Rebates, Second Round

The State has started a new rebate program - The Texas Appliance Mail-in Rebate Program.  At first glance, this updated program seems to be easier to navigate.  The big drawback for the rebate program in April was the required reservation via telephone or internet.  This caused the rebate site and phone lines to be overloaded.

For this rebate, just send in the application along with qualifying proof of purchase.  Funds are available on a first come, first serve basis.  For more information, please visit:

Winter is time to plan Spring projects

Your springtime project starts now!

That may sound crazy as we are enjoying the holiday season, but it is true.  A lot of work actually happens before the hammer starts hammering.

• The Design Phase: Whether you are choosing paint colors, tile, or windows, it takes a while to look at all the options and customize choices that are right for you and your home.  Often the design phase takes longer than any other phase of the project.

• Lead Time for Materials:  Cabinets, countertops, lighting, appliances - they all need lead time.  Custom cabinets can sometimes take 6 to 12 weeks for delivery.

• Permitting:  Whether you are building a new house or remodeling your current house, you will need permits.  These can include plumbing, electrical, demolition, and construction permits.  And when dealing with the city, always plan for unexpected delays.

• Scheduling: General contractors will typically schedule sub-contractors based on when materials are delivered.  Once those items arrive, they want those them installed as quickly as possible.  So the sooner the materials are ordered, the sooner sub-contractors can be scheduled. 

• Ahead of the Rush: Spring and summer are busy times in the construction world.  In order to be on the top of the list when it comes to your general contractor, suppliers, or even sub-contractors, it pays to get on their radar early.

Whether you are thinking about updating your kitchen, creating an outdoor living space, or building a custom home, the time to start planning is now.  Ready to get started on your spring project?  Give us a call at 512.275.6500.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Duarte Construction!

We have so much to be thankful for this year - Our suppliers, our sub-contractors, and of course, our amazing homeowners.  And we are especially thankful that we have been able to grow Duarte Construction through 100% referrals.  That makes us feel so proud and humbled with the work that we do.

Thank you for allowing Duarte Construction to be part of your team as you create your dream home.  I hope all of you are enjoying Thanksgiving surrounded by family, friends, and a house that you love.

A home to grow old in

One big trend that I am seeing over and over again is planning a custom home that takes into consideration the challenges that we face as we age.  Many baby boomers, especially retirees, want to plan a home that they can stay in as long as possible and maintain the comfortable lifestyle they are used to.  So whether they are in a wheelchair or worried about reduced eyesight or arthritis, navigating their home does not have to become a chore.

Here are some of the areas that people are customizing so that they can grow old gracefully in their home:

• Single story floor plans
• Stair free living - that includes eliminating steps leading into the front door or even the garage
• Wider doorways and hallways - these should be at least 32 inches wide
• Clothing rods that are located between 24 and 44 inches from the finished floor
• Lower light switches
• Higher electrical outlets
• Good lighting through out the home including closets and hallways
• Eliminating carpet in order to be more wheelchair friendly
• Showers with a sit-down bench

Thinking through these options has allowed many of our clients to not only build the home that they want to live in now, but also down the road.

Hello Mold!

When we were called out to Dripping Springs to talk about a potential remodeling project, we were told that the house had some mold.  Wow, the homeowner was not kidding.  This house was swimming in mold.

With mold this bad, we knew immediately that there was really only one option - tear the house down to the studs and start all over again.  So that is exactly what we are doing.

Stay tuned for more photos as we rip this house apart and build it back up to its former glory.

Building Trends

Even though we are in economic tough times, new homes are still being built, especially in Central Texas.  But with these new homes, it is interesting to note that people are approaching their custom homes in a different way than before.  Here are some of the trends that we are seeing.

• Smaller floor plans:  It seems that people are going more conservative when it comes to square footage.  Media rooms and 3-car garages are being replaced by bigger family rooms and 2-car garages.

• Quality products:  Homeowners are wanting high-quality products that last longer and are energy efficient, even if that means a higher up front cost.  That is because people are staying in their homes longer and want to have to deal with less ongoing maintenance.

• Outdoor living areas: The outdoor living trend continues to be strong.  This space is serving as family's second kitchen, family room, and dining room all rolled up in one.

• Increased storage: Another trend that is still going strong, but the shift is that homeowners want the storage to be smarter and better thought out for the space.  For example, laundry rooms are getting a lot more attention in how they are laid out and the additional storage space that they can bring.

The bottom line is that people are spending more time at home than before and they are also planning to stay in those homes longer.  So every detail and decision becomes more important when designing and building a home.

Kitchen Remodel - Andersen Mill

The kitchen at the Pena residence was our first kitchen remodel this past summer.   

The wish list included:

• Bring the kitchen "out of the 1970's"
• Open up the space
• Remove a double oven and adding more storage
• Install new cabinets and appliances

As you can see, the kitchen did need some updating.  In order to open up the space, we removed the upper cabinets separating the kitchen from the dining room.  Then we removed the light box at the kitchen ceiling.  This allowed us to "bump" up the ceiling 12 inches.  These two decisions opened up the kitchen.  What do you think?

We then added these great shaker-style, espresso-stained cabinets from KitchenCraft.  The cabinets are frameless, allowing for less wood to be used, as well as increasing storage capacity.  Combined with integrated storage solutions, the cabinets are much more efficient than the previous ones. 

We also installed a New Venetian Gold granite countertop from Rodeo Marble and a travertine backsplash to compliment the cabinets and granite.  

Overall, the kitchen looks cleaner, updated, and much more open.  Another kitchen remodeling success!

Looking to update your kitchen?  We would love to help. Contact us at info@duarteconstruct.com or 512.275.6500.