How do you decide whether to stay, move, or renovate?

Your home is one of the largest investments you'll make in life. Not only is it a sizable financial investment, but where you live is an investment in your family, health, and happiness. What do you do when your current living situation isn't working? How do you weigh the pros, cons, and ROI when faced with a decision to stay, go, or reno?

In today's episode, we speak with Kim Costa, Global Real Estate Advisor for Sotheby's International, about her upcoming book, Live in Your Wheelhouse. It discusses the Wheelhouse Method, an assessment Kim developed to help homeowners make big life decisions. We explore the wheel's eight areas and how you can use the assessment to partner with a realtor or contractor. Kim describes the renovations that have the largest ROI and how she calculates resale value. We also touch on the top real estate trends for 2026, including the market for homes that support multi-generational living, complete with a few Daniel Builders project photos.

If you're facing a decision to stay, go, or reno, we hope this episode will help!

For more information on the Wheelhouse Method and her book, check out Kim's website. Are you contemplating a major home remodel? Speak with a Daniel Builders Project Guide by contacting us at 864.506.5546 or https://www.danielbuilders.com/get-started.

Have you ever wondered what it takes to remodel an entire home? Hear the transformation story of a Lake Hartwell home on this month's episode of Ready, Set, Renovate. You'll meet Ashley Street, the client, Cindy Jacques, Interior Designer at Buttercup Designs, and Paul Nichols, CEO & Founder of Upstate Granite Solutions. We discuss the features, fixtures, and countertops that created a floor plan perfect for entertaining. It’s truly a home for the holidays, a tour you won’t want to miss!

So, let's get to it!

Are you contemplating a major home remodel? Speak with a Daniel Builders Project Guide by contacting us at 864.506.5546 or https://www.danielbuilders.com/get-started. If you're interested in the interior design services at Buttercup Designs, contact Cindy at cindy@buttercup-designs.com. If you want to find out more about the stone and countertops at Upstate Granite Solutions, visit https://upstategranitesolutions.com/.

What's it like to work with an architect?

October 6th was World Architecture Day, a celebration of great architects and their work. In honor of World Architecture Day, we invited Billy Zion of Zion Architects to join us on this month’s episode of Ready, Set, Renovate! Daniel Builders and Zion Architects recently teamed up to build a four-seasons addition for a client in Anderson, SC. Tune in as Billy shares about the process, the project, and the draft to make the grade! Let’s get to it!

Are you contemplating a major home remodel? Speak with a Daniel Builders Project Guide by contacting us at 864.506.5546 or https://www.danielbuilders.com/get-started. If you're interested in more information about Zion Architects, contact Billy Zion at Billy.Zion@ZionArchitects.com.

In Helene's aftermath, who did you rely on?

Loved ones' faces and helping hands probably come to mind. Hurricane Helene taught us two things:

1) Chaos fuels our compassion.

2) Resiliency is born through relationships.

In the storm's aftermath, the Daniel Builders team supported old friends and forged new relationships. In this episode, we acknowledge adversity while celebrating the goodness we experienced through two relationships strengthened by the storm.

One of our old friends is Larry Gluck. He describes how Hurricane Helene impacted his home in the Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards. While a custom build is complex, a custom rebuild presents its own unique challenges. Larry details a few of these challenges in his story.

As Daniel Builders sought vendors to assist with the custom finishes of the Gluck home, we forged a new relationship with Tidewater Lumber and Mouldings. In the episode, Louis Voorhees, General Manager, takes us on a tour of the Greer Tidewater facility and reflects on the partnership that resulted when Tidewater Lumber and Daniel Builders teamed up to restore the Gluck home.

Rebuilding trusses proved to be a powerful exercise in Building Trust.

Are you contemplating a major home remodel? Speak with a Daniel Builders Project Guide by contacting us at 864.506.5546 or https://www.danielbuilders.com/get-started. If you're interested in more information about lumber, contact Tidewater Lumber and Mouldings at 864.774.6053 or https://www.tidewaterlumber.com/.

September is Mold Awareness Month, and on the Ready, Set, Renovate! podcast our guest, Adam Proehl, shares knowledge on the topic. Adam and his wife, Samantha, are a one-stop shop for homeowners who see signs of mold. Adam starts the conversation by telling how Hurricane Helene triggered a myriad of mold problems for Upstate homeowners and how his business, Foothills Carpet Care, responded. Adam goes on to give an overview of the mold inspection and mold remediation processes.

Daniel Jachens, co-owner of Daniel Builders, also joins us. He shares his own personal experience with mold that caused his family to embark on a health journey due to mold sensitivity. The journey was LITERAL as they were forced to temporarily relocated.

Fortunately, not all mold is cause for concern, and not everyone is equally susceptible to it. Adam and Daniel discuss causes, mold prevention tips, and solutions for “breaking the mold” problem.

