Home Remodel & Renovation

Seattle-Kent Home Remodeling and Renovation Construction Services

Customized Solutions to Fulfill Your Remodeling Needs

A whole-house remodel involves comprehensive renovations that affect most, if not all, areas of a home, both inside and out. These projects often require significant changes to the home’s layout, including tearing down walls and adding new rooms.

While a complete remodel can be exciting, it also poses challenges due to the extensive planning and coordination it requires.

The benefits of a full home remodel can be considerable. Whether the goal is to increase the property’s market value for a profitable sale—especially in a vibrant market like Seattle-Kent, Washington—or to create a more enjoyable living space for current residents, the foundational steps remain the same: establishing a budget and developing a detailed plan.

Looking for a trusted local home remodeler? Call now for a free estimate: 206-483-3222 or schedule an appointment online.

5. Rebuild Core Structures: Focus on essential elements like walls, support beams, and subfloors.
6. Update/Add Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Systems: Modernize critical systems for improved efficiency and safety.
7. Install Drywall or Siding: Create the interior and exterior surfaces of your home.
8. Lay Flooring: Choose and install flooring that matches your design vision.
9. Install Cabinets, Fixtures, and Appliances: Select high-quality fixtures that enhance both functionality and aesthetics.
10. Painting: Apply paint to complete the look of your spaces.
11. Finalize Décor and Furnishings: Add personal touches to finish the transformation.

Cost Considerations for Whole-House Remodeling

On average, a complete home remodel costs around $60,000, with expenses typically ranging from $20,000 to $100,000. Homeowners should expect to spend between $15 and $150 per square foot, depending on the project’s scale and complexity.

Certain areas, particularly bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms, often incur higher costs due to the intricate plumbing and electrical work involved. Below is a breakdown of average remodeling costs for various rooms:

– Bathroom Remodel: $6,700 to $28,000
– Kitchen Remodel: $14,600 to $40,000
– Laundry Room Remodel: $6,000
– Living Room Remodel: $5,000 to $10,000
– Bedroom Remodel: $1,500 to $5,500
– Office Remodel or Room Addition: $5,000 or more

Looking for a trusted local home remodeler? Call now for a free estimate: 206-483-3222 or schedule an appointment online.

Planning Your Complete Home Remodel

Define Your Design Objectives

Establishing a clear vision for your remodel is vital. If the remodel is for resale, understanding current design trends is essential to attract potential buyers, often requiring input from designers and renovation experts. If the remodel is for personal use, focus on fulfilling your individual needs, such as accommodating a growing family or prioritizing specific living areas.

A whole-house remodel is a significant project that requires careful planning and a thorough understanding of the steps involved. Here are ten essential steps to guide you through the remodeling process, whether you are an experienced professional or a first-time remodeler.

1. Set Clear Goals: Defining specific objectives streamlines focus, optimizes resource allocation, and enhances project planning, ensuring everyone works toward a common outcome.
2. Create a Comprehensive Budget: Establishing a budget helps determine available funds and prevents overspending, allowing for informed decisions about impactful investments.
3. Gather Inspiration: Seek inspiration from various sources—such as online platforms, magazines, or design shows—to clarify your vision and highlight current trends.
4. Hire Qualified Subcontractors: Engaging skilled subcontractors is crucial to avoid costly mistakes and ensure efficient project execution.
5. Develop a Detailed Plan: A thorough renovation plan maintains organization and minimizes errors, ensuring all parties are aligned on tasks and timelines while anticipating potential challenges.
6. Prioritize Functionality and Efficiency: Ensure the remodel meets practical needs, as a well-designed space maximizes utility and may lead to energy savings.
7. Carefully Select Materials and Finishes: Thoughtful selection of materials and finishes enhances both aesthetics and functionality while staying within budget.
8. Foster Effective Communication: Clear communication among all parties is vital for aligning project objectives, timelines, and budgets, as well as addressing any concerns.
9. Monitor Progress Regularly: Consistent monitoring allows for early identification of issues, enabling timely adjustments to keep the project on track regarding budget and schedule.
10. Evaluate Outcomes Against Initial Goals: Assessing the project’s success in relation to initial objectives provides valuable insights for future projects and identifies areas for improvement.

For extensive remodeling projects, Trusted General Contractors is your dependable local partner. Attempting to manage the project independently can lead to significant challenges and stress. Our expertise in planning, structural assessments, and complex installations ensures a smoother process, while skilled DIYers may handle simpler tasks such as demolition, painting, and minor installations.

Looking for a trusted local home remodeler? Call now for a free estimate: 206-483-3222 or schedule an appointment online.

Permits Required in Seattle-Kent, Washington

Obtaining building permits can be a time-consuming aspect of large-scale projects. Typically, contractors oversee the permitting process, with associated costs included in the overall project budget. All building applications require completing an application form and submitting necessary documentation. Trusted General Contractors will manage all required applications and plans, along with the relevant plan check fees.

