[New Post] 3 Profitable Home Improvement Ideas for Scottsdale Homes

When a homeowner is looking to remodel their house, how often is profitability considered? The truth is that most home improvement ideas are based on stylistic or practical enhancement additions that increase comfort. But what would you say if we told you that it was possible to integrate all of these attributes into some of the most profitable home improvement ideas for Scottsdale homes?

Here are three of our favorite tips that not only will improve the aesthetics and function – but also help improve the equity in your home in Scottsdale.

Tip #1 – Replace your Garage Door

According to Realtor.com, many homebuyers often consider the outside curb appeal as the determining factor when choosing between two, identically built homes. And one of the most overlooked elements to change during a home remodeling project in Scottsdale is the garage door. It’s estimated that a new garage door can cost a few thousand dollars to replace; however, there are several benefits to this home improvement step:

• First, it vastly improves the overall look of your Scottsdale home from the outside


• Second, newer garage doors are better insulated, which helps to keep your garages at a more consistent temperature; which can help reduce heating and air conditioning costs


• Third, it can help improve the resale value of your home by as much as 100% of the cost of the actual replacement

Tip #2 – Add Steel Doors for your Entry Way

Along with changing out your older garage door, adding a luxurious and energy efficient steel door to your front entryway can also be a very profitable home improvement for Scottsdale home owners. Although you’d think that steel doors would attract a lot of heat in summer, the truth is that they are very good for insulating and keeping extreme temperatures from entering a house. Plus, steel doors also improve the security of your home. When you add up the energy savings, plus the added security and increased curb appeal, it’s suggested that you can receive up to 97% Return on Investment. Anytime you can double your money on an improvement – that’s always a good thing to consider.

Tip #3 – Energy Efficient Kitchen Remodeling

According to the US Census Bureau, the average cost to remodel a kitchen is around $5,000.00. However, when you start adding customized appliances, cabinets, tile, flooring and other ‘tricks’ – that cost can (and often does) skyrocket. The question that many homeowners often ask is ‘how can you maximize your ROI with a kitchen remodeling project?’ The answer is simple – go green.

Traditionally a kitchen remodel provides a homeowner about a 70-80% ROI. However, when you apply energy efficient changes to your kitchen, you’re overall return tends to increase to over 100%. Plus, you’ll be saving money every month by reducing the amount of energy used inside your kitchen due to the remodeling project. Most homeowners often overlook this however it does positively impact your return on investment.

Read more about kitchen remodeling approaches:

• 3 Kitchen And Bath Industry Show Innovative Concepts For 2014


• Top 4 Functional Kitchen Layouts Scottsdale Residents Love


• Most Popular Scottsdale Kitchen Remodeling Trends For 2014

There are several ways to maximize the financial returns on your home improvement ideas in Scottsdale. The best way to increase profitability is to contact your home improvement contractor and speak with them about the best ways to financially save money – but also get a solid ROI when you list your home for sale in Scottsdale.

Ready to move forward with a home improvement project?

Give Peak One Builders a call today at (480) 378-0611

Read the full story at: http://peakonebuilders.com/3-profitable-home-improvement-ideas-for-scottsdale-homes/

[New Post] Why Using Green Building Materials Can Save You Green

It’s often assumed that buying green building materials can cost an arm and a leg. However, this simply isn’t true. In fact, many construction companies and custom home builders are beginning to discover the benefits of using recycled or natural materials in all of their custom home building projects in Arizona. And the benefits can also help homeowners save money each month as they live in their new homes.

Eco-Friendly Materials And Its Benefits

Whether it’s natural flooring materials, recycled or natural paints and even insulation made out of recycled newspaper, using green building materials is becoming extremely popular.

Benefits of Green Flooring Materials

We’re not suggesting that you paint your floors inside your new custom home green per-say, but, using eco-friendly materials like bamboo, cork, salvaged wood planks and even carpeting manufactured from recycled products can spice up your home – and save money down the road.

• First, it’s amazing what you can do with salvaged wood. However, did you know that some custom homebuilders specialize in installing hardwood flooring out of recycled materials? And by using up recycled flooring, a custom homebuilder can pass the savings along to the customer.


• Recycled carpeting can also be advantageous for homeowners that move into a newly built custom home. But, many of today’s leading manufacturers of recycled carpeting also claim that their products are softer, hold up longer and even are more aesthetically pleasing than new materials. Plus, just like the above example, they tend to be less costly.

