Q: During COVID-19 closures, my partner and I could watch our pets while we worked from home. Now that we’ve returned to the office, I worry about the animals. How can we make sure they stay safe while we’re away?

A: October is National Animal Safety and Protection Month, a perfect time to review ways to keep pets safe, healthy, and happy at home. By observing a few safety measures and making some light modifications to the home environment, pet owners can avoid unnecessary — possibly costly — trips to the veterinarian and keep their beloved four-legged family members safe and happy year-round.

When left unattended, pets may encounter a variety of hazards that can harm their health and wellbeing. The most common dog and cat injuries include consumption of toxic substances or indigestible objects, bite wounds, fractured teeth, knee ligament tears, abscesses, and lacerations. Many of these maladies are preventable. It comes down to keeping pets out of places they don’t belong. 

Here are eight tips for protecting your pets, indoors and out.

Add a dog fence or a catio (an outdoor cat enclosure) to contain your pets. An enclosed outdoor haven gives pets a safe way to enjoy nature while giving you peace of mind.

Add childproof latches to cupboards. Closed, inaccessible cabinets keep food and its wrappings, cleaning products, chemicals, laundry supplies and trash safely out of reach.
Safely store choke hazards. Put away toys, games and craft supplies, and keep all accessible surfaces free of knickknacks, medications and cosmetics. 

Keep toxic plants out of reach, both indoors and out. Refer to the toxic and non-toxic plants list compiled by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), which can be found at aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants.

Keep garage floors and driveways clean. Eliminate the temptation for pets to lick lethal antifreeze, spilled chemicals, or other harmful substances.

Tag and microchip your pet. This digital identification helps neighbors, veterinarians, and animal control reunite you with pets that have escaped from your home.

Add pet alert static decals to windows near your home’s entry. In emergencies, they alert personnel to retrieve pets if you are unable to or are away from home.

Include pets in preparedness and evacuation plans in the event of a disaster. ASPCA has a disaster preparedness checklist for pet safety here: aspca.org/news/disaster-preparedness-checklist-your-pets.

Protecting pets is a responsibility of every household member. Keep this in mind when creating or modifying a home that caters to your pets’ needs, comfort, stimulation, and safety. You are also encouraged to stay proactive with keeping animals current on immunizations, learning basic first aid for pets, scheduling regular wellness visits to their veterinarian, and noting any behavioral changes.

As valued family members, pets add so much joy to our lives. Let’s return the favor by making sure they’re safe.

Cynthia Chomos is a feng shui consultant and the founder of Catio Spaces in Seattle, a member of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS). If you have a home improvement, remodeling, or residential homebuilding question you’d like answered by one of the MBAKS’s more than 2,700 members, write to homework@mbaks.com.

Q: Our home is in desperate need of kitchen and bathroom updates, but we’re really anxious about hiring the right contractor to make sure we get the results we want at the price we want. Any advice?

A: At some point, most homeowners will need to hire a remodeler or contractor. Whether your home needs a structural overhaul, routine repairs or an update — kitchen, bath or whole-house — hiring a contractor can be scary. We’ve all heard horror stories about jobs going over budget and over time, with low-quality workmanship and disappointing final products. These experiences, passed around over the years, have made homeowners understandably wary of the word “remodel.”

“Often, clients come to us with project ideas like replacing countertops, mirrors, fixtures and flooring in their bathroom, but hesitate to refer to their project as a ‘remodel,’” says Laura Elfline, co-owner of Mighty House Construction in Seattle. “But regardless of the size of your project or what you want to call it, the process doesn’t have to be scary.”

Contrary to the rumors, she says, there are honest and caring contractors out there who pride themselves on customer satisfaction. The key is to find a contractor who will work side-by-side with you to create a detailed scope of work.

When it comes to major home remodels such as a kitchen or bathroom, or any project too large for a handyperson, Elfline recommends also hiring a designer. A good contractor and design team can help find the sweet spot that balances budget, aesthetics and function.

“Working with a designer is extremely useful. Having all of your ducks in a row before starting the project eliminates the anxiety of time and budget overruns, or other unforeseen developments,” she says. “Even when projects seem simple, designers can identify hidden nuances that may impact the space before the project begins, show you what you’re asking for ahead of time and, perhaps most important, get everyone on the same page on the expected final outcome.”

If you are interested in pursuing a remodel, start by talking to a trusted professional before attempting major renovations on your own. A good contractor should be transparent with you and provide credentials and references, so you feel comfortable hiring them. 

