When A Deal Can Cost You More

We see it all the time when we are called out to repair a structure that was done incorrectly by others and has now become a problem. Often these clients have hired a neighbor, or a friend of a friend who may have some skills, who are in need of work, and will do the work for a lower cost than the professionals. And now there’s a problem. That deal may not really be such a great bargain after all.

For example, this fence was installed by a neighbor last year, within one year this new fence had eight panels that were leaning and became unattached to the rails due to in properly installed post footings and railing brackets. Now it must be “un done” and reinstalled the proper way, costing the homeowner a lot more money than she had originally paid her neighbor. She has no recourse in going back to the neighbor to fix it as there was no contract, warranty, and he was not a licensed contractor with liability insurance , nor a bond. 

When it comes to your home and protecting your investment, it’s advised to have the work done by a licensed professional who can stand behind their work because they have the credentials, CEU’s (Continuing Education Classes) knowing the latest building codes/permits, licensing, bond, and insurance. It just may end up saving your money in the long run.   

Is Your Deck Safe?

The Pacific Northwest is hard on natural materials exposed to our damp weather. And each year hundreds of people are injured in this country as a result of deck failures. Deck failures are most often caused by faulty construction methods, unsuitable or improper materials, and lack of maintenance. Most experts agree that the average life expectancy of a wood deck is 10 to 15 years. Remember, decks are composed of natural materials exposed to weather, and, as a result, will not last forever. Constructing and using the proper structural connectors and fasteners by code will assure a safe, strong deck.

According to Simpson Strong Tie, to evaluate the safety of a deck, homeowners should look for warning signs that a deck is unsafe: loose connections (for example, a wobbly railing), missing connections (for example, the deck is just nailed to the side of the house), corrosion, rot and cracks. The two critical areas in a deck collapse are typically the deck's connection to the house and the railings.

This deck started out as a repair. Its railings and lattice that was used as balusters were rotted after many years and made it unsafe.  Upon further evaluation the whole structure was rotting and it had to be replaced. Revive Remodeling rebuilt the whole deck with code regulated connectors and fasteners. The new railings were carefully designed so the balusters were attached to both the outside and inside of the railing to avoid any possibility of anyone or thing to break through. The step and stairs are now code compliance in depth and height. And the homeowners now have a sturdy, safe deck to entertain on. Just like your home, it's important to make sure your deck is built right.

Water Is A Damaging Source For Your Home’s Exterior

Fall is here and that means Old Man Winter is just around the corner bringing harsh elements to the outside of your home. Maintaining your home’s exterior is one sure way of avoiding possible further damage to your home that could seep into the inside and cost you more money in the future.

This homeowner noticed some leakage inside near the upstairs window.  The first thought was maybe it was a faulty window, or that it was installed in properly. But after that was ruled out, we did further  exploring and discovered that the original siding was not installed correctly and there were areas where rain water was seeping in and running down into the window inside. This caused the siding to become completely wet and rotted after many years. If this had been ignored much longer the threat of mold certainly would have come into play. We removed the old siding, belly band, etc. and installed new sheathing, Tyvek moisture house wrap, siding, flashing, and heavy duty caulking. It’s pretty air tight now.  

Water is a damaging source for your home’s exterior. Before the big rains hit, it may be a good idea to take a good look at the outside of your home for potential hazards. Your home maintenance plan should include caulking up all the possible seams and places where old caulk may have shrunk or cracked after years of exposure. Get your gutters cleaned for free water flow, check your door thresholds for dry rot, and areas in your yard that may have bad elevation problems creating water flowing back towards your house.  Fix potential problems ahead of time and you can settle in for the Winter knowing your home is safely protected keeping you warm and dry.

No Job Too Small

When we say “no job too small” we mean it…

Okay, we couldn’t resist saying it because of this great shot of our lead carpenter up inside a laundry shoot. Over the summer one of our clients wanted her laundry shoot modified and Chris was just the right size to get up inside and install the new shaft