Blog | Better Builders: Seattle WA | Marin Ryles

Most people don’t recognize the signs of water intrusion in the basement until they can see or smell it. Discovering water intrusion in your basement is a cause for concern as it can lead to various issues, such as mold ...

When it comes to your heating system, deciding between repair and replacement can be challenging. Whether you're driven by necessity or a desire to update, various factors need careful consideration before deciding. ...

Are you considering power washing your home's exterior but wondering if it's a task you should tackle yourself or leave to the professionals? While the idea of washing your home using a power washer may seem easy, there ...

Electrical panels are out of sight, out of mind, so most homeowners aren’t considering when their breaker boxes need to be replaced. However, it’s essential to keep this in mind because outdated circuit breakers can be ...

As a homeowner in coastal climates such as the Pacific Northwest, it is crucial to consider the unique environmental factors and weather conditions that your property may face, including heavy wind, rain, and saltwater ...

For many years Seattle was a mild climate that didn’t require air conditioning. However, as time has passed, the summers are getting hotter, and more and more homeowners wish they could cool down their homes (over the ...

The foundation is aptly named as the base that supports your entire home. When issues arise with your foundation, you risk compromising the entire structure. Many homeowners don’t realize that cracked or damaged ...

Are you considering adding extra space to your property? Whether you're expanding your family or just in need of some extra room, a home addition can be a great solution for your quality of life and add to the value of ...

Every day, homeowners are faced with the dilemma of outgrowing their homes. Whether it is due to the need for additional space for a growing family or needing different functionality to age in place, your needs and ...

When it comes to choosing the best exterior material for your home, one of the first steps is to establish your budget. Although there are low-cost and low-maintenance siding options available, they may not offer the ...

Often water leaks in your home are caused by two things: a lack of maintenance in an area where a product has broken down and has created water to leak, or there’s been a catastrophic event such as hail, tree branches ...

Before you decide whether you're going for window repair or window replacement, first, you must zero in on why you think the windows need to be changed. Once you know why you’re looking to make a change, the cause will ...

You may find yourself asking, what is the importance of lighting design in the kitchen? Your lighting sets the mood for an eat-in kitchen, as well as illuminating the areas you’re working in. It’s important to properly ...

Often, homeowners don’t notice problems with their roofs until things are so severe that leaks come through the ceiling. When it gets to this point, this has become a major issue. If homeowners stay up on roof ...

Homeowners often underestimate how many decisions need to be made during a home renovation project. For example, there are approximately 150 decisions that need to be made for a full kitchen redesign. Every last detail ...

It’s no secret that burning natural gas isn’t good for our health. Studies have recently revealed that 12.7% of childhood asthma cases in the United States are linked to gas stoves in the home. A study from the ...

Your home is one of the largest and most important investments you’ll make during your lifetime. This means it’s critical to protect this investment by maintaining your home’s exterior and ensuring the siding and trim ...

Most people want their spaces to be clean and sanitary, but this has come even more to the forefront in the past few years. With this increasing concern, more materials and products have become available to make keeping ...

Inadequate kitchen cooking ventilation is more common than many people realize, even in recently built homes. Generally, the hoods are not sufficient for the stove size, or they are improperly vented. The accumulation ...

From intuitive design to wirelessly connected appliances, a “smart” kitchen is often a priority in a modern home. Blending efficiency and a fun cooking experience, tech-savvy kitchens are more popular than ever. Below ...

The modern-day eat-in kitchen is a more intentional alternative in place of pulling out the folding card table and placing the ‘kids' table’ in the middle of the living room during holiday dinners. Eat-in kitchens can ...

Kitchen islands provide many benefits including additional storage, prep space, design appeal, and possible addition to your home’s dollar value. Significant value is added if the island includes seating for a more ...

Gone are the days of limited food storage options. Modern technology has eliminated the need for traditional food cellars with newer storage, like under-cabinet beverage centers and chilled refrigerator produce drawers. ...

The average kitchen remodel will have homeowners making between 60 - 150 decisions. Open shelving vs. traditional cabinetry is just one of these choices, and unbeknownst to most people, there’s a lot to consider when ...

If you're starting to think about a kitchen remodel, often one of the first steps is finding inspiration. We're here to share timeless ideas to help you create a space that won’t go out of style.

Answering the question, “how do you use your kitchen” is where to start. Is it a gathering place connected to the rest of your home? Is it separate from the other living space? Is the kitchen a place to entertain or ...

