Buy Local

Strock Enterprises has always tried to source all of the materials we use from locally owned businesses.  Just to name a few....

Hughes Lumber
Molufs Plumbing Supply
Lord & Evans Paints  
Buck Lumber  
Carolina Lanterns & Lowcountry Lighting Center  
Carpet Baggers
Melcer Tile

We have found that working closely with LOCALLY owned and operated businesses results in getting better products, far superior Customer Service, and creates better community relationships.

Going to the big box nationwide stores just doesn't create that business relationship.  You're just a number in their computers, another face in the crowd, and someone that is in the way of their 15 minute break.   The big box stored may be more convenient, but they are often a customer service nightmare...PLUS for every dollar you spend in a big box national chain store only 14 cents stays in your community!  Thats pretty hard to believe.  The money you spend in a national retail store heads right out of town.  Now when you buy from a locally owned business the average is about 45 cents for every dollar spent stays in the community...supporting local families, and charities.

Another benefit of buying from locally owned businesses is their attention to American Made, and Higher quality products.  National retail stores have to meet a certain price point and the easiest way to do that is to sell goods manufactured in other countries (Mainly China)  It's hard to get away from...but it IS possible...for at least the past 12 years we have not willingly bought anything made in china that we could find made in the USA.   Anytime I am shopping the first thing I look for on any product that peaks my interest is where it's made.  If the label says made in china it goes back on the shelf.   When you start looking at the labels you will be shocked and horrified how much STUFF is made overseas.  It's almost impossible to find shoes made in America!  Okay...I am ranting

In 2007 Lowcountry Local First was founded in Charleston, SC  it's main objective is to educate people on the benefits of buying local products and supporting locally owned businesses.  You can visit their website to learn more at www.lowcountrylocalfirst.org

Just this past week our very own Trey Strock was elected to serve a 3 year term on the board of directors for Lowcountry Local First.  I know that he will work very hard to help LLF grow over the next three years, and looks forward to working with everyone in the organization.  Congratulations Trey!

If you're interested in finding other local businesses in the lowcountry you can go to www.lowcountrylocalfirst.org/directory

Mt. Pleasant Home & Garden Show

I'd like to invite you out this Friday, Saturaday, or Sunday to the Mt. Pleasant Home and Garden Show.  We'll be at the Omar Shrine Auditorium in Mt. Pleasant.  There will be lots to do and see.  If you need a ticket please call my office at 566-0250.  Or, you can click here for more information...  http://hbacharleston.com/index.php?option=com_rsevents&view=events&layout=show&cid=14&Itemid=4   Charity event with food and cocktails Friday night 6PM - 8PM put on by Hero's for Fire Victims to support The Lowcountry Red Cross.  Hope to see you all there.  - Trey

Peanut Butter

I was thinking this morning about how much I enjoy peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.  When I was just a kid, my mom bought Peter Pan Peanut Butter exclusively.  Cause that's what we liked.  Today, I still love Peter Pan.  But, to be honest, I think I like Jif just a little bit better.  I think that Jif has larger pieces of roasted peanut (cause it's all about the crunch).  And, I think the roasted flavor is just a little bit more intense.  You know.  I wasn't bored today.  I've been super busy.  I just needed to take a minute.

The fall weather calls for a Great Screened Porch

Start Here - No Porch

 

 

Do a little design work...

Do some real construction work...

And, Voila...  The perfect porch for a lowcountry fall.

Bat Entry Point

Bat Entry Point

This photo illustrates how small of an opening a bat needs to gain entry into a home.  This roof ledge is about 12" wide.  The hole where the bat is entering is about an inch, maybe less.  Unfortunately, it's never just one bat.  A good sized colony can be thousands and thousands living in your attic without your even being aware that they are there.  Of course the guano can pile up in the attic over the years, so there's that to deal with too.  If you think you might have a bat problem let us know right away.

Creating an accessible attic

A wonderful client recently introduced us to the Rainbow 'Galaxy' telescoping stair system.  This stair has motors which lower and extend and retract the stairs at the push of a button.  Take a look...

Small problems turn into bigger problems

Home Inspections are a CRUCIAL part of buying a home. We are currently working with a client who bought his first home a few years ago. One of the Real Estate agents involved suggested a home inspector, and not knowing any better our client trusted this home inspector to find anything of concern.

Exterior of Bathroom

Existing Shower - Notice the sag of the shower floor?

Fast forward a few years and the homeowner starts noticing a sag in the shower floor. Something is going on right? We go out to look at things. Right off we think the shower pan is leaking, causing rot right beneath the shower. We start to demo the shower floor...and it keeps going, and going.

Whirlpool Tub and Shower - Gone

Wood rot at exterior wall

Wood rot at exterior wall from interior

 The entire bathroom ended up being demoed.  After we found so much damaged we brought in a good Home Inspector and had him look through the rest of the house to see if anything else was missed.  Turns out we are going to have to do the same thing in the living room where there is more wood rot.

Unexpected Renovations/Repairs are never any fun for anyone.  When buying a home, or even if you've been living in your home for many years it may be a good idea to hire a good, thorough, trusted home inspector to go through the house and warn you of any potential problems.  And anytime you notice something wrong, or a little 'off' in your house have it looked at right away.  It's more cost efficient to fix a small problem in the beginning rather than ignore it and end up having to do major repairs!

We will keep you updated as this project progresses.