How To Choose A Contractor

Embarking on a home upgrade adventure evokes a mixture of excitement when it comes to selecting the right types of doors to elevate the comfort, functionality, and aesthetics of your house. From glass doors brightening up your living room, the convenience of sliding doors creating seamless transitions, to the classic charm of French doors enhancing your home’s character, the decision-making process is important. Bifold doors, pocket doors, and even chic closet doors also play pivotal roles in maximizing space and introducing practicality with style. In this guide, you’ll explore types of doors and their installation processes. Through a step-by-step door installation process , you’ll gain insights into how professionals tackle door projects with precision and care. By the end of this article, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge and confidence to make the best door selection that complements your home’s design and your personal taste, setting the stage for your successful home upgrade journey.

Congratulations, we all made it through 2022! It was another crazy year between COVID, the war in Ukraine, losing Twitch, Barbara Walters, and my personal favorite comedian, Leslie Jordan. We definitely had to tough it out. Despite it all, we are very lucky here at Byars construction to say that we had a prosperous year. We have had the most amazing customers who continue to support our small business, even when their project is completed. We have added new family members to our growing company . We have even had a few company parties that brought our families closer together. After all, employees are the backbone of every company. We are lucky to have the best. As an employee of Byars Construction myself, I know how immensely proud I am to work for such a fair, competitive, and fun place to work. It almost feels inclusive to work here. To be surrounded by the best in the industry. To have developed the very best relationships with the best customers and fellow employees. So I wanted to take some time to share some great things a few of the other employees have stated about Byars Construction Gilbert Orosco, Project Manager, has been with the company since its establishment. When asked what he felt about working for the company and being a part of its growth he stated “It’s nice to work for a company that cares about the quality of work performed. That takes a lot of stress off the employees when you know there is a standard that has to be met and it is extremely clear. This company shows its employees respect, understanding, and appreciation. I really enjoy working with the correct equipment and knowing that we are always in a safe environment. The best part is everyone has really positive attitudes, has each other’s backs, and brings out the best in one another.” Luis Regaldo, an apprentice, is another employee that has been with us for a while. When Luis was asked what he thinks about working for Byars, he went on to say that he loves having something new to do every day. It’s always a new opportunity to learn. Luis went on to say, “I really enjoy the people I work with. It’s really rare to find one friend at work, but we really all get along great and the day goes by fast working alongside them. We have a lot of laughs. Even our customers sometimes get in on the jokes. It just makes a really great atmosphere.” Danny Byars, the project manager, and uncle to owner Carl Byars has had many jobs in the construction industry . He used to be a builder in the Austin area. With his lengthy experience in the field, I was very excited to hear what he had to say about working for Byars Construction. Danny exclaimed that his favorite part of working for Byars is working with family. Family is very, very important to the close-knit Byars clan. Danny also really appreciates the industry itself and loves that he gets to share his knowledge and help cultivate such an educational, loving, fun atmosphere. Every day he gets to wake up and do what he loves. Very rare, very awesome. Taiton DeBoer, one of our youngest and newest apprentices, has grown significantly in knowledge and friends since starting with Byars mere months ago. Taiton wanted us to know that working for Byars is not just a paycheck for him. “I am contributing to the families in our community. A community that supports us as well. It feels really good to work for a team that feels like family. We are all working towards the same goal. We are all like-minded in the fact we want to surpass expectations. It’s not often you meet so many like-minded people on the same team.” These are just a few of the many sentiments shared by the team at Byars Construction. It is unanimous across the board, because Byars Construction hires, trains, and cultivates the best people in the industry and cultivates the happiest team around. Our employees are so incredible that not only do we know it, but our customers know it too. We can not wait to see how we grow in 2023 and are excited about our upcoming projects in Victoria and the Crossroads. We look forward to adding to our Byars family, customers, and employees! Watch out, you’re going to see a lot of us this year!

One of the most common questions remodeling professionals receive from customers is “can we move this wall?”. While different factors may determine HOW you move the wall, the answer is almost always YES! So, what is a load-bearing wall and how does it impact the structure of a home or building? A load-bearing wall is a wall that is an active structural element of a building, which holds the weight of the elements above it, by conducting its weight to a foundation structure below it. Ceiling or floor joists that are spliced over the wall, or end at the wall, mean the wall is bearing. Look for these in the attic. For a load-bearing wall, you can remove the wall and add a beam to ensure support of the structure. This is the easiest method because you don’t have to cut into the joists or other framing above the beam. You also have to support the ends of the beam with posts that carry the load to the foundation. It is best to hire a licensed contractor when removing any walls, especially load-bearing. There are more factors that come into play other than structure. You also need to know if the wall has air ducts, water pipes, waste and vent lines, gas pipes, or wiring running through it. If an air duct is supplying a room from above, it can be difficult to move. Water pipes are fairly easy to relocate, just remember in colder climates you cannot move them to outside walls. Waste and vent lines aren’t always easy to move because of plumbing restrictions on turns and horizontal runs. You may need a building inspector’s advice . Gas lines are relatively easy to relocate, but could require a plumber. Electrical wiring is one of the easiest things to move, but all connections must be made inside a code-approved electrical box and the box must be left accessible. You can’t bury a junction box in the floor or ceiling. Another important reason to use a contractor for this process, you are going to need to pull a permit with the city when dealing with load-bearing walls as it affects the structure. Also, keep in mind that when transitioning from a wall to a beam, there will be missing flooring to take into account. If you are ready to open up that floor plan and invest in your home, call Byars Construction at (361) 204-3457 for your home improvement needs!

