Category: Problems
Portland Remodel Recovery: Rescuing a Home Addition From Shoddy Work
Imagine hiring a contractor to add a second story to your home, only to discover halfway through that the entire project has no permits, is structurally unsafe, and could collapse at any moment. This scenario was the reality for one of our clients, whose lives (and nearly their home) were turned upside-down after hiring a…
Case Study: What Happens When You Hire an Unqualified Contractor?
We’ve all heard the horror stories of unqualified contractors. Perhaps you’ve even experienced it yourself. Whether the result is poor craftsmanship, budget overruns, or a project that lasts months longer than expected, nobody wants to end up with a contractor who lacks the skills or experience to do the job well. At Lamont Bros. Design…
6 Common Challenges of Building an Addition in Lake Oswego
You love your Lake Oswego home, but it’s time for a change. Whether it’s due to a growing family, a change in lifestyle, or simply the need for more living space, the time has come to build an addition. However, before you go hiring a contractor to start designing the plans, you want to know…
Can I raise the ceiling height in my basement? Yes. Here’s how.
You’ve found yourself wanting to raise the height of your basement ceiling. Perhaps it’s because the current ceiling height is too low to do anything useful with the space. Or maybe, the basement is the only place where you can viably add square footage to your home. For whatever reason, you now find yourself faced…
How to Work with a Restoration Contractor to do Insurance Repair
Dealing with a home disaster can be one of the most inconvenient, frustrating experiences for a homeowner. Whether it’s a flood, fire, earthquake, or any other form of home damage, you’ll likely find yourself filing a homeowner’s insurance claim. As you navigate the challenges of restoring your home, you’ll need a restoration contractor at your…
6 Things to Understand About Your Homeowner’s Insurance Policy
The best kind of homeowners insurance is the kind you never have to use. However, if you do have to file a homeowner’s insurance claim to restore your home, it pays to understand your policy. When working through insurance to repair your home after damage, there are several important parts of your policy that you…
Should I Move or Remodel?
When you bought your house, it was good enough for your needs as a homeowner. Perhaps it was even the perfect home for you at the time. But somewhere along the way, your needs changed, leaving you with a difficult choice: remodel your current home, or purchase a new one and move. Every year, homeowners…
Is Home Remodeling Worth It Right Now in Portland?
If you’re one of the nearly 150,000 homeowners in the Portland area, chances are, you’ve at least thought about remodeling in the last few years. However, in an uncertain economy and unprecedented housing market conditions, many homeowners find themselves wondering if remodeling their Portland home is worth it right now. At Lamont Bros. Design &…
Contractor Red Flags: 8 Warning Signs to Watch Out For
Home remodeling comes with its own set of challenges. Your contractor shouldn’t be one of them. Although there are plenty of trustworthy remodeling contractors out there, it can be difficult for homeowners to know which ones are a good fit for their project, and which ones aren’t. In this article, we’ll show you 8 contractor…
Can I Live at Home During My Remodel?
When planning a home remodel, you might have some concerns about living in your home while construction takes place. What if it’s too loud, or you can’t use certain parts of your home due to the renovations? While these concerns are certainly legitimate, it’s usually possible to live at home during a remodel with the…
5 Things Every Homeowner Should Know Before Their First Remodel
A home remodel can be an exciting and rewarding experience that enhances your life and adds value to your home. However, many homeowners begin the process of remodeling with certain expectations that aren’t always realistic or attainable. That’s why in order to set yourself up for success in your first remodel, there are several things…
5 Hidden Costs of Kitchen Remodeling
When planning a kitchen remodel, it’s important to have a predictable budget that you can rely on. Yet, amidst the excitement of transforming your home, it’s possible you may encounter hidden costs that threaten to derail your kitchen remodeling ambitions, leading to budget overruns and unexpected challenges. As one of Portland’s most trusted remodeling companies,…
5 Hidden Costs of Bathroom Remodeling
A bathroom remodel can bring new life to your home, add value to the property, or simply create a personal sanctuary for you to enjoy. However, in this excitement, many homeowners stumble upon hidden costs that can disrupt their bathroom remodeling plans, stretch their budget, or even halt the project entirely. While many of these…
5 Common Bathroom Remodel Challenges
Every homeowner considering a bathroom remodel knows the anxiety of facing unknown challenges. What lies behind the walls? Will the project stay within budget? Are there unexpected design features that might stall the process? For many, these challenges can be overwhelming and even deter them from beginning a bathroom remodel altogether. At Lamont Bros. Design…
Common Kitchen Airflow and Ventilation Problems
Part of ensuring the health and safety of your kitchen is making sure it is properly ventilated. By doing so, your kitchen will be able to remove heat and smoke generated while you cook. However, it’s common for homeowners to encounter a few design problems when altering the airflow and ventilation of their kitchen. At…
How Do Setback and Zoning Laws Affect My Home Addition?
Dreaming of expanding your home? An addition can be an exciting venture. Maybe it’s for an extra bedroom, a sunroom, or perhaps a more spacious kitchen. But as your home addition takes shape, it’s vital to ensure that it also takes into account the very real limitations imposed by local zoning and setback laws. As…
Can I Remove a Structural Post in My House?
Structural posts serve an important role in maintaining the integrity of your home, but they can also get in the way. For many homeowners, structural posts make it difficult to use their space the way they want. As a result, many wonder if it’s possible to remove a post from their house. As one of…
5 Common Kitchen Remodel Challenges
Remodeling your kitchen is full of new and exciting things. You’ll end the process with a brand new kitchen, new experiences, and new understandings of the remodeling process. It’s also likely you’ll experience a few challenges along the way. In order to be prepared for the remodeling journey ahead and make sure you make the…