Congrats to Chris on some well deserved recognition in this week's MBJ!

 

The Daily News

I know I haven't updated the blog in forever, but I wanted to share an article that will be published in tomorrow's Daily News about RKA Construction!!

http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2013/jun/19/sticking-to-niche/


Ryan and I have had a very busy year so far and I'm excited to share more about the projects he has going. More to come soon...

Spring Creek Ranch!!!

There are some big things happening around here! I don't know how many of you saw the article in the Memphis Business Journal a couple of weeks ago but it was a great article on everything that Ryan has accomplished thus far and some of the things he is currently working on.

One of the most exciting things underway this year is the purchase of two lots at Spring Creek Ranch!! Boyle is opening up a new section of the development in the Collierville Reserve and Ryan is one of five builders that will be starting houses this year. The lots are two of the most desirable in the section, overlooking a green space with beautiful trees. Amazingly, Ryan has already sold both properties to wonderful families.

The first house to be started was purchased and designed by David Anderson. David is a very talented architect with T. Douglas Enoch Architects, and has drawn a beautiful European inspired home. We'll definitely document the construction progress, as there are many unique features of the home that we will share. David has a great family and Ryan is very excited to work on a project such as this.

The second property has just been put under contract and Doug Enoch is preparing designs for this home as well. Ryan is really looking forward to working with the buyers and we'll be sure to share progress on this home as well.

In addition to these two projects, Ryan is staying busy with his other custom work. Current projects range from small renovations and additions to a large custom hunting lodge. Ryan is looking forward to the projects that are in store for the year and we'll try and share progress as much as we can.

Just In The Nick of Time

The exterior of our house is finished!!! Having the house done before Christmas was a pretty big deal for me. I love Christmas and decorating for Christmas!!  I would have been very sad if I had not been able to put up any lights on my house this year.

Now granted its not near as many lights as I have put up in the past. I like to cover all of the bushes but since they were planted the week before I didn't think that was the best idea.

Two things about this door picture: thanks to some bored neighborhood kids, the bottom right hand corner of lights were out. Apparently is funny to remove a few bulbs from someone else light strand. Also, you can see our old mailbox lying on the ground, which was replaced with a really neat retro mailbox that is polished chrome.

I wanted to show you the step by step process that we went through with the exterior.

This is what the front of the house looked like for a couple of months. We took off the shutters and ripped out the scraggly bushes that were right in front of the house.

We felt like it was so hard to see the house before with all of the trees. So, we had most of them cut down. We really liked the magnolia that was to the left of the house but the trunk was literally inches from the house. We had the foundation checked before we moved in and there was no damage, but it was a risk that we weren't willing to continue to take. 

Then we had the driveway ripped out. It was in extremely bad condition. During that same week they started work on the fence. Which you can see hear before it was finished or painted.



The next step was having the house painted and putting in a sprinkler system. Then the driveway came, followed by the shrubbery, the fence, and gate. The last step was sod and mulch. Unfortunately it rained a descent amount during the weeks this was all going on. When you are doing exterior work rain always causes delays. Ryan came through for me though and had it done for the holidays!

 

I would like to thank Ryan for making our house exactly like I had envisioned inside and out. I have always wanted a house with a red door and I am so excited to see what this house will look like in the spring when the azaleas bloom and the grass is green!!

The colors on the house are all Behr: the front door is Awning Red, the house is Silver Sky, and the shutters are Deep Space.
We had Coates Company here in Memphis do the sprinkler system and landscaping. They do fantastic work.

Happy New Year!

Carrie and I would like to wish you all a Happy New Year and thank everyone for making 2012 a great year for RKA! With over fifteen projects successfully completed, it was a great first year. We're very excited about 2013 and promise to keep posting photos and information that you will hopefully find useful as you undertake projects of your own.

I do want to mention a few things that we are excited about for this year.
      
-Re-branding. As you probably noticed, the company logo has undergone some changes. This is part of a re-branding effort that will position RKA Construction as a division of RKA Investments. All the services will remain the same, but the construction division will be solely responsible for custom building work.

-Spring Creek Ranch. RKA Investments is currently in the process of acquiring lots in Spring Creek Ranch with construction starting in February. This is a great community and we look forward to furthering the quality of the development with our homes.

-Custom Building. With a full year under our belt, we couldn't be more excited about the possibilities for the future. With projects finishing, in progress, and ready to start, we have established a great system that has resulted in very happy customers. We're looking forward to many new projects in 2013.

Be sure and check back as Carrie and I will be posting as much as we can. Often times are busy schedules can get in the way, but don't forget about us :) 

Happy New Year!