trs-build

FAQ Series: The 5 Questions Every Homeowner Should Ask Before Remodeling

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 15:19:08 GMT

Remodeling and adding onto your home is an exciting process that has life changing results… and it’s also a big decision.

At TRS Build, we’ve learned something simple: when homeowners get honest answers early, the entire process is easier, less stressful, better planned, and yields better results in line with achieving priorities with an acceptable investment.

That’s why we try to hit on many of the questions homeowners are asking (and some they should be) through our blog which serves as a hub for homeowner education, and an expression of our philosophy towards design and construction.

For our FAQ Blog Series, we focusing on the categories of questions that come up in almost every remodeling decision. If you’re thinking about a home remodeling or construction project, these are topics worth paying attention to. See also our 2026 Remodeling Checklist

Most homeowners don’t want “sales talk.” They want clear answers:

What will this cost? See our blog on “How much will my home remodel cost” here
How do I get started? See our 2026 Remodeling Checklist
What are the current trends? See our blog on Current Remodeling Trends (and why they don’t necessarily matter)

In this month’s blog we are continuing with the final two questions, “What could go wrong?” And “How do I set priorities?”

Problems & Risks: “What can go wrong and how do we prevent it?”

Good remodels aren’t the ones where nothing unexpected happens. They’re the ones where the team is prepared when something does.

A trustworthy contractor will talk about risks up front, not to scare you, but to protect you and help set expectations for issues that may arise during the build.

Ideally, with a design-build model, many issues are uncovered during the design and scoping phase, to reduce the potential for surprises and change orders during construction.

Common concerns we hear from homeowners:

“What if you open a wall and find something?”
A discussion happens with our team and trades to offer the best solutions and options to our homeowners, and then those are discussed to find a solution.

“How do we avoid delays?”
Perhaps the best way to avoid common construction delays is to start with a well thought out and documented design and scope of work; in addition, having materials selected well in advance and on site in time for installation; and appropriate planning and management of work sequencing and inspections are just a few of the ways that delays can be avoided or minimized.

“What causes budget surprises?”
Budget surprises can come with the opening of walls or earth and finding the unexpected; they can also come with changes in direction or scope at the direction of the homeowner, or selecting materials that are not within designated allowances. Staying on track with the approved design is one of the best ways homeowners can avoid budget changes.

“What if we change our mind halfway through?”
See above. Minor changes may only incur a small change order, major changes can add significant time and expense as well as introducing the opportunity for error as new plans must be communicated to multiple team members and trades.

Why this matters:

If a company avoids talking about potential issues, they’re not protecting your experience. We’d rather set expectations honestly and build a plan around them. These are all good questions to ask a prospective builder or contractor. Their responses will help you to understand their philosophy as well as their process for managing these concerns.

“How do I set priorities?”

Wouldn’t be great to have an unlimited budget for our home remodel, addition, or accessory structure, and unlimited land to build it on? And with no HOA rules or permit setbacks? We can dream…

But reality is, most of us have limits to our budget, our timeline, and our usable land as well.

That is where priorities come in, these may come in the fashion of what is necessary vs. what is a nice-to-have (is the cold plunge really necessary? Really ? For some people it is!) Priorities may also come in the way of what needs to be done now vs. what can be done in the future, or what needs to be done now to set the stage for what will be done in the future.

The first field we need to play in is budget. Every home is different, and building and remodeling costs can vary depending on many factors from material selections to the amount of disruption required to make the desired changes to the existing home and property, to utility services, but you can have clarity on key factors that impact scope and budget.

This is where a well thought out design and budgeting phase is so important. Having the opportunity to work with a builder or designer that can also provide budget input along the way so that the final design you fall in love with fits with your budget. Working through this process you will need to understand:

What impacts price the most?
What typical ranges look like and where homeowners often underestimate the budget?
What surprises can be avoided with a thorough design phase?

Examples of what homeowners typically ask contractors :

What’s the realistic budget range for a kitchen remodel? A primary suite addition? A new pool house?
See our blog on “How much will my home remodel cost” here

What’s included in a design-build price?
A Design-Build model typically starts with a Design Agreement that should cover at least enough architectural, engineering, and interior design to be able to provide a firm price for the given scope of work
The subsequent Construction Agreement will include all permitting, utility service and site work, and all labor and materials for construction, with any exceptions noted (for example if the homeowner is to provide the appliance package)

Why can two quotes for the “same project” come back wildly different?
Two different providers may have two different assumptions of the Scope of Work, have different levels of quality in product and service delivery, different allowances; any combination thereof can lead to dramatic differences in pricing. Be sure to look to the quality of the proposal and understand what each contractor provides in their Scope (both labor and materials), as well as Allowances and warranty

Why this matters:

When scope and budgets are misunderstood, planning becomes stressful. This is one of the main reasons people choose a model where either they select one firm to do both the Design and Construction (Design-Build) or have an Architect or Designer create a plan set to clarify scope of work for the builder.

Ready to take the next step in your remodel?

At TRS Build, we guide homeowners through every phase of the process with thoughtful planning, clear communication, and a commitment to quality. Reach out to our team to discuss your project and discover how we can help bring your vision to life.

FAQ Series: What Are The Latest Home Design Trends?

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 22:12:30 GMT

While this is one of the most common questions we hear, the reality is that design is very personal. Our recommendation is to look to trends for inspiration, but make your final decisions based on what feels right for you and your home. You will be living in your home - and with your design decisions - for a long time! We can help to make sure every decision results in a function and form that is right for you, without being wrong for the many other people you share your home with.

That said - here is what we see trending for 2026!

We see 2026 continuing in the vein of resetting and simplifying, while focusing on making homes feel better to live in , more personal, authentic, functional, and supportive of real life. Across the board, we love the move toward timeless foundational elements with elevated details , combined with layouts that flex for entertaining, working, a quiet coffee with a book, and can support aging in place and multigenerational living.

Below are the six of our favorite 2026 home design trends and how to use them in a kitchen remodel, bathroom remodel, whole-home renovation, addition or new construction, with practical guidance to help you get excited about what’s possible in this new year.

Are you ready? Let’s go!

1) Warm minimalism overtakes cold minimalism

In 2026, minimalism is still here, but it’s softened with warmth , texture, and comfort. Think warmer whites, soft greiges, earthy mid-tones , and natural materials that make a space feel inviting, not untouchable.

TRS Build tip: If you want a home that still feels bright and clean without being “clinical,” you can still use a warmer white wall tone (think Alabaster or Aesthetic White) and layer in medium wood , stone , and aged metals .

Click here to see more photos from the project below.

2) Kitchens as living spaces (and the island is the star)

In 2026, the kitchen continues shifting from a work zone to the primary activity hub in the home . Layouts are moving away from the classic triangle and toward zone-style design (prep zone, cooking zone, coffee bar, serving zone).

A headline trend continues: the island as a social focus , not just extra counter space. Two-sided overhangs and even rounded islands that feel organic and sculptural, in itself a work of art.

Appearances aside, the island is not exempt from the expectation of functionality. Island features that support the social nature of the island include:

Integrated and hidden elements like panel-ready appliances and concealed storage
Added cabinetry on the overhang portion of the island for lesser used items that you still would like easy access to
Beverage refrigerators in the island keep guests from interfering with the duties of the chef
Pop up outlets and charging drawers for easy (and hidden) options to keep everyone’s devices charged (drawers also conveniently serve as a secure location for family members and guests to store their devices away in favor of in-person socialization!)

Cabinet colors ? For the first time, wood tones overtook whites as the top selection for kitchen cabinetry. If you can't make up your mind, don't worry - people are also mixing them, pairing woods with whites as two-tone cabinetry (typically using whites on uppers and woods on lowers). We are also seeing natural green tones (think sage and forest) establishing themselves at the top of preferred colors.

Also to note, while the island may be the star, the runner up is the wet bar and the coffee station wins best of show ! Self service for morning coffee, an afternoon kombucha, and the evening cocktail or mocktail of your choosing. Fun extras like open shelving with holding your favorite mugs and crystal (each one has a story), ice maker, hidden bar, coffee and tea organizers, utensil cubbies and the list goes on. These tiny spaces can pack a lot of personality!

TRS Build tip: Plan your kitchen around how you actually live , hosting, kid homework, quick breakfasts, coffee routines, and we will help you create the entertaining and design zones to match.

Click here to see more photos from the project below.

3) Traditional details are back (but updated)

“Timeless” design gained momentum in 2025 and is expected to stay strong in 2026. How can you go wrong with something that lasts past the fads?

Homeowners are leaning into warm, grounded, quietly elegant spaces, think English-country influence, modern Tudor notes, and craftsmanship-forward choices. The focus is on quality over flash : millwork, built-ins, and tailored details that feel intentional rather than ornate.

Easy ways to bring this trend into a remodel:

Arched details (hoods, niches, doorways)
Inset-style cabinetry or furniture-like vanities
Richer woods and warmer metals
Trim and paneling that adds character without feeling heavy

TRS Build tip: After working out a floor plan detail that works for your family, look for opportunities to layer in these elements to create the personal ambiance that feels right. We suggest researching inspiration photos to find accents and shapes that resonate with you— and adopt them selectively. When it comes to traditional details, keeping a minimalist approach is what keeps the space cohesive, timeless, and truly personal .

Click here to see more photos from the project below.

4) Warm wood and earth

Medium and warm woods are making a strong comeback. Walnut and darker stains are returning, bringing depth to kitchens, living spaces, and bedrooms.

Color is also getting cozier. A range of warm earthy tones (terra cotta, sage, olive, dusty blues, creamy beiges, browns, taupes, buttery yellows) are replacing stark whites and icy grays.

And green is stepping up from “accent” to “main character” in cabinetry, tile, upholstery, and even stone, often paired with warm wood and handmade finishes.

TRS Build tip: If you’re nervous about color, use it on a vanity , kitchen island , mudroom built-ins , or powder bath first. It’s a high-impact upgrade without committing to every wall.

Click here to see more photos from the project below.

5) Designing for wellness: it isn’t just for South Austin hippies anymore

Wellness features aren’t a niche luxury or “green” trend anymore, they’re becoming part of how people define a dream home. And it makes sense - Americans spend more and more time in our homes:

Since 2019, Americans have cut their out-of-home activities by about 51 minutes per day, spending that much more time at home than before the pandemic (UCLA)
Compared with two decades ago, U.S. adults now spend about over an hour and a half more per day at home (Sociological Science)
In 2025 roughly 25–30% of private sector workdays occured at home compared to 6.5% pre-pandemic, and over 80% of employees prefer hybrid work arrangements (BLS and others)

Wellness-driven spaces were a major influence in 2025 and are expected to remain strong in 2026, including spa-like bathrooms and dedicated wellness areas. Indoor saunas , steam showers, hydrotherapy tubs and cold plunges. And outdoors? Wellness zones can be sauna outbuildings, plunge pools, and meditation areas.

TRS Build tip to apply this trend in a remodel:

Create a spa environment in your primary bath with lighting + ventilation + calming materials, and don’t forget strategic niches for a book and a glass of wine or tea
Add a quiet “reset space” (reading nook, yoga area, calm flex room)
Improve indoor air quality and natural light where possible
If you are thinking of taking the plunge (pun intended!) into a larger investment in something like a sauna and (or) cold plunge - be sure to think about whether you will use it long term. Is it a fun idea? Or something that will be put to use by your family after the first try.

Click here to see more photos from the project below.

6) Geometry is fun - and beautiful

Straight lines are getting softened. Curves and soft geometry are showing up in furniture, cabinetry, mirrors, tile, and architectural details.

The resurgence of Art Deco influence continues with bold geometry, luxe materials, and metallic accents. As is the theme in other trends in this post - use these selectively to create a Wow! without creating a Whoa!

Patterns are also coming back in a way that still feels timeless:

Checkerboard tile in kitchens, baths, mudrooms, or patios
Grid/plaid/patchwork textiles can be fun, warm, or shocky depending on color or pattern

TRS Build tip: If you want to try applying this trend to spruce up your home in 2026 without the risk of overdoing it, start in a mudroom, powder room or guest bath. If you love it, continue from there!

Click here to see more photos from the project below.

How to use 2026 trends without “remodel regret”

Here’s the easiest way to make your remodel feel current and timeless:

Pick 1–2 foundational elements (warm minimalism + warm woods, for example)
Pick 1 statement trend (a sculptural island, a checkerboard tile, a bold green vanity)
Keep the rest simple and high-quality; layout, lighting, storage, and craftsmanship never go out of style.

Ready to remodel in 2026?

If you’re thinking about a kitchen remodel , bathroom remodel , whole-home renovation , custom home or addition or a new outdoor living space in 2026, these trends are a great starting point — and we can help you translate inspiration into a plan that fits your home, your lifestyle, and your budget.

Contact Us to schedule a free consultation and start shaping your 2026 remodel plan.

FAQ Series: Where Should I Start With Remodeling My Home? Your 2026 Remodel Checklist

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 23:09:55 GMT

As the year winds down, you may be thinking to yourself:

“I know I would like to do our remodel project in the coming year… but where do I even start?”

If that’s you, you’re not alone. At TRS Build, this is one of the most common questions we hear from homeowners who feel overwhelmed at the idea of remodeling their home, and it’s why we’re making this the second topic in our FAQ blog series.

Think of this as your 2026 Remodeling Checklist , a simple, step-by-step way to move from “I’ve been thinking about it” to “We’re really doing this!”

Read more below, or scroll to the bottom to download your PDF quick resource sheet !

Step 1: Clarify Your “Why”

Before you look at tile samples or start scrolling on Pinterest, get clear on why you want to remodel.

Ask yourself:

What isn’t working in your home today?
What feels too small, too dark, or not functional?
What would make everyday life and/or special occasions easier or more enjoyable?

What improvements could make you proud to have family and friends over to your home?

Some common why's we hear form our clients include:

We need more space when parents, children, or grandchildren come to visit

I've been working from home for years and need a more private office space

I don't enjoy having guests over because my home is outdated and I don't have a nice outdoor area

We love our neighborhood, but we hate our kitchen

We want to be able to age in place and need all spaces in our home to be easy to access, navigate, and use

We want our home to encourage connection with our kids and neighbors

Our home is too dark, we wanting to change the overall feel to be lighter, brighter, serene or adventurous

Write your reasons down, consider starting a notebook or shared electronic file. Your list could become your north star when making design and budget decisions later.

(Note that for couples thinking of embarking on a remodel together - don’t be surprised if you each have a different "why." No worries! We can work with you to find options that ensure everyone’s needs are met.)

Step 2: Decide on Spaces and Priorities

Next, think about which areas of your home should be addressed first . You don’t have to do everything at once (unless you want to).

Common starting points:

Kitchen remodel : the heart of the home, and often the space that impacts daily life the most.
Primary suite : update your main bedroom + primary bathroom + closet to create a true retreat.
Bathrooms : updating dated finishes, improving and/or expanding the layout, getting rid of the rub for a larger walk in shower.
Living & dining areas : opening up walls, adding light, improving flow.
Home addition : adding square footage for a guest suite, office, playroom, or larger kitchen.

Decide:

Must-do for 2026 , what can’t wait?
Nice-to-have , what could be part of a phase 2 in the future?

Having a phased mindset helps you plan realistically without losing sight of the bigger vision. This is another area where having a firm skilled in home design and construction by your side may be just what you need to help you think through options for what can be done in a future phase, and where you can find economies of scope when doing certain aspects of the project together.

Step 3: Get Comfortable With a Budget Range

You don’t need an exact number right away, but you do need a comfort zone .

Think about:

How much are you willing to invest in your home in 2026?
Would you use using savings, home equity, financing, or other resources?
What feels comfortable for you and your family?

A design–build firm like TRS Build will help you understand how scope, selections, and structural changes influence your budget. When we talk with homeowners, we walk through:

The spaces you want to remodel
Whether you’re keeping the same footprint or changing walls
The level of finishes you’re hoping for (good, better, best)

Throughout our process, our goal is to align your vision, scope, and budget early, and provide the insights and guidance you need to make informed decisions in all of these areas.

Step 4: Think About Timing (Life Timing, Not Just Calendar Dates)

Remodeling isn’t just about construction schedules, it’s about your life timing.

Consider:

Do you want the project finished before a big event (graduation, new baby, retirement, holidays, long-term guests)?
Are there months when construction would be especially stressful (busy sports seasons, major work deadlines)?
Are you hoping to be living in the home during construction , or are you willing and able to be away for all or part of it?

Most remodeling projects involve several phases (Discovery/Design/Permitting), several of which need to be completed before the first hammer swings. Together, these Pre-Construction activities will take several months before the work on the ground takes place.

Getting started early on Discovery and Design means you’re more likely to hit the timing that matters most to you.

Step 5: Gather Inspiration (But Make It Practical)

Yes, this is the fun part: saving photos, pinning ideas, and dreaming a little. You can peruse our project galleries for inspiration for your Kitchen or Bath Remodel, Whole Home Transformation , Deck, Patio and Outdoor Kitchen , or new Custom Home or Addition .

As you collect inspiration, note:

What you like about each image (color palette, layout, cabinetry style, lighting, tile, etc.)
How you want the space to feel (cozy, bright, minimal, warm, sophisticated…)
Any must-have features (large island with seating, walk-in shower, freestanding tub, built-in storage, mudroom, etc.)

What is your overall budget - we work with our clients to help balance inspiration with investment. As you share photos to help us understand what you love, we’ll discuss which elements are budget-friendly and which may require adjustments or alternatives.

Some people are able to think through all of these on their own, whereas others really need the help of a Designer to help them define their goals. A good Designer will help you translate what you’re drawn to into realistic, buildable plans that fit with your home’s architecture and your budget.

Step 6: Choose the Right Team

When starting to reach out to professionals about your project, it is helpful if you can provide:

Your goals and “must haves”
A list of the spaces you want to remodel or expand
A budget range and priorities for the project
A sense for the timeline you would like to meet

You don’t need all the answers before you reach out to us, we can help you think through, clarify, and specify any of these items as well.

Ready to Make 2026 the Year You Love Your Home Again?

If you’ve been thinking about remodeling for a while, this might be the sign you’ve been waiting for.

Whether you’re dreaming of:

A new casita, garage or custom home

A brighter, more open kitchen

A whole home refresh

An addition that finally gives you the space you need

Or a spa-like primary bath

We at TRS Build are here to walk you through every step, from that very first “Where do I start?” to the moment you walk into your finished space.

Contact us and choose from a virtual or in-home consultation today, and let us help you envision your dream home for 2026, and then make it a reality!

FAQ Series: How Much Will My Home Remodel Cost?

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 17:40:20 GMT

Welcome to the first blog in our new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) blog series!

One of the first questions many homeowners are thinking of when considering a remodel or home addition is: “How much will my project cost?”

It’s a fair question - remodeling can be a significant investment, a financial investment as well as a temporal and emotional one. At TRS Build, we know that transparency in pricing is essential to building trust and creating a smooth process from the very beginning. With over 10 years of experience remodeling homes in Austin, Georgetown, and across Central Texas , we’ve enjoyed guiding hundreds of homeowners through the budgeting and planning process.

This blog will give you a few guidelines to help set expectations on what projects typically cost, as well as the variables that impact pricing for a home remodel.

Our Approach to Pricing

Every project is unique, but our philosophy is consistent:

Provide clear estimates with line item details for the scope of work.
Set realistic timelines that respect your schedule.
Communicate openly so you’re never left guessing.

We believe remodeling should feel exciting, not stressful. That’s why our clients value working with a D esign-Build contractor like TRS Build. From concept and planning to construction and finishing touches, our integrated process ensures you always know where your budget stands and what’s coming next.

What Does a Remodel Cost in Austin?

Remodeling costs vary based on size, scope, design choices, and finish level. To help you start planning, here are cost ranges for average size projects in the Austin and Georgetown markets:

Cosmetic Kitchen Remodels : $50,000 – $100,000 (no changes to configuration, walls, or moving appliances; new appliances not in scope)
Structural Kitchen Remodels: $85,000 – $150,000+ (may include changes to configuration, walls, flooring, or moving appliances; new appliances not in scope)

Bathroom Remodels : $25,000 – $75,000+ (highly dependent on size and type of bathroom, style, selections, and changes to plumbing and electrical)
Home Additions : $150,000 – $600,000+ (dependent on total space added, connection to existing home, and plumbing, electrical, and mechanical systems) size of bathroom, style, and selections)
Whole Home Remodels : $150,000 - $300,000+ (highly dependent on changes to kitchen and bathrooms, as well as extent of plumbing, mechanical (AC) and electrical systems and upgrades)

Factors that influence pricing include:

Scope of Work – Cosmetic updates vs. changes to structure. A cosmetic upgrade to one or more rooms can create a new look and feel without the expense of moving walls or plumbing. When looking at a major kitchen or home remodel however, most homeowners will want to change the structure (for example to create an open concept between kitchen and living area) and may also include upgrades to existing electrical or mechanical systems, or add on decks and porches, or flooring changes that expand to multiple rooms.
Design Selections – Premium appliances, custom cabinetry, luxury finishes will raise costs vs. less customized solutions like Ready-to-Assemble (RTA) cabinetry and tile and flooring selections from local providers.
Size & Layout – Larger spaces, complex floorplans, and removal of structural walls require more labor and materials.
Design and Planning – While it may be hard to wait to get started on your project, taking time to go through a proper design and planning phase can go a log way to reduce the possibility of surprises during construction. Making sure that structural elements and key systems (electrical, plumbing, and HVAC) are reviewed and inspected by professionals in advance can ensure that your budget and expected timeline will stay on track during construction.

Permitting & Engineering – These are especially relevant for additions or whole-home renovations. Permit costs vary greatly by location, with Austin being the most costly and time consuming, and smaller cities typically less expensive and faster. Engineering design and inspections are required wherever we are adding on to a structure or modifying structural (load-bearing) components of an existing home.

Pro Tip: Having a ballpark budget in mind before diving into design helps streamline the process and ensure the final design is in line with pricing expectations.

More Than Just the Price Tag

At TRS Build, we know that a remodel isn’t just about the numbers, it’s about value, peace of mind, and the lifestyle you’re creating .

When you choose TRS Build, you’re investing in:

Quality Materials & Craftsmanship – We use proven materials and trusted trade partners so your remodel lasts for years to come.
A Proven Process – Our Design-Build method keeps projects transparent and efficient, reducing surprises along the way.
Personalized Design – We create spaces that fit your lifestyle, whether that means a chef’s kitchen, a spa-like bathroom, work-live spaces, or a family-friendly open concept.

Our clients often tell us that they didn’t just hire a contractor, they gained a partner who truly listened and guided them every step of the way.

Why Homeowners Choose TRS Build

When searching for an Austin remodeling contractor or Georgetown home builder , be careful if comparing on price alone. Many homeowners who are vetting contractors for their first project live out the unfortunate discovery that the lowest bid doesn’t always end with the lowest price, and definitely not the best value. Low bids can be a sign that the contractor does not have good understanding of scope, or has not included all of the scope in their budget, which can lead to Change Orders and delays during the project. When comparing bids, make sure that you understand clearly what is in each contractor's scope, and that you are making "apples to apples" comparisons on work scope and service level.

