Can You Handle a Fixer Upper?

August 10, 2017 by ·

Can You Handle a Fixer Upper?

Fixer uppers are all the rage, at least on home improvement shows. There are multiple shows centered around the same premise: instead of buying an expensive, move-in ready home, save money by buying a home that needs a little love and fixing it up. And surely, renovating a fixer upper can be a great way to put your personal stamp on your new home. However, the intimidation towards buying a home that needs renovations is not without cause. It can be a daunting task that leaves many home buyers wondering, “Is it even worth it?”

The answer is…sometimes. In many cases, buying a cheap fixer upper that just needs cosmetic renovations can be much cheaper than buying a move-in ready home. In other cases, though, the home needs to be gutted to be functional or is in such bad shape that the cost to renovate is far more than the cost of a move-in ready house. Know the difference. Hire a home inspector before buying so they can give you a clear picture of everything you’ll be getting into with this house. If the cost of the house and the cost of the renovations combined is still cheaper than move-in ready houses on the market, a fixer upper could be a good opportunity for you.

The other thing to take into consideration is time. Renovating a home can be disruptive and stressful and can last for weeks or months, depending on the work that needs to be done. If you’re in no hurry to move into your new home, you won’t have to worry about living with it. If you need to move sooner rather than later, you might find yourself in a home that feels more like a disaster zone. It’s a good idea to get an estimate from a construction professional before making any major decisions so you know how much time renovations will take and whether you have that time.

Some homeowners choose to do their own renovations to save money. However, not all homeowners have the skill or the time to put into that work. In most cases, it’s best to hire a local professional. You can know that your renovations are being done by someone who knows what to look for and what best to do, and you can be relieved from the stress of having to do the work yourself. Some construction groups even include design services, so you can get a jump-start on your interior design, as well.

Renovating a fixer upper is never easy. If you decide to take on the task, you have to be prepared for a good amount of cost and chaos. A local construction group who knows Brazos Valley well and has a dedication to quality can help take some of the edge off. And sometimes, the good outweighs the stress and all of that mess of a renovation can lead to your new life in the house of your dreams.

Filed Under: DIY, Remodeling, Renovation ·

Tips for Staying Cool this Summer

July 25, 2017 by ·

Tips for Staying Cool this Summer

The long-range forecast shows that we’re going to have a lovely summer. There will be plenty of sun and a few clouds to cool things down just a touch.  There are some great ways to keep cool and have fun outdoors this summer.

Find some shade

One way to enjoy the outdoors without overheating is to stay in the shade. If you don’t have mature trees in your yard, don’t worry. There are other options.

  • A sunroom/screened porch: If you have a screened in porch or a sunroom, you can enjoy the beauty of the outdoors while being protected from the sun and mosquitos. They’re a fun and safe place for your kids to play as well.
  • A pergola: A simple structure that adds shade and beauty to your yard and is great for family cookouts. While many pergolas are open at the top, you can have a roof added to it. Otherwise, there are many vining plants that will fill in the top of the pergola to provide shade.

MedicineNet.com lists several ways to keep cool during the summer. These include:

  1. Switch up your workout routine by going out early in the morning. If it’s hard for you to get out of bed extra early, you can try going in the evening. It tends to be a little warmer in the evening than the morning, but at least you won’t be in direct sunlight. MedicineNet.com also says that if you can’t workout at a cooler time of day, you should lower your level of exertion. Maybe take a brisk walk instead of a run.
  2. Wear loose fitting, light colored, cotton clothing. Cotton will often keep you cooler than synthetics, loose fitting clothes allow air flow, and light colors reflect some of that heat away from you.
  3. Put a spray bottle of water in the fridge and some bottled water in the freezer. The spray of cold water can keep you cooled down, and if you take a bottle of frozen water with you when you’re going out, you’ll have nice cool water when the weather is at its hottest.
  4. Remember that alcohol can lead to dehydration. Don’t drink alcohol when you’re out in the heat and if your friends do, make sure they drink water as well. Alcohol can leave a person feeling like they aren’t thirsty when they are getting dehydrated. That’s why it’s dangerous to drink alcohol in hot weather.
  5. Be reasonable. If it’s too hot, you should probably stay indoors. That doesn’t mean you have to stay home. There are a lot of activities around Bryan-College Station that don’t involve staying out in the heat.

I hope this was helpful for you. Our weather here in College Station is always beautiful and that’s why so many of us want to spend time outdoors. Just remember to stay hydrated and use some common sense when you’re out in the heat this summer. Have fun this summer!

Filed Under: Tips ·

How to Have an Amazing Home Renovation in College Station, TX

July 12, 2017 by ·

How to Have an Amazing Home Renovation in College Station, TX

If you’re looking to do a renovation on your house or even doing a bath and kitchen remodel, it’s good to know what steps you need to take to make it all work out perfectly. Whether your home remodel is in Brazos Valley or in the Bryan-College Station area, there are some things you need to consider before having your home remodeled.

If You Have a Strict Budget

Sometimes your eyes can be a little bigger than your bank account. You see a beautiful home in a magazine and you want your home to look like that. However, you may not be able to afford to make all of the changes at once. At the same time, there’s no point in living in a home that doesn’t make you happy. If you want to have a wonderful home, but you are on a budget, you have options.

Get a contractor to give you an estimate on everything you want to be done, but also ask the contractor how much each part of the project will cost. You may only be able to afford a kitchen remodel now, but later you may be able to add a bathroom remodel and other work around the house.

Finding the Right Contractor in Brazos Valley

If you live in Brazos Valley you should be concerned with finding a local contractor that really knows the area. While other cities may have many building contractors that will meet your expectations, Brazos Valley doesn’t have a big city like Dallas with a lot of contractors. Since your choices are limited, you need to do your research.