And do your homework beforehand. Educating yourself on the process and researching prospective contractors will result in fewer surprises and a clearer understanding of the project, greatly decreasing your chances of a stumbling into a remodeling nightmare. With the right preparation, you don’t have to fear the remodel.

Jill Williams is a writer with Mighty House Construction, a member of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS). If you have a home improvement, remodeling, or residential homebuilding question you’d like answered by one of the MBAKS’s more than 2,700 members, write to homework@mbaks.com.

Homing in on Our Region's Housing Statistics

King County multifamily construction is on the upswing after three months of depressed permits following the implementation of the 2018 Energy Code. 91.7% of those multifamily units—and all of the multifamily growth in King County—are in buildings with five or more units; permits for two- to four-unit housing remain low. King County single-family permits have also hit a high for the year, although it is slightly lower than permit numbers at the same time last year. With less than one month of supply in both King and Snohomish counties, more housing production is desperately needed.

Please contact data@mbaks.com with questions or feedback. We want to know what data would be useful to you!

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Months' Supply of Housing Inventory

As of August 2021

	King County had 0.62 months' supply of inventory (down from 1.16 months' of inventory a year ago).
	Snohomish County had 0.49 months' supply of inventory (down from 0.69 a year ago).

Many industry analysts consider a four-to-six-month level as an indicator of a healthy market.

Source: Northwest Multiple Listing Service

 

Median Home Price

August 2021

	The median price of single-family homes and condos was $771,750 in King County and $667,410 in Snohomish County.
	For single-family homes only, the median price in King County rose 14.41%, from $742,950 a year ago to $850,000. The median price in Snohomish County rose 25.21%, from $555,000 to $694,900.
	In Seattle, the median price of single-family homes and condos was $799,000. The median price for single-family homes only was $875,000, a 6.06% increase from $825,000 in August 2020.

Source: Northwest Multiple Listing Service

 

Building Permit Activity

 

Jobs

	The Washington unemployment rate for August 2021 is 5.1%; for Seattle/Bellevue/Everett, it is also 5.1%.
	Construction employment in Washington decreased by 1,600 between July 2021 and August 2021. Total construction employment is 224,200 statewide and 107,300 for Seattle/Bellevue/Everett specifically.

Source: Employment Security Department: WA Employment Estimates (Seasonally Adjusted), August 2021 and Bureau of Labor Statistics.

 

Population

The Puget Sound region's population as of April 1, 2021 was 4,330,400. Over the past year, the region added 66,200 people, as follows:

 

Source: Office of Financial Management

Icons made by Freepik from flaticon.com

Each election cycle, our Affordable Housing Council (AHC) interviews candidates at the city, county, and state levels to determine their degree of support for our industry.

The following candidates have received an AHC endorsement for the 2021 election cycle. 

Ballots will be mailed out Friday, October 15 and are due Tuesday, November 2. Your vote in support of AHC-endorsed candidates will go a long way toward affecting the outcome of these critical races. 

2021 Affordable Housing Council Endorsements
November 2 General Election: King County
Jurisdiction	Position	Candidate
King County	County Executive	Dow Constantine
King County	Council Dist. 1	Rod Dembowski
King County	Council Dist. 3	Sarah Perry
King County	Council Dist. 5	Dave Upthegrove
King County	Council Dist. 7	Pete von Reichbauer
King County	Council Dist. 9	Reagan Dunn
Auburn	Mayor	Nancy Backus
Auburn	City Council Pos. 4	Yolanda Trout-Manuel
Bellevue	City Council Pos. 2	Conrad Lee
Bellevue	City Council Pos. 4	Jared Nieuwenhuis
Bellevue	City Council Pos. 6	Lynne Robinson
Bothell*	City Council Pos. 3	Rosemary McAuliffe
Burien	City Council Pos. 1	Hugo Garcia
Burien	City Council Pos. 3	Jimmy Matta
Des Moines	City Council Pos. 5	Traci Buxton
Des Moines	City Council Pos. 7	Matt Mahoney
Federal Way	Mayor	Jim Ferrell
Federal Way	City Council Pos. 6	Renae Seam
Kent	Mayor	Dana Ralph
Kent	City Council Pos. 4	Toni Troutner
Kirkland	City Council Pos. 1	Jay Arnold
Kirkland	City Council Pos. 3	Penny Sweet
Kirkland	City Council Pos. 5	Neal Black
Kirkland	City Council Pos. 7	Jon Pascal
Redmond	City Council Pos. 2	Steve Fields
Redmond	City Council Pos. 4	Melissa Stuart
Redmond	City Council Pos. 6	Jeralee Anderson
Renton	City Council Pos. 1	James Alberson
Seattle	Mayor	Bruce Harrell
Seattle	City Council Dist. 9	Sara Nelson
Seattle	City Attorney	Ann Davison
Tukwila	City Council Pos. 7	De'Sean Quinn

