"We recently had a child and we love our home, but it would be so much better if we could do a small addition." This is a common consultation for me. A family bought a home they were comfortable in that fit the budget at the time. Then the family grows. This...
I am a self-proclaimed renaissance man. I love tools, motorcycles, old cars and trucks, and having a place to store my tools that is off limits to others. A place to be creative, dream, make stuff, and hang out with likeminded folks. A place to be myself, watch...
This is the $64,000 question. It is asked in so many ways and so unlikely to get an accurate answer that I had to find out for myself. Everyone thinks I know this stuff anyway, so I might as well. If the answer were easy, we would all know it. The problem is that the...
There is no way to succeed in remodeling without the ability to draw what the proposed project will look like. That is the bare minimum in residential remodeling. I once was told that I could get a building permit on a napkin, and by golly it worked back in the day....
When remodeling master bathrooms I have discovered a common theme; we are addressing repeatedly: what to do with the big soaker tub? For a while in the 70s and 80s, builders got the idea that a corner soaker tub would be just the ticket to create a spa-like feel in...
As a remodeling contractor in Boise we are often asked if certain unusual things would be possible. In other words, we are charged with the responsibility of discovering if something is actually doable. Being "Git-er-done" kind of company that rarely shies away from a...
Redefining a Ranch-Style Home: Levco’s Second Story BreakthroughThe Challenge Our client, who is an Architect, wanted to add square footage to her home. Her lot was constrained and could not go sideways or down.The Idea To use bonus room trusses to create a second...
North End Historic Basement & Master Suite AdditionThe Challenge The Owners had a new son and no Master Suite. They already had a basement but the home was just too small.The Idea The home built in 1943 it was in the North End Historic District and contributing....
Basement wet bar from a storage areaThe Challenge Our client had a walkout basement room that was used for relaxing and entertainment. There was a TV and a couch plus a pool table. They used a vintage cabinet to hold liquor, but the idea of a wet bar in the room was...
Basement Finished in StyleThe Challenge The basement of this home had a chronic water problem. A previous contractor had done a wimpy repair and another contractor was planning to dig a trench around the room to add a pump system to allow water that came in to be...