How To Hire the Right Contractor

When deciding to renovate or remodel your home, it is always a good idea to contact a professional. While there are some projects that you may be able to tackle on your own, there are also projects that may require an experienced hand... 

The type of contractor you hire will depend on your project. While some general contractors are specialized in specific project areas, others may offer multiple services. Typically, contractors will offer the following services: 

• New Construction 

• Remodeling  

• Renovation 

• Property Maintenance 

• Appliance Installation 

• Painting  

• Flooring 

• Roofing 

• Siding 

With many different contractors to choose from, you will want to ensure that the business you hire is a well-educated and experienced fit for your needs. To help you navigate the process of hiring a contractor, we’ve put together this list to guide you: 

Go in With a Plan 

It’s ideal and in your best interest to know what you want before you speak with your contractor. Consider what the project looks like. Are there particular amenities you want to add? What are the colors you are envisioning? What is the look and style of the design you are going for? Listing these out for your contractor will get you both on the same page and help the contractor understand the bigger picture of your project.  

If you are not entirely sure what your whole plan is for your home project, that is ok too! Sometimes, we have goals but are unsure what steps we need to get to the final product. Hiring a design consultant can streamline that process and bring your vision to reality. 

Check Estimates from Different Contractors 

If there are a few different contractors you are considering, ask each of them for an estimate. Being able to compare each price point will provide you with a clearer picture of how these companies compare. Not only will the estimate reflect the projected price for the project, but it will give you a better idea of the quality of work they may provide.  

While the lowest bid may sound great for your budget, it may not be the best decision in the grand scheme of your ideal project outcome. Sometimes contractors offer ridiculously low prices because they cut corners or are unlicensed/uninsured. This is why receiving estimates is also a great chance for you to get to know the contractor better. You will be able to ask any questions and dive deeper into their business and practices. You may have questions about their team, the project, services, or an explanation for their pricing so you can get the best idea about who will be the ideal fit. 

Ask Questions

Hiring a contractor that you trust is important. When meeting with potential contractors, think about some questions to ask that help you decide if they are a good fit for your project. Some questions to ask that may help you reach this discussion could be:  

• How many years of experience does your team have? 

• Do you have references? 

• Do you have the right license and permits for this type of work? 

• What is the timeline for you to complete this project? 

• What is the estimate of the total cost? 

If there are any other important questions you think of, be sure to ask them! It is good to be transparent with your contractor and build trust with them.  

Check Their Past Work

Once you get a list of references from the contracting company, do some research! How have their past projects turned out? How was their transparency in service throughout the process? Reading reviews on Google and Facebook is also a great way to see what people have to say about their work. This will show you a pattern in their customer service and quality of workmanship.  

Read the Fine Print

Make sure you read the fine print of your project’s contract. Even if you hire a trustworthy contractor, you want to read all the details of the projected timelines, pricing, and additional details to ensure you understand all that will go into the project. Again, this will help build transparency and trust with your contractor and will make sure you are both still on the same page.

Hire Local

We all love supporting local businesses! Local contractors are likely to be more trustworthy, transparent, and focused on you. Not only that, but local builders will be more familiar with any potential obstacles or hiccups that occur with housing and commercial sites in your area. 

At Total Home Solutions, we are a team of highly professional and skilled specialists who are dedicated to getting the job done right. We are faced with various situations day to day and have the ability to troubleshoot and problem-solve. We are always staying up to speed on new materials, techniques, equipment, and processes. 

We provide quality craftsmanship and exceptional customer service while maintaining the highest level of dependability and professionalism in the relationships we cultivate with our clients, vendors, and employees. It is the culture of our company, and we believe that "Teamwork makes the dream work," and that everyone plays a crucial role in the success of the project! 

If you are ready to get started on your latest project, give us a call! We would love to tackle your home’s needs with our reputable solutions, competitive prices, and reasonable timelines. Let’s make your dreams a reality!  

Call our office at 541-647-0213, email us at info@mytotalhomesolutions.com, or submit your information at mytotalhomesolutions.com/contact. 

Projects To Get You Through Winter

The weather is getting colder and before we know it, winter will be here. For many of us, this means getting cozy under our covers with some hot chocolate in hand. Winter is a time to rest and slow down. It is a season to recover from the busy seasons that have just passed.  

And while winter may cause you to slow down, this does not mean that your home improvement projects have to enter hibernation. In fact, winter is the perfect season to upgrade the interior of your home! Remodeling your home during the colder months will give it the facelift it needs. If you have been considering some new upgrades to the interior of your home, keep on reading. 

You may be wondering, what would make winter a better time than summer for home projects? Some of the benefits that come with completing home improvement projects during winter are: 

• More availability – Winter is considered our slow season, so you will be more likely to secure a booking with us without having to wait too long. 

• Pass the Time – Having a project going on in your home during winter will actually help the time pass by quicker. When you have an ongoing project, you are excited and it keeps your mind distracted from the monotony of dark winter days. 

• Lower Possibility of Conflict – Winter is usually a slower season for everyone, so it is likely that you will have less scheduling conflicts that pull you away from home improvement projects. 

If this excites you, let’s dive into a few project ideas to help you get through this winter. 

Hardwood Flooring 

Hardwood is best installed when the weather is dry. This is due to the fact that moisture in the air can often become trapped under floorboards as they are being installed, which can later result in mold or mildew. Since the summer months are known to be more humid, this makes winter the perfect time to install those floors. Adding in new floors will also help keep your house better insulated than old floors. 

Upgrading Countertops 

Replacing your old countertops is a quick project that will make your kitchen look brand new! Upgrading to new countertops during winter will prepare your kitchen for the busier season. You’ll be wanting to host the next potluck at your house so you can show off a kitchen you are proud of. 

Appliance Installations 

Installing new appliances is an easy project that will give your house that new home feel. While you could install it yourself, avoid the hassle or worry of doing it incorrectly by giving us a call. Our highly professional and skilled team of specialists will work with you to install any kind of appliance.  

Interior Painting 

Painting is another great project for winter! A fresh coat of paint will brighten up your walls during the dull and dark days.  

Bathroom Faucets 

Winter is the perfect time to focus on small details that can make a big impact on your home’s appearance. Replacing your bathroom faucets is another great winter project as it can upgrade the look of your bathroom with little time commitment! 

Since winter forces us to stay inside a bit more, you should make your house a home that you feel comfortable and happy in. Working on home improvement projects during winter will give you something to look forward to and will make you fall in love with your space.  

If you are looking to stay busy with a few home improvement projects during these colder months, get in touch with us today! We would love to help you build a more cozy home to enjoy this winter. 

Call our office at 541-647-0213, email us at info@mytotalhomesolutions.com, or submit your information here.

We look forward to working with you! 

Interior Trends to Warm Up Your Home This Fall

The start of the fall season is always such a special time of year! Maybe you’re still holding onto the last days of summer, but, if you’re someone who loves fall, you might be thinking about how to cozy up your home for the cooler months. We’ve gathered a few home trends for you to try to get your house ready for autumn!

Add a Moody Paint Color

A fresh coat of paint can make all the difference! While paint isn’t something you’ll want to change season to season, there are some color choices you can make to add an element of warmth that will look good all year long. Go for shades of tan, brown, clay, and other neutrals. Green is also a timeless choice that can help to create a sense of calm in your room. If bold colors aren’t for you, try a warmer shade of white or beige. You can also just do accent walls so the color doesn’t become too overpowering.

Incorporate Natural Elements

Finishes of wood, stone, and other natural materials will help to bring that inviting feeling to your home as well. The Organic Modern look can be achieved through your choice of flooring, cabinets, and the materials for your fireplace surround. If you’re not looking for a full remodel, consider adding smaller pieces like a vintage wood bowl, wood serving trays, linen textiles, and dried flowers or grasses.

Layer in Textures

When the seasons change, it’s time to get cozy, and adding some extra throw pillows and blankets can really set the tone for fall. The textiles you choose will also help shift your color palette to one that is more suited for fall. Try some throw pillows with lots of chunky thread, with a sherpa or boucle type of fabric, and in tones of deep brown, mustard, green, or rust. The colors you choose will ultimately depend on the overall scheme of your home, so go for something that will compliment what you already have. If you’re not into color, stick with your neutrals! It’s your home, and you get to decide what looks and feels best in the space.

Arrange Some Florals

When you think of fall, one of the first things that comes to mind is the changing leaves. They’re so beautiful, and are a great inspiration for interiors in the fall. Instead of going for the plastic, orange fall arrangements that come into stores this time of year, you can get a more elevated look by using dried flowers, branches, or grasses. For a true fall scheme look for oranges and reds, and for a more neutral look try cream, tan, and beige tones. There are many great places to buy dried flowers online like Afloral and Etsy, but if you grow flowers at home, you can make them yourself!

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If you’re looking to go beyond just sprucing things up for the season, please let us know! We’d love to help you with the upgrades you have in mind for your home. While we may not be able to get you on the books for fall, it’s a great time of year to start planning so you can get ahead of the 2023 busy season.

We are experts in all things renovation, and you can count on us for a quality job done well and on time. Call our office at 541-647-0213, email us at info@mytotalhomesolutions.com, or submit your information at mytotalhomesolutions.com/contact. We can’t wait to get started!

Stay Cozy with a Custom Barrel Sauna

As the summer comes to an end, the cool weather starts moving in, and before we know it, it'll be fall. Although the change in season can give some of us the chills, we're over here dreaming up ways to keep cozy.

This year, it's all about custom barrel saunas! That's right: a custom sauna for your home or wherever else you want to create a space for relaxation and luxury. We all know how nippy it gets in Central Oregon, and these blissful builds are exactly what you've been waiting for. Barrel saunas are simple, functional, and look beautiful in any backyard. We build each one to order, so it perfectly fits your space and personal needs. Share with friends or keep to yourself, your custom barrel sauna will not disappoint. 

Now you're probably wondering what a barrel sauna is and the answer is pretty simple, the difference is the design. A barrel sauna looks just like a wooden barrel, tipped on its side. Compared to a rectangular or square shape, the cylindrical barrel actually heats up faster and distributes warm air more evenly.

They are extremely low-maintenance and have all the same benefits as saunas of different shapes. Barrel saunas can have benches or shelves, even hooks on the inside or out. Windows, doors, you can take your pick!

Not only do our saunas look and feel great, but they also have tons of health benefits when used regularly.

Saunas can help with:

• Detoxification

• Pain Reduction

• Blood Circulation

• Skin Rejuvenation

• Relaxation and Reducing Stress

Seems like a win-win to us!

Our team provides quality craftsmanship and exceptional customer service; we'll be able to guide you in the right direction when it comes to creating and maintaining the sauna of your dreams! This all aligns straight with our Vision Statement:

"We are here to make your dreams a reality with innovative ideas, building strategies, and forward-thinking in the construction industry, all the while promoting relationships that compliment both our business model and your construction needs and expectations."

Our team has multiple decades of knowledge and hands-on experience that we put to work for you! There is no job too large or too small. In addition, we find it very important to have long-term relationships with our clients, providing exceptional services they can count on year after year.

So, before it’s too late, add value to your home and your life with a custom barrel sauna or one of our other services!

Call our office at 541-647-0213, email us at info@mytotalhomesolutions.com, or submit your information at mytotalhomesolutions.com/contact.

We look forward to working with you!

Home Maintenance Tips to Wrap up Your Summer

While you’re probably still enjoying all kinds of summer fun, it’s time to start thinking about any projects you want to complete while the weather is still in your favor. Home projects may not be the highlight of your summer, but being sure to keep up on regular home maintenance will help prevent any long-term damage.

Follow this home maintenance checklist to close out the season and keep things looking their best all year long!

Clean your gutters

This might seem like a spring project, but leaves and other debris can build up all year long. When water can’t flow through the gutters, it can overflow and damage your foundation and basement. Be sure you have a sturdy ladder for this, and place it somewhere where it can’t shift underneath you. Spread out a tarp below the gutters and remove debris with a gutter scoop. These can be found at the hardware or home improvement store, but a spatula or child’s sand shovel works great too! Rinse everything with a hose when you’re done to get all remaining debris washed away.

Inspect your Roof

While you’ve got the ladder out, take a look at your roof. Remove any buildup of debris or leaves that you see both on top and beneath the eaves. If any shingles are buckled or curled, they need to be replaced. If the majority of your shingles look like this, it may be time to replace the entire thing. Take a look at the metal strips around chimneys and vents as well. If anything is loose, make needed repairs to prevent water damage.

Freshen up the exterior

If you have a buildup of debris on the outside of your home, consider power washing the exterior. Just make sure you use the right amount of pressure for your siding. Hot weather can also fade paint, so, when you’re done cleaning, consider having the outside of the home painted. You could just opt for the spots that seem to get the most sun exposure.

Clean up your landscaping

When summer really starts to come to an end, start doing some clean-up around the yard. Prune flowers, bushes, and trees away from your house, pull weeds and remove extra debris. When the leaves begin to fall, you’ll have much less to clean up as you rake. This is also a great time to plant bulbs for spring blooms!

Replace old windows

It’s hard to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home if the windows are old or aren’t properly sealed. You don’t want to have your heating and cooling systems running more than they should. Consider replacing single-pane windows and filling gaps with caulk to keep your home efficient during the colder months. While you’re at it, fix any broken or missing screens.

Clean your fireplace & chimney

Building a fire might not be at the front of your mind right now, but if you have a wood-burning stove or fireplace, now is the time to have them cleaned and inspected. Burning wood produces soot and creosote that can build up over time. This is the dark residue that you see coating your firebox. This substance is highly flammable and should be removed every season to prevent chimney fires. Take time to have it cleaned now so you can be ready to get cozy when the cold temperatures hit!

Clean your deck

Your deck might be looking a little rough after all those summer BBQs! Spend a weekend cleaning off all debris, and giving it a wash. A hose and a gentle scrub with soapy water will do that trick. Be careful with power washing as some decks are not suited for it. When you’re done cleaning, take a look and see if any boards are loose. If any are damaged or rotting be sure to remove and replace them. Loose and broken deck boards can be a hazard for you and your guests!

Owning a home can be a lot of work, but if you follow this end-of-summer checklist, you’ll save yourself time and money by preventing future damage. If you’re feeling a bit out of your league with some of these tasks, don’t worry! We can help.

One of our many services is property maintenance. Whether you’re looking for annual home maintenance, property management maintenance, or commercial and industrial maintenance, we’d love to help you with the upkeep of your property.

You can count on Total Home Solutions to provide quality craftsmanship and exceptional customer service in everything that we do. We bring innovative ideas, building strategies, and forward-thinking in the construction industry, all the while promoting relationships that compliment both our business model and your construction needs and expectations.

If you have home maintenance or any other projects you’d like to get started on, we encourage you to reach out soon as we’re in our busiest season of the year!

Call our office at 541-647-0213, email us at info@mytotalhomesolutions.com, or submit your information at mytotalhomesolutions.com/contact. We look forward to working with you!

