Recently we began work on a home design for a newlywed couple who are starting their life together by building a home. And, they want it to be one that they can live in for a very long time. Smart thinking, as you never know what could happen, even temporarily, that might make it difficult […]
construction
Replacing Your Carpet? Don’t Forget the Carpet Pad
A client is having new carpet installed in the living room, and was told by the salesperson that the pad — which is 10 years old — needs to be replaced. The client questioned whether that’s really necessary. If you’re replacing your carpet, here’s my advice. You should absolutely replace the pad. Once the old […]
The Pitfalls of Using ‘Review’ Websites to Help Choose Your Building or Remodeling Contractor
You’ve seen them online, and the ads on TV. Use their website to get reviews before you hire a builder or remodeler (or a doctor, dentist etcetera). Their “list” can save you lots of headache, the ads claim. But how do these sites really work in helping you — or is there more to it? […]
Understanding What It Takes To Do the Job Right
Studies show that the No. 1 complaint that consumers have about remodeling is not the cost but rather the time it takes to complete a project. Remodels by their very nature can be slightly unpredictable, in that you can never be 100 percent certain what you may find in a wall once you open it […]
Clearing the Air Regarding Fans: How to Ensure Yours Works Properly
Most homeowners have a hate-hate relationship with their exhaust fans, be it the one in the bathroom or the one in the kitchen, and as a result they are seldom used. Exhaust fans are designed to remove moisture, grease and particulates from your home, thus preventing these substances from adhering to your walls, cabinetry and […]
When Buying a ‘Flip’ Can Be a ‘Flop’
If you have been looking at a new home, you may have felt like you were in an episode of House Hunters. Outdated wallpaper, horrible shag carpet, kitchens and baths out of the 1950s. You might feel ready to give up. But then, you find it. The one. An older home in an established neighborhood […]
What’s Hot? From Design and Construction Week 2014
Tossing aside the old adage of “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas,” this is too good not to share. Needless to say, with 650,000 square feet of contracted display space, 1,500 vendors, 75,000 attendees and sold-out presentations, there were undeniable signs that the recession is waning and that Design and Construction Week at the […]
The Top 4 Remodeling Mistakes You Don’t Want to Make
After years of dreaming and planning, you’re ready to remodel your house into the home of your dreams. Before you take the plunge, keep these four important mistakes far away from your project. 1. Not fully researching your remodeler By skipping this step, you can cost yourself frustration, time and money. Be sure to investigate […]
Rebuilding to Suit Lifestyle on Hood Canal
When Kathy and Bill Cole bought their Seabeck home more than a decade ago, they knew they would need to remodel sooner rather than later. Built in the 1980s, the home still sported the signature look of the era — shag carpeting, lots of gold and brown colors and the like. “We bought the house […]
