Meet our Team!

Terry Bocian
Title: Project Coordinator
Joined Houseworks Construction Company: 1992

"Upon graduating from Western Washington University in 1980, I began a career in Education that spanned 11 years. In 1992, I decided on a change in vocation. Through a friend of a friend I was introduced to Tim House and signed on in October (of that year). It's been a great and rewarding move."

City of Seattle Green Building Guides

Photo courtesy of seattle.gov

Seattle's Department of Planning and Development has a great series of downloadable Green Home Guides which are a great resource for homeowners who are thinking of embarking on a green remodel.

Topics include: Remodel Overview, Bath & Laundry, Kitchen, Painting, Lighting, Landscape Materials, Roofing, Hiring a Pro, Salvage & Reuse, Do-It-Yourself Energy Guide and Green Home Buyer's Guide. All are available in PDF format.

Other helping tips include 10 easiest ways to green you home and a list of classes, lectures and other educational programs available locally.

The city's green building page is great, be sure to check it out!

Good on ya!

Houseworks clients Kris Larson and Richard Gemmell who won the visa gift card from the email sign up promotion we sponsored announced that they are donating the card to the School Supplies Drive of the Seattle Times Fund for the Needy. The money in this fund is divided among several agencies who help idenfity those most in need. We like that! Thanks, Kris and Richard!

Meet our Team!

Steve Wisman
Title: Project Coordinator
Joined Houseworks Construction Company: 1990

Construction became a summer job for me during high school and through college. Learning all phases of construction in Sitka, Alaska, I also learned to love what Alaska had to offer.

After graduation from college, I helped my father build his retirement home in Sequim, Washington. In 1990, I found employment with Houseworks Construction.

I am still here today due to the fact that Tim is a good employer and even better friend.

Backyard Cottages

Photo courtesy of Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce

Backyard cottages (also called detached accessory dwelling units) have been allowed in Southeast Seattle since 2006, but are not approved in the rest of the city. Considered by the City to be "a small dwelling unit that is on the same lot as, but physically separate from, a single-family house." The rules state that, "the owner must live in either the primary home or the backyard cottage." Only 18 households have applied for a permit since March 2009.

Mayor Nickels has proposed legislation to allow backyard cottages city-wide with an annual limit of 50 cottages per year. Yesterday, August 12, there was a backyard cottage briefing to the Planning, Land Use and Neighborhoods Committee and there will be a Public Hearing on backyard cottages in Council Chambers at City Hall at 5:30 p.m. on September 15.

According to the City's Web page on the topic:

To ensure the cottages fit within the neighborhood, the lot must be at least 4,000 square feet in area, with minimum width and depth requirements. The principal house and backyard cottage combined must not exceed the current 35% lot coverage limit for single family zones. The cottages can be no more than 800 square feet in area, with a height limit of 15 - 23 foot height depending on lot width, and parking is required.

If this proposed change in legislation passes, Houseworks can build your cottage for you! Think about it: extra income, a place for friends and family to stay when they're visiting, a home for your parents when they need extra help, or just a backyard retreat for your family.

Referendum 1

Photo courtesy of Archie McPhee


Not to get too political or up on a soap box, but it's almost time to vote in the August 18 primary. A big issue on the ballot is Referendum 1 which asks voters to approve or deny a 20 cent bag tax on disposable shopping bags.

The Seattle Times reported recently that The American Chemistry Council has donated $500,000 to fight the proposed plan while the Seattle Green Bag Campaign has so far raised about $65,000.

How about you? Where do you stand on the Ref 1 issue?

Meet our Team!

Welcome to a new weekly feature on the blog called "Meet our Team!" where we will introduce you to our talented employees who work so hard to make your house look perfect.

This week's team member is Tim House, owner and founder of Houseworks Construction.



Tim House started in the residential remodeling business in 1983 with The McAdams Company, a professional remodeling company in Kirkland. In 1985 he started Houseworks Company with partner Robert Wilcox, since an amicable dissolution of that partnership in 1991 Tim has been the president of Houseworks Construction Company.

Tim has been happily married to his wife Susan for twenty-six years; together they have two children and two grandchildren. Tim has been very involved in the Washington State lacrosse community and is a member of the Washington State Lacrosse Hall of Fame. A few of his other activities are skiing, boating and playing hockey.

And the winner is (drum roll please)

The winner of the $100 Visa card is Houseworks customer Kris Larson.

Thanks for signing up for our enewsletter!

10 low-tech ways to keep your house cooler

This list of low-tech tips from TreeHugger is chock full of useful tidbits on how to keep your house cool this summer without spending too much dough.

The list includes:

Use Awnings to reduce solar heat gain.

Plant a tree for shade.

Get a ceiling and/or attic fan.

Don't cook food indoors. Who doesn't love a cool meal made and eaten al fresco when it's unbearably hot outside?