Newsletter #57

Pumpkin Patch Season

Hope you had time to go out and enjoy the fun at one of the pumpkin patches we have around Washington(we have so many). I have been to one so far to pick fresh vegetables and fruit and that was so great. Didn’t pick as many fruits but did get sweet corn, green beans, cilantro, and fresh cabbage. It was such a fun experience with friends and the family. So many people were out the day we went but still so much to pick. With October coming to a close next week, make sure you get out and enjoy the spooky season anyway you know best. Holiday season is the time to be with family and why not enjoy that with some new space or newly updated areas around your home to show off. If you have ideas to make the holiday activities a bit more enjoyable for all those guests you plan to host, give us a call so we can chat 425-224-2004

New repairs project in Everett ended up having more rot than originally discovered by engineers. We can handle it though.

List of Work We Perform:

  • Whole House Remodel
  • Additions
  • Bathroom Remodel
  • Kitchen Remodel
  • Custom Home
  • Design & Build
  • New Construction
  • Decks
  • Outdoor Living
Rot went through basically the whole face of this home, so we will replace with new.

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: How many colors of M&M’s are in a normal bag?

Call in correct answer for $10 Starbucks Gift Card 425-224-2004

Everett job has been getting it's new beams and new framing all week to replace that nasty rot. This beam is a 20ft 5 1/2"x12", of course we needed the extra support to lift.

Classic Remodeling NW has been working away on our projects in Mukilteo, Seattle, Lynnwood and Everett. Addition in Seattle to create a new bedroom for kids to have their own rooms. The Lynnwood projects were a living space conversion and a kitchen remodel/laundry room relocation. In Mukilteo we are doing a sunroom addition with a kitchen remodel. Just had another Mukilteo project sign for a basement finish for kids to have their own rooms. The project you see above is our Everett project where we came in to repair some damaged areas, ended up finding more, but we can handle it. No project too big. We service from Marysville to North Seattle, so if you are in need of a contractor to assist you with your project within these service areas, then give us a call at 425-224-2004. We would love to meet with you and go over your project needs.

5 Hacks To Guest-Proof Your Home Before the Upcoming Holiday Season

[realtor.com: Kimberly Dawn Neumann]

Tis the season for houseguests! Whether they’re coming over for a party, a holiday hiatus, or a takeover of your home while you’re out of town, you’ve likely got a human influx to deal with over the holidays. Don’t get us wrong – we think having more people around can be a merry thing! But going hand in hand with all that merrymaking is the mess that they can make of your home.

Still, though, there’s hope: With the right prep work, you can stave off many disasters and essentially guest-proof your house. Here are some tactics to protect your floors, furniture, and other valuables from harm. (Bonus: Many of these tips help safeguard your guests, too.)

Hack No. 1: Guard your entryway

It’s important to start things off on a good foot, literally. Make sure your outdoor lights work and de-ice the path to your door if necessary to reduce the chance of slips, falls, and last minute trips to the ER. Then shake out the welcome mat.

“A mud catching entryway mat can help prevent a good amount of dirt and debris from getting tracked all over your floor or carpet,” says Jamie Novak, author of “Keep This Toss That.” In fact, you might consider placing two mats outside your front door – side by side or one in front of the other on the steps – so guests take more steps on the mat before entering your home. Double the fun!

Also, since your foyer is bound to get overrun with coats and shoes, put away any of your own that you don’t need handy that day. Another tip to avoid falls is to tape down extension cords (of which there may be many this time of year owing to holiday lights) in the entry or hallway, or camouflage them with cord covers. And rug pads placed under area rugs will help keep them in place against the holiday foot traffic.

Hack No. 2: Prep your kitchen

As the number of guests increases, so does the strain on the plumbing system in your home.

The kitchen sink is a revolving door during the holidays and is the most vulnerable to getting clogged.

“Be sure not to clean dishes off in the sink. Instead, dump all leftover food scraps into the trash before putting the dish in the sink to prevent clogs,” says Mike Agugliaro, co-owner of New Jersey based Gold Medal Service plumbing company.

