Michael F. Simon Builders

Michael F. Simon Builders March 2011 Newsletter

Spring is right around the corner and it's time to start those spring projects that you've been planning. That's where we can help you out. There is no job too large or too small for us. As the Madison area's premier builder, we pride ourselves on the quality of our craftsmanship and the relationships that we build during the process. Let us bring your ideas to life, no matter what it may be. We'll show you why “Quality Defined” has become our motto.

Best regards,

MABA Remodeling Expo

This weekend is the Home Products Show at the Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison. We're proud to once again participate in the show. Make sure you stop by out booth and say Hi!

Tickets into the show are free, but make sure you come early because last year it was crowded with over 14,000 people in attendance. The show is March 4-6, and times are Friday 2-7 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Past Project: New Bar & Luxury Backyard

We have so many "feature worthy" projects, that picking one each month is a challenge. This is one of my favorites though. The exterior of the home has the most visible changes including a new deck that leads down to a new pool and hot tub area, which leads down further to the fire pit/lounge area. It's truly an impressive addition.

The picture below shows the fireplace from the bedroom. Scroll over the picture to see the before pictures.

This pool features a special safety cover that allowed us to bypass fencing off the backyard. The cover is attached at all sides and takes a special key, that when turned, opens the pool. It actually supports your weight so instead of falling into the pool, you'd be walking on a waterbed like surface, out of harm's way.

Inside, we made subtle changes to a few different areas of the home. One of the things the homeowners needed was a bar for entertaining guests. Since the Lower level had a wet bar only, they didn't think it was possible for a normal, stand-behind bar to be built. We finally came to the idea of making one of the decorative arches an opening with a new bar in front of it.

So we went to work adding a tile floor, new bar, new lighting and added a sink and fridge into the new back-bar area. If you hadn't seen the area before our remodel, you really wouldn't have any idea it was added later. Our design team, along with out carpenters did a fantastic job.

Above on the left is the new fire pit area that was added. On the right is another picture of the bar that was added. Click either for a larger picture.

Trimming Trees in the Winter

Snow shoveling isn't the only winter yard work home and landowners may want to undertake. Winter is a good time for tree pruning especially on oak trees. Winter pruning greatly reduces the likelihood of spreading oak wilt and other tree diseases and minimizing pruning stress on trees, according to tree health experts.

“I tell people the best time to prune trees in Wisconsin is during the winter, when the tree is dormant, which is before April, for a number of reasons,” said Don Kissinger, an urban forester with the Department of Natural Resources in Wausau. “Insects and diseases that could attack the open wound aren't present in winter and without leaves, broken, cracked or hanging limbs and branch structure are easy to see and prune.”

Article provided by dnr.wi.gov

To read more on this topic, click here.

Be Our Friend & Follow Our Tweets!

Become a friend and get up to date information on our events and promotions.

Recently, we've given away free Badger Basketball tickets, plowing snow off driveways, tee shirts, trade show tickets & more!

Featured Lot For Sale

Tuscany Ridge, Waunakee

5713 Tuscany Lane, Waunakee, WI  (Lot 21)

Click for Printable Lot Map & Here for a Google Map

This home lot contains 27,994 sq. ft. (.64 acre) and allows a full walkout to the rear (south). This is your chance to get one of the last lots available in Tuscany Ridge. Priced at $209,900.00.

If interested, call Phil Simon at (608) 849-5916, or email him.

Tips from Bob & Terry:

Bob Clemens (remodeling expert) and Terry Dowell (Project Manager) from Simon Builders, have picked up a few tips and tricks over their 50 plus combined years here at Simon Builders. This month, they have a realitivly easy task for you that could help you to save your basement from leaking this spring.

Terry says, "this is a good time of year to check around the exterior of the home to make sure that your downspouts are in good shape, in the down position and have not had any damage done to them over the winter months that would prevent them from performing the best they can to drain appropriately."

Not allowing the water to be directed away from the foundation can cause erosion and leakage into the area surrounding the foundation. Once water finds its way into a basement, it can be costly to repair. Check back next month to find out what you can do if this does happen in your home.

If you'd like Bob & Terry to answer any specific home related questions, feel free to email them to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .