Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Avoid Disasters When Deep Frying A Thanksgiving Turkey

scottsdale fire restoration companyThere is nothing worse than experiencing a major fire during the holiday season. Sadly, this phenomena is growing; as more homeowners discover how amazing deep frying a Thanksgiving turkey can taste. However, there are a few things that you can do that will permit you to enjoy a nice holiday turkey safely without having to worry about the potential of fire or other damage being done to your home.


Here are three simple tips to consider that will help you avoid the dreaded Thanksgiving turkey disaster.


First – Don’t Deep Fry Inside Your Home


According to the US Department of Energy, nearly 75% of holiday season fires inside homes are caused by mistakes in food preparation. In recent years, these fires have been caused by homeowners who make the decision to deep fry their turkeys indoors. Whether it’s due to bad weather or just a desire to cook inside, deep frying a turkey indoors is simply a bad idea.


When you deep fry a turkey, hot oil boils over the kettle and often spills on the direct flame underneath and can ignite items inside a home like carpet, cabinets, furniture and chairs in an instant. It’s always recommended to deep fry turkeys 100% completely outdoors. It might seem attractive to do this inside a garage, but this is also a very dangerous potential situation.


Second – Keep Turkey Under Constant Supervision


deep frying a thanksgiving turkeyCooking a turkey outdoors will significantly reduce your chances of having to call a Scottsdale fire restoration company to repair fire damage caused by a cooking issue. However, even outdoor cooking can cause potential fire issues when you’re trying to prepare that perfect holiday turkey. Most fire departments indicate that the majority of deep fried turkey fires occur because they are left unattended.


As we stated above, grease and cooking oil is going to spill during the cooking process. But even if you’re outdoors, the cooking oil can catch fire and spread rather quickly if there are combustible items around the cooking area. It’s due to these facts that making sure to keep a good eye on the deep frying turkey during the entire cooking cycle is a smart idea to prevent a fire and needing to call your fire damage insurance provider.


Third – Have Resources to Extinguish Fires


Even if you’re cooking outdoors and keeping an eye on the turkey during the entire cook time, the reality is that if a fire starts; most people are not prepared to put it out. The first thing to remember is that you’re dealing with a highly combustible material in cooking oil and that you can’t use water to put these fires out correctly. Water is going to simply cause the oil to splash further, leading to more items catching on fire potentially. As such, it’s recommended by local fire departments to keep a fire extinguisher that is rated to put out oil fires on standby. Another way to reduce the spread of fire is to remove oxygen from the equation by smothering the fire with a large metal container.


Turkey that is deep fried tastes delicious when it cooked correctly. Cooking time is reduced to mere minutes as opposed to hours of traditional baking. However, nobody wants to spend Thanksgiving on the phone with the fire department or having to call a home restoration company in Scottsdale to complete fire damaged home repair. Always take the right safety precautions to ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday by cooking any deep fried turkey the right way.


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Peak One Builders & Restoration are Scottsdale’s trusted disaster recovery and restoration specialists, call us today at (480) 378-0611.


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Avoid Disasters When Deep Frying A Thanksgiving Turkey

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Ultimate Guide to Custom Home Building in Paradise Valley

custom home building in paradise valleyEfficient planning is the key to success with any endeavor. This is especially true when it comes to planning custom home building in Paradise Valley. Most homeowners are pretty savvy people who understand the value of working with a professional company to take on the responsibility of building their dream home from the initial phases through walk-through. But it is very important to outline a few important steps that should be taken in order to ensure you don’t skip any details and that your home is exactly the way you want it to be.


Here are four individual items that will help you plan your dream home with a custom home builder.


Have a Home Building Plan


Anybody planning custom homes understands the value of a complete plan. The best home builders in Paradise Valley often utilize a proven system that allows them to make sure every attention to detail is covered. This type of methodology typically follows a simple flow including:


  • Discovery meetings. Before any plans are created, any budgets are discussed, it’s vital to simply sit down with a custom home builder and discuss what you’re looking to achieve.

  • Budget analysis: After having the initial discovery meeting and ensuring you are a good fit to work together, the home builder will have a frank and honest discussion about your budget. This is the time to be very clear about your budget, methods of payment and to explore options to ensure you are comfortable with the process.

