For the majority of us, our dream kitchen is usually imagined as a glittering showplace, filled with granite islands stretching toward a faraway horizon and sparkling appliances that instantly make you a Michelin chef.

Truth is, unless youre rich enough to be able to buy your home complete with these dream kitchens and bathrooms, remodeling is the affordable option.

This is where the experts come into play and the more expert help you can get to help you imagine your new dream spaces, the better your options will be on choices and cost control.

Every kitchen or bathroom renovation is different and unique, said Barrett Rivera, owner of Riveras Flooring, Kitchens and More, based in Brooksville, Florida. Every customers needs are different and I customize every bathroom or kitchen according to their tastes.

Rivera, and his wife Shawnda, have built their business on quality work, good customer service and word of mouth recommendations. Their business showroom is located at 19239 Cortez Blvd. in Brooksville Florida, and spreads over 4,000 square feet displaying various styles of kitchens with high-end appliances, beautiful tile, quality accessories, marble including Carrera and Travertine as well as carpet and vinyl flooring.

We started off with a 2,000 sq. ft. showroom about 2 years ago, said Rivera. But because there are so many different styles, fixtures and price ranges, we recently expanded by another 2,000 sq. ft.

Riveras wife, Shawnda said, So many people want to visualize a kitchen in place complete with appliances and those extra special accessories like faucets, spice racks and coffee stations. They like to touch and feel the different textures on counters and back splashes, so we invested $100,000 in extra showroom space to display several styles of kitchens and bathrooms for customers to experience, she said.

The average cost of a bathroom or kitchen renovation, including demolition and removal of the old fixtures is difficult to determine. Generally, new kitchens and bathrooms dont come cheap. Does the remodel require moving walls, installing new floors, high-end appliances and fixtures? And, if you own an older home, theres no way to know what might be found when you open up that wall.

Cost depends on so many factors especially if the footprint of the old kitchen or bathroom has to be reconfigured. Theres also the question of whether permitting with the local authority is necessary. Finding that good contractor that will work with you in reducing costs across the board yet still providing quality work is gold.

Whether building or remodeling, theres a step-by-step process that occurs in sequence and an experienced contractor can make that happen smoothly.

Although every kitchen or bathroom remodel is unique, said Rivera, we still have to go through a process that includes planning, demolition, installation and restoration.

Figuring out the best layout, style and finish depends on the homeowners tastes, budget and circumstances. For example, how is the space used? Does someone spend a lot of time in the kitchen cooking, or does the homeowner host frequent dinner parties? Hiring a contractor like Rivera will take you through this process painlessly.

Once you know the process, the next step is to decide your style and materials.

This is the most exciting part for customers, said Rivera. Choosing the color, style, layout and materials they desire makes their kitchen or bathroom come to life.

When pricing a remodel, Rivera explained that he always plans for unforeseen expenses.

Demolition time is when plumbing and electrical issues crop up, he said. Thats when we know exactly what issues may arise and even when the space is cleared and ready to receive flooring and cabinets, there are many more issues that can emerge.

Walls may be out of square, floors and ceilings may not be level, said Rivera. Sometimes these issues are not known until were actually installing the cabinets.

Then theres the planning to be considered.

Trying to fit too much into the space available might bring disappointment, Rivera said. Try to be realistic about what is required in your space.

Ordering special cabinets and tile, fixtures can takes weeks to deliver and sometimes, the suppliers deliver the wrong materials.

All of this is built into the schedule, said Rivera. The average timeline for a new kitchen or bathroom is approximately 2 weeks once all the choices on style and materials are finalized and no last minute changes, said Rivera. But things can and do happen, and we have to be prepared so we can work according to schedule.

When considering a potential remodeling job, Rivera advises his customers to think about the added value to their home.

Updating a kitchen and bathroom will reap rewards years later at resale time, said Rivera. Any homeowner thinking about remodeling should think longterm. No crazy colors, and only pick stuff thats classy and timeless so that 10 years down the road, your home is attractive and sales worthy, he said.

