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Beware of evaluating the cost of a custom renovation solely on the price you're quoted. BUILDING TRUST BLOG CONSIDER THE COST Beware of evaluating the cost of a custom renovation solely on the price you're quoted. < Back Will Cord 2017-01-06 Renovation problems can be avoided if identified soon enough. Ever avoid a big problem by heeding a simple warning or applying a small bit of knowledge? Sometimes that’s all it takes. Renovation problems are no different. They can be avoided if identified soon enough. Here's one big renovation pitfall to avoid. Renovation Pitfall #1 : Confusing Cost with Price Getting multiple quotes for a renovation project is wise. But why? Many would say to compare cost. To illustrate consider the following multiple-choice question. Suzanne is planning a master bathroom renovation. She articulates a clear scope to three different contractors. Her scope includes installing a new tub, countertops, toilet, tile flooring/shower surround, lights, sink and lighting fixtures. She has made all her selections. Each contractor agrees to quote her project. Which contractor will cost Sally the least? A) Contractor Buck’s quote: $9.5K B) Contractor Joe’s quote: $8K C) Contractor Mike’s quote: $12K D) The lowest cost cannot be determined. (Note: A, B & C are all quotes. No estimates. A quote won’t tell you everything but is much more reliable than an estimate. The problem with estimates is they fluctuate in price, and usually in an upward direction.) Correct answer is D! Contractor Joe appears to cost the least. Does he? Here's one possible scenario where he doesn't. Say Suzanne chooses Joe at $8K. Three weeks into the project Joe doesn’t seem really focused on details, or cleanliness, or showing up when scheduled (or at all). Suzanne still feels progress is being made and justifies choosing Joe based on how much she’s “saving”. Joe finally completes the projects, taking 38 days longer than he originally said. Suzanne is just happy to have her bathroom project finished.Unfortunately, the real problems are about to start. Three months later a tile falls from Suzanne’s shower wall and shatters at her feet while she’s taking a shower. Suzanne immediately notices other wall tile are loose. For 2 weeks she attempts to contact Joe, calling him 6 times before he finally calls back. Joe doesn’t sound really positive and finally concedes, “Laying tile really isn’t my specialty. I just did it myself on your project to keep cost down. Really don’t know what to tell you.” Suzanne wants to waste no more time. She hires the most reputable tile installer she can find. He tears out and lays all new tile, both floor and shower surround. His charge: $5.3K. Suzanne’s bathroom renovation cost has risen to $13.3K, and she’s paying significantly more in terms of lost time and intense frustration. Here’s the point. Delays, subpar craftsmanship, poor communication, and no warranty all contribute to your bottom-line cost. Yes, compare multiple quotes, but don’t stop there. Also compare the contractors who give them by requesting references. Look for a track record of prompt & clear communication, excellence in design & craftsmanship, clean & safe job sites, detailed scopes & guaranteed costs, satisfaction guarantee, and warrantied work. This is the best way to ensure you’re receiving an “apples to apples” cost comparison. Are you contemplating a major home renovation? Speak with a Daniel Builders project guide by calling 864.506.5546 and discuss the best path forward for your custom renovation or get your renovation started here! Previous Post Next Post Back to Blog SEE OUR WORK LET'S TALK We’d love to hear from you! Whether you’re ready to start a major remodel, or simply learn more about our process, we’re ready to assist. How can Daniel Builders renovate for you? GET STARTED

Daniel Builders is doing commercial renovation work in Greer South Carolina. GREER RENOVATIONS Daniel Builders is doing commercial renovation work throughout the Upstate of SC. We have commercial experience renovating and performing office upfits in Greer, South Carolina. Here are some Greer commercial properties transformed by Daniel Builders through a commercial renovation. SUSHI WITH GUSTO Previous Next Back to Communities Gallery

A mudroom feature that will save space. BUILDING TRUST BLOG SPACE MAKER A mudroom feature that will save space. < Back Will Cord 2020-09-01 In our last blog "Mudroom Masterpiece" we told you Houzz was featuring a mudroom we renovated. Last week the story was published. Our renovation in coordination with Buttercup Design was featured alongside 2 other projects, which Houzz refers to as “laundry rooms”. Technically, there's a difference between mudrooms and laundry rooms. More important "Mudroom" sounds so much cooler. And despite their differences all three projects offer a unique insight for creating your own Mudroom Masterpiece. The Houzz video can be seen here and the article here . After Houzz published the story, someone emailed asking if we would share our secret. How did we create extra space behind the washer/dryer? While we’re unwilling to share all secrets, this one we’ll entrust to you. You’ll likely find it interesting. Here it is: It’s called the Dryerbox . And this video shows how Dryerbox maximizes space by allowing the vent exhaust to recess into a wall cavity. As you see there are a variety of sizes and orientations that guide that hot, damp air through the floor or ceiling. Dryerbox is perfect for almost any washer/dryer scenario. Not only does it create a roomier mudroom, the Dryerbox keeps the area cleaner, safer, and more energy efficient than traditional dryer vent methods like these. As shown below Dryerbox keeps your dryer’s vent duct from being compressed and/or restricted. Lint build up is minimized, reducing the threat of a fire hazard. And when venting is improved clothes dry faster and more efficiently. We have plenty more insights to share regarding your custom mudroom renovation. Speak with a Daniel Builders project guide by calling 864.506.5546 and discuss the best path forward for your custom renovation or get your renovation started here! Previous Post Next Post Back to Blog SEE OUR WORK LET'S TALK We’d love to hear from you! Whether you’re ready to start a major remodel, or simply learn more about our process, we’re ready to assist. How can Daniel Builders renovate for you? GET STARTED

This home underwent a Guide-Design-Build renovation and was recognized for Best Kitchen and Best Bathroom by the Home Builders Association of Greenville in a Full Home Remodeling category. TRANSITIONAL OPEN CONCEPT McDaniel Avenue Area 2022 Bridge Award Basement Bathroom Kitchen Whole Home This home, built in 1937, was gutted from floor to ceiling. Engineered beams were used to open up a very segmented floor plan and create a better flow from the front to the rear of the home on the main floor. An additional eight hundred square feet was added by enclosing and completing the unfinished basement, transforming it into entertainment space. Throughout the course of this seven month renovation, this home's common areas, kitchen, bathrooms, utility rooms, and bedrooms were completely restored. Additionally, a large six hundred square foot deck with a parking area underneath was built. As expected in a home of this age, when walls were opened we discovered the entire house was completely uninsulated while none of the utilities were up to code. One highly complex element of this remodel requiring extensive engineering insight was removing multiple load bearing walls above a second story. Previous Next Back to Projects Gallery

On this episode of Ready, Set, Renovate! you’ll hear from a current fan and past client, Terry Conner. Terry hired Daniel Builders to remodel his condo in downtown Greenville, SC. BUILDING TRUST BLOG CONDO RENO TESTIMONIAL Past client, Terry Conner, shares his renovation experience. < Back Will Cord 2024-04-01 Daniel Builders has a highly effective in-house salesforce called Project Guides, but did you know we also have a voluntary sales force? Yes, you read that correctly, “voluntary”. Who would attempt to sell something without receiving any benefit for their effort? We’re consistently humbled by the kindness of our voluntary salesforce, composed of raving fans who share their positive experience through word-of-mouth referrals. On this episode of Ready, Set, Renovate! you’ll hear from a current fan and past client, Terry Conner. Terry hired Daniel Builders to remodel his condo in downtown Greenville, SC. He also serves on the HOA board that partnered with Daniel Builders to transform several units in the building. Terry shares his renovation experience from this unique vantage point. It’s nothing like a traditional sales pitch, but you may walk away sold on Daniel Builders. So let’s get to it! How might your home or condo benefit from a Guide-Design-Build remodel? Speak with a Daniel Builders project guide by calling 864.506.5546 and discuss the best path forward for your custom renovation or get your renovation started here! Previous Post Next Post Back to Blog SEE OUR WORK LET'S TALK We’d love to hear from you! Whether you’re ready to start a major remodel, or simply learn more about our process, we’re ready to assist. How can Daniel Builders renovate for you? GET STARTED

How much does a major custom renovation cost? Large purchases require large sums of money. Obviously. The paying doesn't stop there though. Ensuring your satisfaction with a large purchase requires paying attention to accurate information. What are sources of accurate information? BUILDING TRUST BLOG SHARING THEIR EXPERIENCE Hear from clients who renovated a significant portion of their home. < Back Will Cord 2023-04-21 How much does a major custom renovation cost? Large purchases require large sums of money. Obviously. The paying doesn't stop there though. Ensuring your satisfaction with a large purchase requires paying attention to accurate information. What are sources of accurate information? Reputable businesses, people in the industry, and even publications all are great source, but once source provides the best idea of what to expect. That's a past client. Past clients speak from personal experience and hold the answer to an important question. Would you do it again, knowing what you know? In this episode of Ready, Set, Renovate we hear from clients who renovated a significant portion of their home. Their scope included adding a laundry room, screen porch, deck, workshop, and a new driveway with an electric gate. Several aspects of their experience come up through the course of this conversation, ranging from how neighbors felt about the construction work happening in the neighborhood to finding inspiration for design features. Their experience is valuable and perspective worth hearing. So, let's get to it! Are you contemplating a major home renovation? Speak with a Daniel Builders project guide by calling 864.506.5546 and discuss the best path forward for your custom renovation or get your renovation started here! Previous Post Next Post Back to Blog SEE OUR WORK LET'S TALK We’d love to hear from you! Whether you’re ready to start a major remodel, or simply learn more about our process, we’re ready to assist. How can Daniel Builders renovate for you? GET STARTED

