26 Years of Growth for D.J.’s Painting & Remodeling

Business cards throughout the first few years of the business. 

With humble beginnings, it all started in 1991. While a student at Illinois State University, David Juarez founded D.J.’s Painting & Remodeling. For the first two years of the business, David worked solo with a focus on student apartment painting. After adding two other painters to his solo team, David’s work expanded to residential homes. In 1995, David found himself involved in minor repair work and small odds and ends for customers. Needless to say, the business quickly expanded to meet the needs of our growing customer base.

At our 10-year milestone, D.J.’s Painting & Remodeling started to undertake home additions and large remodel work as well as project management opportunities. 26 years later, it is over 50% of our business.

Our full-service design and remodeling team now has access to highly qualified carpenters, electricians, plumbers, audio-visual specialists and decorators. With 10 to 14 field employees and 4 to 5 office staff, we have intentionally limited the number of team members to ensure consistent, top-notch quality for our customers – which has always been our #1 priority.

D.J.'s Painting & Remodeling office located at
1502 E. Jackson St. Bloomington, IL 61701

For the last three years we’ve had the honor of being named #1 Best Contractors/Remodelers in the Pantagraph’s Readers’ Choice Awards. We have also placed #1 Best Home Painter and #1 Best Painting Company since the categories were introduced and tweaked over the last two years. We know we could not have accomplished these #1 spots consistently without our loyal and supportive community of customers in the Bloomington/Normal area. 

This year, we also had the honor of securing the #1 spot for Best Interior Design. We chose to add an interior designer to the staff two years ago to offer a truly full service experience for our customers.

The most recent area of growth for D.J.’s Painting & Remodeling, that we thoroughly enjoy, is the remodeling and design of basements, outdoor spaces  and sunrooms. We’ve had the pleasure of completing a variety of projects including patios, outdoor grills and pergolas to name a few.

Exterior remodeling (Before)

When asked what his favorite part of owning his own business has been over the last 26 years, David Juarez quickly explained: “The customers by far. I enjoy meeting new people and figuring out solutions to their needs. I really like my job … it doesn’t seem like work.” A close second for him has been the personal growth in improving his business. “The last couple of years I have been able to expand and improve the business because of what I have been learning,” he shared. 

Exterior remodeling (After)

With D.J.’s Painting & Remodeling experiencing a steady 18% growth in the Bloomington/Normal area over the last two years, we look forward to offering dedicated service and attention to detail to customers throughout the Central Illinois region including Champaign and Peoria in the future. For now, we share a genuine and heartfelt thank you for partnering with our locally owned, family business over the last 26 years. Some may overuse this phrase – but we truly mean it when we say—we would not be here without you. Thank you!

D.J.'s Painting & Remodeling, Inc. team, Summer 2017 

Does your house need painting? Here's how to tell...

Has it been more than a few years since you have taken care of the exterior of your house? Not sure what signs to look for to know when it's time? You can always call D.J.'s Painting and Remodeling, Inc. for a free estimate and we'll give you our professional advice, but here's some quick tips to look for:

1. Your color doesn't seem as bright or bold. Over time, sun fades paint color. Try removing a shutter to see if there is a color difference. If there is a vast difference, it's time.
2. Paint is starting to peel. If you notice any peeling, curling or bubbling in paint, it is one of the easiest signs to tell your paint is starting to fail and allowing the wood underneath to be exposed to the harsh conditions of mother nature.
3. Gaps or cracks. Even the smallest gaps or cracks are letting water in and causing damage to your home. If it's one or two, it's an easy fix and touch up. If you find more than that- call us at (309)452-9643 to give you an estimate.
4. Caulk has gaps, cracks or is loose. Caulk is another component of your house that helps with water-proofing your house. This is probably the most important aspect that needs to be addressed before winter comes.
5. Your house was build 5 years ago. During new construction, a single coat of paint is typically sprayed on. You shouldn't wait more than 5 years to have your home prepped and painted a second time after the house has settled and moved. 

As always, you can always schedule an estimate with one of our project managers even if you are unsure if your house is needing some work or not. 

