Remodeling Job Stories | Hoover, AL Exterior Remodel
I. Project Overview
Mark and Kim Satcher’s Hoover, AL exterior remodel is a terrific example of how scale doesn’t necessarily equate to whether a remodel is successful or not! It’s about meeting the needs of the homeowner!
This project involved minor Interior Renovations, but most focused on the Exterior Renovations of the front and back porches, as well as some minor HVAC repair!
II. Project Timeline
Mr. Satcher’s project ran from January to early August of 2025, which is the typical timeframe for one of our projects. Constant communication and oversight through our project software, Buildertrend, allows all of our clients to be completely aware of all aspects of design and construction from start to finish!
This chart tracks the progress of the entire project in our online project management portal Buildertrend, detailing a step-by-step process that began with design and planning, which then moved onto the early work, the exterior demolition and painting, the interior repairs, and the final project punch list.
Take a closer look at the pictures of Mr. Satcher’s Calera, AL basement remodel, with this before and after gallery!
III. Design-Build-Remodel – How Did We Get There?
Things began with design and planning, starting with a plan-set design meeting on August 26, 2024, followed by a session with the drafter to review elevation drawings. These early steps help confirm the vision and give the team a solid foundation before any construction begins.
After the holidays, work officially kicked off in January 2025 with the delivery of a dumpster and a short demolition phase. During this same window, multiple site visits were coordinated—bringing the owner, engineer, and masonry crew lead together to verify existing conditions and finalize technical decisions. To protect the home during structural work, a temporary roof was erected over the open foundation. Material deliveries such as steel, concrete, gravel, and steel sheeting arrived soon after, allowing crews to complete the foundation support, backfill work, and steel installation for the concrete deck.
Sheets of metal, supported by the metal bars in the previous pictures, and the gravel, will ensure a completely leak-free basement in the years to come!
A matrix of rebar was then placed in preparation for when we would then pour concrete, which would then solidify and therefore decrease the chances of any water leakage or damage occurring in the future.
You can see where the water damage had really taken its toll on the Satcher’s exterior curb appeal, and the primary reason they contacted Reliable Design-Build-Remodel!
This is the temporary roof that was mentioned earlier!
Repairing brick from water damage often means buying new bricks!
The Satchers chose brick from the Rockwell series from the Acme Brick company! Specifically, the Rockwell, “Queen – Heritage” selection of brick. This Hoover, AL exterior remodel was starting to shape up into something great!
Once the structural components were secure, the exterior improvements began. Siding work was completed in late January, followed by preparation for painting including pressure washing and surface prep.
They decided to upgrade from a tired old yellow paint to a brand new coat of SW 7064, “Passive“, from Sherwin Williams®!
Exterior painting took place throughout early March, with attention also given to details like painting exterior doors, repairing the siding at the meter box, and installing an updated electrical meter box.
For painting the whole of the Satcher household, we spent about six days in total!
Here you can see what the paint job looks like on the Satcher’s back porch!
We also painted their exterior doors as well, in SW 6244, “Naval” from Sherwin Williams®, which was also the color for the window shutters and garage door.
The Satcher’s trim paint selection was SW 9500, “UltraWhite”, again from Sherwin Williams®!
This trim paint went along the trim for the doors, the garage doors, the windows, the soffit, fascia, and gutters as well! The contrast from grey and white is stunning in the daylight!
You can see what the previous paintjob looked like in the leftmost picture. The Satcher’s paint selection really brings this home into the 21st Century!
Once the paint had dried, it absolutely transformed the curb appeal of the Satcher household!
Around mid-February, the team installed and completed the new front porch railing—a finishing element that ties together the curb-appeal upgrades.
The handrails are AFCO 100 Series 6′ Level Rails, which we acquired from our trusted vendor Builders Warehouse
After the major exterior work wrapped, a punch list review in late March ensured the earlier phases were polished and complete before moving inside.
Interior improvements picked up in mid-2025, beginning with flooring measurements in May. Floor demolition and acclimation took place in June, followed by moisture testing to ensure conditions were right for installation.
Because moisture levels can impact hardwood performance, multiple site checks in July helped confirm next steps, including a subfloor assessment, subfloor removal and replacement, and HVAC ducting repairs that were needed before final finishes could be installed.
Interior trim work was completed in the living room, and a flooring re-selection meeting allowed the homeowner to update choices before installation.
After a final moisture re-test, the tentative flooring installation took place in late July, followed by a site meeting in early August. The hardwood installation wrapped in mid-August 2025, marking the final major milestone of this remodel.
Reliable also installed a brand new screen door for the Satcher’s front porch!
Overall, the Satcher project was a completely astounding success! Scale doesn’t necessarily equate to success, only adherence to the homeowner’s vision does!
IV. Conclusion of the Satcher Project
Overall, the process moved from planning, to structural work, to exterior improvements, and finally to detailed interior finishing. Each step was intentionally scheduled to give crews the access and conditions they needed, while ensuring the homeowner stayed informed along the way. This organized, phased approach is designed to make the remodeling experience predictable, thoughtful, and as seamless as possible.
What Can We Do For You?
Reliable Design-Build-Remodel is a licensed general contractor that provides a wide variety of services to customers throughout Birmingham and the surrounding areas. Our staff members are proud to be members of this great community and provide services to the following locations:
Our Services
Reliable Design-Build-Remodel isn’t good at just one type of home remodel. We’re adept at many different home improvement services. This means that you won’t have to hire multiple contractors to work on your place if you choose to do more than one update at a time. Our team of experienced professionals can handle the following:
