Austins remodeling professionals.

Austin Remodeling Update

noreply@blogger.com (Shawn Dewbre') — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 12:17:00 +0000

Where new world technology and old world craftsmanship meet!

I want to start off by apologizing to my Facebook biz page fans and all other potential clients that may have had the opportunity to use MasterCraftsmen for their home improvement if I would have been blogging consistently. The problem is time. If you have never ran a home improvement company then you have no idea how challenging it is to operate day to day operations required to be successful and make the time to blog as well. Fortunately I have hired a new superintendent now and that will allow me the freedom to shift my focus to the many faceted area of Internet marketing. One area is keeping the company blog active and up to date.
So where do I start? How about where we are at this moment and work my way backward since my last entry.
We currently have three projects going. Two in the Northwest Hills area of Austin and one in South Austin:

The first is a Northwest Hills job. It's a custom stair project that although has been quite challenging in it's multiple "issues" is turning out to be a blinding success! One of the main problems was the fact that the previous contractor who built the stairs originally was either drunk or a "special needs" carpenter. lol. So we were faced with correcting existing problems before work on the new stairs could be begin. I'm happy to report that we are on track to have them completed within the scope of work and budget despite the slow start.

Our second project is a gable restoration, repair and paint job in Northwest Hills as well. We had multiple issues with leaks in the siding allowing water to penetrate the wall and wreak havoc on the interior of the home.We have repaired the siding, replaced flashing and treated the interior of the walls for mold. The painters will be finished today and once again we are within the scope of work and budget. The home owners will be returning Tuesday from their vacation in Florida to find their home projects completed. One of the cool things about technology today is that I was able to keep them updated throughout the entire remodel process with video, pics and text taken from my iPhone and sent to them via emails, sms and Facebook.

Our third project is a complete home restoration in South Austin.We are just starting it today. I will be taking video and pics as well throughout the entire process and posting them to my YouTube channel, website and Facebook biz page. This remodel and restoration will involve framing carpentry, finish carpentry, custom cabinets that will be built on site, new shelving in all of the closets, drywall repair, tape and float, texture, new paint throughout, a new electrical service upgrade as well as new wiring/devices and fixtures, new counter tops, tile work, hardwood flooring and new appliances. It is going to be a exciting remodel and we are looking forward to this new "adventure."

Since my last blog post we have completed a total of six home remodel projects. As with all of the work that MasterCraftsmen is involved with you can view progress of work, testimonials and all other details here:

http://www.facebook.com/MasterCraftsmen or http://www.youtube.com/user/ShawnDewbre?feature=mhee

I'm very excited about the coming year and potential for new growth and expansion for MasterCraftsmen. Our first year here in Austin has been a challenge to say the least. Especially the first six months. We started "building steam" around the nine month window and finished out the year with a explosion of signed contracts and work being completed successfully. We now have a solid reference platform. Our ability to complete jobs within the scope of work, on time, on budget, with a higher level of craftsmanship than the competition, with a warranty and at a reasonable price is finally beginning to pay off.

Give us a call if you need any home improvement and be sure to click the LIKE button on my Facebook biz page when you visit to become a fan!

Shawn Dewbre'
MasterCraftsmen
512-578-8358

The next project

noreply@blogger.com (Shawn Dewbre') — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:45:00 +0000

The next project

Remodel yourself?

noreply@blogger.com (Shawn Dewbre') — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:44:00 +0000

Remodel yourself?

New Jobs

noreply@blogger.com (Shawn Dewbre') — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:43:00 +0000

New Jobs

Success

noreply@blogger.com (Shawn Dewbre') — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:43:00 +0000

Success

East Austin Condo Remodel

noreply@blogger.com (Shawn Dewbre') — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:02:00 +0000

East Austin Condo Remodel

Success

noreply@blogger.com (Shawn Dewbre') — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 22:17:00 +0000

Finally starting to see some fruits of my labor! Signed all three contracts that I bid on! I have two more to bid on this coming week and this rain feels good after the long dry summer. I'm still learning how to blog properly. I will be meeting with a guy later this week to teach me how to do it properly but for now I'll just blog about the biz and whats happening.
In case you didn't notice I also created my first video for MasterCraftsmen. Not the best video in the world. More of a slide show but hey you gotta start somewhere. I also added a YouTube button to my Facebook biz page and uploaded the video there. To anyone reading my blog, please do me a favor and go to my biz page
http://www.facebook.com/MasterCraftsmen (LIKE) it then check out the video. It would be so cool to have a blog fan actually like my page from here. As a matter of a fact I would be willing to give advice on any home improvement the fan would need. Maybe even do a small repair or something.
So to anyone else that might need a home improvement, remodel, home repair or renovation I'm here. I've been remodeling and building homes for over twenty years and I'm a true professional. My company may be young but it's not really. It's young here. I had the same company in Oklahoma before my wife and mother in law died. 22 employees, excellent work and references and I'll have it again here. You can have a look at http://mastercraftsmen.biz/ and see for yourself some of my past and a little present work here in Austin.
I WILL BE Austins premier remodeling company to call for all remodeling, new construction and handyman services. I WILL BE on page one of Google like I was in Oklahoma in the very near future. I WILL BE successful by following the same four principles I always have:

Honesty
Integrity
Professionalism
Craftsmanship

So give us a call for a free estimate. I'm not backlogged now but I will be soon. Oh and I'm offering 20% discounts on any signed contract for the end of summer special.