10 tips for creating your ideal patio

When creating your outdoor space, it’s important to consider how you will use it, what features to include and who will be using it before going forward with a design. It’s an exciting and fun addition, but you want to make sure you don’t do this twice.  

D.J.’s Painting & Remodeling, Inc. will also help walk through this with you, but it’s good to start taking notice of how you and your family use your current space.

• Create a gathering place - Make a space that’s friendly for the kids, friends and family for times you host a gathering, and most importantly for you and your partner.

• Add an archway or pergola- for some shade and character, adding a pergola or trellis brings a unique and aesthetically pleasing outdoor living area.

• Adding speakers – nothing adds ambiance like some background music. Bonus points if your speakers that are inconspicuous (such as decorative rocks or fixtures
  

• Repel bugs with citronella candles and torches – Citronella will repel unwanted mosquitoes and other bugs away while also providing the gorgeous flame to set the mood.

• Use string and accent lighting for easy and elegant look - String lights are perfect for outdoor lighting because they are small enough to be difficult to see during the day & there are so many bulbs to spread the light out easily at night.

• Create a separate nook for yourself – even if it’s a hammock or swing, create a place for you that is just for a quite time for relaxation.

• Add the element of water- Fountains or ponds can be used to be the center of attention or provide the perfect accent to your favorite outdoor spot.

• Add a fire pit – The only thing more attractive then water is fire; using fire anywhere in an outdoor space is sure to get some wows.

• Add a heater for cooler nights- Chilly weather should not stop you from enjoying the beauty of your backyard. Outdoor heaters are an easy addition to keep you cozy through those brisk nights. 

• Include an outdoor kitchen – If you are a frequent entertainer, investing in an outdoor kitchen would be a great addition for grilling and serving. 

Spring Maintenance Checklist

Spring Maintenance Checklist

As a homeowner, it's easy to get caught up in your every day routine and schedule. However, it is important to keep your home in top condition to avoid problems in the future. At D.J.'s Painting and Remodeling, we understand you may not have the time, tools or perhaps skill to get your home ready for the upcoming weather. That's why we offer quality maintenance services to help you keep up! Contact us here to get an estimate to complete your Spring Maintenance checklist. 

If you do have the time, tools and skill to keep your home in good condition, read on!

• Gutters and downspouts: Remove leaves and debris and reattach gutters that have pulled away from the house. Run a hose on the roof and check for proper drainage. If leaks exist, dry the area and use caulking or epoxy to seal the leak. If new gutter are necessary, call D.J.’s Painting & Remodeling, Inc. for a free estimate.
• Siding: Clean siding with a pressure washer to keep mold from growing. Check all wood surfaces for weathering and paint failure. If wood is showing through, sand the immediate area and apply a primer coat before painting. If paint is peeling, scrape loose paint and sand smooth before painting. If this is happening more than just a few spots, it may be time to repaint your house. Again, call us for a free estimate.
• Exterior caulking: Scrape out all of the eroding caulk and recaulk needed area.
• Window sills, door sills, and thresholds: Fill cracks, caulk edges, touch up paint or replace if necessary. If you not sure if replacement needed, call our office at 309-452-9643 to have one of our project managers give you their expert advice. 
• Window and door screens: Clean your screens and check for holes (If holes are bigger than a quarter, there is plenty of room for bugs to climb in!) Patch holes or replace the screen. Tighten or repair any loose or damaged frames and repaint. Replace any broken, worn, or missing hardware. Tighten and lubricate door hinges and closers.
• Drain waste and vent system: Flush out system.
• Hot water heater: Lubricate circulating pump and motor.
• Evaporative air conditioner: Clean unit, check belt tension and adjust if needed. Replace cracked or worn belt.
• Heat pump: Lubricate blower motor.
• Foundation: Check foundation walls, floors, concrete, and masonry for cracking, heaving, or deterioration. If a significant number of bricks are losing their mortar, call us to schedule an appointment to estimate repair. (If you can slide a nickel into a crack in your concrete floor, slab or foundation, call us immediately!)
• Roof: Inspect roof surface, flashing, eaves, and soffits. Perform a thorough cleaning. Check flashings around all surface projections and sidewalls  **It is incredibly important to be gentle when cleaning asphalt shingles so as not to inadvertently destroy a layer of protection and reduce the lifespan of your roof. Call D.J.'s Painting & Remodeling, Inc. to do this if you are unsure. 
• Deck and porches: Check all decks, patios, porches, stairs, and railings for loose boards and/or deterioration. Open decks and wood fences need to be treated every 3-5 years, depending on how much exposure they get to sun and rain. If the stain doesn’t look like it should or water has turned some of the wood a dark grey, call us at 309-452-9643 to treat your deck and fence.
• Landscape: Cut back and trim all vegetation and overgrown bushes from structures. Limbs and leaves can cut into your home’s paint and also trapping moisture which is the ideal environment for mold.
• Sprinklers: Check lawn sprinkler system for leaky valves, exposed lines, and improperly working sprinkler heads. If there is an area of your yard that collects too much water or doesn’t get enough, run the sprinklers to figure out the problem. If it’s not something you can fix yourself, call a D.J.’s Painting & Remodeling, inc. before summer hits.