Questions to ask a contractor:

  • How long have you been in business?
  • Do you live around here?
  • Can I see pictures of previous jobs you’ve done?

Each of these questions is important. You don’t want to put your money in the hands of a newbie. Yes, we all want people that are just starting out to succeed, but no one wants to be one of the first customers of a construction company that hasn’t constructed anything. Don’t feel sorry for them. They can have family hire them at first. You go and find an experienced contractor.

A local contractor is important as well. If he lives and works in the area, he has connections in the community. He can get things done right, with eh right materials and people, faster than someone that isn’t from around here.

Hiring a builder to do work around your home requires trust. You have to trust them with your home and your money. Make sure to only hire someone that you know will do the best work. When you’re hiring a construction company to work for you, ask yourself one question: Do I trust this team to do the work the right way?  If you hire someone out of sympathy because their business doesn’t seem to be working well, you’ll soon see why their business isn’t working well. You need an excellent builder to work for you.

Filed Under: Renovation ·

The Best Material for Deck Building in Central Texas

June 27, 2017 by ·

The Best Material for Deck Building in Central Texas

Have you ever left something brightly colored out in the sun like a throw pillow on a lawn chair?  It probably didn’t take long to fade. In Texas, we get a lot of sunshine.  College Station often has hot and sunny summers that seem to start early and end late. That’s a consideration for when you’re going to start an outdoor project. The materials you use need to stand up to the sun and heat, but then also to times when the rain decides to fall and temperatures drop.

Wood loses its color and even treated wood will eventually give in to the elements. There is another option. Resin provides the look of wood, but it lasts much longer. With a polyresin deck, there’s less maintenance because you don’t have to stain it or sand down splinters.

The benefits of resin decks

Resin decks are gaining popularity because they last. They also look like wood. Instead of just having a wood colored coating, the color goes through the entire board. That means that you don’t have to worry about scratches on the surface being noticeable.

While wood is beautiful, it has its downfalls. It can rot, lose color, and splinter. While the gray color of faded wood has its charms, it often comes with damage. Wood decks require regular maintenance if they’re going to last.

Polyresin decks and handrails are able to stand up to the weather. They don’t rot and they keep their color. For a deck that will stand the test of time, resin is an excellent choice.

Wooden decks – the industry standard

Natural wood has its benefits as well. When well cared for, it can last a long time. Using the right kind of wood is important for a long-lasting deck.

An article on Bob Villa.com has some great advice for maintaining your wooden deck. Natural materials require extra care. Wooden decks may require a lot more maintenance than polyresin, but they can last a long time if treated properly. The Bob Villa article give great details for the do’s and don’ts of caring for a wooden deck. By following advice like what you’ll find in that article, you’ll ensure a longer lasting wooden deck.

If you’re not sure which material is best for you, looking at samples and pictures of both kinds of decks might be the right move.  When looking at polyresin decks, make sure to find pictures of the exact material you’re going to use because there are multiple kinds. Ask your builder for more details about resin decks.

A deck is a beautiful way to add value and functionality to your home and outdoor space. When looking for a deck builder, make sure they know about all available products like resin. An experienced professional will be able to help you make the right decision for your home. Not only do you want a beautiful deck, you want one that lasts. Resin is lower maintenance and will last a long time, but with enough effort, you can make wooden decks last as well.

Filed Under: Decks ·

Father’s Day Gift Idea

June 13, 2017 by ·

Father’s Day is coming soon and that got me thinking about unique Father’s Day gifts. With all that dads tend to do around the house, even if they aren’t so handy, it’s nice to give them a break from time to time. Why not give your dad the gift of checking off some of the work on his “honey do” list?

You can volunteer to do some of the work for him, or you could hire a professional. Here are some services that will take some of the load off of your dad.

Painting

While your dad is probably fully capable of buying paint and using a paintbrush, painting is time consuming. Also, what if the color he buys isn’t exactly what he pictured for the room?  If you hire professional painters, they can bring samples so you see what the actual color will be.

Hiring professionals to do the painting for you is especially helpful if there are high walls or if there’s wallpaper that needs to be removed first.

Deck Building

Building a deck looks easy enough. The problem is that it’s a lot of work for one person and getting it right may be more complicated than it seems. If your dad has been wanting to build a deck, you could surprise him with a crew of professionals willing to do the work for him. Your dad can sit back and relax while they do all the work. When they’re done, you’ll have a delightful place for family barbeques.

We’re located in College Station, Texas. Out here, our summers can be a bit harsh. If you hire a professional builder, he can tell you your options for building a deck that can endure the worst weather Texas can throw at it.

Arbors/Pergolas

An arbor is another job your dad may be considering, but just hasn’t gotten around to doing yet. While an arbor may look even easier to build than a deck, it requires precision to get it right. Also, it requires some climbing on ladders and a lot of lifting. Save your dad’s back by hiring professionals to do the work for him.

Kitchen and Bathroom Remodels

If your dad is handy, he may be able to remodel a kitchen on his own. However, there’s a lot of heavy lifting involved. Also, a lot of different skill sets are needed. How much easier and faster would it be for a professional crew to handle?  Your dad’s new kitchen will be ready a lot sooner if you send in some help.

Bathroom remodels may seem easier than kitchens, but there’s still a lot of time consuming work. If you hire professionals to do the work for your dad, he’ll have a functioning and beautiful new bathroom in no time.

Sure, your dad may be able to do the work himself, but doesn’t he deserve a little time off?  Hiring a service to take some of the work load could be the perfect Father’s Day gift for your dad.

Filed Under: Kitchen Remodeling, Outdoor Living Spaces, Porches Decks Pergolas, Remodeling ·
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