Stark Builders, Inc.

Basement Creations

2015-06-22T04:13:23Z

It is absolutely amazing just how much untapped potential lies in the basement of homes. Basements are used to store holiday decorations, keep sakes, and long forgotten boxes of who knows what. It is a shame to allow all of this useful space to go to waste. There is a very wide range of possibilities for the extra room. It could even be a source of much needed income.

Renovating for Revenue

It is generally well known among home owners that renovation and remodeling projects raise the home’s overall value. This is not the only lucrative aspect of finishing your basement. There is just the right amount of space in most basements to create a very nice apartment. There are many reasons that home owners choose to rent their basement to tenants as opposed to purchasing a separate property to rent out. One is that this space already belongs to them. The only money that will be invested is the amount required to transform the basement into suitable living quarters. It is also much easier to keep an eye on how the tenants treat your investment, if they are below you.

There is another route which does not necessarily bring more money into the home. It does save a great deal and therefore amounts to about the same financial benefit. A basement that has been redesigned to create an efficient living space is perfect for college students. Your college student will be much closer to home and there will not be as much reason to worry. This also means that you do not have to fork over an arm and leg for campus housing. Once your college student graduates you can rent it to tenets for the additional revenue.

Family Bonding

It is often difficult for family’s to find quality time to spend together. The world has become extremely fast paced with everyone constantly on the go. The basement may actually provide an answer to this challenge. It cannot create more time; however, it can provide a wonderful place for the family to enjoy time together.

Your basement can be transformed into a large cozy den complete with its own bathroom and cooking area. The expert crew at Stark Builders, Inc. has the professional carpentry skills to make this dream a reality. You can create several activity areas so that there is something everyone in the family enjoys doing. We can even custom craft the shelving for your game and entertainment center. It would also be a great place for birthday parties and holiday gathering celebrations.

Experience is Key

It is very important to perform at least some research and locate a professional contractor to finish your basement. There is a great deal involved in this type of project from permits and fire codes to wiring and plumbing. You should never leave these kinds of details in the hands of a layman. It will cost much more in the long run to hire an actual professional to finish the job as well as repair the mistakes the first contractor made. In some cases it may cost three or even four times as much as it should have depending upon the extent of the damage the first workman left behind.

Stark Builders, Inc. has created a professional crew of nothing but the best carpenters in the business. They are experts in their field and take great pride in a job well done. Our ultimate goal is to provide 110% customer satisfaction by exceeding client expectations. We always go above and beyond to ensure that our clients receive exactly what they need. Call us today so we can discuss your basement finishing ideas.

All Hands on Deck

2015-06-22T04:15:12Z

A custom crafted deck dramatically enhances any outdoor living space as well as drives the entire property value up. It is a great place for family cookouts and summer block parties. It is essential to hire a professional carpenter to install your deck to ensure that the job has been completed properly and your new deck last for decades to come.

Every great investment or asset requires timely care and maintenance. This will maintain its beauty and extend its lifespan. During the cleaning process, should you find any damage or other issues, it is best to call in professional help for immediate repair. A professional contractor will seal your deck upon installation to protect it against mildew and mold. These fungi grow rather rapidly and can get completely out of hand, if left unattended.

Deck Cleaning

Recommendations may vary; however, the general consensus is that your deck requires a thorough cleaning around every third month. If you reside in an areas of high humidity, you might consider doing this more often. It helps maintain not only its beauty, but its durability. Weather element can sometimes be very brutal and unforgiving to wooden structures.

Remove all decorations, furniture, and potted plants from your deck. Temporarily store them completely away from the vicinity of the deck
Thoroughly sweep it making sure it is free of all debris including pine needles, dry leaves, and dirt.
There are both harsh and natural deck cleaning solutions available at most home improvement stores. Only use that which is recommended for your specific type of deck. Regardless of which type you choose wear protective gear such as safety glasses and rubber gloves. Use plastic sheeting to cover all plants growing in the vicinity.
A pressure washer, garden hose, or disposable broom can be used to apply the solution.
The actual scrubbing may be accomplished by hand with the same broom or using a pressure washer.

The best scrubbing method for pressure washing is to use a mowing stripe motion. This will help remove all of the mildew, gunk, and caked on dirt. A little more elbow grease may be required for areas that are heavily soiled. Using too much force while scrubbing may mar the wood. The pressure washer may be filled with cold water to rinse the solution off the deck for approximately 15 minutes or more. If you used a garden hose to apply the cleaning solution, you can use it to rinse as well.

Note: Do not forget to completely rinse the plastic sheeting protecting your plants.

Warning:

Read all of the caution labels before opening the cleaning solution.

If the chemicals should come into contact with your eyes, seek medical attention and heed the previously read warning labels. Cautions apply to all types of cleaners whether they are toxic or completely natural.

Your deck must be allowed to air dry naturally for no less than one whole day or 24 consecutive hours. It is a good idea to check the local weather prior to beginning cleaning or maintaining you deck. If the wood is not allowed to dry completely, you could damage the wood beyond repair.

Seal Your Deck

Many home owners who are also do it yourselfers are completely comfortable resealing their own decks. The 24 hour drying period is absolutely essential before applying any type of sealant. The pressure washer can make it much easier to remove any old sealant, if necessary. It is important that the sealant is completely dry before replacing the outdoor items on your deck.

No carpentry company knows wood better than the professionals at Stark Builders, Inc. Call us anytime to schedule an appointment. We would be delighted to come out and maintain or reseal your deck. We understand that you have more important family matters to attend to.

Kitchen Renovation Innovation

2015-06-22T04:17:27Z

Renovating your kitchen can be an exciting and lucrative endeavor. Most any type of home improvement project will drive your asking price up should you decide to sell your home. For those who truly enjoy experimenting in the kitchen there are all sorts of technically advanced appliances available to update the kitchen.

There are a great deal of varied, but important details to attend to. It is best to have a professional contractor to consult with. These individuals are experienced in these matters. They can provide you with all of the options available to you based upon your budget. They can help you save money and ensure all of the legal fine points are taken care of.

The Contemporary Kitchen

One common reason that home owners decide to renovate the kitchen is to update it with all of the latest and greatest gadgets. The first goal you should tackle, after creating your budget of course, is to decide exactly what type of kitchen you want. The internet is a good place to get inspired. There are appliances which save energy and the environment. There are those which nearly perform most of the work for you.

While updating your kitchen it is also possible to transform the décor as well. A modern version may contain a shiny new stainless steel stove and refrigerator. It is possible to create a simple country kitchen and still take advantage of the most convenient appliances. The design is all up to you and your family.

Ranch Style

Many home owners today are building their homes around the concept of self-sustainability. Two of the main steps of this process are gardening and canning. These are also great ways of saving money. True canners require an area specifically designed for canning and for storing the goods once they are canned. A professional contractor can inspect your available space and determine which steps should be taken to prepare the area.

A couple of ideas are a corner with countertops and storage for the canning supplies as well as a pantry to store the goodies in. It may be necessary to have the interior redesigned to allow for the new space. A professional carpenter can assist in planning and managing by creating blueprints which strategically alter the floor plan.

Recreating the current kitchen’s floor plans can open many exiting opportunities. The kitchen may be designed smaller and the extra space can become an entirely different room. Perhaps Mom has always wanted a corner office for her home business or a sewing room to store her craft supplies. This new space can be anything which suits your family.

Green Living

One very popular reason home owners decide to renovate their kitchens is to live greener. There is a wide variety of products which assist families who are trying to live eco-consciously. They range from the food they consume to the appliances they use to store and prepare it. Some reduce energy consumption while others decrease the amount of water needed for daily living. The crew at Stark Builders, Inc. knows exactly where to find all of the best eco-appliances for the absolute lowest prices available.

Planning and creating your family’s new kitchen should be fun and exciting. Hiring a professional contracting company will ensure that this is the case. Hiring someone who is not experienced and seasoned will almost always result in heartache and drain your bank account. One investigative route to take is asking co-workers, friends, and family members about their home improvement experiences. Word of mouth has been the best type of advertisement for nearly 200 years now. Feel free to call one of our customer reps and inquire about our professional carpentry services to renovate your kitchen today.

Tips for Choosing a Professional Contractor

2015-06-22T04:20:52Z

All home owners generally seek to hire a professional contractor at some point whether it is for necessity or desire. The success of any home improvement project is greatly dependent upon the contractor’s level of professionalism. It is also vital to the longevity of the end result that the person you hire is no less than an expert in the field. An untrained contractor will not only provide slapdash work, but will most likely create costly damages.

It is important to consider local contractors first because these individuals understand the local community. They will be familiar with the area’s weather as well as local building restrictions and zoning regulations. Companies from your neighborhood will be aware of all of the best suppliers and deals. There are couple items to review while looking for your next contractor.

Expertise

A professional contractor should always inspect and discuss your plans prior to launching the physical portion of the project. He/she will want to hear your opinions and address all of your concerns. Someone who seems to have no time for your questions does not have your family’s best interest at heart. Your potential professional should also want to review your home’s budget with you. This is a key factor in your building and/or repair options. If during the interview the contractor seems impatient, you need to delete that number from your phone.

Our crew at Stark Builders, Inc. is always available for your questions and concerns. There is absolutely no way to meet our goal of complete client satisfaction without your input. We will take the time to carefully explain all of your options and every phase of your project. Our crew will provide you with a comprehensive timeline and progress updates along the way. We can also provide many cost cutting tips to increase the return on your budget. After all, you are investing in your home and we want you to receive the highest ROI possible.

One sign of a less than honest contractor is one who pressures you into unnecessary purchases. Most construction and building companies are reliable, but sad as it are there are at least a few crooks in every industry. When our crew reviews your project phase by phase we will expound upon each purchase individually as well as present you with alternatives. Our highest priority is satisfying you and your family.

Due Diligence

Home owners must perform at least some research prior to hiring any building crew. Home improvement projects are worthy investments and should be treated as such. Start by designing a list of potential hires and leave enough room for notes. Review the respective company websites as well as the individual contractor sites, if applicable. Professional contractors will not mind you reviewing their past clients and projects. In fact, most encourage this as they are quite proud of their reputations. Consider the list below.

Visit the business website and look for client comment pages.
Check to ensure the crew is properly licensed and insured.
Try typing the company name as well as each crew member into a search engine.
Once this is complete, personally interview all of the contractors.

Consider asking your potential hires for references and connect with their past customers. Ask those customers to rate the project upon completion including cost and scheduling. Ask if they would hire that particular contractor again and if they would recommend them to a family member.

Close the Deal

It is essential to have a written contract which clearly states every single detail. Carefully review it before signing and ask about anything that seems unclear. Never put your name on anything that you do not completely understand. If you have any questions at all, ask the contracting crew. Honest professionals will go above and beyond to ease your worries and clear your confusion. Look for the points listed below.

Phase by phase, as well as step by step task calendar
Clear price and detailed description of each cost
Plans or blueprints
Change of order clause
Explanation of dispute solution
Comprehensive guarantee