When looking for a contractor, we always recommended starting with professional builders and remodelers who are members of organizations like the National Association of Remodeling Industry and American Institute of Architects .

Why do Central Texas homeowners trust TRS Build?

Experience – Over a decade of remodeling across Austin, Georgetown, and surrounding communities.
Design-Build Expertise – One team handling design, budgeting, and construction simplifies the process and keeps the work streamlined and cohesive when passing through project phases.
Local Knowledge – Familiarity with Central Texas homes, permitting, and building codes.
Trusted Trade Partners – Long-standing relationships with skilled professionals.
Commitment to Service – Many clients return for second and third projects because they value our partnership. And we are happy to oblige!

Planning Your Next Project

Whether you’re reconfiguring you kitchen, refreshing a bathroom, or planning a major addition or custom build, TRS Build helps you at every stage of the journey:

Initial Consultation – Share your goals, needs, and vision.
Ballpark Estimate – Receive a clear, honest budget range.
Design Phase – Collaborate on layouts, finishes, and details.

Permit Phase – We take care of all of the required permits and jurisdictional approvals.
Construction – Watch your dream space come to life with expert craftsmanship.
Final Walkthrough – Ensure every detail meets your expectations.

Ready to Start Your Remodel?

If you’re considering a remodel or addition in Austin, Georgetown, or the surrounding Central Texas area , now is the perfect time to begin planning.

Connect with TRS Build today to discuss your project, consider budget expectations, and take the first step toward your dream home.

Final Thoughts

Understanding project pricing is the first step in making your remodeling dreams a reality. At TRS Build, we’re committed to giving homeowners the clarity and confidence they need to move forward. With our experience, proven process, and dedication to quality , you can trust that your investment is in good hands.

Celebrating 10 Years of TRS Build: Transforming Homes & Building Relationships in Central Texas

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 20:21:00 GMT

Shaniko and I are proud to share that we, along with our team, our extended team, our trade partners, and past and current clients, gathered together recently to celebrate the 10 Year Anniversary of TRS Build! A decade serving Austin area homeowners with quality building and remodeling services.

What began with a vision to be the leading home building and remodeling service provider in Central Texas has become an amazing decade of experience meeting so many homeowners and bringing thoughtful design and quality craftsmanship to their homes as we have spent the last ten years building relationships founded on trust, service, and meaningful transformations.

We are deeply grateful to the clients who welcomed us into their homes and lives, the trade partners who stood beside us, and the Central Texas community that has supported us along the way.

We have much to look back on and be grateful for. On top of the opportunity to serve hundreds of homeowners with quality and craftmanship, this year we were selected to showcase one of our projects in the 2025 Tour of Remodeled Homes ; for the last two years we have been named one of the Best Remodeling Contractors in the Austin area by Expertise.com; for the last six years we have received the Best in Service award from Houzz, the leading platform for home remodeling information and inspiration; and most recently, the opening of our Georgetown office.

A Decade of Growth, Trust, and Commitment

Ten years in the remodeling industry is no small feat. It represents stability, resilience, and a track record of delivering on our promises. For our clients, it means confidence that their home projects are in the hands of a team with the experience to guide them every step of the way and provide the results they are seeking. For us, it means continually reflecting on our work and finding new ways to innovate, refine, and raise the bar in how we deliver building, remodeling and design services for our clients.

At TRS Build, we’ve had the privilege of transforming homes across Austin, Georgetown, and the surrounding areas. Choosing project photos for the walls of our new office was the hardest part of creating that space! The images below are just a small sample of the work we are so proud of creating with and on behalf of our clients. From kitchen remodels that breathe new life into the heart of the home, to whole home renovations that completely transform the aesthetic and functionality of the entire home, to additions and ground up construction , our work has always been about transforming people's lives as we transform their homes, creating spaces that improve daily life, bring families together, and stand the test of time.

Our design-build approach ensures our clients have a clear, organized process from initial consultation to the final walkthrough, and that their results meet or exceed their original vision and expectations.

10th Anniversary Open House

We recently celebrated this milestone with an open house at our new office in a beautifully restored historic home just off the Georgetown Square.

Thank you to the many clients, trade partners, and friends who joined us for the event. It was an opportunity to reflect on the last decade, share our future vision, and celebrate not just a company milestone, but the relationships that make our work possible.

For those who couldn’t attend, your well wishes and continued support mean the world to us.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Remodeling in Central Texas

While we’re proud of the past 10 years, we’re even more excited about what lies ahead. The next decade will bring new opportunities to serve homeowners throughout Austin, Georgetown, Round Rock, Salado, and beyond.

Our focus has always been, and will always be, designing and building for the personal needs and preferences of our clients, and serving them with Communication, Professionalism, and Quality in Product and Service Delivery. This starts with listening to our clients individual goals and needs, offering design options and solutions based in our extensive experience, leveraging concepts of Purposeful Design to meet your needs, and delivering results that meet or exceed expectations.

Additional trends we’re focused on in the years ahead include:

Sustainable Remodeling – Energy-efficient windows, improved insulation, and eco-friendly materials that make homes more comfortable and cost-effective.
Multi-generational Living and Aging-in-Place Design – Renovations and home additions that allow homeowners to enjoy their spaces longer through thoughtful design and accessibility upgrades, and ensuring multiple generations are able to use and enjoy the home.
Outdoor Living Spaces – Decks, patios, and outdoor kitchens that extend the comfort of home to the outdoors — perfect for Texas living.
Smart Home Integration – Modern technology and home automation that make daily life more convenient and secure.

Our commitment remains the same: serving our clients with care and integrity, and delivering craftsmanship with innovation to build homes that truly work for the people who live in them.

Why Homeowners Choose TRS Build

When selecting a remodeling contractor in Austin, Georgetown, and the surrounding area, experience matters. Here are a few things that set TRS Build apart:

Proven Experience – A decade of successful projects across the Austin area.
Design-Build Process – A start-to-finish streamlined approach that minimizes surprises and keeps projects on track.
Trusted Trade Partners – Long standing relationships with skilled professionals who share our high standards.
Communication and Care– Clear and consistent communication can take the valleys out of the Homeowner Emotional Roller Coaster that is a natural part of the remodeling process; we care, we listen, and we focus on keeping clients informed and educated throughout their remodeling journey.
Personalized Service – Every home and every homeowner is unique. We tailor our work to fit your vision, your needs, your style and your lifestyle.

Ready to Start Your Next Project?

Whether you’re dreaming of a modern kitchen, a spa-like bathroom, a complete home transformation, or starting from scratch to build something new, TRS Build is here to help. As we celebrate 10 years, we’d love to bring our experience and passion to your next project.

If you’re considering a remodel or addition in Austin, Georgetown, or the surrounding areas of Central Texas, let’s talk.

Schedule your consultation today and discover how TRS Build can bring your vision to life.

Here’s to the next decade of building homes and building lasting relationships along the way.

Purposeful Design Series Recap: Creating Homes That Truly Work for You

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 15:34:47 GMT

Over the past few months, we’ve explored what it means to design and remodel with purpose — crafting spaces that are beautiful, functional, and deeply aligned with your lifestyle.

This recap brings all five blogs together so you can easily revisit the insights and inspiration behind each topic.

1. Maximizing Home Organization

Thoughtful storage solutions and smart design choices can transform cluttered spaces into calm, efficient environments. From custom cabinetry to hidden storage, we explored ways to make every inch of your home work for you. Check out this blog post for ideas on how these spaces can serve your family and bring added value to your home.

�� Read the full post → Maximizing Home Organization

2. How to Make Every Room in Your Home Work Harder (and Smarter)

In this blog we unpacked design strategies that optimize functionality without sacrificing style. Learn how purposeful layouts and multifunctional spaces make daily living seamless and more enjoyable.

�� Read the full post → How to Make Every Room in Your Home Work Harder (and Smarter)

3. Designing for Well-Being

Your home impacts your mental, emotional, and physical health. In this post, we focused on incorporating natural light, calming materials, and intentional flow to create spaces that nurture your well-being.

�� Read the full post → Designing for Well-Being

4. How Universal Design Can Transform Your Kitchen Remodel

We explored the seven principles of Universal Design and how to apply them in your kitchen to create an inclusive, accessible, and future-friendly space — blending style with usability for all ages and stages. Universal Design is so much more than a safety bar in the bathroom, learn more in this blog how these principles can apply in your next home remodel.

�� Read the full post → How Universal Design Can Transform Your Kitchen Remodel

5. Designing for Real Life

The typical homeowner will live in their home for 12 years, and a lot can change in that time! From growing families to evolving lifestyles, this post highlights how we design homes that adapt to your life , prioritizing comfort, flexibility, and long-term value. Whether you are purchasing your first home and looking to make changes that will both enhance your experience in your home and add value on future resale, or if you have been living in your home for two decades and are thinking through how to update the feel and function of the home for the next two, we are here to help.

�� Read the full post → Designing for Real Life

Ready to Start Designing Your Dream Home?

Whether you’re remodeling a single room or your entire home, purposeful design ensures every choice enhances how you live. Explore the full series, gather inspiration, and let’s talk about bringing your vision to life.

Explore More Projects here

Contact us today to schedule a consultation!

TRS Build Featured in the 2025 NARI Home Tour

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 23:10:43 GMT

We are thrilled to announce that TRS Build has been selected to participate in this year’s NARI Austin Home Tour—a celebration of craftsmanship, creativity, and the finest in home remodeling.

The Home Tour is one of Austin’s most anticipated events, offering homeowners the unique opportunity to step inside beautifully remodeled spaces, meet and connect with talented building and remodeling professionals, and be inspired for their next project!

Get your tickets today at the Austin NARI website !

Located in the Northwest Hills area of Austin, the project was designed by local architect Paul DeGroot , and featured in the October 2024 issue of Fine Homebuilding magazine as part of their cover story on Designed for Wildfire Country. Paul provided a sleek architectural design, while TRS Build provided construction and guided the homeowners through final material and color selections, from the perfect tile and paint shade to the warm hue of the cumaru hardwood ceiling that gives the project its signature look.

We are excited to have this WUI (Wildland Urban Interface) compliant covered home porch project included in this year's tour, a stunning example of how thoughtful design and quality construction can transform everyday living.

What is the Wildland Urban Interface?

Austin's WUI Code (pronounced woo-ee) is designed to mitigate the risk of wildfires. Features that enable this project to be compliant with the WUI regulations include a Class A rated cumaru hardwood ceiling, steel structure, and tile and concrete for the porch floor.

As you can see in the photos, these elements don't just make the porch wildfire resistant, they also make it a beautiful, contemporary space that aligns perfectly with the existing home.

The area covered by WUI regulations recently both expanded in coverage and in the level of restrictions. On July of this year, the area covered by the WUI expanded to over 51% of the City of Austin, and additional standards went into effect for projects in this area.

Contact us to learn more how Wildlife Urban Interface regulations may impact your home remodel or custom home building project in Austin.

The Story Behind the Project

The homeowners wanted to expand their space with a covered patio that was elegant, functional, and perfect for year-round enjoyment with their growing family.

The result? A clean, contemporary outdoor living space that feels like an extension of the home. With wide steel-supported spans and no intrusive posts, the design maintains an open, inviting feel while standing up to Central Texas weather. Add a ceiling fan helps make the space comfortable even during our warm Austin summer evenings.

Come say hi and check out our project and the work of other dedicated, reputable, Austin NARI builders and remodelers on this year's tour!

See more photos and project details here :

Why NARI Matters

Being chosen to showcase our work in the NARI Austin Home Tour is more than just an honor; it’s a recognition of excellence.

The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) is a trusted organization that sets high standards for professionalism, ethics, and craftsmanship in the remodeling industry. NARI members are committed to quality, integrity, and continuous education, ensuring that homeowners can feel confident when choosing a NARI-affiliated remodeler.

For homeowners, this means:

Peace of mind knowing their remodeler is held to the highest industry standards.
Access to trusted professionals who are committed to accountability, ethics, and best practices.
Exposure to cutting-edge design and building trends showcased through the Home Tour.

For TRS Build , being part of the NARI community exemplifies and supports our dedication to transparency, craftsmanship, and creating spaces that stand the test of time.

Imagine Your Own Transformation

Outdoor spaces are more than just patios, they’re places for gathering, relaxing, sharing stories and creating memories. With the right team, you don’t have to choose between style, comfort, and functionality, you can have it all.

Whether you’re dreaming of a backyard retreat, a full remodel, or an addition that turns the home you have into the home you need (and love), TRS Build is here to bring your vision to life. Our team thrives on creating spaces that combine beauty, practicality, and the unique personality of our homeowners.

Ready to start your journey?

How we can transform your home into the perfect space for your family and lifestyle? Contact TRS Build today to schedule your consultation and begin planning your next project.

Purposeful Design Series: Designing for Real Life

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 17:50:30 GMT

Welcome to the final blog in our five part series on Purposeful Design !

Remodeling for Growing Families: What to Prioritize

As your family grows, your home should grow with you.

At TRS Build , we work with families across Austin, TX and surrounding areas who are looking to remodel both for aesthetics and for real life. Whether your kids are toddlers or teenagers, or maybe your "kids" are parents moving in, the demands on your home shift with each season of life. A well-designed remodel can create the function, flow, and flexibility your family needs—today and tomorrow.

In this post, we’re diving into what to prioritize when remodeling for a growing family and household—and how lifestyle-specific design can help you future-proof your home without losing its character.

Why Lifestyle-Specific Remodeling Matters

Remodeling isn’t one-size-fits-all. What works for a retired couple in a Georgetown condo won’t serve a busy family of five in a Leander or Cedar Park home. That’s why we believe in lifestyle-specific remodeling —designing your home around the way you actually live.

Whether you’re planning a whole-home remodel in Austin , an open-concept kitchen in Round Rock , or a bathroom renovation in Lakeway , the goal is the same: create a home that supports your family’s enjoyment, daily rhythm, routines, and future growth.

Top Remodeling Priorities for Growing Families

1. Open-Concept Living Spaces

Creating visual connection between kitchen, dining, and living areas makes it easier to keep an eye on kids, entertain, and stay connected—even when everyone’s doing different things.

Pro tip: Removing walls between rooms can dramatically improve flow without adding square footage.

2. Multi-Functional Spaces

Design rooms that can evolve with your needs. A nursery today can be a playroom in a few years—and a homework station after that.

Examples:

Built-in desks or study nooks
Bonus rooms with flexible storage
Guest rooms that double as home offices or future bedrooms

3. Smart Storage Solutions

Families generate stuff. Think backpacks, sports gear, art supplies, shoes… and the influx of Amazon packages, the list goes on. Well-placed storage helps keep your home calm and clutter-free.

Popular storage upgrades:

Mudroom lockers and cubbies
Walk-in pantries
Built-in cabinetry
Oversized drawers in the kitchen and bathrooms

4. Durable, Family-Friendly Materials

Style still matters—but so does cleanability and durability.

Family-favorite materials:

Quartz countertops (low maintenance and scratch-resistant)
Consistent flooring levels in the home is great both for aesthetics and to reduce trip hazards, with many homeowners today considering luxury vinyl plank flooring for it's resiliency, water resistance, and wide range of options for colors and styles
Washable paint finishes for walls
Polished tile for easy-to-clean backsplashes

5. Bathrooms That Work for Everyone

Shared bathrooms need smart design—double vanities, thoughtful storage, and layouts that maximize every square inch.

Thinking long-term? We help families plan for a primary suite addition or upgrade to give parents their own sanctuary as the family grows.

6. Outdoor Access and Connection

In Austin and the Hill Country, outdoor living is part of daily life. Remodeling for better indoor-outdoor flow is a smart investment for families who love to host, play, or relax outside.

Design ideas:

Add sliding or folding doors to connect the kitchen to a deck or patio
Build a covered outdoor area for shade and play
Create visual sightlines from inside to the backyard

Remodeling in Austin, TX? Think Local, Think Long-Term

TRS Build serves families throughout Austin, Cedar Park, Leander, Lakeway, Georgetown, Round Rock , and beyond, helping them remodel with purpose, personality, and long-term livability in mind.

Every home is different, and so is every family. That’s why we take the time to understand your goals and lifestyle before we ever start construction.

If you’re ready to make your home work better for your family, we’re here to help guide the way! Let’s design a home that works for you.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation—or explore our project gallery for inspiration from families just like yours.

Purposeful Design Series: How Universal Design Can Transform Your Kitchen Remodel

Fri, 08 Aug 2025 21:45:02 GMT

Designing for comfort, safety, and timeless functionality—without sacrificing style.

Welcome to the fourth blog in our five part series on Purposeful Design !

When most homeowners start planning a kitchen remodel, they focus on layout, cabinetry, finishes, and of course, style. But what if your new kitchen could do more than just look great? What if it could also improve safety, comfort, and usability for every member of your household—regardless of age or ability?

That’s where the principles of Universal Design come in. TRS Build is proud to have staff certified in Universal Design, helping our clients make the most of their home remodeling projects by asking the questions they didn't think of, and providing guidance to balance and enhance both form and function.

What is Universal Design?

Universal Design is the concept of creating spaces that are accessible and functional for people of all ages and abilities. Contrary to what people may think, applying the principles of universal design doesn't mean making a space look “clinical” or overly modified. It’s about asking questions, examining options, and considering design choices that make everyday living easier, safer, and more comfortable for everyone.

And while many homeowners don’t walk into a remodel asking for “Universal Design,” they do want kitchens that are more functional, easier to navigate, safer for kids (and parents!), and future-proofed for aging in place.

How Universal Design Applies to Your Kitchen Remodel

At TRS Build, we believe that purposeful design means creating spaces that not only look beautiful, but truly work for how you live. Here’s how we incorporate Universal Design principles into kitchen remodels:

Accessible Layouts: We design kitchen layouts with ample clearance between counters and islands, allowing space for multiple people to move comfortably—including those using mobility aids like walkers or wheelchairs. Open floor plans and wide walkways also help reduce traffic jams in busy family homes.

Improved Lighting and Contrast: Good lighting is essential in a kitchen. We layer ambient, task, and under-cabinet lighting to improve visibility. Using contrasting colors between counters and cabinetry can also help users with visual impairments navigate the space more safely.

Drawer-Based Storage : Pull-out drawers instead of upper cabinets or deep base cabinets make kitchen items easier to reach—without having to bend, stretch, or climb a step stool.

Easy-to-Use Hardware and Fixtures: Lever-style handles, D-shaped pulls, and touch-activated faucets are not only stylish—they’re easier to operate for all users, including young children or those with arthritis or limited grip strength.

Improved Lighting and Contrast: Good lighting is essential in a kitchen. We layer ambient, task, and under-cabinet lighting to improve visibility. Using contrasting colors between counters and cabinetry can also help users with visual impairments navigate the space more safely.

Appliance Placement That Works: We think intentionally about appliance placement—like wall ovens at mid-height, or side-opening models—to avoid unnecessary bending or lifting. Cooktops with front-mounted controls and microwave drawers are other small changes that make a big difference in usability.

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Why Universal Design Matters (Even If You’ve Never Heard of It)

The beauty of Universal Design is that it benefits everyone. Whether you’re designing for aging parents, young children, or just planning ahead for your future self, it adds long-term value to your home without compromising aesthetics.

Many of the homes we remodel already incorporate these principles—because they just make sense. And in the kitchen, where form and function must go hand in hand, Universal Design creates a space that adapts to your life, rather than the other way around.

Thinking About a Kitchen Remodel?

If you’re considering a kitchen renovation and want a space that combines beauty, efficiency, and long-term livability, our team at TRS Build would love to help. We specialize in purposeful design that enhances both your home’s functionality and your daily life.

�� Contact us today to start planning a kitchen that works for everyone in your home.

Or check out our recent kitchen transformations in our project gallery for inspiration.

Purposeful Design Series: Designing for Well-Being

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 17:05:47 GMT

Welcome to the third blog in our five part series on Purposeful Design ! Wellness at Home: Designing a Home That Reflects Your Values and Lifestyle

At TRS Build , we believe that your home should do more than look beautiful— creating a truly functional home includes designing the home to support your well-being, reflect your values, and work in harmony with the way you live. That’s the heart of purposeful design —and it’s where sustainability, wellness, and lifestyle meet.

Welcome to the third blog in our five part series on Purposeful Design !

Today, more homeowners are prioritizing health, mindfulness, and sustainability (sustainability in the broad sense of economic, social, and human factors as well as environmentally sustainable) when making design choices. Whether you’re planning a full-home renovation or upgrading key spaces, purposeful design offers an opportunity to align your home with what matters most to you. Our Design-Build approach can hep you get there. We ask curious questions about your priorities for your home, family and life, provide expertise and visualizations that turn ideas into tangible concepts and images, and consider together options to achieve your goals.

What Does Wellness at Home Really Mean?

Wellness at home isn’t just about spa-like bathrooms or clean aesthetics (though we love those too!). It’s about creating an environment that enhances your physical, emotional, and environmental health. That might look like:

Maximizing natural light and airflow for mood and energy
Designing quiet, cozy spaces that support rest and connection
Incorporating natural materials like wood, clay tile, or stone
Reducing clutter and visual noise with thoughtful storage
Creating line of sight to outdoor access points where nature is invited in

When these elements come together, your home becomes more than a structure—it becomes a reflection of who you are, and supports how you want to feel and live.

Sustainable Design that Supports Your Values

Sustainability in home remodeling doesn’t mean sacrificing style. In fact, it often leads to smarter, more timeless choices. Here’s just a few ways that TRS Build helps clients integrate sustainability into their remodels:

Designing for longevity , not trends— so your home evolves with you, not against you
Durable, long-lasting materials that reduce the need for replacements
Energy-efficient appliances and windows that cut utility bills and environmental impact
Thoughtful sourcing of materials —favoring local, reclaimed, or sustainably harvested products

Aligning Your Home With Your Lifestyle

Every family is different—and purposeful design means creating a space that works specifically for yours. That might mean:

An open-concept kitchen that brings people together
A mudroom that helps manage the chaos of kids, pets, and gear
A home office that supports calm, focused work
Thoughtful storage that reduces mental clutter
Layouts that allow for aging in place or multigenerational living

When your home supports the way you live, it becomes a place of ease, intention, and restoration.

Incorporating wellness, sustainability, and lifestyle-driven design doesn’t have to be overwhelming. It just takes purpose.

If you’re ready to create a home that supports your values and enhances your daily life, we’d love to help. Our team at TRS Build is passionate about crafting spaces that are as intentional as they are beautiful.

�� Contact us today to begin your next remodeling journey—or explore our portfolio for ideas and inspiration.

Purposeful Design Series: How to Make Every Room in Your Home Work Harder (and Smarter)

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 18:54:56 GMT

Welcome to the second blog in our five part series on Purposeful Design !

