Accomplished Custom Builder and Remodeler Named to Association's Board

(Houston, TX, March 1, 2012) — Brandon Lynch, CGB, CGP, CAPS, president of Keechi Creek Builders was appointed to serve on the board of directors for the Greater Houston Builders Association (GHBA). Lynch states that it is a great honor and responsibility to serve the two year term for the third largest home builders association in the nation. Lynch has been active in the GHBA for several years and brings a dynamic perspective of the custom home building and remodeling industry. He currently is a board member of the GHBA Remodelors Council. As the Education Chairman for the Remodelors Council, Lynch also serves on the GHBA Education Committee.

Lynch has a B.S. from Texas A&M and founded Keechi Creek Builders, a custom home building and remodeling company dedicated to improving people's quality of life. He has been recognized by the National Association of Home Builders and his work has received distinguished awards from the Greater Houston Builders' Association as well as the Texas Association of Builders. Lynch is committed to continual education, improving the professionalism of the industry, and serving his community.

About the Greater Houston Builders Association: Chartered in 1941, the Greater Houston Builders Association is a trade organization whose members are involved in the development, homebuilding, and remodeling industry in seven counties.  The association interacts with the government, community and general public to enhance the business climate for its members, and to provide quality obtainable housing to the community it serves.  The association is also active in community outreach and charitable events.  The home building industry contributes some 60,000 jobs and approximately $3 billion dollars to the local economy and jurisdictions annually. Find out more at www.ghba.org.

(Tomball, TX – Oct. 31, 2011) Keechi Creek Builders was honored for the “Remodeler—Best Specialty Room” in the Texas Association of Builders’ Texas Star Awards, held October 22 in Austin, Texas.

Since 1992, the Texas Star Awards have served as a tribute to excellence in the home building industry. The highly-coveted Star Awards are given annually to recognize superior work in home building, remodeling, sales and marketing, and development. The 2011 awards showcased the outstanding work of builders, remodelers, architects, designers, sales professionals, marketing professionals, construction professionals and industry leaders throughout Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Arkansas.

Keechi Creek Builders’ award-winning specialty room is a pool house, completed in January of 2010. The beautifully designed outdoor living space increased the home's liveable space by 1,265 sq. ft. This stunning new pool house is timeless, comfortable and enhances the exterior of the house for the homeowners and their guests.

“At Keechi Creek Builders, our greatest pride comes from knowing we help homeowners create unique spaces that are just right for them,” said Brandon Lynch, CGP, CAPS, owner and founder of Keechi Creek Builders. “Improving the quality of life for my clients was the inspiration for this project, and the result of that focus produced a stunning outdoor living space. We're very proud what we created for the homeowners, and we’re pleased to have been awarded such a prestigious honor.”

In addition to being named Best Specialty Room, Brandon Lynch was also tapped as a finalist for the “Remodeler of the Year” Grand Award.

“We are so honored to receive this recognition, particularly among such a competitive field of professional builders and remodelers,” Lynch added. “It’s always a pleasure to be able to display our craftsmanship and attention to detail but most importantly, we appreciate the collective efforts of the local designers, suppliers and subcontractors that we work with on a daily basis that help us create successful renovations.”

Held in conjunction with the Sunbelt Builders Show, the Star Awards are judged by a distinguished panel of industry experts. With more than 100 categories to choose from and hundreds of entries each year, it is an impressive feat to be identified as a finalist, let alone a winner. Keechi would like to congratulate all of the winners and finalists who were recognized for their commitment to excellence in remodeling.

Houston remodeler honored for “Best Specialty Room—Remodeler”
and “Best Print Ad—Remodeler”

(Houston, TX, September 28, 2011) — Keechi Creek Builders was awarded with two Houston’s Best awards in the categories of “Best Specialty Room—Remodeler” and “Best Print Ad—Remodeler.” The awards were presented on September 24, 2011 at a red carpet gala at the Hotel Intercontinental in Houston, Texas.

For more than 30 years, the coveted Houston’s Best Awards (formerly the PRISM Awards) have recognized excellence in the home building industry. Presented by the Greater Houston Builders Association, the Houston’s Best Awards honor builders, remodelers and sales professionals in the categories of People, Product and Promotion. Entries are judged by a panel of industry peers, and with more than 80 categories and hundreds of entries, these awards truly represent Houston’s most outstanding building professionals.

Keechi Creek Builders’ award-winning specialty room is a master suite closet and was completed in June of 2010.

