Tag Archives: renovation

Radon is a problem in Atlanta Homes

Posted on October 31, 2011 by Greenlanta

So what’s scarier than ghost and goblins on Halloween?  Radon in your house since, like ghosts you cannot see it or smell it.

Even scarier, Radon is the 2nd leading cause of lung cancer in the US and Atlanta has some of the highest rates of Radon in the region. The good news is that there is a solution to fix the problem if your house tests at high levels.

The first step is to get your house tested.  There are some DIY kits available and if you suspect that there is Radon in your house, then a long term test by a professional is recommended.

If you are building a new house in the Atlanta area, then definitely plan for Radon vents during construction since it is much cheaper than a retrofit later.  All of the new houses that we have built in the last few years have had have passive Radon vents installed started at the slab and the vent goes to the roof of the house.

SawHorse fans can get a free test kit for a limited time.  Visit our home page for more information.

This post sponsored by SawHorse, “The Sign of Renovation in Your Neighborhood ®.”

 

Posted in Radon | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Why am I not getting hot water in my shower?

Posted on September 5, 2011 by Greenlanta

There are several reasons that you are not getting hot water in your master bathroom. The most common is that the water heater is located at the opposite end of the house and it takes a long time to reach your fixtures. The best fix for this is an on demand pump that can bring the hot water to your fixtures faster. Here is a video regarding a similar question, however the hot water heater was not the issue.

This post sponsored by SawHorse, “The Sign of Renovation in Your Neighborhood ®.”

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Curb Appeal in Atlanta- (for your home)

Posted on June 2, 2011 by Greenlanta

If your home needs lots of attention and you have a limited budget, an exterior makeover might be the fastest way to give you house a new look for much less than most interior renovations.

For 2 seasons of “Curb Appeal- the Block,” SawHorse was the preferred contractor in Atlanta.  The lead designer on the show- John Gidding had to take houses that looked awful and work miracles on a budget.  He did a great job on all of the ones that we worked on.

The formula was pretty much the same of each show:

  • We would add a structural feature to the front of the house- usually some type of porch
  • The house would get painted
  • We would add some hardscapes and landscaping

Sounds simple, but if your house needs all three and you leave one of them out, you will not get the full benefit of the exterior makeover.  OR, if your design if not what it could be, you might be spending money on things that do not give you the desired look you are going for.

If you are looking for help with the front of your house, the SawHorse team has partnered with Curb Appeal star- John Gidding to offer you a design/ build solutions for your home.  Even if you are considering a DIY solution, we can still give you a plan that you can do yourself.  Contact us to set up your curb appeal appointment.

 

Posted in curb appeal | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Curb Appeal: The Block : HGTV-Recycled retaining wall

Posted on January 11, 2011 by Greenlanta

SawHorse was invited to participate on the hit show Curb Appeal.  This was our first episode with them and it turned out to be one of the more popular episodes of the season.  My favorite part is where we recycled the chunks of driveway and created a retaining with them.  This saved in landfill costs and materials needed for the retaining wall.

From HGTV’s Curb Appeal page:

Errin Haines recently bought her first house, but unfortunately it is the eyesore of the block. She works around the clock and doesn’t have time to devote to fixing up the front yard. Fortunately, the Curb Appeal team is stepping in and turning the sticks and weeds in her front yard into a gorgeous landscape. In fact, even the mailbox is getting an overhaul. Designer John Gidding’s design plan includes adding a stone patio with seating as well as white washing the existing brick to unify the property. The plan doesn’t end there as John and his team also give smaller makeovers to two of Errin’s neighbors as well. Not only will this unify and inspire the block, but property values will be raised as well, benefiting everyone.

via A First Time Homeowner Gets Much Needed Curb Appeal and the Neighbors Also Benefit : Curb Appeal: The Block : Home & Garden Television.

About the author

Matt Hoots is President of SawHorse, Atlanta’s cutting edge design build firm since 1978.  He also chairs the Green Building Council for the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association to help grow better building practices in Georgia.

My profiles: Facebook LinkedIn Twitter YouTube

Posted in curb appeal, Landscaping ideas, Retaining walls | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment