Q: I recently purchased a home built in the 1980s with a claustrophobic floorplan and I’m thinking about opening it up with a remodel. Do you have any good advice for newbies like me?

A: Major remodels are never a cakewalk, even for experienced homeowners. But there are a few pointers you should keep in mind. Here are some of the most important:

Plan, Plan, and Plan

The trick to staying on budget and avoiding serious delays is planning ahead. By thinking through every detail from the start, you can make important decisions up front instead of at the last minute. When planning, don’t leave out any details, no matter how trivial they may seem. Everything from floorplan measurements to decorative elements should be included. A miniscule mismeasurement can cause major headaches down the road.

Hire Professionals

Getting your remodel right the first time means hiring experienced professionals who know what they’re doing. Putting friends and relatives to work may seem like a money-saver, but it’s more likely to result in a busted budget when rookie mistakes lead to professional repairs. Don’t throw away expertise, safety, or peace of mind to save money. Get it done right the first time.

Interview Contractors

It might be tempting to hire a company based on an attractive website, word of mouth, or Yelp review. While all these are great for identifying a slate of potential contractors, you should never make any final decision before interviewing each candidate. Remodeling is expensive and time-consuming; having a conversation about the details beforehand will give you a sense of whether working with the contractor will be a dream come true or a nightmare. A gut check never hurts.

Make Site Visits

When making a hiring decision, it’s important to get a sense of how the contractor manages projects on an actual jobsite. Visiting one of their sites is a great way to find out how they work, if they’re organized and efficient, how seriously they take safety, and if their work will be disruptive to your life or your neighborhood’s.

Get a Detailed Contract

We already went over the importance of planning. You’ll want to make sure that same level of detail finds its way into your contract. Without a detailed, unambiguous contract, you’re setting yourself up for ugly surprises during the remodeling process or, worse yet, legal disputes. Avoid misunderstandings with your contractor by spelling out expectations ahead of time.

Communicate Effectively

Remodelers are not psychic and need to be told if an aspect of their work is unsatisfactory or simply fails to meet your vision. If you maintain open lines of communication with the project lead throughout the process, you can avoid unnecessary frustration or, worse, a botched job.

Don’t Panic!

“The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” offers great advice: don’t panic. This is especially true of remodeling projects, which can be very stressful. The reality is, you’re going to have to deal with unexpected developments such as permitting delays or materials not arriving on time, or the frustration of having your home turned upside-down for the duration of the project. Go with the flow, adjust as necessary, keep your wits about you, and let the results speak for themselves. Only worry about the things you can control.

Check Out Successful Remodels for Inspiration

If you want to see some of the spectacular results of remodels done right, check out the 2019 Remodeled Homes Tour on the weekend of October 26–27. Get a sense of what it’s like to live in a gorgeously custom-remodeled home by touring private residences across King County. The best part is you can circle back with the featured remodelers with any questions you may have about the process. Get your free tickets today at remodeltour.com/free-tickets.

James Slone is a writer for Master Builders 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’ nearly 2,800 members, write to homework@mbaks.com.

By MBAKS Senior Policy Analyst Allison Butcher

The supply of housing inventory for sale stood at 1.74 months in King County and 1.47 months in Snohomish County in August, which is down slightly from a year ago.  Meanwhile, single-family building permits were down 8% YTD and multifamily permits down 5% in the three-county Seattle Metro Area (King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties) as of July, compared to the same period last year. 

The Builder's Bulletin is intended to provide a convenient way to track housing in our market and includes information from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, State of the Cities Data Systems, Office of Financial Management and the Washington State Employment Security Department.

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Q: I’ve been looking to remodel my living room and kitchen. I have decent credit and a few mostly unused credit cards. Is paying for these home improvements with credit cards good idea?

