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Category: Outdoor Safety

After the Storm

A resource guide to help you get back on your feet after you have braved the storm United Way of Greater Houston has created After the Storm for you to use as a resource toward rebuilding your life. Whether you are trying to provide basic needs like food, shelter, and clothing, or you are struggling with the stress that is a major part of crisis recovery, you will find important and helpful information in this booklet. The entire content of this booklet is also available on the web HERE —for your convenience. The 2-1-1 Texas/United Way Helpline is always available, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Let 2-1-1 be your first call when you don’t know who to call. Trained HELPLINE specialists are always available to listen to your questions, understand your needs and help you identify resources that are tailored for your specific situation. There are no words that can ease the losses you have experienced. Please know that there are many resources that can help you take those difficult steps toward recovery. United Way heals the past, shapes the future and makes today better for us all. Please know that United Way is here to help.

Very truly yours,

Anna M. Babin President and CEO

After the Storm

Hurricanes…tornados…earthquakes…tropical storms…floods…when the forces of nature are unleashed, the results are often devastating. There is little anyone can do to prevent or reduce the power of these natural disasters. This booklet is intended to serve as a guide along the path to recovery.

When a Crisis Strikes

Living through a major crisis produces many different types of feelings. You may feel anxiety, depression, confusion and tension. These feelings may cause a breakdown in our usual coping mechanisms. You may find it hard to function, behave in unexpected ways or have trouble making decisions. Although a crisis can result in a sense of anxiety, pain or hopelessness that makes it hard to cope, these same feelings can serve as motivation to look for help and develop new coping mechanisms. That’s where this guide comes in…we hope you will use it to guide your steps as you begin the rebuilding process.

The United Way put together these checklists as a guide during  recovery.

Things You Can Do for Yourself and Others

Get Into a Routine During this difficult period, it is especially important that you take care of yourself. As quickly as possible, resume your usual activity patterns. Establishing a regular routine will help you and other family members begin the recovery process.

Take Care of Yourself

Try to eat properly. Choose foods that include the basic food groups and offer a balance of fruits, vegetables, protein, carbohydrates and other essential nutrients. Limit junk foods, especially for children, and drink plenty of fluids. Healthy eating will help you rebuild your strength during the trying times ahead. Sleeping away from familiar surroundings can be very difficult. Make every effort to get as much sleep as possible so that you will be rested and able to face each day’s challenges. Return to regular sleeping times as soon as you are able to do so. This will help your body refresh and restore itself.

Take Control

Although it may seem that fate has taken charge of your life, it is essential that you reassert control as quickly as possible. Begin to plan for your recovery, even though you may feel that there is little you can do. Assess the damage you have experienced and identify resources that are available to storm victims. Make a list of tasks each day so that you can celebrate small successes as you build up to larger accomplishments.

Communicate

Share your feelings with others. Everyone affected by the disaster has a story to tell. Do not hesitate to share your experience and be a good listener for others who need to talk. Be open about your concerns, ask questions and express your emotions as they surface.

Tune In to Your Children

You know how overwhelming the disaster has been for you as an adult. Be sensitive to the fact that your children may be particularly in need of your love and attention. Encourage them to talk about their fears. Acknowledge their losses and allow them to take an active role in the recovery process. The structure of a regular routine is especially important for children. Be sure they eat properly and get enough sleep just as soon as conditions permit. At times like these, lots of extra hugs and kisses can be very therapeutic for you and your children.

