Don't get on the wrong side of L&I. Recorded live at the March 23 Remodelers Council Dinner, L&I's own Erich Smith guides you through the rules and regulations you need to know to stay safe and fine-free.

Learn more about RC

By Cameron Poague, Bothell Kenmore Reporter

There's an expression that says you should enjoy the small things in life.

Going outside and enjoying a walk on a sunny day, for example. Or getting to work or school and back without assistance or inconvenience. For too many, these tasks are burdensome and dangerous. For a few, getting safely to and from their homes has become downright impossible.

By Shoreline Area News

It was the perfect day. Sunshine and warmth provided an ideal opportunity to give back to someone who struggles with moving safely inside and outside his home.

 86-year-old Leonard Dickey has bad knees and uses a walker to get around the first floor of his Shoreline home. He is unable to walk up and down stairs safely and confidently due to the inability to lock his knees.

Read article

By Auburn Reporter

Volunteers gave their time and expertise to build a ramp for an 11-year-old Auburn boy last Saturday.

Trenton Heuring Smart was born with cerebral palsy and has seizures. He can’t walk or speak. The ramp will help caregivers transport him in and out of his home for safely.

The ramp was made possible through the efforts of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties, Dunn Lumber, Pacific Lumber Inspection Bureau, and volunteers.

Read article

By West Seattle Blog

Today was a special work day for crews from some members of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties—the annual Rampathon, donating time to build mobility ramps for residents in need. Among this year's participants, longtime WSB sponsor Potter Construction.

Read article

By Shoreline Area News

Ramp captain Joseph Irons, president of Irons Brothers Construction, and his team designed and constructed a free wheelchair access ramp for Kathleen Wheeler of Edmonds for the Master Builders Association annual Rampathon event.

For many years, Kathleen has struggled with severe osteo-arthritis (OA), fibromyalgia and diabetes, which makes mobility difficult and walking extremely painful.

Read article

This week, Shannon and MBAKS President Mike Walsh take a break from building a wheelchair ramp to talk about the importance of Rampathon.

Learn more about our community stewardship

By Lynnwood Today

It’s now much easier for 16-year-old Remy Williams to get in and out of his house.

The Williams family was one of several families to have a ramp built for free by volunteers during the Master Builders Association’s annual Rampathon event. The event allows families to apply for a new ramp to be built leading into and out of their houses to help with mobility.

Remy Williams has cerebral palsy and primarily uses a wheelchair to get around. Before the ramp, one of his parents would need to first bring the wheelchair outside, then carry Remy down a set of stairs to get him outside.

Read article

By Sadie July Normoyle, Built Green Coordinator

Ted Clifton Jr. has been involved with Built Green since 2009 and has built three projects with us, in addition to other homes outside of King and Snohomish counties. All of the projects certified through us by his company, TC Legend Homes, are 5-Star Built Green.

Ted was awarded Project of the Year at the 2016 Built Green Conference for his two-home net zero energy project in the Victory Heights neighborhood of Seattle. These homes were constructed using Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)—one of the trademarks of Ted’s work. The homes include many advanced energy efficiency measures, in addition to the 9.5 kW solar arrays on each roof. They also meet 100% rainwater infiltration on site, have continuous exhaust ventilation, and used salvaged materials from the previous home. These projects were featured in a past Built Green Case Study. 

Ted first became involved with Built Green because his father and a client encouraged him. He had already been building 3-Star Built Green homes in Bellingham, which inspired him to do even better. He originally started building sustainable and Built Green homes because he wanted the most stout, durable homes and thought Built Green was a good representation of the “epitome of green.” With his first net zero home, however, he realized that he could drastically reduce the amount of energy needed to maintain a home, or even eliminate it, and actually provide extra energy to power an electric car or two. 

This point is often how he communicates the advantages of his projects, as compared to code built homes, to buyers. He explains that the homes make their own power, with some to spare. Ted has also found that the demand for these types of über green homes has been increasing. As he explained, he frequently gets ten or more emails a week from people wanting TC Legend Homes to build them a home.

Currently, he is working on an Emerald Star project that is pushing the boundaries of his company’s process even further. The house will make its own power and collect its own water. When asked what his favorite project so far is, he replied, “my current project, because it is always a step better than the last.” 

In terms of the future, Ted is excited to see increases in efficiency in envelope systems, windows, heat pumps, and solar technology. He also mentions lighting, appliances, and toilets that just keep getting better and better. When talking about his company, he states that they are making a company whose movement is focused towards education and innovation and just building enough houses to continue their research and development. 

In parting, Ted shared “our crew works three days per week, I commute in an electric car, and have a mullet.”

Thank you, Ted (and your mullet), for all your work with Built Green! We look forward to the projects you have coming up and are eager to see the completion of your first Emerald Star project!

Shannon talks to Luellen Smith of Rhino Wine Cellars & Cooling Systems, this year's REX/T-REX Awards Chair and Associate of the Year, about REX and getting involved in our councils.

Learn more about our councils