Meet our Team!

Caleb Quick
Title: Carpenter
Joined Houseworks Construction Company: 2005

I've been working at Houseworks since 2005. I'm married to my high school sweetheart and teach piano part time. I began carpentry in high school and received a degree in Sociology from Western Washington University.

Continuing Ed at Shoreline Community College

Houseworks owner Tim House and one of his project managers, Terry Bocian are going back to school this month for some continuing ed. They're taking a class at Shoreline Community College in Energy Auditing.

According to the course description, "This certificate includes training in the principles of energy auditing and weatherization inspection. Students will learn the principles of energy, energy and the building shell, energy auditing, air leakage, insulation, windows and doors, heating ad cooling systems, indoor air quality, lighting and appliances, and water heating."

This class is just one example of the ways Houseworks is dedicated to green building principles. And we're always interested in learning new methods and skills that we can pass on to our clients.

We'll check in with Tim and Terry as the course proceeds to see what they've learned.

Meet our Team!

Ryan Egan
Title: Carpenter
Joined Houseworks Construction Company: 1996

I started with Houseworks in June of 1995. I had known Tim in high school and had such a kinship, I have found it hard to leave. Though I have tried a time or two :) It has been my absolute pleasure getting to work with all of these fine people, I would be hard pressed to find a better group.

Green up your home to boost its sale price

The Daily Green has an interesting article on how to boost your home's value by greening it up before putting in on the market.

Author Kerry Mitchell is the founder and course developer of Green Real Estate Education, a certification course that teaches real estate professionals what makes a home green.

Mitchell has some great advice in this article, including the suggestion to, "put $15,000 in energy-efficient upgrades in your existing home, taking advantage of the tax incentives and rebates. Now, depending on the upgrades you have chosen, the property stands out in this development. With offering up to 65% lower energy bills alone. A buyer desiring your neighborhood may lean towards your home even if there is a short sale for less. The timing couldn't be better as most are curious on how to renovate to lower utility bills. Green renovations can make a difference in real estate values. Using healthy materials and installing more high efficiency systems will make a difference in quality of life."

Houseworks can help you make energy-efficient updates to your home, and we're happy to come over and give you a free assessment. Just give us a call at 425-483-3422.

Meet our Team!

Erik Hall
Title: Project Coordinator
Joined Houseworks Construction Company: 1998

I started with Houseworks in September 1998 when I moved back to Seattle after living in Boston for two years. It's been a pleasure working for Tim, and with his eclectic crew!

Modeco Flats - Built Green in West Seattle

Modeco Flats in West Seattle are the first four-star Built Green condominiums in West Seattle.

According to the Built Green Web site, in order for a building to be considered Built Green it must conform to the following features.

Energy Efficiency
Advanced Framing/Extra Insulation

High Efficiency Water Heater

Efficient Household Appliances

Air Sealing

Indoor Air Quality
Low-pile low allergen-attracting carpet

Low-VOC or low-toxic interior paints and finishes

Ventilation

Conserving Natural Resources
Plastic Lumber

Engineered Wood

Brick

Building Materials and Food Recycling

Water Quality Protection
Porous Paving Schemes

Rainwater Collection

Low Impact Development


Along those lines, Modeco Flats feature bamboo floors, low VOC paints used throughout, high efficiency Mitsubisi split ductless heating and cooling, Samsung high efficiency front loading washer and dryer and halogen pendant and under cabinet lighting.

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?

Innovative and eco-friendly air conditioning

If you're in Seattle this week, this post needs no explanation.

This is the Free Wind ceiling mounted air conditioning unit with customizable airflow designed by Harc Lee. According to the designer's website, up to six directions, temperatures and strengths of air flow can be controlled for individual preferences.




The Frost Alternative Air Conditioner is a really cool and innovative concept. From designer Philip Stanka's website,"Frost aims to reduce dependency upon conventional air conditioning units by replacing outlet electricity with solar power and refrigerator freezer energy. The solar power panel gathers electricity during peak sunlight hours and stores the energy for later use in order to spin the fans for a fresh breeze. The freezer provides the second leg of energy creating a source of cold (freezer ice pack) for the fans to convert the heated summer air into a wintery breeze."



Stay cool!

Add some Salvaged Style to your home

If you're in the Seattle area and want to add some "found object" charm to your home or garden, check out the following local shops for reclaimed building materials, lighting, mirrors and a whole assortment of interesting odds and end. Check them often - you never know what you're going to uncover!

The Re-Store in Ballard has interesting workshops and how-to classes to choose from for your home improvements projects.

Second Use in South Park also has workshops and interesting stories on their website about salvaged success stories.

Earthwise in South Seattle updates their site often with what's for sale in their huge warehouse.

Photo courtesy of Re-Store.

Reclaimed style and rooftop garden at Seattle's Bastille Cafe & Bar

Bastille Cafe & Bar recently opened in an 85-year old for Machinist shop in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood. What's particularly cool about this new spot is the amount of reclaimed material that the owners have used in their interior.

In addition to bricks, clam shell shelving and a massive iron hood salvaged from the building itself, there are pendant lamps and buttresses salvaged from a French church, a Parisian Metro clock,and railing from a Seattle mansion and a bridge on the MLK causeway in Portland, circa 1930.

The result is a dining room and bar that have given new life to found objects, all the while maintaining the integrity of the original building.

Additionally, the owners have fortified the roof in order to support 15,000 lbs of soil in 12 beds filled with arugula and herbs. More and more chefs, community organizations and private citizens in dense, urban areas are taking advantage of usable space by planting gardens on their roofs.

You can't get anymore fresh or local than when the food grows right on your roof!

Modern-Shed

If you're looking for an eco-friendly alternative for a backyard shed, meet Modern-Shed, a Seattle-based company who designs and makes modern-looking prefabricated sheds and small buildings using eco-friendly materials.

The sheds range in size from 48 sq ft to 216 sq ft, range in price from $7,440 to $29,950 and include options like French doors and are fully insulated.

Eco-friendly options include denim wall insulation, which using 85% post industrial natural fibers, cork or linoleum flooring and Trek decking, which uses equal parts reclaimed, recycled plastic and reclaimed wood in its manufacturing. You can also choose to have a green roof put on to help reduce energy costs - green roofs also help keep the building cooler in the summer and help with rainwater runoff.

Modern-Sheds are made under one roof in a big warehouse in Seattle and the company tries to work as many local businesses as possible.

While the kits can be put together by a layperson, Modern Shed recommends you work with experienced carpenters (like our trusty Houseworks employees) who have prior building knowledge.

Illuminate your life with Solatube Daylighting System

All homes have their trouble spots and if your’s is too little natural light, you should know about Solatube, tubular daylighting devices.

Solatubes are reflective tubes that capture the outdoor light, redirecting it downward into the house. While they’re conceptually similar to skylights in that they allow in natural light, Solatubes don’t require any structural changes and fit easily between the rafters. The Solatube ends in an attractive dome on the ceiling of your room, providing so much natural light that there’s no need to turn on the lights, saving you money on your energy bills.





If you’re interested in Solatubes, but aren’t sure they’re the right solution for you, Houseworks can advise you on them and help you explore other options that suit your needs better.

In fact, now is the right time to make home improvement like Solatubes or skylights. Hire us for a job, big or small, before August 15, 2009 and receive 10% off labor costs!