  • Planning Phases: Once you and the home builder have a good idea as to what you’re looking to achieve, the next step is to start planning details like site location, floor plans, interior and exterior design.

The rest of the process pretty much follows the same pattern – open communication, solid planning and follow through.


Keep Up with Trends


Before you take time to sit down with the home builder – or even during the whole process; it’s a great idea to stay on top of the newest trends in the custom home marketplace. There are several ways you can accomplish this feat, but some of the best sources include:


  • Online design publications

  • Visit a Parade of Homes event

  • Take time to visit new model homes and the décor centers they offer

Select the Custom Home Amenities Right for You


Keeping a good eye on trends, and what modern homes feature these days will help you choose the right amenities that are right for your newer custom home. Some of the things you can and should consider before meeting with the custom home builder are general home options such as:


  • Open floor plans

  • Vaulted ceilings

  • Total amount of rooms

However, choosing the right options will include asking some very important questions such as:


  • How long will I be living in this custom home?

  • How many people will be living here – and what ages?

  • Is my home for entertaining others or designed to enhance personal comfort?

Keep in Close Contact with the Builder and Ask Questions


As we stated in the beginning – communication and consistent communication is the key to success when building a custom home. By taking time to develop a strong relationship with your custom home building company in Paradise Valley you will feel more comfortable about maintaining the lines of communication. It’s vital that you establish this communication pattern from the beginning of the project; and always feel comfortable about asking any and all questions. The only bad question is the one never asked where the answer is assumed.


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Building a custom home in Paradise Valley? Call Peak One Builders & Restoration; a trusted, Veteran Owned company providing remodeling services for any size pool. Call (480) 378-0611 Today! 


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Ultimate Guide to Custom Home Building in Paradise Valley

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Expert Tips for Professional Home Improvement in Scottsdale

professional home improvement in scottsdaleAlthough we all might consider ourselves to be the next Tim ‘the Tool Man’ Taylor or Bob Villa, the reality is that most home improvement jobs should be saved for the experts. Home improvement can be a very complex process, involving extensive planning, development, pulling permits and establishing a solid budget. This is where companies that offer professional home improvement in Scottsdale can significantly reduce your stress load and ensure the job is done right – from the start. Here are a few important tips that should convince you why working with an expert from the start is a smart idea.


First – Scottsdale Home Improvement Professionals will help you Stay within your Budget


One of the biggest areas to control with a home improvement project is budget. And although it might seem simple to manage the costs associated with making changes to your home, the reality is that unexpected costs often pop up. However, these costs are usually factored into the home remodeling budget when an experienced contractor works with you. Some of the specific areas they can help with the budget include:


  • Pick features and upgrades that give you the best return on investment

  • Work with direct suppliers to reduce the cost of supplies and materials

  • Complete a full construction plan – to ensure the overall costs are managed, streamlined and clearly articulated from the start

  • Contact you and keep the lines of communication open frequently

Second – Contractors will keep up with National and Scottsdale Home Improvement trends


Another hurdle to consider about home remodeling is trying to come up with a plan that not only gives you what you want today – but ensures your home is stylistic for the future. This is why professional home remodeling contractors are such great resources. They always stay on top of local and national trends in multiple areas such as:


  • Kitchen remodeling trends

  • Bathroom remodeling trends

  • Outdoor living remodeling trends

  • Master Bedroom remodeling trends

  • …and so much more

They will openly discuss your ideas and offer practical solutions to ensure you get exactly what you’re looking for at the price and cost you’re able to afford.


Third – They will help you remodel an area out of necessity – first


There is a huge difference between need and want. But when it comes to remodeling a home, it’s critical to factor in the concept of remodel for need first. The best construction companies are run by people who understand the issues that homeowners have on a daily basis. They’ll be compassionate and understanding of the reality that come home improvement projects. You should always begin by addressing improvements that need to be made to enhance your lifestyle, comfort and safety. Function, style and luxury always comes second.


It is possible to infuse all of these elements into your home improvement project in Scottsdale. Take time to visit with a professional home remodeling contractor in Scottsdale and let them help you create a custom home improvement project that is stress free, fiscally responsible and focuses on what you need from the start.


