Welcome to the Powell Construction Remodeling Blog! Look below to see projects as they are being built, step-by-step. We’re based in Corvallis, Oregon. To learn more about Powell Construction and view our extensive Portfolio collection with before and after photos of kitchens, bathrooms, additions, and whole-house remodels, click on the “Powell Construction Webpage” link to the right. We hope you enjoy your visit!
Share on FacebookDuring this recession many homeowners have seen the value of their home drop dramatically. If you were to sell your home today, you might be getting a much lower price than you are willing to sell for. Therefore many people are deciding to stay in their current homes much longer.
While you might have to delay selling your home, that does not mean you have to sit by idly until home prices rise again. You could consider remodeling so that you can enjoy years of use of the improvements and when you get ready to sell, your home will have a higher appeal to potential buyers. Here are some things to consider when you do remodel your home. Make sure you don’t select the cheapest materials nor expensive trendy materials that might go out of fashion faster than you can say “what’s in style”. Material selection should incorporate classic designs that will be in style for years to come. Good quality products will also get noticed by potential buyers, hold up to wear and last well into the future.
In addition to the two lasting tenets of real estate; don’t forget curb appeal and energy efficiency. Maybe it is time to re-do the siding and add insulation and energy efficient windows. Informed buyers ask to see utility bills so that they can budget them into their monthly bills. If the energy cost of your home is too high, this could deter people from buying. The Energy Trust of Oregon does give cash incentives for upgrades that make your home more energy efficient.
Kitchen and Baths are also good remodeling projects since those are of high importance to most people who are considering buying a home.
Which home would you buy?
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With the recent weather we’ve been having in the Willamette Valley, many people have had to deal with flooded basements. Before you enter a flooded basement, make sure that the electricity is turned off, preferably at the meter. The natural gas valve should be turned off as well. Check for cave-ins at the basement walls or other structural damage.
If you need to pump water from the basement and you don’t have electricity use a gas-powered pump. Be careful using an electric pump that uses your own electrical system, this can be potentially very dangerous. If possible use an external electric source.
Pumping out a lot of water needs to be done slowly. The water in the basement helps to support the walls from the pressure of heavy water logged soil pushing against the walls. If you pump out the water too fast, the outside pressure will be greater than the inside pressure and may cause the basement walls or floor to crack or rupture. In severe cases your house could float like a boat that is buoyed by displacement.
The same reasoning applies to a septic tank. It could try to float out of the ground and may damage the inlet and outlet pipes, if emptied too quickly.
After the water has receded you may not be sure about potential structural damage. If you suspect structural damage, have a structural engineer give you an assessment and recommendations to fix any problems.
If you have a finished basement, floors and walls can get damaged quickly and mold problems can develop over time. Call your contractor for repairs and for ideas on how to reduce the water damage the next time the weather becomes severe.
Tags: Flooded Basements
What could be more romantic than using your hot tub on a clear and starry night, surrounded by glass and protected from the elements? This addition brings the outdoors in and allows the homeowners to enjoy their hot tub year round.
To create an outdoor feel we used as many windows and skylights as the building code would allow. The cover can be opened fully and folded into a recess in the tile for upright storage. Drawers built into the tile provide convenient storage for hot tub supplies and accessories.
In order to keep the costs down, we used ceramic tile that mimics slate. The tile was used on the hot tub deck, floor and shower stall. To add visual interest & provide better slip resistance, mosaic tiles of the same material were used on the shower stall floor and products niche.
For a dramatic design statement, we selected Pental deep blue countertops with added sparkles. These Pental Terazzo Trend Q countertops are not only beautiful, but are also made with 70% post industrial recycled materials. The delicate sloping lines of the Kohler sink add just the right contrast.
This before photo is taken in the same direction the new hot tub is now located. With the new addition and relocation of fixtures, enjoying the hot tub on a stormy winter night can be just as romantic.
Here’s a glimpse of the whole house remodel we did for two of our Corvallis customers that were wanting to turn this outdated beach home into a beachside getaway.
The small kitchen felt confined and the goal was to “open up” the space without adding square footage.
before
We installed new maple cabinets with finger pulls for a contemporary look. The neutral colors help to visually open the space, while the laminated countertop with a Gem Loc counter edge adds interest and contrast. A stainless steel Kohler sink and brushed nickel Delta faucet completes the contemporary design. An installed Insta Hot provides instant hot water for tea or coffee on a cool beach day.
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Thank you to everyone who voted for us in the Top of the Valley Contest! We received an Honorable Mention in two categories: Best Home Repair and Best Hardware Home Improvement/Decor.
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