Even thought this custom home has many “high end” components to it we worked diligently with the owners to build the house to suit their budget as well as their tastes.  This always results in tradeoffs and in my opinion the owners did a great job communicating their vision to us, the custom home builder, so we could more easily steer them in the direction of cost savings where it made sense.  With good communication and cooperation between owner and custom home builder we were able to finish this home under $300 per square foot which is a great value for the owners.  We really enjoyed working with the owners on the project and had a great time putting this house together.

Podcast:  http://kiroradio.com/listen/9970774

Article:  http://mynorthwest.com/859/2503261/Contracting-and-Remodels

Seattle basement finishing project.

Most notably was the water that was coming up through the slab during heavy rain events.  Since we’ve done a lot of Seattle basement finishing projects we were able to quickly develop and implement a cost effective solution.  In the area with the water problem we saw cut and removed the slab.  Excavated 12″ of dirt out.  Installed perforated drain pipe that sloped to the ejector pump we installed for the plumbing waste.  We wrapped the pipe in filter fabric and back-filled with 8″ of drain rock.  We then put down a vapor barrier and poured a new slab.  Problem solved!  It is lucky that we had some heavy rains when we started the project because the new owners were under the impression the basement was dry.  If we had done this Seattle basement finishing project in the hot and dusty days of August the owners probably wouldn’t have discovered the issue until October when the water had all of their nice basement finishes to ruin.

Aside from snatching victory from the jaws of defeat with the water we matched the trim work and doors to match the upstairs.  The basement finishing matches the main floor so well they look like they were built together originally.  For us that’s the mark of a well done remodeling project regardless of weather it’s your basement or adding a second floor.  The final product should look seamlessly integrated and only you and the hairdresser should know that it’s a remodel.

You can see more pictures of this Seattle basement finishing project by clicking here.

Bellevue remodeling – new bunker garage next steps:

• Install guard rails at stairs, parapet walls and retaining walls
• Install garage door with battery back up opener
• Install cedar siding on the new garage to match the home remodeling we performed earlier
• Seal the remaining exposed concrete with a colored sealer.
• Seal the new asphalt driveway once it has sufficiently cured.

Seattle basement remodeling -next steps.

• Mud, tape, prime & texture the drywall
• Install tile tub surround.
• Install bathroom VCT flooring.
• Install doors and trim (casing and base)
• Install the bath vanity.
• Install plumbing trim
• Install electrical devices and trim.
• Final inspections.

If you own your own home or building at some point in time you will end up hiring a remodeling contractor.  Even the most rugged do it yourselfer will eventually succumb to the reality that some things are best done by professional remodeling contractors and tradesmen.  The following five tips are intended to put any potential remodeling project on the right footing.

1. Credentials – Does the home remodeling contractor have the required credentials such as a state license, insurance and bond.  Starting with these seemingly obvious and mundane requirements actually effectively weeds out the fly by nighters and it’s easy information to obtain through the department of Labor and Industries.
2. Experience – Can the home remodeling contractors you are soliciting proposals from demonstrate sufficient experience with the remodeling you wish to have done?  Some projects have a “first in history” feel to them but there’s usually someone that’s tackled a similar project.
3. Scope of Work – Is the scope of work clearly defined?  Can both you and the contractor see the beginning middle and end of the story that is your home remodeling project?  You need to answer with a loud and affirming YES if you want the budget to stay in your control.
4. Contract – Do you have a contract that spells out your relationship with the contractor that both you and the contractor understand and plan to live by?  Even the best intentioned working relationships can have hiccups along the way.  Having a clear contract puts everyone on the same page from the outset.
5. Communication – If this were a list of 10 ways to make your home remodeling project tolerable, the last five items would all be communication.  It’s the single most important thing.  If you or your home remodeling company aren’t good communicators small problems can multiply.  With good communication small problems stay small and outcomes are good.

Built in and cabinet used to conjure the same images.  Over the past 5-10 years or so we’ve been designing cabinets to look like furniture and using furniture in place of a cabinet.  I feel like the “shabby sheik” movement began the use of furniture for cabinets and the look has evolved from there.  The first time I came into contact with the blurring of furniture and cabinetry was during a Seattle home remodeling project  where the owner had a vintage desk she wanted to use as the powder room bathroom vanity.  I remember being suspect of such a request at the time but when it was done the results where unique and stunning.  Since then we’ve had our custom cabinet maker build cabinetry that looks like furniture rather than a traditional cabinet.  One of the hallmarks of this look is the lack of a toe kick or recessed pedestal that a traditional cabinet sits on.  The toe kick is usually replaced with some sort of feet that make the cabinet appear to be”placed furniture pieces” rather than “built in”.  It used to be that in high end construction and home remodeling no room was complete without an elaborate built in but there seems to be a stylistic shift where the built ins are becoming “placed furniture pieces”.

Seattle  Home Remodeling-thanks for reading!

Laying out floor for cutting in drain lines

Keever and Associates has begun work on another Seattle basement remodeling and finishing project.  The new owners of this 1950s home wanted to add a master bedroom suite, guest room and family room in their existing basement.  We spent time initially helping the owners work through the details of their upcoming Seattle basement remodeling and finishing project so we could come up with a meaningful budget.  Once we were able to select materials and tweak the design to fit their budget we started demolition and as you can see from the pictures basement remodeling is underway.

Wall framing

Seattle Basement Remodeling and Finishing-

can be a great cost effective way to add livable space to your home.  The three of the most important things to consider when thinking about basement remodeling and finishing project are:  1.  Is the sewer line exiting the house high enough for the new fixtures to gravity feed?  2.  Does the basement ever flood?  Are there any ceiling obstructions that will impact the usability of the space (ie: duct work, gas lines…).  None of these things is necessarily a deal killer for a basement remodel and finishing but can add significant cost.

Concrete cut and demoed to allow ground work for plumbing to be installed