When working through selections for a new kitchen remodel, you eventually find yourself asking, “What is the best countertop material to use in the kitchen?” While there are many materials to choose from, all countertop ...

When it comes to kitchen storage, it seems like there can never be enough. While upper and lower cabinets are obvious choices, what hides behind the cabinets and drawer faces can be an entirely different story. Avoid ...

Choosing the right flooring is one of many decisions you’ll face in a kitchen remodel. There are so many options and so little time to research what will look and feel the best while standing the test of time. Choosing ...

At one point or another, everyone talks about needing more space in their home. But, it’s amazing how much more space you have when you have an organized way to store all of your clutter. Here’s a list of unique ways ...

The term “functional” is defined differently by everyone. What may be functional for you and your family could present serious challenges for someone else. When looking at multipurpose spaces in your home, it’s ...

Perhaps your family is growing, you’re considering adding a guest room in the basement, or you simply want to add an additional bedroom to your home. Whatever the reason, it’s important to understand what is considered ...

Changing the interior space planning of your home to be more functional can look very different for each person. Increasing the space within your home can mean major changes, like taking down interior walls to open the ...

Before deciding you want to remodel your home to include an open floor plan, it’s essential to ask yourself the ‘why’ behind your renovation goals. Open floor plans can be great for many reasons, but they’re not a ...

While home modifications like adding a window and removing a wall may seem simple, structural modifications require the existing structural loads to transfer to other areas within the structure. To properly do this, the ...

When you are choosing to invest in your home, you want to create a design that will meet your function and needs, not just now but for many years to come. Typically, the cost to make changes to your home will be less ...

Auxiliary or Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are referred to as many things: backyard cottage, in-law apartment, granny flat, you name it. The various names are related to the fact that an ADU can take on many forms. ...

An ADU is known by many names; The “backyard cottage,” mother-in-law suite, guest house, apartment, etc. These buildings have become increasingly popular and sought after by many homebuyers in the greater Seattle area. ...

This is a very common first question for homeowners to ask. What many people don’t realize is that this is both a very vague and complex question to answer. A similar scenario would be going to a car dealership and ...

A common question from homeowners considering a remodel project is, “can I pull my own permits?” Yes, homeowners can purchase their permits and a benefit is you will not be charged sales tax. A risk is that you may not ...

Have you ever walked down a street and asked yourself, “why does that addition look the way it does? Was it a bad design, or does it look completely separate from the old home on purpose?” No matter what architectural ...

Before you dive into the process of custom home building or remodeling, it’s important to remember each step takes time. It is best practice to engage with a contractor as soon as possible. Better yet, work with a ...

So, your family is growing and you’re running low on space. You may find yourself asking, “is my lot large enough for a home addition?” Whether you’re considering expanding out or expanding up, this is an extremely ...

Basements are full of potential to become usable spaces that are warm and welcoming for the whole family to enjoy. A basement remodel can add a significant amount of usable space and value to your home. There are many ...

Selecting a general contractor to work with is a big decision. You are choosing a company that you will trust with your home, your family, and your money. With so much on the line, you want to make sure you are ...

For many people, staying in the house through a major project sounds unimaginable. While the process is never easy, we have 8 tips for living through a remodel to help make the experience a little more bearable and help ...

Taking on a home remodeling or new build project can be a daunting task. The first hurdle to cross is figuring out where to start. Oftentimes, homeowners decide to dive straight into the home design process because it’s ...

Imagine summer days basking in the sunshine, watching the kids play. Imagine friends around a cozy fire pit, sharing stories and creating memories. Imagine having a space to enjoy all the seasons in the Pacific ...

If you’re a homeowner in 2022, you have some seriously valuable property on your hands. You probably mow your yard, pull your weeds, and keep everything looking good – especially if you’re in an HOA. The cosmetic ...

When it comes to remodeling a kitchen, there are tons of kitchen design selections to make. Many people underestimate just how many decisions are involved in a kitchen remodel. If you are looking for a complete ...

When you’ve officially decided you’re ready to pursue a home remodeling project, design and estimating is often the first step. The design process involves so many little details and important decisions we encourage ...

Doing a bathroom refresh on a budget can be hard work, but it’s definitely rewarding! While we would love to help you completely remodel your bathroom, sometimes a major project just isn’t within the budget. While you ...

When it comes to planning for a kitchen remodel, kitchen cabinet selection is often one of the biggest decisions. Cabinets are a big chunk of the investment in a kitchen remodel and there are seemingly endless selection ...