 

A Roof Over Your Head

The experience of homelessness for those who have been forced out of their homes as a result of a natural disaster is particularly devastating. Suddenly, in spite of years of careful planning and saving, you may have lost your home and its valued contents. You may have lost treasured mementos and cherished possessions that are an important part of your history. If this is the case, you have reason to grieve. While no one can truly recapture all that you have lost, there is help available to help you begin again. FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) If your area is declared a national disaster, you may qualify for financial aid. You are encouraged to apply for FEMA assistance or aid, regardless of the extent of the disaster you experienced. People who suffered damages from the storms are eligible for assistance through various programs offered by FEMA. If you are a renter, you may be eligible for a grant from FEMA to cover Short term rent assistance at a new location. The process involved in applying for FEMA may seem time-consuming. However, you may be missing an important source of financial assistance if you fail to take advantage of this opportunity. When you apply, please have the following information available: † Social Security number † Current and pre-disaster address † Telephone numbers where you can be contacted † Insurance Information † Total household income † A routing and account number from your bank (only necessary if you want to have disaster assistance funds transferred directly) Call the FEMA Helpline or check online if you need additional help or have questions. You can also learn the status of an application, additional services, or the location of specific services.

FEMA Application Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)

TTY # . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-462-7585

You can also apply online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.

Additional Resources

The American Red Cross and the Salvation Army are two organizations that offer a variety of resources, particularly during the early stages following a disaster. Be sure to contact both to determine whether their services meet your current needs.

American Red Cross. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-877-500-8645 866-526-8300 (Local Houston Office)

Salvation Army . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 713-752-0677

TEXAS UNITED WAY HELPLINE  … 2-1-1

The One Thing No One Wants To Do

So now you have this gorgeous patio, outdoor kitchen and beautiful living space, right?  At the end of the day you go inside and carry on with your life … so who’s cleaning your outdoor living space?  Not you!  We hear that it’s “out of sight, out of mind,” so the cleaning of your patio is put on the back burner of your new grill.  Cleaning and maintaining your patio is important though!

Our friends over at Sweet Tea Patio Co. have a special offer for Texas Custom Patio customers.  Just say you saw this blog and receive 20% off grill cleaning!

Texas Custom Patios Cleaning

Benefits of Keeping Your Grill Clean

Keeping rodents away which are looking for a food source during the winter

Less smoke, less flare ups, more even cooking

Extending the life of your grill and parts

Getting it ready for spring cookouts

Patio Maid Services

Sweet Tea Patio Co. is a full-service outdoor cleaning company.  Just as a maid would detail your home, they offer the same level of detailing for your outdoor living area. Upscale patio cleaning, removing pests and pollen, cleaning your windows, power washing your deck and siding, scrubbing patio furniture, polishing granite and stainless steel appliances, and all the other dirty work. Truly a unique service catering to patio lovers!

Here are some great before/after pictures of their work …

Cleaning your patio  cleaning your patio  power washing your patio detailing your patio

More About Sweet Tea Patio Co.

This  cleaning company was developed from a need. A need that presented itself from their own love of outdoor living spaces. They took great care in the design and development of their patio and the results were amazing. They found more and more that their family and friends loved it too, everyone wanted to use their outdoor living area for birthdays, holidays, and to watch sporting events.

It never failed every couple of weeks we were dealing with new spider webs, pollen everywhere, leaves and dust, we had it all. Most of the time doing a deep clean it took equipment and time we usually never had. As we searched there was no one company that specialized in or did “top to bottom” patio cleaning or were capable of handling the daunting task of cleaning the outside in a way that held to our standards.  So Sweet Tea Patio Co was created… a service that caters to people just like us — patio people.

Sweet Tea Patio first got their hands dirty in 2015. They are a new business, but are rockin’ & rollin’ (errr … cleanin’ & sweepin’ we shall say). We hope you will give them a shot!

Here are the areas they service:

River Oaks
Richmond
West University
Sugar Land
Katy/ Cinco Ranch
South West Houston

Enjoy your clean patio without all the hassle!

Before You Roast Those Marshmallows

Before you stack the s’mores and fire up that outdoor fire feature of yours … let’s make sure it’s a safe and clean one!  Houzz recently wrote up a great blog about keeping your indoor fireplace tended to in a tidy fashion.  That’s a hot topic as the climate cools in Texas, which got us to thinking … your outdoor fireplace or fire feature is just as important to keep clean and safe!

