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This whole-home remodel in Simpsonville was awarded four Bridge Awards (Best Overall, Best Kitchen, Best Bath, and Best Exterior) by the Greenville Home Builders Association in the 1.5 - 2 million dollar category. 2024 2024 BRIDGE AWARD WINNER (1.5M - 2M) CAROLINA CASUAL HOME Daniel Builders was named 2024 Bridge Awards Winner for “Best Overall, Best Bathroom, Best Kitchen, and Best Exterior in a Full Home Remodel $1.5M-$2M” for this Simpsonville home. The Bridge Awards are presented annually by GBS Building Supply and produced by the Home Builders Association of Greenville to recognize excellence in craftsmanship and professionalism in the Home Building industry in the Upstate. "THIS AWARD WAS MADE POSSIBLE THANKS TO THE DEDICATION OF BOTH OUR TEAM AND OUR TRADE PARTNERS. IT'S A COLLABORATIVE WIN FOR EVERYONE." - ANDREW HORNE, DANIEL BUILDERS The transformation of this Simpsonville home involved a departure from the home’s traditional aesthetic. The existing archways were squared off, and the compartmentalized floor plan was opened to create better flow for entertaining. The project scope impacted every room, including the foyer, kitchen, great room, living room, 5.5 baths, 5 bedrooms, and music room. The show-stopping kitchen includes a 12-foot island, custom metal hood vent, coffee bar, and handcrafted herringbone pantry door. A beautiful bar area was constructed beside the kitchen. The formal living room became an exquisite dining room featuring craftsman-built wainscoting. The existing dining room was converted to a music room with floor-to-ceiling mirrors. In addition to the work on both floors of the home’s interior, the project included a new screened porch, a detached garage conversion, an outdoor pavilion, and a completely redesigned landscape, adding 738 square feet of living space and 1248 square feet of outdoor space to the home’s existing footprint. Notable features of the exterior spaces include the outdoor kitchen & outdoor dining area. The screened porch features a retractable vinyl enclosure, two in-ceiling heaters, Ipe wood decking, and multi-slide pocketing doors. The detached garage was transformed into a pool house, including a kitchenette and full bath. Each design selection was meticulously curated by Carol D’Cruz, right down to the organic, handmade tiles of the kitchen backsplash, which inspired the rest of the home’s design, which the designer calls “Carolina Casual.” (Note: AV, pool, & landscaping completed by others: Fusion Audio + Video, Aquarius Pools of the Upstate, & Arbor Land Design.) Previous Next Back to Awards Gallery

Build trust in tangible ways. BUILDING TRUST BLOG INVEST IN TRUST Build trust in tangible ways. < Back Will Cord 2018-06-21 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. Earlier this month we hosted approximately 60 guests at our first Lunch & Renovate event. For those unable to attend, our event was designed to build deeper relationships of trust. That should sound familiar because the tagline “Building Trust” is on our trucks and marketing material. This tagline has become somewhat of an obsession. We're passionate about establishing and protecting relationships of trust, which leads to some obvious questions. Why all the emphasis on trust? What Return on Investment (ROI) does trust offer? After all, why obsess about trust when actual results are more important? (Short answer: the best results require trust. I’ll elaborate.) Here’s 7 reasons why we obsess over building trust. Trust Enhances Clarity . Clear expectations are established and fulfilled when there’s trust. This prevents unproductive habits of speculation and guesswork. Trust Establishes Stability . "Surprises" can derail a project. A relationship of trust addresses small problems before they become big problems. The result is stability and decreased anxiety. Trust Enables Efficiency . Trustworthy people follow through on commitments. Less time is wasted “back tracking” to deal with incomplete work. Trust Expands Potential . People who interact and operate on a strong foundation of trust accomplish more together than individually. If you want to tap into one of the greatest resources on the planet (people) you’ll need trust. Trust Empowers Communication . Trusting someone means you ask and answer straightforward questions without feeling threatened. You can also listen wholeheartedly without doubts in your mind. Trust Ensures Protection . A trusting relationship is characterized by “looking out” for the other person. That involves guarding against potential threats to their resources, reputation, or family. Trust Endures Setbacks . Encountering problems is a great litmus test for trust. When bad things happen true relationships of trust are revealed, and real help can be provided. Bottom line: Trust Enriches Relationships. We realize building trust requires time, patience, and effort - all of which we gladly give to establish relationships. We also realize broken trust is hard to earn back. This is why we quickly acknowledge mistakes and make every effort to correct them. We are committed to seek, protect, and ultimately build trust. In case you haven't noticed, your trust is quite valuable to us! 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