We regularly visit kitchen and bathroom shows and conferences so we can keep abreast of current trends, added Shawnda.

Riveras Flooring, Kitchens and More is not just about remodeling kitchens and bathrooms. Riveras is an experienced contractor for any kind of project small or large and also a fully licensed to build up to three stories high. Riveras also designs and constructs outdoor fireplaces and kitchens, as well as outdoor brick pavers.

I recommend coming to our showroom to see our kitchens and bathrooms, said Shawnda. We can also bring samples to your home and provide a free in-home design consultation.

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Dreams turn into reality - Hernando Sun

Laura Firszt More Content Now

Any home renovation is challenging, but a small bathroom remodel has got to be one of the greatest challenges of all. Combining form and function in a scanty space demands extra-careful planning. But dont worry; the gorgeous results will be worth it. And heres help six essential tips to make your bathroom remodel a success.

1. Work with what you have. Dont try to squeeze a full-sized home spa into a teeny amount of space. Remember, its not just a question of fitting in all the fixtures you need; youll also have to allow for clearance. These are suggested minimum bathroom sizes:Bathroom with tub 40 sq. ft. +Bathroom with shower 36 sq. ft. +Powder room toilet and sink only 15 sq. ft. (Most local building codes specify a minimum of 12.5 sq. ft.)

2. Plan your layout carefully. Whatever the square footage of a bathroom remodel, homeowners can cut costs with bathroom ideas that dont relocate the plumbing stack. And in your below-average-sized bath, the right layout will save you money and space. Steal a few extra inches by eliminating a linen cupboard and/or choosing scaled down fixtures. For instance, while a standard bath measures 60x32-inches, you might want to opt for a tub that is only 54x30-inches. Use the walls to their best advantage, by installing a compact floating sink and tankless toilet. Go vertical with storage, too, stacking cabinets and shelves up to the ceiling.

3. Choose the right doors. In a small bathroom remodel, clearance is uber important. For your shower, avoid a swing door; go for a simple curtain, sliding door, or half wall instead. By the same token, open shelving tends to be more practical than cupboards. Room for the bathroom door itself to swing into the room also takes up a lot of space. You might try the idea I used a few homes ago when faced with a minuscule powder room; I had the door hung so it opened outward rather than into the bath. This made the powder room less cramped and easier to clean, but you did have to be careful when opening the door.

4. Make laundry machines part of the plan. All too often, small bathroom makeovers offer a dual challenge finding room for the facilities and squeezing a washer and dryer into an already limited space. Stacked, a washer/dryer combo forms a column 24-27-inches wide by 27-inches deep by 70-75-inches tall, which can be hidden behind a space-saving pocket door or integrated into the cabinetry if you like. To save valuable space, consider a ventless condensation dryer or a combination unit. Install handy pullouts, like a shelf for folding or an ironing board.

5. Work out a realistic budget. Do your homework by researching prices before you commit to your small bathroom renovation. Unfortunately remodeling a bathroom of, say, 45 square feet wont cost half the price of 90, mostly because you will still need the same basic fixtures and supplies. There are some savings, though. Youll be buying smaller quantities of certain materials, such as tile. Whats more, you may be able to score a couple of bargains; a cut-price granite remnant could be just the right size to top your modestly sized vanity. Be sure to allow at least 10-15 percent above the bathroom remodel cost estimate to allow for cutting and overruns.

6. Schedule contractors carefully. If youre doing a full bathroom remodel, youll be working with several different types of home improvement professionals to get the job done plumbers, tilers, electricians, perhaps painters, and so on. There simply wont be enough space for several people to work in your undersized bathroom at the same time. Schedule their work in a logical order the tile contractor after the drywall professional, for example.

Laura Firszt writes for networx.com.

Excerpt from:
Networx: Small bathroom remodel: 6 essential tips - Arkansas News

Guido Mieth/Getty ImagesStyles come and go, but if your bathroom looks the same as it did in the 1980s, it might be time for an upgrade.

Remodeling your bathroom doesnt just make it look modern. Bathroom remodeling also can include more energy-efficient fixtures, so you use less water and electricity, and save money.

Before you decide to repaint, retile or replace anything in your bathroom, you want to first answer the question: How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom?

It really depends on what you plan to do and the size of the bathroom.

If youre looking for help to finance bathroom remodeling, check the personal loan rates at Bankrate.com.

The average cost to remodel a bathroom is just under $10,000. For the most part, people who decided to remodel their bathrooms spent from $5,910 to $13,835.

To be sure, you can pay less than the average if you only make a few simple changes to your bathroom or if you do the work yourself. Even so, if you want a complete makeover, you might spend considerably more.

Your bathroom remodeling depends on your goals. Some options will dramatically increase the cost. Others wont. Before you start to remodel, its a good idea to determine the scale of the project so that you can avoid going over budget.

If youd like to keep the cost of your bathroom remodeling on the low side or at least lower than the average cost, you have options. Instead of completely rearranging the bathroom, its less expensive to leave the sink, bathtub, shower and toilet where they are. Simply swap the older models for newer, updated versions.

If you dont have a lot to spend on countertops, you can get lower-end granite or another lower-priced material. You also can cut costs by purchasing lighting, flooring and cabinets off the shelf instead of installing custom fixtures.

If you have a bit more to spend, you can upgrade your remodeling in a few ways. One option is to get higher-quality, custom countertops, such as quartz or custom-cut granite.

Also, you may want to invest in higher-quality fixtures, such as faucets made of bronze or copper and solid wood, glazed cabinets.

Another big ticket job is moving the shower, tub, sink and/or toilet from one part of the room to another. That also boosts the price tag.

Remodeling a bathroom has several benefits for the homeowner, aside from making the room look better and improving its function. You can recoup around 60 percent of the cost of remodeling when you sell your home, as long as the changes you make are appealing.

Adding another sink to a master bathroom, improving the lighting and making the shower function better are a few examples of bathroom updates that pay off in the long run.

If youre considering a home-equity loan to pay for bathroom remodeling, check out the rates at Bankrate.com.

Originally posted here:
A lower-cost bathroom remodel - Bankrate.com

Watertown added $1,020,264 in new construction this July, a figure slightly less than July 2016's total of $1,077,876. Since the beginning of 2017, the city has added $28,608,404 in new construction value.

July saw a slight uptick in new home construction with permits for four new houses issued to a variety of area builders. Permits were issued to Allan Builders for a $321,000 home at 1400 Kimberly Court, Loos Custom Homes for a $170,900 home at 617 Green Ridge Circle, White Oak Builders for a $160,000 home at 909 Casey Drive, and Ballzhi Construction Co. for a $140,000 home at 810 Casey Drive. Not including condos or duplexes, 12 new homes have been built in the city so far this year, a number on pace to match or exceed 2016's annual total of 19 homes.

Other permits in July were issued to: Jon Boettcher for a deck at 210 S. Eighth St.; Joshua Schuett for a shed at 1119 N. Fourth St.; Kristofer Kugath for a porch rebuild at 615 W. Main St.; Chris Tolliver for a pool deck at 809 Fieldstone Way, Justin Biefeldt for a shed at 124 West Haven Drive; Michael Yenser for a dance studio remodel at 809 Station St.; Peirick Builders for a new deck at 814 N. Church St.; Gary and Christine Kaiser for a rec room and bathroom at 321 Creekside Court.

Dale and Marianna Werner for a shed at 526 Grey Fox Run; Preferred Builders of Watertown for a sunroom addition at 1238 N. Water St.; Chris and Sandra Blum for a detached garage at 1314 River Drive; Rory and Stephanie Colvin for a new porch at 105 Lynn St.; Sears Home Improvement for a bath remodel at 918 Carol St.; Samuel and Danielle Wood for a deck at 602 Cobblestone Way; Al Gruenwald for a shed at 201 Oak Hill Court; Basement Repair Specialists for basement drain tile at 1014 Labaree St.; Kerzner Remodeling Inc. for a bathroom remodel at 520 Rockview Court; Mike Yenser for a wall and opening at 500 Milford St.

