With Thanksgiving right around the corner, Annie and I have been reflecting on everything we’re grateful for this year. Top of that list? Our home, our family, and the incredible community of local small businesses across the Triangle that keep our lives running smoothly.
When you own a home, having reliable people you can trust isn’t just convenient—it saves you time, money, and mid-holiday headaches.
Before we dive in, I want to make one thing crystal clear: I receive zero financial compensation, kickbacks, or referral fees for any of these shoutouts. None. Zero. These are simply the local pros and small business owners Annie and I personally hire, trust around our own home, and recommend to our closest friends, family, and clients.
As you get your home prepped for guests, cozy up for the winter, or start dreaming up projects for the new year, here is a quick look back at our favorite local features from the past year!
1. Heating & Whole-Home Comfort: Patrick Mellonas with Air Experts
- What They Do: HVAC maintenance, heating replacements, and whole-home indoor air quality.
- Why We Love Them Right Now: Before you turn the heat on full blast for family gatherings or deal with dry winter air, Patrick and his crew ensure your system runs efficiently all winter long.
- Website: YourAirExperts.com
- Full Lowdown: The NC Fall Comfort & Winter Ready Checklist
2. Custom Window Coverings: Cole Browne with Gotcha Covered of Raleigh
- What They Do: Custom blinds, plantation shutters, drapery, and motorized smart shades.
- Why We Love Them Right Now: As the days get shorter and temperatures drop, quality custom window treatments keep the cozy warmth inside, lower energy bills, and give your dining or living room a polished, designer look for hosting.
- Website: GotchaCovered.com/Raleigh
- Full Lowdown: Why Custom Window Treatments Are NOT a DIY Project
3. Custom Cabinetry & Interior Design: Ruth Ann Taylor with Taylored Spaces
- What They Do: Kitchens, bathrooms, pantries, mudrooms, home offices, and custom built-in cabinetry.
- Why We Love Them Right Now: If your holiday prep has you realizing your kitchen storage or pantry layout is bursting at the seams, now is the time to start planning a smarter, more functional space for 2027.
- Website: Taylored-Spaces.com
- Full Lowdown: Think Beyond the Kitchen with Taylored Spaces
4. Professional Smoker & Grill Cleaning: Eric Eaton with NC Grill Rescue
- What They Do: Deep, eco-friendly cleaning and restoration for Traegers, smokers, and built-in gas grills.
- Why We Love Them Right Now: Thanksgiving isn’t just for ovens—smoking turkeys and roasting roasts outdoors is prime late-fall territory. Getting carbon and grease cleared out keeps temperatures steady and keeps your patio looking sharp.
- Website: NCGrillRescue.com
- Full Lowdown: My Favorite Way to Outsource the Dirty Work
5. Year-Round Porch Windows: Dallas Spruill with The Aluminum Company of North Carolina
- What They Do: Eze-Breeze® porch enclosures, siding, roofing, and exterior windows.
- Why We Love Them Right Now: Eze-Breeze panels keep chilly autumn winds and cold air off the porch so you can still drink your morning coffee outside or host overflow holiday crowds in comfort.
- Website: AluminumCompany.com
- Full Lowdown: Our Secret to a Year-Round Porch (Pollen-Free!)
6. Yard Care & Seasonal Cleanups: TJ Lee with Loyal Lawn Care
- What They Do: Sod, seasonal pine straw/mulch, lawn maintenance, gutter cleanouts, shrub trimming, and more.
- Why We Love Them Right Now: Before family pulls into the driveway for dinner, TJ gets leaves cleared, gutters cleaned out for winter rain, and fresh pine straw laid down for instant curb appeal.
- Phone: 919-798-9190
- Full Lowdown: The Secret to Spring-Ready Curb Appeal
7. Renovations & Additions: Brian Kemp with BK Builders
- What They Do: Primary bath remodels, kitchen renovations, room additions, and custom finish work.
- Why We Love Them Right Now: If spending time inside this season has you dreaming about remodeling a guest bath, finishing a basement, or adding flex space, Brian Kemp’s transparent estimates and top-tier craftsmanship make him the contractor to call.
- Website: BKBuildersNC.com
- Full Lowdown: Local Lowdown With Rick: BK Builders
Pro Tip Whenever You Call
When you reach out to any of these folks, be sure to tell them Rick and Annie sent you! They always take extra special care of our people.
Planning Ahead for the New Year?
Sometimes checking off home improvement lists makes you fall back in love with your home—and sometimes it makes you realize your current floor plan just doesn’t fit your lifestyle or hosting needs anymore.
Whether you’re looking for a low-maintenance home, more dedicated guest space, or an open layout built for holiday entertaining, Annie and I are always here to help you explore what’s next. Reach out anytime at 919-961-3277 or drop us a line at Rick@HudsonResidential.com.