Newsletter #19

We Are Finally Seeing the Sun!

Washington is really giving us a show. The sun has come out and the heat has joined us. We have a reason to be outside. Yes I know COVID is still around so don’t go too far and stay 6+ feet away from anyone you aren’t normally around on a daily basis. Take a walk around the block, hang out in the front or backyard, go to the park down the street, find ways to get out but keeping safe. Don’t forget your masks. If you need that front porch or back deck replaced or upgraded give us a call. Maybe you don’t have either and would like one. We can help you with that. We can even help you draw up a new deck for your property. Walk you through permitting if needed until we get the permit in hand. Why not give us a call to see how we can help you? We can and we will build your dreams. Give us a call for your remodeling project 425-224-2004.

New fireplace built on this homeowners top deck in Bothell

List of Work We Perform:

  • Whole House Remodel
  • Additions
  • Bathroom Remodel
  • Kitchen Remodel
  • Custom Home
  • Design & Build
  • New Construction
  • Decks
  • Outdoor Living
Stonework around the fireplace being put in.

Referral Program:

There is no greater honor than having our past clients/friends recommend us to their friends, family and co-workers. To show our appreciation, we would like to invite you to participate in our exclusive client referral
program.

When you refer a friend, family member or co-worker to our company and they sign a
construction contract with us, you will receive 1% of the total project cost on a future project with our company or cash. A $100,000 project=$1,000 credit.
The people who you refer to our company will also receive 1% off of their project costs to be used with their current project.

There is no limit on how many times you can use this program, so the more you use it, the more money you can earn.
We look forward to working with you, your friends and your family.

Trivia Question:
Q: What is July’s birth flower?

Call in correct answer for $10 Starbucks Gift Card 425-224-2004
(Where are my winners at?!)

Working on the new cover that extends out from the existing roof line over the top deck in Bothell.

Classic Remodeling NW Inc. has some exciting news! We have recently hired on a new Project Manager Bryan and our new Project Developer Travis. We are so excited we have them on our team. As well as hiring on some new guys, we are starting up some new avenues to help during this pandemic. We will be looking at starting Zoom meetings with homeowners if social distancing is very important to them as well as docusign. This way we can keep a safe distance but still be able to communicate about your project. We have not started these yet but once we do I will be sure to tell you here as soon as it goes live. We are still taking all necessary steps to keep us and our clients safe. We wear masks at all job sites, we all carry hand sanitizer, as well as not coming into work if we feel any type of sick symptoms. We keep 6+ feet apart on job sites and ask of you that we get the same in return. We ask that you also wear a mask when we are around you or on your job site and to keep 6+ feet away from us, as we will for you. We can get through this pandemic if we work together on staying safe. So if you have a remodel project in mind, give us a call. Anything from a bathroom remodel to a custom home build, we can help you with all your remodeling needs. We offer complimentary consultations, so call us at 425-224-2004. We would love to hear about your remodeling needs. 

7 Summer Maintenance Musts: Your Essential Seasonal Checklist

[realtor.com: Larissa Runkle]

Taking care of your home this season isn’t just about getting in on all those trending summer looks and beautifying the backyard. It’s also about getting all those dreaded seasonal maintenance tasks done and out of the way before cold weather arrives.

We know, we know – in the thick, sweltering heat of July it’s hard to imagine another fall and winter ahead. But knocking out your to-do list now will ensure you can space things out and still enjoy some lazy days off.

In order to help you organize your summer maintenance schedule, we’ve compiled this list with input from the experts – including details on which tasks to do yourself and which are best left to the professionals. Here are seven summer maintenance musts for you to start checking off this season.

Inspect Your AC Units
 
We spend too much time washing our hands and cleaning homes, but what about the air quality? Having a clean and dust-free AC unit is an often overlooked summer maintenance must, and definitely one to take on early in the season.

“Keeping a HVAC system clean and tuned up will not only save homeowners money on their electric bill, but also the unit to perform at it’s best capacity,” says Marla Mock of Aire Serv.

At a minimum, air-conditioning condenser coils should be cleaned at least twice a year. It’s best to clean them before starting the system for the season and again when the weather starts to get hot for prolonged periods of time – that is, right now.

Call in pros: While you might be tempted to break out your scrub brush, this job is best left to the professionals. Expect to pay $70 to $196, depending on just how much maintenance your AC unit needs.

Clean Your Outdoor Cooking Spaces

Clean your grill before your next barbecue. 

Whether you have a Big Green Egg or gas-powered outdoor cooktop, you’ll want to plan on giving that space a scrub-down before guests start arriving for your next (socially distanced) barbecue.

“The easiest way to clean your grill and outdoor cooking space is with a pressure washer,” says Cory Paul or Pressurist. “Of course you can wipe your grill down and scrub your patio by hand, but when you’re dealing with heavy grease, it’s much easier to use a pressure washer to break it down and wash it away.”