A: Credit cards are enormously useful in remodeling-related purchases, provided you use them wisely. Here are just a few of the advantages of buying services and products with a credit card:

• Paying contractors. Contractors who accept credit cards also agree to the legal terms set by the credit card companies. In the unfortunate situation that work is left incomplete or subpar, you can dispute the credit card charges, giving you potential leverage when you’re unsatisfied with a job. That’s a level of security paying with cash or check can’t guarantee.
• Buying appliances. Using a credit card for big-ticket appliances and electronics like refrigerators, dishwashers, washers and dryers, and TV sets can help rack up cash back or airline miles for rewards cardholders. But for many people, this is just a bonus compared to the benefit of an extended warranty. Along with a manufacturer’s warranty, many credit cards offer extended product warranties if your product bites the dust in the first few years of purchase. Some cards also offer price protection if the purchase price is lowered within a certain time frame.
• Shopping online. Often the most unique fixtures and accent items can be found online. When you make purchases online, credit cards typically offer protection against fraudulent charges, along with items lost or damaged with shipping. And if there is an unexpected problem, you can keep your cash in pocket while the dispute is settled, and not the other way around.
• Note: Make sure that your credit card(s) offer these benefits before making a purchase.

Clearly, credit cards are incredibly useful for major home purchases, but it’s important to manage them well to avoid outstanding bills, unmanageable debt, or low credit scores. Now that you know what you want to purchase with credit cards, here are a few tips for getting the most out of them without incurring unexpected costs or problems.

• Make payments on time. Due dates are easy to miss. All it takes is a vacation or busy schedule on the due date to miss a payment—and accrue late fees and interest charges. Prioritize paying on time—every time—even if that means setting up monthly email alerts, smartphone reminders, or autopay systems.
• Pay more than the minimum. Minimum payments on your statement balance look straightforward enough, but be warned. Minimum payments are there to keep your account in good standing but come with interest charges and can hurt your credit score.
• Read your card agreement and know your terms. When you open a new credit card account, you should read the customer agreement and account opening disclosures thoroughly. This way you’ll know what to expect when it comes to due dates, interest rates, fees, etc.
• Check monthly statements for accuracy. Billing and transaction mistakes are known to happen. You can protect your credit by checking your statements carefully online or when they arrive in the mail. If you do find an error, call your credit card issuer immediately to let them know and identify possible fraud.
• Stay well below your credit limit. It may seem like staying below the limit is enough, but how far you stay below your limit can affect your credit score. There is no one ideal number, but credit experts recommend using less than 30% of your total available credit.
• Report lost or stolen cards immediately. If your card is missing or you think someone might have made off with your account number, report it lost or stolen immediately. Many card issuers offer $0 fraud liability where you won’t have to pay for unauthorized charges, so be sure to report a loss ASAP.

Carly Kogler and Robert Martin are vice presidents of Capital One Spark Small Business Card, Washington State, 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’ nearly 2,800 members, write to homework@mbaks.com.

Q: My partner and I love our home in North Seattle and adore our neighborhood. Both of us are approaching retirement age and would like to stay put. What can we do to make sure our home stays accessible as we age?

A: When it comes to choosing to age in place, you’re not alone. According to AARP, 87% of adults aged 65 and older and 71% between the ages of 50–64 want to stay in their current home and community as they age. There is no time like the present to evaluate whether your current home can serve you or your family’s needs now and in the future.

Adaptability is key. One of the definitions of adaptability is the “capacity to be modified for a new use or purpose.” Every home has its own unique capacity. Not just a capacity to serve you now, but also its potential to serve you in the future with modifications. Can your home be effectively remodeled to deliver the functionality you really need? That’s its adaptability.

Barry Long, real estate broker with Marketplace Sotheby’s International Realty and accessibility consultant, explained to us that assessing adaptability comes down to questions about your desired quality of life in the future.

“There are four key requirements I look at when I’m showing potential homes to clients: location, safety, cost to make the home accessible, and then timing or phasing.” Your location is obviously taken care of if you want to stay in your home, but what about the other three requirements? They all follow from your quality of life needs.

When assessing requirements, Long suggests considering “mobility needs, not only today but in five to 10 years.” It’s not the easiest thing to consider, but you’ll need to think about it seriously if you plan on living in your home for as long as possible. For example, when you’re in your seventies, stairs may no longer be a safe, feasible, or desirable option. Knowing that now is essential in planning your future.

First, look at the entrances, rooms, and spaces in your home analytically. How many stairs do you have on your doorstep, if any? Can a ramp be easily added to at least one entrance to your main living area? Is there a full bathroom on the first floor? I not, can a powder room be transformed into a full bath? In the kitchen, would pull-out drawers for all your lower cabinets make it easier to get to your pots and pans without crouching down or getting on your knees?

Second, look outside. Would maintenance of a large yard or garden overwhelm you in 10 years? Even if you’ve lived and enjoyed most of your adult life creating and nurturing that space, there may come a time when maintenance will feel more like work than joy.

For those looking to age in place with progressive diagnoses or mobility challenges, there are simply more fact-finding questions to be asked and discussed. Thankfully many of these questions can be answered by accessibility experts like Long. After all, aging people with chronic ailments and/or those who use wheelchairs or power chairs have been buying and adapting homes for their needs for decades.

For his part, Long strives to keep it positive and encourages playing to your strengths in assessing a home’s adaptability. “It’s not the disability that drives what we’re looking for, but rather the current capacity and any potential future needs.”

Paul Kocharhook is the owner of Pathway Design & 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 MBAKS’ nearly 2,800 members, write to homework@mbaks.com.

Q: A friend of mine spent half a year dealing with a mouse infestation in her basement. Her situation was a total nightmare and makes me worry about mice or rats infesting my own home. What can I do to keep rodents out?

A: The Puget Sound attracts a lot of people with its natural beauty and climate, but it also attracts a variety of rodents. The unfortunate reality is that rats and mice are a constant threat to the structural integrity, health, and safety of our homes. Eliminating them or preventing their intrusion altogether should be a top priority for all homeowners.

Understanding the Threat

Rats naturally thrive in similar environments as humans; where humans go, rodents follow. This poses a serious threat to human health because rats and mice are known carriers of numerous transmittable diseases and hosts for disease-bearing insects and mites. Deer mice, for example, can transmit the deadly hantavirus.

As if the health threat wasn’t enough, rodent nesting habits are notorious for inflicting thousands of dollars in damage to homes. Whether they pull out and shred insulation and electrical wiring to create their homes or chew through roofing and siding material to file their teeth, nesting rodents can cause serious structural issues. Even your vehicle is vulnerable, as rats and mice have been known to burrow in ventilation systems and chew through vehicle upholstery and lines.

Luckily, there are many relatively inexpensive and unobtrusive preventative measures we can take to prevent rodents from invading in the first place.

Identification and Prevention

• Look for droppings, filth, or teeth marks. These signs of rodent presence might appear in hidden and enclosed areas of the home, such as cupboards and crawlspaces. Wiring, siding, or functional holes may also show signs of being gnawed, so keep an eye on exposed areas with these components.
• Keep an eye out for rodent nests. Rats and mice can shred up many different materials to create their nests. Common materials include paper or cloth, wood or insulation, and even leaves and branches from outside. Inspect dark, dry spaces in your home, especially attics, crawlspaces, and ceiling panels, for these amassed materials.
• Seal exterior entry points. A hole as small as a quarter inch in diameter is large enough for a mouse or rat to either squeeze through or gnaw wider to accommodate their size. Plugging holes in exterior siding, between roofing joints, and sealing decks or crawlspaces with materials like steel wool can go a long way in deterring rodent entry. Covering larger holes like vents, drainpipes, and chimneys with mesh or plastic sheeting can also help.
• Prevent trees and vines from growing too close. Rats and mice are expert climbers and jumpers. Don’t extend an invitation by allowing tree limbs or climbing ivy to grow too near the side of your roof. Once on the roof, rodents can easily find or make holes for themselves leading indoors.
• Properly store open food and seal trash. Cutting off exterior food and water sources significantly reduces rodents’ ability to thrive near or inside our homes—this includes pet food! Ensuring that pantry and pet food items are stored in hard plastic containers and that trash lids are tightly fitted will decrease scent triggers that attract rodents.

Kurt Treftz is co-founder of Cascade Pest Control, 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’ nearly 2,800 members, write to homework@mbaks.com.

Q: Buying a new home was expensive enough, but my utility bills are through the roof! How can I cut them down to size?

A: One of the best ways to save energy and money is transitioning to a greener home.

Being environmentally conscientious doesn’t just help the earth, it can also reduce your living expenses. Going green might initially seem more expensive, but for most households the long-term savings are significant. You can reduce your water use, slash your energy bill, and help create a sustainable lifestyle with these five simple home updates.

LED Lights

One of the easiest ways to lower your electric bill is switching to LED bulbs. LED lights draw much less energy than traditional lighting and are more cost-effective over time since they last much longer. Most LEDs have a 10-year lifespan, reducing the need to regularly replace bulbs. Your local utility company may even offer instant rebates on LED bulbs and fixtures, making them even more cost-effective.

Low-Flow Water Fixtures

If your bathroom or kitchen lack water-saving appliances, water isn’t the only thing going down the drain—you’re losing money every time you rinse your hands, flush the toilet, or wash the dishes. Low-flow options, including toilets, sinks, and showerheads, use significantly less water per minute than older models. There is a common misconception that low-flow fixtures exert less water pressure. By using a high-pressure setting, low-flow faucets can produce the same pressure levels while still using less water than older, less-efficient fixtures.

Insulation

Properly insulating your home is a great way to save energy and reduce your carbon footprint. If your home is poorly insulated, you can feel air—and money—slipping through the cracks. By upgrading your home’s insulation, you can reduce your heating and cooling bills up to 50%. The attic is a great place to start, because adding insulation there is easy, quick, and cost-effective. As a rule, the more insulation you add the more money you will save.

Smart Home Technology

Smart home systems are becoming an increasingly popular way for homeowners to conserve energy and reduce utility bills. Smart thermostats, like Kirio, optimize your home’s temperature based on your habits. When you leave home, the system automatically turns off, preventing unnecessary energy use. Smart lights are another easy way to cut energy costs. Many of these devices use motion sensors to turn off lights when you exit a room and can be controlled by voice, making them incredibly convenient to use.

Energy-Efficient Appliances

Home appliances, including washing machines, dryers, refrigerators, and dishwashers, account for roughly 20% of the average home’s electricity bill. Upgrading to Energy Star qualified appliances can save you hundreds of dollars every year. For example, Energy Star washing machines use 40–50% less energy and 50% less water than their less-efficient counterparts. Look for the yellow EnergyGuide label attached to most appliances to compare energy use with similar models. The more energy-efficient, the lower the operating costs. As a bonus, rebates are often available when purchasing Energy Star qualified appliances.

By implementing one or more of these energy- and water-saving tips, you can blast away a large chunk of your utility costs and achieve much lower bills and a much more sustainable lifestyle.

Anthony Maschmedt is the principal of Dwell Development, 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’ nearly 2,800 members, write to homework@mbaks.com.

By MBAKS Senior Policy Analyst Allison Butcher

The median home price of single-family homes and condos in King and Snohomish counties fell month-over-month in July. The median home price went from $637,675 to $625,000 in King County and from $488,950 to $480,000 in Snohomish County, comparing June to July. The July median home price in Snohomish County is up 3.23% compared to a year ago and down 0.64% from last year in King County.

The Builder's Bulletin is intended to provide a convenient way to track housing in our market and includes information from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, State of the Cities Data Systems, Office of Financial Management and the Washington State Employment Security Department.

Download this month's report:

Q: I’ve noticed that many new townhomes around Seattle are using pavers instead of poured concrete for walkways, driveways, and parking spaces. Are there any benefits to using pavers?

A: What you’re noticing is the growing use of permeable interlocking concrete pavement (PICP) systems. These paver-based systems have three major benefits: they help builders comply with stormwater management regulations, offer more design flexibility than poured concrete, and are much easier to repair. Let’s take a closer look.

Stormwater Management

The city of Seattle, the state of Washington, and many other Seattle-area municipalities have stormwater regulations to protect people, property, and the environment from damage caused by stormwater runoff. Seattle takes stormwater very seriously and publishes stormwater management codes at seattle.gov.

Despite their similarity with pavers commonly used for landscaping patios and paths, PICP systems feature unique interlocking shapes with consistent spacers and are installed specifically to maximize drainage. These durable, yet permeable, surfaces help meet code by reducing the amount of surface stormwater runoff and hence pollutants entering our waterways. This makes them a great way to go green while meeting regulatory requirements.