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Are you looking to remodel your Scottsdale remodeling contractor? Call Peak One Builders & Restoration; a trusted, Veteran Owned company providing custom kitchen remodeling services. Call (480) 378-0611 Today! 


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Expert Tips for Professional Home Improvement in Scottsdale

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

5 Can"t Miss Tips for Kitchen Remodeling in Cave Creek

kitchen remodeling in cave creekOne of the quickest ways to spice up your home is remodeling the kitchen. From simple cabinet upgrades to full-blown kitchen remodeling in Cave Creek, there are virtually dozens of ways and hundreds of combinations to upgrades to consider that will create a kitchen you can be proud to call your own. However, the reality is that most homeowners simply don’t know where to begin the process or where to gather ideas. If this is a situation you are facing, or are just want to know where to begin; here are five can’t miss tips that will help you plan and activate a remodeling project that is cost effective but will dazzle anyone that visits your home.


First – Get Remodeling Ideas from Magazines or Online


The simple fact of design is that for the most part, kitchen remodeling trends tend to dictate the market. And without question, the best place to discover what is ‘hot’ in the remodeling world is to check out online or print magazines that focus on kitchen remodeling. The trick however, is to realize what you should be looking for. Here are a few basic things to consider when browsing online or through print magazines.


  • Don’t focus on the details. Many homeowners will look at something they see and say to themselves ‘I need this’. However, the truth is that even though it might look good on paper or online, it might not be applicable or available for your budget or your kitchen layout.

  • Look for patterns and styles. Most of the time, what is impressive about a kitchen design is the patterns or the style features that are included. Focus on these details, write them down, copy images and show them to the remodeling professional in Cave Creek to give them an idea of what you like.

Second – Stay On Top of Kitchen Remodel Trends in Cave Creek


Although the internet is a great place to stimulate the creative juices, the best place to really find growing trends is locally. One of the best places to start is with custom home builders in the area that have remodeled kitchens recently. By contacting them directly, you can actually kill two birds with one stone:


  • First, you’ll get a chance to explore the trends physically, where you can visit a home that has recently been completed and see for yourself how it looks, feels and works.

  • Second, you will have a great opportunity to see how well this contractor’s quality of work might be.

Third – Don’t Mismatch Appliances


A huge remodeling ‘no-no’ is mismatching anything. But when it comes to kitchen remodeling in Cave Creek; making this mistake can be downright tragic. Your kitchen should flow and everything inside, from cabinets, flooring, countertops and yes; the appliances – should blend well together. You wouldn’t put two types of cabinet covers or different types of countertops in the same kitchen would you?


Fourth – Try to Leave Plumbing and Electrical Where They Are


There is something said about applying the Keep It Simple Silly method of kitchen remodeling. If you’re considering plumbing or electrical upgrades, it’s quite ok to do so. However, it’s a great idea to upgrade the electric features or the plumbing fixtures – just don’t get trapped into thinking of relocating these critical components. Moving plumbing and electrical can be very expensive and can lead to larger issues down the line. Keep it simple – and upgrade the fixtures without moving the plumbing or electrical outlets.


Fifth – Don’t Be Afraid to Ask a Remodeling Professional


If you have looked at the above four tips and simply think that planning a kitchen remodeling project might be above your head – don’t worry. Most people think it’s crazy to attempt to remodel your kitchen by yourself. Take time to contact a professional home kitchen remodeling company in Cave Creek. They’ll not only be happy to work with you on concepts and design – but they will also help you find the right materials, plan the budget and create a timeline that fits your busy schedule.


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Are you looking to remodel your Cave Creek kitchen? Call Peak One Builders & Restoration; a trusted, Veteran Owned company providing custom kitchen remodeling services. Call (480) 378-0611 Today! 


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5 Can"t Miss Tips for Kitchen Remodeling in Cave Creek

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

3 Trends for Luxury Custom Home Building in Carefree

custom home building in carefreeAnytime you consider building a luxury custom home, one of the biggest hurdles is trying to integrate personal style with popular trends. Believe it or not, not everybody’s taste is identical. However, the concept of starting custom home building in Carefree simply put is to create something that is uniquely ‘you’. This tends to overcomplicate the home building process for many people. In order to simplify the equation, here are three of the most popular trends that are appearing in custom homes built in Carefree and the entire Phoenix Valley – to give you a starting point that you can integrate into your own custom floor plan and décor.