DIY: Rent a pressure washer from your local Home Depot.

Check Your Deck for Damage

Winter and spring can be harsh on our outdoor spaces – particularly wooden decks and surfaces. The long, bright days of summer are a good time to scope out whether they need any repairs. 

“Checking whether a deck needs a repair usually involves three tests: stability, rust, and rot,” says Paul.

DIY: To properly inspect your deck, Paul recommends walking up and down each board, and grabbing each post to see if anything is loose. Next, check the metal fasteners and connectors for rust. 

While surface rust can be removed, you’ll want to replace anything that looks like it’s been compromised. Finally, use a screwdriver to gently poke various boards and posts. If the wood is soft and doesn’t splinter, that’s usually an indicator of rot-and it should be replaced. 

Call in the pros: If you’re not comfortable tearing apart the deck on your own, be prepared for the cost of hiring a pro. According to Fixr, basic hardware replacements cost around $150, with jobs involving board replacements starting at about $700 and running to several thousand dollars.

Protect Your Home Against Pests

While bringing the outdoors in remains a popular seasonal trend, there are some parts of the outdoors that are better left outside. One of the best maintenance tasks you can do (for sanity) this season is protecting your home from pests. 

“Taking pest control into your own hands is an incredible cost-saving measure any homeowner can tackle this summer,” says Derek Gaughan, owner of Bug Lord. “All of the products are available for purchase, and with some basic safety knowledge, it’s incredibly easy to do.”

DIY: If you want to save your cash and tackle pest control yourself, start by sealing up cracks, placing glue trap boards in places you find pests, and consider even getting your hands on some professional-grade pest deterrent. Still not sure where to begin? 

Call in the pros: Rather not be bugged with this task? (Sorry, we had to.) A one-time visit by pest control will cost you $300 to $550.

Dust Hard-To-Reach Places

For fans that are hard to reach, use a duster with an extendable are and a brush that fits around the blade.

If you or your family have dust allergies, don’t wait till midsummer to start cleaning those hard-to-reach places we tend to neglect.

“Dust that builds up is bad for air quality and can also put extra weight on appliances, causing them to not operate properly,” says Elizabeth Dodson of HomeZada.

DIY: As long as you’re comfortable standing on your tiptoes, grab a Swiffer duster (or follow this cleaning hack) to start dusting off the ceiling fan blades, cabinet tops, and other hard-to-reach places that are gathering dust. 

Call in the pros: A cleaning crew will tackle all your nooks and crannies, but expect to pay for the convenience-on average $150 to $300 an hour for walls and ceilings. 

Deep-Clean Mattresses, Pillows and Rugs
 
With all the warm, sunny days ahead, it’s the perfect time of year to give your mattresses, pillows, and even rugs the deep cleaning they need.

“Sunlight kills dust mites, so pillows, rugs, and mattresses can all be brought outside and placed in direct sunlight,” says Eugene Sokol of Plasticine house. “Just be mindful of the weather and pollen in the air so you aren’t trading one allergen for another.”

DIY: Hand or machine-wash your pillows, vacuum those carpets, and deep clean your mattress-then take them all outside to dry in the sun. 

Get Your Landscaping Under Control

Don’t forget to trim hedges and prune shrubs and flowers.

“Trimming and pruning plants and trees on time is very important so they don’t get out of control,” says Elle Meager of Outdoor Happens. 

Trimming hedges and pruning plants and trees regularly will guarantee you grow thick hedges (rather than tall, thin ones) and trees that produce more flowers and fruit.

And here’s a pro hack for keeping your outdoor space a happy one this summer: Plant the right things like herbs that naturally repel pests and flowers that attract honey bees.

“Rue, for example, helps in repelling fleas, flies and many other pests around the yard,” says Meager. “Plant it near compost piles, rubbish bins, and in containers near doorways. And bees are instrumental in pollinating your vegetables and fruit trees-so be true to plant a few flowers they’re attracted to.”

Pineapple Chicken

(4 servings)

 

Prep time

(10 Minutes)

 

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup unsweetened pineapple juice
  • 3/4 cup ketchup
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce 
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp. freshly minced ginger
  • 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 tsp. vegetable oil, plus more for grill
  • 1 pineapple, sliced into rings & halved
  • Thinly sliced green onions, for garnish

 

Directions:

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together pineapple juice, ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger until combined.
  2. Add chicken to a large resealable plastic bag and pour in marinade. Let marinate in the fridge at least 2 hours and up to overnight.
  3. When ready to grill, heat grill to high. Oil grates and grill chicken, basting with marinade, until charred and cooked through, 8 minutes per side.
  4. Toss pineapple with oil and grill until charred, 2 minutes per side.
  5. Garnish chicken and pineapple with green onions before serving.

ENJOY!!!