Tundraland Home Improvements for a bathroom remodel at 1220 Sand St.; Paul Davis Restoration for fire repair at 1430 Henry St.; Shoen Contractors for a deck at 715 Autumn Crest Drive; Dehnert and Co. for a four season room at 721 N. Water St.; Wendy Seeber for new walls at 423 N. Church St.; Emrath Construction for a pool deck at 126 N. Concord Ave.; Peirick Custom Construction for a bath remodel at 400 Lexington Court; Jerry Hackbarth for a landing roof at 111 N. Concord Ave.; Virginia DeBlant for a deck at 810 Casey Drive; Brandon Woinowski for a wall header at 1102 Doris St.; Robert Perri for a shed at 713 Belmont Drive; and Tim Gutzdorf for a railing replacement at 903 S. Ninth St.

More here:
Building permits for July similar to last year - Watertown Daily Times

In a recent blog post on this site, George Taninecz wrote on the importance of finding the right tool for a job. He nailed it, but Id like to try my own twist on Georges topic: finding the right job for the tool.

We all have strengths lets think of them as tools with which we approach everything in our lives. And within our organizations, or our families, usually there are others with skills complementary to our own. My controller is a better accountant than I am, and my wife is a better cook, so we get better results when I dont do the bookkeeping at work, or the cooking at home.

The challenge is to be sure that every job is undertaken by the appropriate tool and the first step should be to make sure that we understand exactly what job needs to be done.

If you have a sore back and go to see a surgeon, the odds are pretty high that shell recommend surgery. If, instead, you go to a chiropractor, the odds are similarly high that hell recommend manipulation. But its important to know which of them is providing the correct analysis of the situation. In both cases, unless youre completely cynical, you can assume that the recommended treatments are based on each specialists patient-centered diagnosis. They have seen what they are trained to see, and they want to do what they are trained to do. The problem is that

When youre a hammer, everything looks like a nail.

Does that matter? Its certainly possible that either treatment could fix your back. But its also possible that either treatment could make your problem worse. The wrong tool for a job can cause more damage than it repairs.

Now take that concept to work. A colleague of mine says that there are three distinct types of people in various professions: Finders, Grinders and Minders. Think of them as three different tools. If youre hiring a sales manager to help you grow your business, the tool you need is a Finder, to go out and locate new customers and reel them in. If youre hiring a sales manager to help you perfect the details of a complex customer service problem, the tool you need is a Grinder, to follow procedures consistently and thoroughly. If youre hiring a sales manager to keep established customers satisfied, the tool you need is a Minder, staying in touch with key accounts, responding to their whims, and keeping them happy. Those are three very different skill sets, and three very different tools; applying the wrong tool to the job can lead to disaster.

Why?

Because that charming, glad-handing Finder could easily be lousy at getting the details right, while the diligent Grinder may well have poor social skills. Most dangerously, each of them sees the issue solely through the lens of their own expertise. And so do you; so do we all. None of us can be expert in every aspect of every job we tackle. Its essential that we recognize this, and that we employ a diverse range of skills and viewpoints for the tasks at hand, rather than try to do everything ourselves.

So: Be careful. Whatever it is that youre good at, be sure not to apply that skill to the wrong task. Im pretty analytical, and I have a basic (very basic, my wife would say) understanding of mechanical systems, so it seemed obvious to me that I could handle a bathroom remodeling project myself. No need for expensive plumbers or electricians, and think of all the time Id save not to mention the sense of pride Id feel when the project was done.

Do I need to tell you how that turned out?

Not well. In fact, the job took fourtimes as long as I had thought, and cost twiceas much, and resulted in half(or less) as much pride. Every time I use that room (which, with professional help, turned out beautifully, by the way), I am humbled.