Open Floor Plans in Carefree are growing in Popularity


There was a time when home owners wanted to have structure in the flow of their homes. Whether this was due to kids, comfort level or simply ‘the way everybody did it’, the reality is that those days are long gone. The open floor plan is quickly becoming the choice of custom home builders in Carefree and of home owners. Some of the advantages of creating an open floor plan include:


  • Visually connect your living space with décor: For people that are looking to have an open floor plan, one of the advantages is that you can integrate creative décor elements that enhance this floor plan. For people that are looking for creativity in their floor plans and décor; this is a definite perk.

  • Open concepts make you carefully consider wall treatments: With limited space to hang pictures or other wall treatments available, it’s often a challenge to pick and choose what goes up – and what gets placed in storage. Instead of hiding your precious items, consider placing them in secondary rooms, like other bedrooms, dens and other places you typically wouldn’t.

  • Open concepts help keep an eye on children. For those that are building families and want to still design a custom home in Carefree, consider the open concept so you can keep an eye on what those kids are doing.

Going green and energy efficient is becoming a reality


There was a time when this was a trend; however, with rising energy rates and the cost of living increasing in the Phoenix Valley, smart home owners are beginning to see the multiple financial benefits of integrating ‘green living’ into their homes. Here are some ideas on how you can improve your energy efficiency without compromising style or comfort.


  • Install a programmable thermostat. Today’s HVAC manufacturers make home living stylish and comfortable with their Wi-Fi enabled programmable thermostats. Imaging having the flexibility to control the temperature of your home from your mobile device? With a programmable thermostat, you can save a ton of money on utility bills – but more importantly; consume less energy.

  • Install LED lighting. It’s common for most custom homes to have customized light packages. Instead of old, outdated filament bulbs, go with LED bulbs across the board. Not only will they last longer, but they also consume less energy.

  • Install home air improvement devices. Everybody has the right to breathe. And a major focal point of home living is trying to find ways of improving indoor air quality. Many of today’s leading heating and air conditioning companies manufacturer highly energy efficient indoor air quality units that can remove up to 99% of the debris and particles that lead to allergies, colds, flu and other common respiratory conditions. The great news – these devices also help reduce pollutants – so they are very green indeed.

Adding more amenities to the patio and backyard


Finally, if you really want to make a splash with your custom home – and become the trend setter of the neighborhood; get creative with your patio and backyard. Many of the best custom amenities that are found in Carefree backyards include; custom swimming pools, waterfalls, fire features and even outdoor entertainment systems.


Regardless of what type of home you are considering – the best tip is to work with a custom home builder in Carefree that understands your budget, lot, tastes and has the experience to fine-tune a solution that makes sense.


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Are you looking to build a custom home in Carefree? Call Peak One Builders & Restoration; a trusted, Veteran Owned company providing home building services for any size project. Call (480) 378-0611 Today! 


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3 Trends for Luxury Custom Home Building in Carefree

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

How to Increase Value with a Home Remodel in Paradise Valley

home remodel in paradise valleyIt might seem easy, but believe it or not, trying to find affordable ways of improving your home’s value is actually very difficult. There are dozens of ways to improve the style, livable space and even the equity of a home – but many people how consider a home remodel in Paradise Valley typically find it hard to look at the long term economic gain. The reality is that any remodeling project should always encapsulate both your personal improvements and desires along with finding ways to improve the economic resale value as well. And contrary to popular opinion, many of the most common upgrades are also sure fire ways to drive up that equity.


Here is our top three that you should consider when planning your next home remodeling project in Paradise Valley.


Start with Remodeling your Kitchen


When most appraisers visit a home that has been recently upgraded, one of the first areas that makes an impact on the value sheet is the kitchen. When you upgrade your cabinets, countertops, appliances and make energy consumption improvements this makes a huge impact in the overall value of your home. A great idea is to work with a home remodeling contractor that has experience in creating elegant looking and feeling kitchen remodel projects – without putting a huge dent in your overall budget. Creativity is a plus in this area – so make sure to explore all of your options to get the best bang for the buck.


