Preparation For North Texas Heat

As the beginning of March approaches, we already notice our local trees budding to signal that spring is just around the corner. After such a mild winter in North Texas, it is natural to wonder if we will experience the same dry conditions we had in 2011, and it certainly looks as if we will. Recent rainfall has helped tremendously in increasing the water levels in our local reservoirs. Unfortunately, the rest of the state has not experienced the same, and even north Texas counties have not lifted the Stage 3 water restrictions, according to the North Texas Municipal Water District.

Due in part to the economic conditions as well as the drought and lack of water in local lakes, it is still common for Texans to use spring breaks and summer for “stay-cations.” Because of this, more and more homeowners are investing money into their own backyards. Partly to provide entertainment for the family and also as a long term investment to increase the value of their homes. Outdoor kitchens continue to be one of the top trends homeowners are adding to their backyards in addition to seating areas to create a true outdoor living space. We expect with the ongoing dry weather in north Texas, that low-maintenance landscaping will be a priority in the coming months as well. Native plants, which have proven ability to withstand the notorious Texas summers, will help you conserve water and brighten up your backyard.

Southwest Fence & Deck Outdoor Seating and Fireplace

Southwest Fence & Deck Outdoor Fireplace and Seating Area

Southwest Fence & Deck Outdoor Kitchen and Dining Area

Whatever you desire for your outdoor living space, Southwest Fence & Deck would appreciate the opportunity to work with you to make it happen. Summer will be here before you know it, so start planning now to ensure it will be ready to enjoy by the time the warm weather arrives! Contact us today or visit our website for photos and information about previous work we have completed in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex.

Southwest Fence & Deck Joins the American Fence Association in Miami to Support Ronald McDonald House

On January 24, 2012, The American Fence Association paid a visit to The Ronald McDonald House in Miami, Florida before their annual FENCETECH convention. Volunteers brought and served dinner from Olive Garden to the families and children currently staying at The Ronald McDonald House – Miami, followed by a friendly game of Bingo. Coordinators at the house expressed a need for baby items in particular, so volunteers made a trip to Target before the visit to gather needed donations such as baby diapers, baby food, detergent, etc. AFA members also spent time cleaning the courtyard of the house and repainting the fence surrounding it.

The Ronald McDonald House – Miami operates as a “Home Away From Home” for families and children with serious illnesses being treated at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Center and other nearby hospitals. The Ronald McDonald House provides a safe and loving home where people can relax during their time of need. At “The House That Love Built,” families can sleep comfortably, cook meals, do laundry, and receive understanding and support from others facing similar circumstances. The Ronald McDonald House – Miami was founded in 1982 and was the first House in South Florida.

The American Fence Association was originally founded in 1962 with the mission to promote the highest level of professionalism, ethics, and product standards by disseminating information and educating its members. AFA members and participants at The Ronald McDonald House event included: Lynn M. Erickson, David Culbreath, Molly Culbreath, Ramona Kruege, Jean Kruege, Randy Sorenson, Travis M. Hampton, LeAnn Turrentine, Jamie Turrentine, Deb Roche, Don Roche, Chris Loftus, Jon Stiles, Sid Isenberg, Ralph Allen, Tracey Allen, Taurean Paakaula, and Steve Hoopman.

AFA Members visit Ronald McDonald House Miami

AFA Members visit Ronald McDonald House Miami

AFA Members visit Ronald McDonald House Miami

AFA Members visit Ronald McDonald House Miami

AFA Members visit Ronald McDonald House Miami

AFA Members visit Ronald McDonald House Miami

AFA Members visit Ronald McDonald House Miami

AFA Members visit Ronald McDonald House Miami

AFA Members visit Ronald McDonald House Miami

AFA Members visit Ronald McDonald House Miami

AFA Members visit Ronald McDonald House Miami

AFA Members visit Ronald McDonald House Miami

Southwest Fence & Deck Earns 2012 CotY™ Award For South Central Region

CotY South Central Region Winner - Residential Exterior Under $100,000 Category

Southwest Fence & Deck is honored by the news that we have won a 2012 CotY™ Award for the South Central Region in the Residential Exterior Under $100,000 category. The project and full press release is below.

