[New Post] Try These 3 Exciting Outdoor Living Ideas In Phoenix Arizona

Spending time outdoors is one of the perks of Arizona living. Whether it’s a hike in the local mountains, or taking time to entertain friends and family in your backyard –it’s common that Phoenix-area residents have a desire to enhance their experiences. However, there are some outdoor living ideas in Phoenix that work better than others. Either due to financial reasons or extreme weather we get in the Valley of the Sun; these three outdoor upgrades that are certainly to succeed.

Outdoor Living Idea #1 – Installing a Fire Feature

One of the best backyard upgrade projects that tends to show up across the Phoenix metro area is the inclusion of fire pits. The reality of living in Arizona suggests that most people tend to spend the majority of their time indoors during the daylight hours for half of the year. However, at night, Arizona home owners enjoy heading to the backyards for some relaxation, fresh air and socializing with friends. It’s for this primary reason that most backyard upgrade projects will include some sort of fire feature.

There are several ways you can incorporate a bit of ‘flame’ into your outdoor living spaces including:

• Adding tiki torches along walkways of your backyard


• Installing a natural gas-fueled fire feature


• Including a fire pit and social area filled with soft sand in your backyard

When installed by a professional remodeling contractor, a fire feature can really liven up your outdoor living space; plus it can also provide some added warmth during the colder winter and early spring evenings if you want to spend time outdoors all year long.

Outdoor Living Idea #2 – Adding a Covered Patio or a Pergola

Since Phoenix gets a lot of sun, finding a way to provide some shade is a vital addition of enjoyable outdoor living. However, when many areas of the United States can add pop-up shade tents or umbrellas, this option isn’t very practical for the extreme weather we get in Arizona. Most ‘portable’ or lightweight shades tend to wear out quickly when forced to withstand the extreme heat. However, we also get tons of wind in the desert as well – which also can rip and destroy these pop-up umbrellas.

The solution to this problem is to install a solid structure; like a covered patio or a pergola – designed to provide some shade if you want to spend time outdoors during the daylight hours. Many backyards in Arizona have some sort cover over the patio – so if you’re looking to spice up your backyard, make sure you have a professional install a covered patio or stylistic pergola.

Outdoor Living Idea #3 – A Water Feature

This idea simply makes sense when living in Phoenix. Having a mister, splash pad, swimming pool or hot tub included in any outdoor living space is a great way to cool off in the Arizona heat. However, some water features are better than others. For swimming pools, consider installing a salt-water pool – as you’ll spend much less on maintenance and upkeep compared to traditional chlorinated pools. It’s also a great idea to install a misting system on your covered patio – to provide your guests with a light spritz of water to cool their jets. Also increasing in popularity are small water features like waterfalls in rock formations. Not only is this visually pleasing, but it’s also a great way to add some relaxing ambiance to your outdoor living space.

Regardless of what type of outdoor living ideas you might have, the key is to find a home remodeling company in Phoenix that will provide affordable and practical ways of making your ideas a reality. Always spend some time researching any idea before spending money on installation. Consider the cost of installing, upkeep and whether or not it can handle and hold up to the extreme weather elements we get in the Valley of the Sun.

Read more about exciting outdoor living in the Phoenix metro:

• Top Outdoor Patio Ideas That Are Easy To Complete In Arizona


• Fun Swimming Pool Remodel & Backyard Projects For Arizona Homes


• 5 Reasons To Improve Your Outdoor Living Space In Scottsdale

Ready to create an beautiful outdoor living space at your Phoenix home? Call Peak One Builders today at (480) 378-0611.

Read the full story at: http://peakonebuilders.com/3-exciting-outdoor-living-ideas-in-phoenix/

[New Post] Top 5 Scottsdale Residential Construction "FAILS" to Avoid

Getting in over one’s head often yields negative results – regardless of the project you’re undertaking. However, it canget downright ugly when it comes to residential construction projects in Phoenix. Whether it’s mistakes made by the contractors or the home owners, in the end; the person doing the hiring is and should be responsible for making sure that every ‘I’ is dotted and all “T’s” are crossed to ensure that their home improvement or custom home construction project goes off without a hitch.

Since this is a statement of fact, here are five of the most common residential home construction ‘fails’ that any home owner should avoid at all costs.

#1 – DIY at the Wrong Time

Although many of the popular home improvement shows on TV tend to ‘look easy enough’ to complete, the reality begins to sink in when you get in over your head with a do it yourself project. This is why the first residential construction mistake that any home owner should always avoid is getting in over your head with any project. Regardless of how easy it might seem to be – always do the research about any project including:

• Ensure to compile a complete budget


• Know what tools are required to do the job – and that you have the skills to safely use these tools correctly


• Understand how much time it will take to complete the project – safely and correct the first time


• Make sure to choose an energy efficient homebuilder in Scottsdale

When you follow these three rules, you’ll quickly discover that many DIY projects should be classified as ‘Call in the Professionals’.

#2 – Forgetting to Get Permits

Believe it or not, the most common mistake that home owners tend to make during any construction project is ‘assumption of risk’. The truth is that although there are many private contractors that will take care of all building permits, ultimately, the responsibility falls on the property owner. Never ‘assume’ that your contractor will pull all permits. Before you sign any contract or agreement, make sure it’s clearly articulated and documented WHO is responsible for obtaining all permits from local code enforcement.

#3 – Obtain a Completion Date Estimate

Many home improvement projects or custom home building projects are completed by private contractors. And the number one leading cause of over-budgeting is extended time to complete the project. This is why the third thing you should always avoid is an open ended completion date. Regardless of where you are building, an experienced contractor in Scottsdale will always be able to provide you with an estimated completion date and incorporate that into their price quote. Although there are legitimate reasons for a delay, such as ‘Acts of God’ – make sure those are clearly spelled out in your contract so that at closing you don’t have an unexpected extra few thousand dollars on the bill.

#4 – Poor Communications during All Phases of the Construction

It’s literally impossible for new Scottsdale homeowners to always be onsite during a complete home rebuilding project. And even if they are – it’s quite common for communication gaps to occur between many contractors and the clients. Before you hire any contractor, make sure they have several contingency plans for effectively communicating with you including:

• Asking and clarifying the best methods to communicate with you


• Providing guidelines about when you need to be contacted for any changes or approval


• Always communicate any changes via email. This is critical as it’s documented in writing – so it will cover you in case there is any confusion.

#5 – Always Consider Resale Value

Finally, when you’re planning your residential construction project in Scottsdale, it’s vital that you consider the resale value of any projects you undertake. The goal of any construction project; whether it’s a simple upgrade, addition or complete construction is to provide extended value to the home owners. Unless you have endless supplies of cash to burn – it’s very important to consider cost vs. resale when you’re planning any construction project.

Peak One Builders will help avoid the home project “fails”

while providing an end result you can be proud of.

Give us a call today at (480) 378-0611

Read the full story at: http://peakonebuilders.com/top-5-scottsdale-residential-construction-fails-to-avoid/

[New Post] Turn Your Yard Into An Oasis With The Most Popular Backyard Makeovers in Scottsdale

Anybody living in Scottsdale understands the value of a nice backyard. However, trying to come up with an affordable and stylistic backyard makeover in Scottsdale AZ can be very complex and difficult. However, thanks to those awesome home improvement shows, like Yard Crashers for example; many home owners are starting to integrate some of these ideas into their backyard improvement projects.

As such, here are three of the most popular backyard makeover ideas that will enhance the overall look and function of your backyard in Scottsdale – without breaking the bank.

First – Consider Spicing-Up the Flooring with Concrete Cover-Up

Anybody that has the plain – Jane basic concrete slab poured in their backyard can easily enhance the look – and function of their backyards by integrating some clever and cost effective concrete cover-ups. There are two really easy ways that any home owner can bring some life into your traditional concrete patio:

• First, use some masonry stain to ‘color’ your concrete with some earth tone colors (like deep brown or honey). You can get creative by adding some patterns, (like checkerboard patterns or diagonal patterns).


• Second, apply some slate tiles over the plain concrete. These types of tiles are very easy to apply with thin mortar products (like Versabond for example).

The primary mission here is to add some color or depth to your flooring that will enhance the overall look and feel of your backyard without compromising comfort or having to do too many detailed improvements that take tons of time, resources, talent and money to accomplish.

Second – Add a Trellis or Pergola

Another popular trend popping up in backyards across Scottsdale is the addition of pergola’s and trellis. You often see a trellis as the entry way to luxurious gardens or parks – so why not incorporate these easy to install items in your backyard? There are several home improvement stores that sell ‘easy to assemble trellis’ or prefabricated trellis. It’s best to place these centrally in your back yard – so people will see it as a focal point when they enter the back yard. Adding some vine or plants to either side of the trellis is also a great idea to enhance the look of this very easy and affordable backyard enhancement.

The addition of Pergola’s to Scottsdale AZ backyards is also growing. For those that don’t know, a pergola is a cubed shaped structure that traditionally is placed over a patio or deck to provide some shade – without completely blocking the sun. Just like a trellis, a pergola is rather easy to install – but you might want to seek the advice of a Scottsdale remodeling contractor to be on the safe side.

Third – Add Vertical Enhancements to your Backyard Makeover in Scottsdale

Finally, regardless of what other enhancements you choose to incorporate into your backyard makeover project, it’s always best to find affordable ways of increasing depth. This is where integrating vertical designs, plants, rocks or other items provide this added dimension to a backyard. Believe it or not, simply adding a few large boulders to your backyard can significantly improve the overall look. Plus, they take up space and add some character to your backyard. Colorful plants and shrubs are also very simple and affordable ways of adding some ‘height’ to your level backyards in Scottsdale.

Regardless of what you choose to do – get creative with your backyard makeover in Scottsdale. But as with any other project, always set a budget first – before you start to buy. And as always, if you require some professional help; don’t hesitate to contact experienced home improvement specialists to receive their ideas or a free quote for a truly customized backyard enhancement

Read more about backyard remodeling projects:

• Top Outdoor Patio Ideas That Are Easy To Complete In Arizona


• Fun Swimming Pool Remodel & Backyard Projects For Arizona Homes


• 5 Reasons To Improve Your Outdoor Living Space In Scottsdale

Ready to create your backyard oasis, call Peak One Builders today at (480) 378-0611

Read the full story at: http://peakonebuilders.com/the-most-popular-backyard-makeover-in-scottsdale/