Blog

Job Opening

Last modified on 2012-01-30 16:25:51 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

We are currently looking to hire a construction project manager to add to our team.  If you or someone you know might be interested, send them to this link for more information.

Extreme Makeover Home Edition Knoxville

Last modified on 2012-01-04 21:08:28 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Extreme Makeover Home Edition is coming to Knoxville!  As a team, we at Master Custom Home Remodeling have been helping coordinate the skilled volunteers who will be building a very deserving family the home of their dreams.  Come celebrate with us at the kick-off of this project at the Tennessee Theater Tonight, Wednesday, January 4th at 6:00pm.  If you wish to help bless the family, you can donate to them here.  If you are a skilled professional, you can still sign up here.  We hope to see you at the kick off tonight!

Winterizing You Home

Last modified on 2011-12-15 16:18:28 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Around The House 9.10.11

Last modified on 2011-09-08 12:22:33 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

This week on Around The House, Dawn will be joined by Tim Jones from Master Home Medic to talk about home maintenance.  Tune in Saturday morning from 7:00-8:00 to learn helpful ways to maintain your home’s health.  Dawn and Tim will be taking you calls, so be ready with your questions.

Around The House 9.3.11

Last modified on 2011-09-01 16:13:47 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

This week on Around The House, Dawn will be joined by Dustin Brown from Stone house Solutions.  If you have questions about remodeling, call into the show on Saturday to get answers.

Listen to Dawn from 6:00am-9:00am Saturday morning on News Talk 98.7

Top ways to increase the value of your home

Last modified on 2011-05-05 13:22:00 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Top ways to increase the value of your home

People often ask us about what kind of improvements they should make in their home to best increase their home value.   We found a helpful guide to improving your home’s value and thought you’d share it with you.  Click here to view DIY’s Home Value Investment Guide.

This week on Around the House

Last modified on 2011-05-05 13:01:54 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

This week on around the house, Dawn will be joined by guest Paul Antczak, owner of Predators & Prey Wildlife Control.
Tune in and listen as they talk about wildlife issues around your home.

Roof Buyers Guide

Last modified on 2011-05-05 12:47:39 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Roof Buyers Guide

So many people here in the Knoxville area have experienced damage to their home from the storms we encountered last week.  Many people are looking to replace their roof due to hail damage.  As every roofer in Knoxville suddenly became busier than ever, many people are on a waiting list to have an insurance adjuster and roofer examine the damage.  Here are some things to think about while you wait.  We found a very helpful article that will guide you in making decisions on what type of roofing material you want to replace your roof with.  Click here to proceed to the article.

DIY Fire Pit

Last modified on 2011-04-20 15:17:09 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

• Level

• Measuring tape

• Work gloves

• Rubber mallet

• Shovel

• #57 Gravel

• Masonry adhesive caulk tube

• Caulk gun

• Decorative block

Step 1: Layout the block in the shape you want the finished fire pit to be (round or square is most common).  Once you have the first row where you want it, use the tip of your shovel to mark where to dig around the outside of the block.  Move the block and dig a 12 inch deep by 8 inch wide trench where you block was just moved from.  This will act as your foundation for the block.

Step 2: Fill the trench with 6 inches of #57 gravel a compact until stable.  Lay the first course of block directly on the gravel, using a level to make sure it’s level.

Step 3: Use the masonry adhesive and caulk gun to glue the remaining courses of block together.  Adhesive should be applied in zigzag lines along the top of each block. Make sure to offset each block from the blocks below so that the joints between each block are staggered.

Step 4: Once you have placed enough blocks to achieve the height you want, allow the adhesive to dry (see label on adhesive container).  If the blocks are hollow or you want to use a different type of cap block, now is the time to install a cap.  Using a flexible mortar, lay a 1/4″ inch mortar bed along the top of the blocks and place your cap over the mortar.  Once the cap is set, use mortar to fill in any gaps between the cap stones.

Step 5: Fill the bottom of the fire pit ring with 8 inches of gravel and go cut some wood for your first fire!

For illustrations of each step and additional details, click here.

This Week on Around the House 4-9-11

Last modified on 2011-04-08 17:02:52 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

This week on Around the house, Dawn will be broadcasting remotely from the Habitat for Humanity Blitz Day.  Join Dawn and Scott Potter from JMJ Home Improvements from 7:00-8:00 to talk about roofing.  From 8:00-9:00, Dawn will be talking about Habitat for Humanity.

This Week on Around the House 4-2-11

Last modified on 2011-03-31 20:46:52 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

This weekend on Around the House, Dawn will be on location at the Love Kitchen project.  Bobby Barnes from Bonide Products will join Dawn for a discussion about using Organic and Chemical compounds for pest control.

MCHR featured in Qualified Remodeler

Last modified on 2011-03-18 18:57:17 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Qualified Remodeler, a national publication, featured an article about Dawn Steirmer and Master Custom Home Remodeling.  The article describes MCHR’s marketing accomplishments and explains how they have continued to grow during the recession.

Click the magazine cover to read the full article.

This week on Around the House – March 19, 2011

Last modified on 2011-03-18 15:51:38 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

This week on Around The House, Dawn will be joined by Jesse Katz from TN Home Craft and David Bolt, owner of Sustainable Future.

Sprucing Up Your Yard for Spring

Last modified on 2011-03-16 18:04:52 GMT. 1 comment. Top.

The single greatest tip we can give homeowners about their outdoor living spaces is this: No matter how big or small your yard is, take care of maintaining it so that you can enjoy it.

The long and awaited spring season starts this Sunday!  Daylight savings time means later sunsets and more time to enjoy your yard.  It is not too late to start thinking about what your yard needs to be healthy and beautiful.  Below is a laundry list of yard maintenance items that every homeowner should take a look at:

“Prune Trees
Prune dead or damaged branches. Prune branches damaged by snow and wind back to the live stem using a handsaw or shears. Trim hedges with hand shears. Trim evergreens of dead branches.

Clean Flower Beds
Clean dead leaves and debris from flower beds. Remove spent annuals, tossing them in a wheelbarrow with other yard waste to add to your compost bin.

Divide Perennials
Cut perennials back to a height of 4 or 5 inches and ornamental grass to 2 or 3 inches. Divide crowded perennials such as hostas and daylilies. Leave at least three stems in each clump. Cut back damaged rose canes to 1 inch below blackened area.

Prepare Lawn
Prepare any damaged areas of lawn for reseeding. Test the soil’s pH levels and add the amendments. Work compost into soil to keep new seeds moist.

Prepare Tools
Clean yard tools of dried mud and rust. Get your lawn mower ready to use by replacing the oil and spark plugs and sharpening the blade.

Aerate Lawn
Soil becomes compacted throughout the year from heavy use. Remove plugs of sod to loosen the soil to let in water, fertilizer and air to get to the root structure of the grass. Top dress the soil after aerating. Rake a thin layer of peat moss over the grass. Top dressing strengthens the grass against disease, thatch and weeds.

Weed
Remove dandelions and other broadleaf weeds with a weeder. Be sure to remove all the roots to discourage regrowth. Cultivate a healthy lawn to crowd out weeds.

Compost Waste
Put all cuttings, leaves, dead foliage and last year’s mulch into your compost pile. A simple wire fence, 3 feet square, works well for composting. Shred anything larger than 1/2 inch. Moisten the pile occasionally and aerate every couple of weeks. Don’t add weeds that have gone to seed to your compost pile.

Fence Care
Remove any damaged or rotted wood. Replace with new wood. Clean the fence or trellis with a mixture of 2 gallons water to 2 quarts bleach to 1 cup liquid soap. Scrape old paint and sand smooth. Apply a new coat of stain or paint. Replace any loose posts.”

Sal Vaglica, This Old House magazine

This week on Around the House – Feb 26, 2011

Last modified on 2011-02-24 17:24:35 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

This week on around the house: Picking the right flooring materials for your home.

Dawn will be broadcasting live from David’s Abbey Carpet to discuss new trends in flooring materials.  Tune in to learn more about tile, carpet, cork, hardwood, vinyl, and more.

David’s Abbey Carpet & Floors
10853 Kingston Pike
Farragut, TN 37934
865.777.0661

Is your deck ready for use this spring? Tips on cleaning and how to know when it’s time to rebuild

Last modified on 2011-02-23 19:54:51 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Let’s face it; cleaning a deck is a real chore.  As springtime weather approaches, it is time to start thinking about your outdoor living spaces.  Many people damage their deck when trying to clean them.  Most of the time, damage comes from unevenly spreading chemical cleaners or from using overpowered pressure washers.  This week, we will discuss the best method for cleaning your deck; whether it’s wood or composite.

Before you begin applying cleaner to your deck, make sure you know what type of decking material you have and that you are informed on what types of cleaner you can and cannot use on it.

Two types of bleach
Everyone knows that bleach can effectively clean bacteria, fungus, stains, and more.  However, it is important to know what kind of bleach you are using.

Chlorine bleach (sodium hypochlorite) works wonders on germs but will discolor your deck and break up the glue that holds the wood together.  Chlorine bleach can also kill your landscaping and corrode the metal brackets on that hold your deck together.

Oxygen bleach is a much safer alternative to chlorine bleach.  Oxygen bleach will not cause your decking to fade or damage your landscaping.  The product comes as a dry powder. Simply mix it with water, spray it on your deck, let it stand for 10 minutes, and scrub the area with a brush.  Rinse off the dirty solution with a hose after scrubbing, and you’re done.
For more information on oxygen bleach, click here.

Why not use a power washer?
Power washers erode wood fibers, especially lighter colored wood. Often times, a five year old deck that has been power washed will end up looking like a 25 year old fishing pier.

If you would like to have you deck professionally cleaned, our handy man can do it for you.  Just give us a call and we can schedule a time to come out and clean it for you.  (865) 458-0416

Time to rebuild?

You may be thinking that your deck is beyond the point of no return.  Here are a few questions that you can ask yourself about your deck.

Is the structure of the deck solid?
Your deck should not wobble or shake when walking on it.  A good deck feels very solid under foot, even with 6 or more people on it.

Does your deck meet your needs?
Decks come in all shapes and sizes.  Is your deck still meeting your needs?  Maybe it’s time for something bigger or handicap accessible?

Can the decking material be replaced without rebuilding the structure?
Sometimes, you may find that your deck structure is strong but your decking boards are worn.  If this is the case, you can remove the decking boards, fix any minor structural issues, and install new wood or composite decking.  This is a much cheaper alternative to completely rebuilding your deck.

Master Custom Home Remodeling has recently joined forces with a custom deck builder who has over 10 years of experience building decks in the Knoxville area.  If you would like to have our outdoor living specialist visit your home to give you a proposal for a new deck, sunroom, or patio, call (423) 371-3035 and check out our “Outdoor living Spaces” area of our website.

Spring time home check list. Is your home ready?

Last modified on 2011-02-21 14:11:20 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Spring couldn’t come too soon. Or could it?  Is your home ready for the transition from winter to spring?  It’s time to start thinking about your spring home checklist.  Extreme weather can cause damage to your home.  Cold weather targets several places around your home.  Let’s take a look at the list.

Check your roof
We have had more snow this winter than usual.  You should inspect your roof to make sure the freezing and thawing of ice and snow has not lifted the edge of any shingles.  Pay close attention to the area around chimneys and skylights.

Clean your gutters
You should also check your gutters for debris, corrosion, and any joint or fastener problems. Flush out the downspouts and make sure they flow away from your foundation.

Inspect your foundation
Check your foundation for cracks.  If you find any, don’t be alarmed as concrete is expected to form small cracks over time. These do not pose a threat to the structural integrity of your foundation.  Look for cracks wider than a quarter inch.  Mark them with tape or spray paint and check them again in 6 months.  If they haven’t developed into bigger cracks, fill the cracks with epoxy.  If the cracks are larger than a quarter of an inch, you should contact a structural engineer to inspect your foundation.

