Experience Makes a Difference
When you’re looking for someone to build your home, you want more than just a person who knows how to organize subcontractors and work with permits. You want someone who understands building a home that will be your sanctuary, the place where you raise your kids and a beautiful place to entertain friends and family for years to come. It is more than just four walls and a roof, it is making dreams come true for people and their families.
Ron Williams and his talented group of associates is the place to turn to make your dreams come true. Ron is a third generation builder. Ron’s grandfather and his father both built houses, in addition to farming. “When we were kids, my mom would say ‘get these boys out of the house,’ and that meant we would be out on the construction site with my dad,” Ron says.
Ron learned a lot from those days with his dad. At 18, right out of high school, he was running crews for his dad. It wasn’t long before he was out on his own and he soon made his own mark in construction. “I knew I wanted to be one of the preeminent builders in the area, and I’m still working toward that goal,” Ron says.
The secret to Ron’s success isn’t just the years of experience and knowledge passed on from generations. It also comes from his ability to really understand what each customer wants. “Each one of my customers is totally different. Everyone wants something unique with their project, and it takes talking to them and understanding their goals to make sure everyone is happy,” Ron says.
Probably the most important element to creating beautiful homes is an inherent talent and love for the craft. “I hope I never lose the joy I get from my work,” Ron says. It’s easy to see he loves what he does when you walk through a finished home built by Ron Williams Building Company.
Custom Stone Foundation Winston Salem
Ron Williams is working on a custom stone foundation in Winston-Salem, which isn’t something every contractor can do in this area. Harvesting the stone is a special craft.
When it comes to building your dream home, it’s the little things that make a difference between liking your home and loving it. At Ron Williams Buildings, we treat each project like it was our own, making sure to get every detail just like you want.
One of our recent projects is a perfect example of how we take time to get the details right on your home. The homeowner wanted a foundation built out of stone, and not just any stone. He had a special request for stone from Sauratown Mountain. We knew that no one was extracting that stone from there, but that didn’t stop us. Ron and his stonemason took a trip to Sauratown Mountain to look for just the right stone. Once the stonemason picked out what he wanted, a crew was sent to start the extraction.
Now the stonemason is working on this custom stone foundation in Winston-Salem with the specific stone the homeowner wanted. Each rock is carefully chosen for its color and size. In the end, it will be not just a sturdy foundation for a home, but a true work of art. This is just one example of the dedication you get when you choose to do a project with Ron Williams Builders.
Whether you’re looking at adding a deck, remodeling a kitchen or building a home from the ground up, we take the time to get to know you and your project, so the end result is exactly what you’re looking for.
To see more of our work, check out our Photo Gallery, or give Ron a call at (336) 924-5675 for a free consultation.
Winston Salem Driveway Installation
Today we started a driveway installation in Winston Salem. Most contractors simply cut the soil and lay down a thin bed of stone. We try to put as much attention into the drive way as we do with the rest of the project.
In the pictures you can see the men are rolling out a black material you may have noticed it before being used on federal highway construction. This amazing product is called Geomat, it’s purpose is to keep the stone from sinking into the soil and instead create a long lasting solid base for either asphalt or concrete to be laid on top of it.
It is just one more small but important detail that keeps our product lasting for generations.
If you are in need of a driveway installation in or near Winston Salem, NC., feel free to give Ron a call for a free consultation. (336) 924-5675
Now’s the Time to Replace Your Windows
If you’re sitting down at night to read a book or watch TV in the Winston-Salem area and you feel a draft, it might be time to think about replacing those old windows with something more energy efficient. About 20 percent of heating and cooling costs are caused by heat gain or loss through windows. So while it’s the time of year when cold drafts blow through the house and we think about the heat escaping through our windows, energy-efficient windows can be cost effective all year long, keeping the heat of the sun out in the summer and lowering energy costs even when you run the air conditioner.
We often plan on the limited lifespan of our roofs and exterior paint, but windows are something else that need to be replaced in a house, usually about every 15 to 20 years. So even if your house is relatively new, built in the 1990s, you might consider installing new windows. The technology and materials used in windows today have come a long way just in the past 20 years.
The good thing is you can recoup some of the money you invest. Energy Star qualified products can save you anywhere from $126 to $467 a year, depending on how many windows you replace, if you’re going from single-pane windows to double-pane. And while it’s still waiting approval, you might also be able to get up to $200 in tax credits for installing Energy Star windows in your home.