2021 Affordable Housing Council Endorsements
November 2 General Election: Snohomish County
Jurisdiction	Position	Candidate
Snohomish County	Council Dist. 1	Nate Nehring (R)
Snohomish County	Council Dist. 4	Jared Mead (D)
Snohomish County	Council Dist. 5	Sam Low (R)
Edmonds	City Council Pos. 3	Adrienne Fraley-Monillas
Everett	Mayor	Cassie Franklin
Everett	City Council Dist. 2	Greg Lineberry
Everett	City Council Dist. 3	Don Schwab
Everett	City Council Dist. 4	Tommie Rubatino
Everett	City Council Dist. 5	Ben Zarlingo
Lake Stevens	City Council Pos. 1	Kim Daughtry
Lake Stevens	City Council Pos. 2	Gary Petershagen
Lake Stevens	City Council Pos. 6	Steve Ewing
Lake Stevens	City Council Pos. 7	Marcus Tageant
Lynnwood	City Council Pos. 1	Nick Coelho
Marysville	City Council Pos. 2	Mark James
Marysville	City Council Pos. 4	Michael Stevens
Mill Creek	City Council Pos. 4	Brian Holtzclaw
Monroe	Mayor	Geoffrey Thomas
Mountlake Terrace	City Council Pos. 4	Kyoko Matsumoto Wright
Mukilteo	Mayor	Jennifer Gregerson
Stanwood	City Council Pos. 7	Judy Williams
Snohomish	City Council Pos. 7	Steve Dana
Port of Everett	District 1	Scott Murphy

For dropbox locations, ballot questions, and more, visit King County Elections or Snohomish County Elections.

*Also located in Snohomish County

 

Paid for by the Affordable Housing Council of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties, 335 116th Avenue SE, Bellevue, WA 98004. Top Five Contributors: Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties; Village Life, Inc; Huseby Homes, LLC; Blackwood Builders Group LLC; Ashworth Homes

Q: As I research remodeling options online, I keep seeing the term “design-build.” What exactly is a design-build company, and should I hire one for my project?

A: Design-build is a simplified approach to remodeling in which a single business provides both design and construction services.

Traditionally, homeowners looking to remodel would seek out an architect or qualified interior designer to draft the plans and specifications for their project. They would then take their plans to a contractor for an estimate based on the original design — hiring two different parties for design and construction.

Design-build companies offer a more streamlined process, handling the design and construction under one roof.

For many homeowners, a one-shop approach is easier and more cost-effective. Others prefer the traditional approach, hand-selecting an architect for their specific style or goals. When it comes to choosing, there’s no right or wrong choice. But it’s good to know the differences.

Here are a few of the most common ways that design-build can make remodeling easier, particularly for small and mid-size projects:

It prevents major cost discrepancies. A designer at a design-build company is involved with every stage of the process, so they’re more accountable for estimates given during the design phase. The designer can also solicit realistic and timely estimates from the construction crew. Since both parties are on the same team, they can comfortably discuss cost-saving options that retain the integrity of the original design.

Some independent architects, knowingly or not, design outside of budget or with a very rough estimate. They may not account for current pricing trends, the cost of quality labor/management or fluctuations in material costs such as lumber. This can be precarious if the actual cost ends up significantly higher than your budget.

It gives you a single point of contact. Your designer will act as your advocate and teammate in your absence. Instead of explaining your requirements to multiple parties during each step of the process, you can depend on the designer to know the ins and outs at every stage. For busy homeowners, this can be a huge time saver.

It’s efficient. Everyone from sales reps to the carpenters are involved in your project for a longer period of time. From the moment you start the design process, your project is on the construction team’s radar. This extra time means more opportunities to discuss and debate, potentially staving off unforeseen construction challenges. It also gets the team invested in your project from the start, giving you and the company more opportunities to build a strong rapport.

When might a design-build company not be the best choice? For a whole-house renovation where the approach is more nuanced. For example, you may have a designer friend you’d like to support, or perhaps your project requires a new technology that a specialized architect has experience using.

Another instance is when you’re not ready to commit to a builder. Perhaps you want to design something, then save up until you can afford the project you want. In that case you, may want to use two separate companies.

Jason Legat is the founder and president of Model Remodel, a member of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS). If you have a home improvement, remodeling or residential homebuilding question you’d like answered by one of MBAKS’s more than 2,600 members, write to homework@mbaks.com.