Build trust with Candor, Competence & Commitment. BUILDING TRUST BLOG TRUST BLUEPRINT Build trust with Candor, Competence & Commitment. < Back Will Cord 2022-01-31 Trust is a common value and tagline for businesses everywhere. As a renovation contractor we're building trust on the basis of competence, honesty, communication, connection, and commitment. It can't be built with passivity or indifference. And even though TRUST may feel uncertain at the start, there's no reason that feeling should continue. Trustworthy behavior doesn't take long to become apparent. Enduring TRUST isn’t blind TRUST. Here are 5 key building blocks for Building Trust. Honesty - Nothing builds TRUST more rapidly than speaking in a straightforward and truthful manner. Even major personality differences won't sabotage a relationship when transparency and factual communication prevail. Communication - Being super articulate isn’t necessary to foster TRUST through communication. Consistent communication is necessary though, even to the point of being uncomfortably repetitive. Speaking is only a small part of communication equation. Listening well is a higher priority. Simply paying attention leads to identifying and addressing faulty expectations before they undermine TRUST. And it’s vital to follow-up important conversations in writing. Competence - Being excellent and proficient at something will build TRUST. In the Bible there’s a proverb that says, “A person’s gift makes room for him, And brings him before great people.” (Proverbs 18:16). In other words, doing something really well creates such a high level of TRUST in your ability that you can't keep it a secret. Connection - Humans are wired with emotions. Emotion should be understood, but never manipulated. Honoring a person’s emotion shows a level of respect that is memorable. As Maya Angelou said, “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Commitment - All of these building blocks require repetition. At any moment trust can crumble if there’s no willingness to continue building. Someone once said TRUST is gained in drips but lost in buckets. In other words, the accumulation of TRUST is quickly lost by a single act of untrustworthiness. Our team at Daniel Builders is serious about Building Trust. It’s much more than our tagline. It’s always on our mind. We realize entrusting your home to us is no small matter. 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

Brace yourself for the twists and turns of a custom renovation. BUILDING TRUST BLOG RENO ROLLER COASTER Brace yourself for the twists and turns of a custom renovation. < Back Will Cord 2017-05-29 Here's what to expect during a custom renovation. Your renovation experience feels less likely a roller coaster when you know what to expect. The key to enjoying a major renovation is knowing what to expect. A good contractor sets clear expectations before starting and communicates regularly throughout the process. The customer never feels “jerked around” regarding the project’s timeline or outcome. Have you ever strapped yourself on a roller coaster and within moments asked yourself “Why?!!” Why does anyone willingly subject themselves to sheer terror? The appeal is somewhat a mystery. Here’s the point though: Roller Coasters are meant to be terrifying. Expecting less is unwise. Meet Takabisha, the world's steepest roller coaster. Located in Japan, this machine moves from 0-60 in less than 2 seconds going down at 121° grade for 141 feet. Translation: Terrifying! Imagine boarding Takabisha convinced this was a calm, gentle ride. You tell yourself Takabisha is like a horse-drawn carriage moving through a serene countryside at a predictable pace. You feel confident a courteous tour guide is included. Someone to periodically explain the landscape around you. Those expectations would be obliterated in the screaming chaos of Takabisha! Major renovations and roller coasters share some common characteristics. Excitement can quickly turn to terror if you’re uncertain how the ride goes, and especially how it ends. Here’s an overview of common emotional ups and downs during a renovation. The design phase (UP) - At least it’s where a renovation should start. Skipping this first step could be disastrous. Creating a well-thought-out design ensures everyone is on the same page. The outcome is clearly defined. Otherwise, you’re on a roller coaster launching out into the unknown. Workable Drawings (DOWN slightly, but quickly back UP) - As you go through this phase you may experience a few frustrations as details are analyzed and discussed. Once everything is clarified you’re back on a high note and should be feeling very confident about proceeding to the next phase. Bidding the Project & Agreeing to a Contract (DOWN) - The process takes a big drop here if your contractor wasn’t involved in the design phase. The bidding/pricing get’s dicey, and you quickly realize general contractors