In the realm of home design, functionality is just as essential as aesthetics. Creating spaces that not only look beautiful but also serve multiple purposes efficiently can significantly enhance daily living and add long-term value to your home. Whether you’re looking to optimize a small apartment or revamp your family home, here are practical tips to make every room work harder and smarter.

Understanding Functional Design

Functional design revolves around optimizing space to maximize usability without compromising on style. It’s about creating layouts that facilitate ease of movement, enhance storage solutions, and integrate versatile furniture seamlessly into the room’s aesthetic.

Examples of Smart Layouts

Small changes can make a world of difference in how rooms are used. Consider the transformation of a cramped living area into an inviting entertainment space by removing non-essential furniture and adding multifunctional pieces.

Here’s where before-and-after images vividly illustrate the impact of thoughtful design choices.

For this Austin remodel in Northwest Hills , a high priority was set on opening the space and creating an inviting flow from the kitchen into the largely unused dining area. Simple, well thought out, modifications to the floor plan and the addition of buffet cabinets and a wet bar draw people into the former dining room as a natural extension of the entertaining space. View the whole project here !

Multipurpose Spaces

Embrace the versatility of multipurpose rooms to adapt to different needs throughout the day. A guest room can double as a home office with a fold-out desk and hidden storage solutions. Dining areas can incorporate benches with built-in drawers for stowing away extra linens or tableware, ensuring functionality without clutter.

Whatever your needs may be, at TRS Build we take the time to understand your specific needs, sketch them out in our design tools, and work with you to build a solution that meets them.

Storage Solutions

Efficient storage solutions are key to maintaining a tidy and organized home. Explore options like built-in shelves, under-stair compartments, and furniture with concealed storage. These solutions not only maximize space but also enhance the room’s aesthetic appeal.

Take a closer look at one of our recent favorites: the Zachary’s Run Whole Home Remodel in Cedar Park,TX . This project beautifully showcases the kind of thoughtful design, custom carpentry, and curated finishes that define our work at TRS Build. From hand selected trim for the accent wall to the specific features for the under stair bar area and coordination of porcelain tile on the first floor with the perfect match bleached wood LVP for the stairs and second floor, every detail was designed with both elegance and personality in mind.

Scroll through the images below for a sneak peek, then click here to explore the full project description and gallery.

Zachary's Run - Whole Home Remodel - Cedar Park

Smart Technology Integration

Integrating smart home technology can elevate convenience and efficiency. Consider automated lighting systems that adjust based on natural light levels or voice-controlled devices that streamline daily routines. These innovations not only improve functionality but also offer a modern touch to your living spaces.

Budget-Friendly Tips

Improving room functionality doesn’t always require a hefty budget. Simple DIY projects such as installing floating shelves or repurposing furniture can transform how you utilize space. Look for cost-effective solutions that align with your design goals and lifestyle, and make sure you have the tools and skills to do it well!

Investing in smart and functional design transforms your home into a more livable and enjoyable space. By optimizing layouts, embracing multipurpose solutions, and integrating modern technologies, you create environments that cater to your family’s evolving needs while enhancing the overall appeal and value of your property.

Ready to transform your home into a functional masterpiece? Explore our portfolio to see what’s possible—or contact us today for tailored guidance on enhancing your home’s design and functionality.

Purposeful Design Series: Maximizing Home Organization

Tue, 13 May 2025 02:56:11 GMT

Welcome to the first blog in our five part series on Purposeful Design !

In this series of blog posts we will highlight several key elements of your home design that warrant additional thought when planning for a major remodel or new construction.

Where to start, where to start ... that's easy. Storage and organization. I've yet to meet a homeowner who feels their home has too much storage. "I wish my pantry wasn't so large and easy to use, it just has too much space." Nope, haven't heard that once.

So many options, from straight up functional classic white shelving to beautiful custom millwork and truly specialized solutions. We will walk you through just a few tips to help ensure adequate planning for your home storage needs.

Tip #1: Don't make storage an afterthought.

When it comes to home remodeling in Austin , many homeowners focus on high-traffic spaces like the kitchen, bathrooms, and living rooms. However, there’s one area that often gets overlooked, but can significantly enhance both the look and functionality of your home— storage, clos et organization and design . Whether you’re building new, redesigning an existing space, or upgrading your home with a remodel, the design and layout of your closet and storage areas can make a world of difference in how your home operates. Every kitchen needs a pantry, every bathroom needs a closet or cabinetry for linens and toiletries, and every laundry area needs cabinetry or other storage solution, and in all of these cases the storage area should be at the fore when planning the layout, and from there details drawn in.

Tip #2: "We don't need more storage, we just need to be more organized."

Yes, yes we do. However, the reality is that most of us need both. Spring and fall are perfect times to declutter and organize. There is something about the changing of the seasons, we humans are naturally inclined to want to start afresh as the flowers come into bloom or the leaves begin to fall. But what about the rest of the year?

I can personally share, the last time Shaniko and I remodeled our own home we thought that if we didn't build it the stuff wouldn't come, that somehow we would exercise more self control in our accumulation of things and more discipline in shedding the old if we just didn't have place to out it. And it is the only aspect of our home design that make us say "what were we thinking??"

Now we try to help homeowners to not make our same mistake!

Think about what you need and want to have today, and any changes you envision in your household makeup over the next decade. Will more young ones be arriving? Perhaps parents may be moving in? Or the kids and grandkids coming to visit?

These days more and more young people are staying home longer. In fact, forty years ago kids left the roost on average between the age of 18 and 21. Today the range has risen to 24-27 years of age. How can that impact your needs for storage?

Home storage can take many forms, from built-in cabinetry to easy to access attic areas, to the even popular mudroom with seating and storage benches, shelving, hooks, and more.

Some of our favorite solutions include doorway access to attics through a second story addition (no more ladder to climb!), custom pantries, mudrooms, and custom crafted built-ins that serve to highlight beautiful things while tucking away others.

And of course the first thing many of us think of when we think of storage ... the closet.

“TRS Build helped us reimagine our closets and maximize the space in our home. We never knew how functional a closet could be until we worked with their design team.” – Kelly Lufkin, Austin

Spring into Organization: How to Approach Closet Design During Your Remodel

With the arrival of spring, homeowners are often inspired to tackle their home organization. Closets are one of the most important areas to optimize. A well-designed closet can improve your daily routines and the overall functionality of your space. At TRS Build , we guide our clients in thinking about their future needs—whether it’s for a growing family, a new hobby, or simply a desire for more organized storage.

When advising clients on closet design, we start with one key question: How will you use the space? Are you planning for seasonal clothing, accessories, or shoes? Should there be additional room for add-ons like pull-out drawers, shoe racks, or jewelry holders? Do you need built-in lighting, mirrors, or space for a vanity? These thoughtful considerations help us design a closet space that not only meets your immediate needs but adapts to future changes as well.

Another key question: How much space do you have to use? A lot can be done in a small area with the right planning.

Why Closet Organization Matters in Your Remodel

Closet design isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about creating a storage solution that works seamlessly with the rest of your home. Whether you are renovating your master suite or adding extra storage in a hallway or laundry area, TRS Build works closely with you to create functional, custom closet designs that integrate perfectly into your space. Whether it’s a walk-in closet or a smaller reach-in closet, the goal is always to maximize storage while maintaining a sleek, cohesive design.

How TRS Build Optimizes Closet Design During a Remodel

At TRS Build , we believe every detail matters, especially when it comes to organizing and designing your closets and storage areas. For truly innovative closet and storage solutions , we also work closely with trusted vendors to offer high-quality, durable, and stylish options for our clients.

Where our clients are seeking very specific functionality and aesthetic, we can "build the box" and refer to trusted local partners like More Space Place for specific closet and garage storage needs (shown below) as well as custom media centers and a wide variety of options for Murphy beds that are growing in popularity, and Bentwood of Austin for luxury lines (like the Harmoni line closet example below), two Austin area providers offering highly customized organization solutions .

Whatever your needs may be, at TRS Build we take the time to understand your specific needs, sketch them out in our design tools, and work with you to build a solution that meets them.

Maximize Your Remodel with Thoughtful Closet Design

We believe in quality at every step of the process. This includes on-site inspections, and thorough reviews by our Project Manager and team. In addition to our Project Manager, our Designer continues to be involved during construction, keeping an eye on details and continuing to support you with any additional design decisions that may be needed along the way.

In addition, we coordinate with local inspectors to ensure compliance with all building codes and safety standards. And where we work outside of City jurisdictions, we hire third-party independent inspectors to put their trained eyes on the job. You can rest assured that your project is being built to last and meets or exceeds the required standards for both long-term safety and aesthetics.

“The team at TRS Build helped us create a functional closet that finally gave us the space we needed. We’re so happy with the finished product and the quality of the craftsmanship!” – Samuel Weldemariam, Austin

Take Your Home Remodel to the Next Level with TRS Build

When working with TRS Build , we make sure your remodel addresses not only your aesthetic preferences but also your practical needs. Whether you’re upgrading your master suite, building a home addition, or making existing spaces more functional with an interior remodel, we’ll make sure your new space works for your family, lifestyle, and needs.

Ready to optimize your closet space? Contact TRS Build today to learn how we can incorporate smart closet design into your next home remodel!

BuilderStories Interview with Annemarie Diaz: Service, Leadership, and Teamwork

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 20:49:23 GMT

We are happy to share a special blog this month, as one of our founders Annemarie Diaz was interviewed by Eric Fortenberry, CEO of JobTread, this year's winner of Best in Show at the International Builder Show!

Each week Eric invites a leader in the building and remodeling industry to share the story of their business and what they are most passionate about, what keeps them running. In this JobTread Builder Stories Podcast , Annemarie shares insights, both personal and professional, behind the core principles that drive our business— leadership , teamwork , and service .

At TRS Build , we don’t just build homes; we build relationships, foster growth, and ensure that every project delivers outstanding results while keeping the client’s vision front and center.

If you’re interested in hearing directly from Annemarie about what sets TRS Build apart, listen to her full interview on the JobTread Builder Stories Podcast online here , or just look up Builder Stories on your favorite Podcast app.

In this blog, we’ll explore Annemarie’s perspective on leadership, teamwork, and the service mentality that drives TRS Build and how these values shape our company culture and our approach to client care.

Leadership: Leading with Purpose and Empathy

In the world of construction, strong leadership is crucial to delivering high-quality results and aligning the team with the client’s vision.

For Annemarie and Shaniko Diaz , leadership is about more than just managing a team—it’s about creating an environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute their best work.

As she mentioned during her interview, “As a leader, my job isn’t to micromanage but to ensure that everyone on the team has the resources and support they need to succeed.” For TRS Build , leadership means leading by example, fostering an environment of trust , transparency , and mutual respect . This approach has created a culture where each team member feels heard and valued, ensuring that projects are executed with care and respect for our client's, their homes, and the final product delivered.

“TRS Build has been an absolute pleasure to work with. Their leadership is evident from day one, and it shows in every aspect of the project.” — Samuel Weldemariam, Leander

Teamwork: A Unified Effort for Quality

One of the biggest challenges in construction is ensuring that all the different aspects of the project come together smoothly. Annemarie emphasized in her interview that teamwork is at the core of TRS Build ’s success. “The key to our success is teamwork. Everyone works together, and that helps ensure we’re all aligned with the client’s vision,” she said.

Whether it’s designers , project managers , or tradespeople , every team member at TRS Build plays an integral role in bringing the project to life. The company’s collaborative approach ensures that everyone is working toward the same goal—delivering the best possible results. This close collaboration and clear communication are crucial to delivering a high-quality experience for our clients.

“The TRS Build team communicated with us every step of the way and kept us involved in the decisions. It felt like a true partnership.” — Laura Warden, Austin

Service Mentality:

The TRS Build Approach to Customer Care

At TRS Build , the service mentality is not just a core value; it is the driving force behind everything we do. Annemarie believes that great service goes beyond just completing a project—it’s about making sure the client feels supported throughout every stage of the process. In her interview, Annemarie quotes the great Maya Angelou - "People will forget what you said, they will forget what you did, but they will never forget the way you made them feel" when she r efers to a blog we posted two years ago with a video showing the normal Homeowner Emotional Roller Coaster many people will naturally feel as they go through a remodel. "Yes there will be days that are stressful and there will be moments when something unexpected may arise.... but ultimately, when years have passed after the remodel or new build is complete, our hope is that people will look back and know they made a good decision to work with us, and that they remember that we took care and respected them and their homes through the process."

From the first consultation to the final walkthrough, TRS Build strives to ensure that clients are informed, involved, and confident in the work being done. “We’re here to help them take on an undertaking that may seem very obscure to them and make it clear,” Annemarie said, highlighting how the TRS Build team educates and supports homeowners during every step of the remodel.

“TRS Build took the time to understand our needs and provided excellent service throughout the entire process. We were never left wondering what was happening next.” — Dane Ohe, Austin

The TRS Build Difference:

Building Relationships, Not Just Homes

As TRS Build continues to grow, our service-first mentality remains the cornerstone of our approach. Annemarie explained that the company’s ultimate goal is not just to complete projects, but to create long-term relationships with clients.

At TRS Build , we understand the emotional journey that comes with remodeling. Whether we’re working on a home addition , custom home , or kitchen remodel , we want every homeowner to feel confident in their decision to work with us and to know that we’ll be with them every step of the way.

“We are so happy with the final product, and TRS Build really took the time to make sure we were happy with every part of the process.” — Kelly Lufkin, Round Rock

Building Trust Through Service, Leadership, and Teamwork

At TRS Build , we take pride in our approach, which prioritizes leadership , teamwork , and service . These principles shape everything we do—from how we work with our clients to how we collaborate as a team. Whether you’re starting a home remodel or designing a custom home , our goal is to make the process as smooth, enjoyable, and rewarding as possible.

If you’re ready to begin your next project with a team that cares deeply about your vision and ensures that your needs are met throughout the journey, TRS Build is here to guide you every step of the way. Contact us today to get started!

The TRS Build Process: From Design to Completion

Tue, 08 Apr 2025 02:05:42 GMT

At TRS Build , we believe having good processes in place is essential to support efficient and smooth project delivery, from initial project development through design and construction. That is why we take great pride in our Design-Build process, ensuring every project we take on in Austin , Georgetown , and surrounding areas is completed with the utmost care and attention to detail. From the initial design consultation to the final walk-through, our goal is to provide a seamless and rewarding experience for our clients while delivering outstanding results.

If you’re considering a home remodel , home addition , or custom home in Austin , understanding the process can help you feel confident in your decision to move ahead with a home remodel or construction. In this blog post, we’ll take you through the step-by-step process of working with TRS Build from design to completion, giving you insight into what makes our approach unique and why it’s trusted by homeowners throughout the Austin area.

Step 1: Initial Consultation and Needs Assessment

Every great project begins with understanding the client’s vision. At TRS Build , we believe that every home is unique, and so is every homeowner as well as their family, their needs, and priorities. During our first consultation, we take the time to listen, understand, and discuss your goals. Whether you’re planning a full remodel, a kitchen renovation, a new home addition, or not exactly sure, this step ensures we understand your objectives and is our first opportunity to provide input and guidance based on a decade of experience in this market.

“From the first day, we felt like TRS Build really listened to our ideas. They helped shape our vision and provided great suggestions on how to make the most of our space.” – Dane Ohe, Austin

We believe in building long-term relationships with our clients, so we focus on clear communication from the start. This is where we’ll dive into your needs and preferences, offering suggestions and ideas that fit your style and budget. Together, we’ll outline your project’s scope, discuss timelines, and options that can help set a realistic budget.

Step 2: Design and Planning

Once we understand your vision, needs, and priorities, our team will begin working with you on the collaborative planning and design phase. Whether it’s a kitchen remodel, home addition, whole-home renovation, or custom home, we work with you closely to develop detailed plans that reflect your desires while ensuring functionality in line with how you will use the space. Through this phase we also ensure the design provides a seamless integration of the existing and new spaces.

As a Design-Build firm, we handle both the design and construction under one “roof,” pun intended! This integrated approach allows us to streamline communication, reduce potential delays, and ensure that even during design, we are thinking ahead to the construction process. (NOTE: If you already have a design, we can also work with you and your Architect or Designer to ensure all the details are covered, and bring your plans to life through construction. We also offer Pre-Construction Services that enable us to work with you to more accurately define scope and budget prior to entering into a full Design-Build contract. Contact us to see what path may be best for you and your project.)

As part of the Design phase, we’ll provide renderings, 3D virtual walk-throughs, and layouts, allowing you to visualize and approve the space before any construction begins. During this phase, we also discuss material options, finishes, and other design details that truly bring the final vision into focus.

“The 3D renderings helped us visualize our ideas, and Annemarie was very helpful when it came time to select colors and materials. TRS Build really guided us through the design phase with expertise.” – Laura Warden, Austin

Step 3: Permits and Approvals

Once the design is finalized and approved, we move forward with securing any necessary permits for your project. We take care of all the regulatory aspects to ensure that your remodel complies with local building codes and regulations in Austin and surrounding communities. Our team has extensive experience with local regulations, which vary widely from city to city in Central Texas, experience that is crucial to understand how the permitting process impacts project feasibility and timelines.

Step 4: Construction Begins

With permits in hand, it’s time to break ground! Construction is where the magic happens, and we’re committed to keeping the process smooth and transparent, communicating expectations along the way.

At TRS Build , we place a high priority on organization and cleanliness. We believe a clean and safe work site is essential for maintaining quality and ensuring the safety of both our team and your family. We’ll provide regular updates throughout the construction phase, and our Project Manager will be your main point of contact to address any questions or concerns along the way.

“TRS Build was a lifesaver! We had started our sunroom project with another contractor who left it incomplete. TRS Build not only got the project back on track but finished it professionally and with great care. We really appreciated their clear communication throughout the process.” – Harlan Davenport, Austin

Step 5: Quality Control and Inspections

Step 6: Final Walkthrough and Project Completion

As we near the completion of your project, we schedule a final walkthrough with you. This is an important moment where you get to see the final results near completion! During this walkthrough, we’ll carefully address any last concerns, and make sure everything is completed before we consider the project finished and ready to move into the Warranty phase.

At TRS Build , our commitment to client satisfaction doesn’t end with the final walkthrough. We stand by our work and offer ongoing support to ensure you’re completely satisfied with your new space. If any adjustments are needed after completion, we’ll work with you to address them in a timely fashion.

Step 7: Ongoing Support (AKA Warranty Phase)

Even after project completion, we’re here for you. It isn’t unusual that after a homeowner starts using the new space, some questions or requests may arise. Our clients know they can always reach out to us for any questions, warranty requests, or future remodeling needs. Our team is committed to the long-term satisfaction of every homeowner we work with, and we highly value the relationships we’ve built over the years.

Why Choose TRS Build for Your Home Remodeling Project in Austin and the Surrounding Area

The TRS Build Process stands out because of our commitment to quality, customer care, and integrated Design-Build approach. Here are a few reasons why homeowners in Austin choose us for their remodeling needs:

1. Comprehensive, Design-Build Services : We handle everything from design to construction, ensuring seamless communication and smoother project execution.

“The seamless transition from design to construction was one of the best parts of working with TRS Build. They made sure we were on the same page the entire time.” – Samuel W., Austin

2. Attention to Detail : We pride ourselves on the quality of our work, ensuring each element is carefully planned and crafted to meet your expectations.

“Their attention to detail was outstanding. Every part of the remodel was perfectly executed, down to the smallest details.” – Harlan D., Austin

3. Clear Communication : Our team works closely with you every step of the way, keeping you informed and involved throughout the project.

“We felt fully informed at all times. The communication from TRS Build was fantastic—everything was planned and explained thoroughly.” – Laura W., Austin

4. Customer-Centric Approach : Your vision is our priority. We listen, collaborate, and execute with your goals in mind, ensuring you love your new space.

“TRS Build really understood our needs and delivered on their promises. The result was beyond our expectations.” – Dane O., Austin

Building Dreams, One Step at a Time

At TRS Build , we are more than just builders; we are partners in creating spaces that enhance your lifestyle. Our greatest satisfaction comes in seeing how our work transforms people’s lives. From the first design consultation to the final touches, our process is designed to ensure quality, efficiency, communication, and customer satisfaction at every stage. Whether you’re remodeling your kitchen, adding a home extension, or embarking on a whole-home renovation or custom home, you can trust that we’ll deliver the highest quality service and craftsmanship.

Ready to begin your next project? Contact TRS Build today to learn more about our Design-Build process and how we can help bring your vision to life.

Stability and Durability Start with a Solid Foundation: The TRS Build Approach

annemarie@trsbuild.com (Annemarie Diaz) — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 21:47:48 GMT

The home foundation - one of the unsung heroes of new construction! It lacks the natural beauty of a hardwood ceiling, the refined finish of fine tile, the sparkle of a new quartz counter. It has its brief but fabulous moment as the star of the show when first breaking ground, then is soon covered by beautiful things that will carry all of the attention and applause. A good foundation's raison d'etre is to be forgotten below the beauty and never thought of again. But as builders we know, that massive block of cement (or collection of piers and beams) is one of the most crucial components of a new home or home addition, and deserves consideration as well for a major home remodel.

When embarking on any home project, a key player in the final product that cannot be overlooked is the foundation.

At TRS Build , we understand that a strong foundation is, literally ... the cornerstone of every successful new build and home addition. Whether you’re adding a room to your home, undertaking a complete remodel, or building from the ground up, the foundation ensures the long-term stability and durability of your entire project.

In this blog post, we’ll explain why stability and durability begin with a solid foundation, and how we make sure the foundation of every TRS Build project is done right.

The Importance of Stability in Home Construction

A home is only as strong as its foundation, and for good reason. The foundation supports the weight of the entire structure, from walls to roof, ensuring that your home stands the test of time. At TRS Build , we use only the best materials and processes to make sure your home has a reliable, stable foundation.

Stability is crucial for a few reasons:

Structural Integrity : The foundation is what holds the entire house in place. Without a solid base, the weight of the house could cause settling, cracking, or even shifting of the structure. This can lead to costly repairs and even safety concerns.
Weather Resistance : A stable foundation can withstand weather elements, from heavy rains to seismic shifts, protecting your home from potential damage caused by environmental factors.

At TRS Build , we take no shortcuts when it comes to laying down the foundation of your home, ensuring it stands strong against anything that may come its way.

Durability: Building for the Future

Along with stability, durability is a key factor that starts with the foundation. A durable foundation ensures your home remains structurally sound and functional for many years to come. A solid foundation resists wear and tear, the passage of time, and the natural settling that occurs in all homes.

Here’s why durability matters:

Long-Term Investment : A durable foundation means your home will last for generations. It provides peace of mind for homeowners, knowing they’ve invested in a long-lasting, high-quality structure.
Preventing Future Issues : A well-laid foundation prevents future problems, such as cracks in the walls, uneven floors, and drainage issues that can arise from settling. Ensuring the foundation is durable from the start reduces the risk of these costly fixes down the road.