Cleaning

A clean fireplace is a safe fireplace. Not only does a clean fireplace look best, it also functions best. It’s tempting just to leave ashes and leftover wood in the fireplace between fires but it’s best to remove the chunks and sweep the ashes once the fire is completely extinguished and cooled. Having a set of tools specifically used for fireplaces will speed this process along. Now this may sound crazy, and you would be surprised at just how many people do this, but should NOT!  Never use a vacuum cleaner, even a shop vac, to clean ashes as embers can stay hot for days and can reignite inside your vacuum.

Burn

While most people can start a fire it is essential for the health of your fireplace to build the right kind of fire. Hardwoods are best for burning in your fireplace. They burn hotter, longer and cleaner. Learn to build efficient, clean burning fires. A fire that is inefficient is very smokey and makes the firebox and chimney dirty with flammable materials like soot and creosote.

Monitor

Between professional inspections it is important for you to regularly monitor the condition of your outdoor fireplace. Soot and creosote can build up inside the firebox and chimney and can make the fireplace very unsafe. If you don’t know how to recognize these build ups ask you chimney sweep to show you what to look for. If you notice a build up of soot and creosote in your fireplace have it cleaned before you build a fire in it again.
We love our outdoor fireplaces and we know you do too. Make sure you maintain your fireplace in between uses to ensure a safe, cozy experience!

Texas Custom Patios Hot Chocolate

Enjoy

It’s time to light a fire, pour the hot chocolate and roast those marshmallows!  We put together a fun board for you to peruse, pin and pine over (after all, the nostalgia of hot chocolate is just so sweet)!  Enjoy everything from Roasted Marshmallow Coffee Cocktail Shakes to creative hot chocolate mix-ins!  We created an entire board on Pinterest named Hot Cocoa Bar, s0 cheers and enjoy the view!  

Maintaining Your Outdoor Fireplace During Summer Months

An outdoor fireplace is a great addition to any outdoor living space. It adSONY DSCds warmth, ambiance and can be a great place to hang a TV in your outdoor space. While a fireplace is nice and cozy it does require regular maintenance to function correctly and burn safely during cooler months. Here are some steps you can take to make sure your outdoor fireplace is ready to perform in the cool weather for many years.

Inspection

Your outdoor fireplace should be inspected at least annually by a professional chimney sweep to  ensure it is clean and safe for you and your family. A regular inspection will alert you to potential problems before they become serious. Your chimney sweep will let you know when you are in need of professional cleaning.

IMG_0484Cleaning

A clean fireplace is a safe fireplace. Not only does a clean fireplace look best, it also functions best. It’s tempting just to leave ashes and leftover wood in the fireplace between fires but it’s best to remove the chunks and sweep the ashes once the fire is completely extinguished and cooled. Having a set of tools specifically used for fireplaces will speed this process along. Never use a vacuum cleaner, even a shop vac, to clean ashes as embers can stay hot for days and can reignite inside your vacuum.

Burn

While most people can start a fire it is essential for the health of your fireplace to build the right kind of fire. Hardwoods are best for burning in your fireplace. They burn hotter, longer and cleaner. Learn to build efficient, clean burning fires. A fire that is inefficient is very smokey and makes the firebox and chimney dirty with flammable materials like soot and creosote.

Monitor

Between professional inspections it is important for you to regularly monitor the condition of your outdoor fireplace. Soot and creosote can build up inside the firebox and chimney and can make the fireplace very unsafe. If you don’t know how to recognize these build ups ask you chimney sweep to show you what to look for. If you notice a build up of soot and creosote in your fireplace have it cleaned before you build a fire in it again.
We love our outdoor fireplaces and we know you do too. Make sure you maintain your fireplace during the summer to ensure a safe, cozy experience come fall!

Play it Safe: Keeping Outdoor Spaces Safe for Children

For generations, there has been an energy surrounding swing sets, slides, see-saws and merry-go-rounds that attracts both the young and the young-at-heart. These things may not be considered traditional outdoor furniture, but these are the fixtures that your kids will enjoy the most.

