Ask the Home Expert 2017 by Savannah Magazine

Special Advertising Section

ASK THE HOME EXPERT

Whether you’re building your dream dwelling, updating your abode or sprucing up your outdoor living space, you need someone who can fulfill your vision, navigate trends— and keep you on budget. Get to know some of the area’s most knowledgeable and creative home experts. After all, when it comes to improving your living situation, you don’t want to open the front door to just anyone. Photography by Christine Hall, Katie McGee and Keith Morgan

84 Lumber Company, Tim Taylor.................................................................................................................................................................... 49 Counter Fitters LLC, Bailey Hicks and Kim Moore.......................................................................................................................................... 44 Eckard’s Flooring Design Center, Dane Eckard..............................................................................................................................................47 Green Frog Sleep Center/Savannah Furniture Consignment, Tracy Gibson Eckard.......................................................................................47 Jenny Rutherford Real Estate, Jenny Rutherford........................................................................................................................................... 48 Lowcountry Basement Systems, Rob Videon................................................................................................................................................ 48 The Mint Green Tag Sale Company, AJ Hetzel............................................................................................................................................... 45 Pride Pools, Spas and Leisure Products Inc., Alex Smith, Sherry Buckman and Marshall Smith.................................................................. 46

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COUNTER FITTERS, LLC I love working in Savannah because … no job is the same! Working in Savannah has exposed me to so many unique styles of homes, and the possibilities and options are endless. —Bailey Hicks

Bailey Hicks, left, and Kim Moore, sales representatives

Make your home uniquely yours with … a fabulous countertop renovation project. Changing your countertops to something beautiful and functional is a fantastic way to get more bang for your buck. It’s amazing how older cabinets can look new with coordinating tops. —Bailey Hicks and Kim Moore

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1026 Lynes Ave. | Savannah, GA 31415 912-231-0103 | CounterFittersSav.com

If you are considering a home improvement project … do your research first. Gather ideas and pictures of finished projects that appeal to you. Make an appointment to meet with a professional countertop sales person who is educated on the pros and cons of the various materials available. They often can help you make your dream a reality—and at an affordable cost that you may have not known was an option. —Kim Moore I’ve learned from experience … that it is important to invest in a countertop selection that you love … not just something that saves you money.

Most families spend a large amount of time in their kitchen each day; so make sure that you select something that truly makes you happy for many years to come. —Bailey Hicks A new trend in our industry is … “marble look” quartz. Brands like LG and Cambria have really changed the game with the new quartz designs that emulate a veiny marble. With warm or clean grey veins, we have you covered. —Bailey Hicks

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The MinT Green TaG CoMpany

Before

After

My misssion is ... to provide professional, on-site estate sale and liquidation services. We handle all of the details from start to finish. Often, our clients have recently lost a loved one when they call us. It is a very difficult time for them, and we complete the job seamlessly. My tools of the trade are ... an endless supply of tables, racks, bins and organizational materials. When we stage a home for an estate sale, essentially we are putting someone’s life on display.

912-232-1039 TheMintGreenTagSaleCompany.com

We make sure that everything is nice and tidy and beautifully merchandised. The secret to good business in Savannah is ... A strong word-of-mouth reputation. We have hosted estate sales in almost every neighborhood in the Savannah area. It’s always nice to hear that we were recommended by a friend, family member or neighbor. We’ve learned from experience that ... Families oftentimes feel overwhelmed with the task of divesting of a loved one’s estate and begin giving items away.

Thinning out the estate could jeopardize the opportunity to have a successful on-site estate sale. A professional liquidator can help. We offer free consultations with no obligation. Most people are surprised when they learn that ... Working with an experienced estate-sale planner will net them more money than going it alone. Our experience pays! With almost 300 successful sales conducted here in Savannah, we are your local experts. Family-owned and operated, we look forward to working with you.

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PRIDE POOLS, SPAS AND LEISURE PRODUCTS INC. We specialize in … BACKYARD. FAMILY. FUN. Since 1975, Pride Pools, Spas and Leisure Products Inc. is the name many know and trust when it comes to making backyard dreams come true. Our name says it all … Personalized Service Readiness To Serve Intelligent Product Knowledge Dedication Enthusiasm To Go The Extra Mile

From left: Alex Smith, Sherry Buckman and Marshall Smith

We always tell our customers … to check their water weekly. Get into a habit. This could help prevent future pool problems.