Homing in on Our Region's Housing Statistics

Housing inventory remains low and housing prices continue to rise, with a 19.73% and 21.74% increase in median single-family home prices in King County and Snohomish County, respectively. In more optimistic news, construction employment in the Seattle-Bellevue-Everett metro area has hit a record high.

Please contact data@mbaks.com with questions or feedback. 

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Months' Supply of Housing Inventory

As of July 2021

	King County had 0.66 months' supply of inventory (down from 1.13 months' of inventory a year ago).
	Snohomish County had 0.53 months' supply of inventory (down from .73 a year ago).

Many industry analysts consider a four-to-six-month level as an indicator of a healthy market.

Source: Northwest Multiple Listing Service

 

Median Home Price

July 2021

	The median price of single-family homes and condos was $789,000 in King County and $675,000 in Snohomish County.
	For single-family homes only, the median price in King County rose 19.73%, from $727,500 a year ago to $871,000. The median price in Snohomish County rose 21.74%, from $575,000 to $700,000.
	In Seattle, the median single-family home price for July was $896,500, an 11.37% increase from July 2020.

Source: Northwest Multiple Listing Service

 

Building Permit Activity

 

Jobs

	The Washington unemployment rate for July 2021 is 5.1%; for Seattle/Bellevue/Everett, it is also 5.1%.
	Construction employment in Washington increased by 1,900 between June 2021 and July 2021. Total construction employment is 226,700 statewide and 110,800 for Seattle/Bellevue/Everett specifically.

Source: Employment Security Department: WA Employment Estimates (Seasonally Adjusted), July 2021 and Bureau of Labor Statistics.

 

Population

The Puget Sound region's population as of April 1, 2021 was 4,330,400. Over the past year, the region added 66,200 people, as follows:

 

Source: Office of Financial Management

Icons made by Freepik from flaticon.com

Q: I’m building a crawl space foundation for a small add-on to my home and was told I’d have to ventilate it. Since it is mostly dirt and concrete, is venting it really that important? What are my options?

A: Yes, having proper ventilation in your crawl space is critical for the health of your home, and building codes actually require it for any inhabited structure. There are a few different ventilation methods, and choosing the right one is key to a longer-lasting and better-looking home.

Without proper ventilation, the structural wooden frame can develop mold or rot, inevitably leading to costly repairs. On top of that, any mold in the crawl space will eventually find its way into the structure, exposing you to health risks such as eye, throat and nose irritation, chronic fatigue and headaches.

Due to these health risks, the law requires a certain ratio of ventilation per square foot of crawl space. In most places, you need 1 square foot of ventilation for every 150 square feet of crawl space, but in Washington state, that’s been revised to 1e square foot for every 300 square feet. On top of that, you can use a specialized vapor barrier that will allow you to increase the ratio to 1 square foot for every 1,500 square feet — this may be ideal for your project.

Floodplains, groundwater and radon areas can always complicate things, however, so be sure to check with your engineer and inspector.

In the Seattle area, crawl space foundations are very common because we like to build on hills and because it makes it easier to access utilities. In fact, use of crawl space foundations has increased over the last couple of years, comprising nearly half of foundations in single-family residences in Washington state.

There are three avenues for properly ventilating your crawl space:

Vent boxes. This “brute force” method involves cutting holes into the foundation wall or rim joist and installing a screen to funnel air into the crawl space. While it tends to leave some dead air pockets and doesn’t look great (building codes generally prevent placing all of the boxes on one side of the structure), this is the most common method because it’s the quickest, easiest and most inexpensive choice. Plus, you can always hide the vents with strategic landscaping.

Perimeter foundation vents. Made with a composite material, these sit between the foundation and the base of the wall of the structure, providing airflow to every corner of the crawl space. These vents often come with separate flashing that acts both as a bug screen and rain guard. Because it sits higher on top of the foundation, you don’t need to make cuts and can avoid grade issues, and it’s essentially invisible from the exterior. This method — used in many custom structures — is effective but more expensive.

Mechanical exhaust. Unlike the previous two options, this type of crawl space is sealed off from the outside and mechanically vented to create air exchange. Having a machine always running may not be ideal, but this is the most preferred method in regions with high humidity due to its slower air-drying times.

A healthy crawl space is key to preventing potential structural issues and health risks in any home. You can make this easier and avoid maintenance down the line by choosing the vent system best suited to your home.

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Alex Wallace is marketing manager at Joto Vent System USA, a member of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS). If you have a home improvement, remodeling or residential homebuilding question you’d like answered by one of the MBAKS’s more than 2,700 members, write to homework@mbaks.com.