So if you are thinking of revamping your outdoor space to install a play area for your children, here are some of the things you should consider:

1. Check the play area – The space where you will install or build your children’s play set will have to be canvassed and scanned thoroughly. This area should be clear of any hazardous items, loose rocks, nails, and other accident-prone debris. It also has to be a spot where you can see them from inside the house so you can keep a watchful eye when they are up and about.

A play area in the grass of this backyard would offer entertainment for the kids while the grown-ups lounge in the outdoor living area.

2. Choose kid-friendly materials – Kids can be very experimental with their surroundings, especially during the toddler stage. They will put anything in their mouths, and this can cause serious health issues. Never use or purchase materials that have lead in it. Check the labels just to be sure.

When purchasing play sets, check for any loose screws or bolts that easily come off. These are potential choking hazard for small children. Worse, kids can get cuts and bruises as a result of poorly-constructed sets.

3.  Double check the quality of the play set – Play sets are constructed with children’s safety in mind. However, being a parent, it is also your responsibility to set your own safety standards.

Check and re-check the whole set to see if there are any sharp edges. If there are, make sure that they can be covered with rubber to make it safer for children to use. Installing a rubber mat at the bottom of the slide will also help your child have a smooth and softer landing spot.

4.  Install safety railings – If the set you are purchasing includes a slide, your children will have to climb up to reach it. This is an accident waiting to happen, especially if you have small children running around and pushing each other to get to the top. Install safety railings to keep them from falling down.

5.  Schedule regular maintenance – Conduct weekly checks if the set needs repairs. Any loose part should be immediately repaired and attached. Dangling ropes should also be carefully attached.

Play areas help keep the kids entertained while you relax on the patio or bbq in your outdoor kitchen.  As long as these play areas are safe, they’ll make the backyard a fun place for the whole family.

Ashleigh Lynn is a writer for Open Brook, an excellent source of information and reviews about patio, garden and outdoor furniture .

Backyard and Patio Security Tips

Garden theft is on the rise. It makes perfect sense, too. To scope a house, a thief might believe is empty, he can simply ring the doorbell. If no one answers, the burglar will then enter the backyard and search for open doors and unlocked windows. The goods are right there; ready to be taken without ever having to enter the home.

There’s no reason why you should make a thief’s job easy. Patio furniture, grills, exotic plants, even garden art and lawnmowers get snagged or vandalized.  Here are a few simple tips to help you secure your belongings in the back yard and keep thieves from invading your home through a back door.

  •  Document your inventory. It involves some time and effort, but taking pictures of items or videotaping your property can help you with insurance claims. List your furniture, grills, smokers, gardening tools and anything else you deem important and valuable. Make sure to create an itemized list to go with your visual proof.
  • Make your mark. Place your name, address, zip code or other unique symbol on your belongings. Place them in discrete locations, so they won’t be noticed or removed. This will help you identify and claim them, should they be stolen. It’s wise, especially if you are using a symbol, to record where you place these identifying marks in the inventory descriptions.
  • Nail it down. Everything from patio furniture to BBQ grills, even heavy fixtures, can be bolted down, bound with cables or cemented in place.
  • Make ‘em run. Another option for securing items is installing alarms that create an excessive amount of noise. Cable alarms can be used for most items in your yard, including riding mowers, tables and chairs, even coolers. The costs are low and the effects are impressive.
  • Make friends and get them involved. Neighbors are one of the best deterrents you can have. Sadly, many homeowners don’t get to know one another as they should. Simply by being aware of one another and keeping an eye out for suspicious activities, most thefts can be deterred.
  • Fence it off. A good, strong, six-foot fence will not only keep out most burglars, it can keep animals out of your garden. If you have a fence, check for holes and damage that may need to be repaired or replaced. Do NOT rely on simple lift latches on your gate; these will not deter a thief. Install latches and use padlocks to secure gates.
  • Light it up. If thieves hate to be noticed, one of the best deterrents is to shine a spotlight on them. The best way to do that is installing motion sensors in the backyard. Place them over or near entrances around the house. These devices are cost effective and not only provide safety; they provide extra light on those late nights when you come home.
  • Lock it up. When you leave your home, make sure you lock the windows and doors. It may sound silly, but homeowners often forget or simply don’t mind leaving a backdoor open. Chances are a theft will happen during the day while you’re at work. Thieves, by nature, will simply find the path of least resistance, walk in, take your valuables and leave. Don’t give them that opportunity and check the house before leaving. Make sure your shed is also locked and secured with padlocks.
  • Grow your confidence. Landscaping is a two-edged sword. Trees planted to keep a thief out can also hide him while he takes advantage of your absence. Weigh and consider the pros and cons of using plants as part of your defense. If you do decide to use live barriers, consider beautiful plants that can hinder. Rose bushes, berry bushes, Firethorn and Hawthorne are great examples to use around the windows of your home. Place them under the easiest access areas. A lawn forgotten is also a sure sign that you don’t care about your home and may have left a way in. Mow your lawn and keep your yard clean.
  • A man’s best friend. Don’t forget that a good line of defense can also be a good friend. Dogs are a wonderful addition to the family and an effective deterrent to potential theft. Don’t want an actual dog? Post signs about the invisible beast living in the house.
  • Keep an eye on it all. The last option, albeit it can be an expensive one, is a security camera system. You should know that a truly effective system is both costly to buy and to maintain over time. Another option, combined with the tips mentioned above, is to install fake ones. Give the dirt bags the illusion that you have your house all under control. The simple presence of a camera can encourage a thief to pick an easier target.

