Texas is starting to get back to normal, so this summer is sure to make a splash with pool parties, weekend gatherings and fun for all. At the heart of every good party is fabulous food, so this month we are featuring goodies that are great for gathering!
Potato Chip Encrusted Chicken Tenders
After being on lockdown for over a year, most of us are itching to get outside and enjoy some company. Public places will still be covid-conscious for some time to come, so our backyard can be a safe haven for some fun in the meantime.
So how do you enhance your outdoor living space… grow a garden! Plus, gardening just twice a week has proven to enhance your wellbeing and “prune” your stress!
Here’s what’s growing in popularity for 2021 and what’s dead in the water:
Herbs: Basil, catnip/catmint, comfrey, fennel, horseradish, oregano, thyme, rosemary, Mexican mint marigold, peppermint, lemongrass, lemon balm, lemon verbena, bay laurel
Vegetables: Beans, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber, and potato
Fruit: Apples, berries, cherries, figs, grapefruit, grapes, melons and peaches
Flowers: Periwinkle, perunia, phlox, purple fountain grass, purslane, salvia, snapdragon and sweet peas
Plants: Desert Willow, Red Yucca, Mexican Feather Grass and Lantana
Gardens are meant to be consumed and looked at, so creating a little space that is meant for relaxing is key! Comfortable garden sofas, egg chairs and hanging chairs have increased in popularity and are a perfect addition to your growing garden! Or just placing to over-sized chairs together with little tables will make for the perfect place to relax. The goal is to enjoy the fruits of your labor!
Since most of us have spent more time at home in the last 12 months than ever before, we have a new appreciation for making a house a home. And because everyone plans to stay home more in the future, but reintroduce guests, most want some sort of outdoor space to entertain them. If you have been dreaming of improving your home, now is the time to do it, but it comes with a longer-than-expected wait time. It makes sense though … while remodeling activity continues to grow, so does project wait time.
Here’s what to expect…
When a homeowner calls us right now – we are anywhere between 3-4 weeks before getting to do an initial appointment with them. Once we have done that initial meeting, it takes about 2 weeks to get a design back. Once the design is approved and the contract is signed, we are looking at an additional 12-14 weeks to start construction.
Remodeling wait times aren’t just in Houston either, this stands for the entire country.
With more homeowners reaching out to construction firms, architects and interior designers to upgrade their homes, the wait time to start a new project is also on the rise.
If you look at the chart above, you’ll see that demand for construction services is strong, as the average wait time to begin a midsize project rose to 9.3 weeks. A year ago, the national average wait time was 5.4 weeks, meaning the average wait time is almost one month (3.9 weeks) longer than the same period last year.
-Houzz
Another thing to consider…
Cost of projects have gone up due to rising lumber and material costs. Labor costs are also on the rise. This is always subject to change, but it’s worth mentioning.
If you’re ready to move full steam ahead, contact us now!
It’s that weird time of year where you “eating healthy” resolutions are in the trash can, but swimsuit season is around the corner! For this month’s featured recipes we are serving up some sizzlin’ recipes that are tasty, healthy and perfect poolside.
Spring Tarts with Whipped Lemon Feta
Crispy Braised Chicken with Artichokes
Green Godess Vegan Potato Salad
The next two are not great for the swimsuit body, but they are too tasty not to include!
Click here to discover details about this contemporary project in Houston, Texas.
If 2021 is your year to build your outdoor oasis, check out these designs that are dominating. No matter your style… we provide turnkey custom design projects. Our specialty is building projects that look original to the home, including patio covers, pergolas, screened porches, room additions, guest houses, decks, outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, and custom patios.
Many times our customers come into the building process with only a small idea of what they want to do, we are here to bring ideas to the table, think things through and of course, build it!
Outdoor kitchens remain ruling as king, but don’t forget… big things can come in small packages. Even if you only have a little space, an outdoor kitchen can still be built! Big or small, outdoor kitchens and dining space continues to be very popular.
For those that have a little extra space, freestanding retreats are popping up in many backyards! This type of “patio” is nice because it’s separated from the home and really gives off the feeling that you’re on vacation!
This space above has a gable roof and vaulted ceiling. We used a stained tongue and groove with cedar beams. The columns are wrapped in hardie and painted – they have stone bases that match the kitchen fascia and the fireplace. All of this stone complements the pool coping. The flooring is a wide plank stamped concrete. Two large fans were also installed to create a nice breeze on those hot days of summer and again, make you feel like you’re on vacation!
Retractable screens are sliding into this list because they are functional and look nice! Most homes have a “hot spot” at least once during the day from the sun’s rays, these types of screens make it easy to block the sun in a moment’s notice. They keep the area cool and also keep the bugs out!
Folding patio doors just might be the hottest feature on this list (save the best for last?)… individual panels give the homeowner complete control, so it can be as open or closed as one would like. The large amount of glass opens up the space for that indoor/outdoor living feel.
Now let’s talk budget … a typical patio cover could be in the $25,000 – $45,000 range. Adding an outdoor kitchen and/or fire feature can add an additional cost in the range of $15,000 – $50,000. After an initial meeting, we give you an exact quote design. It is all based on the size of your project, how it is constructed, type of finishes and what all is included in your project. And before you know it… your sketch is built and you’re enjoying your outdoor oasis!
If you would like more information on how to budget for your outdoor living space, check out our budget blog, here!
Maybe you’re not quite ready to hop at the chance to dine out for Easter just yet and prefer to have a helping at home! We have several recipes that we think you’ll love to enjoy with your family this Easter!
Ricotta, Ham and Scallion Tart
Texas Custom Patios is a family-owned and operated business located in Houston, Texas and Irving, Texas, but our service area covers most of the greater Houston area and parts of the Dallas – Fort Worth area. We have completed more than 2,000 outdoor living projects since we opened our doors in 2004.
At Texas Custom Patios, we’re confident in our work – and we want you to feel confident, too.
That’s why we offer a two-year warranty for materials and workmanship, and a five-year warranty for structural components of your home improvement project.
We also have $1 million in liability insurance to protect against accidents and injury.
At Texas Custom Patios, we offer personalized service and flexible payment terms, and when you choose to work with us, you’ll work with your project team every step of the way. Along with the Project Developer that assisted in the preliminary design stage, you will also have a dedicated Project Manager that will assist throughout the project completion and clean-up.
We specialize in providing turnkey design solutions for outdoor living, including patio covers; outdoor kitchens; screened porches and patios; room additions; pergolas and decks; outdoor fireplaces; and more. View our portfolio.
When you schedule a consultation with one of our experienced project developers, you’ll receive more than just a ballpark figure. We’ll tell you exactly how much your outdoor living project will cost – down to the penny.
But that’s not all. At Texas Custom Patios, every estimate includes a detailed drawing with specifications and dimensions, plus rendered views and elevations – so you can see a preview of your completed project.
Has the recent icy weather left you cold, bitter and ready to warm up? Our featured recipes this month are bringing the heat! A little spicy… a little sweet… Enjoy!
Nashville Hot Whole-Roasted Cauliflower
Texas Fire Crackers (renamed on purpose)
Click here to discover details about this beautiful project in Plano, Texas.
We absolutely love our new pool house addition and back yard patio renovation from TCP! We also loved working with Justin! He was extremely knowledgeable and always willing to do whatever we wanted. We will definitely recommend them!
Give us a call or fill out a web inquiry! We look forward to working with you on your outdoor living space. Take a look at our many blogs regarding budgets and designs as well as looking through our large portfolio of projects. Let us help you create the outdoor living space you are dreaming of!