come in all different varieties. Some will offer great pricing, but you wonder about the quality. Others offer extreme quality, but you wonder about the affordability. Skipping this stage all together is preferable. Taking a Design-Build approach makes it possible. A Design-Build renovation has the contractor involved from the start. Construction Begins (UP) - High levels of excitement characterize this phase. Visible progress is happening. Seeing this progress typically makes the customer very happy! The speed of Demolition and Rough Framing makes the customer feel they’re on HGTV. That fantasy doesn’t last long though. Rough Ins (Down dramatically) - Plumbing, heating, electrical and insulation trades all get involved at this stage and production slows way down. Frustrations begin to surface as the customer starts to feel their home has been “under construction” way too long. These frustrations are minimized by a good project manager who keeps the trades moving efficiently and the customer clearly informed. Hanging/Sanding Drywall (Down further) - This might very well be rock bottom on the renovation roller coaster. (Call it “sheet rock bottom”.) The customer still hasn’t seen the beautiful progress they expected, and their patience is usually wearing thin about now. Might feel like the ride has stalled, but rest assured progress is happening. Trim & Cabinet to Painting (Up) - Finally traces of true craftsmanship are seen. The customer can visualize the end product. Emotions improve dramatically through this stage. Punch List complete (Up higher) - Emotions continue to rise as the end is only a few simple steps away. Move In (Up higher still and coasting to a gentle stop) - Relief and celebration occur. After seeing the finished product, the customer quickly forgets all frustration. Now the outlook is bright and cheerful. Only one thing left to do. Enjoy the newly renovated space for years to come! The takeaway: If you plan to ride the renovation roller coaster, ride responsibly. Choose a contractor able to ensure the level of quality, service, and calm you expect. Choose someone who will provide a clear path to completion, while minimizing stress and frustration along the way. 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

Detailed custom renovation work resulting in an upgraded dental office. COPELAND DENTAL Anderson, SC Interior Renovation Offices Custom renovation of a dental practice. Previous Next Back to Projects Gallery

Know the time it takes to renovate. BUILDING TRUST BLOG GOOD TIMING Know the time it takes to renovate. < Back Will Cord 2018-02-13 Renovations can be unpredictable. Each is unique and creating a realistic timeline is part science, part art. One thing is certain: Accurate renovation timelines are based on careful legwork, not guesswork. How Long Should a Major Renovation Take? From a customer’s perspective here’s how that legwork looks. Pay attention to small promises. Little things like arriving on time, receiving references when promised, and getting a follow-up call when scheduled all indicate how a contractor manages time, and ultimately how well he’ll manage your project. Speaking of references, check them. They, combined with online reviews help you evaluate a contractor’s promise keeping ability. Sometimes more in-depth information is available in the form of customer surveys . A track record of fulfilling promises (both large and small) indicates an ability to keep a project running on time. Seek “bad news” sooner than later. Large problems are avoided if they’re addressed early. For example, hearing about a delay a week before it happens creates a much smaller dilemma than finding out moments before it happens. What if out of town guests are coming and you need this step complete before their arrival? Suddenly making adjustment for everything else becomes significantly more difficult. Clarify the scope of work. Or maybe a better way to say this is Identify Your Assumptions . A detailed scope of work clarifies expectations for both customer and contractor. Know what is included and not included in your renovation. Forming a reasonable timeline is possible once expectations are clear. Without a detailed scope, assumptions eventually lead to confusion, frustration, inefficiency and delay. Not to mention, contractors can be held accountable when a clear scope is created and communicated in writing before construction. Make selections before construction. Deciding on the right fixtures, hardware, flooring, paint colors, etc can take time, but should never interfere with construction. Making these decisions during construction only bogs down the construction schedule. Get the drawings. Putting a well-crafted design or drawing on paper helps you and your contractor share the same vision for your renovation. Otherwise, you may visualize one thing and your contractor something entirely different. Don’t rely on your contractor to guess what you’re thinking. Inevitably, this leads to inefficiency and an unreliable timeline. Establish a fixed price. This may sound obvious, but starting a project based only on