At TRS Build , we prioritize durability by using only top-quality materials, ensuring your foundation lasts for decades. We also work closely with a licensed Professional Engineer to design and specify the foundation, specific for each project.

How TRS Build Ensures Stability and Durability in Every Project

At TRS Build , we follow a meticulous process to ensure the foundation is done right, every time. Here’s how we approach the foundation work on every project:

1. T horough Planning and Design

Before we break ground, we spend time understanding the specifics of your home and project. We work with licensed professionals to design a foundation that will provide the right support based on your project and your property.

2. Quality Materials

We use only high-quality materials specified by a Licensed Engineer, ensuring that your foundation is built to last and can withstand environmental challenges.

3. Precise Execution

Once the plans are finalized, our team works meticulously to execute every step of the foundation process. From building the molds to reinforcing the structure and pouring the concrete, we make sure every element is in alignment with the Engineering design.
4. Engineer Inspections

We don’t just trust the process; we ensure it through expert inspections. Our engineers thoroughly inspect the foundation work, verifying the final product meets the highest standards.
5. Attention to Detail

Whether it’s ensuring proper drainage or stabilizing the soil, we pay attention to the smallest details that contribute to the foundation’s overall strength and durability.

When it comes to home remodeling or additions, stability and durability should be your top priorities. At TRS Build , we’re committed to ensuring that every foundation we lay is built to last, providing you with a strong, safe, and durable base for your dream home. Whether you’re adding a new room or building a custom home, you can trust TRS Build to deliver a solid foundation that will stand the test of time.

Want to learn more about the foundation process or start planning your next project? Contact us today to discuss how we can help you create a strong, stable home that will last for generations!

Why is it important to hire a NARI contractor?

Mon, 03 Feb 2025 19:48:32 GMT

My husband (who is also my business partner, apparently we truly can’t get enough of each other!) frequently says that we will become like the five people we spend the most time with, that we are shaped by the environment we choose to immerse ourselves in, and more importantly, the people in that environment.

I think the same is true of our companies.

That is why at TRS Build we choose to surround ourselves with fellow members of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) . I was reminded of that this month during our Austin NARI Builder and Developer Roundtable meeting where I had the opportunity to engage with like-minded business owners, exchange ideas on what is working best to deliver to our clients, employees, and tradespeople, and I could personally share from our SERVICE value focus and the importance of trust and remaining trustworthy to our clients and team.

We choose to spend time with other NARI members because they run reputable businesses, provide amazing results, and like ourselves, invest in knowing other reputable contractors and finding opportunities for us to learn from one another. Each of our companies is different in our value proposition and project focus, but we are all the same in our drive to raise the bar on customer experience and affirm the trust we have established over years or even decades of delivering to homeowners in and around Austin.

Why Choose a NARI Contractor for Your Next Home Renovation in Austin, TX?

When it comes to selecting a contractor for your next home renovation in Austin, TX, (and the surrounding area) one of the best choices you can make is to hire a NARI contractor. The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) is a trusted organization that brings together top builders and remodelers who are committed to the highest standards in the industry. Below are three key reasons why you should consider working with a NARI contractor for your next remodeling project in the Austin area.

1. NARI Members Collaborate to Bring Out the Best in the Remodeling Industry in Austin

NARI members are part of a national network of professionals who work together to elevate the standards and practices within the remodeling industry in Austin . As a trusted remodeling association , NARI encourages collaboration, networking, and sharing of best practices among contractors. By choosing a NARI member contractor in Austin , you are working with professionals who are part of a larger community dedicated to advancing the remodeling industry.

NARI contractors stay updated with the latest trends, technology, and industry standards, ensuring that your home renovation in Austin is done to the highest quality. Whether it’s kitchen remodeling , bathroom renovations , or whole-home makeovers in the Austin area, NARI members have access to a wealth of resources that help improve the outcome of your project.

2. Commitment to Continuous Improvement and Client Satisfaction

Being a NARI member signals that a contractor is committed to continuous improvement, both in their business practices and the client experience. Membership in NARI means that a contractor is serious about staying current with industry trends, acquiring new knowledge, and maintaining the highest standards of service.

A NARI-certified contractor in Austin is focused not just on completing your project, but on providing exceptional service, ensuring your satisfaction every step of the way. When you h ire a NARI remodeling contractor, you can exp ect clear communication, timely project completion, and superior craftsmanship delivered with a commitment to meeting homeowner expectations.

3. Specialized Certifications for Expertise and Quality Assurance in Austin, TX

Many NARI contractors hold specialized certifications that demonstrate their deep knowledge and experience in th e home remodeling industry.

For example, NARI-certified professionals can be experts in areas such as Universal Design , which focuses on creating accessible and comfortable spaces for people regardless of their age, size, and abilities. At TRS Build , we are proud to have staff members who are certified in Universal Design , allowing us to offer accessible and functional remodeling solutions that cater to a diverse range of client needs. Whether it’s designing barrier-free bathrooms, wider hallways, or other accessible featu res, UDCP contractors in Austin ha ve the expertise to create spaces that work for everyone.

4. NARI Contractors Give Back to the Community

If those aren't enough reasons to look for a NARI member for your home building and remodeling needs, being a part of NARI also provides us with opportunities to give back to the community. For example, earlier this year TRS Build staff members Annemarie Diaz and Jenny Machado visited students in Vista Ridge High School's Interior Design courses, giving them a glimpse of what a Project Designer's role looks like in a Design-Build firm.

Choosing a NARI-certified contractor in Austin, TX means choosing a professional who is dedicated to providing high-quality, well-executed work that meets or exceeds industry standards. Whether you’re planning to build a custom home or looking forward to a custom home remodel in Austin , bathroom renovation , or kitchen transformation , working with a NARI member ensures you have access to the best practices, resources, and expertise in the industry.

At TRS Build , we are proud to be a part of NARI, continually advancing our skills to provide the highest quality home remodeling services in Austin, TX .

Ready to start your next project? Contact us below!

Can We Add a Second Floor? Of Course!

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 02:04:08 GMT

Many homeowners come to us with the question: “Can we add a second floor onto our one story home?” Our answer? "Of Course!"... though there are some important considerations to keep in mind from the start.

Why are second floor additions so popular? In some cases, the homeowner does not want to sacrifice any green space; for others their home may be on a small lot where there is little room to build out, making “up” the best option; and for others, setbacks or local restrictions related to impervious cover may limit the options for building out on ground level.

The good news? In most cases adding a second floor isn’t as complicated as one may think, and can provide a very good solution to add interior space for your growing family or other needs. At TRS Build, we specialize in working with our clients to determine what options are best for your home, your family, and your budget.

Why Consider a Second-Story Addition?

Many homeowners first consider a second story because they either cannot or do not want to build out the ground level. What we frequently discover during the planning and design phase, is that building up can have multiple additional benefits: keeping high value green space available; creating options for beautiful staircases that add character and give the home a much larger and more open feel; opening up the home foyer, maybe also installing the beautiful large entry door you’ve always wanted. Building up can also mean views and vistas previously unavailable, with opportunities for two story decks and upper balconies. We have also worked with homeowners bringing in senior parents and giving them the primary suite which is typically located on the ground floor. For these caregiving homeowners, building up can mean having the primary bedroom and bathroom they have always wanted, and adding on a den or media room that will become their personal private space to relax.

And always, a second story should improve curb appeal, building in accents to the front elevation of the home. In the end a well-designed second story addition will look like it was always there, a seamless integration with the existing home.

Our recent second-floor addition project in Leander showcases how seamlessly new space can blend with existing architecture.

See more on this project here .

Key Considerations When Planning for a Second Floor

A few critical factors to keep in mind during the planning phase for a second story addition:

1. Structural Integrity

Can your current home handle the weight of an additional level? A professional assessment is needed to ensure your foundation and load-bearing walls are strong enough. We bring a licensed Engineer on site during the planning phase to identify any potential issues and remedies, and plan for them during the design phase.

BEFORE: We begin every second-story addition with a thorough evaluation of your home’s current structure.

2. Design Harmony

Your second story should look and feel like a natural extension of your home, like it was always there. Our design team works closely with clients to ensure that the new space flows seamlessly with the existing layout, both inside and out. This includes matching exterior materials and architectural details to maintain or improve curb appeal.

Building up creates opportunities to enlarge home entries and foyers, create beautiful open stairways, lofts, and other grand architectural features not available with a one-story addition.

3. Zoning Laws and Permit s

Building codes and local zoning laws play a significant role in determining what’s possible with a second-floor addition. In many Austin and Central Texas areas, there are specific regulations regarding height limits, setbacks, and neighborhood guidelines. At TRS Build, we take care of the entire permitting process. We also provide clients with guidance for working with their local Home Owners Association (HOA) to learn what limits exist, and provide submittals needed for HOA approvals.

4. Budget Considerations

A second-story addition can be a large investment, so having a clear budget is crucial. Our team will provide you with design options and pricing proposals, and work with you to align your budget with your key priorities.

5. Lifestyle Disruption

It’s worth noting that adding a second story can be disruptive, as construction may affect much of the existing living space. And at some point we need to “pop the top,” opening the roof to make way for the new space. We can provide guidance for the period of time you and your family will need to be out of the home, and this needs to be considered in your overall budget for the project. Some of our homeowners have moved into nearby apartments or houses where they can visit the project frequently during construction, some have gone to stay with family, others who have camped out in their RV or planned extended travel during the remodel. Whether near or far, our team will be in touch with real or virtual walk throughs and communication of project status.

Ready to Add More Space to Your Home?

If you’re thinking about adding a second floor to your home in Austin or Central Texas, TRS Build is here to guide you through the entire process—from the initial design to the final punch list and beyond. Our experienced team will help you create the perfect addition that can improve your life while building into your home investment.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation, and let’s bring your vision to life!

The Power of a Team: Insights from the TRS Build Retreat

Wed, 14 Aug 2024 00:42:53 GMT

Greetings from TRS Build!

We recently gathered for our annual retreat where we bring the team together for two days to refocus and reinforce our commitment to client experience and quality in product and service delivery.

This year’s retreat was particularly insightful as we delved into the theme of "The Power of a Team" and its profound impact on how we support our clients to achieve the beauty and functionality they are seeking with their remodel, home addition, or custom home. Much of the two-day session is also spent working together to continually improve our processes and procedures; and of course, what retreat could be complete without taking some time to celebrate our progress and the contributions each person has made to it.

Reflecting on Our Retreat Agenda:

Building a Foundation of Trust : Every year we take advantage of our retreat to discuss our Mission, Vision and Values as an organization, and how they can best be reflected in the work we do every day. As part of this we discuss the importance of trust; trust within our team, trust between our team and our clients, and trust between our team and our tradespeople. Trust isn’t just a word at TRS Build; it’s something we strive for in every interaction, from the office to the construction site. We are very proud of our team, that we can trust each person to bring their best every day, and to deliver that in turn to our clients.
Fostering Communication: Effective communication is a topic that cannot be, well, over communicated! We discussed the importance of communication in building on our first topic - trust. From communicating options during the design process to communicating progress during construction and collecting client feedback all along the way. Over the years we have continually refined on (and added to) our communication channels and processes to do our best to ensure we are both communicating proactively and asking for feedback at critical times during the project.
Embracing Diversity and Innovation: During our retreat, we celebrated the diversity within our team, our contractor base, and our clients. We are so grateful to get to work with (and learn together with) so many different people and perspectives! Seeking out and embracing different perspectives has been essential for our growth and development as a company, enriching our solutions and internal culture by listening to the perspectives of others and seeing how we can leverage these ideas to create value for our team and clients. and ensure that every client receives a tailored approach that meets their unique needs.
Continuous Learning and Development: Learning is a lifelong journey and being in the custom home building and remodeling business provides ample opportunities for learning on a daily basis! Whether it be new tools, technologies, expertise in design and construction, industry and market trends, and best practices for customer service and contractor relations, there really is something new to learn every day. Not many of our clients get to see how passionate our team is about learning and improving, sharing what they have learned with the rest of the team, and engaging discussion on how we can use our knowledge to improve product and service delivery.
Embracing Each Individual: A great team is made up of individuals and we couldn’t be more proud of our team and trades. This year we celebrated each individual on our team by sharing our Enneagram results focusing on the strengths each person brings. We also were excited to provide a barbecue for our core team to have social time with the tradespeople who work so hard to deliver on our commitment to create the beauty and functionality our clients seek for their homes and businesses.

What does this mean for our clients?

Choosing TRS Build means selecting more than just a construction company; it means partnering with a team dedicated to your project’s success.

Our retreat reinforced our People First culture dedicated to:

Build and Maintain Trust
Provide Consistent Communication
Promote Diversity and Innovation
And always, Ensure Quality in Product and Service Delivery

Looking Forward:

As we return from our retreat, invigorated and inspired, we look forward to creating progress through the lessons learned and insights gained from one another.

Contact us here to see if we could be the right team to help you realize your vision for your custom home, remodel or home addition.

2024 Home Design Trends

Wed, 19 Jun 2024 20:56:08 GMT

Can you believe we are almost halfway through 2024?

It is always exciting to stop and take a look at what is happening in home design trends. As we move through this quickly passing year, we are seeing design trends evolving to reflect a blend of innovation, sustainability and connection with the outdoors, and bold and timeless aesthetics.

Whether you're planning a complete remodel or just a cosmetic update, we can help you integrate these home design and decor trends into your personal vision for your home, reflecting a balance between aesthetic appeal and function for practical daily living.

1. Interior Colors and General Home Trends

Warm and Earthy Tones : In 2024, more people are expressing interest in warm and earthy colors like terracotta, olive green, and soft browns, like that shown in the cover photo and the photo below from a recent whole home remodel project. These tones bring a sense of calm and a connection to nature, creating cozy and serene environments.
Textured Walls and Ceilings : Textured finishes, such as Venetian plaster and limewash paint, are on the rise. These textures add depth and visual interest, making walls and ceilings focal points in the design. We also have more clients requesting no texture at all, the simple elegance of a Level 5 finish that is not traditional here in Texas where “orange peel” has reigned for decades.
Maximalism : Moving away from minimalism, maximalism is in full swing this year. Embrace bold colors, patterns, and eclectic accent walls to allow personality to shine through vibrant and diverse elements, often times focusing on specific rooms in the home.

2. Exterior Features

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Materials : Sustainability is essential in 2024. Homeowners are choosing sustainable materials like reclaimed wood, bamboo, and recycled metal for their exterior renovations. These materials not only benefit the environment but also add a distinctive touch to facades. The photo below shows a large patio project in the Northwest Hills area of Austin designed by our friend Architect Paul Degroot and built by TRS Build. For this project, steel construction was used for a simple minimalist look and to remove the need for additional structural posts along the perimeter of the patio.
Outdoor Living Spaces : A beautiful post-COVID trend continues with outdoor spaces becoming extensions of the home. Weather-resistant furniture, fireplaces, and outdoor kitchens are being designed for year-round enjoyment, providing ideal spots for entertaining and relaxation.

3. Kitchens: Smart Cabinets and Fluid Design

Custom Cabinets with Bold Colors : While white cabinets are still a goto for the timeless kitchen, kitchen cabinets are adopting color ranging from sea blue hues to dark and sophisticated greens, navy blues, charcoals and blacks. These tones (as well as classic whites) pair well with brass or matte black hardware to add a touch of elegance and drama. Cabinet hardware is a great way to bring the uniqueness of individual personality into your home renovation, with so many options available (and relatively low cost to change again the future).
Quartzite Countertops : The project below also features a quartzite countertop. Known for its durability and natural beauty, quartzite is a popular choice for countertops where homeowners are looking for something more unique and with distinct, non-conforming, patterns. Its unique veining and resistance to heat and scratches make it ideal for high-performance kitchens. Engineered quartz is still a very popular option offering similar durability and a lower price point, however quartzite provides a more natural look with a range of beautiful color options.
Statement Backsplashes : Full-height backsplashes made from materials like quartz, marble, or boldly patterned tiles are replacing traditional subway tiles. These “wow factor” backsplashes create an impressive focal point and can add a more luxurious look to kitchens.

4. Primary Bathrooms: The Spa Retreat

Spa-Inspired Bathrooms : One of the most significant trends we see is to create spa-like atmospheres in primary bathrooms. And why not? The primary bath (aka “master bath”) is typically used by the primary homeowners, who are finally deciding to invest in this space for their own benefit, creating their own private sanctuary to relax and enjoy at the end of a hard day or week. Features like freestanding tubs, rain showerheads, and steam showers transform the bathroom into a space for relaxation and rejuvenation with natural looking materials and windows selected and placed to bring in sunlight without compromising privacy.
Large Format Tiles : Large tiles on both floors and walls create a sleek and continuous look, reducing grout lines. These tiles can mimic the appearance of natural stone, enhancing the spa feel and make the space feel larger. In some bathrooms the use of porcelain slabs can completely eliminate grout lines in the shower, however this comes at a price point multiple-fold that of large format tiles.
Natural Elements : Incorporating natural materials like stone, wood, and plants enhances the sense of tranquility in your spa bath and brings a touch of nature indoors. We love this bamboo-look porcelain wall tile selected by our Austin clients for their home addition to enlarge the primary bedroom and create a new and larger primary bath and closet space. Adding as little as 200 square feet onto the primary suite can make a huge difference in enlarging the primary bath and closet!

5. Lighting: Layered and Adaptive Illumination

Layered Lighting Schemes : Lighting design in 2024 focuses on versatility and creating moods. Layered lighting schemes, combining ambient, task, and accent lighting, are essential for achieving balanced and adaptable illumination.
Smart Lighting Systems : Smart lighting systems, controllable via smartphones and voice assistants, are on the rise. They allow for personalized lighting levels and offer energy-saving options as well.
Sculptural and Statement Lighting : Like the previous example with cabinet hardware, light fixtures are a great way to bring artistic and sculptural pieces into the home. We have installed the beautiful sculptural lighting piece shown in the photo below in two of this recurring client's homes, first as part of a whole home remodel to their Pflugerville home, then in their new home which we had the honor to remodel for them last year! From elegant crystal chandeliers and heavier industrial pendants, so many bold designs and unique materials are available with this standout trend!

6. Multifunctional Spaces

Flexible Living : With the rise of remote work, multifunctional spaces are in demand. Think of rooms that can transform into home offices, gyms, or relaxation areas. Foldable and modular furniture is key to maximizing space. The photo below is part of a Cedar Park home whole remodel which included converting a front open den into a multipurpose office space for her, perfectly aligned with a previously existing home office for him. We love working with clients to help them make the most of the spaces in their home!

7. Comfort and Well-Being

Wellness-Oriented Spaces : Creating spaces that promote comfort and well-being is essential. Home spas, meditation nooks, and relaxation areas with cozy seating, soft fabrics, and elements that foster mental and physical well-being are important trends.
Biophilic Design : Connecting indoor spaces with nature through the use of indoor plants, natural light, and materials like wood and stone is a growing trend. Green walls and vertical gardens are becoming more common. Many clients like those for the Georgetown whole home remodel shown below are adding features like large sliding doors that create an open line of sight to the outdoors and bring in significant amounts of natural light, and choosing cedar, pine, cumaru or ipe wood ceilings for outdoor areas (or feature indoor areas) to foster the connection to the outdoors.

8. Personalized and Customizable Decor

Personalization : Homeowners seek to create spaces that reflect their individual tastes and lifestyles. Customizable furniture, bespoke artwork, and personalized decorative items allow for unique and tailored home environments. We love the bright orange accent furniture selected by this Austin homeowner who worked with us on a complete remodel for the common areas in their beautiful home overlooking the Central Texas hills!
Mixing Old and New : Today’s trends are marvelously eclectic! There really isn’t one “right” way to combine materials, patterns and genres. Vintage and retro styles continue to come back, often mixed with contemporary elements. Mid-century furniture, vintage light fixtures, and retro color palettes are also evident in the whole home remodel shown below.

Whether you're updating a single room or reimagining your entire home, the trends discussed here can offer inspiration to create beautiful, functional, and intentional living spaces. The emphasis on natural elements, multifunctionality, and personalization ensures that the home remains adaptable to individual needs and evolving lifestyles.

See more project photos on our Services pages, and Contact us to discover how the trends of 2024 can be integrated into your home transformation with TRS Build!

The Magic of Home Renovations: Our Top 10 Before and After Transformations

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 16:31:21 GMT

Who doesn’t love a good Before and After?

While many of our blogs feature topics like design trends, adding value to your home, and processes for design and construction, we thought it would be fun to feature this month’s blog on some good old Before and Afters!

Oh, how we wish we had good before and after shots from all of our projects! But thankfully we have captured many along the way! We love working with our clients to breathe new life into their homes, creating spaces they use and love, helping them to expand on their vision (or creating it together). A modern renovation can, and should, truly transform lives as well as homes.

Are you ready to witness the power of transformation? Join us on a journey through some of our most beloved before and after renovations, where the once ordinary has been elevated to the extraordinary through the power of creativity, thoughtful design that bears in mind both aesthetic and functionality, and a fantastic operations team that has the skills to bring the design to life!

Top 10

Every renovation project begins with a vision and a home to serve as the canvas awaiting its masterpiece. Whether it's a tired kitchen begging for a fresh start, a dated bathroom longing to be a spa-like sanctuary, or an entire home yearning for a modern facelift.

These "Top 10" are in no particular order. Each is a favorite, and if you asked our team members what their favorite project is you would hear something different from each person. We actually have many more favorites than what you see here, just check out our Services pages and you will find more examples where homes, kitchens, baths, and outdoor areas have been radically transformed in service to our clients. While all of our favorite transformations are not shown here (and some are currently in progress!) each project below certainly warrants the title of transformative for both the home as well as the lives of the homeowners!

1. Austin: The Walnut Kitchen

This young family came to us looking for a much needed major renovation to their kitchen and dining areas. While they were happy with most of their home, this split level "hobbit kitchen" was not in line with their desired aesthetic! We worked with them to create a kitchen that is both natural and deco style, with added functionality in the cabinetry to create an area where anyone would love to entertain or relax with a morning coffee while gazing at beautiful views of the Austin hills. See more about this project on this video short here on our YouTube site!

BEFORE

AFTER

2. Cedar Park: A New Home for an Old Friend

We are always honored to have past clients call us back for additional work on their home.

Not only aesthetics comes into consideration when a family is looking to remodel. We take into consideration the walking space, sink/dishwasher location, and light sources as an important part of the design process. These details will all play a huge part into the new functionality of the new kitchen.

For aesthetics, the goal was to create a space that looks and feels open, clean, and light, without going too modern. We explored different colors and materials and finally settled with white perimeter cabinets, light gray island cabinets and white countertop. After seeing a few design renderings, they decided on a backsplash that would make the kitchen even more beautiful, a dark grey glass arabesque - absolutely gorgeous!

Are you ready to embark on your own home transformation journey with TRS Build? Contact us today to schedule your consultation; let’s discover together the possibilities that await you and your home!

Remodeling Project Budgets and Timelines

Tue, 27 Feb 2024 20:10:50 GMT

How much will my project cost? And how long will it take to complete?