Benefits of Using Eco-Friendly Paint

Although using recycled materials like newspaper for insulation is a great way to protect your home, the use of eco-friendly paints is becoming rampant, especially in Arizona where we have to worry about heat and its impact on how paint dries and wears within our homes. Here are just a few of the benefits of using ‘green’ paint inside your new custom home.

Much Fewer VOC’s

VOC’s or Volatile Organic Compounds are emitted when chemicals are introduced into paint in factories. They also tend to spread when you apply them on walls. However, eco-friendly paints contain zero to very little traces of VOC’s, which is a positive attribute for any home owner.

Health Benefits Of Eco-Friendly Paints

There are several people who have allergic reactions to VOC’s. Most traditional paints also give off fumes that can cause COPD flair ups and other breathing problems. However, eco-friendly paints produce very little odors, which are caused by formaldehyde and ammonia in most common paints. Since natural paints don’t include these harmful substances, you’ll breathe much better inside a home with eco-friendly paint.

Most Green Building Materials Can Be Cost Efficient

A common rule of thumb for manufacturers is that customer demand often dictates pricing. However, green building materials are an exception to this rule. The US Federal Government has begun to impose better standards to the materials used daily to construct new homes. When the materials used are recycled, the Federal Government also provides tax incentives to many manufacturers for offering this vital option. As such, their cost of goods is lower and often passed along to the consumer.

When constructing your new custom home, using green building is not only better for the environment, but it can also help reduce costs. When you are getting ready to build a new home, contact a professional custom contractor and ask them about using green building materials.

Ready to invest in a new construction or a custom home? We can assist with our green building experts, call us at (480) 378-0611 for a free consult.

Read the full story at: http://peakonebuilders.com/why-using-green-building-materials-can-save-you-green/

[New Post] 3 Steps To A Home Makeover In Phoenix After A Disaster

Everybody has heard the expression – ‘turn lemons into lemonade’; but how do you explain this to a family that just lost their home due to a disaster? Experiencing the loss or significant damage to a home is quite arguably one of the hardest realities a family or individual can face. Sometimes however, bad situations can be a prime opportunity to complete a home makeover in Phoenix.

Here are a few suggestions on how to transform a home disaster due to fire, flood or another tragic event into an upgrade and positive home makeover project.

Step #1 – Get your ducks in a row – FIRST

When you experience any damage to your home due to fire, flooding, earthquake or any other tragic event, it’s important to have a plan on how you’re going to deal with this issue and move forward. Most insurance experts believe that all homeowners should follow a certain method or process when significant damage to a home occurs:

• First, make sure the fire department has given you 100% approval to reenter the home. Safety is always the most important thing; so always wait until the fire department has completely inspected the home before you head back in to take inventory of damage.


• Second, contact your homeowners insurance ASAP and file a claim.


• Third, speak with the insurance adjuster about options you have to rebuild. During this process it is very important to clarify every aspect of your individual policy and what the insurance company wants you to do during the rebuilding process. Sometimes homeowners tend to believe that they can make any changes they’d like, only to discover that the insurance company would not cover those expenses. Before you move forward, you must get clarification.

Step #2 – Meet with an Experienced Home Remodeling Company

Once you’ve got everything outlined, understand what you can and can’t afford to complete during your home remodeling project in Phoenix, the next step is to schedule a meeting with a phoenix home remodeling contractor that has extensive experience in repairing and remodeling homes after damage has occurred. Contrary to popular belief, not every contractor has the same experience. And working on a home that has been damaged due to fire, flooding or other catastrophic events is a specialty that requires extensive training, understanding of code enforcement and other specific skills.

An experienced home restoration company in Phoenix will work with you to customize a home makeover that will fit your budget, your insurance requirements and also consider possible ways to improve the condition of your home – and potentially avoid the potential of future damage.

Step #3 – Consider this as an Opportunity instead of Crisis

Arguably the most important step for an individual or family looking to rebuild is an emotional one. It’s critical for you to realize that you can’t change the past or change the outcome of the events that occurred. The only thing you can control is your outlook on the future. Working with an experienced home remodeling contractor will also be advantageous, as they’ve worked with hundreds of people that have been in the same situation you currently are facing. Many of these contractors will guide you through the entire process – always placing an emphasis on overall safety of everybody involved. But, they also are known to make this process an enjoyable one for everybody.

