HIGHLAND LAKES — Since 1986, the Steve Reitz Co. Inc. has focused on bringing all sides together when tackling a remodel or any other project, employees said.
“That’s kind of the crux of Steve Reitz Co.,” said company president Steve Reitz. “We use a team approach. We get the owners, architects, designers and everybody else together to plan it and work on it.”
That style of remodeling gained national attention in December when Professional Remodeler magazine named one of the company’s projects as a “Best of the Best” Design Award winners.
The project was a complete remodel of a boathouse, dock and storage room on Lake LBJ.
The Lake LBJ remodel earned a Gold Award in the Outdoor Living category and then went on to beat out other category winners for the Platinum Award.
“So it was a double winner, I guess you could say,” Reitz said.
The Marble Falls-based company took the homeowners’ desires and with a team of designers, architects and a remodeler created a complete new lakeside experience, Reitz said.
“This was a very challenging project,” Reitz said.
Before the remodel, the structure was in poor condition and the owners wanted a facelift. The 10-month project included a new boat dock, all-weather cabana, a boathouse and a storage room.
But that wasn’t it. Reitz said the property owners wanted something that would really take advantage of the lake and climate.
So the cabana features a complete kitchen, fireplace, TV, bathroom and even a pool with a hot tub.
The construction included a bevy of adjustments and creative designs. Because they were in a floodplain, just getting the building permits for the kitchen and bathroom took some effort, he said.
Company officials submitted the Lake LBJ remodel to the magazine for consideration for the “Best of the Best” Design Awards. In late fall, the staff learned their project had not only been selected as the top outdoor living design but had also earned the Platinum honor.
“This is pretty exciting,” Reitz said. “This isn’t just a local award. It’s a national honor. This is quite something for us in the Hill Country to accomplish. I don’t think it just says something about our company, but the quality of the people in the business here in the area.”
Reitz said the same effort and team approach that went into the award-winning project goes into all the company’s work.
“The award gives us an amazing sense of accomplishment,” he said. “To have your work recognized at this level, well, it’s great.”
For more information on the company or to see photos of the project, go to www.stevereitz.com.