Probably the two questions we get asked most as our clients embark on their remodeling journey. Whether you have done many home projects in the past or are moving slowly but surely into your first remodel or home addition, the experience can be both exciting and daunting.

At TRS Build, we understand the importance of clear budgeting and realistic timelines in ensuring a smooth and successful project. In this blog we'll walk you through our approach to setting budgets and timelines, providing you with added confidence that your remodeling dreams can become reality.

Budgeting and Project Pricing

Accurate budgeting and timeline forecasting are two of the cornerstones of a well-executed remodeling project, setting clear expectations and helping avoid unwelcome surprises along the way. At TRS Build, we prioritize transparency and communication in all of our processes, including budgeting and forecasting.

Personalized Consultation

Our journey begins with an in-home consultation to understand your vision, goals, and aesthetic. At this point we can provide general input on timelines to complete design (architectural design, engineering design, and interior design), permitting, and construction phases.

Design and Budgeting

As a next step we provide a proposal for design and budgeting services so you have the opportunity to see your options for your home through renderings, floor plans, and 3D virtual walkthroughs; and you will receive a comprehensive scope of work and budgets for the improvements you would like to move forward with. This collaborative approach helps us to help our clients to align their vision and needs with a clear and comprehensive budget that can work for them and limit the possibility of surprises (and added costs) during construction.

What can the homeowner do?

A very important question many of our clients ask - what can I do to minimize changes to budget during construction?

The biggest lever a homeowner has is to stick with the design, thus minimizing change requests. It is natural that as a project is built, as the homeowner sees their vision coming to life, there is a temptation to use a different color, select a different tile, adjust the plan for lighting, or even make a modification to the floor or roof plan. Any of these can be done, however, these changes impact design, budget, and timeline as well. Many homeowners don't realize that even a "simple" change may require additional work on the part of several people on our team including the designer, project manager, and procurement, as well as trades and product providers.

Our ultimate goal is to achieve for our clients the outcome they are seeking, thus all changes are possible. At the same time, any change needs to be documented, planned and priced, and can add to budget and cause delays.

So, how long will it take?

How long a project takes depends greatly on the project scope. Below are some general timelines for each project phase.

Design:

Architectural and Interior Design for a remodel of a single room (a primary bathroom or kitchen) typically takes from 6 weeks to 3 months depending on the size and level of complexity of the project. For a large home addition, Architectural design may be expected to take 2-3 months, and Interior Design an additional 4-6 weeks to complete and document material selections, styles, patterns and finishes, however portions of the Interior Design may be done simultaneously with Architectural Design, Engineering and/or Permitting.

Engineering:

Engineering Design typically takes an additional 6 weeks after completing Architectural design. A registered Professional Engineer will visit the site, review the Architectural Design, and provide a structural and foundation design that complies with codes and has been prepared according to good engineering design practices. During the Constuction Phase, the Engineer will also inspect the foundation and framing to ensure it has been constructed according to the Engineering Design.

Permitting:

In most jurisdictions, a permit application will not be accepted until after all plans including the Engineering Design are complete. The permit application will initially go through an administrative review which takes about 1 week. During this review, City staff will verify that all plans, forms, and other documentation are included with the application, verifying that the application is complete. After passing administrative review there will be longer and more rigorous technical review to ensure the project (as documented in the plan set) will comply with all local codes, ordinances and regulations. The timeline for Permit Phase of a project is highly dependent on jurisdiction, with Austin having the longest timelines (up to 4 months for a home addition; or 6 weeks for an interior remodel) and cities like Round Rock and Pflugerville having some of the shortest timelines (ranging from 2 to 4 weeks).

Construction:

The Construction Phase can be as short as 8 weeks for a one room remodel or adding a covered porch, to 9 months for a larger home addition which usually will also include some amount of remodeling to the existing space as well. Depending on the project and the jurisdiction, there can be anywhere from 4 to 24 City inspections during the project, as well as the Engineer inspections. Prior to an inspection the team will stop work as need to ensure areas that need to be inspected are sufficiently exposed, await inspection, and continue work after the inspection is complete.

A common question we received is "Can I live in my home during construction?"

For a one room remodel typically yes, the homeowner may remain living in the home, though for larger spaces (like a large kitchen gut and remodel) it may be more comfortable to be out of the home at least during demolition.
Where the entire home is being remodeled, in most cases the homeowner cannot live in the home for the majority of the project, thus relocating expenses must be considered when planning overall project budget.
For home additions - when adding on to exterior space (land) the homeowner most often can live in the home during the project.
Where adding a second story, the homeowner may need to be out of the home for the majority of the project depending on what areas of the home are affected during the remodel.

(continued below)

Warranty:

Last but not least, is the Warranty Phase. TRS Build (like most home builders and remodelers) provides a one-year warranty on materials and labor. Clients can easily reach us with any warranty requests through our webform or by contacting any team member they worked with during the project.

Thank you to all of the clients that have worked with us through the years, have shared your homes and your dreams with us, and have allowed us to help make them come true. We are happy to say that in 2023 over 70% of our business came from referrals and returning clients. We look forward to working with you again in the future!

The Value of Home

Fri, 12 Jan 2024 20:25:16 GMT

We hear all the time “What is happening with home value in Austin?”

Perhaps the more important question is, “What is the value of home ?”

In 2023, we saw a fairly dramatic shift in the market value of homes in the Austin-Round Rock MSA, as in the price for which homes will buy and sell at, reducing by 13% on average over the course of the year. It also took longer for homes to sell - according to the Austin Board of Realtors (ABoR), in September 2023, homes spent an average of 65 days on the market, up 24 days from September 2022 across the Austin-Round Rock MSA, and new listings decreased 7.0% year over year.

That said Austin is still a very valuable market, in 2023 Austin (along with three other Texas markets: DFW, Houston, and San Antonio) was once again a real estate trendsetter when it comes to residential, commercial, and land markets in the U.S, outranking every U.S. real estate market (ref. Texas Real Estate Research Center). Even with the reduction in valuation that we’ve seen in the last year, homes in Austin have increased in value by over 50% since 2021. That kind of return on investment is tough to match, especially considering that homeownership provides a much broader value proposition to the homeowner than just the dollar value of the home.

So, when it comes to our h ome’s value, the value we as individuals and families place in our homes, what contributes to that? What is the value of home ?

For almost a decade we at TRS have worked to understand how do we, and our clients, value home .

And why do we want to make changes to it?

What do we hear?

Our family is growing - we are having a baby! Value = Family

Our family is growing - our parents are moving in! Value = Caring for our seniors

We need more space for when family members come to visit Value = Hospitality

We want to be able to better entertain guests - Values = Community, friendship and belonging

I need a formal home office - like yesterday, yesterday I needed a formal home office - Values = Productivity and provision

We want to enjoy the green outside when we are indoors - Values = Nature and health

We want to create a “wow” moment when people enter our home - Values = Joy, creativity an d aesthetic

The list can go on and on, but ultimately what we find to be the value of home is in happy, healthy and thriving families and livelihoods , a place where we create belonging for our family members, guests, and community; a place where we can be productive and growing individuals , a place that represents our own personal values and aesthetic, a reflection of who we are , and a place where we find beauty, peace and joy .

What is the value of home ownership ? It gives us control and autonomy, with the flexibility and freedom to create the space that will align with our personal value of home and the land on which it resides.

In the last year, to further the expertise we can bring to the table on home and the value of home, I finally got my real estate license and became a REALTOR(R) (the capitalization being a National Association of REALTORS (NAR) trademark, not a personal preference).

Just this year NAR updated their Code of Ethics, the Preamble for which provides beautiful and somewhat dramatic language on the value of home, and establishes their unique perspective on the value of home and the land on which it resides:

Under all is the land. Upon its wise utilization and widely allocated ownership depend the survival and growth of free institutions and of our civilization. REALTORS® should recognize that the interests of the nation and its citizens require the highest and best use of the land and the widest distribution of land ownership. They require the creation of adequate housing, the building of functioning cities, the development of productive industries and farms, and the preservation of a healthful environment. Such interests impose obligations beyond those of ordinary commerce. They impose grave social responsibility and a patriotic duty to which REALTORS® should dedicate themselves, and for which they should be diligent in preparing themselves. REALTORS®, therefore, are zealous to maintain and improve the standards of their calling and share with their fellow REALTORS® a common responsibility for its integrity and honor.

We hope to bring that drive and dedication to help people make the best use of their home and property, for our clients and all we interact with in 2024.

Contact us to learn more about our Services and how we can help you to create the best value for your home and land, in alignment with your own personal values and priorities.

For anyone like myself who likes to “nerd out” on the data- check out the 2024 Texas Real Estate Forecast - Texas Real Estate Research Center (tamu.edu)

And you can find the full text of the newly released Code of Ethics for the National Association of Realtors on the NAR website 2024-nar-coe-standards-of-practice-2023-12-21.pdf

Looking forward to connecting with you in 2024, it is sure to be a great year!

- Annemarie Diaz and the TRS Team

Deck the Halls! Making the Most of Your Outdoor Space

annemarie@trsbuild.com (Annemarie Diaz) — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 00:41:00 GMT

Many of the homeowners we meet with are looking for insights and ideas to make better use of their outdoor space, from a simple deck to indoor/outdoor areas like screened in porches and functioning outdoor kitchens with sinks, cooktops, wet bars and pizza ovens, so many options to enjoy our beautiful Central Texas weather while adding value to your home!

The Great Outdoors

It is always a good time to refresh the outdoor space and make full use of everything a property has to offer. This can be done in various ways, whether it be by creating a strictly functional space, a personal oasis, a social hub, or bringing the indoors outside.

While December may seem like an odd time to be thinking about your new deck or patio - it actually is the perfect time to get started with design and permitting so that your new outdoor space will be ready for spring. Check out a few of our finished projects below for ideas and inspiration of what could be possible for your own home!

Functional Spaces

Functional outdoor spaces are becoming more and more popular, especially in our post-pandemic era, the most common example being your basic family-friendly deck. These can be one-level or multi-level spaces that provide comfortable seating for the whole family plus guests, and can also incorporate storage space, and outdoor dining.

Outdoor kitchens are increasing in popularity as well. The kitchen as indoor social hub can also apply to the outdoors. Outdoor kitchens almost always feature a grill with built-in drawers or cabinets for storing cooking utensils and dishware. Higher budget outdoor kitchens may also include plumbed sinks for cleanup and drinking water access, a refrigerator, and maybe adding on a smoker or pizza oven.

Aside the kitchen one may want a covered outdoor living room with cozy seating around a firepit or outdoor coffee table. We love the tables with built-in fireplaces, perfect for setting a favorite beverage down while roasting one’s marshmallow! Another popular option for these spaces is to install a wall mounted television for watching the game or holding family movie nights.

The Big Sliding Door

They are trendy and they are not cheap, but everyone loves a big door! The bigger the better, with bold bronze or black finishes, sometimes replacing entire exterior walls to create a breathtaking view to the outdoors (preferably visible when guests enter the home). Pricing for these large doors varies greatly depending on the configuration of the door (the number of operable panels). Think about how the space will be used and accessed, and consider whether you really need a full multipaneled sliding door, or if a door with sidelights (picture windows) can provide the views you desire at a more economical price point.

Backyard Oasis

The privacy of a backyard setting is the perfect foundation for building a personal and family oasis. Every homeowner can reimagine their backyard space in a different way, and that is an essential part of the magic. Some people choose to create a wide open, sunny space with an in-ground pool; garden lovers can create extensive networks of edible and decorative plants that will keep their hands dirty all season; and less outdoorsy folks may be looking for a covered patio with full bar and a large screen TV with sports on 24-7.

Another wonderful idea is to have an intimate and tranquil space for reading and recuperating. Low-maintenance shrubbery, small trees, maybe a serene water feature, can transform any backyard space into the perfect relaxation zone.

To Cover or not to Cover

“Is it better to cover the deck or leave uncovered?” Both! Covered space is of course going to be much more usable in the Texas summer, add a ceiling fan and a few lights and a covered patio can be used in most seasons. That said, some of us love the sun and also want a portion of space allocated to catching some Vitamin D when it isn’t 105 degrees out! Balancing priorities is a key need when thinking of how to best use that space. Also consider the position of the sun at different times of the day when thinking about what areas you may want to leave uncovered.

Convert to Conditioned Space

Families can grow for a number of reasons: a new baby being born, adult children may need to come back home or simply visit, and aging parents may move in if they need assistance during retirement and beyond. Many homeowners also reach out to us to provide consultation on options to covert outdoor spaces like covered patios into an additional room, creating a relatively inexpensive way to add interior square footage and functionality to the home.

Final Thoughts

We love a well curated outdoor or indoor-outdoor space! The options are nearly limitless: with the right design plan and the right crew to bring it to life, every homeowner will fall in love with their space all over again. One does need to be aware of restrictions that may exist in different cities as well as restrictions or approvals needed by Homeowner Associations, and also to be aware of appropriate materials selections for safe use of the outdoor area. Many jurisdictions will require engineering design as part of their approval process, and even if not in a City jurisdiction it is wise to have formal structural plans to ensure the safety and longevity of your outdoor investment.

How Kitchen Renovations Can Modernize Your Home

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 22:38:59 GMT

In the realm of home improvement, few undertakings hold the transformative power of a well-executed kitchen renovation. With a multitude of options for both functional enhancements and aesthetic upgrades, it's a renovation endeavor that extends far beyond the confines of the space itself, a space that is frequently the very heart of your home. Below is an exploration of the multifaceted ways in which kitchen remodeling can revitalize and modernize your entire home.

Open Concept Living

One of the key long-term trends in contemporary home design is the integration of open concept living spaces. By breaking down walls and creating seamless transitions between the kitchen, dining area, and living room, a kitchen renovation can usher in an airier, more expansive ambiance. This spatial fluidity not only modernizes the kitchen but also fosters a sense of connectivity and unity throughout your home.

Enhanced Functionality

Modern kitchen designs are centered around efficiency and functionality as much as beauty. A well-planned kitchen could introduce innovative storage solutions, ergonomic layouts, and state-of-the-art appliances. Integrating concepts of Universal Design (a design philosophy that aims to make products, environments, and services accessible and functional for everyone, regardless of age, disability, or other factors, see our July 2022 Blog on Universal Design ) is imperative for planning the usage of the space. These enhancements not only streamline your culinary endeavors, but also introduce a whole new level of convenience and ease to your daily routines and ensure the space functions well for everyone who lives in and visits the home.

Energy Efficiency

Today's kitchen appliances are engineered with energy conservation in mind. By incorporating energy-efficient appliances and fixtures into a space, homeowners not only reduce their carbon footprint but also lower utility bills. This eco-conscious approach aligns the home with modern sustainability standards, creating a more environmentally friendly living space.

Technological Integration

The integration of smart technology has become a hallmark of modern homes. A kitchen renovation provides the perfect opportunity to introduce a range of tech-savvy features. From touchless faucets and smart lighting to connected kitchen appliances, these innovations not only elevate the functionality of your kitchen but also infuse a contemporary, cutting-edge vibe into your entire living space.

Aesthetic Elevation

The aesthetic impact of a kitchen renovation will reverberate throughout your home. One of the things we love about today’s design is that really anything goes. From sleek flat frameless cabinetry and minimalist design elements to traditional stained wood and Saltillo tiles, material and color selections using a cohesive color palette can customize the look to the homeowner’s design tastes and the experience they want their guests to have when entering the space. Whether looking for a timeless white; contemporary blacks, neutrals and woods; the feel of walking through a Spanish villa, and anything in between – TRS is here to help you discover the beauty and elegance you seek for this centerpiece room in the home that will visually flow to the rest of your home.

Increased Property Value

Investing in a kitchen renovation is not just an aesthetic endeavor; it's a strategic financial move. A modern, well-designed kitchen will significantly enhance the market value of the home. Prospective buyers are drawn to homes with updated kitchens, recognizing them as a testament to the overall care and investment in the property.

Personalized Style and Taste

Personalization allows homeowners to infuse their unique style and personality into the heart of the home. Whether opting for a sleek, minimalist aesthetic or a cozy, farmhouse-inspired design, the kitchen effectively sets the tone for the rest of the living space. This personal touch modernizes the home in a way that resonates with individual taste and preferences. One of our favorite client quotes is “I know beauty when I see it, but I don’t know how to create it.” Let us help you create the beauty and functionality you seek for your home.

Conclusion

A kitchen renovation is not just confined to the four walls of the culinary space; it can create a ripple effect, modernizing your entire home through open concept living, enhanced functionality, energy efficiency, technological integration, aesthetic elevation, increased property value, and personalized style. A kitchen remodel done well can efficiently bring a new vitality to your whole living space. It's an investment that not only modernizes your home but also enhances its functionality, aesthetics, and market appeal. In the realm of home improvement, few endeavors hold such transformative power.

Trending Bathroom Renovation Ideas to Transform a Space

annemarie@trsbuild.com (Annemarie Diaz) — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 15:28:11 GMT

When considering which spaces to remodel in the home, bathrooms nearly always top the list of both homeowner and homebuyer priorities. It’s often the first room one sees in the morning, and the last stop before bedtime, and the guest bath or powder room will be visited by many visitors over its lifetime. And there are so many fun options for what can be done in a bathroom! So why not remodel a bathroom space to match your personality and style?

There are many ways to modernize and personalize a bathroom ranging from relatively easy and affordable cosmetic upgrades to complete renovations that can include moving walls to expand the space or adding windows to bring in light, whatever is needed to make the space exactly as wanted by the homeowner. After years of people relegating the primary bath to the bottom of the renovation list (usually because no one except the primary homeowners spend time there), we are happy to be finding more homeowners prioritizing their primary bath as a treat for themselves to have more enjoyment in their own home, taking it from being a place for daily business, to a place for relaxation and peace. Dimmable lighting, heated floors, beautiful special tiles, light fixtures and colors; getting rid of the tub to create a shower for two, or adding a beautiful freestanding tub with a handy bathtub tray with a place for your glass of wine, a book, or a phone (but no working allowed in the tub!) - so many ways to turn the primary bath into a respite from a busy demanding life.

With so many options, and so many requirements, we recommend not skipping the design phase for any major bathroom remodel. Design services are essential in exploring both aesthetics and what can be done in a bathroom within code limitations. Bathrooms have a smaller footprint, require a full range of trades to be successful, and there are also code compliance requirements that need to be considered when developing the new floor plan. Design services are also essential for evaluating universal design considerations to ensure that people can use the space regardless of their age or abilities. Also, the use of design services and 3D walkthroughs give a better sense of flow and function for this relatively small but highly functional space.

Whether you are living in a studio condominium or a multi-level house, here are five trending renovation ideas to spruce up one of the most important rooms in your home.

Convert An Outdated Tub into a Walk-In Shower

Walk-in showers are in demand, both for their beauty and functionality. They are safer for people who have difficulty climbing in and out of a tub to take a shower, and many homeowners report that they just plain do not use the tub and would like that floor space for other things, like a larger shower or additional storage. Many clients are asking us to get rid of the old built-in tubs in the primary bath and opting for a larger walk-in shower, or retiling the outside of a built-in to give it a completely new and updated look. Fun tiles, modern fixtures, and options for glass doors can instantly make the entire bathroom look and feel amazing! All that said, for resale value it is always recommended to leave at least one tub in the home.

Freestanding Tubs

When opting to keep a tub, most clients are asking us to replace old built-in tubs with beautiful freestanding tubs. These days this style of tub comes in at many different styles and price points, and options for jacuzzi as well! Adding in some beautiful wall tile either rising just above the tub height or tiling the whole wall behind the tub creates a beautiful background for these elegant fixtures.

Fun with Colors and Patterns

Oh, the Texas tile – the classic orangy-earthy looking tile that accompanies expresso brown cabinets in so many Texas kitchens and bathrooms! Most people want to replace it with either white marbled tiles, sometimes with black accents or feature walls, or bold colors and textures. Beautiful wallpapers can make a small powder room pop with personality (love it!). The black-white-wood combination remains very popular these days for a clean contemporary but natural look. Tile selections are another area where design services are a plus, to enable homeowners to see different tile combinations prior to making final selections.

Try choosing a bold tile pattern for the floor, shower, or tub – black and white, subway tile, colorful accents, deep greens and other jewel tones, and natural-looking stones; or a fun wallpaper or dark accent wall. Another fun option, wainscoting or shiplap can provide a classic, antique, or farmhouse feel depending on the color and style. Any (or all!) of these can help make your bathroom perfect for your family and guests.

Power Up the Powder Room

That little room in the hall, the one that gets the most activity per square foot at any gathering, has so much potential to be a fun eclectic space! Keep it in the same theme as the home or do something completely different, at a fairly affordable price point this little room can become a family favorite !

Wet Rooms

We love a nice wet room! Especially for people who would like to have both a freestanding tub and a large walk-in shower but don’t quite have the space for them, a wet room can be the perfect solution, combining a free standing tub within the same enclosure as the walk-in shower. Beautiful and also very functional for families so parents can shower while the kiddos are taking their bath!

Adding On

Tiny bathrooms especially the primary bath, or only having one bathroom in the home, is both uncomfortable for the current homeowner, and a serious risk for the future sale of the home. In these cases, it may very well make sense to either move walls in the home to enlarge an existing bathroom, or add onto the home with a new primary suite, en suite, or an extension to enlarge the bathroom. Adding on now allows you to enjoy your home more while living there, and future home buyers will find the property much more attractive.

Spruce Up the Space with New Mirrors, Light Fixtures, Drawer Pulls, or Fresh Cabinet Colors

If tub to shower conversions or major tile purchases are outside the budget, try purchasing a new mirror, light fixture, and set of drawer pulls all in the same theme. Most do-it-yourselfers can take this on, along with applying a fresh coat of paint!

Stylish bathroom mirrors can become the focal point of the space. Light fixtures can also be used not only to brighten a dark or windowless room but also to establish an overall updated look. Chandeliers (yes, they can be used in the bathroom!), adding recessed lighting, and backlit LED mirrors are all trending now and not going out any time soon. Changing out drawer pulls can also provide a fun update as they come in an endless variety of appealing shapes and styles. If you want to go extra funky – there are some really unique knobs out there to reflect any personality and preference.

Whereas painting walls is something most of us can take on, painting cabinets is not. If you are going to have this done make sure your cabinets are in good condition, and have the job done by a professional who will both refinish and paint the cabinets to look like new. Also check online, you may find a good deal for a new vanity that could convince you to replace what you have instead of painting it. That said, good quality cabinets don’t come cheap, if your cabinets are good quality then refinishing and painting may be the right path. And just like with walls and tiles, you can have some fun with beautiful pastels and jewel tones for cabinets as well!

Align your Dreams with your Budget

The hardest part - whether it’s a full overhaul, a simple cosmetic makeover, or actually adding to the square footage of the existing home – aligning what you really want with the budget you can afford maybe the most difficult part of your project. The options for revamping a bathroom are endless. Have fun, be bold, and do what you can to give the space a whole new personality and optimize your enjoyment of it!