estimates is far too common, just like the delays they cause. Your goal as a homeowner is to eliminate unexpected costs. To be clear, not every uncertainty can be eliminated. What you find once you start tearing down walls is really anyone’s guess. The point is stopping a project because of cost will destroy a timeline. Know what you’ll pay before you start. Know the change order process. You as a customer may decide to increase the scope of your renovation during construction. This happens frequently, but an unclear change order process can lead to huge delays. Have your contractor clarify his/her change order process before moving into construction. Good contractors anticipate your questions/concerns in each of these areas and offer established processes for you to follow. As you consider your next renovation, save yourself time (and needless frustration) with an accurate project timeline, not based on guesswork. After all, a little extra legwork is well worth the time! 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

Taylor Lyles, HBA of Greenville CEO, is our guest on this episode of Ready Set Renovate. Taylor discusses the growing popularity of ADUs, as well as building and permitting them in Greenville County. As you'll hear, Taylor is pretty well versed in this developing market. BUILDING TRUST BLOG THE RISE OF ADUs Taylor Lyles talks about ADU permitting and potential in Greenville SC. < Back Will Cord 2023-07-21 An ADU (Accessary Dwelling Unit) is secondary housing option. You may recognize them by other names such as Granny Flat, Guest House, Garage Apartment, or In-Law Suite. ADUs offer all the same characteristics of a home - kitchen, bedroom(s), bathroom - while sharing the same property as the primary house. An ADU may be attached or detached or even inside the primary house. They can benefit families who care for loved ones in a multi-generational home. ADUs also create rental income opportunities, provide office space or might be the perfect location for a new business. Taylor Lyles, HBA of Greenville CEO, is our guest on this episode of Ready Set Renovate . Taylor discusses the growing popularity of ADUs, as well as building and permitting them in Greenville County. As you'll hear, Taylor is pretty well versed in this developing market. So let's get to it! Are you looking to add an accessory dwelling unit to your home? 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! Read more about Accessory Dwelling Units on our blog: Accessory Dwelling Unit and Home Sweet ADU . 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

Positive reviews from our happy Guide Design Build custom renovation clients. BUILDING TRUST BLOG YEAR IN REVIEWS Positive reviews from our happy Guide Design Build custom renovation clients. < Back Will Cord 2018-12-28 Positive reviews from our happy Guide Design Build custom renovation clients. Some of our best lessons from 2018 came in the form of customer feedback, or reviews. Listening when our customers speak has been essential to our business. After all, Daniel Builders is in the business of making customers really, really happy with their homes. They, like any good boss, let us know if we’re succeeding or not. Hard to believe we’re in the final hours of 2018. What was 2018 like for you? Reviewing a year is like a football coach reviewing game footage. You’re wiser, savvier for doing it. Forgetting 365 days would be a colossal waste. Customer reviews serve another purpose. They give future customers a good idea of what to expect. Some people write reviews with ill-intent, trying to inflict unwarranted embarrassment, or harm. These folks are typically easy to spot though. Most reviews are written by people who care. They realize their feedback (both positive and negative) can be extremely helpful. Thank you to every customer who shared their honest feedback in 2018. So, without further delay, here’s a sampling of what they had to say. We appreciate the professionalism and the communication from all of you at Daniel Builders. While it’s never fun to have folks in your house for long stretches, you made it as painless as possible. You were easy to work with and took care of all our questions and concerns in a timely manner. You will certainly be considered for any future projects we may have. - Katherine L. I have been impressed with Daniel Builders from my first phone call, to the design team, our Project Manager and Carpenters and would use ya'll again for future building projects.... without hesitation. - Kathy S. We have been nothing but pleased with your company from beginning to end with both our projects. You run a top-notch company and I’m sure we will have more projects in the future. - Ali R. I would highly recommend Daniel Builders. They have been honest, on time, and high quality of work. - Andy G. I appreciate Daniel Builders and everything that you represent. I look forward to working with you again in the future. Let me know if I can ever provide references for you. -Greg A. They did a great job helping us make a 1/2 bath/laundry room into a full, accessible bathroom. The guys were