Palo Alto · Menlo Park · Los Altos · Woodside · Mountain View
Kitchens and baths in Palo Alto, built right the first time.
Tim Hmelar has been remodeling Peninsula homes since 1980. That's more than 1,100 kitchens and bathrooms, with the permits pulled, inspections passed, and the same crew showing up every morning until it's done.
Talk with Tim directly about your kitchen or bath. No salesperson in between.
Recent work
Real homes, photographed on the job.
No stock photos here. These are bathrooms and kitchens our crew built for neighbors around Palo Alto and the mid-Peninsula.
About Tim Hmelar
A Palo Alto remodeling contractor since 1980. You'll deal with Tim, start to finish.
Tim was raised on a simple rule: if you're going to do something, do it right. Since 1980 he has brought that attitude, and a real enthusiasm for building, to every kitchen and bath remodel on the Peninsula. Each project is designed and built with quality products and materials, and installed by expert tradesmen held to a demanding standard of craftsmanship.
Tim isn't a salesman who hands you off to a project manager. He walks the job with you, writes the scope himself, and deals with the city inspector so you don't have to. Over four decades he's built a crew of plumbers, electricians and tile setters he trusts, which is why inspections tend to go smoothly and why some clients have hired us three and four times.
Tim Hmelar, Owner
A clear plan and an itemized budget
Every remodel starts with a crystal-clear understanding of what you want. Tim puts the design on paper and prices it with an itemized budget, so you can see where every dollar goes.
Not sure exactly what you want, or torn between two ideas? We're happy to draw more than one plan and price each one, so the project you choose meets your design goals and your budget.
Our work speaks for itself
Raving fans on Yelp, newspaper articles about Tim, and even a project in Architectural Digest. Spend some time with Tim, or talk to one of his past clients, and you'll see what we mean.
Eichler specialists
We know what's behind an Eichler wall. And under the slab.
Eichlers are wonderful homes and tricky ones to remodel. Radiant-heat slabs, post-and-beam framing, thin walls and almost no attic leave little room for mistakes. We've remodeled a lot of them and we respect what makes them special.
- Kitchen and bath remodels that keep the mid-century look
- Rerouting water and gas lines without wrecking the slab
- 200-amp panel upgrades and new dedicated circuits
- ADU and JADU planning for Eichler lots
“What we appreciate most about working with Tim is his experience with Eichler homes. He understands the unique construction of these homes, communicates clearly throughout the project, and always takes the time to explain our options.”
How a job runs
No surprises, no walk-offs, no mess left overnight.
Walk-through
Tim comes out, looks at what's really there, and tells you plainly what's possible and what it will take. Sometimes that means less work than you expected.
Plan, budget & permits
Tim draws the plan and prices it line by line. Torn between two options? We'll draw and price both. Then we handle permits and every conversation with the city.
The build
The work area gets sealed with plastic to keep dust contained, and the crew cleans up every evening. Losing your kitchen? We'll set up a temporary sink. A typical full bath takes about 4 weeks and a full kitchen about 7, inspections included.
Walkthrough & after
Final inspection, then a walkthrough together. If something leaks a year later, call us. We come back.
Thinking about a remodel? Call Tim.
Describe your kitchen or bath on the phone and Tim will set up a walk-through at your home.
What we do
One licensed team for the whole job.
Kitchens
- Full kitchen remodels
- Custom cabinet installation
- Granite & quartz countertops
- Backsplash tile
- Appliance hookups
- Lighting & electrical upgrades
- Built-in storage
- Flooring
Bathrooms
- Full bathroom remodels
- Tub-to-shower conversions
- Shower installation & repair
- Shower valve replacement
- Waterproofing
- Vanities & storage
- Tile & flooring
- Grab bars & universal design
Whole home
- Whole-home remodels
- Licensed plumbing, repipes & sewer lines
- Licensed electrical, panel upgrades & EV chargers
- ADU & JADU planning
- Fire & damage rebuilds
- Windows & doors
- Painting & wall finishing
From our clients
Neighbors who'd hire us again.
“Basically, Tim rescued us. We had hired another contractor who said we didn't need permits for a bathroom remodel. He walked off the job. Tim came and solely interacted with the city inspector… We consider Tim now to not be our contractor, but a family friend.”
“Having heard all sorts of contractor horror stories I was braced for a disaster but instead got more than we bargained for. They came in a little below budget and on time.”
“Frank and his crew showed up everyday… They cleaned up every evening and taped off the working area with plastic. Frank helped by setting a make shift sink outside for us.”
“Tim does not skip steps. Critical to any bath remodel is the work below the final tiles and surfaces.”
“After a house fire, our home in Los Altos needed a complete rebuild… They didn't just remodel our home, they rebuilt it better than it was before.”
Get started
Call Tim about your kitchen or bath.
A phone call is the fastest way to start. Tell Tim what you have in mind and he'll set up a walk-through at your home.
650-888-4745Tap the number to call from your phone.
- Tim@KitchenBathPaloAlto.com
- License
- CSLB B-1 #556166
- Since
- 1980