“I’ll start my diet on Monday,” “I’ll start exercising after we get back from vacation,”  “I’ll slow down and try to enjoy life after my next big promotion.”  These are all things that many of us say too often.  With 2017 comin’ in hot, you’ll be telling yourself … I’ll just make it my new year’s resolution and start next year, right?

Speaking of resolutions, here are the TOP TEN resolutions made year after year.

10. Read more

9.  Travel more

8.  Learn something new

7.  Won’t make a resolution

6.  Get organized

5.  Spend more time with family and friends

4.  Spend less, save more

3.  Enjoy life to the fullest

2.  Lose weight

1. Stay fit and healthy (we have all done that one before)

While we agree with staying fit and healthy, we agree with number 3 the most.  Everyone should enjoy life to the fullest!  So when you’re brushing your teeth, do a little dance.  When you’re checking out at the grocery store, stop to smile and say hello to the person behind the counter, and most importantly when you’re in your backyard, have a place you are proud to call home.

Go ahead, fantasize for a moment.  Which of these do you like the best?

Now we realize you may have to do a little of number 4 before you can start ripping up grass and laying concrete, picking out grills and paint colors, but you can get there!  We have a nifty little timeline to help you, too!  If you are set on having a custom patio built by a certain date, the guideline below will help you know when to get started.

Each month we like to feature someone in our “Builder Spotlight” blog who plays a significant role within Texas Custom Patios!  This month we are featuring a very hardworking young man that often hears rave reviews when he has completed a project!  Meet German Cardenas …

How long have you been with TCP?  5 years.

How long have you been in the business?  15 years.

What’s your “specialty?” Plumbing and HVAC.

What do you enjoy most about what you do?  Contributing to making installations not only functional, but look great, too!

What’s inspiring in the construction/build world to you?  Automated and ecological houses.

Do you have a favorite project from the past?  These two homes were a challenge for me, therefore they are my favorite!  Always up for obstacles to overcome, because it makes you that much more proud of the completed product.

What trends have you seen in outdoor design in the last few years?  Stone coverings in different types.

What do you see to be popular in the future? Material with less environmental impact.

What’s the one think most clients HAVE to have?  Outdoor Kitchen (grill and side burner are super popular).

What’s the biggest obstacle you face during the design/build process?  Making sure it’s both functional and appealing to the eye.

What do you hear most often from clients when everything is completed?  They LOVE it!

What do you think an outdoor living space does for a home and person?  Adds space to the home where the homeowner can make it their own.

What do you hope to build/design in the future?  Build outdoor living space with the latest technology.

Texas Custom Patios was happy to walk away proudly with two awards … “Best Outdoor Living” and “Best Website.”  …. but let’s back up, what’s this all about?

Over 100 awards were presented to Houston area builders, developers, remodelers and industry professionals at the 2016 Houston’s Best PRISM Awards black tie gala at the Royal Sonesta Hotel. The theme was Bollywood Nights!

The Greater Houston Builders Association (GHBA) Houston’s Best PRISM Awards are an annual event designed to recognize excellence within Houston’s homebuilding industry and to support their efforts. This event is directed by the GHBA Sales and Marketing Council, and numerous volunteers from GHBA member companies. The Bollywood Nights theme showcased the accomplishments of Houston’s top tier within the homebuilding industry. There were 730 formal-attired guests on-hand to celebrate the finalists and winners.

Categories in Construction and Remodeling included price range and specific room designs and in the Developer category, promotion awards were presented for TV, Radio, Print, Outdoor, Direct Mail, and Special Events. The People awards honored excellence in sales, marketing, and construction supervision.This year’s award recipients were chosen by a panel of premier industry professionals from around the country. Judging criteria varied according to the category, but all category winners were required to be active members of the GHBA in good standing, and to have shown commitment and excellence to the homebuilding industry as a whole.

For a list of all the winners, click here!

Click the image below to discover details about this modern stucco covered patio in Bellaire.

Click the image below to discover details about this American traditional covered patio in Spring Valley.

We are answering the most commonly asked question as part of a series we are doing each month.  So many want to know the answer to these questions, so we thought we would share it with all of you!  Last month we talked all about our specialty, and this month we are focusing on the big picture.  So here are some of the most commonly asked questions that all have, surprisingly, the same answer.

Can you put clear plastic over my pergola?

Can you add screens to my existing patio?

Can you just pour concrete?

As much as we would love to help you with all of that, we are a design build contractor who manages the project from start to finish scheduling multiple trades.  If your job requires only one trade, then it’s best to hire that trade directly!

If you are wanting to do more, we have the easiest process around … so easy that you’ll feel like it’s just one trade you are utilizing.

THE TCP DIFFERENCE

At Texas Custom Patios, we offer personalized service and flexible payment terms, and when you choose to work with us, you’ll work with the same project developer every step of the way (that’s the easy part we mentioned), from the preliminary design stage to project completion and clean-up.

We specialize in providing turnkey design solutions for outdoor living, including: patio covers, outdoor kitchens, screened porches, room additions, pergolas, fireplaces and so much more!  See our website for a complete gallery or on Houzz to see finished projects!

WE STAND BEHIND OUR WORK

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.

NO SURPRISES: OUR EXACT QUOTE PROMISE

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.

Click the image below to discover details about this “traditional plantation” project in The Heights.