friendly, knowledgeable, on time, communicative, and innovative in the design to make the most of the allotted space. We are extremely pleased with the entire experience. - Charles C. I'm not sure I have ever come across another contractor that I have worked with I would give 5-stars to, but Daniel Builders deserves everyone. I'd probably do it just because they actually show up when they say they are going to - a rarity I've found these days - on time, every time. But they aren't just punctual in their arrival, they have completed every job for us on time and beautifully! We've asked them to remodel two bathrooms, complete odd jobs to help close a sale of a house and build a beautiful fence. We had a minor, but not unusual, problem with work completed and when we called almost 6 months later, they came out the next week and fixed it without charge. I couldn't believe the responsiveness. Most contractors would take weeks to call you back if they ever did. Our family has used them as well and had the same great experience. We've already chosen them to help us complete our newest project - a kitchen remodel. We considered briefly to do it ourselves as we've done many times before, but the comfort knowing the job will be done exactly as we imagine, on time and by great people - that aren't us - made the decision for us. -Nicole C. Just want to thank you for another great job. So sorry we did not know about you in the past. Certainly, it would have saved us some do-overs. It was a pleasure to have you in our home. Everyone we have had contact with is so easy to work with and did an absolutely wonder job. Thank you for putting as much effort into a small job (like our laundry room floor) as you did when we renovated the front of the house. Another thing that is so important: Communication. You kept us informed! When the job would start, times people would be here. Such nice and professional people that work for you. Too bad more companies do not have your work ethic. -Bill J. We worked for some exceptional people in 2018. We’re grateful for each one, and the feedback they share. Happy and prosperous 2019! 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

Finding and choosing a reliable general contractor in South Carolina for your project is the first and most important step to getting the best outcome. There are so many options, but how do you choose the right one? BUILDING TRUST BLOG CONTRACTOR NEAR ME Find and choose a reliable renovation contractor for your home remodel. < Back Will Cord 2023-09-07 Are you looking to renovate or remodel your home? Add on an accessory dwelling unit (ADU)? Complete a bathroom renovation or a kitchen remodel? Finding and choosing a reliable general contractor in South Carolina for your project is the first and most important step to getting the best outcome. There are so many options, but how do you choose the right one? In this blog, we will share tips on how to find and choose the perfect remodelling contractor for you. Define the Scope of Your Project Before you begin the search for a home renovation contractor, you must define the scope of your project. You should determine the specific details, requirements, and outcomes most important to you. Having a clear idea of your goals will help you communicate with potential home remodeling contractors. This will also help you gauge their suitability for the job. Conduct Online Research Use online resources to expand your search for contractors. Websites like Angie's List, HomeAdvisor, and Houzz have directories of general contractors and home renovation companies. These sites will even let you narrow your search down to specific cities such as Greenville, South Carolina or Anderson, South Carolina, and in some cases, you can even search more specific neighborhoods within cities. These websites will also include customer reviews and ratings. Read reviews and browse through portfolios of any general contractor you are considering. This will give you a sense of their work quality and previous client experiences. Speaking of reviews and ratings, have you read our client testimonials and reviews ? Check Licenses and Insurance It is very important to make sure that any home remodeling contractor you consider is both licensed and insured. Valid licenses prove that the remodeling contractor has met certain professional standards and regulations. Carrying proper insurance protects you from potential liability in the event of an accident or property damage during the project. Interview Potential Contractors Next, choose potential house renovation contractors and schedule a consultation. During these meetings, ask about their experience, qualifications, project timelines, subcontractors, and references. Pay attention to their communication style, responsiveness, and willingness to address your concerns. A reliable home renovation contractor will have great communication skills. Check References and Portfolios Ask for references from previous clients, and then take the time to reach out to them. Find out if they are satisfied with the remodeling contractor's work and