The Teaching Gene I got to meet one of my heroes recently at the International Builders Show in Orlando, Florida — Mike Holmes and his son Mike Jr. of Holmes on Homes. Mike is the real deal. The show depicts him exactly as he is: a contractor who loves to teach and...
Whisperer was once a derogatory term for someone who gossips back in the mid-1500s; it became more popular in the 1800s, by a guy affectionately called Daniel the Horse-Whisperer Sullivan, who had an uncanny ability to deal with traumatized horses. Then, in 1998, the...
This simple line is music to my ears. There is a rule book called the International Residential Building Code, the playbook for residential builders and remodelers. As a remodeler, I am constantly engaged in the art of gaining a better understanding of how to do it...
Kitchen outlets are changing as of the first of the year. The 2023 NEC (National Electrical Code) has changed. No more side-mount island outlets. The rule stems from cords draping over the edge of an island and the fear of a crock pot or what have you getting pulled...
Levco has been in the business of doing larger and larger projects for 2 decades. It has been a predictable path as we gain trust by having no fear and developing a reputation for doing great work that lasts, finishing on time and on budget. Like everything we do in...
I realized long ago that we develop fierce loyalty to our community service providers. Sure, the kids have a pediatrician. You likely always go to the same grocery store. I'll bet you are on a first-name basis with your auto mechanic. You don't just go to the nearest...
Master Suite AdditionThe Challenge They came up with a plan drawn by others with several significant errors. One was the size of the addition, and the other was the angle of the trusses. The clients who work remotely turned out to be excellent communicators and...
Dining Room Addition and Kitchen RemodelThe Challenge The home had an odd entry room with a coat closet and partition wall in the way. This room was pretty useless and annoying to the client. Then, the kitchen was blocked from the activity in the living room, and the...
Primary Suite Remodel & DeckThe Challenge Inaccurate plans were provided that had to get updated over the course of the project. The project is on a creek so lots of precautions were needed to keep erosion out of it. The Idea Create a primary suite that is...
Whole House RemodelThe Challenge The home was in the hillside district and in the WUI which means that the home has some extra requirements as far as firesafe and extra structural requirements. There had been an addition done to the house years prior that was not...