Dont be a tool. Find the right job first.

Alec Pendleton took control of a small, struggling, family business in Akron, Ohio, at an early age. Upon taking the helm, he sold off the unprofitable divisions and rebuilt the factory, which helped to quadruple sales of the remaining division within seven years. These decisions and the thousands of others he made over his time as president and CEO ensured that his small manufacturing business thrived and stayed profitable for the generation to come. The culmination of a lifetime of experience, accumulated wisdom, and a no-nonsense approach to looking at the books allows him to provide a unique perspective. Big Ideas for Small Companiesfeaturing Alec Pendleton is one of a series of blogs provided to IndustryWeek by The MPI Group.

Excerpt from:
The Right Job for the Tool - IndustryWeek

A woman in Portland, Oregon, was having work done in her upstairs bathroom when she unearthed a secret box hidden by Fight Club author Chuck Palahniuk, KPTV reports.

The current homeowner, Jolynn Winter, bought the house ten years ago from the authorbut didn't realize that the guy had stashed some goodies in the walls before he left.

Contractors were pulling down the bathroom ceiling when they came across the time capsule: a sealed backgammon game box filled with Palahniuk's photos, notes, and an autographed copy of Fight Club dedicated to whoever found the box in the future. It also included blueprints for the original remodel and some Bush-era newspaper clippings.

Winter posted photos of the find on Facebook, promising to "pay it forward." After making the discovery, Winter decided to place Palahniuk's box back up above the ceiling and added a few new contributions from her family for the next homeowners to find.

According to the letter, Palahniuk remodeled the house in 2002, adding the upstairs half-bath and slipping in his time capsule in the process.

"To whoever find this box," it reads, "here are a few gifts from us. We've lived in this house since March 1997 and placed this box during a bathroom remodeling in 2002... We hope you're as happy in this house as we've been. We've done our best to leave it much nicer than we found it."

Whoever winds up buying Chuck's current home down the line, get ready, because in all likelihood some nondescript wall hides a great treasurean autographed copy of his new adult coloring book.

Continue reading here:
A Woman Found a Secret Box from Chuck Palahniuk Hidden in Her Ceiling - VICE

Blue Diamond Remodeling Inc, a remodeling company which does work in Austin and Round Rock, TX, is proud to announce that they have received another rave review from a happy homeowner. To showcase this and show their gratitude, Blue Diamond Remodeling has created a YouTube video to share it with others. The company encourages everyone to watch the video to get a better sense of the quality of work that they do and the services they provide.

Company representatives frequently explain that in their business, great feedback is their best reward. When clients share their appreciation of a job well done, employees are compelled to share it with everyone else. Blue Diamond Remodelings staff works hard to please their clients and they're rightfully proud of the job that they do. They understand that it is always great to be recognized, especially when clients take the time to post a review online.

The review video can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gd2iCiqXCz4. In it, Round Rock homeowner Kate P. says: "Blue Diamond did a great job of updating our master suite. The bathroom was gutted and completely redone and the bedroom was updated. There were several things I really liked about working with them. They listened to me and got everything I said. I felt totally in control of the project."

Blue Diamond Remodeling always encourages clients to share their experiences in any way possible. This is why they have also launched their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BlueDiamondRemodeling, where people are not just able to leave reviews or discuss their overall experience with the company, but they can also ask questions and be kept informed on a variety of different issues that affect the home remodeling industry.

Indeed, Kate P. also added a personal recommendation of one of the Blue Diamond Remodeling subcontractors, highlighting the fantastic work he did as an individual. Furthermore, she mentions the fact that workers always arrived on time, and that the results are completely up to the standard she was looking for. For Blue Diamond Remodeling, these types of reviews and comments are incredibly helpful in terms of ensuring that they continue to deliver the same high quality work, showing them that they are doing what is expected and more.

For more information regarding bathroom renovation in Round Rock contact Maxwell Rucker: maxwell@bluediamondremodeling.com. Blue Diamond Remodeling Inc. 1151 Provident Ln STE A , Round Rock, TX 78664. (512) 371-1888.

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Contact City Scene Media:

Bradley Benner(877) 406-2082support@cityscene.mediaCity Scene Media205 S Main St # 1281Culpeper, VA 22701

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Round Rock Bathroom Remodeling Contractor Receives Rave Review - Digital Journal

Doing some home renovations this summer? My household which includes three dogs and three cats is currently in the middle of a large kitchen and bathroom renovation. From budgets to delays, remodeling is stressful for people, but it shouldnt have to be disturbing toyour dogs. Whether youre doing it yourself or hiring a contractor, here are a few tips for dog safety during home renovations:

Keep your dogs safe and away from anything dangerous during your home renovation. Photography courtesy Sassafras Lowrey.

Home renovations have the potential to quickly turn your comfortable home into a dangerous place for dogs. Contractors can leave doors open. Dogs can become spooked by construction noises, or become aroused by strangers in their house. Not to mention all the tools and equipment that can cut your dogs, or injure them if chewed or swallowed. To ensure the safety of your dog, never leave him home alone with your contractors. While work is happening, keep your dog crated or securely locked in another part of the house. In the evenings and on the weekends (when work isnt happening), use xpens and baby-gates to segment different areas of the house to keep dogs away from in-progress areas. Be sure your dog is microchipped and wearing a collar with updated and clearly legible tags in case he gets out.

Renovations can uncover mold, lead and asbestos, all of which can be hazardous to you and your dog. Similarly, conventional paint fumes can be really harmful to your dogs eyes, nose and respiratory system. When painting, always keep areas well ventilated with fans, open windows and try to choose Zero VOC paints thatwont negatively impact the air quality of your home. If you are installing new carpeting, discuss off-gassing with your contractor and carpet retailer. New carpets are usually treated with a variety of stain-fighting and fire-retardant chemicals thatcan make your dog (and you!) sick. Allowing the carpets to off gas before they are installed, and laying the carpets using staples instead of adhesives can also help with reducing the chemicals your dog will inhale.

Dogs thrive on routines. Between the dust, noise and disarray of a home renovation, it can be hard to maintain a sense of normalcy but its important to keep up with as much of your dogs routines as you can. Monitor your dog for signs of stress, including any change in temperament, refusing to eat or having accidents in the house. Move your dogs favorite toys to areas of the house not under construction so he has access to things that make him comfortable, and try playing calming music to distract him from any disturbing renovation noises.

A tired dog is a happy dog! Though the added expense can be inconvenient while you are renovating your home, sign up for a new dog sport class. These sessions help your dog burn off some energy, and give him a break from the chaos of the home improvement projects. Also try to plan fun outings for your dog on the weekends hiking or swimming at the beach is a great way for you and your dog to shed some of the stress of the renovation.

A dog learning trick training. Photography courtesy Sassafras Lowrey.

A home renovation is a great time to focus on keeping your dogs brain busy. Trick training will strengthen your bond to each other, and mental exercise can be as fulfilling as physical exercise for dogs. Home renovations are also a primeopportunity to make use of puzzles for dogs to help keep their brains active while confined to only part of the house, and as a distraction to the noise and stress of construction.

Thumbnail: Photography courtesy Sassafras Lowrey.

Read more about dogs and your home on Dogster.com:

Sassafras Lowrey is an award-winning author. Her novels have been honored by organizations ranging from the Lambda Literary Foundation to the American Library Association. Sassafras is a Certified Trick Dog Trainer, and assists with dog agility classes. Sassafras lives and writes in Brooklyn with her partner, a senior Chihuahua mix, a rescued Shepherd mix and a Newfoundland puppy, along with two bossy cats and a semi-feral kitten. Learn more at sassafraslowrey.com.