professionalism. Did they stick to promised timelines and handle unexpected challenges well? Review the contractor's portfolio to check out the quality and style of their previous projects. Make sure they align with your vision. Review Contracts and Agreements Once you have selected a contractor, it is important to review the details of all contracts and agreements. Most home renovation companies will want to document the entire process. Pay special attention to important details such as project timelines and payment schedules. Make sure to include the scope of work, materials to be used, and warranties. If necessary, seek legal advice to make certain you understand all the terms and conditions. Finding and choosing a reliable home renovation contractor is a crucial step in a successful home renovation. By following these recommendations, you can make an informed decision. Remember to define the scope of your project, get recommendations, do your research, interview potential contractors, and check references. Any reliable general contractor will carry the required licenses and insurance. They will be good communicators, have integrity, experience, and act professionally. If you invest the time and effort into choosing a reliable contractor, your home remodel will be a success! Are you in need of a home renovation contractor? 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

Despite being common, not all concrete is equal. Getting good concrete requires a few important steps. You need the right mix, the right delivery system of trucks & drivers and the right finishers to ensure form and function. BUILDING TRUST BLOG COMMON AS CONCRETE Not all concrete is equal. < Back Will Cord 2024-01-13 Answer: CONCRETE! It’s literally everywhere and has vast construction applications. From home foundations to unique countertops, concrete is so common you're likely within a few feet of it right now. Despite being common, not all concrete is equal. Getting good concrete requires a few important steps. You need the right mix, the right delivery system of trucks & drivers and the right finishers to ensure form and function. Austin Petratoas is our guest on this episode of Ready, Set, Renovate and Austin knows concrete. His career is concrete, and he doesn’t just know it, he’s passionate about it! You'll see that passion come out in this conversation. He’s an all-around solid guy too, figuratively speaking of course. So, let’s get to it! Does your next remodel include concrete? 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

It’s been one month since Hurricane Helene and we’ve learned a few things about how the home reconstruction process is going. Please read if anyone you know is struggling to put their home back together. At the very least we hope to provide clarity on the challenges ahead!   BUILDING TRUST BLOG STORM RECOVERY UPDATE It’s been one month since Hurricane Helene and we’ve learned a few things. < Back Will Cord 2024-10-25 It’s been one month since Hurricane Helene and we’ve learned a few things about how the home reconstruction process is going. Please read if anyone you know is struggling to put their home back together. At the very least we hope to provide clarity on the challenges ahead! What is the extent of the damage? Trees falling on homes did extensive damage to roofs, structural members, windows, and interior space. That's the obvious part. Not so obvious is damage caused by unmitigated water, especially in the case of mold growth on drywall, carpet and between layers of hardwood flooring and subflooring. Mold will create worse long-term problems if not addressed. When can reconstruction of our home begin? We’re careful how we answer this. Forty-five days was the target but due to demand we hesitate to set that expectation. The process is fluid and contingent on several factors like severity of damage, insurance involvement, and defining a scope of work. Here’s what we can control: providing everyone with prompt communication and evaluating each home on a case-by-case basis. How are we vetting storm damage calls? We’re asking these questions: Are trees or limbs still on the home? If tree removal has occurred, has the home been sufficiently protected? Does the homeowner want their home reconstructed to its pre-storm condition? Or will they update and modify the home with a custom remodel? If they wish to modify their home, are they aware insurance won't cover that cost? What insurance company is the claim file with? Has the adjuster been in communication with the client? Have they set an amount? Can photos of the damage be provided to our team? How are these projects being quoted? Based on photos we can often give a labor/materials estimate and schedule a site visit. A site visit will help us firm up that estimate. In the estimate we include what is required to support surrounding structures (braces, etc.) until construction can begin. If the labor/materials estimate is approved, we tarp the home and begin making plans to start work. For the vast majority of storm related projects, insurance determines what can be done. For those who