There you have it: A list of simple, yet effective ways to deter a thief and secure your backyard and home. If you have any suggestions I may have missed, please leave a comment and share your suggestions.

35 Million People Say This Is The Best

 

Texas Custom Patios

Awarded Best Of Houzz 2016

Over 35 Million Monthly Unique Users Nominated Best Home Building,

Remodeling and Design Professionals in North America and Around the World

 

Texas Custom Patios won “Best Of Houzz 2016” for Design and Customer Satisfaction on Houzz®, the leading platform for home remodeling and design. The leader in custom patio design and build was chosen by the more than 35 million monthly unique users that comprise the Houzz community from among more than one million active home building, remodeling and design industry professionals.

The Best Of Houzz is awarded annually in three categories: Design, Customer Service and Photography. Design award winners’ work was the most popular among the more than 35 million monthly users on Houzz. Customer Service honors are based on several factors, including the number and quality of client reviews a professional received in 2015.  A “Best Of Houzz 2016” badge will appear on winners’ profiles, as a sign of their commitment to excellence. These badges help homeowners identify popular and top-rated home professionals in every metro area on Houzz.

“Anyone building, remodeling or decorating looks to Houzz for the most talented and service-oriented professionals” said Katherine Douglass, Managing Partner of Texas Custom Patios. “We’re so pleased to be recognized in this enormous community of homeowners and design enthusiasts actively remodeling and decorating their homes. Nothing is bigger than word of mouth, so we are honored to be talked about and awarded.”

Follow Texas Custom Patios on Houzz here.

About Texas Custom Patios

The family-owned residential remodeling contractor specializes in designing and building custom projects. Texas Custom Patios enhances outdoor living for customers and has completed more than 1,300 outdoor living projects since opening its doors in 2004. The dream builders provide turnkey custom design projects ranging in size. Their 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.

 About Houzz

Houzz is the leading platform for home remodeling and design, providing people with everything they need to improve their homes from start to finish – online or from a mobile device. From decorating a small room to building a custom home and everything in between, Houzz connects millions of homeowners, home design enthusiasts and home improvement professionals across the country and around the world. With the largest residential design database in the world and a vibrant community empowered by technology, Houzz is the easiest way for people to find inspiration, get advice, buy products and hire the professionals they need to help turn their ideas into reality. Headquartered in Palo Alto, CA, Houzz also has international offices in London, Berlin, Sydney, Moscow and Tokyo. Houzz and the Houzz logo are registered trademarks of Houzz Inc. worldwide. For more information, visit houzz.com.