See some of our kitchen and bath work here , and contact us to learn more about how we can transform your bathroom into one of your favorite spaces in the home!

Report from Central Texas Housing Summit

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 00:27:17 GMT

Today, Shaniko and I had the opportunity to attend the 2023 Central Texas Housing Summit , put on by the Austin Board of Realtors . This significant event brought together visionaries, industry experts, and community leaders, all driven by a shared mission to shape the future of housing in Central Texas and build a better tomorrow for our residents. We though there were a few highlights worth sharing with our TRS community!

The Summit had many great speakers, experts in the field of national and local housing, economy, labor and employment markets, and the interplay between them, including Dr. Selma Hepp, Chief Economist with CoreLogic; Dr. Clare Lowry, ABoR Housing Economist; and Mark Sprague, State Director of Information Capital with Independence Title.

ABoR also announced their new Rent vs. Buy report, just released today, more info and link below!

And Austin Mayor Kirk Watson provided an update on what City government is doing to address affordability and streamline the development review process, something for which all of us working in construction in Austin are looking forward to!

Key Questions Answered

Summit presenters answered several questions we believe are on the minds of our TRS community.

What will happen with interest rates? Still some debate on this one - we may see a slight decline coming in the fall, though other experts anticipate 2-3 years before we will see any reduction in interest rates. Something to bear in mind, while we all have loved the 2.5% interest rates we have enjoyed over the last couple years, in reality that low of an interest rate isn’t healthy for the overall economy. The current 6% interest rate is still manageable, especially given the concessions sellers and builders are still willing to provide and the long-term financial relevance of homeownership, something highlighted in the Rent vs Buy report linked below.

Will home prices continue to decline? The fall in home prices we have seen over the last year is expected to level off, we have reached a plateau. While we may still see a slight decline in home prices, that will be offset by continued population growth as Austin remains one of the most popular cities for relocations. In addition, the last two years new home construction has significantly declined, leaving a supply shortage in place that will support future price increases.

Is the Austin economy remaining strong? Very, very strong. We continue to see job growth, we continue to have an influx of population, Texas remains a desirable location, and Austin perhaps the most desirable location within Texas.

What are Austin homeowners looking for in their new home? There is a national trend of people moving out of dense urban areas into less dense areas and smaller towns. Driven in part by affordability constraints in the city as well as personal preferences, people are looking to move out into surrounding areas where they can get more home and space for the money.

Are construction costs declining since the end of COVID? Unfortunately no, labor costs have not gone down and there has not been a significant increase in mills to support lumber availability. From TRS experience, we can say that there absolutely has been some price reductions in certain types of materials (for example basic 2x4 studs), while on average most other materials remain at similar price points over the last year. This affects cost of remodeling as well as construction of custom homes and home additions.

Rent vs. Buy Report

There are many factors a prospective homebuyer has in mind when considering whether to purchase a home of their own instead of renting. How long they will be in the home, affordability, and whether they can find something that meets their aesthetic and style. That said, the American Dream of homeownership remains, and for good reason.

ABoR was pleased to announce the release their 2023 Central Texas Rent vs. Buy Index during today's summit. Seeing as the producers of this report are far more intelligent than I, we better just provide an excerpt from the Executive Summary here and you can see more at the link below!

"The buy vs. rent index developed in this report models the tradeoff between purchasing a home or renting and investing in stocks, comparable alternative to homeownership. Specifically, this index creates a “horse race” between owning or renting and investing in stocks by comparing the proceeds from the sale of a home to the proceeds from a stock portfolio. The index is generated for three types of homebuyers: first-time buyers, move-up buyers, and luxury buyers for two scenarios, the first of which models retrospective outcomes for buyers who purchased between 2007 and 2022 and sold between 2007 and 2023, while the second models the potential outcomes buyers who purchase in 2023 and sell between 2023 and 2037.

In the Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown MSA, the results of the index indicate that, on average, homeownership would have been more financially favorable for all three types of buyers and for both scenarios. Under the first scenario, homeownership favored renting and investing nearly every 4 times out of 5 for first-time buyers, over 9 times out of 10 for move-up buyers, and nearly 10 times out of 10 for luxury buyers. Under the second scenario, homeownership favored renting and investing nearly every 3 times out of 4 for first-time buyers and in every instance for both move-up and luxury buyers." - 2023 Central Texas Rent vs. Buy Index

You can find the full report here .

Committed to Collaboration

By working together, we firmly believe that working together we can create a thriving housing ecosystem that stands as a testament to innovation, affordability, and sustainability.

The road ahead is filled with challenges, but we also see boundless opportunities to make a lasting difference in the lives of Central Texas residents.

Stay Informed

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Contact Us to talk more about how we can help you optimize the beauty, value, and functionality of your home!

How To Plan for A Home Remodel

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 17:59:25 GMT

In our crazy real estate market, moving to a new home is still difficult for many families, making remodeling or adding onto one’s home an attractive option for many of us here in Austin and the surrounding area.

Homeowners have spent more of their resources on home renovations over the past few years than ever before, according to Statista. In 2019, homeowners spent $328 billion on home improvement projects. In 2023, they are estimated to spend about $485 billion.

These homeowners can reap significant financial benefits too, as even small kitchen renovations can have an 87% return on investment. That said, we always recommend that homeowners think in terms of the value and quality of life they will get from their home improvements, and compare to the costs of alternatives like moving, as much or more so than the direct ROI that will come from the remodel and/or home addition. Even small projects like brightening up a kitchen , indulging in a primary bath remodel , adding on a nice deck or outdoor area , or enclosing an existing patio to add to the conditioned square footage of the home are all great options to improve the beauty, value, and functionality of the home.

So what can you do as a homeowner to plan for your next renovation?

The following tips can help make any type of remodel a success.

Outline Goals and Budget

When we first meet with people who have a new home project in mind, it is most important to know what you need, and why you want to change your home. So step one is to define or conceptualize what it is you need, and what you think it may take to get there. From there we can work with you to provide options for what can be done to the home to best meet your needs within your desired budget.

Set Priorities: Even a seemingly minor home remodel project usually takes longer and costs more than homeowners initially expect. Before hiring a contractor, homeowners should make a short list of needs and wants – focusing on outcomes rather than project specifics. A goal may be functional, such as needed office space, replacing an old roof, or creating a more open floor plan. Goals can also be purely aesthetic. A few goals we frequently hear from our clients are: “I would like my home to be more beautiful so I can enjoy it and enjoy sharing it with others," or "I would like to have more private space for reading, studying or working;" "we would like a space dedicated to family time with media and games," or "I would like my kitchen to be more usable, functional, where multiple people can cook together and where we can entertain while cooking;" "I would like to be able to see into our back yard when I walk in the home and we would like more openness and light in the common areas," or "we need a new roof and would like to add a sunroom or outdoor area along with it so we can better enjoy the outdoors” and so forth.

Where there are two homeowners involved, go through that list together and set priorities – what is most important to you and why?

Consider the Budget: After understanding your goals, think about the resources you are willing to spend to get there, and where will they come from. Many of our clients use a blend of funds transferred from investment accounts (shifting funds from one investment into an investment in the home), take out home equity or home improvement loans, refinance, or use home improvement project financing in addition to funds from personal savings. Credit cards can be an option where points or other perks are available and the charges can be bought down quickly.

A fund should also be set aside as a contingency since home remodeling projects can lead to surprise costs and repairs that were not known or accounted for, what we in the industry refer to as “existing conditions.” In most cases these are pre-existing issues with the home that could not be recognized prior to opening walls.

Part of the budget may include necessities such as renting an apartment or staying at a hotel, depending on the length of the project. Your contractor should be able to tell you whether you can live in the home for any or all of the project. We always recommend that even if you are able to stay in the home for the duration of the project (for example with a small home addition or a remodel to the kitchen or bathroom), you should still plan to be out for a few days, especially if there will be tile or drywall demo which can be the messiest part of a project.

Design Services

Consider whether you will need design services for your project. At TRS we believe that the design phase is one of the most important parts of the project, thus most of our projects include full design services. The design process is integral to ensuring that all parties are on the same page related to the scope of work, and enable you the homeowner to “see” - on paper and in 3D computer modeling - exactly what we will build for you. This process frequently brings about minor or even major changes in direction as we work with you to think through needs, wants and priorities, and how we can best satisfy them through your home renovation. And then the icing! Using the design process to select materials, colors, tile patterns, shelving, the finishing touches, and put them all together to create the look and feel of your new or renovated spaces!

You can also consider whether you would like to select a designer separate from your builder. As a design-build firm, we usually perform all services from design through permitting through construction, and our clients find this ensures consistency and clarity of scope throughout the project. In addition, as a builder we bring into the design process downstream considerations related to how design decisions may impact time or cost of the build. That said, we also work with local architects and designers that were brought on by our clients prior to working with us. Either way, for small projects design services are a plus, and for large ones, they are usually a necessity.

In addition to supporting a common understanding of scope, and beautiful and functional end results, design services may be a requirement due to the next step in a project – Permitting and Approvals.

Other Remodel Requirements – Permits and Home Owners Associations

Another question we frequently hear early on - will my project need a permit? That depends on where you live (what city or permitting jurisdiction) as well as the scope of the project. Generally, if you live in an area that is under a city permitting jurisdiction and your project involves adding square footage, converting garage or attic square footage to conditioned (heated and cooled space), changing an existing floor plan (moving interior walls), or changing anything related to mechanical, electrical, or plumbing (MEP), then your project will trigger permitting requirements. Outside of City jurisdiction, there may still be county requirements or MUD/PUD requirements that are very similar to permitting. Depending on your location and project type, permitting will add some time and costs to the project. The good news is that your contractor can take care of the permitting requirements for you, and should have an understanding of the permitting rules in your area.

Also, if you live in an area with a Home Owners Association (HOA), they may also have requirements. Typically HOAs focus on exterior work (what the neighbors will see), and they may also have requirements around where contractors can park or where a port-o-let (porta potty) can be placed if needed during construction. We always recommend that if you are considering on doing a major project, or anything that affects the exterior of the home, give your HOA a call just to see what they expect for notifications or submittals. As well as providing full service permitting, TRS also helps clients with documentation needed for the HOA or neighborhood association.

Choose a Contractor Carefully

Contractors and their staff are essential partners in making a remodel everything you want it to be. That’s why doing research is the key to finding a reputable and experienced contractor who not only understands a vision, but respects time and money constraints. Often, your remodeling contractor can make helpful suggestions to reduce costs in unessential areas, or optional design opportunities that hadn’t been considered.

Ask friends and family if they know any contractors they’d recommend and check their websites and reviews, or check out lists of local remodeling companies that are part of reputable member organizations like the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) and the Home Builders Association (HBA), both of which maintain lists of member companies. TRS Build is a member of both of these organizations and finds them to be essential and incredibly valuable resources. Through these memberships we as a contractor have multiple opportunities to learn together with other reputable builders in our industry, growing in our knowledge of building practices and client service.

After selecting builders you may want to work with, schedule a consultation to get a feel for their work, processes, values, and culture. It’s also wise to meet with more than one contractor to compare estimates.

Be Patient

Coming full circle on a remodeling project takes time. Time to decide what matters most to you, time to find the contractor you want to work with, time to work through their design process and achieve necessary approvals, and that is all before starting construction!

Renovations can take weeks or months, so be realistic about a timeline. Your contractor should be able to provide an estimated timeline, with the understanding that change orders, inspections, weather, and other outside factors can impact final completion of the project.

Whether it’s a big kitchen project, a new roof with a home addition, deck or sunroom expansion, or a whole home remodel, TRS can provide the full-service expertise needed for every renovation.

Click here to tell us more about the next project you have in mind, questions are free!

When to Move and When to Consider an Addition

Fri, 21 Apr 2023 20:40:11 GMT

Home is where the heart is, but over time a family’s changing needs may require something more than just an interior remodel.

Perhaps a family has grown and desperately needs more space. We work with many families who are growing with more children, young adults coming back to the home after college, and more and more people are choosing to care for their aging parents in the home. We love working with growing families, helping to plan a new space for them, and working to understand their particular needs and how to meet those needs within their desired budget. An extra bedroom or en suite may be required to care for another loved one full-time, or a multipurpose space that can be used as a temporary guest room. Some homes offer the opportunity to build into unused attic space to create a new bedroom, bathroom, or both. Also taking advantage of outdoor spaces by enclosing patios, and/or creating a new patio or deck that can serve as a gathering space for family and friends. Tastes and trends change as well, and in an ever-fickle real estate market where a home transaction consumes 10% or more of the property value, a home addition may be the best option for creating the features you need in your existing home, and an asset to selling a home in the future.

Whenever thinking of adding onto the home, be sure to invest in design services that will enable you to envision both interior and exterior views, with files that can be transferred to a licensed engineer to provide the structural plans.

So, when do homeowners consider when to move or when to consider an addition ? Here are a few things we typically discuss with our clients who are wrestling with that decision.

Home Addition Basics

Home additions range from the functional to the luxurious — and can encompass both. It can be as simple as an extra room, or perhaps a sunroom attached to an extra living room that doubles as a space for guests with a new bathroom as well.

They often not only increase square footage and everyday functionality, but they also property value as well. J ust like with a home interior remodel, we always recommend to our clients that if you are thinking of selling a few years down the road, make your upgrades now so that you can enjoy them and also get the added value in your future sales price.

Of course, costs vary wildly for home additions. For instance, adding a deck or basic patio may be done for under $20,000, but an entire suite with a bathroom and bedroom can be upwards of $100,000 depending on size, features, and ease of integrating with existing systems in the home.

We work with many homeowners who are looking to take advantage of an existing carport, garage, or attic space. These can be great options, bearing in mind what may be given up.

When to go with an Addition

Home additions are often worth the financial investment, but there are several particular reasons why they can be so advantageous.

The main reasons we find homeowners choosing to invest in an addition are because they love the neighborhood, they don’t want to uproot their kids from their school, and/or they have significant equity in the home. Also, a property transaction carries a cost of not less than 10% of the value of the home, for a $500,000 home that means the transaction cost along of selling one home and purchasing another is typically not less than $50,000. Not to mention the time, effort and expense involved in the moving process.

Depending on the current state of the real estate market in a homeowner’s area, it may make better financial sense to go with an addition over putting a home on the market and entering a potentially challenging search for a new place.

An addition also ensures that a homeowner will get exactly what they want, something that rarely happens during the search for a new home. The design, style, and functionality of the space are custom built and entirely tailored to what the owners desire.

It ensures that a specific need will be addressed, which may not occur when deciding to find a “better place somewhere else”. For example, there’s no guarantee that the best option for a new home will have a sunroom, an en suite bathroom, or a deck. However, all of those can be added to an existing home rather easily and relatively quickly.

Overall, it is usually less expensive to invest in an addition to a current home rather than to find or build a new home.

When to Move

Deciding to move is generally a more significant life decision than adding on to an existing home.

While homeowners must consider their budget, they should also ask themselves important questions, such as whether they believe a new home can lead to a better way of life, if they are up for overseeing a renovation or putting the work into a new home, and whether their personal tastes will be reflected in moving to a new home.

An addition may not be worth the investment if the primary goal is relocating to a different location or if personal style isn’t a factor. Certain communities have strict zoning and planning regulations that can make an addition more of a challenge.

Going with an addition could also greatly reduce the property’s usable outdoor space or acreage. By moving, one does not have to worry about living in a construction site for a potentially long amount of time or dealing with contractors.

When it comes down to it, a home addition usually offers more flexibility and potentially faster results, the benefits of staying in one’s existing area, ensuring that one’s personal needs will be met and aesthetic reflected in the home, and avoiding the time, hassle and expense of moving.

Moving means spending more money and accepting that one won’t necessarily get what they want in a space. Even then, there is always a certain appeal to embracing a brand-new environment.

The bottom line: The choice is highly personal, and with the various pros and cons for each option, it pays off to take the time to thoroughly determine which makes the most sense at the time.

See more of portfolio of custom home and home addition projects here , and contact us if you are interested in learning more about opportunities to improve your home value and functionality with a home addition or accessory building!

Five Kitchen Renovation Ideas to Increase Property Value

annemarie@trsbuild.com (Annemarie Diaz) — Thu, 16 Mar 2023 21:17:42 GMT

Looking to increase the property value of a home? The kitchen remodel is often the beating heart of all activity in a house, and as such, the value of kitchen renovations shouldn’t be underestimated. It may be difficult to get started, though, so let’s look at five of the best remodeling ideas for increasing overall property value, and also adding to the beauty and functionality while you are living in the home.

Adding value to a home is accomplished by performing renovations and adding new features that potential buyers will find attractive, setting the property apart from others. In the kitchen, some of these beneficial features can include new energy-efficient appliances, high-quality lighting, a new color or finish on cabinetry, or an update to the floor of the kitchen.

Below, five of the most popular renovation ideas that are most likely to increase a property’s value are discussed. Once the list is complete, any potential home seller should feel confident in their ability to present the property as a new and outstanding asset to any buyer based on the attractive features of the kitchen! If you are thinking of selling your home, we always advocate for doing these renovations early, so you can enjoy them before leaving, ... or you may even decide to stay!

Top Five Kitchen Renovation Ideas

It’s all well and good to plan on wanting a property’s value to increase, but carrying that out is another matter. This is especially true since any renovation project can wind up costing more than anticipated. For these reasons, deciding on a project can feel overwhelming and even a little scary.

Take a look at a few possible renovation suggestions so that any potential sellers can reap the benefits of return on investment at closure.

Include New Appliances

In addition to improving the ease and functionality of working in the kitchen, new appliances can give a kitchen the look of being as up-to-date with technology as the house is new and valuable! These can include new ovens, refrigerators, stoves, and dishwashers.

If the appliances are also energy efficient, this doubles as a bonus for the homeowner because energy costs can be lowered. Appliances can be a major investment, and different makes and models have widely varying price points and availability timelines. While COVID-related supply chain issues affecting appliance delivery dates have somewhat subsided, higher end brands in particular can still take a year or more for delivery. Be careful in choosing brands and models that provide the function, the aesthetic, and are available at a price point and timeline that makes sense for your family and a future buyer.

Install Better Lighting

Low-quality lighting can cast a dim and unattractive glow on even the most beautiful kitchen. One of the first steps a seller should take is adding LED bulbs, which are energy efficient and can shine a light of high quality on the kitchen. Nearly all of our kitchen projects include the installation of recessed lighting on dimmable switches that allow for a range of lighting levels. In addition, pendants and central lighting fixtures can add to the aesthetic or provide additional lighting above an island or other central area. Like any improvements, if the house is to go up for sale in the near future, one must balance the payback than can be had with better offers and reduced time on market. Whereas if you are planning to stay in the home, good kitchen lighting is a must.

Update the Cabinets

It doesn’t cost too much to select a coat of paint that fits well with other aspects of the home while providing cabinets with a bright new look. Don’t forget to add a new finish if the cabinet’s previous finish has suffered wear and tear. When painting, cabinets should be completely refinished and repainted to make them look new. However, if the cabinets are not in good condition, adding a coat of paint may not offer much benefit. We only recommend refinishing and painting the cabinets where the cabinet itself is still in good condition.

In terms of cabinet style, shaker cabinets have been for many years, and continue to be, the favorite for a simple and clean transitional look.

What color to choose? These days there are so many beautiful options, but if you are looking to sell immediately the white kitchen remains a standard favorite, with gray or two-tone white and gray also being very popular. If you are looking to remain in the home, go with what you like and will enjoy! Natural tone or flat European style cabinets often come at higher price points; however, they provide a comfortable, organic and unique beauty for which the daily enjoyment may be worth the investment.

Replacing handles can make a huge difference in the look, feel and style of the kitchen. Selecting handles with the same size (hole locations) provides an inexpensive way to update the kitchen.

Last but not least, adding drawers or pull-out trays into lower cabinets is a must for people of all ages and abilities, allowing for better access to and use of cabinet space.

Add an Island

If you don’t have one already, a great way to modernize and update the kitchen is by adding an island. An island can create a more open layout, add a diverse element to the space, and can also add functionality with more cabinets, storage, shelving, and bar seating. Islands also offer lots of options for fun stylistic elements, by adding shiplap, shelving, tile, or wallpaper below the counter, and pendant lighting above. Many of the families we work for are using their islands as their casual dining/breakfast area as formal breakfast and dining areas are diminishing in priority. For sure, the island has become the center of the kitchen for guests and family alike!

Update the Floor

Finally, updating the floor of a kitchen can make the entire room look new and high in quality by eliminating all past damage from spills or scuffs with a more durable format. Wood-look Luxury Vinyl Plank has become a favorite for kitchens due to their water resistance and variety of colors and styles. Today’s options are beautiful in the kitchen and extend into all main areas of the home. Many clients are looking to open the kitchen into living, dining, and den areas, and use the same flooring throughout to maintain consistency throughout the open floor plan.

In Conclusion

To sum it all up, the best way to renovate a kitchen is to add new features, like appliances, an island and improved lighting. Quality, energy efficient appliances, add benefits as well. Provided cabinets are in good condition, adding a new coat of paint and finish to the cabinets, with some new hardware to make the update complete, can give the new kitchen an appeal to almost any buyer. If you are looking to create the kitchen of your dreams, we would love to help you make the most of your space and budget, and bring in the features that support the purposes and aesthetic unique to your individual needs and personality.

Contact us to learn more about how we can help you to increase the value of your home before sale, or improve the beauty and functionality of your home for you and your family to enjoy for years to come!

Highlights from International Builder Show

Fri, 17 Feb 2023 21:54:26 GMT

At TRS Build we believe in continuing education and staying current on trends and best practices. One of the best ways to do so is through memberships in industry associations. TRS Build is an active member of both the Home Builder's Association (HBA) and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) .

In addition to staying active in local chapter events, we try to attend key industry events like the International Builder Show put on every year by the National Association of Home Builders. This year's show provided a chance to learn and network with nearly 70,000 builders, remodelers and industry providers! Three days packed with informational sessions, demonstrations, and more than 1000 companies exhibiting products on the expo floor. Check out some of the highlights bel ow:

Kitchen:

Lots of new product ideas including a virtual rainbow of multi-tasking sinks with all the gadgets, beautiful new colors and diverse materials.

After years of black, white, gray and wood dominating the market, people are bringing in softer colors and hues for cabinetry, accent walls and paints. In terms of cabinet style, overall shaker cabinets are still the favorite, with clean and modern frameless styles as runner up.

Also for kitchens, we enjoyed visiting the Bastille booth with unique custom hoods and beautiful metal countertops.

Bath:

Our favorite stop for new bath products was the Kohler display, among which included of the latest toilets in a rainbow of pastel colors! Also in the Kohler section were automated toilets with lights, motion sensors, and built in speakers. These techno-marvels are a bit beyond everyday functionality, but it is fun to see where the market may be heading. While we haven't had any requests for toilets with built in speakers, we are incorporating toilets with bidet functionality and heated seats as much more common features in projects with new baths.