To ensure a smooth construction, alteration, or repair process, obtaining a residential building permit is essential for most projects. This includes activities such as:

– Changing the occupancy, structure, or living space of a building
– Demolishing a building
– Adding, repairing, or removing roofs
– Modifying electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems

Residential Minor Work Permits Process: We strive to process most residential permits within 2–3 business days. After processing, you will receive payment instructions.

Residential Plumbing Permits: These permits are required for tasks like removing or replacing plumbing fixtures in the same location without disturbing surrounding surfaces, such as drywall or framing. This also includes electric hot water tank replacements.

Residential Mechanical Permits: If you are working on heating and cooling systems, HVAC installations, gas piping, gas hot water tank replacements, or other mechanical systems, you will need a mechanical permit.

Residential Re-Roofing: When applying for a re-roofing permit, please specify the materials being removed, the type of underlayment (if applicable), and the new materials to be installed. If a contractor is involved, kindly include their Washington State contractor license number in your application.

Residential Window/Siding Permits: For window permits, a site plan and detailed specifications are necessary. If a contractor will perform the work, please ensure to provide their Washington State contractor license number.

Demolition Permits: A demolition permit is required for the complete removal of a structure, including its foundation.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure your project stays on track and complies with local regulations for Seattle-Kent Washington.

Looking for a trusted local home remodeler? Call now for a free estimate: 206-483-3222 or schedule an appointment online.

Projects That Do Not Require a Permit in Seattle-Kent, Washington

To ensure a smooth construction or renovation process, it is important to understand when a permit is required. Generally, a permit is necessary for most construction, alteration, or repair activities, including:

– Changing the occupancy, structure, or living space of a building
– Demolishing a building
– Adding, repairing, or removing any electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems

Most permits will require both an intake appointment and a formal review. Even if a permit isn’t needed for your specific project, it’s crucial that all work complies with the relevant codes.

Small Structures
You may not need a permit for:
– One-story detached accessory structures (like tool sheds or playhouses) if they are under 120 sq. ft. for non-residential use and under 200 sq. ft. for residential use.
– Shade cloth structures built for nursery or agricultural purposes, without service systems.
– Window awnings that are supported by an exterior wall, provided they:
– Don’t extend more than 54 inches from the wall
– Don’t require additional support for R-3 and U occupancies.
– Non-fixed, movable fixtures, cases, counters, racks, and partitions under 5 feet 9 inches in height.
– Temporary sets and scenery for motion pictures, television, and theatre.

Decks
Decks for one- and two-family residences are exempt from permits if they:
– Are not larger than 200 sq. ft.
– Are no more than 30 inches above grade at any point
– Are not attached to a dwelling
– Do not serve as the exit door required by IRC Sec. R311.4

Walls, Fences, Sidewalks, and Driveways
Typically, you won’t need a permit for:
– Fences that are 7 feet high or lower
– Retaining walls that do not exceed 4 feet in height (measured from the footing to the top) unless they support a surcharge or impound specific liquids.
– Sidewalks and driveways that are not more than 30 inches above the adjacent grade and do not cover any basement or story below. These may not be part of an accessible route.

Recreational Structures
You generally don’t need a permit for:
– Above-ground prefabricated pools for one- and two-family residences that are:
– 24 inches deep or less
– 5,000 gallons or less
– Swings and other playground equipment that are accessory to detached one- or two-family dwellings.

Water Tanks
Water tanks that are supported directly on the ground do not require a permit if:
– Their capacity is less than 5,000 gallons
– The height-to-diameter or width ratio is less than 2 to 1.

Cosmetic Improvements
You can undertake cosmetic improvements without a permit, including:
– Painting
– Wallpapering
– Tiling or carpeting
– Installing cabinets
– Countertops
– Similar finish work

Gas Appliances
You don’t need a permit for:
– Portable appliances for heating, cooking, or clothes drying
– Portable fuel cell appliances that are not connected to a fixed piping system or a power grid
– Replacing minor parts of existing appliances that do not alter their approval or safety.

Mechanical Systems
For mechanical work, a permit is typically not required for:
– Portable heating, ventilation, cooling units, and evaporative coolers that are not connected to fixed piping or a power grid.
– Steam, hot or chilled water piping within regulated heating or cooling equipment.
– Replacement of minor parts that do not compromise safety or equipment approval.
– Self-contained refrigeration systems containing 10 pounds or less of refrigerant and powered by motors of 1 horsepower (746 Watts) or less.

Plumbing
You can perform minor plumbing repairs without a permit if you are not altering valves, pipes, or fixtures, such as:
– Stopping and repairing leaks in drains, water, soil, waste, or vent pipes
– Clearing stoppages
– Removing and reinstalling water closets

However, a permit is required if:
Any concealed trap, drainpipe, water, soil, waste, or vent pipe becomes defective and needs to be replaced with new material. Replacing any part of these systems is considered new work, necessitating a permit and inspection to comply with code.

By understanding these guidelines, you can navigate your construction or renovation project confidently and ensure compliance with local regulations.

Looking for a trusted local home remodeler? Call now for a free estimate: 206-483-3222 or schedule an appointment online.