[New Post] Haboobs in Arizona: Tips to Stay Safe during Massive Dust Storms

If you’ve lived in Arizona for any period of time, you know how powerful and dangerous those haboobs in Arizona can become. From the serious damage they can cause a home, to the significant danger they cause to drivers trapped in a haboob while on the road, the truth is that nobody wants to deal with these freakish summertime storms. However, they are a reality of southwestern living. We have provided a few simple tips that anybody should follow every time a haboob is approaching that when followed, could save you time and even potentially save your life.

Life Saving Tips During An Approaching Dust Storm

Tip #1 – Safe Driving Tips When Approaching A Haboob In Arizona

A haboob can pop up out of thin air. So it stands to reason that the majority of the time, you’ll experience a haboob in Arizona while you are traveling on the road. If you ever find yourself in this unfortunate circumstance, here are a few things you should do to prevent injuries or accidents during an Arizona haboob.

• First – Pull off the road and turn off all lights, including your emergency flashers.


• Second – Roll Up Your Windows.


• Third – Wait it out.

Before you head back onto the road, take a few minutes to clear off your windshield of any dirt that is impairing your vision. You’ll also want to make sure you clear out the ventilation ducts that draw air into your AC system before turning that back on.

Tip #2 – Tips For Protecting Your Home From Haboob Damage

One of the leading causes of damage to outdoor items, like patio furniture, swimming pool equipment and other items are the haboobs that hit the Phoenix area. There are a few things that Phoenix homeowners should do to prepare themselves for the Haboob season.

First, make sure you have a plan of action when a haboob is approaching. Typically the Phoenix media is pretty good about warning people where and when haboob storms hit. In this emergency plan you’d include a few important items:

a) Make sure you have covers for your outdoor equipment. Sometimes a simple tarp with some bungee cords attached is good enough to protect these items from being damaged.

b) Make sure you close all windows and doors before the haboob hits. Just like being in a car, you don’t want that dirty air coming into your home.

c) Also, make sure to turn off the AC system.

Second, after the haboob in Arizona has hit your house, there are a few items you should immediately check:

a) Check the gas line to make sure it’s not leaking. If it is, or you notice the smell of gas, turn it off immediately.

b) Check the AC Unit to make sure that it’s not coated in dirt or debris. If it is, carefully wash it off before turning the unit back on.

c) Check for any damage to your home.

If you notice that there has been damage to your house, contact your insurance company immediately. They’ll most likely permit you to contact a home repair company in Phoenix to help repair any damage done by those haboobs in Arizona.

After the dust clears, call us at (480) 378-0611 and we will help with the recovery.

Read the full story at: http://peakonebuilders.com/haboobs-in-arizona-tips-to-stay-safe-during-massive-dust-storms/

[New Post] What To Do After The Storm Damage Occurs In Phoenix

How To Deal With Storm Damage In Phoenix

When the summer storms arrive during the monsoon season, many homes and commercial buildings suffer significant storm damage in Phoenix. And for anybody that has dealt with storm damage in the past, they realize how stressful and time consuming it can be to get repairs made. However, there are a few things that anybody can do to expedite this process and ensure that a dependable repair company fixes the storm damage that has occurred quickly – and affordably.

Our 3 Steps To Repairing Phoenix Storm Damage

Step #1 – Take An Inventory Of Damage

The first thing you want to do before anything else is to take a quick walk around the entire property to inspect any damage that has occurred due to a storm in Phoenix. One thing that many Phoenix area homeowners tend to forget is that most insurance policies will cover damage done to your property not just the house on your property. We’re not saying that all insurance companies will cover the damage repairs, but just take an inventory and document your inspection in case they do.

This is the assessment we suggest to complete:

• Examine the outside of the entire house. Look for any damage done to the walls, windows, roof, gutters, doors or any large and very important structural elements of the house.


• Examine the property such as the front yard, back yard, side yard, any garages, storage areas and outdoor equipment. Inspect them and take pictures of any damage that has happened to those areas due to the storm.


• Look for any damage to outside utilities such as power lines, gas lines, water supply or anything else that supplies power or fuel to the house.

Step #2 – Contact Your Insurance Company

Once you’ve taken an initial inventory of the damage completed to your home, it’s a good idea to then place your first call to the home insurance company. Most of the time, an insurance company will take the time to open up a claim. However, it’s important to understand that all insurance companies are different with each of them having different policies and procedures that need to be followed in order for claims to be approved and paid. Here are a few things to ask the insurance company:

• What are the complete terms of your home insurance policy in regards to storm damage in Phoenix?


• What are the deductible and the caps on storm damage repair?


• Do they have authorized vendors that you must contact to complete storm damage repair in Phoenix, or are you at liberty to contact your own repair company?