In addition to energy savings, there are other benefits to upgrading to double-pane windows:
- They are easier to clean, since the decorative elements are between the glass.
- The gas pumped in to improve insulating factors also helps in noise reduction.
- They can protect items within your home from sun damage.
When doing your research to purchase new windows you will run across a U Factor. This is the measure of the amount of heat transfer allowed through the windows, and the lower the number the better. For North Carolina, a U Factor of 0.40 or less is recommended. The experts at Ron Williams Building Company can help find the right windows for your home in Winston-Salem, and install them before the really cold winter months set in.
Remodeling Tips That Add Value
Sometimes your relationship with your home can be similar to a marriage. After years with the same person, we might start taking them for granted. And just as it’s important to go on an occasional “date” and do things to keep the spark alive with your spouse, the same goes for your house. Don’t feel stuck with the same old paint and appliances you picked out 15 years ago, or make do with the floor plan you originally fell for. Right now is a great time to remodel, and the experts at Ron Williams Building Company will help you get the home of your dreams – again with some great ideas for remodeling in Winston-Salem.
Move Outdoors
Why not take advantage of all that space in your yard? Whether it’s adding on a simple deck or creating an outdoor kitchen, outdoor living is a great new trend. It makes for a fun place to entertain friends and hang out with your family. And with the great weather we have here in the Triad, you can make use of your new space almost year round. The experts at Ron Williams Building Company are here to help!
- Potential ROI: 66-72%, according to Remodeling Magazine. (Scott, if you want, here’s a link to the article: http://www.remodeling.hw.net/2011/costvsvalue/national.aspx)
- Ideas: Keep it simple with a wood deck and a chiminea for the most return on your investment, or go all out with a beautifully landscaped living area and full outdoor kitchen to create your dream entertainment area.
Spruce up the Kitchen
Just like adding on a deck, remodeling your kitchen is another home improvement project that is guaranteed to add value to your home. Take a good look at what you have, and then make plans based on how you want to use your kitchen with help from Ron Williams Building Company.
- Potential ROI: 63-85 percent.
- Ideas: You can simply refinish your existing cabinets for a fresh new look. Replace those old countertops with a new surface such as wood, tile or stained concrete. Or go all out and add an island workstation and new appliances for a fun new family area.
Update the Bath
It’s amazing how much a change in fixtures and some fresh tile can change a bathroom from boring to spa-worthy.
Potential ROI: About 62%.
Ideas: Replace that all-in-one shower with some nice tile for a step up, or bring in a new vanity equipped with a marble countertop for a classy look.
Contact us for an estimate or to learn more!
Landscape for Year-Round Interest
When you’re building a new house, sometimes the last thing you think about is the landscape. A few boxwood shrubs and a good planting of grass for the lawn usually suffices to get you move-in ready. But with a few carefully chosen plants, you can have a front yard that will impress your neighbors and provide year-round interest in the landscape.
* Flowering dogwood. There’s a reason why this plant is designated the state flower of North Carolina. Its beautiful blooms brighten up our spring season, and they bloom enough after the threat of frost each year that you don’t run the risk of early blooms turning brown with a late, hard freeze. The tree comes in varieties that have both pink and white flowers, and red leaves in the fall with red berries that persist through winter make it a year-round favorite.
*Southern Magnolia. This tree is the epitome of southern landscapes. In addition to the waxy green leaves that hang onto the tree all year long, there are also big blooms that give off a lemony scent in the spring and pods full of bright-red seeds that form on the tree in the fall.
* Beautyberry. Why plant a shrub that just provides evergreen leaves? Beautyberry provides a great green accent to your garden in the summer, and in the fall and winter the leaves drop off and clusters of bright-purple berries appear.
* Nandina. This plant is an old-fashioned staple to southern yards that has come back into fashion again. The shrub grows somewhat like bamboo, putting up new shoots from the bottom as it spreads. It’s an evergreen plant, but the leaves still have a life cycle of their own, starting out pink with new growth and turning red as they age. The plant also has berries that start out yellow in the late summer and turn to bright red by fall.
All of these plants will thrive in Winston-Salem area landscapes. Just be sure to dig a hole at least twice as big as the original pot when planting, and water regularly the first year until the roots are established.