Remember, just because your home was damaged – doesn’t mean you can’t rebuild stronger. Take this opportunity to complete a home makeover in Phoenix and make changes to your house that will help you enjoy and appreciate living at home.

If your home was damaged and you’re searching for a reliable contractor, give Peak One a call today at (480) 378-0611

Read the full story at: http://peakonebuilders.com/3-steps-to-a-home-makeover-in-phoenix-after-a-disaster/

[New Post] Choosing An Energy Efficient Homebuilder In Scottsdale AZ

Choosing a Custom Homebuilder in Scottsdale that Focuses on Energy Efficiency

Truth be told, there are many custom homebuilders in the greater Scottsdale area. However, there are very few that focus on ensuring that your custom home is energy efficient. The fact is that energy rates are skyrocketing in Arizona. Whether it’s due to our resources or economic reasons, finding affordable ways to integrate energy efficiency when choosing a custom homebuilder in Scottsdale has become a priority for many new homeowners.

Five Important Factors To Consider When Choosing An Energy Efficient Custom Homebuilder

First – Define Your Individual Needs

Before you begin to interview custom homebuilders, the first thing you need to do is determine exactly what you’re looking to build. Believe it or not, different custom homebuilders often have individual specialties. So before you start searching, know exactly what type of home you’re intending on building.

Second – Depend On Experience With Energy Efficient Homes

As you begin to look online for custom homebuilders, it is important to begin narrowing down the field to a group of less than five. One way to weed out contenders is looking into their experience in building energy efficient homes. If energy efficiency is important to you, only work with a homebuilder that has extensive experience in building homes that are energy friendly.

Third – Look For Previous Customer Input

If you’ve narrowed down your list of potential custom homebuilders in Scottsdale, you’ll want to ask them about references from previous customers. If they are willing to provide you with list of clients, ask these about what steps the homebuilder did to focus on energy efficiency.

Fourth – Does The Builder Integrate Style Into Energy Efficient Designs?

Another question you should ask is whether or not the homebuilder has experience integrating some stylistic features you desire into an overall energy efficient custom home. After all, you need to be happy with the aesthetics of your home, first and foremost. Just make sure that they have the creative ability to infuse some efficiency standards along the way.

Fifth – Ask To Tour A Few Previous Custom Homes They’ve Built

A great way to get a look at some of the homes a custom homebuilder in Scottsdale has previously built is to ask to tour one personally with the builder. During your visit, ask the homebuilder a few important questions in regards to the energy efficiency of the home including:

• What type of HVAC system did you install inside this custom home and how is that system more or less energy efficient than other models that you might want for your own home?


• How did the homebuilder insulate the home? Believe it or not, insulation is also used as a protective barrier to keep heat from entering a home during the hot summer months.


• What feature about the electrical, plumbing and other household systems help conserve energy on a monthly basis?

When you stick to these five important steps to choosing a custom home builder in Scottsdale, it’s highly likely that you’ll find one that will build you a very efficient home that can save you money each month on utility bills.

Still undecided about your choice? Click here to read some of our testimonials.

Read the full story at: http://peakonebuilders.com/choosing-an-energy-efficient-homebuilder-in-scottsdale-az/

[New Post] Flood Restoration In Scottsdale Can Come From a Simple HVAC Leak

How A Bad HVAC Systems Can Lead To Home Flood Restoration 

Although most flood damage in Scottsdale, Arizona occurs during the stormy monsoon season, one highly overlooked cause of indoor flooding can be attributed to HVAC units. It’s no secret that we use our air conditioning a lot during the hot summer months in Arizona, however, one thing not commonly known is that this additional use also tends to create a ton of condensate that needs to be properly disposed of. And when the condensate coils of the air conditioning plumbing system fail, it could lead to possible damage inside your home and the need to have flood restoration in Scottsdale.

HVAC Flood Damage

For the most part, the State of Arizona is relatively dry. However, from July till August, when we get a ton of rain and thundershowers, our homes tend to develop a lot of humidity. It’s the job of an AC unit to remove this humidity from inside our homes. With so much additional humid air, sometimes our systems become overworked and the excess water has nowhere to go but your basement or bottom floors.