Best in Outdoor Living Space

 

Texas Custom Patios was just awarded “Best Outdoor Living Space” by Texas Association of Builders. We are thrilled to be noted among the very best!  The  Texas  Association  of  Builders  (TAB)  announced  and  presented  the  2015 Star  Awards Winners in  conjunction   with  the  Sunbelt  Builders  Show™  on July  29-­‐30,  2015 at  the  Gaylord  Texas  Resort  and  Convention  Center.  The  highly-­‐coveted  Star   Awards  are  given  annually  to  recognize  excellence  in  all  areas  of  the  home  building  industry.

In  1992,  the  Texas  Association  of  Builders  launched  the  Star  Awards – the  only  statewide  tribute  to  excellence  in  the  home  building   industry.  The  2015 Star  Awards  recognized  the  outstanding  work  of  builders,  remodelers,  architects,  designers,  sales  professionals,   marketing  professionals,  construction  professionals  and  industry  leaders  in  Texas  and  the  Southwest. Entries  were judged  by  a  distinguished  panel  of  industry  experts.  Winners  will  be  featured  in  the  September/October issue  of  Texas   Builder magazine. For  more  information  about the  Star  Awards,  please  visit  here.

Shining Stars in the Industry

The Texas Association of Builders (TAB) announced the 2019 Star Awards winners on Aug. 8 at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine, Texas. The Star Awards are given annually in conjunction with the Sunbelt Builders Show™ to recognize excellence in all areas of the homebuilding industry, these awards are highly-coveted within the industry.
There were a record setting 575 entries submitted to judge. The judges were industry experts from across the nation.
In 1992, TAB launched the Star Awards – the only statewide tribute to excellence in the homebuilding industry. The annual competition showcased the outstanding work of builders, remodelers, architects, designers, and sales, marketing, and construction professionals in Texas.

This year we had many shining stars that gained some attention! Take a look and click on the links below each picture for details on the selected project.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Texas Custom Patios’ 15 Year Anniversary: Our Story

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 1,600 outdoor living projects since we opened our doors in 2004. As we celebrate our 15 year anniversary we thought it would be neat to talk with one of our owners, Robert Douglass, to hear some of the stories that built TCP into what it is today.

Growning up was this what you wanted to do?

 

I always had an interest in building and in outdoor living.  My father was handy while I was growing up, building and repairing anything around the house.  When I became a homeowner, I took on many of the same types of projects:  tile, flagstone, decks, pergolas, kitchen and bath remodels, etc.   I never considered doing this for a career until I moved back to Houston in 2001 and saw thousands of new homes in Fort Bend County and no company focused specifically on outdoor living.

The first half of my career I worked as a YMCA director for 18 years.  While it seems like a complete 180 from construction, I had many facility responsibilities.  I planned new facilities, additions, and renovations, from working with architects, to selecting contractors, to supervising the projects.  It was one of my favorite parts of the job.
Do you recall your first project?
The first project I  built was for a friend…a small wood deck and pergola, and a slate patio.  Before we built the project, I tried out the framing crew on a project at my house and worked with them.  The business started with smaller projects that didn’t require many trades. But with each new job, the projects became more complicated… roof structures, screened porches, lots of masonry work, outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, entertainment packages.  Because we are usually designing and building to look original to the home, we’ve had to constantly evolve and find new trades. But the first few projects were very simple
What was your vision for the company in the beginning?
We have a great opportunity in our business to create a space that will potentially be our client’s favorite “room” in the house.  We get to take a blank slate and turn the backyard into a much more usable space.  The vision was to offer a turnkey experience that included creative design, managing approvals (HOA and permitting), and then building a high-quality, all-inclusive project. Our vision was to serve the entire Greater Houston Area by having Project Developers who lived and worked in different service areas.  Finally, we hoped to develop a trade base of craftsmen who are experts in their particular area; who can grow with us; and who can meet the challenges of increasingly complex jobs. Ultimately, we wanted to complete a final project that exceeds the clients expectations, helps them enjoy their backyard, and adds value to their home.
What is your vision for the company now?
First, we see our design work as something that really sets us apart. We are constantly providing continuing education to our Project Developers so that every client is getting the best project to meet their practical needs and their aesthetic wants. We want to be on top of the latest trends and products, and we even want to pioneer some new ideas based on our vast experience in outdoor living.
Second, we want to give our clients a positive experience on the project management side of the business.  That’s what turns into good reviews and referrals.  That means creating best practices for scheduling and supervising trades and making consistent progress on jobs through to project completion.  It’s not easy… many factors impact that, including weather and bottlenecks with some of our trades.  In the areas where we have bottlenecks, we are constantly trying to broaden and improve our trade base.