A more functional for entertaining home was created through the removal of existing walls that divided the foyer, kitchen and living area. TRANSITIONAL INTERIOR Pelham Road Area Houzz Kitchen Multi Room The homeowners wanted to open up their home to make it more functional for entertaining and everyday living. This required removing existing walls that divided the foyer, kitchen and living area. Fixtures throughout the home were upgraded, including cabinetry and finishes in the kitchen and living room. A beautiful bar was added to the living area. The garage entrance was transformed into a functional laundry area, resulting in better placement for the washer and dryer as well as some beautiful lighting and tile backsplash for a more inviting everyday entry. "These delightful clients great vision for their home renovation and I am honored that I was able to be a part of the team that brought that vision to life!" -Cindy Jacques, Buttercup Design Previous Next Back to Projects Gallery

Take this approach preparing for storm damage. BUILDING TRUST BLOG AFTER THE STORM Take this approach preparing for storm damage. < Back Will Cord 2017-09-12 The forethought necessary to renovate and repair your home after storm damage has occurred. Here are 7 ways to approach storm damage to your home. Stay Safe - first & foremost keep yourself out of harm’s way. Climbing on your roof with a chainsaw is highly inadvisable. Damage to your home is far better than personal injury or death. Minimize Damage - Find a reputable tree arborist to remove fallen trees/heavy limbs from your home, immediately tarp the area, and remove valuable furniture from the area to minimize further water damage. Quick, temporary repairs prevent further damage until the major structural issues can be corrected by a contractor. Be Patient - Fixing true structural damage is a process that requires careful planning and craftsmanship. Making unwise decisions to “speed up the process” causes more time-consuming problems. Choose Your Contractor Wisely - Get references, read reviews, and ask the 7 interview questions . Stay Local - Local contractors understand local permitting laws, and their reputation isn't a major mystery if they've been in the area for a while. Plus, they're less likely to skip town without warning. Get Everything in Writing - Verbal agreements don’t mean much until they’re in writing. Written agreements not only protect against fraud, but they also minimize disputes and misunderstandings regarding project expectations. Meet Project Manager - Meeting face to face with your “point person” (ie. person responsible for completing your repairs) ensures A) you're communicating with the right person and B) you're comfortable with this person being in and around your home once the project is underway. Are you seeing major storm damage in your area? Let us know how Daniel Builders can be a resource to you, your family or friends. Speak with a Daniel Builders project guide by calling 864.506.5546 and discuss the best path forward for your custom renovation or get your renovation started here! Previous Post Next Post Back to Blog SEE OUR WORK LET'S TALK We’d love to hear from you! Whether you’re ready to start a major remodel, or simply learn more about our process, we’re ready to assist. How can Daniel Builders renovate for you? GET STARTED

A Daniel Builders commercial project that included updating and renovating the lobby, reception, and apartment complex clubhouse space. SERENITY APARTMENTS Culture & Community Interior Renovation Daniel Builders renovated the lobby, reception, and clubhouse space of this apartment complex. Previous Next Back to Projects Gallery

