"They manage all aspects of our vacation home and property. Over the past 3yrs they’ve performed several small to large projects, cleaning and restraining home, repairs, water system upgrades, construction, french drains and small tasks to prepare the property for summer arrival. Pays great attention to detail and very trustworthy. They are an absolute pleasure to work with!"
"We spent a great deal of time and energy (four rounds of interviews) researching contractors to help us remodel the home we had just bought, and we chose Burlingame Contracting. Our project was significant because we not only wanted to completely remodel both of our bathrooms but we also needed demolition and structural work, removing and adding walls, windows, skylights, plumbing, electrical and roof work. We had very specific design ideas and a detailed parts list (different kinds of floor and wall tiles, imported lighting, large soaking tub, fixtures, etc.) and a limited amount of space, so we really needed to find someone who was flexible enough in their skill-set to get things done how we wanted them and who could communicate extremely well as there were tons of small design decisions that needed to be made along the way. Paul really came through for us. Not only did he create what we had imagined, he reliably offered improvement ideas and structural suggestions as he was working on the project. There were things that there was no way for us to know about in advance and, without Paul's forward thinking, we might have ended up with something beautiful that didn't last. His work looks good and feels solid and we trust it. Paul often told me that he was afraid he would "bug me" too much with questions and thoughts. As someone who has been through the remodel process in the past, this was music to my ears. And Paul was true to his word, contacting us whenever he had a question, texting us pictures, explaining options and issues, and consistently letting us know where he was at with regard to the project. We also very much appreciated his willingness to take time out of his weekend to meet with us weekly at the house to go over his progress and review details in person, as we were still living in the Seattle area. In terms of the work quality, it is excellent! Every time I walk into one of the bathrooms, I feel as though I've entered a beautiful hotel, suited just to my tastes. The only downside is that Paul’s work is so nice it now makes us want to have him update the rest of the house as well! Paul has good attention to detail and we appreciated his experience and workmanship. He has good subs and suppliers and manages them well. He is easy to work with, has a good sense of humor, and really ensured that he understood what we had in mind and did a fantastic job making it real."
"Robert is a personable and responsive manager. His open, kind, and friendly attitude with both customers and contractors makes him an asset to his business."
"Once I sent her all the measurements, it took her a little while to get the options back to me. Overall, they're good designs. However, they're very simplistic and give general ideas for space planning. I was hoping to have a better idea for sizes of furniture for the space and some variations on staging. Jill was very responsive when I did have a question. I'm not sure how helpful it is to have a virtual design done. If we lived in similar cities, I'd probably use her again for help with additional designs. "
"Jason at Avalon made sure that the work was completed and that I was satisfied. He was EXTREMELY responsive and all of our interactions were friendly and professional. Can't ask for more in a contractor!"
"Excellent. They moved out things out for them to started the work. Couldn't be more nice, it's neat and they did a wonderful job. Price was fair. Very quick response."
Unfinished Carpentry questions, answered by experts
New builds, remodels, and additions often necessitate professional framing expertise.
Installing a tongue-and-groove wall requires similar techniques to those associated with installing shiplap. However, because of the precision necessary to make each board fit perfectly and the increased material prices, the cost is higher than that of shiplap installations. Expect to spend between $2 and $6 more per square foot for tongue-and-groove walls versus shiplap ones.
Carpenters are trained to take on a wide range of home projects. You can hire a carpenter to do framing, roofing, build custom furniture, and make significant upgrades to your home. General carpenters are usually able to handle most jobs. However, you may also choose to hire a carpenter who specializes in a specific type of carpentry.
One of the most common house framing basics for decades has been using wood for the framing work. However, some framing contractors now suggest using steel frames. Steel is lightweight, resistant to fire, and resistant to moisture, all of which are areas where wood framing could cause problems. However, steel framing is more expensive than wood and limits your ability to insulate the home.
Yes, a 2x6 should hold a porch swing and safely support the load. A smaller joist runs the risk of it not offering enough support for the swing. If you have a joist smaller than 2x6, add additional bolstering support.
The Friday Harbor, WA homeowners’ guide to contractor services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
When you’re tackling a project or hiring a contractor, it’s helpful to know key carpentry terms. From end grain to dovetail joints, here’s a complete list.
House framing is one of the first parts of building a home. To do this, you’ll want to hire a rough or unfinished carpenter. Using this guide, you’ll know what questions to ask and where to look for your house framing contractor.