Rental Renovations

Mountains, rivers, sun, music, food, beer… need we say more? What’s not to love about the wonderful town of Bend? If you live here, you know, and if you’re planning a move, you’ll soon find out. But you may not realize the rising cost of living that you must pay to enjoy its perks. Fortunately, homeowners can take advantage of our growing little city and high demand for housing with rental properties like apartments, homes, ADUs, tiny homes, and vacation rentals of all shapes and sizes. Bend is scattered with housing and properties, old and new, and those who can afford them can usually benefit from renting them out at least temporarily.

So, let’s say you do own or are planning to own a rental property in town. Whether it was just built, or you scored a fixer-upper in the historic district, you’ll need to keep it up and maybe even make some (or many) changes. But before your tenants move in, make sure to do the basic checks for any water damage, need for an exterminator, change any filters, test all smoke detectors, and either has you or a management company available for periodic requests from your incoming tenants.

Now, let’s talk renovations and remodels. You know, the stuff WE can help you with. Take note, that there is a difference between renovating (updating or restoring an existing structure or feature) versus remodeling (changing the entire function of a room or feature design).

Buying a property is an exciting undertaking, with so many options within reach. Whether you’re looking to:

·      Revamp a kitchen

·      Add a fresh coat of paint to any room

·      Update flooring, carpet, or fixtures

·      Make repairs

or increase your rental potential as well as the value of your rental property… we’re here to celebrate your new home and we can help!  

Our team has multiple decades of knowledge and hands-on experience that we put to work for our valued clients to help make their dreams a reality. We know the area, the trends, and how to make your vision come to life. And we’ll be as honest with you as we can about your home’s potential. We find it very important to have long-term relationships with our clients, providing exceptional services they can count on year after year.

Bathrooms, window and door installation, siding, custom projects, concrete, roofing, ADA renovations, fencing, decks, porches, flooring, stairs, handrails, cabinet installation, there is no job too large or too small for us and that’s the truth!

We’ve also created the perfect network of professionals to get all your home’s needs met because sometimes, it takes a village to reach your project goals as a homeowner. We have long-term subcontractors in all trades that are part of the THS team to help bring your vision to life. Our team’s subcontractor network includes professionals in:

• Electrical

• Plumbing

• HVAC

• Tile setting

• Custom cabinet design

• Architects

• Interior and exterior design

• Exterior and interior painting

With an array of professional partners in these fields and more, our team is truly able to meet your total home needs!

Circling back to trends, here are a couple we’ve noticed that are popular this year for rental (and other) property renovations and remodels:

·      Luxurious spa-like bathrooms

·      Improved outdoor living spaces, decks, and gardens

·      Large window banks

·      Multifunctional kitchen islands and countertops

·      Built-in storage

·      Spacious mudrooms

·      Rooms that double, multifunctional spaces

Let your imagination run wild! When it comes to your rental, your options are endless.

We provide quality craftsmanship and exceptional customer service while maintaining the highest level of dependability and professionalism in the relationships we cultivate with our clients, vendors, and employees. It is the culture of our company, and we believe that "Teamwork makes the dream work," and everyone plays a crucial role in the success of the project!

By consistently offering reputable solutions and services at a fair market and competitive prices within a reasonable timeline, we tackle your home’s needs with the intent to earn your repeat business and referrals.

Reach out today to get things started, we are heading into our busiest season of the year!  

Call our office at 541-647-0213, email us at info@mytotalhomesolutions.com, or submit your information at mytotalhomesolutions.com/contact.

Gather some inspiration for your next remodel!

It’s no secret that the housing market in Central Oregon has been a wild ride over the past few years. People have come from far and wide to enjoy everything this little mountain town has to offer and it’s made buying a home here incredibly competitive. This has left homeowners in an interesting situation. Sure, you could sell your home in Bend for much more than you may have purchased it for, but could you really find somewhere else to go without finding yourself up against multiple other buyers and paying far more than you’d like to?

Enter: the remodel. You’re ready for an upgrade, but you’re not ready to leave the town you love for a less competitive housing market. Your job is here, you’ve got relationships with friends, and you love how easy it is to get out and enjoy the outdoors. Why not make the most of what you’ve got and invest in a new kitchen, bathroom, or addition to your house? Hold onto everything you love about living here while making your home feel brand new.

A great way to get started on a remodel is to gather some inspiration and check out what’s trending in home design. You might not be a fan of everything that’s trending right now, and that’s okay! It’s more important to focus on choosing finishes that you’ll love for years to come. Plus, if you ever do decide to sell your home, you’ll want it to have a timeless look that doesn’t seem out of date 5 or 10 years from now.

Right now we’re really seeing a focus on organic, natural materials that bring a sort of tranquility to the home environment. These are things like wood and stone and they are often paired with muted, neutral paint colors in shades of green, clay, and cream. Linen, wool, and cotton textiles pair beautifully with these finishes to bring the whole design together. Check out this fireplace we recently completed; we were able to achieve a timeless look while taking inspiration from trends in natural finishes and modern clean lines. It calls back to Central Oregon’s rocky, volcanic landscape while giving the room a beautiful feature that acts as a piece of sculptural art.

If you’re looking to go a bit out-of-the-box, another 2022 home trend that’s starting to emerge is the use of unique tile. Tile can really bring a pop of personality to your kitchen or bathroom, especially when it’s paired with more toned down finishes on your cabinets and countertops. This trend can look vastly different depending on the style of the home and the way that it is utilized. Maybe your tile is a super bold color, it could be textured giving it a 3-dimensional appearance, or it’s fashioned from a material not often seen in traditional design styles.

The tile we used for this next project is anything but traditional. Its graphic illustrations, bold text, and vibrant colors combine to create a feature unlike any other. Forget the all-while kitchen, marble countertops, and modern aesthetic - this kitchen breaks all the rules. Don’t think you have to stay in any kind of lane when it comes to your remodel! It’s your home after all, you should enjoy what you’ll be looking at every day. If you’re worried about what the next buyer might think, just remember that everything can be changed, and most people will want to do some kind of upgrading to their new home anyway. And who knows, the next homeowner might just have as much personality as you do.

If you’re really stuck on what to incorporate into your remodel, don’t worry, you can always go back to the basics. Trends, unique features, and bold choices are fun, but if you’re just looking for an upgrade that will add value to your home and to your daily life, there’s nothing wrong with following some tried and true design guidelines. This next project is a great example of that.

Quality is the shining star of this kitchen remodel. While the design itself is quite simple, it’s easy to see how much of a difference it makes when the materials you choose are well made. From the cabinetry to the gorgeous island and countertops, this kitchen brings together a beautiful neutral palette to create a clean yet cozy feeling. The appliances pair perfectly with the other finishes, and the lighting and seating choices really complete the space. This is a great example of a kitchen that’s just plain nice. It doesn’t look like an obvious trend was used here, and it will stand the test of time and look just as beautiful if the homeowner ever decides to move on from it.

No matter what you decide to go for with your remodel, know that Total Home Solutions is ready for the job. From the kitchen to the bathrooms, we’re able to provide all the services needed to make your home feel brand new to you. No job is too big or too small.

With multiple decades of knowledge and hands-on experience, you can depend on our team to get your project done right. We value quality and service, and we work hard to make sure the relationships we build with our clients are positive. It’s important to know and trust the people working in your home - it’s your personal space and we want to treat it well! We hope that at the end of your project, you’ll be excited to reconnect with the people who helped you along the way should you want to start another renovation.

If you’re looking to get started soon, we encourage you to reach out to us as soon as you can! It’s the busiest time of year for us and the sooner we get things started for you the better. We make sure we have everything we need to complete your project before we start it, so it’s important to get on the books early.

Call our office at 541-647-0213, email us at info@mytotalhomesolutions.com, or submit your information at mytotalhomesolutions.com/contact. We look forward to making your current home feel like your dream home!