Q: Our home is in desperate need of kitchen and bathroom updates, but we’re really anxious about hiring the right contractor to make sure we get the results we want at the price we want. Any advice?

A: At some point, most homeowners will need to hire a remodeler or contractor. Whether your home needs a structural overhaul, routine repairs or an update — kitchen, bath or whole-house — hiring a contractor can be scary. We’ve all heard horror stories about jobs going over budget and over time, with low-quality workmanship and disappointing final products. These experiences, passed around over the years, have made homeowners understandably wary of the word “remodel.”

“Often, clients come to us with project ideas like replacing countertops, mirrors, fixtures and flooring in their bathroom, but hesitate to refer to their project as a ‘remodel,’” says Laura Elfline, co-owner of Mighty House Construction in Seattle. “But regardless of the size of your project or what you want to call it, the process doesn’t have to be scary.”

Contrary to the rumors, she says, there are honest and caring contractors out there who pride themselves on customer satisfaction. The key is to find a contractor who will work side-by-side with you to create a detailed scope of work.

When it comes to major home remodels such as a kitchen or bathroom, or any project too large for a handyperson, Elfline recommends also hiring a designer. A good contractor and design team can help find the sweet spot that balances budget, aesthetics and function.

“Working with a designer is extremely useful. Having all of your ducks in a row before starting the project eliminates the anxiety of time and budget overruns, or other unforeseen developments,” she says. “Even when projects seem simple, designers can identify hidden nuances that may impact the space before the project begins, show you what you’re asking for ahead of time and, perhaps most important, get everyone on the same page on the expected final outcome.”

If you are interested in pursuing a remodel, start by talking to a trusted professional before attempting major renovations on your own. A good contractor should be transparent with you and provide credentials and references, so you feel comfortable hiring them. 

And do your homework beforehand. Educating yourself on the process and researching prospective contractors will result in fewer surprises and a clearer understanding of the project, greatly decreasing your chances of a stumbling into a remodeling nightmare. With the right preparation, you don’t have to fear the remodel.

Jill Williams is a writer with Mighty House 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 the MBAKS’s more than 2,700 members, write to homework@mbaks.com.

Q: I love modern cabinets and finishes and appliances, but with the sky-high cost of buying in Seattle, how can anyone afford both the real estate and the work required to make it your dream home?

A: The rules of housing are changing across the country. Tiny houses are becoming more and more acceptable, not just socially (i.e., the very popular tiny house movement), but also legally. In fact, King County recognizes tiny homes as “an affordable and efficient method of providing housing.” Current building and zoning codes do not specifically define or specially regulate tiny houses, other than requiring they meet all general housing standards.

While it’s common to hear people extol the many benefits of tiny house living—the easy maintenance, inherent sustainability and affordability, land management advantages, and density—one aspect they often overlook is the potential luxury.

According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), the average kitchen size is 161 square feet (approximately 13 by 13 feet). HomeAdvisor.com states that “on average, a kitchen remodel costs $23,723, or $150 per square foot. Most homeowners spend between $12,567 and $34,972 or $75 to $250 per square foot. The total expense varies depending on the size of the space, the quality of materials, and whether you change the layout of the room.”

This forces us to ask ourselves: with the average US house coming in at approximately 2,670 square feet, what are the spaces that we value most in our homes? What spaces offer the most function and what are the best ways to use them? Having space for the sake of having space leads to waste, reliance on cheaper materials, and copious amounts of unused space.

An average kitchen might cost $23,000, but a tiny, luxury kitchen can be had for as little as $10,000—including a speed oven, induction cooktop, fridge/freezer, modern cabinets, sink, faucet, backsplash, washer/dryer combo, built-in television, and integrated, telescoping hood. With less space, you can choose quality over quantity and luxury for half the price of a mediocre kitchen.

While some see tiny houses and accessory dwelling units (ADUs) as austere and claustrophobic, the reality for many people living in them is increased freedom with less space and more amenities—paying for what they need or want, rather than space they never use. And now, forward-thinking kitchen and bath retailers are entering this market with gusto, helping potential tiny homeowners design and select cabinetry and appliances that fit their measurements and helping match their needs with potential solutions that they may not be aware of.

The bottom line is if you’re ready to jump into tiny house living to save money, help the environment, or upgrade your furnishings and appliances, there is now a whole industry of builders, remodelers, and luxury retailers ready to serve you. It may be time to treat yourself to the tiny house lifestyle.

Dave Giltner is the marketing and operations director of Bauformat Seattle, 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 Daniel Westbrook, Westbrook Restorations, and Mike Dunn, Dunn Lumber

Q: What are the benefits of working with wood as opposed to manufactured materials?

A: Over the past few decades, there has been a dramatic increase in the variety of building materials available. Smaller, harvestable timber from managed forests, along with technological innovation in the building materials arena, have driven the use of pre-manufactured, laminated, and composite materials in modern homes. This development ensures today's builders will have access to both manmade products, as well as the timeless resource of wood from sustainably grown forests.

Environmental Benefits

Wood offers significant environmental benefits as the only building material that is natural, endlessly renewable, recyclable, and compostable. Wood is the best way to remove CO₂ from the atmosphere because the source of wood fiber is almost entirely composed of this heat-retaining gas. Wood is also the only major building material that biodegrades in a relatively short period.

In today's lumber processing plant, every portion of the tree is put to good use: solid wood for lumber, veneer for plywood or laminated veneer lumber, chips for oriented strand board (panels and truss webbing), sawdust for paper and chemicals, bark for landscapes, and remnants for generating electricity to run the plant and replenish the grid.

Structural Benefits

The structural attributes of wood have been clearly demonstrated by the variety of ways tradespeople have used it throughout the centuries. From delicate, hand-carved instruments made hundreds of years ago that retain their ornate design to this day, to the versatility of plywood and the way it's incorporated in homes, wood has earned its place as a key structural element in modern construction.

Wood continues to be prominently featured as cabinets, interior and exterior moulding, and laminated beams, and can be easily fastened using nails, screws, glue, or bolts.

Aesthetic Benefits

The visual appeal of wood inspires people to adorn their homes with this natural product. The welcoming shapes, grain patterns, textures, and colors lend themselves to artistic use. When wood is enhanced with oils and stains, it becomes an even better candidate for a home's central features, such as staircases, railings, paneling, and cabinets.

Look at Seattle's historic homes, where craftsmen have rebuilt wood-framed windows that were made 100 years ago. It will be another 100 years before anyone needs to rebuild those windows again. Will the man-made products we put into our homes last 100 years? After that same span of time, will those manmade products still be available for an exact replacement, and will they be reusable?

The benefits of building with wood seem endless, from its natural beauty to structural versatility, stability, and capacity to be uniquely crafted. Given our experience working with wood, the advantages and appeal simply cannot be replicated by manmade materials.

Daniel Westbrook is the founder and owner of Westbrook Restorations and Mike Dunn is the president and CEO of Dunn Lumber. Both are members of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties. HomeWork is the group's weekly column. If you have a home improvement, remodeling, or residential homebuilding question you'd like answered by one of the MBA's more than 2,800 members, write to homework@mbaks.com.