Finally, in 2015, we opened a new office in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.  We realize we have a business model that is replicable and we hope to explore opportunities to continue expanding into other markets.  But for now, we have our hands full just serving the entire Houston and DFW areas. Katherine (owner and wife) and I grew up in Conroe and we recognize that we have only a minor presence north of The Woodlands… Montgomery County is an area of growth that we will pursue in the next couple of years.

 

What has been the most rewarding?

 

By far the most rewarding aspect of creating a new business has been the understanding that we are providing a livelihood for over one hundred people.  Not just the full-time employees in two offices, but dozens of sub-contractor crews who primarily work for TCP going from job to job. Each of those subs have numerous employees creating long-term relationships that have been rewarding.

 

What has been tough?

 

The biggest challenge is managing growth.  When do we bring on a new Project Developer?  How do we grow the trade base to meet the increased demand? So many questions we have to ask ourselves along the way. 

 

What sets TCP apart from other remodel companies in your eyes?

 

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, from the preliminary design stage to project completion and clean-up.

We specialize in providing turnkey design solutions for outdoor living, including patio coversoutdoor kitchensscreened porches and patios; room additionspergolas and decksoutdoor fireplaces; and more.

Any funny stories to share along the way??
Although we’ve built over 1600 projects, we’ve probably visited 10,000 people over the years. When you meet that many people, you’re going to run into some characters. Like the homeowner who wanted me to look out his back window so I could see that he didn’t have a “money tree.”

2018 Star Awards Winners

 

The Texas Association of Builders (TAB) announced and presented the 2018 Star Awards winners on Thursday, Aug. 9 at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, Texas. The highly-coveted Star Awards are given annually in conjunction with the Sunbelt Builders Show™ to recognize excellence in all areas of the home building industry. More than 500 entries were submitted for consideration for this year’s awards. Entries were judged by industry experts from across the nation, including Aaron Crowe (Benton, Ark.), Mike Goodrich (Beaverton, Ore.), Gretchen Palmer (Scottsdale, Ariz.) and Bill Sager (Tacoma, Wash.).

In 1992, TAB launched the Star Awards – the only statewide tribute to excellence in the home building industry. The annual competition showcased the outstanding work of builders, remodelers, architects, designers, and sales, marketing, and construction professionals in Texas.

We are proud to announce we are the winners in three categories:

Remodeler – Best Outdoor Living Space – $100K-$150K

Remodeler – Best Outdoor Living Space – Under  $60K

Remodeler – Best Outdoor Living Space –  $70K-$95K

Check out our website for details on all our featured projects, learn more!  

 

 

 

The Best of the Best

 

Chances are if you are reading this blog right now, you are doing some patio pondering.  So will it be a covered patio or pergola? Outdoor kitchen or dining (or both)?  Maybe a fireplace or perhaps a beautifully lit fire pit?  Stone, granite, paint color … so many things to think about, but your first question should be … why Texas Custom Patios?

Let us help you answer that first!  We are a family-owned and operated business with offices located in Houston and Irving, Texas.  We proudly serve the greater Houston area and parts of Dallas/Fort Worth.  We have completed thousands of outdoor living projects since we opened our patio doors in 2004.

The TCP Difference

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.  Start to finish, preliminary design stage all the way to project completion and clean-up.  It’s nice to have one main person that you can really count on each day.

We specialize in providing turnkey design solutions for outdoor living, including patio covers; outdoor kitchens; screened porches; room additions; pergolas and decks; outdoor fire features and so much more!  View our portfolio here to get a better idea of what you would like.