Step #3 – Contact a Dependable Home Repair Specialist

If the insurance company has given you the green light to contact your own contractor to complete the home repairs, it’s always a good idea to directly work with specialists in this industry. As a rule of thumb, you should always try to hire a storm damage contractor that has the following experience:

• Experience in repairing internal and external storm damage to residential and commercial buildings.


• Licensed, certified, insured and bonded to complete storm damage done to properties.


• Works in the Phoenix metro area and has credible referrals that can be provided if needed.

If you follow these three easy steps, you’ll find that getting your home repaired due to storm damage in Phoenix isn’t that difficult. In fact, the process becomes much smoother when you work with a dependable home repair specialist.

After everything begins to stabilize call us at (480) 378-0611 and we will help with the recovery efforts.

Read the full story at: http://peakonebuilders.com/what-to-do-after-the-storm-damage-occurs-in-phoenix/

[New Post] Peak One Builders Begin Remodeling Army Ranger Remsburg"s Home

Our Nation’s heroes often give their lives and livelihood to protect the freedom that we all enjoy on a daily basis. When we can supply some time, materials and a little bit of sweat to give something back to help them live a higher quality of life in their time of need, the rewards are bigger than any large construction contract can provide. The team at Peak One Builders is proud to announce the official groundbreaking for Army Ranger Sgt. First Class Cory Remsburg and his new home remodeling project allowing him to continue to recover from a 2009 injury that nearly claimed his life.

Jared Allen’s Homes For Wounded Warriors Remodeling Home For Sgt. First Class Cory Remsburg

Sgt. First Class Remsburg joined the Army when he was 18 years old and went through the rigorous, specialized training to eventually become an elite Army Ranger, deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan 10 times. He spent a total of 39 months in combat and made leader of his company’s heavy weapons squad. Among many honors, Remsburg has been awarded the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Bronze Star, and was honored during this year’s State of the Union Presidential Address.

However, on October 1^st, 2009, Sgt. First Class Remsburg and his platoon came upon a roadside bomb in Kandahar, Afghanistan. The explosion left shrapnel lodged in his brain. After years of rehabilitation centers and hospitals, Remsburg now lives at home with a full-time caregiver in Phoenix, Arizona.  He is now able to walk and speak, although he still struggles on his left side and is blind in his right eye.

Like many disabled veterans returning home, the family realized that the house would require some extensive remodeling to accommodate Cory and his full-time caregiver. Remodeling can provide easy and safe access to general at-home activities that many of us take for granted on a daily basis. The partnership between Peak One Builders and Jared Allen’s Home for Wounded Warriors foundation stepped up to the challenge.

For several years, the Peak One Builders’ family, led by our founder Mike Christensen, has actively supported our returning veterans. A former US Army soldier himself, Mr. Christensen takes proactive measures to ensure when soldiers return home to the Phoenix Valley, they are well taken care of by a local community they fought for daily overseas. With this commitment, Peak One Builders has partnered with NFL Football Player Jared Allen and his Homes for Wounded Warriors to provide a complete home remodeling for Sgt. First Class Cory Remsburg.

JAH4WW is a non-profit organization created for the sole purpose of raising money to build or modify homes for America’s injured military veterans making them handicap accessible and comfortable.  Jared Allen of the Minnesota Vikings formed the organization in 2009 after he returned home from his USO Tour to U.S. Military Bases in the Middle East.

The project for Sgt. First Class Remsburg officially broke ground on July 11^th, 2014. The entire team at Peak One Builders feels it is a privilege and honor to be partners in helping Sgt. First Class Remsburg live a higher quality of life back home here in Phoenix. For more information about Jared Allen’s Homes for Wounded Warriors project, please take the time to visit them online @ http://www.homesforwoundedwarriors.com.

Read the full story at: http://peakonebuilders.com/peak-one-builders-begin-remodeling-army-ranger-remsburgs-home/

[New Post] Home Restoration & General Contracting Services in Phoenix AZ

One of the most popular reality TV themes these days is the concept of flipping houses. And whether you’re a fan of Flipping Vegas, Flipping New York or flipping whatever, a growing trend especially in Arizona is home owners contacting general contracting services in Phoenix AZ to complete their restoration projects. And if you’re in the mood to upgrade your home, create a good plan of attack that will yield positive results every time.

Build A Solid Plan By Following A Few Important Tips

Tip #1 – Create a Vision for your Restoration Project in Phoenix

Just like a winning sports team, in order to achieve a smooth end result you have to first have a goal in mind. In the case of restoration projects, a great idea is to sit down and carefully think about what you’re end result might become.

Step #1 – Begin with a budget: The reality of life if money was never an object you could create anything your heart desired. However, money is ALWAYS an object. So, when you’re getting ready to create your plan, set a financial limit on what you can easily afford before contacting any general contracting services in Phoenix.

Step #2 – Consider your property and zoning: Another common mistake that home owners make is they tend to bite off more than they can actually chew when it comes to accomplishing the restoration based on local zoning and code enforcement. One major hurdle for several residential property owners is to getting information from your local code enforcement division and HOA about any restrictions they have.

Step #3 – Make a time line: After setting your cost restrictions, your code objections and your local HOA enforcement, create a time line and set realistic goals on when you’d like to start and eventually end your restoration project. Always consider personal and business concerns; like if any kids are returning home from school, if you’re having any visitors stay with you for an extended period or if you’ll be traveling on business.

Tip #2 – Contact a local general contractor that has experience in home restoration projects in Phoenix

After you’ve created a personal plan of attack, the next step is taking this plan to a professional for their analysis and input. Traditionally most general contractors in Phoenix will take time to meet with you for free to discuss your ideas for home renovation. It’s always a good idea to speak with more than one contractor to ensure that the individual you plan to work with has extensive resources to complete all restoration projects on time and always within your set and agreed upon budget.

The bottom line is that working with general contracting services in Phoenix AZ is much easier when you are prepared to discuss your vision, plan, and budgetary concerns before you set up the first meeting. By having your individual ducks in a row, the process will flow much easier and the end results will always be positive.

Ready to begin the process of restoring your home to fit your needs? Call us today at (480) 378-0611 to schedule a free consultation!

Read the full story at: http://peakonebuilders.com/home-restoration-general-contracting-services-in-phoenix-az/

[New Post] Five Ways To Save Energy During Our Hot Summers in Arizona

When it gets hot in Arizona, we all feel the financial pinch. A common reality of living in the desert is that our energy consumption rates often skyrocket during the hot summer months. Whether it’s due to the AC units running frequently or the constant use of swimming pools, the truth is that many homeowners often need to find efficient ways to save energy during AZ summers. Fortunately, we have a few tips especially for those that are looking into remodeling their homes soon.

Three Upgrades That Save Money During Our Hot Arizona Summers

First – Consider Upgrading to Energy Star® rated Major Appliances

Buying a new major appliance when you remodel a home might seem counterproductive, however, this idea has significant merit. We all know that as technology improves, so does efficiency. However, new US Department of Energy regulations have set forth tremendous requirements for energy efficiency in newly manufactured major appliances. This standard is known as Energy Star® rating. A new HVAC system that is Energy Star® rated has been shown to use between 20-35% less energy to produce similar comfort levels than older systems. And when you’re goal each summer is to save money and energy when it’s hot outside in Arizona, it simply makes sense to invest in a more energy efficient machine.

Second – Consider The Type Of HVAC System You Plan To Upgrade

Buying an Energy Star® rated major appliance is one way to save money and energy during summer, however, it’s also important to consider what type of product you plan to purchase. In recent years, HVAC manufacturers such as Trane, Day & Night and others have introduced new technology that relies on our earth’s natural resources (natural cool and heat) to keep your home a consistent temperature. These units are called Heat Pump systems. A heat pump unit, when properly installed can save between 50-60% on monthly utility bills compared to older AC units. When you add up those savings, the new heat pump system can pay for itself rather quickly.

Third – Look Into Better Window Coverings

The reality of life is that where there is sunlight, there is heat. In fact, did you know that by simply blocking the sun from entering your home, you could reduce the temperature inside by as much as 20 degrees naturally? This is why a great idea for saving energy each month during those hot summer days in Arizona is to consider buying better window coverings such as retractable window shades. These new systems are usually installed on the inside of your windows, so you don’t have to worry about our extreme weather elements burning or damaging them. Many homeowners that complete a remodeling project often overlook these rather inexpensive upgrades. But, when properly installed and used correctly, you can save a ton of money each month on utility bills.

These three items might seem to be rather expensive. However, by looking at the big picture, you’ll quickly discover how easily they can and often pay for themselves. When you’re looking for the best ways to save energy during hot AZ summers consider a few of these wholesale changes. You will be surprised how quickly these smart investments in overall comfort and energy conservation will pay dividends.

We can help you save energy and money. Call us today at (480) 378-0611 to schedule a free consultation!

Read the full story at: http://peakonebuilders.com/five-ways-to-save-energy-during-our-hot-summers-in-arizona/

[New Post] Tips for Investing in Energy Efficiency Windows in Arizona

Most homeowners in Arizona actively search for ways to streamline their monthly expenses. With utility rates beginning to once again climb because of the summer heat, one of the best long-term investments is purchasing energy efficient windows. Believe it or not, windows can be the cause of most heat and cool temperature loss inside a home.  When comfortable air escapes – or uncomfortable and dirty air enters a home ­­– it often causes your HVAC system to work harder and cost you more in the long term. This is why buying energy efficiency windows in Arizona are truly an investment in the future.

