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Remodeling

Plan Your Summer 2020 Outdoor Space!

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It’s May and many of us remain under stay-at-home orders. Maybe you’ve maxed out on Netflix or organizing closets. If you’re looking for something new to occupy time, here’s a thought! It’s spring and you can never go wrong with outdoor spaces.

Spending Time Outdoors is Therapeutic

It’s scientifically proven. Spending time outdoors is good for energy levels, your immune system, it boosts creativity, provides an essential source of Vitamin D, is good for positive mental health, and lots more. Best of all, spending time outside is free!

Before sheltering in place, maybe you already had plans to create or update your outdoor space. Sure, you could learn a new language or catch up on another entire season of reality tv, but considering how beneficial outdoor time can be, we think planning an outdoor retreat is time well spent!

Plan Your Outdoor Paradise Incrementally as Time & Budget Allow

In addition to the multitude of benefits we know spending time outdoors provides, here’s another plus to dreaming up your own piece of paradise – you can do it incrementally. It doesn’t have to be like gutting a bathroom and finding yourself pretty much locked into finishing the job. As you plan your backyard escape, you can start small and implement in stages. Check out this article from HGTV on how to logically plan out your outdoor space.

Popular Options for Your Outdoor Living Space

Decking – Decking can be simple or more expansive and multi-tiered. In any case, decks are an excellent way to transition from inside to outside since they typically connect to the outside of the home. Whether you choose wood or composite decking, a deck can add aesthetic appeal to your home. When you add outdoor seating, decks are also a great way to extend your living space. Some experts say that decking can increase a home’s value and provide a better return on investment than adding a bathroom. Keep in mind that higher quality decking materials generally result in a more maintenance-free, longer-lasting deck, which will have more appeal for future buyers.

Create an Outdoor Room – Don’t have a lot of space to work with? Try using fencing, bushes, latticework, weathered barn wood or doors, etc. to create “walls” for an outdoor room. You can even protect your room from the elements by adding an awning. Need some inspiration on creating your very own outdoor room? Check this out.

Patios and Porches – Patios and porches come in all shapes and sizes and can extend your home’s living area. Patios are versatile enough to be stand-alone features wherever you choose. Patios can serve as ideal entertaining spaces or quiet, more secluded areas depending on your intentions for the space. Design with pavers, stone, concrete, or other building materials that complement the style and colors of your home, and you are set with a relatively low-maintenance, easy-to-clean outdoor space for relaxing or entertaining.

Whatever you plan to do with your outdoor space, one of the best parts is decorating and making it uniquely your own. Add finishing touches like planters, outdoor area rugs, furniture, water features, fountains, drapes, stone, mulch, lighting, swings, hammocks, etc. There are tons of options for any amount of space and budget! Invest a little time and money into making an outdoor area that is fabulous and customized to your needs! You won’t regret it.

Ready to start planning your next custom build, remodel, or amazing outdoor space? Reach out to us via phone or email, we’d love to hear from you!

Tips for a Stress-Free Building or Remodeling Project

By | Home Building, Remodeling | No Comments

Do you cringe at the idea of starting a new home build or remodeling project? Sure, there is some level of anxiety to be expected with moving forward on any kind of major project. However, there are steps you can take to ensure that your next experience with a professional builder or remodeler is as stress-free as possible! Heck, we’d even go so far as to say it should be gratifying!

Embarking on a major building or remodeling project will require some patience, but with good planning and the right builder you should be able to reduce worry and enjoy the overall process.

Ready for a stress-free building or remodeling project? Keep these tips in mind!

  1. Choose a Builder or Remodeler You Trust. You know yourself and what kind of working relationship will help you feel comfortable through what could be a long-term project. In addition to trust, you’ll need to understand your builder’s communication style, know who your primary point of contact will be and be able to work well together to put a solid plan in place. Large projects can be disruptive. Make sure you hire someone that will be accessible to you, help you fully understand costs and timelines, and someone you’ll be able to speak honestly with about concerns that come up. If you’d like to learn more about choosing the right builder, we recommend you do these five things. Having the right contractor in place is a MAJOR key to de-stressing your project!
  2. Select Your Design. You might have wonderful visions in your head, but solidifying a design will help you plan for important next steps like creating a realistic budget, timeline, etc. Your builder will be able to help you determine what it possible, make recommendations on how to maximize your investment, and provide a proposal for your project.
  3. Have a Plan. Your plan should be comprehensive and will have many moving parts, so take your time in creating a one that makes sense for your individual needs. Your plan should include:
    1. Timeline – How long is your project expected to take? Will you stay in your home (if remodeling) and what arrangements need to be made? If you’ll be living in your home make sure you work out the details with your builder as to family schedules, pets in the home, etc.
    2. Budget – Make sure you have the financial resources available when you need them. Work out a schedule with your builder as to how/when your payments will be made. Payments are typically tied to major stages of completion and a percentage before work is started. Be wary of anyone asking for a very large sum or the total cost upfront!
    3. Understand your Contract – Your builder should detail the project scope and include information about budget, payments, responsibilities, change order procedures, warranties, etc.
    4. Keep Proper Files & Documentation – Organize your documents so that you have easy access to everything if/when you need to refer back to it. Consider keeping your proposal, contract, all correspondence, invoices, orders, payments, etc. together in a binder or project folder.
  4. Be Able to Step Aside. With a respectable builder, a good design and plan in place, you should be able to breathe freely and enjoy the process from a distance. Keep your perspective and understand that things “will come up.” Weather, materials shortages or other unexpected events are inevitable. Stay focused on a positive end result, keep lines of communication open with your builder and prioritize time for yourself or the family to get away and enjoy some favorite activities.

A smooth building or remodeling process requires patience, planning and a partner that you have confidence in!

At Jeffrey L. Henry Inc. one of our primary objectives is building relationships with our clients and making the project experience a positive one. We’ve been making custom home and remodeling project dreams come true since 1987. Learn more about what makes Jeffrey L. Henry Inc. special!