Patios and Decks

There are few pleasures in life more sublime than enjoying the great outdoors without leaving your home. With Summer finally here, now is the time to think about expanding your home into the outdoors with a backyard deck.

There is an almost limitless number of options for making the backyard deck/patio area into something as personal and special as the interior of your home is.

You can create a simple, one–level deck where family members can sit and take in nature's many benefits, or go the other direction and build an exotic outdoor environment, one that includes an outdoor kitchen with grill, decorative concrete bar, refrigerator, and outdoor stereo system. The only real limits are your budget, your imagination, and what is permissible in your neighborhood. 

Your first task, therefore, is setting your parameters: What do you want to achieve with your deck/patio? What do you want it to look like? How much do you want to spend? What restrictions are imposed by homeowner–association covenants and/or local zoning regulations? Do local laws require a building permit? 

As with any home–improvement project, the more research and planning you do on the front end, the better your deck endeavor will go. You'll save time, money and frustration by thinking through what you want to do ahead of time.

As always, I would be happy to help you with any needs that you may have concerning any deck/patio needs that you may have. 

Just give me a call!!

Some Advantages to Home Remodeling

The majority of homes that undergo a remodeling project end up seeing an increase in value. This is because almost all remodel projects result in a more beautiful home. Even though a small remodel project may result in an increase in value, the larger projects are often ones that produce the biggest differences in value. If a remodeling project was poorly done or never got completed, the homeowner may actually find the home’s overall value stayed the same. This is why it is important that all projects not only get finished, but get finished properly.

Creative home remodeling can be a fun and exciting venture. It is your opportunity to express your individuality and style through your home. We all know that someone is more likely to buy a house if it’s been fixed up, is up to date and looks good. You can increase the resale price of your home by simply making a few home renovations.




Whether the project involves making simple home improvements, updating or upgrading several rooms, or adding a new room to the home, a remodeling project can be a rewarding and profitable experience. The value of your home may increase. Among the many other advantages of remodeling are reduction in maintenance costs, addition of space and storage, and reduced utility costs. A remodel can also modernize the interior of an out-of-date room.

You will need to create a checklist of things that you are looking to remodel and ideas you have to discuss with your remodel professional. You may refurbish the basement or remodel the kitchen and/or bathroom. It is up to you as to what you want to do. Adding built-ins for storage and space is always a nice option.

As a homeowner, you will want a remodel estimate before you start any home project. An estimate will give you an idea of how much money you will need to complete the design that you are looking for. An estimate may also create a tax benefit for you. Tax benefits mean getting a deduction due to the renovations, but check with your tax advisor about this. An estimate can help you increase the value of your home. Not every home will increase in resale price, but most likely you will at least recoup your remodeling investment.

As amazing as it seems, while you are getting your home remodel estimate, you may find that you may get tax benefits because of your home renovations. It is actually possible to deduct a related interest portion of your home renovation loan payment from your taxes. However, not everyone can benefit from this. There are certain requirements that you will have to meet before you can get a tax deduction. Talk to your tax advisor to see if you can benefit from this and how.

Let’s be realistic, creative home remodeling can be expensive, however you will most likely recoup your money in the long run. The thrill of seeing the finished product can be priceless.