When you need a few things done around the house, a handyman, handywoman or handyperson sounds like a great idea. Small jobs, done fairly quickly, don’t really require a general contractor, you may think. Or do they? The handyman field is largely unregulated, meaning no license or bond is required. There are many great handymen […]
remodeling
Buying a Home with Plans to Remodel? 3 Important Tips for the Best Results
Recently I met with a great couple who bought an older home. It has lots of potential — and lots of room for improvement. The couple has a significant amount of money budgeted. But after walking through the home to discuss all the things they want to accomplish — plus the things that need taking […]
Remodeling with Timeless Designs Vs. Trends
Starting the process of a remodeling project is exhilarating, and also daunting. The excitement of having a space (or spaces) that will function for you and your family makes you daydream of many pages out of trendy magazines. The reality is, you eventually have to pick one design that will work for your functionality, but […]
How to Hire the Best Professionals for Your Project
The winter holidays often have a way of highlighting the need for a remodel. Cramped kitchens with failing appliances, bathrooms with leaky taps and no storage for guests’ toiletry bags, front entries with no room for guests’ cast-off shoes — the list goes on and on. With spring and summer just around the corner, many […]
Bathroom in a Day: Can it really be true?
You have seen ads for companies that specialize in a brand new bathroom — in “just one day!” It sounds like a dream come true. Have you ever wondered if it can really be done? Well yes, it can. However, there are a lot of limitations. The companies that specialize in this can do a […]
Jewelry For Your Walls
Entering the SJW Studios production workroom is like peeking into Santa’s workshop — seeing the wonderment of projects in all stages of completion, samples, paints, glazes, and moulding pastes, Venetian plaster, multiple hanging samples and job orders. Alluring wallcoverings. SJW Studios was founded by Steve Jensen and John Williams in 1981 in Seattle on Capitol […]
What to Consider before Deciding to DIY
DIY can be a slippery slope. First, if you can go to work and make more money than you can save doing a project yourself, it can be worth hiring a professional instead. This, of course, does not apply to the person who truly enjoys taking on a home improvement project. Secondly, determine the level […]
Making a Bathroom Complete — Decorative Hardware that Adds Style and Function
Want to take your bathroom from good to great with minimal effort? Adding decorative hardware can not only boost your bathroom’s style quotient but also provide much appreciated functionality and storage. There are many products and places to install decorative hardware. Several hardware manufacturers offer a full complement of items within a single style, or […]
Do You Need a Building Permit? You Might be Surprised!
Recently, a very nice woman came into my office to discuss a basement remodel. She told me that she was just doing a very simple remodel, but soon it involved creating a room, running a heat duct to it, including a new light a switch and so on. As the scope of work evolved, along […]
