Top 5 Reasons to Choose Stucco for Your Home

•    Extreme Durability – Stucco outlasts wood, brick, and vinyl siding. In ideal climates and with only occasional repairs, stucco will look beautiful for decades to come.
•    Fire Resistant – Stucco is composed of lime, sand, and water.  Each is a fire-retardant material and thus stucco noncombustible. It has been known to actually prevent a house fire from entering the walls and from spreading from house to house.

•    Maintenance-Free – It takes a lot to damage stucco, and if damage should occur, the repair process is relatively simple. Plus, since the color is ingrained in the finish coat, the fresh appearance of stucco out lasts paint by many, many years.
•    Increases market value – Stucco homes are highly desired in Phoenix and many Southwest cities, this is a good choice whether you are looking to stay in your home or sell it in the future.
•    Saves Money Long-term – Stucco is an excellent insulator. Stucco is resistant to the burning heat of the summer and the early morning freezes of the winter, helping to support your ideal home temperature.

Learn more about Stucco repair Phoenix AZ for your home. Learn more about why we are the right contractor for your job by visiting the TWD Difference page. To receive free estimates by one of our professional today visit us now!





Original Article:

http://www.twdaz.com/blog/our-projects/top-five-reasons-stucco-phoenix/

Five Things to Know Before Hiring a Phoenix Home Remodeling Contractor

In a perfect world you’d hire your remodeling contractor, sign the contract, enjoy a stress-free time while the contractor does the work, and then you’d love the result. Unfortunately, that isn’t always what happens, especially since not all Phoenix home remodeling contractors have your best interest in mind.

That’s why it’s so important for you to only hire experienced, reputable contractors for your Phoenix home remodeling job.  That’s also why you’ll want to understand the following five issues before you hire a contractor for your renovation project…

1. Beware of Low Estimates

You might think you hit the jackpot when a low estimate comes in on your bathroom, living room or kitchen remodel in Phoenix, but a low estimate should raise a red flag.  That’s because Phoenix home remodeling contractors have fairly fixed costs for both supplies and labor. If a contractor quotes you something remarkably lower than the other contractors, he’s probably going to spring “surprise costs” on you later. Alternatively, he may use cheap supplies and do subpar work, both of which will cause you big headaches in the long run.


2. Make Sure Your Job Has an Onsite Manager

This person is responsible for making sure your Phoenix home remodeling project stays on track, and that you’re informed every step of the way. This person will be a point of contact for you so you can get your questions answered, plus you can do regular job walks to be sure everything is to your liking. If there’s no onsite manager, it’s more likely your project will go off the estimated timeline, and there will likely be more mistakes.

3. Avoid Saying “While You’re At It…”

 Be sure you know exactly what you want done before you start your Phoenix home remodeling project. One of the most expensive mistakes homeowners make is to say in the middle of a project, “While you’re at it, let’s do this too.”  That’s because your contractor is likely doing his work in a specific way according to the end result – if you change the end result, it’s going to cost more time and money.

4. Beware of the “Jack of All Trades”

You may like the idea of hiring one Phoenix home remodeling contractor to do everything, but one person doesn’t have the skills it takes to do all the tasks required to complete a living room, bedroom, bathroom, attic or kitchen remodel in Phoenix. That’s why you’ll want to hire a home renovation contractor who brings a skilled and experienced team with him.

5. Don’t Hire Workers Who Approach You

Sometimes Phoenix home remodeling contractors come to your door with the story that they were in the area and they have extra materials left over if you need something done, such as repaving your driveway. Avoid hiring this person no matter how good the deal, because typically this is a scam.

Original Source: http://www.sooperarticles.com/home-improvement-articles/remodeling-articles/five-things-know-before-hiring-phoenix-home-remodeling-contractor-1346479.html

Boosting Your Home Value with a Bathroom Remodel

When a prospective home buyer is surveying a Phoenix house or condo for a potential purchase, they look at the living room, den, attic, bedrooms, etc. as blank slates that they will mold to their own personal liking. The kitchen and bathroom, however, are two completely different stories. These rooms are something that most home buyers expect to be ready-made. Your kitchen and bathroom designs can drastically help or hinder your ability to sell and negotiate the final selling price. This is especially true for the bathroom, which will receive even less personalized décor than the kitchen.