Are you contemplating a major home remodel or in need of significant repair work? Now is a great time to start that process with Daniel Builders! Reach out to us at https://www.danielbuilders.com/get-started or 864.506.5546. If you’re interested in more information about Foothills Carpet Care, contact them at 864.569.9366 or https://foothills-carpetcare.com/.

It's almost been a year since Hurricane Helene blew through the Carolinas.

Anyone living in the area can recall the devastation experienced on September 27, 2024. In some parts of Western North Carolina, recovery efforts are still occurring.

The storm caused some local businesses to shut down temporarily, while others saw enormous (and urgent) demand for their services. Tree arborists, like Athens Tree Service, saw an unprecedented number of inquiries. It took months of non-stop effort to resume some semblance of “normal.” During this time, Athens Tree Service joined forces with Daniel Builders and a few other trades to restore the home of one Anderson, SC resident. The story grants a glimpse into the generous heart and culture at Athens Tree Service. Owner Jonathan Athens joins us on this episode of Ready, Set, Renovate! to describe Helene’s impact, the ensuing recovery efforts, and giving generously, especially in times of need.

Is your home in need of major repair work due to a storm, or are you contemplating a major home remodel? Now is a great time to start that process with Daniel Builders! Reach out to us here or call us at 864.506.5546. If you’re interested in more information about Athens Tree service, contact them at 864.556.5500 or https://athenstree.com/.

0:00 Introduction
1:23 About Athens Tree Service
2:29 Safety Overview
3:14 Chainsaw Safety Tips for Homeowners
4:47 Hurricane Helene's Impact on Athens Tree Service
7:19 Hurricane Helene Recovery Efforts
8:22 Generous Giving Project Collaboration
9:31 Creating a Culture of Giving
10:10 The Future of Athens Tree Service
10:46 How to Contact Athens Tree Service
11:11 Conclusion
11:33 How to Contact Daniel Builders

How does effective communication happen, especially during a remodel?

Studies show that, on average, people hear between 20-30K words a day. That’s an ocean of verbiage to process! Given this environment of information overload, finding the answer is essential if you are to avoid the frustrations of a remodeling project gone bad.

To be clear, Daniel Builders has been unable to crack the “perfect communication” code. Instead, we’ve woven communication into our DNA and core values, striving daily to improve as communicators by owning mistakes and identifying ways we can grow.

One person on our team who “gets it” when it comes to communication is Vicki Jordan, our Design Administrator. She is the very first person our clients speak to after submitting a form on our website or calling our main line 864.506.5546. As you’ll hear, Vicki goes above and beyond when answering questions and overcoming communication barriers. She is attentive and caring, finding ways to benefit all, even those who don’t fit the Daniel Builders model.

We also speak to another great communicator, Taylor Lyles, CEO of the HBA of Greenville. Taylor is communicating nonstop with the association’s 1155+ members, including homeowners, builders, trades, and vendors throughout the Upstate of SC. Despite the enormous membership of the Greenville HBA, Taylor makes himself accessible to address an endless stream of inquiries and has honed his ability to convey a message to a big audience. He discusses industry communication as a whole and ways the HBA helps homeowners find the right builder for their project. To contact the HBA of Greenville, visit https://hbaofgreenville.com/ or call 864.254.0133.

Do you want to be clear on what to expect during your home remodel? Will your contractor be completely honest, for better or worse, throughout the remodeling process? Contact us at https://www.danielbuilders.com/get-started to experience the Daniel Builders difference.

How is your home’s curb appeal?

Maybe it’s in a good place, or perhaps it’s unsightly. Wherever you are on that spectrum, know this: a landscape architect can dramatically enhance your property.

We know a great landscape architect! On this episode of Ready, Set, Renovate, we “dig into” a recent collaboration with Arbor Land Design. We cover “a lot of ground” as Alex Williams shares about this award-winning Simpsonville, SC property and the fundamentals of landscape architecture.

If you’re in the market for a property upgrade, here are five characteristics of a good landscape architect:

1. They work to create a cohesive flow between land and home, considering the form and function of the space. They craft an experience, not simply an end product.
2. They actively collaborate with the design decision makers of a home, whether it’s the architect, general contractor, or some other influencer.
3. They take the time to understand a client’s expectations and personality.
4. They know not only what is best to plant, but when is best to plant it.
5. They provide construction management services, overseeing other trade contractors from grading contractors to masons.

Are you contemplating a major home remodel? Speak with a Daniel Builders Project Guide by contacting us at 864.506.5546 or https://www.danielbuilders.com/get-started! If you’re interested in more information about landscape architecture, contact Arbor Land Design at 864.235.3589 or https://arborlanddesign.com/.