Southwest Fence & Deck - CotY™ Award Winning Project

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Amber Lee

Phone: 972-392-1370

 

Southwest Fence & Deck, Inc. Named NARI 2012 Regional Contractor of the Year

Carrollton, Texas, January 31, 2012—The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) named Southwest Fence & Deck, Inc., in Carrollton, TX, 2012 South Central Regional Contractor of the Year (CotY) in the Residential Exterior Under $100,000 category of its annual awards competition.

For 30 years, Southwest Fence & Deck has been the premier fence and decking company in the DFW area. The company prides itself on the quality award-winning work it produces and the superior customer service it provides.

Contractors from seven regions around the country vie for CotY Awards on an annual basis, and all regional winners will now be eligible for the National CotY Awards. National winners will be announced at NARI’s Evening of Excellence^SM on Saturday, April 21, 2012 at the Gaylord Texan Hotel and Conference Center, located in Grapevine (Dallas), Texas.

All projects submitted for judging were an improvement or an addition to an existing structure, with the exception of one category, “Residential Exterior Specialty.”  Otherwise, new construction projects were not eligible.

Competing projects were completed between July 1, 2010, and November 30, 2011, and were not submitted in previous NARI National contests. An impartial panel of judges, experts within the remodeling industry and associated fields, selected winners based on each entrant’s binders, which include “before and after” photography and project descriptions. Judging focused on problem solving, functionality, aesthetics, craftsmanship, innovation, degree of difficulty and entry presentation.

To be considered for a CotY Award, a company must be a NARI member in good standing. The entries of this year’s competition totaled nearly $90 million worth of remodeling projects. NARI members represent an elite group of the approximately 800,000 companies and individuals in the U.S. identifying themselves as remodelers.

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About NARI: The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) is the only trade association dedicated solely to the remodeling industry.  The Association, which represents member companies nationwide—comprised of 63,000 remodeling contractors— is “The Voice of the Remodeling Industry.”™ To learn more about membership, visit www.NARI.org or contact national headquarters, based in Des Plaines, Ill., at (847) 298-9200.

Homeowners are estimated to spend a total of $110.1 billion on home improvements in the U.S. through second quarter of 2012.

NARI is a professional association whose members voluntarily subscribe to a strict code of ethics.

Consumers can also call the NARI National hotline at 847-298-9200 and request a free copy of NARI’s brochure, “How to Select a Remodeling Professional,” or visit http://www.nari.org and click on the homeowner’s guide for more information. For information on green remodeling, visit www.greenremodeling.org.

Owner Jamie Turrentine Discusses Choosing the Right Contractor

This week on our YouTube channel, owner Jamie Turrentine discusses the importance of choosing the right contractor for your particular project. Unfortunately, a misstep in this decision process can lead to homeowner nightmares during the project or months and years down the road. We are here to help you avoid those unwanted experiences!

1. Make sure your contractor specializes in the area of work you are looking for. Pictures can be misleading – make sure you ask to go see one of their previous projects for yourself.

2. Check into who is working on the job. Are they employees or subcontractors? Knowing how long the employees have worked for the company can give you insight on the stability of the company.

3. Ask your contractor if they are contributing members of their local trade organizations.

4. Make sure you view on a detailed contract before work begins in order to avoid surprises mid-project.

5. Finally, be sure the contractor has the proper insurance for the type of work they will be doing at your home. Jamie even suggests having your insurance agent look over their policy.

See the full video from Jamie here, and as always, please feel free to contact us with any questions or comments.

December Cover – Landscape & Hardscape Design-Build

Last month, Anne Morris, contributor to Landscape & Hardscape Design-Build, interviewed Southwest Fence & Deck owner Jamie Turrentine about his career and passion for design. You can find the full article here and discover how Jamie started out in the industry, how he works the clients and partners to bring ideas to life and how he stays inspired.

Do you have design questions? Feel free to contact Southwest Fence & Deck to consult with an expert.

Merry Christmas from Southwest Fence and Deck!

May this Christmas end the present year on a cheerful note and make way for a fresh and bright New Year. Here’s wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Readers, clients and partners – we thank you so much for your continued support. We enjoy working with each and every one of you, and you continue to inspire us year after year. Please enjoy this time with your loved ones, and we look forward to seeing you all in 2012!!

