4 Tips for Creating a Pet-Friendly Outdoor Living Space

Posted in: Screen Porch Questions, Deck Building Questions, Screen-Porch Design Tips, Contracting Questions, patio questions, home remodeling tips, pets

James Moylan

Monday, May 06, 2019

custom backyard dog run for a pet-friendly outdoor living space in Bethesda, Maryland

How to Create a Pet-Friendly Outdoor Space

Pets are truly part of the family, but for all the joy and love we get from our dogs and cats, it can be tricky trying to create an outdoor space that’s comfortable for us and compatible with our furry, four-legged friends. If you’re designing an exterior living space and want to keep Fido in mind, here are four tips to consider working into your blueprints:

7 Considerations for Reaching Out to Contractors

Posted in: Deck Contractors License, hire a decking contractor, Contractor Portfolios, Contracting Questions, deck contractors, Hire a Contractor

James Moylan

Wednesday, May 01, 2019

screened_porch_with_high_performance_materials_and_deck_accessories_bethesda_maryland (12)

What Should You Be Considering as You're Finding a Local Deck Contractor

One of the most important steps in the construction process is finding and securing the right contractor for you and your project. With so many people claiming to be the best in the industry, though, this can be a difficult prospect. With that in mind, here are seven tips to keep in mind before reaching out to a potential new hire.

Understanding the Design Process with Design-Build Firms

Posted in: Deck Design, hire a decking contractor, design aesthetic of a contractor, patio design, Contracting Questions, interior design, deck contractors, kitchen design, Hire a Contractor

James Moylan

Wednesday, June 06, 2018

custom deck design rendering fulton maryland

Great news! You've decided to build a beautiful new deck in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, DC and are looking at hiring a contractor. As you are determining which contractors are reliable and are collecting bids, you will begin to notice differences in the design and estimation process between deck builders.

These differences are telling of what working with a screened porch builder will be like. How long does it take to get a home estimate, and is it fully detailed? Are you being walked through the process? Are they asking the right questions? Ultimately, a contractor like Design Builders' first objective is to help you visualize your final project, be it a screened porch, outdoor kitchen, home addition, or interior renovation.

What Is CoConstruct and How Does It Improve the Design-Build Process?

Posted in: Contracting Questions, CoConstruct

James Moylan

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

coconstruct website home page screengrab

One of the greatest pain points of starting a home remodeling project is selecting a dependable contractor. Deck builders and interior renovators can be notoriously difficult to work with, and choosing a reputable and reliable business with confidence can be a major challenge for homeowners.

CoConstruct helps by guaranteeing that contractors can be held accountable to themselves and their customers by consolidating everything from construction schedules and materials selections to permits and contracts all in one place that's always available to clients.

What Are Homeowners Saying About CoConstruct?

Posted in: Contracting Questions, CoConstruct, Hire a Contractor

James Moylan

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

coconstruct front page screen grab

How CoConstruct Makes Working with Design Builders Fast, Fun and Efficient

If you’re about to start a home improvement or remodeling project, consider working with a licensed contractor that uses CoConstruct. CoConstruct is a project management software that provides a number of benefits to clients and contractor alike by facilitating an effective construction process. Design Builders has achieved great success utilizing the software to improve its customer experience, so what exactly are its users saying?