 As always, we are only a call away if you need help with anything in your home. 

Traveling for the Holidays- Make Your Home Ready Before You Go!

Many of us travel over the holidays...but do all of us do these essential things before we leave? Take a few moments to read through to make sure you come back to a home in good condition. 

• Turn off your main water supply and leave your faucets slightly open (this will prevent any busted pipes or leaks)
• Unplug your electronics (they require more energy than you think!)
• Put your lights on a timer (nothing says "rob my house- I'm not home" more than a house that doesn't have any activity in it)
• Stop mail service (just let the post office to hold your mail until you are back, it's a free service!)
• Turn down your furnace (just 5-10 degrees, don't shut it off!)
• Pour baking soda down your drains and toilet (you can also add vinegar to freshen your drains, but this keeps you from playing the game of "where's that smell coming from?")
• Seal any open boxes of dry goods such a noodles, rice or nuts (this removes any temptation critters may have when you are away)
• Clean your house, so when you come back and you're exhausted from traveling, you won't have any chores to do.
• Lastly, it's a good idea to freeze a simple meal or two (if your flight gets delayed or travel plans are not what you expected, you can easily heat up a nice home-cooked meal when you arrive back) 

Safe Travels from all of us at D.J.'s!

Pantagraph Reader's Choice Awards

We were so thrilled to receive The Pantagraph’s Reader’s Choice Award this year for Best Contractors AND Best Painting! What an honor-thank you. It is so gratifying to know that our hard work and efforts have been noticed and appreciated. Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote for us. We wouldn’t be here without all of your support!

Thank you again for such an important recognition.

D.J.’s Painting & Remodeling, Inc

Beat the Heat

Beat the Heat: Air Conditioning Fixes You Need to Know

The most efficient ways to take care of your home on these hot summer days.

We thought with the excessive heat warnings, we could share a few tips on how to best stay cool and conserve energy in the process.

Should you turn your thermostat down or off if you are leaving for a long period of time? Some people worry that if you turn your air conditioning off, it will have to use up that much more energy to catch back up. But doing this will actually save you money. And not to worry, an air conditioning unit that is running at full speed runs more efficiently and better dehumidifies the house.

Buy a ceiling fan. Some homeowners are under the impression that running a ceiling fan will lower the temperature in the room. While the fan will better cool you down, it will not actually affect the temperature in the room. So you do not need to run the ceiling fans if you are out for the day.

Buy some plants. Placing some large, shady plants or bushes in front of your windows on hot summer days will actually help keep the house cooler.

Does turning the thermostat up make the house cool off faster?  No. Once the thermostat is running full speed, it will continue to do so until the set temperature is caught up. It is always best to not turn the thermostat up too high or you might forget and waste energy.

Take a shower. Don’t forget, if you are still hot and in need of a quick fix, you can always cool off in the shower! And taking a 10 minute shower is actually more energy efficient than a bath!