"I really value working with these professionals. A testament of our great working relationship are the number of JMG projects finished over the last five years. I am always glad to start a new project with them and know that every aspect will be handled with care, consideration and respect for me and the property. I highly recommend them without any reservations."
"I never contacted the provider or used this service in anyway. I have to write this review so that the request to write this review stops popping up. The rating is bogus as it is required to be able to submit. "
"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. "
"The entire experience was so positive. Jesse wasnâ t just someone we hired for a custom project, he (and his family) became friends throughout the process. He is an outstanding carpenter, but an even better person. Laid back with a good sense of humor, he helped guide us through the design process, listening to our ideas, brainstorming with us and offering suggestions on what might be better materials, more realistic options and the best ways to utilize our space to achieve our desired goals. We now have a beautiful statement piece in our home - and it feels like we built it â togetherâ . His attention to detail is second to none and we wouldnâ t hesitate to hire him for another custom project in the future."
Unfinished Carpentry questions, answered by experts
The easiest way to tell if a wall is load bearing is to check if it’s an exterior wall or if it runs perpendicular to the joists above and below it (or parallel to beams). Exterior walls are almost always load-bearing, and walls that run under beams or parallel to them are also usually load-bearing. There are exceptions to these rules, and walls that don’t fit into these categories can still be load-bearing. If you’re unsure, hire a structural engineer to look at your home to assess whether or not the wall is structural.
Bump-out additions can extend anywhere from 2 to 15 feet from an existing room. The right size will depend on how you plan to use the new space. For a cantilever bump-out, which doesn't require additional foundation support, the limit is typically 24 inches (2 feet). If a footing and foundation are part of the project, a bump-out can be much larger, even encompassing a whole room. It's also important to remember that many residential properties have limits on the total house size relative to the lot size.
Traditionally, bungalows are single-story homes, although having a half or partial story on top of the first floor is common. While adding a second story to a bungalow is certainly possible, the home would no longer be considered a bungalow by the strictest definition.
While some highly experienced homeowners can frame a house independently, it is not advisable. You will need ample carpentry experience, a team of helpers, and professionals to sign off on your work to meet local building codes. For the safest outcome, we recommend buying or building a house with the guidance of professionals.
Yes, you will need a jack for a rim joist replacement. To prevent sagging and facilitate the removal of load-bearing wood, you’ll need to relieve the pressure from this joint before beginning work.
Due to hydraulics and other specialized equipment, a sill plate and rim joist replacement are not typically a DIY project. Hiring a professional structural engineer and experienced contractors is the best approach to replacing rotted sill plates and rim joists.
The Kaycee, WY 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.