Sponsor spotlight: March is National Ladder Safety Month

Ladders are not only found in construction, landscaping and other work environments, but also in your own home. Here are some safety tips from the American Ladder Institute that we suggest you consider. Changing light bulbs around the house? Trying to get that glass down from the top shelf in the kitchen? Ladders are constantly used…

Local companies at Seattle Home Show Feb. 23-March 3

Several local companies are among those exhibiting at the Seattle Home Show, the nation’s oldest and largest consumer home show, Feb. 23 through March 3 at CenturyLink Field Event Center. Everything from a new “smart” induction burner, with its own smart pan and recipe app, to a new “collapsible” tiny log cabin that lets you…

Sponsor spotlight: Love your home again

Irons Brothers Construction helps its clients love their homes again in these two award-winning projects (as awarded by the Master Builder’s Association Remodeling Excellence Awards in 2017). A big thanks to our photographer, Vivid Interiors – Tom Redner, for capturing the beauty of these finished spaces. Before and after bathroom remodel Old-world charm was updated…

Tips for feeding birds in cold weather

A reader asked us to share information about maintaining bird feeders — and especially hummingbird feeders — in cold weather. We posed the questions to our experts, and received this column from Candy Brown, a member of the Pilchuck Audubon Society. Songbirds Provide plenty of dry, nutritious seed. I only feed black oil sunflower seed…

Your kitchen: Likely the most important room in your house

Join Irons Brothers Construction at the Northwest Remodeling Expo, set for Friday-Sunday, Jan. 18-20, at the Washington State Convention Center, Halls 4EF, 800 Convention Pl., Seattle. More information is available here. Your kitchen is most likely the most important room in your house: where the kids do their homework, where your friends come for coffee,…

Sponsor spotlight: Visit Irons Brothers at the Northwest Remodeling Expo Jan. 18-20

Join Irons Brothers Construction at the Northwest Remodeling Expo, set for Friday-Sunday, Jan. 18-20, at the Washington State Convention Center, Halls 4EF, 800 Convention Pl., Seattle. More information is available on the Irons Brothers events website. Discounted tickets are available via email at office@ironsbc.com. NW Remodeling Expo Jan. 18: Noon-7 p.m. Jan. 19:11 a.m. to 7…

Home and Real Estate Weekly: Five hidden renovation costs

Renovations never seem to go as planned. There’s always a cost you didn’t anticipate, or a problem that didn’t reveal itself until the project was underway. Here are five common costs to look out for. 1. Higher utility bills: If contractors and builders are working in your home all day, there’s a good chance they’re…

Home and Real Estate Weekly: Dealing with scratched hardwood floors

Hardwood floors are highly desirable for most homeowners, but they come with their share of challenges when it comes to cleaning, maintenance, and repairs. After a few months or years of heavy use from kids playing with toys and chairs being shuffled around, it may be time for some DIY fixes. Hiding scratches: If you’ve…

Sponsor spotlight: More older Americans desire to ‘age in place’

Older Americans largely prefer to stay in their current homes as they age rather than downsize or relocate. And that is a major driver in the continued growth of “aging-in-place” remodeling. This technique involves making home modifications — big or small — to help homeowners live safely in their home for many years to come,…

Home safety checklist for the holiday season

The holiday season is a special time for family gatherings and festive celebrations, but it’s also an important time for home owners to keep some basic safety precautions top of mind. Indeed, crime rates tend to rise during the holiday season — Thanksgiving to New Year’s  — because of the increased number of consumers shopping…

National Association of Home Builders names Melissa Irons Remodeler of Month

The National Association of Home Builders has named Melissa Irons, Irons Brothers Construction Inc. marketing and operations manager, its NAHB Remodeler of the Month for November 2018. Based in Shoreline, Irons Brothers was founded in 1999 and has 11 employees. “What an honor and privilege to be chosen for this award,” Irons said. “I am proud of…

Five home maintenance projects to do this fall

As we turn back the clock, now’s the time to focus on fall maintenance projects. Preparing for the chilly weather now will enhance and protect one of your biggest investments: your home. The best part is that many of these projects can be done at little or no cost, and they can help you save…

Hardwood floor

Home and Real Estate Weekly: Dealing with scratched hardwood floors

Hardwood floors are highly desirable for most homeowners, but they come with their share of challenges when it comes to cleaning, maintenance, and repairs. After a few months or years of heavy use from kids playing with toys and chairs being shuffled around, it may be time for some DIY fixes. Hiding scratches: If you’ve…

Skylight

Home and Real Estate Weekly: How to check your home for air leaks

We’re well into the fall season, and winter is right around the corner. This is the time of year when it’s especially important to make sure your home is properly sealed. Air leaks can make it difficult to keep your home properly heated and can lead to high utility bills. Here’s quick guide to checking…

Irons Brothers Construction home office projects.

Creating the perfect home office

School is back in session, and that means the kids will be bringing home more and more homework. This combined with a growing trend of professionals who are working from home on a permanent or part-time basis, places increased emphasis on creating the perfect home office. While the dining room table or living room couch…

Irons Brothers Construction kitchen remodel, July 2017.

Considering a remodel? Think twice before you DIY

According to new research and a recent New York Post article, the average American home has nine repairs that need to be completed around the house, with 57 percent of homeowners feeling like their home is a work in progress. While it’s understandable that many homeowners do some of their own home repairs or small…

Home and Real Estate Weekly: Five secret weapons for DIY projects

Is there a home maintenance project that’s been lingering on your to-do list for too long because you’re dreading the trip to the hardware or craft store? There are some projects you can tackle with items that are almost certainly already in your home. 1. Vinegar: There’s probably a jug of vinegar in your pantry…

Home and Real Estate Weekly: Choosing the right paint finish

It can be intimidating to stand in front of the paint swatches at the paint or hardware store and try to make a decision. Picking a color can be difficult enough—and then you have to choose the finish. Choosing the color is up to you, but here’s a simple guide to choosing the correct finish…

Be sure to check credentials when hiring a professional remodeler

If you’re planning a home remodel, hire a professional remodeler with excellent credentials. According to the Master Builders Association of King & Snohomish Counties (MBAKS), the best remodeling results are achieved when qualified remodelers do the work. “Remodeling professionals have training, experience, skills and solid references,” said Joseph Irons, the Washington State Representative for the…

Top five home remodeling projects

Homeowners who are considering — or planning — to stay in their home should know about remodeling projects that increase the home’s usefulness and make it better to live in. A 2017 National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) survey of remodelers has identified the five most common remodeling jobs. Housing market data reveals that small,…