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Tips for Dog Safety During Home Renovations - Dogster.com

WOODLAWN A six page list of projects at Joy Ranch accomplished last week by 120 Chesterfield Baptist Church Association volunteers is merely the visible part of the iceberg a case of the little churches that could.

Association Mission Director Dan Austin said churches involved included Wolf Pond Baptist, Cedar Creek Baptist, Pine Grove Baptist, Cheraw Baptist, Sand Hills Cowboy Church, South Point Fellowship, Wallace Baptist Church, Lee Park Baptist, Highland Heights Baptist (from Kentucky), Mt. Moriah Baptist, and Lower Macedonia Baptist Church.

Austin explained its not just about the numbers of volunteers increasing. Its small churches doing big things. Mission Director Randy Shaw said the group isnt looking at the long game or the number of projects but are in it to win it.

The whole purpose of this is to teach our people biblical principles of servanthood. Its truly going in and finding ways you can go in, encourage and meet needs. In a me generation servanthood is a rare thing. This is why we do it as a family mission thing, said Austin. We want our older generations to teach our younger ones hopefully on biblical principles. Its not about the jobs. Dont get me wrong. We want to have plenty of work to do. We want our children to be involved in ministry and not just sitting and watching mom and dad work or hanging out and playing while others work.

Projects included roofing, pressure washing almost everything on the property, dissassembling the Ark for repurposing as a technical training facility, flooring a bathroom in the girls cottage, remodeling bathrooms, grading for RV parking for volunteers who travel in RVs, a new kitchen door and tile, repairing kitchen subflooring and adding handicapped access.

The volunteers also sang and helped with crafts daily in two local nursing homes during their week long stay. (Everyone arrived last Saturday with some staying until Saturday morning to be sure the projects were finished.) Joy Ranch children ate, worked and fellowshipped with volunteers.

What God is doing here with Joy Ranch is the story. God leading a group here to partner with what he is trying to do in this place is the story. The number of people coming here is not near as big as the children being helped. Getting a family, said Austin.

Mission Director Randy Shaw said the group has served in Kentucky, West Virginia, at Hillcrest Baptist Church in Galax, and in Tennessee. It took a bit of divine intervention in the form of bad weather to point them to Carroll County.

Originally we decided to go down to Florida to Pensacola. We got a group of 18 together and I thought this was going to be a pretty good group. We got everything laid out and were going to do a roof job and I guess the Lord didnt think it was big enough so he sent a hurricane and made it bigger. When we did get it together it was a bigger roof. Thats the way we looked at it, said Shaw. The next year when we went down there we had another hurricane. Same time, same year. So I thought there has to be a reason. Were going to go north till we run out of gas before it gets to us. Weve been going this way every since.

Shaw said he has a good mix of people including electrians, plumbers and carpenters. He said their basic guideline is to fix it right or we wont do it.

The numbers keep going up. Every year I have to put a stopping point or if I didnt it would go on and on. We have to limit. To me it gets overwhelming. Its not the work but making sure I have enough to keep them working, Shaw said. My job when I get home is to share what we are doing and what they can do. My goal is to reach the small churches. They think they cant really do anything but they can. If you can hand out water, we need you.

He said initially it was looking bad this year with the loss of some 30 volunteers (the kitchen staff). He said when asked what he was going to do he told them it wasnt his problem. It was the Lords.

Another church who hadnt come before sent more than 30 people and I got a new set of cooks out of it so it worked out. When they (Wolf Pond Baptist) called they said they had 38 people coming, we dont want to stress you. I said let me stress you. We dont have cooks and they said dont worry about that, said Shaw.

Joy Ranch Executive Director Susan Huxster said the very character of the group is finish one project and look to going the extra mile.

We are so blessed to have the Chesterfield Baptist Association with us. The amount of love, skill and dedication to do the work of the Lord has provided for them is unbelievable. We are greatly indebted to them, said Joy Ranch Director of Development Courtenay Houston.

David Broyles may be reached at 336-779-4013 or on Twitter@CarrollNewsDave.