Another trend evident at the show - backlit and custom framed mirrors to create the perfect look for this essential bathroom accessory.

While this hasn't become a trend yet, we look forward to it becoming one! Bathroom safety bars that are both beautiful and functional like those on display with Vista D'Oro! The best time to install these bars is when doing a new build or gut remodel. And they are not just for the elderly, anyone of any age can use these bars, whether from necessity after a sports injury or for added stability when facing an illness, and can also be used to hang essentials.

New Fireplaces:

Continuing the home design trend of upgrading and adding fireplaces - the show had multiple providers with an amazing breadth of styles for new fireplaces. Ranging from super modern electric versions with multiple options for flame color and shape, to indoor/outdoor wall insert fireplaces, to more traditional shapes and styles. Some of the electric models also give off a substantial amount of heat.

Fakro Balcony Window:

We have done several projects to leverage attic space to add rooms, closets, bathrooms and storage areas, and continue to get requests to find ways to better take advantage of open attic space. One of the unique building products at this year's show was this “balcony window” made by Fakro . Designed to be inserted into a rooftop as an attic window, this “window” can fold out into a small balcony! This could be a great add-on to a small den, reading nook, or home office interior addition into attic space.

Housing Market Trends:

The cooling housing market was of course a hot topic at this year's show. Here locally we find some homeowners regaining interest in purchasing new properties as housing costs have fallen below previously skyrocketing values. Interest in remodeling existing homes is still largely the preferred option for homeowners looking to stay in the same neighborhood or school district, and wanting to avoid current high interest rates.

Annemarie Diaz, UDCP

Development & Engagement

TRS Build

2023 Home Design Trends

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 19:39:07 GMT

Who doesn’t get excited for the New Year?

New possibilities, new mindsets, new goals and achievements to look forward to.

And new ideas, materials, color schemes, and gadgets for our homes!

How many design trends do you see in our blog cover photo? The spa-style bath with calming neutral colors, accent walls, large format tiles, picture windows that integrate the interior and exterior, mixed materials with warm woods, tile, glass and metals. Keeping things light, bright, and natural. All of which we see continuing in 2023 and beyond.

What do we expect for 2023?

Two-tone kitchens that combine the timeless popularity of the white kitchen mixed with other tones for a more modern and personal touch continue to be a favorite; the kitchen island as breakfast table, homework space, and entertaining area; large spa-style master baths; the necessity of the home office/study space; fireplace makeovers; and accent walls with wood, wallpaper, and tiles for unique and interesting use of color and pattern. Neutral wall colors continue to be favorites. See Sherwin Williams Top 50 Colors here , loaded with whites, grays, beiges and greiges, and a few leading to black which can be great for accent walls and paneling. In the coming year we also expect to see major home renovations and additions that create highly functional mudroom and laundry room facilities and leverage outdoor spaces as an expansion of the home.

Two-Tone Kitchen

A frequent question we receive from clients - is the two-tone kitchen a dying (or dead) trend? Absolutely not. In line with today’s love for eclecticism, the two-tone kitchen is a great way to combine a classic white kitchen with a pop of color or subtle gray that creates visual interest. Black hardware, gold hardware, and mixing finishes are all still trending as well.

Spa Bath

For years homeowners have been forgoing the master bath for upgrades in other areas of the home. Not anymore! We are seeing more and more clients treating themselves to the relaxing spa-style master bathroom they deserve. Large walk-in showers with beautiful tilework, double shower heads or rain showers combined with traditional shower heads, large format floor tiles. Wet rooms that house the shower space along with a soaking tub are a great option for couples and families with kids (see our earlier Blog "Should we do a wet room?") Common features in these baths include clean neutral colors, windows that bring in light, and using cabinetry, shelving, or benches to mix in wood tones with that bring a natural warmth and beauty to the space.

Fireplace Facelift

What to do with that old fireplace? One change we have seen in the last few years, since Snowpocalypse of 2021, more homeowners are deciding to keep their natural or gas fireplace for the heat it can provide when the lights are out. That said, many homeowners are still deciding to get rid of natural or gas fireplaces for a cleaner looking electric fireplaces that provide more aesthetic than heat and come in a variety of options from a natural look to options with fun colors that change with the click of a remote.

And as for the surround - everything from simple sleek modern tile work, to TV mounts, wood mantles, and even bookshelves! So many options make the fireplace a more versatile space than ever, from a cozy reading area to a dramatic centerpiece of the home. Stone, ledger, and brickwork remain beautiful natural options for fireplace areas, while tiles are becoming more and more popular for a smoother finish, lighter and less bulky look. Large format tiles are great for fireplaces as well as accent walls, especially when going ceiling height.

Accent Walls

The popularity of the accent wall continues, from wallpaper in the powder room, to full tiled walls in kitchens and bathrooms, to beautiful wood accent walls.

Geometric patterns still trending, but really anything goes in terms of color and pattern for these displays of a homeowner’s unique tastes.

Adding Functionality with Laundry Rooms, Mud Rooms and Islands

Laundry rooms and mudrooms are no longer the hidden corners of the home, these rooms are taking on a beauty of their own with custom shelving and cubbies, tiles unique to just these rooms (we love the weathered bohemian floor tile our Austin client chose for their custom designed mudroom/laundry room, and the blue/gray penny wall tile for this Georgetown family). These highly customized and functional spaces are a great place to add special family-friendly features like dog baths, and custom cubbies for kids gear and Amazon packages.

Another winner for functionality - the breakfast table island. Replacing a traditional breakfast area, these islands provide under cabinet storage for homework materials, computers and home workspace items, and items for entertaining. More families are leaning away from traditional breakfast and dining areas, and to more functional multipurpose workspaces and gathering spots for sharing a meal … or a cocktail!

Home Additions Taking Advantage of Outdoor Space

We have many clients adding outdoor spaces and converting existing patios into indoor space, both with the goal of making the existing home and property more functional. Likewise in 2023 we expect to see many homeowners decide to invest in their current home as opposed to buying and relocating their families to get the features they want or need.

The use of large windows and sliding doors to connect the indoors with the outdoors is a trend we expect to see continue for years to come. The use of natural warm wood combined with white/black/charcoal for both indoor and outdoor areas is another beautiful design trend we expect to see continue.

Home Office

See our November 2022 Blog on Home Office Design for photos and ideas for designing the home office!

What we love most about today’s world of home design - almost everything is “in.” From eclecticism with its varied combinations of color, style and pattern, to sleek cool modern finishes, and ever popular deco combinations of white, black, and wood tones. Every day we get to work with clients' individual tastes and needs and create something truly unique and fully functional for their family.

Check out our Services pages and Instagram for more photos from recent projects, and Contact us to see how we can work with you to create the beauty and functionality you seek for your home!

Design Tips for the Home Office

Wed, 09 Nov 2022 02:29:28 GMT

While the COVID crisis is behind us (let’s declare it so!), many families are still looking for ways to create a home office, whether it be by adding space to the home, converting a portion of the garage, or by retrofitting a den or other existing space within the home. We thought it may be helpful to provide just a few things to keep in mind as you look to create your home office. Contact us to learn more about how we can help you make the office space that works for you.

Dedicated Spaces

How many hours would you use the space as a home office? If you work only from home, then it makes sense to have a dedicated space that takes into consideration aesthetics as well as light and perhaps most importantly noise. An attached addition with a separate entrance may work well, where the design can include adequate sound protection, appropriate lighting, and well placed windows. One of our favorite home office projects was to convert an unused workshop in the back of a garage into 2 home office spaces, either of which could also serve as a future guest room. Adding large windows that look out into a tree filled backyard, a new glass pane exterior door with security code, and finishing out the interior with added electrical, hard-wired internet connections for more secure and stable internet access, and a mini-split for heating and cooling. This was worth the investment for homeowners who work long hours, primarily from home.

Before and During Construction:

After:

Existing Room Conversion

We recently completed two projects with wet rooms - distinctly different designs for distinctly different households!

Why do a wet room?

Wait… what is a wet room? Let’s start there! A wet room is a large tiled or otherwise waterproof area that can hold both the shower and bathtub, with glass doors or enclosure.

Why a wet room? A wet room is a practical option to include both a freestanding tub and a shower in a relatively small bathroom. They can be a good fit for all members of the family - to allow for safe splashing for kids as well as a great option for a roll in or seated shower for older or impaired adults. They are great for busy households for ease of cleaning, and they look… amazing!

Rockwood Master Suite Addition

For our Rockwood Master Suite Addition project, a master suite addition for a growing family in Austin, when going through the design phase and listening to their vision for what they wanted with their addition, we presented floor plan options with a traditional master bath and an option with a wet room. The family liked the idea of a wet room for something original and different for the home. What they didn’t anticipate was what a hit it would be for the kids! In their Google review they noted “In the end, it's difficult to convey just how happy we are with the job done by TRS Build. Our family was quickly outgrowing the space, and the addition designed and built by TRS Build has given us some much needed breathing room. We now have a beautiful master bedroom and a sanctuary of a master bathroom that includes a walk in shower & tub area which our entire family (kids included) absolutely love. In fact, we look forward to family bath time because the wet room makes it so easy!!”

Before:

After:

Added Features

No matter how you obtain the square footage, be sure to include some natural light. This is easy if doing an addition or building an accessory building. If converting an existing interior space that has no windows, adding one or two is worth the expense to have the health and mood benefits that natural lighting brings, especially if the home office is your primary place of work.

If there is room in the budget, also consider some custom shelving and cabinetry. This will not only help create a space that is enjoyable to be in, it can also provide organized storage and display areas, and serve as the perfect background for video meetings. Also, consider whether your office can benefit from an LED TV monitor that can be great for catching up on business news or following presentations.

Last but not least, choosing the perfect paint color, creating a bold accent wall with wallpaper, shiplap or panel (or just painting!), a dedicated space for pets or play area, large art pieces, plants, and accessories are also great ways to add personality - and productivity - to your home office space!

See more on our Services page, or Contact Us to learn more about how we can help you make the office space that works for you.

Remodeling EQ: The Homeowner Emotional Roller Coaster

Wed, 14 Sep 2022 14:40:42 GMT

What are the typical emotions a homeowner goes through with their remodeling project?

While every person and every project is different, there are some commonalities we experience on a daily basis that we thought were worth sharing with homeowners preparing to enter into a remodel - especially if it is the first one.

Everyone knows remodeling can be stressful. The stakes are high both financially and emotionally, I mean this is your home! The family nest, where we go to relax and enjoy time with the people we love most, our respite from our daily work. Of course these days, the home has also become the workplace, which is another reason to remodel we will cover in a future blog!

Remodeling your home is fun and exciting… and it is also normal to experience a certain amount of anxiety and uncertainty, especially when undergoing your first major project. Homeowner emotions aren’t spoken of much externally, but within our industry, there actually is a term for it - The Homeowner Emotional Roller Coaster . Google it and you can find several examples! We thought it valuable to create a video to help familiarize our clients with the “roller coaster” we see many clients go through, the emotional states you (and/or your partner, spouse, children, parents…) can expect to go through during your home remodel or addition.

This video walks through the main project phases - Design, Permit, and Construction - and the typical emotional experience people have as they ride the roller coaster of their home improvements. The fun and creative process of developing the design with new floor plans, 3D virtual walkthroughs, and selecting the beautiful new materials that will adorn your home; the tedious but necessary process of obtaining permits from the City, County, and Homeowner Associations; then finally the Construction phases, starting with demolition (when it gets real!), and over time seeing your designs come to life through the construction work. And finally… the final walk through (aka Substantial Completion), after which you can take occupancy of the space, and be able to relax and fully enjoy the beauty and improved functionality of your new home.

Bear in mind, once all is done and the punch list complete, there will still be an adjustment period. Just like moving into a new home, moving into your new kitchen, master bath, or home addition will inspire new habits and movements, especially in kitchens where there may be new locations for appliances, dishes, and pantry items. For most people it takes from a few weeks to several months to adjust habits and behaviors to these new surroundings.

Thank you for checking out our blog, we hope this will be helpful in preparing for your next project!

Should we do a wet room?

Wed, 24 Aug 2022 13:53:58 GMT

We recently completed two projects with wet rooms - distinctly different designs for distinctly different households!

Why do a wet room?

Wait… what is a wet room? Let’s start there! A wet room is a large tiled or otherwise waterproof area that can hold both the shower and bathtub, with glass doors or enclosure.

Rockwood Master Suite Addition

Exterior Views

Wet Room in Master Bath

Large Master Bedroom in Master Suite Addition

Bon Air Whole Home Remodel

Another project, our Bon Air Whole Home Remodel in Austin, newlywed clients decided on a wet room for space considerations and appearance - and picked beautiful deco- style black and white tile selections and black hardware - ready for a relaxing bath at home after a fun weekend away. “One of our favorite parts of the project was the bathroom design!” The guest bath keeps the same theme but with different tile, changing things up but keeping a similar look in both baths.

Wet rooms can also be a great option for seniors and accessible bathrooms. With or without a tub, a wet room can serve as a great roll-in curbless shower, and also great for using a handheld shower in a seated position.

Reach out to us to learn if a wet room could be a good option for your next building and remodeling project!

Guest bath with similar design theme

Beautiful black hexagonal tile matched with classic white subway

Double vanity and wet room for a spacious master bath on a small footprint

Thanks for reading our blog!

Universal Design - More than just a Grab Bar

Thu, 14 Jul 2022 20:17:59 GMT

TRS is proud to have staff certification in Universal Design by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI)!

NARI’s UDCP program recognizes professionals who have demonstrated a dedication to assisting clients with making their home safer and more accessible, while employing the latest design trends. This prestigious certification is reserved for professionals who have demonstrated tenure in the industry, satisfied continuing education requirements, and abide by the NARI Code of Ethics and the NARI Standards of Practice. Achieving certification requires that professionals demonstrate expertise in the areas of Universal Design Fundamentals, Client Needs Assessments, Design, Construction Techniques, Electrical Systems and Assistive Technology, Plumbing Systems, and Exterior Universal Design Considerations.

There are a lot of terms in the industry that pertain to building and remodeling homes and commercial buildings to improve access. Universal Design (closely related to but broader than Aging in Place) is a design perspective that focuses on ensuring residential environments and products can be used by all members of the family, regardless of their age, size, or physical abilities, throughout each person’s life span.

More and more of our clients have growing families with children being born, young people added through blended families, and older parents moving in with their adult children. Many of today’s households contain members of widely varying ages, sizes and abilities, a Universal Design approach helps us to think through how spaces will be and can be used by all members of the household. Having a staff member certified in Universal Design helps us to be able to educate our teams and clients on options which can make homes safer and more accessible for everyone.

The core principles of Universal Design include equitable use, flexibility in use, simple and intuitive use, ensuring information is perceptible, minimizing hazards, ease of physical effort, and thinking through size and space from a lens of accessibility.

Contact us to learn more about how the concepts of Universal Design can be used to optimize functionality without compromising beauty in your new home build or remodel!

See more on Universal Design Certification at the NARI (National Association of Remodeling Industry) website

In with the New - but keep the Old too!

Wed, 02 Feb 2022 17:56:03 GMT

We love our recurring clients! When we met the Ramos family in 2020 they were looking for a company they could trust to build an additional garage sufficient to add a space for car storage and a shop for their father & son car restoration work. We were thrilled to win the job and have the opportunity to work with them!

Over the years we continued to work with them and their 1940s Pflugerville home to complete a major interior remodel with a larger master suite and bath, custom carpentry for a very spacious walk-in-closet with island and hidden laundry facilities, custom cabinetry matching existing built-ins, a new carport for additional vehicles and family events, finished off with fresh paint overall, a gorgeous new front entry door and refinished porch. Let’s take a look!

Project #1 - A New Garage

After putting together a design and renderings, ensuring we were within the limitations created by set backs and easements, and ensuring we were on the same page with our clients in terms of design and footprint, their additional garage space was up within a few months, featuring a beautiful walnut finish garage door with carriage windows.

Project #2: Interior Remodel

In 2021 the family invited us back to work on the interior of the home, a major remodel to expand the master suite, dramatically enlarge the master bath featuring a large walk in shower, and convert a storage room into a functional walk in closet and laundry area.

Many of our clients are looking for options to age in place, and one of the most common features is a large walk in shower with a bench and grab bars for safety. Our clients selected a beautiful marble mosaic for the shower floor and accents, and wanted an extra wide niche aligned with the picture window that brings in lots of natural light without compromising privacy.

The design process focused on the new master bath, which replaced a small bath and a back storage room. We started by working with the client to get the layout set, vanity size, door types and sizes, and shower. Then working on finishes and material selections. After selections are made we can put those materials into our design tool to create renderings and elevations that show what the future bathroom will look like.

The family was also looking to finish out a large closet area with a cabinetry island, storage, and space for laundry machines tucked behind bifold closet doors. The family went with 2 panel shaker style doors for extra charm. Who wouldn’t love this closet?

1940s Era Finishes

The home already had small built-in bookshelves in the living area that were original to the home. The family wanted to refinish the existing built-ins and match them with a wall of custom built-in cabinetry and bookshelves soon to be filled with memorabilia from so many happy family moments.

Antique and industrial - this beautiful light fixture was one of my favorite finishing touches the family selected for their home!

Project #3: A New Exterior

Turns out the additional garage wasn’t quite enough room for their vehicles so a carport addition with a concrete floor and finished ceiling was added - which also doubles for a great outdoor gathering place for family events!

Finishing off with a new beautiful green color paint integrates the old and new areas of the home, and the darker color provides a great contrast to the original millwork around the windows.

Welcome to your new-old-well-loved home! It has been an absolute honor to serve you and get to know you all in the process. We wish you many many happy years in your home, for you and future generations!

A Year In Review

Wed, 22 Dec 2021 16:43:48 GMT

Looking back on an extraordinary 2021 with gratitude. With the variety of COVID related supply chain issues still plaguing everyone in this industry, we’re especially grateful for our wonderful clients and providers that have worked with us to find solutions and nourished a collaborative spirit. With some creativity, communication and collaboration we all can come out stronger on the other side. Along the way we’ve made some changes in process to help ensure we can successfully overcome unforeseen circumstances in favor of our clients, and are always looking for feedback from our clients and team to help us grow.

While it is impossible to select only a handful of projects from the year to highlight here - here are some of the people and their homes we will never forget.

Pflugerville Addition and Whole Home Remodel

Melissa and Robert selected our team to build a new garage in 2020, and brought us back in 2021 for a whole home remodel and new carport. Of course we love working with our recurring clients, but we also loved their heart to keep the character of their 1940’s home in Old Pflugerville, investing in the home where they raised their family, while also modernizing and adding functionality with a new master suite featuring a large walk in shower, and a master closet any family would love, cleverly integrated with the laundry area. Custom cabinetry in the living area and beautiful lighting selections remind us of the history of the home, and a fresh coat of paint on interior and exterior that brings out the beauty of the trim work.

Austin Home Addition

We were honored to be selected by this Austin family to complete their home addition with a family room, bedroom/office, full bath and covered deck. Design work began pre-COVID, and construction began in late 2020, completing in mid-2021. Our masons worked hard to connect the addition with the existing home and match new masonry to the existing. The neighbors observed the construction from their second floor, and recently contacted us to work on their home as well, noting how impressed they were with the quality work they saw happen from their upstairs window. Few things bring us as much joy as recognition for our team’s work and craftsmanship!

Pflugerville Kitchen Remodel

When we met Ria & Matt they were uncertain about remodeling in general. We enjoyed serving them with design and material selections and working together to come up with a beautiful option for structural support needed when removing a partial wall to open the kitchen to the living area. After the remodel was done, they were so grateful they shared about us to their community via social media and other mediums. When their friends Christy & Steve contacted us looking for a remodel of their first floor with a focus on the kitchen and a new built-in pantry, they mentioned they were good friends with Ria & Matt, and we instantly knew it would be a good match for us.

Georgetown Home Remodel

A surprise came with Christy & Steve’s kitchen cabinets. Looking for rich tones and texture in their material selections they chose a stunning lava color that had every other material selection. Gabriela, our Client Services Coordinator recalls the moment they had both chosen that color. “It was the opposite from what they had expected to choose”, Gabriela retells the story, “yet both of their faces lit up when they looked at each other and knew they had found exactly the color they wanted”. They came into the showroom looking for natural wood cabinets, suiting the home rustic feeling they were aiming for. However, after going through Christy’s Houzz kitchen picture board, they realized that charcoal cabinets were in almost all the pictures, and decided to give up natural wood cabinets and choose charcoal.

Surprise - the cabinet is no longer in stock. What could we do now when their beautiful color had run out only days after they had stepped into the cabinet showroom? Letting them know we can install white cabinets that have the same cut, and paint them their exact color. Like any change, this can impact the project timeline, but thanks to collaboration between our team members and client, we hit the target of completing the project in time for our clients to share their new home with their family for Thanksgiving.

Cedar Park Home Remodel

Another project we will remember is Melanie’s kitchen. We love working for past clients and were thrilled when Melanie asked us to return to her home to work on her first floor remodel focusing on the kitchen. The final product has been an inspiration for many of our clients. She had committed to a white cabinet look, but not completely white on white. The island was chosen light gray, bringing some extra character into the space. Yet, the material that elevated the room was the beautiful gray glass backsplash she selected - simple, modern and elegant, the perfect addition for her beautiful new kitchen it brought the whole room to a more modern level. The contrast was brilliant, and once people stepped inside the kitchen, their eyes were instantly drawn to the backsplash, allowing room for the white cabinets to show off. We also loved the black hardware for the drawers and cabinets. Adding some open shelves, very functional and modern pantry cabinets, a new mantle face for some distinguishing touches, and French doors to close off to home offices - there were lots of great choices coming together. And our team loved her sweet little dog!

Check out the pictures here!

Whole Home Remodel in Pflugerville

Finally, we cannot leave 2021 without sharing about Ms Deborah’s home. When meeting her she already had a beautiful vision for her new kitchen area and multiple additional projects in the home including removing a large mantle area to create more space in the living room. For the kitchen - opening a wall, light cabinets, black quartz countertop and white quartz backsplash, removing a fireplace and chimney to add space to the living area. One of our favorite stories from this remodel was with our talented tiler Martin. That day, he was installing white glossy backsplash tile on a kitchen wall. However, the tile was supposed to be a specific pattern, and there were three different size tiles, all very similar to each other. In order to ensure a consistent look on this beautiful accent wall he needed to lay out all tiles on the living room floor to make sure the pattern was correct and consistent. Ms Deborah herself hadn’t noticed the backsplash she had chosen had different size tiles! Ms Deborah was really impressed by his work ethic and with the wall’s final look. This wasn’t the first time we’ve heard great comments about Martin’s work. He always meets any challenge with outstanding craftsmanship, creativity and perseverance.

Some fun stats -

2021 Projects Completed -

8 Kitchens

6 Additions

6 Bathrooms

5 Patios, Decks & Other Projects

4 Whole Home Remodels

Thanks to the Team!