Tips for Tackling a Kitchen Renovation
One of the most popular and most in-demand home renovations is by far the kitchen.
Because kitchens see the most wear and tear of any room in your house, and because they tend to follow style trends, kitchens can seem the most dated sooner than other areas of your home. If you plan to sell your home anytime in the future, most buyers expect a modern kitchen with nice cabinets and a cook-top stove, so renovating your kitchen will only increase the value of your home. Plus you’ll get to enjoy a new, updated space.
Here are a few things to consider when tackling a kitchen renovation project, whether you do it yourself or hire a contractor:
1. Ask yourself how you are you really going to live in the space. The livability factor will determine where you should save and where you should splurge. For example, if you enjoy cooking, you may want to splurge on appliances. If the kitchen is the central gathering room in your home, you’ll want to make sure you have lots of space for seating.
2. Establish priorities for a kitchen remodel. Spend at least six months planning your kitchen renovation project. A professional designer can simplify your kitchen remodel by helping to make style decisions and foresee potential problems. Do your research and compare prices on all appliances, cabinet, counter-top and other purchases.
3. Add storage not space. Adding a room or even a small bump-out to increase the size of your kitchen will be costly and complicated (think permits, foundation work, framing and so on.) You can add storage without tearing out walls by installing cabinets that reach the ceiling and mounting shelving units on unused wall areas and inside cabinet doors.
4. Splurge on cabinets and flooring. Opt for solid wood cabinet faces and full plywood box construction. Also, look for drawers that have dovetail joinery and bulky mechanical slides. For flooring Porcelain tile, natural stone surface or Hardwood.
5. High-end appliances aren’t always better. It’s a fact that a $10,000 stove will not boil water faster than a $500 stove, however an industrial stove will often give you additional burners, beefier construction and the look most folks desire in a high-end kitchen renovation. But if you don’t cook a lot, a high-end stove will be a waste of money. Choose upgrades on appliances based on your personal preferences and how you plan to use them.
6. Stone surfaces are nice, but require upkeep. Most high-end kitchen renovations include a stone counter-top surface — generally granite is the best choice in terms of durability, price and upkeep. Marble and soap stone require constant maintenance and can chip very easily. And don’t underestimate Formica — it’s cheap and easy to clean.
For more information on renovations in Winston-Salem, contact us!
Tips When Considering Custom Home Building
Source: EzineArticles.com
If you don’t want the look of a manufactured home, then you might be interested in custom home building options. These custom home plans are designed for individuals so that they can have unique homes. Designing a custom one is not usually very hard, and they are fairly cheap for what you get. However, if you want you home floor plans to be designed properly, then it is important to have a good architect to work with you.
Custom home building does not have to be hard. Designing custom house is quite simple with the right tools and people helping. The first part of designing a custom one is to get a good architect to work with. That person should be knowledgeable about home plans and how to make custom houses. The main things to consider when designing your own place is how to design everything you need so that it fits in with your budget.
How to Save Money on Air Conditioning
Just because the temperatures are rising does not mean that your air-conditioning bill has to rise as well. There are ways you can save money on air conditioning while you still stay cool.
Try to employ some or all of these tips to save money while you beat the heat and help the environment.
1- Set central-air thermostats to kick in automatically when the indoor temperature rises above 76 degrees F.
Why pay more to heat and cool your home?
Source: Pella.com
One of the most common reasons to replace existing windows is to increase the energy efficiency of your home — which reduces your heating and cooling bills and lowers greenhouse gas emissions. Pella windows are up to 74 percent more energy efficient1. You’ll notice the savings immediately, because poorly performing windows and doors cause heating and cooling loss in your home. Don’t throw money out the window!
Be sure to look for these energy-efficient features:
1. Multiple panes of glass
Double-pane glass insulates almost twice as well as single-pane. Triple-pane glass maximizes your energy efficiency.
2. Low-E (Low-emissivity) glass coatings
These are layers of thermal protection inside insulating glass that help:
- Reflect summer heat and retain interior cooling.
- Reflect winter cold and retain interior heat.
- Block harmful UV rays to help prevent fade damage.
Contact us for more information on how we can help you save energy with replacement windows in Winston-Salem and surrounding areas!
