The deck is almost always first
Builder decks from that era used 2x8 or 2x10 framing, nailed ledgers and no flashing. Twenty-five years of Georgia humidity later, the ledger board is the failure point — not the boards you can see. When a Hiram deck feels bouncy, the problem is structural, not cosmetic.
A rebuild on the existing footprint runs $16,000 to $30,000 in composite. Restoration — new decking and rail on sound framing with the ledger corrected and flashed — is $6,000 to $12,000 and buys another decade, which is the right call more often than contractors admit.
Builder-grade kitchens and baths come due together
Particleboard cabinet boxes swell at the sink base, laminate counters delaminate at the seam, and the original fiberglass shower surround develops a hairline crack that quietly wets the subfloor for years. These three arrive within a season of each other in most Hiram homes.
Doing the kitchen and the hall bath in one mobilization saves roughly 8–12% versus two separate jobs, because the demo, dumpster, plumbing trip and tile setter are shared.
- Cabinet boxes swollen at the dishwasher and sink base
- Range hood vented into the attic instead of outside
- No dedicated circuit for the island or microwave
- R-19 attic insulation where R-38 is now standard
The garage floor and the attic are the cheap wins
A ground-and-coated garage floor is $2,500 to $4,500 on a typical Hiram two-car and instantly makes the house feel newer than the neighbors'. Topping the attic from R-19 to R-38 usually pays back in three to five summers here.
Frequently asked.
Should I repair or replace a 1990s deck in Hiram, GA?
If the framing and footings are sound, restoration at $6,000–$12,000 is the better value. If the ledger is rotted or the posts are undersized, rebuild — patching a failing ledger is unsafe.
How much is a kitchen remodel in Hiram, GA?
Full remodels run $28,000–$60,000. Because most Hiram kitchens share the same builder layout, we can usually quote accurately after one visit.
Is it cheaper to remodel the kitchen and bathroom at the same time?
Yes, typically 8–12% cheaper than two separate projects, since demolition, disposal, plumbing and tile labor are shared across one mobilization.
Decks, Patios & Pergolas
Custom deck building in Dallas, GA — composite and pressure-treated decks, screened porches and covered patios. Permitted and engineered. Free estimate.
Kitchen & Bath Refreshes
Custom kitchen remodeling in Dallas, GA and North Georgia. Cabinets, quartz counters, tile, lighting and layout changes. 34 years experience. Free estimate.
Bathroom Remodeling
Luxury bathroom remodeling in Dallas, GA — walk-in tile showers, freestanding tubs, double vanities and heated floors. Licensed & insured. Free estimate.
Epoxy Garage Flooring
Showroom-grade epoxy and polyaspartic garage floor coatings in Dallas, GA. Diamond-ground prep, hot-tire resistant, one-day installs. Free estimate.
Every price above is a range because your house is not a spreadsheet. We give free, written, line-item estimates in Hiram and across North Georgia — about 10 minutes from our dallas shop.