Remodel the Master Bathroom


The second item that often catches the eyes of those that set the value of a home after remodeling is the master bedroom. Here is a reality that most people tend to forget – the master bedroom is where the home owner typically spends the majority of their time. Sure this time often is spent sleeping, however, it’s also a room that often dictates whether a buyer will purchase the house or look for something better. By upgrading your master bathroom, adding custom showers, cabinets, upgraded closet space and even custom ceilings or simply molding; you can spice up the main bedroom for very little cost.


Always Paint with a Neutral Color


No home remodeling project is complete without adding some color to the equation. But before you start thinking about adding bright colors to walls, you might want to consider that most home appraisers will reduce a home’s value when the house needs significant changes to accommodate the typical home buyer. It’s suggested to reduce this potential by choosing neutral colors for main rooms inside your home; such as hallways, kitchens, living rooms and public areas. If you want to make a splash with aggressive color patterns, that is always a nice choice – but if increasing home value is your goal – keep it neutral.


The great thing about these three tips is that they are often the most affordable to complete. Take time to meet with your custom home remodeling contractor in Paradise Valley and explore all of your options that will both improve the function and style – while also improving the value of your home.


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Are you looking for custom home remodelers for your Paradise Valley project? Call Peak One Builders & Restoration; a trusted, Veteran Owned company providing custom home building services. Call (480) 378-0611 Today!


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How to Increase Value with a Home Remodel in Paradise Valley

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

5 Important Questions to Ask Phoenix Custom Home Builders

phoenix custom home buildersIt is said that the only bad question is the one that is never asked. This statement of fact is highly ap plicable to the custom home building process. Whether you’re going to start from scratch and build on a new lot you just purchased, or have one of the best Phoenix custom home builders take on the entire project for yourself, it’s important to be 100% certain about the facts. There are five questions in particular that any future custom home owner should ask their contractor before they sign on the dotted line.


Can you give me a list of communities that are 10-15 years old?


Contrary to popular belief, there are many benefits about building a new custom home in existing communities in Phoenix.


  • An established community has water, sewer, electrical already established and built. This can significantly reduce the amount of lead time and cost involved in building a new custom home elsewhere.

  • Established communities in Phoenix have guidelines or covenants that all homes should follow – however, there is flexibility with many of these communities to create a beautiful custom home as well.

  • When you move into an established community, there are existing neighbors and people you can meet that can help you adjust to the local area. This is especially great if you have children that will be attending school.

How can I track the progress of the home being built?


A good custom home builder in Phoenix will be 100% about transparency and open communication. In fact, a part of this communication process is making sure to establish communication guidelines with the clients. This is often established during the development phase, where the home builder and the home owner will talk about their needs, their best way of communicating and how the home builder keeps them in the loop in regards to the progress.


Can I make changes to my home design easily?


This is one of the more difficult questions to answer. The truth is that it all depends on when you want to make changes to the home design. In general, the final design needs to be approved before any parts materials or construction plans are made – as the overall design of the home pretty much impacts the entire construction phase. With this being said, the best home builders in Phoenix will work with you to clearly outline deadlines for making revisions to design elements – and let you know what can or can’t be fine-tuned during construction.


What is the total price of the home before I sign the contract?


As we’ve stated above, clear communication is the key to successful custom home building in Phoenix. One of the most critical factors is the overall cost of building the home. This is something you need to clarify with the custom home builder from the beginning. They will tell you exactly what the overall cost will be, where the funds are allocated and why the price is as such. Any contractor that tells you that the price will be determined after construction is completed is one that you might not want to work with to build your home.


However, it is important to realize that there are times when budgets are eclipsed due to changes requested by the homeowner. So, although the final price is determined before construction is completed – you should make sure to cover all of these points with the contractor.


What happens if there is a delay in completion from your crew?


Finally, when you’re ready to sign on the dotted line with your new custom home building company in phoenix, ask the contractor about how delays in construction impact the delivery date, cost, estimates and all other factors. When you start by having an open and honest conversation with your contractor from the beginning, the rest of these questions are simple and easy to clarify.


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Are you looking for custom home builders in Phoenix? Call Peak One Builders & Restoration; a trusted, Veteran Owned company providing custom home building services. Call (480) 378-0611 Today! 


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5 Important Questions to Ask Phoenix Custom Home Builders