“The closet is a unique space that meets the homeowners’ (her) request for something elegant and (his) request for a room that makes her happy but doesn’t feel like a 18th century French boudoir. The products are rich and beautiful with a touch of sparkle; put all together they are a perfect mix of masculine and feminine,” said Brandon Lynch, CGP, CAPS, owner and founder of Keechi Creek Builders.

The company’s winning print ad was originally published in the 2011 Houston Remodeling Guide. The ad was designed to look like the cover of a magazine. “We are so excited and honored to receive this award,” said Brandon. “The goal of our 2011 advertising campaign is to appeal to the female consumer, first by inspiring her imagination with beautifully photographed projects, and then educate our potential clients about our business and what we provide.”

The winning ad was designed and executed by Larissa Michael, CGA, owner and founder of Volume Control, a public relations and marketing firm in Houston.

About Keechi Creek Builders

Keechi Creek Builders is the manifestation of owner/founder Brandon Lynch’s passion for quality of life. “It looks different for each of us, but, for all of us it is a necessity and not a luxury.” For this reason, Brandon considers customer service and community service essential to realizing his ideal. He desires to provide the best for his clients; therefore, he is committed to continuing education and acquiring designations within the industry. As well, he feels strongly about giving back and, as a result, he is active in community outreach and charitable events through the Greater Houston Builders Association.

Brandon is actively involved with the GHBA Remodelers Council; an organization dedicated to the promotion of industry excellence, public awareness of quality business practices, and community service. Serving on the board, his focus is education within the industry in order to provide consumers with quality remodelers and builders that hold themselves to a higher standard. Brandon has acquired designations as a Certified Green Professional (CGP), a Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist (CAPS), and is in the process of completing courses for the Certified Graduate Builder (CGB) designation. He is also a Certified Renovator for the EPA Lead Renovation, Repair, & Painting (RRP) Rule. His other associations include the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the Texas Association of Home Builders (TAB), Green Building Initiative, and the Better Business Bureau.

(September 1, 2011, Washington, DC)—Brandon Lynch of Keechi Creek Builders in Houston, Texas was named the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) September Remodeler of the Month. Brandon Lynch, selected through a stringent judging process of NAHB Remodelers leadership and staff, exemplifies the best in the remodeling industry.

Brandon joined the Greater Houston Builders Association (GHBA) in 2008 and in 2011 he was invited to serve on the Remodelors Council (RMC) board of directors as the Education Committe chair. As a member of the board of directors, Brandon works to contribute ideas to help stimulate interest in the RMC by working with the Public Relations Committee and the Membership Committee.

In 2010, he took on a leadership position for the RMC’s annual charity project, Project Independence; his commitment to serve others brings him a great deal of joy. But more importantly, Brandon realizes that there is a need to prepare the next generation of remodelers that will serve the industry and he is an excellent example of what that looks like. He is eager to learn, does not hesitate to get involved, and he welcomes the opportunity to pass on what he knows through his experience.

Brandon’s extensive building experience, professional industry affiliations, and perspective about the remodeling process make him an unrivaled resource. He understands that he is merely one part of a team consisting of many industry experts that possess knowledge, creativity and vision. He believes his responsibility is to communicate, organize and orchestrate every aspect of a remodeling venture.

The purpose of the NAHB Remodeler of the Month award program is to celebrate local, active remodelers who stand out because of recent quality work, customer service, community involvement and dedication to furthering the industry. The winner, once selected by the NAHB Remodelers, is profiled in Qualified Remodeler magazine.

ABOUT NAHB REMODELERS: NAHB Remodelers is America’s home for professional remodeling contractors, representing more than 20,000 remodeling industry members of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Founded in 1982, the organization provides information, education and designation programs to improve the business and construction expertise of its members and to enhance the professional image of the industry.  Its membership incorporates 145 local councils in 43 states. Learn more about remodeling at www.nahb.org/remodel.

ABOUT NAHB:  The National Association of Home Builders is a Washington, D.C.-based trade association representing more than 200,000 members involved in home building, remodeling, multifamily construction, property management, subcontracting, design, housing finance, building product manufacturing and other aspects of residential and light commercial construction.

Known as "the voice of the housing industry," NAHB is affiliated with more than 800 state and local home builders associations around the country. NAHB's builder members will construct about 80 percent of the new housing units for 2009.

ABOUT GREATER HOUSTON BUILDERS ASSOCIATION: Chartered in 1941, the Greater Houston Builders Association is a trade organization whose members are involved in the development, homebuilding, and remodeling industry in seven counties.  The association interacts with the government, community and general public to enhance the business climate for its members, and to provide quality obtainable housing to the community it serves. The association is also active in community outreach and charitable events.