Chesterfield Baptist Church Association volunteers work to disassemble and stack a building at Joy Ranch nicknamed the Ark. Salvaged materials have been tentatively earmarked for an industrial arts building project to be named in honor of the late Ruby Handy.

Volunteer Tile John Witherspoon mixes a batch of adhesive as he works on a bathroom renovation at Joy Ranch last week. One hundred and twenty volunteers from the Chesterfield Baptist Church Association worked on a variety of projects at the facility.

Chesterfield Baptist Church Association volunteers Evelyn Talbert of Cedar Creek Church and Carol Holmes of First Baptist Church in Highland Heights, Kentucky (in the background) sort reclaimed wood as a structure is torn down at Joy Ranch.

Mel Winstead, pastor of Mt. Moriah Baptist paints the trim on a Joy Ranch cottage. Chesterfield Baptist Church Association Mission Director Dan Austin said their improvement efforts last week at Joy Ranch are not about the number of volunteers but small churches doing big things.

Hal Walter of Pine Grove Church in Chesterfield, South Carolina gets to work on laying new flooring at Joy Ranch last week. A large group of volunteers tackled a six-page list of projects ranging from roofing to renovations at the facility. Association Mission Director Dan Austin said the number of volunteers is not nearly as big a story as the number children being helped by Joy Ranch.

More:
Improvements made at Joy Ranch - The Carroll News

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There are several reasons why a San Antonio Bathroom Remodeling project is highly popular among the residents. Most households are looking forward to achieve trendy bathrooms in order to suit the changing lifestyles and evolving bathroom styles. A trendy bathroom in your home can meet the overwhelming expectations of your family members besides significantly increasing the resale value of your property. However, when you plunge into a bathroom remodel project, you must follow some guidelines so that you get the best outcome expected as well as minimize the spending you do on the project. Here are some expert pieces of advices on how to approach your bathroom remodeling project.

Decide on the objectivesEvery project should be tuned perfectly to meet its objectives. First identify your goals from the project. Take into account the needs and tastes of your family members too. Visit some trendy bathrooms or browse through the pictures of some great bathrooms. These steps will equip you with the basic idea to decide what to look for in your bathroom remodeling project. Also, discussing with a professional bathroom remodeling company will give you some useful ideas.

Plan the spaceEstimate what you wish to remove and what you wish to get in newly. Based on this consideration, work on the space available to see whether you are going to gain or lose. Any attempt to ruin the existing comforts is a total waste on the money and effort you spend. So, right from the planning stage, be focused on what you wish to achieve.

Ensure the harmony of the various elementsAfter all, the ultimate purpose of any bathroom remodeling project is to see that the final result is awesome and appreciated by others. So, ensure that the different aspects of your planning, the amenities you will install, the kind of tiling and colors you bring in, the utility aspects you will install are in harmony with each other resulting in a overall compatibility without striking some dissonance.

Plan for economyEconomic planning does not mean compromising with the quality output. You can still have a great bathroom by minimizing the spending through a proper planning. For instance, when you install new features or relocate the existing features, ensure you disturb the existing plumbing lines the minimum. This will ensure you save on the costs of the project.

Buy branded accessoriesWhat you achieve must be durable and trouble free in the long run. So, though economy should be one of your considerations, it must not cripple your choice of branded fixtures and accessories. Products that carry a warranty will save you enough money in the event of some troubles or faults. Also, sometimes, the price decides the quality and you must never settle with some inferior options.

Choose the right bathroom remodeling companyThe ultimate results of the bathroom remodeling project will depend on the quality of the company you choose. Right from their industry experience, planning skills, expertise, knowledge of the latest trends and designs, capable workforce and customer centered working model, the merits of the company will work to your benefit. Looking from these angles, the residents find us the best San Antonio bathroom remodeling firm.

Safeshowers is a Leading bathroom remodeling Company In Austin & San Antonio, TX provides Tub To Shower Conversion and Safety Shower Austin.

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Owner's Guide To Bathroom Remodeling - Minyanville.com