PHOTOGRAPHY BY TED DAYTON

"'Twas a month before Christmas and all through the house, no one was cleaning, not even your spouse." Ok, so maybe our take on this holiday classic is a little off the mark, but you get the point, right? It seems like there's so much to do and not enough time to do it. Or is there? We checked in with the SCV's most prestigious home improvement pros to find out just what, exactly, could get done before the doorbell really starts ringing. Most estimates are for installation, so don't delay your home-improvement dreams!

Done in a Day or Less
Professional carpet, tile/grout and upholstery cleaning will not only make a huge difference in the appearance of your home, it can also be done in just one day! Now is the time of year to consider making any necessary repairs to your flooring, too. Torn seams, raised tack strips and wavy, loose carpeting can all be hazardous for young, elderly or disabled guests. Luckily, these can be repaired in the blink of an eye. A professional cleaning and restoration company can schedule to perform the repair and cleaning of your flooring on the same day and many offer special discounts over the holiday season. Just call three to five days in advance to ensure that your preferred appointment time will be available. CBC Cleaning and Restoration is a trusted, family-owned and operated business, serving Santa Clarita and surrounding areas since 1978. 294-2221
www.cbcfirst.com

What a difference a day makes. Your room can go from bah-humbug to boy-oh-boy when you choose any carpet or vinyl flooring in stock at Wicall's Carpets. Next-day installation doesn't come with a heftier price tag, either. For 20 yards of new carpet or vinyl, you'll spend approximately $550 to $600 including installation. 259-6040 www.wicallscarpets.com

Preferred Glass & Windows has the answer to upping curb appeal quick: new windows and doors - at a discount. Enhance the aesthetics of your home, add energy efficiency, reduce outside noise and save money too, through January 31, 2013. In honor of Milgard's 50th anniversary, get a $50 rebate when you buy five windows and/or doors and a $10 rebate on every additional window and door. Most installations only take a day or less. Another smart addition? A glass tabletop to protect your furniture while adding a touch of elegance. No more diving for a coaster when Aunt Martha plops her coffee cup down on the buffet. 298-2165
www.preferredglassandwindows.net

We've come to the conclusion that, often, the way it used to be is the way it should be. Certainly that can be said for furniture. When you purchase a fine-quality design from MacKenzie-Dow you own a true original, one that is chock-full of tradition hundreds of years in the making. With hand-hewn-in-America, one-piece-at-a-time craftsmanship, these pieces are sure to make a real impression for decades to come. Plus, you're supporting American jobs at the same time. How's this for proof? Your furniture is signed and dated by the craftsperson who made it. Quality products that are built for hard use in a home full of life can be found at Douglas Furniture - and are available for delivery now. 255-8366
www.dougfurn.com


Done in a Week or Less
Surfaces USA is the king of instant gratification. All materials are in stock - there's no "order and wait" delay here. Whether you prefer a la carte material purchases (Always a good call - they sell wholesale direct to the public.), want to take advantage of their free professional in-store design services or prefer to have Surfaces' certified installers complete a full custom installation, time is on your side. Granite can be installed in your kitchen only a week after measurements are taken; complete shower or tub installs take, on average, seven days or less from start to finish (for the tiling portion of the work). You'll benefit from the biggest granite and marble slab yard in the SCV and save time and gas, too. Plus, Surfaces guarantees their work and their competitive pricing. No more trekking to the Valley! 755-9404 www.surfacesusa.com

Details, details, details. They're what make a house a home. Personalize your space with a bar area complete with wine racks (Only takes two to three days!); a new bathroom vanity (Only takes a few days to a week, depending on the size!) or fresh flooring on your much-used staircase (Only takes one to two days!). These changes, and more, are customized by the professionals at Dannick Design. 775-7430
www.dannickdesign.com

Order Now to get it Done
Before the Holidays
During the holidays you will no doubt entertain guests and likely use your dining room to celebrate holiday meals with family and friends. Tami Smight of Tami Smight Interiors is often asked, "Can you add a drapery over existing plantation shutters?" Her answer is a resounding "Yes!" Not only can you pair a drapery with a shutter, Tami prefers it to a shutter by itself. Shutters have a horizontal emphasis with the repetition of slats. To visually heighten the room and create balance with a vertical element, consider adding custom drapery panels. In about four weeks from your order date, Tami can install your draperies and transform your window from ordinary to wow. 430-0127 www.tamismightinteriors.com

Randal G. Winter Construction ensures that your home improvement takes the shortest time possible - without compromising quality, safety or design. The owner schedules his crews so that jobs run continuously from start to finish, meaning that your "There's no way this could be done before Christmas" dream could easily become reality. This family-owned company can do it all, but we suggest updating/improving your guest bathroom; adding a sleek entertainment center; or fixing up your old/damaged outdoor deck as top pre-party home improvement considerations. 799-8089 www.rgwinter.com

If you want to save significant cash on pre-holiday flooring, remember that good things don't always come to those who wait. You'll want to beat the rush and head over to Brent's Carpet One, where you'll snag a $100 discount on your flooring purchase of $1,499 or more. The catch? You need to place your order prior to December 15, 2012. That's plenty of time to take advantage of Brent's 24-hour turnaround on stock-carpet installation. www.brentscarpetone.com 255-3337

The elves at the new Elegant Cabinets & Design Center work overtime in the winter to ensure that your home is party ready before Santa comes down the chimney. There's still time to complete many projects, including all kinds of blinds and shutters; custom cabinetry in the kitchen or bath; window and door installation; and refreshing your space with interior design. This full-service home improvement stop boasts experts with over a combined 50 years in the industry, ensuring that your project stays on time and within budget. 673-3322 www.elegantcabinetsdc.com

When you were little, you may have dreamed of one day owning a home with a white picket fence. You probably didn't fantasize about sweat rolling into your eyes as you painted it again, however. Ditch splintery wood and opt for Vinyl Fence Depot's "neighbor friendly" fencing (Meaning: They look gorgeous on both sides.) before your guests catch a glimpse of your current eyesore. Add definition and style to your property with materials that are backed with a lifetime warranty. Durable details like these are hard to come by, but free at-home estimates are not. Call today and book your appointment. 259-1900 www.vinylfence.com