Tips for the Summer Season - Highlander ConstructionHighlander Construction

It’s Summer Time!!! When we think of summer, we think of cookouts, vacations and gardening! Here are some helpful tips that can make your summer more enjoyable!

Wicked Weather: Here are a few tips to make sure your home is ready for harsh summer storms.

Make sure that planters and patio furniture can be quickly secured to prevent them from becoming projectiles in high winds.
Make sure that tree limbs are cut at least 2 feet from your house and power lines. This keeps them from doing severe damage to your property during a storm and also prevents would-be intruders from accessing the home by climbing in through a second story window. NEVER!!! try to cut a limb or remove debris away from a power line yourself. Always call your local electrical service provider to come out and perform this sort of work. They will do this safely and in most cases, free of charge.

When it is safe to venture out after the storm, inspect the house for damage. Check the roof, guttering, windows and doors for signs of damage. Always remember to call a qualified contractor to perform repairs you are not comfortable doing yourself. Take photos and document damages in case the damage warrants filing an insurance claim. Be sure to get actual estimates for repairs before you reach a final settlement with the insurance company. Remember it’s the insurance adjuster’s job to get a homeowner to accept less on a claim. Also, be sure to do periodic reviews on your home insurance coverage to make sure storm and water damage is covered.

When the forecast is calling for extreme weather, assemble an emergency kit to have at your home just in case you are without power for several days. Be sure vehicle gas tanks are topped off and store supplies such as a first aid kit, fresh water, dry foods, and baby food, propane gas, blankets, a heat source, coolers, a generator or different types of batteries, and a hand crank radio. When storms do come try to make as much ice as possible until the power goes off. For more information on creating an emergency kit, visit FEMA’s website http://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit/
If you power has gone out, be sure to call your local electrical service provider to report the outage and follow these tips from American Electric Power to ensure that you are as safe as possible until your electrical service returns. https://aepohio.com/outages/faq/OutageSafetyTips.aspx
Keep an eye on outdoor pets in extreme heat. With daytime temperature pushing the thermometer into 90 to 100 degree range, make sure outdoor pets have access to plenty of water and ample shade to escape the hottest part of the day. Here are some additional tips to keep your pets summer safe http://www.petsamerica.org/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/summer_safety_tips.pdf
Keep an eye on small children and the elderly in the summer heat. They are more susceptible to heat stroke and can over heat quickly without realizing it. NEVER leave small children unattended in vehicles during the summer heat.

Vacation!! I know we all can’t wait to head out of town and away from the grind of everyday life. Here are a few things to think about before you leave for vacation.

If you don’t have someone staying at your home to house-sit, be sure to ask a trusted neighbor or friend to bring in the mail, newspapers and any packages. Also ask this person to take the time daily to inspect the exterior of the home to make sure that windows and doors have not been tampered with.
Pick up a few lighting timers at your local electrical supply, Lowes or Home Depot. Set lights to come on and go off at different intervals. If someone is coming in to check on the home on a daily basis, ask them to turn on lights in different rooms every day so the home looks like it’s getting a bit of traffic.
If you are planning to be away for extended amounts of time, consider turning off the master water valve during extended periods away or at lease turning the water off to the washing machine, dish washing machine, and ice maker. Sometimes old lines crack and burst and you don’t want to come home to a house full of water.
We all get excited about a potential vacation but refrain from posting about your upcoming trip on social media until after you return home. A rising trend for robbers is to check the status of Facebook “friends” to see who won’t be home and for how long. By the time the plane touches down on your return trip, the robbers and your things are long gone! Here is a link that talks about this growing trend: http://btinet.wordpress.com/2011/07/26/do-not-post-vacation-news/

Follow these suggestions and make the most of the summer fun!!

Luke Allison

12:04 01 Nov 23

Highlander Construction & Development, Inc. exceeded our expectations in every aspect of our home renovation project. Their design expertise transformed our space with an impressive and thoughtful layout that perfectly suited our needs. The quality of their workmanship is unparalleled—every detail was handled with precision and care.One of the standout features of working with Highlander was their exceptional problem-solving abilities. When faced with the challenge of adding a bathroom to our home, they tackled the project with creativity and skill, seamlessly integrating it into the existing structure. It's a testament to their commitment to finding innovative solutions for their clients.What sets Highlander apart is their dedication to customer satisfaction. They actively collaborated with us throughout the process, ensuring that our vision was realized while also working diligently to meet our budget constraints. Their transparency and open communication fostered a positive and trusting relationship, making the entire renovation experience smooth and enjoyable.Highlander Construction & Development, Inc. is a team of professionals who go above and beyond, delivering not just a renovated space but a home that truly reflects the needs and preferences of its occupants. We highly recommend their services for anyone seeking top-notch construction and development work.

Dave Nash

15:52 11 Sep 23

The Highlander team, Jamie, Julene, and Eric, completed our dream vacation house this summer. We cannot give any one higher marks. We are also picky customers. Jamie edited the design we started with and made it much better. This process started right at the end of the pandemic when inflation was rampant. Jamie’s value engineering cut almost 30% from the architect’s materials specs and allowed us to proceed when otherwise the plan’s cost was a non-starter. Construction started on time. We had a few delays, but they were caused by suppliers, not Jamie’s team. At the end, Jamie was almost 10% below the original budget. Change orders and add is were handled efficiently. There were remarkably few headaches. There was a very small punch list to take care of at the end. The house exceeds any expectations we had going into the process. To say the least, we are very pleased. We told Jamie, Julene, and Eric, at the beginning that if we did this right together, they would be part of the family. They have now been adopted whether they want to be or not.

john mccalla

19:14 30 Aug 23

Highlander Construction is one of the last remaining quality custom builders still doing residential projects in the New River Valley. Even though it was a long process to get to the final product due to their workload, the owner, Jamie, was upfront and honest in their commitments. The tradespeople were conscientious and diligent in delivering a quality product. We are very pleased with the results, and have developed a lasting friendship with Jamie and his staff through this project!

Nate Kiser

04:30 27 Aug 23

Highlander has run several projects for us including the construction of a carwash. The carwash was an incredibly detailed and difficult project on a challenging site, and their attention to detail and work process could not have been better. Their billing is clear and concise. You see exactly what they are doing and what you are paying for that service. In today's market, things rarely go as planned, and their response in those situations is fair and transparent. I highly recommend them not just for their work ethic, but also for their diligence, professionalism and quality.

Susan Wileman

21:27 22 Aug 23

Highlander Construction & Development made our dream retirement home a reality! From the start of the unique design through the entire construction, their professionalism and quality were second to none. We recommend Highlander to anyone who wants a superior custom home.

Cindy Cunningham

14:48 22 Aug 23

We love our new kitchen, family room renovation. The quality of work was excellent and done by professionals who were also kind and respectful. The company responds to questions and provides follow-up services quickly and efficiently. I recently needed a cabinet drawer repaired and Jamie and Eric responded immediately to our needs and made the repair without charge.Thank you for making our home beautiful and functional. We love it!