Extending the Home Outdoors
Jim Mayleben’s first project started with a simple goal: make the outdoor space usable for more of the year. The home in Gunter, TX had a covered patio, but it wasn’t something they could comfortably use in changing weather or with bugs around.
They decided to convert it into a screened porch.
Jim came across Eric through the screen system manufacturer—he was the authorized installer for the product they wanted. After an initial visit, measurements, and a few rounds of discussion, the plan came together. The finished porch added a new kind of living space to the home—something that felt connected to the outdoors without the usual limitations.
Expanding the Project Over Time
About eight to twelve months later, they were ready to build on that first project.
They brought Eric back to install a brick paver patio just outside the screened porch, extending the usable space even further. At the same time, they made a few interior changes. One bedroom received new carpeting, and a door was added between a bedroom and an adjacent bathroom, turning the layout into a second master suite.
Individually, these were smaller updates. Together, they made the home more functional and better suited to how the space was actually used.
Attention to Detail in the Process
During the patio installation, something happened that stuck with Jim.
The crew had already prepared the base, compacted the materials, and started laying the pavers. From Jim’s perspective, everything looked fine. About a quarter of the patio had already been completed.
When Eric returned to check on the work, he immediately noticed something he didn’t like.
There was a discussion with the crew, and shortly after, they began removing the pavers they had already installed. The entire section—about 25% of the patio—was taken out so the base could be adjusted and the work redone properly.
Jim remembers watching from the screened porch, surprised by the decision. To him, it had looked perfectly acceptable.
The explanation was straightforward: it might look fine now, but it would create problems later.
That moment stood out. It wasn’t about appearance in the short term—it was about making sure the work would hold up over time, even if that meant redoing something that already looked finished.
A Practical Approach to Cost and Value
Jim approaches home improvement with a realistic perspective. Projects like these are never inexpensive, and there’s always a balance between aesthetics and cost.
As he puts it, there’s always one option that doesn’t look good—and several others that come at a price.
Within that context, he found the pricing to be fair and straightforward. There were no surprises, and the process itself felt easy to manage. Communication was clear, expectations were set early, and the work progressed without unnecessary complications.
A Reliable Experience
From the initial screened porch to the patio and interior updates, the experience remained consistent. The work was done carefully, decisions were explained clearly, and the end result aligned with what had been discussed from the start.
For Jim, that consistency is what matters most. A contractor who is upfront, detail-oriented, and willing to correct issues before they become problems is someone worth working with again.
And in his case, that’s exactly what happened.