Three Tips To Consider When Purchasing Energy Efficient Windows In Arizona

Tip #1 – Start with Picking the Right Frame

The frame of the window and the seals are the two-most common victims to energy loss for Arizona homes. It’s for this reason that any energy efficient windows you buy and install should include solid frames and seals that will last a long time. There are several types of materials to choose from, each of them offering advantages:

• Vinyl Window Frames: Although many people think of vinyl as being cheap, it actually can be a good, practical solution for many homeowners. Vinyl windows can be very well assembled, allowing good protection from the elements. However, because homeowners are limited to colors and style, many Arizona residents don’t choose this type of material.


• Wood: When you’re looking for the best insulation for window frames, wood tends to be the best. A major reason why it is good for Arizona is that wood tends to rot where the climate is higher in humidity or wet areas. And since Arizona is a mostly desert and dry, wood window frames tend to do very well here.


• Aluminum: If you’re living in a high-wind area, you might want to consider aluminum window frames. Some aluminum frames can be good at providing good insulation, but wood frames tend to be a little better across the board.

Tip #2 – Consider the Style

Besides the material that the frames are manufactured out of, the style of the energy efficient window is also critical. Across the board, double-hung windows tend to be the most common replacement – especially in older homes. However, casement windows are also very popular in Arizona as they are good for high-wind areas. The draw back on casement windows is they tend to require a lot of maintenance – especially the seals of the windows.

Tip #3 – Don’t Overlook Proper Installation

One thing that many homeowners tend to forget is that quality of installation is often a determining factor when determining overall window energy efficiency. When a quality contractor uses the proper techniques, materials and supplies to install a window, the results tend to be much better than those that rush the job. Contrary to popular belief, there is no such thing as ‘one size fits all’ in the home window industry. Always make sure your general contractor has experience in replacing windows for your specific style of home.

Installing energy efficient windows in Arizona can save homeowners considerably on monthly utilities. But the best advice we can offer is to carefully consider the entire cost of replacing windows and always hire a dependable contractor to complete this job.

Are you ready to make the leap to saving money? Call us today at (480) 378-0611 to schedule a free consultation!

Read the full story at: http://peakonebuilders.com/tips-for-investing-in-energy-efficiency-windows-in-arizona/

[New Post] 3 Ways to Organize Your Home and Maintain Sanity

It’s amazing how much ‘stuff’ we can collect over our lifetime. One of the inevitable realities is that quite often our tendency for holding on to items tends to outgrow our homes storage space. If you’re trying to find affordable ways to organize your home and reduce clutter while integrating some smart storage ideas, you’ve come to the right place.

Three Cool Tips To Organize Your Home In Arizona That Won’t Break The Piggy Bank

Tip #1 – Make Full Use of Garage Space

The first thing that many homeowners tend to overlook is the garage. Even if your garage is packed to the rafters with ‘stuff’, there are several things you can do to expand your storage space and organize your personal items for very little cost.

First – Take an inventory of your personal items

Before you start to tear apart your garage and storage areas, the first thing you need to do is create a basic list of items that are growing out of control inside your home. For example: if you have lots of holiday decorations located in several spots around your home, put this section on your list. You can also put other main categories like kitchen supplies, seasonal clothing, outdoor equipment, kid’s toys and other primary categories.

Once you make a good inventory list of things you need to find a home for, then you’ll be ready to start creating the organizational plan.

Second – Find out what storage you currently have

The next step is to take another inventory of the current storage space that exists inside your home. After this step has been completed, you can then be ready for the most important step – creating better storage.

Tip #2 – Consider Adding Shelving Around the Entire Home

The second tip you should consider when looking for ways to organize your home is to add decorative shelving in private areas inside your home. By private area, we mean bedrooms, dens, garage space, and other areas where people don’t socialize. By installing decorative shelving, you’ll have the opportunity to store items along the entire wall – taking these common items from the floor where they can be damaged and tripped over, to the wall, where they are out of the way.

By completing this step you will expand storage space inside the home in closets, and other storage locations.

Tip #3 – Add some Decorate Countertop Storage Ideas

After you’ve organized your private rooms, it’s important to move along to the public areas that tend to become overwhelmed with clutter. Specifically, you can focus on your kitchen and living room by adding decorative tabletop organizing items like space racks, lazy Susan, or additional storage cabinets. Again, this step is rather inexpensive and often can be completed by the average homeowner with minimal time.

The most important part of organization is creating a plan of attack. So if you follow these three simple ways to organize your home and make full use of all the space inside your home, you’ll find clutter will disappear and your sanity will increase.

Psst. Want to take control of that clutter? Call us today at 480-378-0611, and we will guide you through the organization process!

Read the full story at: http://peakonebuilders.com/3-ways-to-organize-your-home-and-maintain-sanity/