From our blog

October is Fire Safety Month

2,500 people die and 12,600 are injured in home fires in the United States, with direct property loss due to home fires estimated at 7.3 billion annually. Home fires can be prevented! Here are some fast facts about fire and fire prevention…
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Backyard Power Plant

I was checking out the weather for the weekend and noticed there is a big threat of tornadoes for the Midwest, especially Iowa, due to the movement of Tropical Storm Karen in the Gulf, and a cold front (with snowy weather in Wyoming) coming…
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Creating the Pet-Friendly Home: “Tails” from a Custom Home Builder

As a custom home builder, we help create what's important to you in your home. Want to live in your home forever or caring for an aging parent now? We'll explore all aspects of accessible design. Needing a dedicated area for a home theater…
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Creating the Green Dream Kitchen

"Green" has become a way of life for most of us and the  kitchen is your home's  top resource consumer. Manufacturers are always creating new surfaces from natural materials so choosing eco-friendly products does not mean sacrificing…
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What is a Modern Vintage Home?

Close to 1,200 people saw our Parade home during the open house event a few weeks ago, many telling us it was their favorite one in the Parade of Homes. Our home in Lakeland Builders Association's 2013 Parade of Homes was one that can…
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2013 Lakeland Builders Association Parade of Homes

Mark your calendar for the Parade of Homes

With only one ticket you can visit 9 brand new homes and one remodeled home with the latest home features, interior and exterior design in the Lakeland Builders Association Parade of Homes.  Come visit our home located at N7898 West…
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GuildQuality Guildmaster Award

GuildQuality honors Thelen Total Construction with a 2013 Guildmaster Award

We were excited to be notified that Thelen Total Construction was recently selected by GuildQuality for their Guildmaster Award for superior delivery of customer care! In granting the Guildmaster Award, GuildQuality considers two primary metrics: The…
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What is a NAHB Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS)?

We have long been advocates of incorporating Universal Design features in our homes, which targets the ease of use for all people in the home. Many times universal home design is transparent: The home is designed to be convenient and spaciously…
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Lake View from Screen Porch

What’s great about Lauderdale Lakes?

Taking a recent tour of our 2013 Parade Home under construction on Lauderdale Lakes made me think about the many homes we built here. Over the years we built more than 30 homes  around  Lauderdale Lakes.  I passed a few on my…
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April Showers Bring – Spring Home Maintenance List!

We are so ready for the arrival of warm weather after what was definitely a long cold winter and now a wet chilly spring.  What preventive maintenance should you do in the Spring to prevent major problems to your home? We'd like to share…
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Double pane windows

Shhhhh! Best Home Building Techniques for a Quiet Home

Noise can drive you crazy. Your neighbor with  his leaf blower early in the morning.  A barking dog at night.  Your kids  playing their favorite video game for the hundredth time. And you'd rather not hear those sounds…
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Double pane windows

Universal Design is for Everyone

It's difficult to argue with the logic of Universal Design.  If a home can be designed to be safer, easier to maneuver in,  be more intuitive, and in general - equally efficient for small children, capable adults as well as the mobility…
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