Some of the damage that can occur inside your home due to a leaking HVAC unit includes the following:

• Damage to carpet. If your HVAC system is leaking water inside your home, the first thing that often becomes damaged is the flooring. And when you have carpet installed, like several homeowners in Scottsdale do, the results can be devastating. Standing water and carpet simply don’t mix. And if the water soaks below your carpet and into the pad and the floorboards, it could mean that your entire flooring needs to be replaced.


• Damage to walls. If you have a lot of water that ends up inside your home, another potential area that can become damaged is the wall. Water and drywall simply don’t mix very well. Drywall is, well, dry and tends to absorb water very quickly. The result is that the drywall will swell and become brittle. And when this occurs, it means that the drywall needs to be replaced.


• Damage to electrical systems. As we all know, water and electricity is an explosive and potentially dangerous combination. However, when water seeps into an electrical socket, it can and often does, destroy the socket and the supporting wires behind it. It can also cause the main circuit breakers to trip and even cause some damage to the primary board as well.


• Damage to furniture. Obviously, if water is deep enough inside your home, it can cause extensive damage to your furniture.


• Potential mold issues. Although Arizona is not a common location for mold issues, if you leave your home for an extended period and have this type of HVAC system flooding, it could possibly lead to mold collecting inside your home.

As you can clearly see, HVAC system flooding can lead to significant damage inside your home requiring flood restoration in Scottsdale. If you are the victim of HVAC flooding or if your home was damaged due to flash flooding caused by extensive rain, a good solution is to contact a professional flood restoration company in Scottsdale that has experience in providing affordable and comprehensive repairs in the Phoenix metro area and surrounding cities.

If you don’t catch the leaky HVAC unit and flood damage occurs, call us at (480) 378-0611, and we will be there to help with the water damage restoration.

Read the full story at: http://peakonebuilders.com/flood-restoration-in-scottsdale-can-come-from-a-simple-hvac-leak/

[New Post] Where to Start on a Home Renovation Project in Phoenix

It’s common for homeowners in Phoenix to find affordable ways to spice up their homes – and increase property value. And one of the quickest growing trends in Arizona is the addition of several home renovation projects both in the city limits and suburbs. One question that many homeowners often ask is where to start on a home renovation project?

A Priority List Of Items Needed For Any Home Renovation Project

First – Always Begin With Setting A Budget

Whether you’re going to simply paint the house or take on a complete restoration project, the first and probably biggest step is to create a very strong budget. It’s often said that money doesn’t grow on trees. Well, in the construction industry, money is often the primary hurdle to overcome. This is why the best thing any homeowner can do is to create a solid budget of what they can afford to spend on any home renovation project.

Second – Create A Needs List And Wish List

It’s also important for homeowners to look at the big picture of their potential home renovation project. The best way to accomplish this step is to create two, independent lists.

• The first list will be items that you need to include in your renovation project. For example, if you’re planning on increasing the overall square footage of your home by adding a casita, another bedroom or finishing a basement, the actual project of adding those spaces is a needed feature in order to accomplish your goal.


• Once you have a good idea as to what you’re trying to accomplish with your renovation project, the next thing to consider is what material items you need to make the addition ‘livable’. Let’s look at the basement project for an example. If you’re going to finish a basement, you’ll most likely need a few critical items including air conditioning/heating duct work installed (if not already complete), electrical and plumbing installed (again, if it’s not already finished), drywall hung, walls built, filled with insulation and textured and several other common elements. If you’re going to have living spaces in the basement, you’ll most likely need at least one full bath finished as well.

After you’ve created the needed items for your home renovation project in Phoenix, the next step is to think of wants and compare them to your budget. For example:

• Perhaps you’d want a bar installed in a loft, or outside on your backyard patio?


• Maybe you want to install decorative lighting, install surround sound speakers inside the walls or other upgraded items?


• It might be a desire of yours to add custom molding, textured walls or vaulted ceilings.

The point here is that it’s very important for you to separate items you need to have completed, vs those that are more of a want – where if you have extra room in your budget, you can afford to install.

As you can see, there are several actions that can keep you busy when you’re asking where to start on a home renovation project in Phoenix. The best advice we can give is to contact a professional general contractor for a free consultation so they can answer any questions and help you plan that perfect home renovation project.

Renovations, remodeling, new construction, etc; we have the Professional answers – call us today at (480) 378-0611!

Read the full story at: http://peakonebuilders.com/where-to-start-on-a-home-renovation-project-in-phoenix/