aren’t entirely dependent on their insurance we provide a cost-plus estimate. This pricing approach shows labor rates, materials, overhead and markup. The homeowner can expect a bi-weekly invoice as work progresses. A fixed price quote is for clients who rely entirely upon their insurance to pay. This quote will include an insurance cost breakdown with an itemized list showing the scope of work required to return the home to its previous state, based on observable conditions at the time of inspection. The quote will need to be approved by your adjuster. Should the client wish to redesign or make additional upgrades to their home, a separate costing will be provided. What additional tips might benefit the reconstruction process? Document your expectations Get multiple quotes if you’re unsure about a builder Securely tarp your home to ensure additional damage isn’t occurring Remember, fixed price quotes are for observed damages at the time of inspection. Most policies don’t include flood damage. Avoid using the word “flood”. Insurance companies need an itemized quote showing the cost of restoring your home to its pre-storm state. Schedule your adjuster (or bring him back) after tree debris is removed from your home. You and your contractor should advocate for each other. The client needs to get involved if the insurance adjuster is not returning calls. Likewise, the contractor should be willing to get involved should additional damages be discovered. The agreement you sign with your contractor is for a scope of work you agree to, regardless of the insurance company. How can Daniel Builders can help you navigate the reconstruction process? Our team has learned a lot over the last month! 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

Get these answers before starting a custom renovation. BUILDING TRUST BLOG BIG ASK Get these answers before starting a custom renovation. < Back Will Cord 2018-08-22 Ask the right questions of your renovation contractor before starting a custom renovation. “If I had an hour to solve a problem and my life depended on the solution, I would spend the first 55 minutes determining the proper question to ask, for once I know the proper question, I could solve the problem in less than 5 minutes.” - Albert Einstein. Identifying a renovation contractor who “best fits” you and your project is a problem-solving process. Simplifying the process requires asking good questions. And not just your questions, but questions the contractor asks as well. You, as a customer, ultimately want to know “Am I getting value worth my money?”, while the contractor (at least a reputable one) wants to know, “Am I getting money worth my value?” A “fit” happens when both sides can confidently answer “yes”. Here are 7 questions to ask and answer before moving forward with a renovation. How long will I live in the house I’m renovating? If you’re planning to move within 2 years a major renovation probably wouldn’t make sense. You’re not likely to recoup money invested. How does the renovation process differ from contractor to contractor? Every contractor is different. Knowing how long a renovation takes, the disruption it causes, how and when selections are made, how change orders are processed, the warranties offered, and other details about the process will help you match yourself with the right contractor. How much will I spend? This may be the most important question you answer. Coming up with a range is good, but a fixed price is best. You may need to be educated on how much things cost, but don’t make an impulse decision. Know your spending limits. Where do I need help clarifying and describing the renovation I want? If you need assistance, a design build approach gives you the best idea of what you’ll receive before actually starting construction. What are reasonable expectations about service and responsiveness? Expecting daily updates is likely overkill, but not hearing from your contractor in several days is not good. Weekly communication should be the expectation. Always wise to stay up to date with your renovation. What happens after the project? Don’t fall victim to a disappearing contractor. His role after the renovation is every bit as important as his role during it. Should simple questions or major issues arise, you’ll want a contractor who is responsive to your concerns. What have other customers experienced? Pay close attention when speaking with references. Obviously, a contractor will provide positive references who say nice things about their work. Which is helpful (identifying strengths), but you’ll also want to identify “red flags”, or areas where the contractor could improve. Asking a reference appropriate question will help you figure out those details. Also, check reviews. Anything you can learn about the contractor’s track record is beneficial. These are just a few questions, and they can vary. Just don’t miss an opportunity to ask. Be professional, be specific, be straightforward, but always ask. The big question is: What will you ask when your renovation depends on 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