New Jobs

noreply@blogger.com (Shawn Dewbre') — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 20:00:00 +0000

I recently finished my third bid in as many days. Two in Tarrytown and one in South Austin. The first job was a simple door and window replacement. The remodel included carpentry and paint. The main issue with this bid was the exterior brick. I would have to cut some of the brick with a masonry saw and the cut had to be perfectly straight. Followed by some light framing then installation of the door. The window remodel was basically the same process with shudders that needed to be removed.
The second job was more of a handyman job than a remodel. Some painting of the fascia and adjustments on the front and back door. The homeowner also wanted to install a fence in the backyard at a later date but we'll see.
The last job was a deck and stair remodel. The deck had old school tongue and groove decking that I haven't seen since "forty two." Actually the boards were used for siding not decking back in the day. I had to find a lumber store that carried something similar. Finally after a couple hours of calling around and surfing the net I found a local mill work shop here in Austin. It will be tricky to get the old boards out and replace them without damaging the existing deck. But when your a "Master" lol, it's no problem. The next item on the Tarrytown remodel was the stairs. The treads and risers were rotten at the ground level and a couple of areas in other places.
Business seems to be picking up and I hope it continues to do so. Thanksgiving and the work crippling holidays are right around the corner. Wish me luck on the estimates!

Remodel yourself?

noreply@blogger.com (Shawn Dewbre') — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 18:39:00 +0000

Are you thinking of doing a home improvement yourself? No problem. It can be done. Here are a few simple tips to help you along.
Get organized. Pre-plan. Begin your battlefield attack strategy.
To do that the first and most critical thing you will need is a three ring binder or accordion folder file. You want to keep copies, ideas, receipts etc. of everything. You can also purchase a remodeling folder here http://goo.gl/u0AWy. They are for remodeling contractors but if I was a homeowner and doing a remodel I would without a doubt have one of these puppies.
Be your own designer. Draw a floor plan then make 100 copies. Then start designing. Your home is the canvas. Pay particular attention to the kitchen. the fridge, sink and oven should be located close together for ease of function. I find many homeowners who forget this. Also if you want a island to make it to big. The rule of thumb is three feet of space around the perimeter for traffic.
There are many classes available at home improvement stores like Home Depot or Lowe's
Let's not forget the power of the internet. Endless videos for remodeling tips on Youtube like Kitchen tips and Bathroom tips and just plain old Remodeling tips

Try to do what I call the "remodel adventure." Find a small project around the home and tackle it using some of the ideas suggested. You may find that you have a knack for it. You may also find that it turned out to be a nightmare and you hate me for suggesting it. If that ends up being the case then give us a call and we will come to your rescue.

Shawn Dewbre'
MasterCraftsmen
MasterCraftsmen Facebook

The next project

noreply@blogger.com (Shawn Dewbre') — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 15:31:00 +0000

Looks like I might be doing my next project in North Austin. I'll miss you guys in Tarrytown but destiny calls and I couldn't do a job for nicer people. I did my first job when I moved back to Austin with them and it was a pleasure. I have a fond memory of cookies being left on the kitchen counter with a note saying something along the lines of, "you guys are the greatest"on a cold January morning. We'll see though. Going later today to have a look. One thing for certain is I will be documenting this project (if we get it) from start to finish.

Tarrytown Review

noreply@blogger.com (Shawn Dewbre') — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 14:02:00 +0000

Just received my first review from a completed job in Tarrytown. I'm slowly learning the significance of having credentials on the internet. I'm so excited about my business and using the internet as a tool to become better at what I do.
You should see the review! I mean it has a picture of the home owner-Larry Fuller (very professional looking guy) and a perfect review!
I don't know why I didn't have ALL of my past jobs reviewed. Looking forward to the next perfect job.

Tarrytown

noreply@blogger.com (Shawn Dewbre') — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 18:44:00 +0000

Just finished my second remodel in Tarrytown! I love that area of Austin and I plan to eventually work exclusively there and Highland Park. The first job involved trim carpentry, painting and some minor remodeling.
The second job consisted of removing damaged fascia and replacing it with new. Not major remodels by a long shot but work never the less.
Both remodels were completed on time within budget and resulted in happy customers with excellent references.

I've done other remodel projects around Austin but like I said earlier never in Tarrytown. The location, the people and the homes are simply awesome and I'm launching a campaign to focus on that area specifically.
This is my first attempt at a blog for the company. There have been so many things to do getting up and running that I haven't had the time. I doubt that I will be able to work exclusively in the Tarrytown area but we'll see.