Find something unexpected in the walls of your home. BUILDING TRUST BLOG UNDER THE SURFACE Find something unexpected in the walls of your home. < Back Will Cord 2022-02-28 During the demo phase of a home renovation you may make some discoveries when walls open up. The demolition (demo) phase of a renovation can feel like a game show. There's risk and suspense. "Bob, show us what's inside wall number 1!" This is when everything concealed - behind walls, in the ceiling, and under the floor - is revealed. Here are 7 surprises you might encounter during the demo phase of your renovation. Rot - This might be the most common discovery during demo. Two things need to happen once rot is identified. The water source must be identified, and it must be stopped, which is much easier said than done. Water can find numerous ways to destroy your home . They range from poor waterproofing in the bathroom to improper flashing around windows so water “wicks” inside to no vapor barrier behind siding to leaking plumbing to condensation. Poor landscape grading and Design also create paths for water to penetrate your home. Regardless of how it gets in, the source of water must be stopped, or the cost of rot will only escalate. Poor Structural Integrity - Like every occupation there are bad professionals in the building industry. Maybe it’s a carpenter’s attempt to cut corners or sheer incompetence, but a poorly framed home presents real renovation hurdles. If structural issues are not addressed, a renovation can literally come apart at the seams. Unfortunately, a pricey Change Order is often necessary to correct these problems, but ignoring a framng problem is way more costly. Missing Insulation - Somewhere between having an “airtight” home and being under-insulated, there exists the perfect amount of insulation for your home. Opening up walls and finding missing batts of insulation may explain why your energy bills are inexplicably high. Good news is a lack of insulation can be easily corrected once demo is complete. Hidden Electrical Junctions - This is why demo requires forethought, especially if you’re about to sink a Sawzall into the wall. The last thing anyone wants is to get tangled up in bad wiring , especially when it’s live. How your home is wired may be a mystery, but don't let it be a life-threatening mystery. Turn the breaker off. Mold - Demo can reveal some funky looking mold under the surfaces of your home. Getting a professional involved with testing and remediation is your best bet. No need to mess around with something that can cause serious illness. Find out the type of mold you’re dealing with before proceeding. Vermin - They can be living or in a carcass form. Neither are welcome in your home. If this discovery is made inside the walls of your home, then get Pest Control professional involved. Wild animals belong outside. And those who find their way inside usually create a path for more to follow. Treasure - A historic home seems to be the obvious place you’d find hidden treasure. That's not always the case though. There have been some very valuable things found during demo of homes and apartments built since the 1950s. Still, it's not advisable to bet your renovation on finding something valuable. Expect a surprise or two during demo. We’ve seen many of them before. Are you ready to see under the surface of your home and start a major renovation? Speak with a Daniel Builders project guide by calling 864.506.5546 and discuss the best path forward for your custom renovation or get your renovation started here! Previous Post Next Post Back to Blog SEE OUR WORK LET'S TALK We’d love to hear from you! Whether you’re ready to start a major remodel, or simply learn more about our process, we’re ready to assist. How can Daniel Builders renovate for you? GET STARTED

We’ve been grateful to partner with Fusion Audio + Video during a recent remodel in Simpsonville, SC. Last week, we took our team on a tour of their downtown Greenville showroom. In honor of National Smart Home Day, we wanted to highlight some of their capabilities! BUILDING TRUST BLOG SMART HOME SOLUTIONS A recent collaboration introduced us to these tech solutions from Fusion Audio + Video! < Back Will Cord 2024-11-03 We’ve been grateful to partner with Fusion Audio + Video during a recent remodel in Simpsonville, SC. Last week, we took our team on a tour of their downtown Greenville showroom. In honor of National Smart Home Day, we wanted to highlight some of their capabilities! Theater Rooms The choice between a projector and TV is largely dependent upon the amount of ambient light in the room. In 2024, a quality projector varies in price from $1,295-$60K, a 120 inch TV screen from $4K-$130K, and a 98 inch TV from $6K - $7K. The difference is driven by whether you are doing a projector and screen or a television. Picture quality, brightness, indoor vs outdoor, and motion handling also drive the wide variance in cost. Movie screens are available in varying sizes and aspect ratios based on the intended end use. Fusion has a 3D design service that helps clients visualize the room using VR goggles prior to build. Communication between the client, AV team, and builder is imperative during theater room builds. Floating gasket floors, decoupled walls, and decoupled ceilings can help achieve better sound isolation. Decorative pilasters, recesses, and risers can camouflage acoustic panels and wiring, but planning needs to be done upfront. Sports Simulator How it works: It’s similar to a video game with two tracks built into the subfloor. The tracks read the speed, trajectory, and spin of the ball as it passes them and travels toward the screen. Listening Rooms A listening room contains speakers, amplifiers, and custom acoustic panels to reduce the echo and increase sound clarity. Acoustic wall treatments can be color-matched to any paint color. If you want your room to sound like Abbey Road Studios, Fusion can help! TV Add-Ons Custom casings can conceal sound bars. A custom frame can camouflage the TV as a piece of artwork. Remotes can be programmed to lower the TV to eye level or swivel to the left or right. TVs can also be weatherized for outdoor living areas. Lutron Lighting Control & Ketra Fixtures How it works: a single hot wire provides power to different zones of light. A low-voltage control wire communicates commands to individual fixtures within each zone. Each zone can be customized to control multiple lights with a single multi-button dimmer. This system is a great way to consolidate the number of light switches in a room, which is especially helpful when converting a traditional floor plan to an open-concept layout with fewer walls. Retrofit kits are available for remodels and renovations. Lighting can be automated to dim when a movie begins to play in your theater room. It can also be automated to track daylight based on your geographic location and turn off and on accordingly. You can also control the color temperature, which is great for lighting artwork. Under-counter lighting and under-toe kick lighting are also available. V oice Control How it works: Josh.ai is a completely closed, privatized system that was originally designed for executives in Silicon valley who valued privacy. It understands multiple commands simultaneously, which Alexa, Google, and Siri cannot do. Ex: Josh obeys when you say, “Hey Josh, watch ESPN, open the shades, dim the lights to 70%, and set the temperature to 68 degrees.” You can also program multiple actions (or scenes) to occur via a short sentence. “Hey Josh Goodnight” can turn off the lights, turn off the TV, close the shades, and turn on the security system. Josh operates through wireless wall sensors. Since it operates through wifi, it can be retrofitted for remodels and renovations. If you don’t want it to listen in a particular room, activate the mute switch on the sensor. If you wish to operate Josh discreetly during a party or gathering, you can use the app or text from your phone. If the name Josh doesn’t work for your family, there are several other names to choose from. These are just a few of the many exciting smart home options available in 2024! Pro tip: If you want to implement smart home technology, budget for it at the beginning of your renovation project. Demo must planned in tandem with the smart tech. Smart tech is often the last consideration during a renovation project, and you don’t want to get to the end of your project, discover an amazing smart home feature, and have to rip out walls again to implement it! How might your home or condo benefit from a Guide-Design-Build remodel? Speak with a Daniel Builders project guide by calling 864.506.5546 and discuss the best path forward for your custom renovation or get your renovation started here! Could you benefit from a smart home expert? Contact Fusion Audio + Video here! Previous Post Next Post Back to Blog SEE OUR WORK LET'S TALK We’d love to hear from you! Whether you’re ready to start a major remodel, or simply learn more about our process, we’re ready to assist. How can Daniel Builders renovate for you? GET STARTED