At the current rate of building, the industry contributes some 60,000 jobs and approximately $3 billion dollars to the local economy and jurisdictions annually. GHBA is the 4th largest home builders association (HBA) in the nation.

(Houston Builder Magazine, June 2011) - There is nothing sweeter to a homeowner than the first breeze of spring, carrying with it the promise of fun times spent outside in the pool, grilling a great meal, or entertaining friends. Nature. Houston is a city that lends itself well to outdoor living and entertaining.

For most of the year, residents are able to enjoy the natural surroundings right outside their door. The more thoughtful we are about developing an outdoor living space, the more we can tailor it to suit the specific needs and desires of our clients. As the demand for outdoor living spaces increases, so does the number of available amenities. Staying informed about the latest design trends and innovative products is a good idea.

Design Considerations

When designing an outdoor living space, the most important thing to consider is how it will function. This will determine the products and structural components best suited for the project. For example, a stained concrete floor would not be a good choice for a pool surround; however, it may work well as the patio floor.

Furthermore, think about the environment and how it will impact the outdoor living space. Influences such as sun exposure, temperature, year round usability, and landscape limitations will also affect the design of a space. For instance, a west facing backyard would benefit from some type of cooling system in the evening during the hot Houston summers.

It could be a ceiling fan, a wall mount fan or a patio misting system. Alternatively, during the cooler months, a fireplace or a fire pit is an option that would be both functional and add to the ambiance of an outdoor room.

Read the full article in Houston Builder>>>

What is aging in place? Aging in place means remaining in one's home safely, independently and comfortably — regardless of age, income or ability level. It means the pleasure of living in a familiar environment throughout one's maturing years and the ability to enjoy the familiar daily rituals and the special events that enrich all our lives. It means the reassurance of being able to call a house a "home" for a lifetime.

The Aging in Place Specialist

Seventy-seven million baby boomers are reaching retirement age—the first wave sweeping this new American demographic tide—and nearly half of them do not feel that their home will fully meet their needs as they grow older.* The AARP landmark study Fixing to Stay (released in 2000) was a wake-up call to the residential remodeling industry.

The results of the study sent two messages loud and clear:

1 - Americans prefer to remain in their homes as they mature rather than seek assisted living and other arrangements
2 - Older consumers want a reliable means of identifying professionals they can trust to remodel their homes.

Homeowners are thinking green when it comes to home improvement. Rising energy costs have definitely taken a toll on pocketbooks everywhere. To deal with аll of thіѕ, many homeowners are looking for ways to add green elements to thеіr homes.

Green home remodeling projects are not οnly good for the environment, thеу саn аlѕο be extremely cost effective. Green renovation projects, particularly kitchen remodeling and bathroom remodeling, increase a home's energy efficiency аnd save homeowners tons of money down the line.

Thіѕ means that green remodeling projects have аn incredibly high recoup value. Green remodeling projects аlѕο significantly increase a home's value. Changing an older home into a green home often takes minimal effort. Here are five suggestions to consider when planning a green project:

1. Hire a remodeler who is qualified.

The success of a green remodel project depends on the professionalism of a remodeler. Certification and registrations are an indication of the commitment one has to ethical business practices and continuing education within the industry.

2. Do your research.

It's important to approach green projects armed with as much knowledge about systems and materials as possible. If your pros are seasoned green builders, you'll be able to articulate your goals and stay engaged in discussions with them.

3. Think realistically about square footage.

Consider how much space you really need, not just how much you want. After all, truly eco-friendly means using as few new materials, and creating as little waste, as possible.

4. Stay open about your choices.

How green do you want to be? If your goal is simply an energy-efficient house, you can focus on Energy Star appliances, on-demand water heaters, high-efficiency insulation and windows, and solar technology. If you want to take it a step further, you might consider sustainably harvested woods, reclaimed lumber, salvaged fixtures, and rainwater collection.

5. Think big, but start small.

Sometimes—no matter how good your intentions—your sense of responsibility to the environment has to play second fiddle to your budget. In other words, expect to make some concessions. Start with the small stuff, choosing the greenest versions of the things you absolutely must have in the house, while staying on budget. Then—and only then—reconsider your budget if there's something more you feel adamant about having.

Nation's first Certified Green Renovation

The nation's first Certified Green Renovation project is right here in Houston, Texas.

(November 2010) - Should you sell your home, or stay put in the home you have? Should you consider making a move to a larger place, or add more space to your present home with an addition? Such decisions are not simple to make, and will require careful consideration. Money, time, and the present real estate market will all play roles in whether or not you decide to remodel or move.

