We’re quite proud of this recently-completed project, which won a Platinum award for kitchens in its cost category, in the national Best of the Best remodeling competition.

The kitchen work was part of a larger, whole-house remodel for a young couple in the West End. The Owners, local restauranteurs, wanted commercial-quality stainless equipment, and a whole lot of contemporary style.

 

I have beveled wood siding - cedar I guess - on a 40 year old house. I had an instance last fall/winter where mice found an entry point in my garage. The entry point was just outside the door frame where it meets the bottom run of siding, underneath. It appears that all of the bottom run of my siding does have a little space (an inch or so) up behind it, and overtime, at least at the door frame entry point it appears that time took it's toll and allowed the mice to squeeze in. The house is in really good shape, but I was thinking of using caulk (or something) to fill in that inch of space

Mason,

Help! I have planned to remove wallpaper in a small bathroom today while my husband takes our three children to a football game. I have done this before and generally know how to do it, but it isn't going well. I have scored the paper and am using the DIF wallpaper remover. I have covered it with plastic bags to allow the remover to soak into the paper prior to scraping. It isn't coming off and I fear that there is a coating on the paper. Do you have any suggestions?

Sara in Richmond

Sara,

A mother of three should not have to remove wallpaper. I take it that you are much less of a sports

I am quite certain that all of our readers have seen an article on this at some time or another.  Every source will have some different “take” on it.  So here it is from this contractor’s perspective.

 

First, let me say that my firm does NOT try to be everything to everybody.  Just because it’s a repair or remodeling job, we don’t necessarily think we should be your contractor.  We’re looking for a “good fit” between us, our prospective client, and the project and process they have in mind.  I think that the client should be looking for the same.  If everyone is honest with each other in that

Dear Mason,

Seriously ready and eager to put a large addition onto our late 1970’s rancher…. Should we build up or build out? Is a second story addition far more expensive to engineer and build than a first floor expansion? Does building up add more value in the long run or is every house different?

Tracy B, Ashland, VA

Tracy,

When it comes to the expected magnitude of investment for remodeling and additions, it most often holds true that simpler = less costly. In that regard, you should know that the conditions of an existing house, and how those might work with the requirements of a particular