The first in this series was “Room Additions” – which can be found here.

In two words, sum up your dream kitchen.  For me, it is practical and clean.  For you, it might be contain such words as commercial, traditional, modern, open, bright, or efficient .  Whatever kitchen you dream about, it can be built.

With a design-build approach the canvas is blank.  Meaning cabinets, appliances, islands, walls, sinks can be places wherever your heart desires.  Expanding into adjoining rooms or expanding to the outside are always options.  Although, most of the time we can accommodate a remodel within the existing kitchen footprint.

The number one request we get when remodeling a kitchen is making it feel more open.  The kitchen remodel I highlight below does just that.  The owners wanted numerous things

1. “We want to entertain.” As you will see on the plans, the most cost effective way  to accomplish this was to remove the wall between the kitchen and the formal dining room.

“Formal” wasn’t really their scene, so a large island that encourages interaction was suggested and incorporated into the design.

2. “We love to cook.” A combination of Kitchen Aid Architectural Series II, and an Wolf Range were selected to give the owners numerous options for cooking.  A pot filler and a warming drawer were added to the design to make cooking easier.

3. “We need more storage.” Mission accomplished.

Do you have a remodeling project in Austin Texas or the surrounding areas?

Call us 512.930.5188

Twitter @RemodelAustin

Facebook Page

Email me at ryan@tatoddconstruction.com

There are many reasons why people build additions to their home.  Here at T.A. Todd Construction Inc, we hear all of them. “We need more storage.” “We want covered parking.” “We play music, but everyone else in the house is tired of hearing it.”

Something that is fairly popular in the austin area is adding a detached building.  It may act as a 2nd garage, a live-in unit, or even both.  Whatever the reason for the addition, there are a few considerations.  Do you have enough space(land) to do the addition, are you going to be within all of the city’s requirements (permits, setbacks, building regulations), and finally what does the addition need to.

I would like to highlight an addition that we completed in 2008 in Georgetown Texas.  This addition needed to be 4 things.

1) A room to play music.  This means we did some addition insulation and soundproofing
2) A 2 car carport. Adding a roof over the slab is a great way to add value without breaking the bank
3) Look like the house. This is a common request in remodeling.  ”We want this to look like it was suppose to be here”
4) Be able to expand to a 1/1 for a future in-law. Adding future pluming and electrical, beefing up some of the framing, switch locations, and other items we all thought off before construction.

Do you have a remodeling project in Austin Texas or the surrounding areas?

Call us 512.930.5188

Twitter @RemodelAustin

Facebook Page

Email me at ryan@tatoddconstruction.com

Not only can investing in a remodel make your home more comfortable and useful, reclaiming space generally returns the most value to your home.

Take a look at these numbers, specific to the West South Central Region*;
Project Type “A”
$41,389.00 (AVG. JOB COST)
$40,448.00 (AVG. RESALE VALUE)
97.7% (AVG. COST RECOUPED)

Project Type “B”
$52,931.00 (AVG. JOB COST)
$49,010.00 (AVG. RESALE VALUE)
92.6% (AVG. COST RECOUPED)

Adding a 2nd floor within a room is
great way to reclaim space.

Project A is what you can expect when you convert attic space to livable space, and Project B is what you can expect when you convert a basement to livable space.  Now, I know what you are saying.  Attics in Texas must be a nightmare to keep cool, and when was the last time I saw a basement in Central Texas?  HELLO, limestone.  I understand that, but that is not the purpose this exercise.  I want to show you that adding and re-capturing livable space within your existing footprint is the best way to add value to your home.   Here are three remodeling projects in the Austin Texas area we have completed in the last year.

Project 1. Georgetown Texas Remodel.  Converting a game room to a study.  As your children get older, a game room serves less purpose.  Remodeling this room to a space the family could use to study, house the computer, and have additional storage was the purpose here.  We added a 2nd floor over half the room that features  custom bookshelves.  The downstairs has a computer station, room for a table, and plenty of custom cabinets and storage.

The second project completed involved remodeling wasted space in a garage.  The owners came to us with a vision of adding a guest suite to the end of the house.  They had a 3 car garage, but also had a raised slab that was doing nothing but collecting boxes and storage “crap.”  

There were numerous feasibility ”hurdles” to get through before the project even started.  How to heat and cool the space, where to tie into the plumbing for the new bathroom, matching discontinued windows, properly insulating, and most importantly, making the room tie seamlessly to the rest of the house.  The project turned out wonderful.  

The last example of taking back “that” room involved a hybrid project.  Half room addition, half conversion.  I call it a hybrid project because we didn’t have to pour a slab, but we did change the exterior walls of the house.  The project took back an unused screen porch an added additional space to the children’s game room and the kitchen.  

I know that sounds like a strange combination, but giving back the family that space has made all of the difference.  This project was not without difficulties.  The wall between the gameroom and the porch was a load bearing wall, which required a load transfer into the attic.

So what is the return on investment on projects such as these?  We can start with the added quality of life value.  It is near impossible to quantify what this is worth, because it means different things to different homes.   I would expect all of these projects to return around the 90% mark.  They were all completed in good taste and added additional living space within the foot print.