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 one million dollars in liability insurance to protect against accidents and injury.

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!  So many times if you get a bid from multiple builders, they will give you a soft bid to entice you, but the costs add up as the project gets built, leaving you with something much higher than you were promised.   Every estimate of ours includes a detailed drawing with specifications and dimensions, plus rendered views and elevations -so you can see a preview of your completed project!  It’s like your day dreams come to life on paper, making it that much more fun to start building!

The Best of the Best (we always come full circle)

Year after year we are awarded and recognized for being the best in the business.  We constantly receive an A+ from the BBB (read our reviews here), and we are noticed by everyone from the National Association of Home Builders to fans on Houzz.  We love hearing from our customers and sharing the stories of how what we build for them has changed their lives.

We hope you will give us the chance to build a dream for you.

 

 

Most Popular Among 40 Million Users

 

Annual Survey and Analysis of Community of Over 40 Million Monthly Users Reveals the Top-Rated Home Remodeling Professionals and Most Popular Home Designs Houzz Inc., the leading platform for home renovation and design, today announced the community’s picks for Best Of Houzz 2017, a homeowner-to-homeowner guide to the top home buildersarchitectsinterior designers, landscape pros and other residential remodeling professionals on Houzz from cabinetry or roofing pros to painters.

 

“We are so pleased to award Best of Houzz 2017 to this incredible group of talented and customer-focused professionals,” said Liza Hausman, vice president of Industry Marketing for Houzz. “Each of these businesses was singled out for recognition by our community of homeowners and design enthusiasts for helping to turn their home improvement dreams into reality.”

 

The Best Of Houzz is awarded annually in three categories: Design, Customer Service and Photography. Design award winners’ work was the most popular among the more than 40 million monthly users on Houzz. Customer Service honors are based on several factors, including the number and quality of recent client reviews. Architecture and interior design photographers whose images were most popular are recognized with the Photography award.
A “Best Of Houzz 2017” badge appears on winners’ profiles, as a sign of their commitment to excellence. These badges help homeowners identify popular and top-rated home professionals in every metro area on Houzz. Winners will be announced globally throughout the month.

To see the most popular designs, visit here!

About Houzz
Houzz is the leading platform for home remodeling and design, providing people with everything they need to improve their homes from start to finish – online or from a mobile device. From decorating a small room to building a custom home and everything in between, Houzz connects millions of homeowners, home design enthusiasts and home improvement professionals across the country and around the world. With the largest residential design database in the world and a vibrant community empowered by technology, Houzz is the easiest way for people to find inspiration, get advice, buy products and hire the professionals they need to help turn their ideas into reality. Headquartered in Palo Alto, Calif., Houzz also has international offices in London, Berlin, Sydney, Moscow and Tokyo. Houzz and the Houzz logo are registered trademarks of Houzz Inc. worldwide. For more information, visit houzz.com.

Greater Houston Builders Association Names 2016 Houston’s Best PRISM Award Winners

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!

Shooting For The Stars

IMMEDIATE NEWS RELEASE

 

 

2016 Star Awards & Excellence under 45 Awards Winners

The Texas Association of Builders (TAB) announced the 2016 Star Awards winners at the Gaylord Texan® Resort and Convention Center in Grapevine. The highly-coveted Star Awards are given annually in conjunction with the Sunbelt Builders Show™ to recognize excellence in all areas of the home building industry. In 1992, the Texas Association of Builders launched the Star Awards – the only statewide tribute to excellence in the home building industry.

The 2016 Star Awards recognized the outstanding work of builders, remodelers, architects, designers, sales professionals, marketing professionals, construction professionals and industry leaders in Texas and the Southwest. Entries were judged by a distinguished panel of industry experts from across the country.

Winners will be featured in the September/October issue of Texas Builder magazine. Click here to see a list of complete award winners.

 

Texas Custom Patios grabbed, “Remodeler – Best Outdoor Living Space” in two different price categories!  We are thrilled and honored.