We would be remiss if not expressing our gratitude to the incredible team of craftspeople and providers that make our work possible. And to our internal folks that are the heart of TRS.

Jenny Machado: This year Jenny was promoted to Project Designer, recognizing her skills and success in project design, procurement and construction administration. Digital design mockups bring so much value to our clients to try different floorplans, colors, features and new concepts before committing to a final design. You can read all about renderings in our previous blog here. Jenny has also established procurement processes and standards to help manage COVID related changes in product deliveries, availability, and installation timelines. Jenny, thank you for your positivity, productivity, and always looking at ways we can continually improve on design process and materials procurement!

Manuel Falcon: Many of our clients have seen Manuel our Operations Associate hard at work bringing materials to sites, keeping sites clean, and running the truck and trailer. Manual also works diligently with our many tradespeople to support them to be successful. What you may not know is that Manuel also contributes with ideas on how to improve operational efficiency and better serve our clients. Thank you Manuel for your incredible work ethic, always looking out for the company and our clients, and for working safe and smart every day!

Gabriela Peralta: And of course, we cannot finish this blog without mentioning Gabriela Peralta who joined our team in March as our Marketing Associate and was recently promoted to Client Services Coordinator. She has a leadership role in serving our clients with project development, material selections and communications and maintains her role with marketing/branding. She has brought lots of new ideas and positive energy to drive social media efforts including this monthly blog. Thank you Gabriela for your new ideas, energy and skills, and for treating our clients and team with love, respect and grace!

Thank you to all our clients, providers, contractors, followers, friends and family! It’s been an extraordinary year and we couldn’t have done it without you. Here’s to an even better 2022, full of happy surprises, serving our clients with excellence, improving lifestyles, and making Central Texas more beautiful!

Seeing the future! The value of design renderings

Mon, 01 Nov 2021 15:56:22 GMT

Design work includes everything from developing new floor plans to engineering structural design to materials selections. One of the most valuable work products we can provide are design renderings - 3D views of the interior and exterior of the home that can dramatically help with decision on floor plan and materials. With so many beautiful options for tiles, flooring, lighting, wallpapers, cabinetry, shelving, not to mention sizes and styles for doors and windows, and exteriors as well, all the decisions can be overwhelming, whether adding to the home or even just doing one room like a kitchen or a master bath.

Many of our clients come with excitement mixed with uncertainty when it comes to making these important decisions, and we love to help

!We are thankful for the opportunity technology offers to explore options and minimize the uncertainty, taking a sneak peak into the future. A whole new world opens up for our clients who are now able to explore the ideas they bring to the table and additional options we can provide based on experience and with an eye towards functional spaces that will bring the most value to our clients.

Today’s blog focuses on the value of the design rendering, featuring design options provided and final selections, and a few images of the final product! Along with works in progress currently in design or construction phase

Cedar Park Home Remodel

For this whole home remodel in Cedar Park, our client was not sure what to do with the island and butler pantry areas. We discussed with her on site some options, laid some blue tape to get a sense for space, and let her think about it for a few days. In the end she chose a large island facing the beautiful windows to the outdoors, and open shelving in the butler pantry area to add some more color and style to the kitchen. To read more about this home remodel check our last blog post here!

Whole Home Remodel in Austin

For this whole home remodel in Austin, design renderings were particularly helpful in discussing options and supporting decisions on a new floor plan for the kitchen and master suite, and material selections for master and guest showers as well as cabinet layouts. We look forward to sharing the final results in an upcoming blog!

Before:

Rendering:

This rendering provides considerable detail, the table, the benches, and the amount of cabinetry customized and personalized to their specific needs and wants, giving them a new perspective. They have the wall out of the way, the door to a room removed and are able to see how many cabinets they can have against their new back wall. With the rendering they can now work towards confirming cabinet choices and comfortably make decisions about flooring, tiles, lighting and flooring!

Keep posted for the upcoming final look!

Bathroom Remodel - Sun City

Keeping the same layout can also bring opportunities to explore with renderings! Even though the space on this bathroom along with the layout stayed the same, after a visit to the cabinet and tile showrooms, the four tiles chosen were placed together in this rendering. Their vision and dream approaching reality. The renderings were used to explore different creative orientation of tiles in the shower, placement of the niche, and evenfixtures. See below for the after pictures!

Before:

Renderings:

Final Choices:

Leander Addition

For a home addition in Leander adding a bath and a pottery studio to the home (currently in progress), renderings were used to support decisions on shower tile selections and patterns, as well as decisions on the size of the sliding patio door and walk out. Here you can see the home as a whole and the necessity of thinking of the outside aesthetics but also the functionality and maximizing the space inside. Which exterior door would you have chosen?

Before:

Shower Option 1:

Exterior Door Option 1:

Exterior Door Option 2:

In Construction Photo:

Austin Whole Home Remodel

Before:

Kitchen Option 1:

Kitchen Option 2:

Laundry Option 1:

Laundry Option 2:

They can enjoy seeing their choices come together now and be more comfortable as we move together to the construction process in 2022.

Thank you for stepping into the shoes of our clients and taking this rendering journey with us! We hope this blog has helped you to see how design renderings can help us work with our clients to shape the future of homes in our community, both with beauty and functionality

Happy Returns! A New Kitchen for An Old Friend

Thu, 23 Sep 2021 19:52:30 GMT

We are always honored to have past clients call us back for additional work on their home. Early this year, we received a phone call from a client who remembered us with gratitude.

The family was looking for an upgrade, focusing on the kitchen but bringing in the butler pantry, new flooring and a new mantle to match the updated style of the home, and removing a column between the kitchen and living space. We were excited to bring in the team to get started working with them on some design options including a new configuration for the island and butler pantry, and eventually also landing on enclosing the front den to provide for a much needed versatile home office area.

With new cabinetry, a new island, and flooring, the kitchen would be entirely new. Not only aesthetics comes into consideration when a family is looking to remodel. We take into consideration the walking space, sink/dishwasher location, and light sources as an important part of the design process. These details will all play a huge part into the new functionality of the new kitchen.

Their current island was crescent shaped, technically a peninsula attached to the unwanted column. The new design seemed simple; yet highly functional. Rectangular in shape, turning it slightly to face the windows. The family had mentioned their appreciation of the greenbelt outside, blending with their backyard. Along with a love for their neighbors and community, the proximity to the beautiful green Austin space kept this family invested in this house. We looked for ways to incorporate what they already loved into their new kitchen design, and made sure it would work for their lifestyle.

Demo-ing the wall and the peninsula meant they would lose some cabinet space. We recommended the use of drawers for lower cabinets, an efficient use of storage with ease of access. For the uppers, ceiling height cabinets provide some extra space to store seasonal items, and a deep cabinet above the fridge is always useful. Another feature included the microwave placement, formerly above the stove, now under the countertop, flushed with the lower cabinets and easily accessible to heat a quick meal for the kids, and nicely incorporated to make way for the popular modern kitchen hood.

Many clients ponder what to do with their pantry. Removing it is not an idea many are comfortable with, however ,many options are available to keep the functionality with an updated look. For this family we suggested squaring off the back walls and adding pantry cabinets with roll-out shelves combined with open shelving for a beautiful modern look without sacrificing storage space. After seeing some photos of previous kitchens along with a beautiful rendering of what theirs could look like, they didn’t hesitate. This new kitchen was being tailored to their needs and wants, and we were excited to see it all come together

The family was also in much need of a new door to the office for the man of the house, and added a complete wall to enclose an open office space for the woman of the house as well! They both were ready to have private offices with working doors, especially needed in this new normal of WFH (working from home) while having a big family. They were ready to increase both their productivity and relaxation in their own homes.

After deciding on all the features of the remodel, it was now time to choose colors, and finishes for the new kitchen. The goal was open, clean, and light. After visiting the cabinet and countertop showroom together, our client explored different colors and materials and finally settled with light gray cabinets, white countertop. After seeing a few design renderings, they agreed on a backsplash that would make the kitchen even more beautiful, a dark grey glass arabesque - absolutely gorgeous!

While many of our clients choose to live in the home while undergoing remodeling, we generally recommend fitting in a vacation or visit to family at some point in the process, or even consider renting another place when a major part of their home is under construction. This is one of the optics covered in our Pre-Construction meeting, the focus of last month’s blog.

And onto construction!

A key feature of this project is the removal of a column and addition of a structural beam designed by a licensed engineer.

This family had recently purchased new appliances therefore they were not interested in changing for new - which helped us to get started quickly on construction. If you are looking to do a kitchen remodel and interested in new appliances we suggest to start looking for those sooner rather than later as long lead times can delay the arrival of these items. Delays for material and installation continue to occur due to many issues including container shipment delays and supplier labor issues due to the global pandemic. While there are a few solutions we come up with when surprises arise, once construction begins it is best to either have most items on site or firm delivery dates for arrival. A “typical” kitchen remodel can take from 2-3 months, having materials on site and/or available is essential to keep the work on schedule.

Finally, the chimney also saw a fantastic improvement. The tile was redone, mantle and it creates that final touch the first floor needed for the whole house to look really fresh and modern. We love the tile selections the family picked. They are ready for a new school year, season of working from home, and spending time together.

Thank you Melanie and family for your amazing warmth, communication with our team, and being a great partner with us. We appreciate you trusting us with your home. We wish you many more special memories in your home with friends and family!

Georgetown Kitchen and Home Addition

Fri, 30 Jul 2021 12:30:02 GMT

What was your experience as a client with THE RIGHT STAGE?

"We have done three major remodels on our home over the last few years, each time using a different contractor. Our last remodel, a full kitchen gut, we used THE RIGHT STAGE. THE RIGHT STAGE is hands down the best contractors we have ever used!!!" (See more on our Testimonials page)

Magan and Casey found us through HomeAdvisor. After our home consultation, we had a great impression of this couple, they were sweet to each other, their children, and they knew what they wanted for their home remodel. After a couple calls to review scope, pricing and design, and a visit to our cabinet showroom, we were excited to start work on their new kitchen and breakfast area addition! One of our challenges was to have the project done in time for upcoming family gatherings. Magan and Casey were great partners to help us get the project done in time by making quick decisions and staying on course with scope for the project.

They were both very comfortable asking questions, bouncing ideas off each other, and focusing on the items that were most important. They knew the process would take a few months to complete, yet, they were so passionate about what decisions needed to be made, and made them together.

While the existing kitchen had a good layout, a few changes were made to further improve flow and functionality and adding in a few fun new things like an ice maker and pot filler. With a small breakfast area adjacent to a mostly unused porch, it was clear the advantage on enclosing the porch to enlarge the dining area for this busy family of six. Magan and Casey’s family would gain valuable space to spend more quality time together, cooking, eating together, having more space for friends and family to come over, and more!

Our first step when entering the construction phase is to hold our Pre-construction Meeting, bringing THE RIGHT STAGE team on site to meet with the clients, review the scope of work together as well as key milestones and material selections, and help the client prepare for demolition and construction. The following week we were enclosing the patio, removing a window from the kitchen to create more wall space in the kitchen for a buffet area and open shelving, and reuse the window in the addition. After having new exterior walls secure we can demo the existing exterior walls and finish out the new space.

Meanwhile, we worked with Magan to make last few material selections to complete the kitchen transformation. With a busy active family, design decisions needed to take into consideration beauty and ease of cleaning, modern and fun.

One of the most common questions we get is “What can I do when my kitchen is being demolished?” For most people, it is one of the greatest challenges of a home remodel. Living without a stove, microwavable meals and take-out can be fun for a few days, but not for weeks. We suggest people come up with different ideas, visiting friends and family, having date nights, leaving the kids with their grandparents for a few days, going on vacation, camping, renting an RV. If planned ahead of time, the process becomes much easier to manage and can even be fun!

The day arrived, they would see their kitchen finished. We were excited but knew the family was probably way more excited. The ceiling height shaker style white cabinets, and extended island in charcoal gray made their kitchen utilize every inch of space. They installed a pot filler for the stove. The microwave on top of the stove had been replaced by a ceiling height hood, on a timeless beautiful white picket backsplash that has become a client favorite. The larger space brought new possibilities, a double oven, open shelving, lower drawers, and plenty of space between the kitchen and dining area. The island could now be walked around nicely and had room for the whole family to sit around and enjoy a casual meal.

Thank you, Magan and Casey, for allowing us to work with you on your beautiful home improvements! Meeting you and seeing the way you love your family and friends really stands out. We have met many of our future clients through you, and we are so grateful for the good word you put out for us!

TRS Build Photo Contest Winner

Wed, 23 Jun 2021 21:10:53 GMT

And we have a winner!

Many thanks to our participants in our first THE RIGHT STAGE Client Photo contest! We asked past clients to submit photos of themselves enjoying their home renovations - and congratulations to our winners Monita and Ralph, who went one step beyond and sent this great "Breakfast Time" video of their son treating their dogs to pancakes in their remodeled kitchen!

We loved working with this family! After putting three kids through college Monita and Ralph were able to give themselves a well-deserved treat of a whole home remodel including new kitchen, new master and guest bath, a beautiful new accent wall in their den and other improvements to beautify their home! It was such a pleasure to serve this busy family and their home filled with love and activity.

Keep an eye out for our next contest - The Pets of THE RIGHT STAGE - coming later this year!

What was your experience as a client with THE RIGHT STAGE?

“Very well. And very Thorough. They worked around our schedule”

- Monita J, Review posted on Angi’s List

“They helped make our remodeling ideas a reality”

- Monita J, Review posted on Facebook

A Mother’s Suite for a Sweet Mom

homes@fix8media.com (Admin Homes) — Fri, 28 May 2021 13:24:17 GMT

We don’t usually travel as far as Liberty Hill, most of our projects are in the north Austin and Cedar Park area including Leander, Round Rock, Jonestown, Lago Vista, and Georgetown. After meeting with Daniece however we were excited to work with her to build an addition onto her home as a suite for her mother, with an added screened in porch for them to enjoy together. Altogether she needed a 1,200 sq. ft. addition to her one-story house on a 2 acres lot in Liberty Hill. As she walked us through her plans for the home her and her mother would share, we caught her dream and were honored for the opportunity to make this happen for her.

First we worked with Daniece to design the new floorplan to add a large bedroom/sitting room, a large bathroom with ADA tub, large roll-in curveless shower, and a large walk-in closet, focusing the design on making it easy for her mom to get around her new home, and including a large screened in porch and common entry for mother and daughter to share. The home would significantly increase from 1,900 sq. ft. to over 3,000 sq. ft.

Materials Selection

After receiving approval on the new floor plan and elevations, we began working with Daniece on materials selections as the foundation and framing was going up. After hearing her vision for colors and materials, we brought samples to her home from which she chose beautiful white and gray tiles and flooring for the bath; for the main room and entry a gray wood-look luxury vinyl plank flooring and a springy sage paint color (her mom’s favorite color), using light colors to enhance the spaciousness of the addition. Daniece chose a more traditional look for ceiling fans but we added recessed lighting on dimmers to provide options for lighting level. Our team worked closely with Daniece to make sure all electrical was both to code and in locations per her specification.

Accessibility

A safe and accessible bathroom was on top of Daniece’s list - where her mom could comfortably enjoy a hot bath or shower. We worked with her to design the new space with no constrictions less than 36”, multiple grab bars in the shower and safety bar at the entry to the walk-in tub. Beauty, safety and functionality. The shower also has a long bench and hand held to allow for standing or sitting. A large niche 36” wide allows her mom to store and access items she needs from most any location in the shower.

The shower was designed to allow her mom to not have to step up or down when coming in or out of the shower. The bench in the shower brought another degree of comfort. She no longer had to stand, bringing chances of instability, but could sit down into a comfortable and risk-free environment. The sliding bar and hose for the shower head, meant the water did not come from the top, but could be controlled with the hose. Grab bars were a must inside the shower, at the tub, and around the toilet; having something firm and strong to hold on to at all times.

We can’t have functionality without beauty! The design choices for the bathroom also did not disappoint. The white and gray combination of colors, and added accents with darker shades, provided the clean and elegant style both Daniece and her mom were looking for.

Exterior

In order to save on budget and integrate the addition into the existing home, we reused some windows from the existing home, trimmed old and new to match the existing home. Framed and installed with care, to provide all the light she would need and more! For the finishing touch, a new coat of paint (loved the color she chose!) and white trim lightened the home and created a seamless transition from the home to the addition.

One point of pride in our team - through the entire process, our team did not damage the small shrub in front of the addition, one that came from Daniece’s grandmother’s garden, and could be a future piece of a new garden for her mother. The little things matter and we are so proud of our team for taking care!

Thank you!

Thank you to Daniece for choosing THE RIGHT STAGE! It was a pleasure to work with you, and an honor to bring your mom her new home.

Mid-Century Meets Modern

Wed, 07 Apr 2021 20:28:54 GMT

What was your experience as a client with THE RIGHT STAGE?

“THE RIGHT STAGE was an absolute pleasure to work with. I worked with THE RIGHT STAGE to remodel (almost) my entire house with a focus on main living areas and kitchen. Their spirit of collaboration and transparency led to the best possible outcome - a house that is loved by the owner as well as guests! I would use them for any future remodeling efforts.

- Philip R, Review posted on Houzz

When we met Philip, we knew we would work well together. He had a clear and beautiful vision for his Austin home overlooking the hills off of Capital of Texas highway. And best of all, his enthusiasm for his project was infectious! Two key features with this project were the removal of a fireplace, mantle and chimney encased with windows overlooking the pool, and a complete renovation of the kitchen to modernize and dramatically improve functionality with a new layout and cabinetry with all the gadgets.

Whereas many of our clients look to THE RIGHT STAGE to provide design, layouts, and material selections through completion of construction, Philip had already made many selections on his own and was looking for a company that could be flexible and work with him as a team to create his vision.

We were thrilled when he decided to work with us. We began with the living area!

Let’s Open the Living Area

A key challenge with this project - removing a fireplace, mantle and chimney encased in glass overlooking the pool. THE RIGHT STAGE safely demolished the fireplace, mantle and chimney, prepared the wall for the installation of new windows, and patched and secured the roof where the chimney had once been.

An Entertainer’s Kitchen

For the kitchen, we worked with our cabinetry team to help Philip select the perfect cabinetry and colors to create the modern kitchen he was looking for.

White carrara quartz countertops with European lacquer white and dark grey cabinets provide both the functionality needed in this high-use kitchen and a beautiful modern integration with the mid-century theme for living, dining and breakfast areas. The white and grey glass mosaic backsplash was the perfect selection to keep the clean look.

Moving the oven from the island to the wall allows for use of the island as a prep area and the range cooktop to be vented to the outdoors via a wall hood.

It was great working with Philip!

For us at THE RIGHT STAGE, providing value and quality come after listening to our client and ensuring a clear understanding of their goals and concerns. We were very grateful for the open channel of communication we had with Phillip, his trust in our company, and the results reflected it!

Thank you, Philip, for choosing and trusting us, we had a great time with you!

trs-build

FAQ Series: The 5 Questions Every Homeowner Should Ask Before Remodeling

Problems & Risks: “What can go wrong and how do we prevent it?”

“How do I set priorities?”

FAQ Series: What Are The Latest Home Design Trends?

1) Warm minimalism overtakes cold minimalism

2) Kitchens as living spaces (and the island is the star)

3) Traditional details are back (but updated)

4) Warm wood and earth

5) Designing for wellness: it isn’t just for South Austin hippies anymore

6) Geometry is fun - and beautiful

How to use 2026 trends without “remodel regret”

Ready to remodel in 2026?

FAQ Series: Where Should I Start With Remodeling My Home? Your 2026 Remodel Checklist

Step 1: Clarify Your “Why”

Step 2: Decide on Spaces and Priorities

Step 3: Get Comfortable With a Budget Range

Step 4: Think About Timing (Life Timing, Not Just Calendar Dates)

Remodeling isn’t just about construction schedules, it’s about your life timing.

Step 5: Gather Inspiration (But Make It Practical)

Step 6: Choose the Right Team

Ready to Make 2026 the Year You Love Your Home Again?

FAQ Series: How Much Will My Home Remodel Cost?

Our Approach to Pricing

What Does a Remodel Cost in Austin?

More Than Just the Price Tag

Why Homeowners Choose TRS Build

Planning Your Next Project

Ready to Start Your Remodel?

Final Thoughts

Celebrating 10 Years of TRS Build: Transforming Homes & Building Relationships in Central Texas

A Decade of Growth, Trust, and Commitment

10th Anniversary Open House

Looking Ahead: The Future of Remodeling in Central Texas

Why Homeowners Choose TRS Build

Ready to Start Your Next Project?

Purposeful Design Series Recap: Creating Homes That Truly Work for You

Over the past few months, we’ve explored what it means to design and remodel with purpose — crafting spaces that are beautiful, functional, and deeply aligned with your lifestyle.

This recap brings all five blogs together so you can easily revisit the insights and inspiration behind each topic.

﻿

1. Maximizing Home Organization

2. How to Make Every Room in Your Home Work Harder (and Smarter)

3. Designing for Well-Being

4. How Universal Design Can Transform Your Kitchen Remodel

5. Designing for Real Life

Ready to Start Designing Your Dream Home?

Contact us today to schedule a consultation!

TRS Build Featured in the 2025 NARI Home Tour

What is the Wildland Urban Interface?

The Story Behind the Project

Why NARI Matters

Imagine Your Own Transformation

Purposeful Design Series: Designing for Real Life

Welcome to the final blog in our five part series on Purposeful Design !

Remodeling for Growing Families: What to Prioritize

Why Lifestyle-Specific Remodeling Matters

Top Remodeling Priorities for Growing Families

1. Open-Concept Living Spaces

2. Multi-Functional Spaces

3. Smart Storage Solutions

4. Durable, Family-Friendly Materials

5. Bathrooms That Work for Everyone

6. Outdoor Access and Connection

Remodeling in Austin, TX? Think Local, Think Long-Term

Purposeful Design Series: How Universal Design Can Transform Your Kitchen Remodel

Designing for comfort, safety, and timeless functionality—without sacrificing style. ﻿

What is Universal Design?

How Universal Design Applies to Your Kitchen Remodel

Why Universal Design Matters (Even If You’ve Never Heard of It)

Thinking About a Kitchen Remodel?

Purposeful Design Series: Designing for Well-Being

Welcome to the third blog in our five part series on Purposeful Design ! Wellness at Home: Designing a Home That Reflects Your Values and Lifestyle

What Does Wellness at Home Really Mean?

Sustainable Design that Supports Your Values

Aligning Your Home With Your Lifestyle

Purposeful Design Series: How to Make Every Room in Your Home Work Harder (and Smarter)

Understanding Functional Design

Examples of Smart Layouts

﻿ Multipurpose Spaces

Storage Solutions

Designing for comfort, safety, and timeless functionality—without sacrificing style.

Multipurpose Spaces

Smart Technology Integration

How TRS Build Optimizes Closet Design During a Remodel

Take Your Home Remodel to the Next Level with TRS Build

The TRS Build Approach to Customer Care