Do you have a remodeling project in Austin Texas or the surrounding areas?

Call us 512.930.5188

Twitter @RemodelAustin

Facebook Page

Email me at ryan@tatoddconstruction.com

*These numbers are based on the 2009-2010 Remodeling Cost vs. Value report issued by HanleyWood.  This is the 23rd year this report has been generated.  If you are interest in Austin specific numbers, please visit their website at www.costvsvalue.com where you can download the Austin pdf.

Before you go googling what a “Columbarium” is.  I summarize it for you.

The dictionary defines it as “A vault with niches for urns containing ashes of the dead.”  And technically that is exactly what it is.  Although that makes it sound so unpersonal.  Let’s try a different definition. “A columbarium is a place for the respectful and usually public storage of cinerary urns. The term comes from the Latin columba (dove) and originally referred to compartmentalized housing for doves and pigeons; see dovecote.”

First United Methodist Church Georgetown
Grace Gardens

This project was the vision of many in the church, a desire to have a final resting place for it’s members.  The ideas and thoughts were were brought to life by Voelter Associates Inc. of Georgetown Texas, and the landscaping plan  by David Bost Group of Round Rock Texas.   Award winning designer Linda McCalla also helped with the project. 

The project features 180 companion niches with the ability to expand for future niches.  7 custom light fixtures from Texas Light Smith add to the ambiance of the space.

2 very special pieces were included in this project.  The first is a beautiful fountain, and the second is a stunning statue. Both were donated by families who were involved in the planning of the project.

For more information, or to plan your own Columbarium.  We travel all over the central texas, and would love to sit down with your planning committee.  Call our office today. 512.930.5188

Looking for a way to add value to your home, while enhancing your curb appeal?

It’s time to install new siding.

If you aren’t tied to periodical style siding, we highly recommend Hardie Fiber Cement Siding.  Known for its protection and durability, and gaining traction as a green product (although it was green before green was cool. Right Kermit?)

They also have an additive great for the central Texas area.  On Lake Travis or Austin?  Have strong western exposure? Install Hardie with ColorPlus Technology.  A little more expensive on the front end, their proprietary process involves applying consistent, multiple coats of paint that was created especially for the demands climate places on a home’s exterior. The end result is a beautiful consistent finish that lasts up to 2x’s longer.  A baked-on coating offers maximum durability and resistance to prolonged exposure to freezing climate and moisture contact.

In the Austin or Georgetown area? Call us to replace your siding today.

(click for before & after slideshow)

*information taken from JamesHardie website

New Construction in Georgetown Texas
Outdoor living area in Georgetown Texas
Addition in Georgetown Texas
Remodel in Georgetown Texas

This is one of our better projects in our portfolio, it incorporated three phases ( four if you count landscaping) of a residential project.

First, we built an addition to enclose the area between the house and detached garage.  This became a “great room” with a wetbar, half-bath, home office, and a sitting/dining area.

It opens to the large patio which features additional seating under a nice pergola.  This attaches to a large flagstone patio leading to the new outdoor living/guest house.

The outdoor living features a large fireplace, wetbar, and grilling station.  The outdoor living area attaches to an 1800 square foot guest house.  The guest house is 1 BR/1 BA with a full kitchen, living area, and a laundry room.

The main house was then remodeled to tie the three projects together.  This includes knotty alder trim, doors, and cabinets.  New tile throughout laid in a pinwheel pattern .  The house also received fresh paint, many walls with a faux finish.

Kitchen Remodel in Pflugerville Texas

• Gutted existing dining room and kitchen
• Extended exterior wall 6′, adding over 100 square feet of additional kitchen space
• Installed custom cabinets, KitchenAid appliances, granite countertops, wood flooring

click to view the BATHROOM on this project

Kitchen remodel in Lakeway Texas

• Gutted existing kitchen
• remove the wall separating the two rooms, forming one large kitchen
• install custom paint grade cabinets with glass displays, granite countertops, new sink, new faucet, new KitchenAid appliances, installed 1×6″ subway tile

Click to view the BATHROOMS on this project.

Kitchen Remodel in Georgetown Texas
floorplan for this project (property of TA Todd Construction, not for reproduction)

• Gutted existing dining room and kitchen
• remove the wall separating the two rooms, forming one large kitchen
• install custom red oak cabinets, granite countertops, new sink, new faucet, new appliances, new wolf dual fuel ranch, warming drawing, built-in microwave, dishwasher, fridge, and potfiller, installed custom travertine backsplash.

Click to view Phase II of the ORO COURT project.

Kitchen Remodel at the Schwertner Ranch

• Gutted existing kitchen sans the cabinets and floor tile
• installed custom island cabinet with butcher block top, installed granite countertops, installed custom potrack, installed new backsplash
• All new commercial grade appliances.

Schwertner Ranch Event Center: “A memorable event is our pledge to you. Set amidst a real working cattle ranch overlooking a twenty acre lake, your guests will enjoy one of the most panoramic views in the Williamson County area. Our fine staff will help you plan your event  and ensure that it goes off without a hitch.”