The type of roofing material you chose when replacing your roof is an important factor. Many people do not realize the potential pros and cons of each material. Let’s cover them. No pun attended! Asphalt shingles are relatively inexpensive, making them a popular choice among roofing materials. A shingle roof typically lasts between 10 and 30 years depending on the quality of the shingles purchased. The great thing about a shingle roof is that almost anybody can install one. That being said, with proper training or oversight, some homeowners do not need to hire a contractor and can handle replacing the roof themselves if they have the time and the means. That can be a really great pro for a shingle roof, but there is cons. A shingle roof is more likely to have wear and tear quicker and is more likely to leak. They are not fire resistant and can easily be damaged by high winds. While they are the cheapest roofing material, they are not as appealing to the eye as other materials due to their flat appearance. Another very popular and more durable roof would be a metal roof . My personal favorite feature of this material is that it is fire proof. Metal roofing is also environmentally friendly because it is made out of recycled material. The metal is more energy efficient and helps to keep the house cool in summer and warm in the winter. Unfortunately, these roofs are more expensive than your traditional shingle. They also can be loud in the event of rough weather. They are also fairly heavy and difficult for a homeowner to install on their own. Tile roofs can be appeasing to the eye and unique enough to set your house apart. You have a choice between clay, concrete and slate tiles with a variety of different colors to choose from. Tile roofs are exceptionally resistant to water, frost, fire, wind and insect damage, lasting for centuries rather than decades. You will notice a lot of people choose tile roofs in coastal areas due to their inability to decay. Tile roofing is also energy efficient and low maintenance. This roof sounds amazing, right? While they are worth the money, they are very expensive. Probably one of the more expensive roofing materials. The material is difficult to install and would need to be installed by a roofing professional . Also, this product is not going to be suitable for all roof slopes. The material is very heavy and your roofing contractor should evaluate the structure to make sure the weight can be supported. A durable, long-lasting roof is vital to your home. If you would like a consultation to see what roofing material would be the most effective and efficient for your home and budget, book your appointment by calling Byars Construction, LLC at (361) 204-3457.

Imagine this. You are just getting home after a long day. You slip off your shoes, walk in the front door and immediately you notice that your socks are wet. You look down and oh no.. A pipe has burst and there is water EVERYWHERE. What do you do in an event like that? Obviously, you want to make a home insurance claim but where do you start? Step one, turn off the water to the house. Locate the source of the problem. Assess the damage. Take pictures. Take as many detailed pictures as possible. Step two, call your agent. If it is after hours, locate a copy of your policy and call directly to the carrier. Considering most things are digital these days, if you cannot locate a physical copy, check your email or you can locate your policy in your insurance portal. They will have a number directly to their claims line. Make sure you are ready to provide the following information; your name, policy number, address, and a detailed description of the cause of loss and damages. The claims rep should provide you with a claims number that you should write down in a safe place. You will need this number for all correspondence. Now that your claim is made, an adjuster will be assigned to your case and typically contact you directly within 24 to 48 hours. If they have not, call back, provide the claims #, and ask to be transferred to the adjuster assigned to your case. Step 3, which is the most important, MITIGATE DAMAGES. This means taking reasonable measures to avoid further losses. So, if the cause of loss is a roof leak, you would need to tarp the damaged area of roof and prevent further damage caused by weather, mold or rodents. You would also be responsible for extracting any sitting water or locating a mitigation company like Servpro to do so to prevent mold. Most home insurance policies allot a dollar amount for emergency mitigation. You should find that information in your policy or by asking your agent or claims rep. Step 4, get bids from 3 reputable contractors. (See our blog titled “Choosing the Right Contractor” for more information on how to do so.) Your adjuster is going to go one of two ways. Either he is going to accept/deny/make adjustments to your chosen contractor’s bid or he is going to provide his own estimate and it will be up to the policy holder to make sure there are zero discrepancies between your chosen bid and the adjusters estimate. If there are discrepancies in your contractor’s favor, simply send an email to the adjuster (paper trail) with those discrepancies and ask for a supplemental payment. Typically, if reasonable, the adjuster is going to do so. Remember, the point of insurance is to make you whole again. Not any more, not any less. Once you have approval from your adjuster, get started getting your home back in order! Make sure to let the adjuster know the repairs were made by sending pictures when complete. Good luck!

At Byars Construction Victoria Texas, we’re committed to delivering top-quality workmanship with a keen eye for detail. With years of industry experience, we understand the importance of quality doors and windows in enhancing the appearance, functionality, and value of your home. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through our comprehensive process—from consultation to installation—that ensures your home is equipped with the best doors and windows tailored to your specific needs. Below, we’ll review our Byars Construction process with you!