Design Flexibility

Poured solid concrete lacks the design flexibility of concrete pavers. The many shapes, colors, sizes and installation patterns available with pavers means they can be placed and customized with unique design patterns that complement a diverse range of architectural and landscape styles. Using pavers can add a custom high-end look and texture that standard solid surface concrete simply lacks. There are so many choices!

Repairability

Because pavers are individual pieces, surfaces comprised of them can be changed, removed, or replaced much more easily than poured solid surfaces. If you have tree root issues or need to put in an electrical line, water pipe, etc., pavers can be pulled up with minimal effort and reset or replaced at the conclusion of your project with little noticeable effect. This can save you thousands of dollars and lots of migraines.

A Wise Alternative

It’s not just urban residential and commercial construction projects that are turning toward PICP systems. Homeowners are also increasingly opting to install permeable surfaces for driveways and walkways. With many cities adopting stormwater regulations, compliance will lead to more people adopting permeable surfaces, but even in places with fewer regulations some homeowners are already choosing PICP systems because they’re so customizable and great for the environment.

So, if you’re thinking about moving away from poured concrete, now is a great time to consider the promise and possibilities of pavers.

Laura Hoffman works at Mutual Materials, 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’ nearly 2,800 members, write to homework@mbaks.com.

Q: My kitchen is stuck in the 1990s, but as much as I’d like to update it, I don’t have a huge budget. Is there any way I can freshen it up without spending a fortune?

A: You don’t need a full gut and remodel to update your kitchen. Sometimes it only takes a few simple adjustments to give it a fresh new look. Here are a few suggestions for quick fixes with nearly instant results:

Optimize the Space

A cluttered kitchen feels small and cramped and there’s little point in trying to upgrade it if it’s overstuffed. Start your project by clearing and reorganizing the interiors of your cabinets. Be brutal with discarding, as you probably don’t need half the things in there. Install pull-out shelves, pull-out drawers, and cabinet organizers as needed. Now you can clear the countertops and store random containers, utensils, and small appliances cluttering your surfaces. Remove all the old notes and pictures on your refrigerator door.

Update the Backsplash

Of everything in your kitchen, the backsplash dates the fastest. By updating it, you can add years to the space. For a quick change minus the mess and labor of replacing it altogether, you can apply peel-and-stick vinyl tiles over the old ones, or simply prime and paint it. To add some color and personality, place some small art or craft items against the wall and on open shelves.

Revive the Cabinets

Upgrading your cabinets will have the biggest impact on your kitchen. Painting the old wood or even laminating it in a fresh color will make a huge difference. You can also replace old knobs and handles with something more current. If your cabinets don’t rise all the way to the ceiling, you can extend them with panel board and crown molding, adding height and a more finished feeling to your kitchen.

Add an Island

Almost every kitchen could benefit from an island. Islands provide additional storage and workspace to prep food and a great space for a decorative bowl of fruit or fresh flowers when you’re done. Even if your kitchen is small, having a tiny cart on wheels is incredibly handy for adding extra landing or serving space. And if it gets in the way, it can be pushed aside. You can purchase an island sized for your kitchen, add caster wheels, and give it a bold coat of paint.

Layer the Lighting

Good lighting is a crucial kitchen element because it’s functional and adds ambiance. First, install dimmer switches, so you have lighting flexibility when you need it. Second, add layers of lighting. Under-cabinet puck lights or LED strips make great task lighting, while small recessed lights are good for general lighting. New pendants over the island can upgrade the look. A terrific way to add a little magic is placing a table lamp on the counter for extra light and ambiance.

Spruce Up the Sink and Window

The sink is often the last place we think of, but it doesn’t have to be simply functional and boring. An easy faucet replacement can make a world of difference, and with new water-saving devices it will also lower your water bill. Add some fresh flowers and attractive soap and lotion dispensers on the side. Hang a colorful Roman blind and add a touch of style to the sill with pretty pots of fresh herbs.

Don’t Be Afraid to Decorate

There’s really no reason to treat your kitchen differently than the rest of your home. Add splashes of color, hang mirrors and artwork, and keep lots of fresh flora around. Your kitchen is ultimately an extension of your living area, so style it with the same enthusiasm you bring to your other rooms. A strong sense of style can neutralize even the most dated features.

Mia Hannom is the owner of In Form Design, 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’ nearly 2,800 members, write to homework@mbaks.com.