Concrete ideas: Remodeling and outdoor projects keep contractor busy even during pandemic

QUINCY — During these months of coronavirus shutdowns, people have spent more time at home than usual. They are also fixing up and remodeling more, creating a trend that is helping keep local construction companies and building supply stores busy. Local hardware stores and contractors have said they are seeing projects big and small get done.

Christina and Darin Arnall are the owners of D.C. Custom Construction Inc. in Quincy. Christina Arnall said their business has remained busy throughout the coronavirus-related shutdown and restrictions, something that surprised her to see.

“Our phone has been ringing regularly with people just wanting to get small stuff done and wrapped up, stuff that’s been bugging them, bigger projects around the house, things like ponds, water gardens, outside features, lots of different things,” she said.

As people spend more time at home, she said, she believes a lot of the new interest in projects comes from families just wanting to make that space a little more comfortable. She said people are taking advantage of the time at home to cross some projects off their to-do list.

Christina Arnall said she was initially worried that projects might slow down once winter gets closer, but now she doesn’t see much slowing down.

“We’re a pretty niche market,” Arnall said. “We do pretty unique home remodels, and when we’re not doing those, we buy and flip houses. We stay busy pretty much regardless.”

In addition to remodeling projects, she said they also have a concrete studio where they work on concrete installations, such as showers or countertops, in addition to concrete artwork that has grown in popularity.

She estimated that that part of their business has grown about 150 percent in the last year.

“Concrete is really growing in popularity, and the concrete art part is something I started personally by myself,” Arnall said. “It’s just taking a little while to grow in awareness and popularity. I have two separate magazine articles, and I have another one coming out soon, so I expect that to keep taking off.”

One of the more unique projects she said they’re working on is a multi-phase house remodeling that included remodeling of an indoor swimming pool room, complete with concrete slide and colored waterfall.

Arnall said her clients asked her to invite her own family once the pool was complete to test out the new setup last Friday. She said she brought her kids, and grandkids, who took full advantage of the new installations.

“The slide worked great, the kids jumped off everything under the sun, it was a blast,” Arnall said. “That was the most unique project I think we’ve done.”

For her family, she said things didn’t change much since the coronavirus surfaced. She said it’s strange because their lives really haven’t changed at all. Arnall said they always work by themselves and stay busy. Her sons have always done online school, so that wasn’t new either.

“We were really blessed in that way, watching everyone else,” Arnall said. “It’s nice to be busy, and we feel blessed to be able to do that.”