Because of the above facts, a bathroom remodel for your Phoenix home is a great way to up its value. Let’s take a look at the details of how this works:

Why does a bathroom remodel really improve my home’s overall value?
A bathroom remodel for your Phoenix home will reap major sales benefits whenever the time comes. This is mainly for two important reasons: home buyer lifestyle visualization and perceived value.

Perceived value
People tend to exaggerate the value of nice looking things in their minds. Your bathroom’s fixtures are no exception to this rule. For example, a well-placed granite or wooden bathroom sink that only cost hundreds to buy and install could be perceived as having a value in the thousands by virtue of the materials’ rarity—when compared to the traditional white ceramic sinks—and their style alone. Your bathroom’s floors, faucets, shower, tub, vanity mirror, toilet, etc. are not exceptions to this rule. This perceived value translated into a higher selling price for your home.

Lifestyle visualization

People like to envision themselves living in a home before they buy it. As we mentioned in the opening paragraph, they will start planning their interior design schemes as they scan the empty (or soon to be empty) rooms in a home. The bathroom, however, is unique in this regard. Since the changes—if any are made at all—that a home buyer will make to the bathroom are usually very minor, how it looks now essentially defines how their bathroom will look for the rest of their time living there. This means that in order to sell them on the idea of living there, you need to convince them to visualize themselves enjoy going into one of the most oft used rooms in any house every single day.

Is the investment worth it?

A common question that people considering a bathroom remodel for their home ask is, “Does the return on investment make the remodel worthwhile?” The short answer to this question is a resounding yes. But let’s delve a little deeper:

In 2013, the average resale value recouped from what are considered mid-level bathroom remodels for homes in the same time zone as Phoenix was about $20,000. For an upscale bathroom remodel of a Phoenix home, the average resale return was over $27,000. The median home sale price in Phoenix is right around $160,000. This means that this relatively minor investment can increase the value of a typical Phoenix home by over 12 percent; when you are negotiating in tens of thousands of dollars, every percentage point of increase or decrease in sale amount is a huge deal.

How do I get the most out of my bathroom remodel investment?
Now that you know a bathroom remodel for your Phoenix home is a great idea, the only question left is how to get the most out of the investment. Here is how:

Get it done ASAP
All of the home value that you gain from a bathroom remodel for your Phoenix home does not solely reside in your ability to maximize the sale price. Don’t forget that as of right now, it is still your home and you should enjoy your newly remodeled bathroom for as long as you are living there.

Get a Phoenix home remodeling contractor to do the job
A bathroom remodel is NOT a do-it-yourself task. You need to use the services of one of the Phoenix remodeling contractors who works on bathrooms. If you opt to do it yourself, not only with the job cost more due to missteps, but you will lose value due to low-quality work.

Article Source :- Click Here

What Phoenix Home Remodeling Contractors Might Not Tell You

Whether you’re thinking about remodeling your bathroom, kitchen, master bedroom or any other room in the house, you’ll need to hire a Phoenix remodeling contractor to get the job done right. However, some people have misconceptions about remodeling contractors, which may make them hesitant to work with these professionals.


Here’s the thing: if you select reputable home remodeling contractors in Phoenix, then you have nothing to worry about. It also helps if you understand the following items your contractor would like you to know…
1. We’re not mind readers.
You may think everything is clear with regards to your bedroom, bathroom or kitchen remodel in Phoenix, but we’ve learned from experience that different people want different things. Even if something seems painfully obvious to you, we may still double check with you. Sure, you might grow tired of the questions, but you’ll like the end result. So bear with us – we’re not mind readers.

2. Your project likely will be more expensive than you think.
If you’re just starting to think about doing a bedroom, kitchen or bathroom remodel in Phoenix, then you may have some idea of how much it will cost. Go ahead and add at least 50% to your guess, as it will probably be more expensive than you think. Then ask us for an estimate so you can get budget properly.

3. We’re not unfriendly – just busy.
While we enjoy chatting with you when we’re doing home remodeling in Phoenix, sometimes we have to cut the conversation short. Please don’t think it’s rude – we’re here to do a good job for you, so that’s our #1 priority when we’re in your home.

4. We’ll give an honest opinion if you ask.
Sometimes contractor who’re doing home remodeling in Phoenix get asked to do create something that they think is pretty silly. But you know what? We’re not going to offer our opinion, because we’re not the ones living in the home. Yes, we’ll tell you if your Phoenix home renovation project is dangerous or otherwise unsuitable, but we won’t say if we think it’s silly. However, if you really want to know, then ask us for an honest opinion – we’ll be happy to give it.

5. We’re not interested in your private life.
Phoenix home remodeling contractors probably see into a person’s private life more than just about any other professional. We hear the couples bickering, we see the parts of your home you usually keep closed off to visitors. You may feel a little embarrassed but what we might see in your home, but don’t be. We’re professionals here to do a job, and we honestly just aren’t interested in your personal life.

Blog Source: Click Here!

Don't Hire a Phoenix Remodeling Contractor Until You Read This

The single biggest factor that determines whether you're going to be satisfied with your home remodeling project rests on which contractor your choose. If you choose the right home remodeling contractor, then you can expect a fairly flawless job that comes in on time, on budget, and to your satisfaction. But the flipside comes with a warning. If you choose the wrong Phoenix remodeling contractor, you could be in for a nightmare. From unreliability to poor quality work to legal issues, there are many factors that can turn your remodeling project into an expensive and time-consuming affair. That's why you'll want to do your due diligence to choose a good contractor. Here's how…

See if the Contractor is Qualified

Many contractors are general contractors, meaning they can provide a whole host of services and do many different types of remodeling jobs. Other contractors may specialize, such as only doing commercial work or perhaps only doing residential work. Be sure that the contractor you're looking at has experience doing the types of work you need.

Look for several years of experience. While an inexperienced contractor may charge less, you'll pay for it in the long term due to poor-quality workmanship and materials. As the saying goes, pay peanuts and you'll get monkeys. It's better to find an experienced contractor who charges a fair price.

Check for Necessary Credentials

The first thing you want to do is make sure that your contractor requires the necessary legal credentials, including being licensed and bonded. Be sure to ask for the license numbers so that you can follow up to check the validity.

Ask for References

The next thing you'll want to do when looking for remodeling contractors in Phoenix is to ask for references. Most contractors will certainly be able to show you a portfolio or gallery showcasing the work they do.  However, you'll want to ask for references so that you can talk to actual business owners or homeowners who've worked with the contractor. 

Look for a Contractor Who Can Handle Everything

The next factor you'll want to take into consideration is whether your remodeling contractor can handle every step of the job, from completing any paperwork for permits to helping you design your remodel to the actual remodeling work. Basically, look for an "A to Z" contractor who brings an experienced team.

Ask About Communications

One of the keys to your satisfaction with a contractor is how well the contractor communicates with you and keeps you in the loop. To that end, ask your contractor how they'll keep you informed. Look for a contractor who:

•    Provides an onsite job manager.
•    Schedules regular job walks with you.
•    Gives you access to an online system where you can always check on the progress of your process.

Start Here

While finding a contractor who meets all the above qualifications is a seemingly tall order, the good news is that you don't have to look far. If you're looking for remodeling contractors in Peoria, Phoenix or the greater metro area, then you need to look no further than Todd Whittaker Drywall, Inc. Find out what they can do for you by visiting twdaz.com today.

Blog Source: Click Here!

When to Call a Drywall Repair Contractor

The kids open the door a little too enthusiastically, and the door knob goes through the drywall. You’re hauling heavy furniture through the room, and somehow it punches a hole into the wall.  Your teenager is seeing how high he can jump, and his fist damages the drywall. 

So here’s the question: do you patch these problems yourself, or do you call drywall contractor?

Truth is, with these sorts of repairs you’ll generally feel better if you hire someone else to take care of the drywall repair.  That’s because patching up a small nail hole is one thing—but repairing a larger hole requires much more skill.

 Just look at an overview of what’s involved:

•    Cut out the patch. If it’s a small hole and there’s no other damage to the rest of the wall, then the repair job will require a small piece of drywall to serve as the patch.

•    Cut out the hole. Next, you need to lay the patch piece over the damaged hole and outline the patch with a pencil, and then cut this piece out of the wall.

•    Install wooden strapping using adhesive and screws. This will be inside the wall and will assist in holding the drywall patch in place.

•    Attach the patch to the strapping.

•    Apply a compound such as spackle (“mud”) to cover uneven surfaces (joints, screws and patch).

•    Press a screen into the compound, which will help prevent cracks from forming over the patch job.

•    Apply more drywall mud to cover the protective screen and seams. Work from the middle of the screen outwards so that the screen doesn’t buckle and wrinkle.

•    Match the drywall finish to the surrounding finish on the walls (if necessary). This is the tricky part, as you’ll need to have skills in laying down finishes such as skip trowel, orange peel, Santa Fe, or whatever finish you currently have on your walls.

•    Paint the patch job to match the paint on the walls (if necessary). Naturally, this works best if you have leftover paint from when you originally painted the walls, otherwise you’re likely to have a mismatched area, which will stick out like a sore thumb.

As you can see, this takes some skill as well as the right tools to do it right. If you any part of your drywall repair job is sloppy, you’ll be able to see the patch job on the finished wall.

That’s why so many others turn to Todd Whittaker Drywall, Inc for all their Phoe

nix drywall repair needs, and why you should too. They not only have all the tools including trowels, mud and hoppers to create the right finishing effects, but they also have the skills to create a seamless drywall repair job. So whether you have a small hole punched in the drywall, or you need an entire wall replaced, contact them today for a free quote at www.twdaz.com.

How to Choose Your Kitchen Cabinets

Do you have plans for kitchen remodeling this year? Then you likely are also deciding what types of kitchen cabinets to install. Not only do your kitchen cabinets add visual interest to the room (indeed, they are often the first thing people notice), but they’re also pragmatic.  That’s why you need to take your time to pick the right kitchen cabinets for your needs. Here are questions to ask yourself before you begin your renovation project…

What is your kitchen renovation budget?

If you’ve done any comparison shopping for kitchen cabinets, then you’ve already seen that the prices vary widely. You can spend anywhere from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the size of the cabinets, whether they’re custom made, and the general construction and materials used.

As such, the first thing you need to do is figure out your overall renovation budget. The second thing you need to do is determine how important kitchen cabinets are to you. For example, some people invest more of their budget into high-end appliances. Others will prefer to invest more into their cabinets. You need to decide what is important to you, and then appropriate the funds accordingly so that you know how much money you have to invest in your kitchen cabinetry.

Will you buy in-stock, semi-custom or custom cabinets?

As the name implies, in-stock cabinets are the premade cabinets that you buy off the shelf. These are standard cabinets which fit into specific-sized spaces, and they assume you have a fairly standard-sized kitchen (e.g., counter heights are the standard 36 inches). These are the least expensive cabinets, but they’re also the least flexible.

Semi-custom cabinets give you more options in terms of sizing and materials used. However, these are considered semi-custom cabinets because you choose your options from a menu of options. As you might expect, these cost more than stock options.

The most flexible option is to purchase custom cabinets. Since these truly are custom, “made to order” cabinets, there are very few if any limitations on the size, design and materials used. Naturally, while this option does ensure you get exactly what you want, it’s also the more costly alternative.

Wall to Wall Cabinets… Or Something Else?

A kitchen remodel used to include traditional wall-to-wall cabinetry – but that’s changing. Today, some homeowners are ditching some of their cabinets in favor of open shelving.  For example, you might install traditional cabinetry below the countertop, while installing open shelving up above the counter top. Not only does this add visual interest to your kitchen, but it can also make prep work and cooking more efficient.

Conclusion

If your renovation plans include installing new kitchen cabinets, then you need to work out your budget, your needs and your preferences before you start the design process. You’ll also want to talk to the home renovation experts at Todd Whittaker Drywall, Inc, who’ve been remodeling kitchens in Phoenix since 1996. Put their skills, experience and design ideas to work for you by contacting them today at www.twdaz.com.