all interior doors and trim
HVAC Upgrade: Replaced all ductwork with R-8 insulation and sanitized the system due to rodent contamination.
Attic Insulation: Removed old insulation and installed new R-38 insulation throughout.
Laundry Relocation: Moved washer/dryer hookups to hallway, added gas lines and venting
Built a new hallway closet, tiled the floor, and upgraded electrical.
Flooring touch-ups and tile replacement
Exterior Renovation
Replaced all windows and doors with energy-efficient models
Roof Repairs: Addressed hidden roof damage, resealed areas, and reset tiles around solar panels.
Exterior Painting: Prepped and painted the home’s exterior in white with black trim.
New insulated garage door with smart opener
Removed old evaporative cooler and repaired stucco
DIY Renovation Projects We Took on in Our Coachella Valley Home
Interior painting
Swapping ceiling fans
Exterior lighting upgrades
Installing the fireplace mantel
Refinishing the kitchen cabinets and vanities
Furnishing the entire home (no small task after living in a 400 sq. ft. RV!)
Landscaping the front and backyard (coming soon once it cools down!)
A Note on Budget and Transparency
Like most renovation projects, there were a couple of surprises. Once they opened up the roof, they discovered more damage than initially expected. Also, the electrical system in the kitchen had to be upgraded to handle new appliances.
Both were unexpected—but necessary—and we appreciated that Lua was upfront about the additional costs and gave us the choice on how to proceed. Despite the additional work, the team completed the renovation ahead of schedule- something you rarely hear about!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I renovate a home in the Palm Springs area while living in another state or country?
Yes! We managed our full kitchen and bathroom renovation remotely from Mexico. Hiring a trustworthy contractor with remote communication tools is key.
How much does a kitchen remodel cost in Palm Desert or Coachella Valley?
It depends on the size and scope, but you should budget for both visible and hidden updates like electrical and permitting. A good contractor and break down all the costs and help you make a plan and budget. We encountered a few surprises, but our contractor helped us stay on budget with cost-cutting ideas and recommendations.
Who is the best general contractor for home renovation in Palm Desert?Why We Recommend Lua Construction for Coachella Valley Renovations
Renovating a home remotely isn’t easy—but Lua Construction made it possible and even stress-free and enjoyable. Their team was professional, honest, communicative, and truly cared about the end result. They took care of everything we needed, had great ideas, and were experienced in navigating California's regulations and permits.
If you're considering a kitchen remodel, bathroom upgrade, or a full home renovation in Palm Springs, Palm Desert, or the greater Coachella Valley, we highly recommend Lua Construction.
Did you get everything you wanted done during the renovation?
Unfortunately not. Due to the expansive list of projects this house needed, we chose to focus on getting the house completely cleaned out, safe, and enjoyable for our family to enjoy. Insulation, duct work, roof repairs, moving the laundry out of the kitchen to make room for a pantry, etc, all took out big chunks from the budget.
We dreamed about installing a small pool and renovating the garage into an extra living space, but ultimately we couldn’t stretch the budget that far.
Final Thoughts
Renovating a house while living out of the country is no small task—but Lua Construction made it not only possible, but actually enjoyable. Their attention to detail, clear communication, and commitment to getting it right made all the difference.
If you’re considering a remodel or full renovation in the Coachella Valley or anywhere in Southern California, we highly recommend Lua General Construction. They exceeded our expectations and truly helped turn this house into our home.