Southwest Fence & Deck Receives 2011 Best of Business Award

PHOENIX, December, 21st 2011, Southwest Fence & Deck  has been selected for the 2011 Best of Business Award by the SBCA Community.

Being in business sets people apart from most ordinary people and the SBCA Community is dedicated to helping others  understand that running a business is an obtainable goal and that everyone should try their best at living their dreams.

The SBCA Community recognizes and awards business owners because they often do not receive the recognition they deserve. Business owners are role models for everyone whether they know it or not.  SBCA Commnuity 2011 Best of Business Award winners are a valuable asset to their community and exemplify what makes small businesses great.

About SBCA Community

The Small Business Community Association is dedicated to collecting and organizing information, training, and services that are vital to small business owners, entrepreneurs, and anyone else that needs help running a business, operating a business, or wants to start a business.

The mission of the SBCA Community is to promote a vibrant and growing small business community, support education that will preserve and extend the future of small business and use our gifts within the small business community to serve others for the betterment of our world.

The  SBCA Community vision is to enthusiastically advance small businesses in three key areas:

1. Growth– To assure a vibrant and growing small business community, our goal is to introduce, engage and mature the next generation of small business owners.
2. Advocacy–We feel it is fundamental to support education and action outside the small business community that will preserve and extend the future of small businesses.
3. Compassion–We believe it is essential that we use our gifts within the small business community to serve others for the betterment of our communities and world.

SOURCE: SBCA Community / FTM Marketing
CONTACT: FTM Marketing, Inc. Email: Press@SBCACommunity.com URL: http://SBCACommunity.com

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Spectacular Outdoor Living of Texas

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Southwest Fence & Deck is so honored to be included in the Spectacular Outdoor Living of Texas publication this year! The beautiful book is published through Panache Partners by local Dallas, Texas gal, Jolie Carpenter. We are so proud and wanted to share … Continue reading →

…But The Fire Is So Delightful!

So the cold weather has started to creep in on North Texas. We realize cold is a relative term for the recent temperatures, but when we’re coming off the kind of summer we had this year, fifty degrees is cold. On that note, is your outdoor kitchen and fireplace ready for the upcoming season of festivities? What better way to enjoy your outdoor living space than to show it off during a Christmas or New Year’s Eve party? Just because it is December does not mean the party is limited to your living room.

Another reason you should extend your living space outdoors if you haven’t already. Not only can it increase your home value, but we are lucky in Texas that we can enjoy it several months out of the year. An outdoor fireplace or fire pit is a great start for a place to gather in the colder months. You could even add a full kitchen or watertight roof to cover your seating areas.

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Add some more heat to your gathering with some spice! Try out this recipe for spicy grilled shrimp from Executive Chef John Doherty of The Waldorf Astoria (fancy!).

Finish the night off with some hot cider and everybody’s favorite dessert – s’mores – roasted over the flames in your outdoor fireplace. Make the most of your outdoor living space and take advantage of it all year long. Plus, your home during the holidays is the best place to make special memories.

Cheers! –Southwest Fence & Deck

Aruba Iron Works – Add Another Level of Elegance to Your Outdoor Environment

Through our daily encounters with clients, we notice that most people have one thing in common when it comes to the design process of their outdoor living space – they want something unique. From residential to commercial clients, custom accents are a way to make the space your own and add an element of personality to a piece of your project that may otherwise go unnoticed.

Enter Aruba Iron Works into your latest outdoor endeavor. Founded in 2001, Aruba serves to create and install custom iron products in the Dallas area. Their specialties include custom drive gates, wrought iron fences, railings and decorative iron gate inserts, but they can create just about anything you could imagine. From indoor and outdoor furniture, spiral staircases and unique accessories, Aruba’s products are made to meet your individual design needs. Not only are their creations exceptionally beautiful, they are made with the highest quality of structural integrity as well, so you know they are made to last.

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Be sure to visit their website to find out more about their history and view more photos of their custom work, gates, fences and railings. Aruba Iron Works is a company Southwest Fence & Deck is certainly proud to work with, and would love to answer any of your questions or provide you with previous client testimonials. As always, thanks for reading and sharing!