My youngest son helped me around the house this weekend to earn some money. Of course, the money burned a hole in his pocket (he is 9), so he spent it at Target immediately. He was choosing between legos and some other toys. My rule is that I’ll pay half for certain items such as […] Read More »
Old houses have lots of charm and patina; however, they also have issues due to decades of neglect. In this “1920’s Makeover,” we are working with some of our strategic partners at LG Squared. Together we will develop a design that preserves the charm while correcting building science mistakes. Design + Build team SawHorse owner […] Read More »
A basement renovation is a great way to create more usable space in your home cost-effectively. Just because basements are cheaper (per square foot) than an addition, this does not mean that you should cut corners. Here are some of the top things to consider or avoid when finishing your basement. 1. Improper HVAC design […] Read More »
The current pandemic along with increased demand for housing and lumber tariffs have created the perfect storm for contractors. Lumber costs have up significantly over the last year. While you cannot completely avoid the increase in costs, there is still a little hope. Here are some common-sense strategies that we use in our designs and […] Read More »
A kitchen is more than just “cabinets and countertops.” If you are redesigning the whole space, design, durability, and building science are major considerations that need to be applied to the plan. Here are some observations on how our industry can do better and suggestions we make for our clients. The good news is that […] Read More »
I attended the International Builders Show last year in Las Vegas. They hosted over 1700 exhibitors to include ones from the Kitchen and Bath Show (KBIS). This year due to COVID-19, the show is online with just over 300 exhibitors. I remember hearing whispers about COVID-19 when I was at the show in Vegas last […] Read More »
I created a video demonstrating how an induction cooktop works and shared it on LinkedIn, and the feedback was great. However, most of the comments had indicated that they had never heard of induction cooktops before. When I mention induction cooktops, most of my clients assume that I am talking about electric cooktops. While both […] Read More »
Last year we recently posted a blog explaining the difference between different types of Marvin windows and doors. However, we did leave some questions unanswered. After watching a video that we posted on another site, one of our subscribers still had a few questions. Most of their questions were about the main differences between aluminum […] Read More »
The month of January is dedicated to raising awareness about radon gas. As a nation, we take this time to acknowledge the threat of this toxic gas along with other home air quality hazards. Mold and asbestos are two prevalent hazards that can compromise home air quality as well. The most important part about sustaining […] Read More »
In spite of the pandemic, we made it through 2020. This video best explains some of the exciting things that we were working on in 2020 to make you customer experience better in 2021: I do have fond memories of spending time with friends at the clock ticked midnight ushering in the year 2000. A […] Read More »