Is it better to remodel your present home than try to find a new one? There is no cut and dry answer to this question; the answer is different for every family. If you love your home and the neighborhood, but are contemplating a sale to make room for a growing family, perhaps a simple home renovation would be a reasonable option. Here are just a few reasons why remodeling your current home may be a better investment.

Remodeling is Budget Conscious:

There is much involved with the process of selling a home and buying another. You have to have your home appraised, and hire a Realtor to help with marketing it. Dealing with prospective buyers can be exhausting; keeping your home perfectly presentable and the interruptions to your routine when asked to leave so that the Realtor can "show" your home is, at best, irritating.

Meanwhile, you have to look for a house comparable in price or cheaper than your home's asking price. Your house may sell quickly or it may linger, depending on the market. If you are able to sell swiftly, it may not be as easy to find the house you want. Depending on where you live, a new mortgage may lead you to tighten your belt for a while until you are able to get payments under control.

There are also closing costs, moving costs, and things such as utility transfer fees to consider. When you remodel your current home, however, the budget differs and may work to your advantage. Most times, it does not cost as much to renovate a home as it does to buy a new one.

In addition, you get to stay in the home where family memories have been created and traditions have been established. And best of all, you don't have to find a new place to put everything that has ended up in the kitchen "junk drawer."

Remodeling is 100% Your Creation:

There are many reasons that remodeling your home is an excellent idea. One great reason to remodel your home is to add a new sense of style. If you feel like you are living a few decades in the past each time you enter your home, remodeling will be a great way to update your home.

Another reason you may want to remodel your home is if you are beginning to have difficulties throughout the home, such as leaks, problems with fixtures, or other problems that tend to come along with age. In some cases, just wanting a change of scenery can even be a great reason to remodel your home.

At first glance, home remodeling can look like a huge task. With the right help, remodeling your home doesn't have to be as hard as you might think, and you can find the help that you need with a qualified remodeler. So the bathrooms and the kitchen in your present home are outdated. Buying into a new home may give you newer appliances and fixtures, but you may not get all the updates and features you desire.

When you remodel your current home, however, you are in control of the decor, and not subject to what you are offered elsewhere. Contractors may offer suggestions with regards to fixtures and cabinets, but ultimately, when you are remodeling you have more freedom in designing the home of your dreams. Fire up your imagination and go for it!

Remodeling is Increased Value:

Remodeling your home can be an expensive process. But when the work is done, you will have reaped the benefits of all of the expense and hard work. The primary benefit to remodeling is that you raise the value of your home. When you are ready to sell your home, you will command a higher final price because of your remodeling projects.

Having your kitchen remodeled and bathroom redone often get the largest return on investment, so keep that in mind when you are planning a remodeling project. Updated fixtures, floors, and cabinets are definitely more attractive to prospective buyers. Plus, the more improvements are made, the better the asking price.

You do not need to sell your home to reap financial benefits from a remodeling project. When you raise the value of your home, you increase the amount of equity you have in your home. This means that you can borrow more on a home equity loan, or a home equity line of credit, if you ever need to. When it is time to send the kids to college, or if you feel that you need to consolidate your high interest credit card debt, you will get more money to work with, thanks to the remodeling you have done to your home.

There are many advantages to choosing to remodel instead of moving. Staying in a neighborhood near your friends, your church, and familiar shopping centers and keeping your children in common schools with their friends are just a few. Whether you decide to sell or renovate, make sure you take all options into consideration. Your home is your place for comfort, and a remodel or addition project can make it even more so.

(Houston Design Resources, September 2010) - A home is something that some of us take for granted; however, there are many individuals that do not have the means to obtain what we refer to as "The American Dream." One in four of the homeless population in the U.S. have worn a military uniform and served this country at one time. The number of women veterans without housing is increasing daily and few homeless programs for veterans have facilities to provide separate accommodations for women, some of whom have children.

On Saturday September 11, 2010, a date none of us will forget, the Greater Houston Builders Association's Remodelors Council partnered with HomeAid Houston, to renovate five
apartments with bathrooms and two common area bathrooms at the Santa Maria Hostel's Spring Branch location. Santa Maria Hostel is a multi-site facility that offers temporary housing and different levels of service for women looking to change the direction of their lives.

Numerous men and women, who are members of the GHBA RMC, volunteered not only their time, but all of the materials used to refurbish the bathrooms that were in desperate need of a facelift. Remodelers, designers, vendors, and other associates came together in an effort to say thank you to our veterans.

"Project Independence is a great way to give back to those women who have given so much of for this country and are struggling here at home to get back on their feet," said Brandon Lynch of Keechi Creek Builders, just one of the remodelers who stepped up to help.