To say these homeowners needed a full house remodel and addition is an understatement. Picture this: a loving couple with two growing kids, all living in a lofted one bedroom, one bathroom house. You read that ...

Whether you are looking to remodel an existing space, or create a new bathroom from scratch, layout makes a big difference. From water closets to extravagant spa master bathrooms, any space can be luxurious with the ...

Coming to the end of our first quarter, we have noticed some strong kitchen design trends for 2021. If you're starting to think about a kitchen remodel, often one of the first steps is finding inspiration. We're here to ...

Choosing the right flooring for your remodel can be challenging. There are so many options, and so little time to research what will look and feel the best while standing the test of time. Here we’ve shared some do’s ...

We are two months in to 2021 and we are noticing some definite bathroom design trends for the year. When you are planning a bathroom remodel, one of the first steps is finding some inspiration. No matter what your ...

One of the most common questions from homeowners when wanting to remodel the kitchen is: do I need a permit?

Basement remodels are more popular than ever. And the basement kitchenette is growing in popularity as more cold unfinished basements are being transformed into cozy living areas. Whether you are turning your basement ...

Taking on a home remodeling project is a major commitment. You’re investing a lot of time, money and energy into creating the perfect space for you and your family. With such a big decision, it is no surprise that ...

Turning a bathtub into a shower is growing in popularity with many homeowners right now. But what should you think about before making the move from a tub to a shower and how much should you expect it to cost?

Imagine two teenage daughters sharing a tiny 6’ x 8’ guest bathroom, a single sink and mirror and limited storage for accessories and appliances. They had managed for many years but had finally reached a “tipping ...

When you’re a kid, your bedroom design revolves around what color your parents will let you paint the walls and how many posters you can cram into any given space. You need a bed, somewhere to keep your clothes, and ...

Walk-in showers can create a roomy and luxurious feeling as a result of a bathroom remodeling project. The open sight lines create a seamless transition to the rest of the bathroom making the entire space feel much ...

When remodeling a kitchen, you have dozens of decisions to make. From major picks like cabinetry and appliances to little details like knobs or pulls, there’s a lot to think about. One of the biggest design choices ...

If you’ve already found your forever home, it is wise to consider long term factors when designing for a remodel. When designing a bathroom for aging in place, safety and accessibility are key. Planning space that ...

A home gym can be a great convenience year-round; especially during this time of the pandemic when public gyms have been closed for months. If you’re someone who regularly hits the gym, why not use that spare room or ...

Assuming the average person sleeps 8 hours a day, over time you spend approximately one third of your life asleep. And that’s not counting the time you spend laying in bed before and after sleeping. With at least one ...

Designing the perfect bathroom to fit your style and needs can be a challenge. This can be especially tough when you are limited to a small space. A small bathroom remodel doesn’t necessarily mean a small project, and ...

Project Management is a large part of the service you receive when working with Better Builders. We establish a relationship founded on trust far before your project starts. We also back this up with transparency and ...

Unless you built your home from the ground up, odds are there are some changes you’d like to make. We’ve all thought about the little things that would make our home picture perfect, but it’s important to think about ...

Summer is upon us and we are ready to enjoy the beautiful weather. While it’s great to have wonderful public outdoor spaces nearby, nothing beats having the perfect outdoor space at your own home. Whether you’re ...

Being a design/build General Contractor, we are frequently asked about the Architect that we work with. One of the talented companies we work with is PRDG architecture + design in Seattle. We have been working with the ...

This article is a guest publication by Matt Lee, Copy-editing by Marin Ryles. Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, this summer will look a bit different for many people. Safe-at-home precautions will have many people ...

Updated: April 30, 2020

Being a design/build General Contractor, we are frequently asked about the designers we work with. One of the wonderful companies we work with is Housewarming Seattle. We have been working with Housewarming for six ...

This week’s blog, Green Home Building Ideas, is guest written by T-Square Properties. Building a green home is no longer an “alternative;" it is now mainstream. Pollution is at an all-time high, resources are dwindling, ...

Better Builders has been a proud member of the Built Green ™ program for years. Homes constructed with Green Building in mind are more energy efficient, use fewer toxic materials, and minimize the environmental impact ...

We may be diving headfirst into winter, but now is the perfect time to start thinking about sunny days. Begin planning projects for sunshine-focused spaces now so that they're ready to enjoy when the warm weather ...

So, you’re finally ready to start pursuing that remodel you’ve been dreaming of for years. Or maybe you bought a new home that needs some serious fixing up. Or perhaps, you’re ready to build your dream home from scratch.