Check your air conditioning
It’s a good idea to have your air conditioning serviced before it gets hot.  Nobody wants to find out that their air conditioning doesn’t work once it’s hot.  In most cases, it is best to hire an HVAC technician to do the maintenance on your AC.

Inspect your windows
Check your windows for air gaps.  Over time, air gaps can form around your windows and window seals.  If cracks can be caulked without compromising the functionality of the window, fill the cracks with silicone caulk.  If cracks cannot be filled without compromising the window, it is time to think about replacing the windows or hiring a professional to perform maintenance on them.

You should not have to spend more than a few hours inspecting your home for the items on this list. If you don’t feel comfortable performing these inspections, you should consider hiring a professional to do the work.  Master Home Medic can inspect your home to make sure it’s ready for spring and summer.

For more information about Master Home Medic, call (865) 458-0416 or visit our web site at MasterHomeMedic.com

HBAGK Home Builders Show March 4-6

Last modified on 2011-02-18 16:51:39 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

The Home Builders Association of Greater Knoxville will be hosting their annual Home Builders Show March 4-6 at the Knoxville Expo Center on Clinton Hwy. This year marks the 60^th anniversary for the HBAGK. The show will consist of all local area builders, remodelers, and other members of the building industry.

Once again, we will waive the $75.00 consultation fee for anyone who comes by our booth during the show.  This is a great opportunity for you to meet Dawn and talk about your next remodel.  Tickets are $10.00 per person.  For more information about the Home Builders Show click here.

Knoxville Expo Center
5441 Clinton HWY,
Knoxville, TN 37912
Click here for a map

This week on around the House – Feb 19, 2011

Last modified on 2011-02-18 14:32:59 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

This week on Around the House, John Mortimer will be joining Dawn to talk about Outdoor Living Spaces. During the second hour, a special guest from Rocky Top Air will be answering questions about your air conditioning system.  Tune in to News Talk 98.7 at 7:00am on Saturday!

Spa Bathroom Featured on KnoxNews.com

Last modified on 2011-02-16 15:03:50 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

One of our bathroom remodels in Gettysvue was featured on KnoxNews.com today.  The renovation included turning an outdated bathroom into a spa bathroom complete with a beautifully tiled walk in shower with arched doorway, his and hers vanities, a lavatory room, and a new jacuzzi tub.  The article featured on KnoxNews.com talks about how Master Custom Home Remodeling has continued to grow despite the downturn in the economy and describes Dawn Steimer’s role in making the business thrive.  To read the full article, click on the link below:

Steimer comes late to contracting, builds a success with Master Custom Homes

To see more pictures of the completed bathroom remodel, click here

Thanks for coming by to see us at the DAHG Show!

Last modified on 2011-02-18 14:33:26 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

If you saw us at the Dogwood Arts House & Garden Show this last weekend, we want to thank you for coming by to see us.  We also want to remind you that by coming by the booth and expressing interest in working with us on your home remodel, we are waiving the $75.00 consultation fee that we would usually charge.  It’s just our way of saying thank you.  If you came by and took one of our cards but didn’t sign up for a consultation, it’s not too late!  You can still call and set up a consultation with us to come to your home to talk about your next remodel.  Call us at (865) 458-0416 to schedule an appointment with us.

If you missed us at the show, don’t worry, we will be at the Knoxville Expo Center for the Home Builders Show March 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th. Once again, we will waive the $75.00 consultation fee for anyone who comes by our booth during the show.  For more information about the Home Builders Show click here.

Come by and see pictures of our work and meet our team.

Dogwood Arts House and Garden Show this weekend!

Last modified on 2011-02-10 16:18:09 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

This weekend, February 11-13, we will be at the dogwood arts show in the Knoxville Convention Center.  Come downtown for an opportunity to take a look at all of the amazing gardens, landscaping, and other home services.  Our booth will be located to the right as you come in the door.

For more information about the show, go to www.dogwoodarts.com

Master Home Medic

Last modified on 2011-01-14 15:31:56 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

MCHR is proud to announce that we have opened Master Home Medic, a new division dedicated to home maintenance and handyman services.

Click on the image below to be directed to our new website!