Project Wait Time

April 28, 2021 Patio Contractor, Uncategorized

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!

Don’t Make this Mistake

November 26, 2019 Patio Contractor, Patio Design

There are so many things to be aware of while planning your outdoor living space that it can be overwhelming. Texas Custom Patios is with you every step of the way, but here are some things to consider when it comes time to build your dream covered patio.

Timing of your project… do you have a special event coming up? Or just want it done before summertime? Check out our timing schedule:

How much room do I really need? Great question… But you need to ask yourself a few more questions. What do you want to use the space for?

Do you want just a couch and chair to hang out and watch TV… plan on about 200 SF— you need room to move around the furniture but be placed far enough from the TV for the perfect view.

Do you want to have a small dining table as well (seating for 4 or 6)? Add another 100/150 SF. Or will you be entertaining more and need a table for more (8-10)? Make it another 200/250 SF.


What about an outdoor kitchen? Just make sure you have room to include a counter area with serving space and plenty of room for the grill master to move around. A good rule of thumb is to measure your indoor living room or kitchen or dining area and plan accordingly. Outdoor furniture takes up the same amount of space as indoor furniture. And you need to make sure there is space on the edges to keep everything dry.

When planning for your outdoor kitchen, you need to think about how much entertaining you will be doing or how you will be using your grill. If you are mainly looking to just grill for your family of 4, then a smaller counter area with limited storage and a small grill will work great. If you like to entertain and have people over, then you need to plan on having
the space available to lay out all the food (either food that you have prepared or dishes the guests bring). Make sure you have plenty of counter space for the buffet.

Lighting – how much light is needed? Once the sun goes down, it gets dark outside… make sure you have enough light on your patio. Can lights overhead (1 per 100 SF) and carriage lights on the columns are a good start. If you have an outdoor kitchen, lighting above the grill is
important so you can see how the steak is doing. Hanging a great chandelier is also a nice add not only for light, but a beautiful focal point.

There are many more things to consider, but this is a great start! Your project manager is there from start to finish, so you can enjoy the process and watch your dream patio become a reality!

The HOA … “Oh, No Way”

September 30, 2015 Outdoor Living, Patio Contractor

RemodelFor many homeowners just the thought of dealing with a Home Owners Association (HOA) for a remodeling project invokes fear. Homeowners worry that they’ll find difficulty or denials when they work with the associations. Many times it’s easier to just squash the dream than deal with the red tape.

In the majority of areas where we build outdoor living spaces, homeowners live in areas governed by an HOA. The associations serve to set standards in the neighborhood to keep property values high and provide common resources to the neighborhood.

No fear; no headaches.

When you choose Texas Custom Patios to remodel your outdoor living space, our Project Developers handle all the headache of submissions and approvals with your HOA. Our Project Developers work with your HOAs on a regular basis, so we’re familiar with the process, the standards and the wait times. We confidently navigate the process for you, so you can avoid the fear and any headache with your HOA.  So no “oh no” moments to deal with on your part, just a perfect new patio to enjoy!

Have a project in mind? We work throughout the Houston and Dallas - Fort Worth areas.

Our Customers Love Us

Texas Custom Patios exceeded our expectations throughout our project. From drawing up plans, making changes and additions, through the clean-up process TCP made our dream patio cover a great experience. We knew everyday what was going to happen. Dean was our project manager and involved in every aspect. He was very professional and worked out every detail to make our vision come true. Thank you Dean and TCP! You guys are amazing! I highly recommend this company if you want a professional company to do a great job with the best materials and beautiful outcome.

© 2024 TCP Custom Outdoor Living

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