Fortify your trash cans too: “Triple line the can so you can save time replacing the liner every third time,” says Novak. “Also, place a few layers of newspaper at the bottom of the trashcan liner to soak up grease and liquid. That way, if the bag is pierced the liquid won’t leak.”

Hack No. 3: Bolster your bathroom

Skip this part if you must. But otherwise, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. The bathroom is just a disaster waiting to happen, especially if Uncle Rupert over imbibes on the spiked eggnog. Again. Or a thousand other bad-case scenarios. But there are ways to keep your pipes from suffering the consequences.

“Today’s toilets use less water and are easier to clog,” says Agugliaro. “Plus, plusher types of toilet papers can’t flush easily. Instead, use brands like Scott, which are thinner and can more easily pass through drains. And never leave paper towels in your bathroom, or there will surely be a chance of a clog.”

Novak also suggests creating a handwritten tent card that states special info for guests like, “Our pipes/septic tanks are antique, please flush only paper.”

Other smart bathroom moves? “Move medications up high in the cabinet, out of reach,” says Novak. “Also prevent guests from rummaging through your closets and drawers by filling a basket with extra paper goods, hand towels, feminine products, and air freshener. You might even add a laundry stain stick to catch spills before they set.”

Hack No. 4: Preserve your valuables

If you have precious items or heirlooms that would devastate you if damaged, hide or make them off-limits.

“Before the holiday season arrives, walk through your home and take stick of items you do not want broken or damaged – such as family heirloom pieces or a Tiffany vase from your wedding,” says Jeffrey Weldler, interior decorating expert at Vant Wall Panels. “Go with the old saying ‘better safe than sorry,’ and put these items in a box tucked into the closet until after your company has gone.” 

This also applies for your kids’ special toys or even sequined pillows or furry rugs that might be tough to clean.

Novak also suggests creating a sort of VIP area.

“Keep your guests in a few key areas by locking doors to others rooms or using decorations as deterrents to entering other parts  of your home,” says Novak. “A strand of lights across the staircase signals ‘Please don’t go up there,’ or you can hang a printed sign.”

Hack No. 5: Create a cleanup kit

No matter how careful you are, you are bound to have at least on person spill wine or gravy somewhere that makes you shudder. For this inevitability, consider putting a few go-to cleaning items in a basket – a sponge, microfiber cloth, dustpan, brush (think broken glass), and all-purpose cleaner – and place it out. You might add a comical “oops” sign to the container so guests don’t feel too awkward if they have an accident and need to grab it.

“Having a few essentials on hand means you save time should you need them, plus you or your guests won’t have to leave the party to rummage through your linen closet to find a rag,” says Novak. In other words, just spray, wipe, and let the festivities continue!

Halloween Platter

Time

Prep Time: 25min

Total Time

25 Mins

Ingredients:

  • Club mini crackers
  • White chocolate crackers
  • Mini Rice Krispy Treats
  • White chocolate Kit Kats
  • Blackberries
  • Chocolate chips
  • White cheddar cheese
  • Reese’s peanut butter mini cups
  • Dried coconut
  • Pistachios-in shell
  • Pumpkin seeds
  • Reese’s white creme peanut butter pumpkins
  • Yogurt raisins
  • White cheddar cheese crackers
  • Popcorn
  • Chocolate almond bark or melting chocolate

Directions:
 

  1. For your Halloween serving tray or serving platter, start with something that is simple that won’t distract from your food. A large pizza pan for Jack Skellington works well, and a simple wooden cheese board for the skull works great too.
  2. To begin your party platters, always start with the eye shape and mouth, then work your way out from there. Think of colors, textures, and shapes when you are assembling the platter.
  3. Next, take almond bark or melting chocolate, and in a double boiler, melt the chocolate down or alternatively microwave it in a microwave-safe bowl in short increments of 20-30 seconds and stir after each increment until melted.
  4. Once melted, remove from heat and carefully spoon into a piping bag or ziplock bag. (No need for piping tip), cut the tip to the size of a pencil point. Be careful, as the chocolate will start to flow. Cutting a smaller hole is always best, as you can still cut a larger one if needed.
  5. Pipe on the mouth and eyebrows and any other elements you like! And serve!

ENJOY!!!