Concrete floors are an intriguing option when it comes for a custom renovation. BUILDING TRUST BLOG CONCRETE THINKING Concrete floors are an intriguing option when it comes for a custom renovation. < Back Will Cord 2021-08-25 Concrete floors are an intriguing option when it comes for a custom renovation. Despite being known as industrial flooring, concrete is gaining traction (yes that's a pun, couldn’t resist) in the residential realm. Here are 3 intriguing concrete flooring options for your home. Polished Concrete - First, let’s clarify what constitutes polished concrete. The starting point, as you would imagine, is a concrete slab. Through systematic grinding and polishing the slab is transformed into a lovely surface. That’s an oversimplified explanation, but polished concrete is distinct from a sealed slab. Sealed slabs require much less prep before applying an acrylic sealer. Unfortunately, sealed slabs don’t reach the same level of beauty and uniqueness as polished concrete. Getting there requires a combination of planetary grinders, diamond abrasives and chemicals such as densifiers and stain protector, which are used to progressively refine and polish the surface. That process continues until the right level of smoothness and gloss is reached. This form of flooring is surprisingly slip resistant - even when wet. For those wanting additional color options, polished concrete can be dyed or inlayed with an artistic design. As you can see, residential polished concrete options are customizable and limitless. Broadcast Resins Floors - Broadcast resin floors are a great combination of function, protection and aesthetics. After preparing the concrete substrate with diamond grinding or shot blasting (no acid etching here!), a resinous primer is applied, and the selected media is broadcasted into the wet primer. Wood chips are the selected media in this photo. Once the resin has cured, which only takes 4-8 hours, the excess media is removed, and a resinous grout coat is installed to cover the broadcasted material. Because these flooring systems have additional, non-resinous materials integrated into them, they are much thicker than a traditional “neat” resinous flooring system. This makes the floor more durable and impact resistant while also being slip and chemical resistant. Makes a really nice garage floor! Metallic Resinous Floors - Metallic resinous floors start with clear resins, then colored metallic powdered pigments are added to create an iridescent effect. This surface appears to have a unique depth and texture even though it's completely smooth and level. Depending on the desired effect, single or multiple colors can be added. The gloss level of the protective topcoat can be selected - matte, semigloss or gloss. Because of the artistic nature of the application, no two metallic floors are alike. Each is an original masterpiece. Special thanks to Derek Zearley of Zefco for providing insights and info for this blog. Are you ready to incorporate concrete surfaces into your Design-Build renovation? Speak with a Daniel Builders project guide by calling 864.506.5546 and discuss the best path forward for your custom renovation or get your renovation started here! Previous Post Next Post Back to Blog SEE OUR WORK LET'S TALK We’d love to hear from you! Whether you’re ready to start a major remodel, or simply learn more about our process, we’re ready to assist. How can Daniel Builders renovate for you? GET STARTED