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The secret to good business is … quality customer service with well trained, dedicated and knowledgeable staff. Pride Pools, Spas and Leisure Products Inc. ... is your home for BACKYARD. FAMILY. FUN. We build and install above-ground and in-ground pools, sell and install luxurious spas and carry a large line of Big Green Eggs and Green Mountain Grills. We have all your chemical and maintenance items needed for your pool. Plus, we offer an array of floats, hammocks, coolers, pool and outdoor games as well as a full-time service department.

Most people aren’t aware that ... we are a second-generation, family-owned local business. We have been in business for 42 years! We believe in ... family values, and that carries over to our dedicated staff. They are our extended family. We are proud members of … the Better Business Bureau, Association of Pool & Spa Professionals, Aquatech Society, Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce, Savannah Buy Local and Home Builders Association of Greater Savannah.

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ECKARD’S FLOORING DESIGN CENTER AND GREEN FROG SLEEP CENTER /SAVANNAH FURNITURE CONSIGNMENT

Dane Eckard, owner of Eckard’s Flooring Design Center

Tracy Gibson Eckard, owner/ manager of Green Frog Sleep Center

If you are looking to redecorate … I always tell my clients to do Pinterest research—but don’t forget to trust your own sensibilities. Most people know what they like and have better taste than they give themselves credit for. You don’t always have to work to recreate something an Internet designer did. Put a little bit of yourself in there. It’s okay, trust yourself!—Tracy Gibson Eckard

Our clients love that we … are able to help them springboard into larger projects with our wide array of contacts in the local design and construction scene. Tracy works with designers and Realtors to help them stage their properties for sale, and I work with everyone from small property managers to the largest general contractors. Whatever your project needs may be—whether you need a reliable small project handyman or full interior design services—we can usually find the right kind of help among the professionals we work with every day. —Dane Eckard

Most people are surprised when they learn … we are married! We had been operating these businesses for several years before we had ever seen each other. We met in a totally unrelated way and had a very interesting moment when we started discussing where we each worked. For the two of us to be involved in the home interior industry, right next door to each other for so long, was really surprising given we live in “small-town Savannah.”

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Before looking at homes … speak with a lender to become prequalified. This will help identify your maximum price range so you don’t look at homes you can’t afford. And use a local lender. They are familiar with the market and offer personal service. If you are considering selling your home … don’t overprice it. Be realistic. Listen to your Realtor’s advice and stay in line with the market. You can’t change your location. So if you want top price, your home must be in the best condition! When it comes to being a real estate agent … I am experienced and passionate about helping my clients! I pride myself in being an effective negotiator and staying knowledgeable about the local market. I’m also efficient. Whether you’re local or out of town, I have the ability to write contracts online and use e-signatures that save you time, money and present your offer instantly. I’m proud of the fact … that I was the 2016 President of Savannah’s Women’s Council of Realtors.

JENNY RUTHERFORD REAL ESTATE 1202 B US HWY 80, Tybee Island, GA 31328 | 912-388-2828 | JennySellsSavannah.com Jenny Rutherford, Associate Broker, Realtor, GRI, ABR, SRS, BPOR

Rob Videon, owner and CEO To serve homeowners the best … you have to build a unified team of great people who are not only committed to doing a good job, but also redefining what it means to be a contractor. We want our customers to say … “Wow! I just did not expect that level of service!” Our team is devoted to providing exceptional service—from the first call to our office all the way through to the project’s completion. 48 sPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

LOWCOUNTRY BASEMENT SYSTEMS 145 Commercial Court | Rincon, GA 31326 912-826-0770 | LowcountryBasement.com

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84 LUMBER COMPANY I love working in Savannah because … of how unique and historical the city is. One day you could be remodeling a house from the 1800s and the next doing a complete modern build. I specialize in … all phases of the building process from the ground up—lumber, windows and interior trim, just to name a few. We also have a fully functional door shop and kitchen design center that we are very proud of!

4020 Ogeechee Road | Savannah, GA 31405 912-236-9484 | 84lumber.com

If you are looking to build … you always need to be working with someone who is willing to work for you—that salesman or contractor who wants to get your investment right the first time. It is all about relationships in this industry, so do it with someone you can trust, and you will never look back.

My clients love that … 84 Lumber offers a wide range of different services to help them through every aspect of the building and remodeling process. We are not just limited to contractor sales. Everyone has that DIY mentality, and we would like to help with any project.

I’ve learned from experience that … knowing what you want is only half of the battle in today’s markets. Make sure you always do your homework prior to shopping around. It will save you a lot of time and money.

Tim Taylor, general manager

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