Welcome To Ksquared Builders

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Master Bath "Switcheroo"


We "Switched up" this bathroom layout by swapping the shower and vanity locations. This allowed for a much more open floorplan while accommodating a spacious shower. By replacing the rarely used sunken tub with a more efficient and comfortable free-standing tub also freed up precious floor space. 
"I wanted to tell you great is was working with you and Chris (and the rest of your crew). Chris is super knowledgeable, quick to offer suggestions andquick to respond. He also has a good eye for detail. We love our new bathrooms. I almost don’t want to put anything in them so they stay new looking! We’re thrilled with everything we picked out. We love the cabinets, tops, tiles and fixtures!" Susan Urgo
 




Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Hackers on the Prowl!

Contractors and Builders Beware!

Spammers are getting very personal and crafty with their phishing emails.

I received this email yesterday
"Hello,

I got your email contact on your website, I would like to build a new home in a couple of months time, would your company be capable of taking on this project for me? Please let me, I look forward to your prompt reply.


Best Regards
James Miller"

Thinking this was real, I responded and then recieved this email.
"Hello Dale,

Thank you for your reply, I would like to build a new family home for a change in living style. I have compiled all the details about the type of home, location, budget, number rooms and bathrooms, e.t.c on the Google Doc I have included in this email. Please review and let me know if your company can take on the project. 


I look forward to your reply.

Thanks

James Miller"

Again, thinking this was real, I clicked on the link which took me to my Google Doc sign in...which I stupidly did, not noticing that this was the link at the top of the page. http://toys-story.ro/galben/css/share/2015/

Luckily, Google is on alert and when I got up this morning, had a message asking if I had signed in from a different location, which I hadn't. I immediately changed my password and so far, have not had any indication of problems. Holding my breath...

One access was from St . Charles, MD and the next...Nigeria.

Not all is what it seems, so take it from me...always look at the address bar, and never click an unknown link.

Be safe,
Dale Kramer

Thursday, August 6, 2015

That's a Wrap!

That's a Wrap!
at least for Lance's work trailer.
It showcases some of the projects we have done, and hopefully will be a real "eye-catcher"
Let us know what you think of it!



Friday, July 31, 2015

Aviary Addition

This job is for the birds...
....literally! 
We build this "Aviary Addition" for the owners many beautiful 
English Parakeets. In the process, they decided to add the new TREX deck, and a 2 car garage we are finishing next week. 
Complete with its own sink and easy clean vinyl floor, cleanup after their feathered friends will be a snap! ‪#‎englishparakeets‬ ‪#‎kteam‬ ‪#‎trexdeck‬‪#‎aviaryaddition‬ ‪#‎simontonwindows‬ ‪#‎designbuildaddition‬



Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Prep right or do it twice...


This porch was replaced not to many years ago. Unfortunately the last "carpenter" did not prime all sides of the flooring and used finger jointed boards (inferior for exterior) which resulted in premature failure. Scott Warnick is making sure all sides of the clear FIr flooring gets a thorough coat of oil based primer.

Monday, July 6, 2015

Bay Roof Redo

We received a text yesterday with these pictures and only four words: "We are very pleased!" Enough said...smile emoticon
The old bay roof had continually leaked and left nasty black stains on the siding below. The K Team put on a new pitched roof and all new siding.

Friday, June 19, 2015

Sometimes Cobblers do cobble their own shoes.


Decades since we built our home, we've remodeled our "flower power" hall bath with a "New Rustic" theme.The porcelain tile flooring deceivingly looks like weathered wood. Omega cabinetry featuring soft close drawers/doors and are made from rustic alder. We found a unique remnant of granite which has a "leather" finish and when combined with the Kohler Cadena rectangular undermount bowl is both functional and pleasing. Moen oil rubbed bronze accessories and a Phister Ashfield waterfall type faucet provide the right balance between New and Rustic. Finishing off the dacor perfectly is a special art piece by Anna Deal Cook "The Fruits of the Spirit".
Well, that should keep us "well-shod" for another decade or two!
 

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

A Balcony for Two.


We added this cantilevered balcony off of the Lindstroms Master Bedroom. They look forward to enjoying the view of their beautiful backyard while sipping tea.

Thursday, June 4, 2015

Fire on the Stair!


These are the last words anyone want to hear when in a basement with one way up and out.
Adding a basement Egress window or door not only provides a safe way to the outside, but is a great way to let in light and make your dungeon feel like any other floor of the house.


Monday, May 18, 2015

Get stoned


 This wall got re-stoned after it fell down due to poor drainage control. Every retaining wall needs to have a good drainage system in place, or they are doomed for failure from the get-go. ‪#‎stonewall‬ ‪#‎ksquaredbuilders

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Open up your roof and let the sun shine in! It will make you grin :)


Sun tunnels do just that. This light deprived bathroom was instantly brightened by  the addition of a Sun Tunnel. They are relatively inexpensive to install and are great upgrades for those dark depressing hallways and rooms lacking of sunlight.
http://suntunnelskylights.veluxusa.com/consumer/productinfo/

Monday, March 23, 2015

Electrifying!


Perhaps a good word to describe a performance, but not one you want to experience in your home. 
While working on a current project, our electrician found major safety issues with the homes panel box , wiring and outlets. He said "you could weld (high use of power) with some of these breakers, and they would not blow" . If you have any electric concerns, be sure to have a licensed electrician do an inspection before you have a shocking experience.

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Our Newest K Teamer!


We are pleased to introduce you to Chris Foster. Chris joined the K Team last week as a Project Manager/Lead Carpenter and we are thrilled to have him on board. Chris has been a friend of the family since birth (no choice then) and currently is a talented musician in our Church's Worship band. He not only brings great experience with project management but also is an accomplished carpenter. He dived head first into his first project, a kitchen renovation, and his talents are already showing. Welcome Chris!

Monday, March 16, 2015

A driveway sale..now that's a stretch.


I'm working with some nice folks and noticed this sign in their garage. They said the previous owner separated the driveway from the lot their house is on. They had to purchase the driveway after the fact. What's next, no septic? "just don't use the bathroom"

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Job Site Treasures

One of the cool things about our job are the unique things we sometimes come across. This eclectic chandelier is no exception. Custom metal work with a working globe in the center. ‪#‎priceless

Monday, March 2, 2015

The Frustrated Chef

Walled in...is just how this frustrated chef felt when prepping food next to this awkward raised wall. It was too tall and in the way...not to mention ugly. 

We ripped out the offending wall, added a custom cabinet on the end, replaced the laminate counters with granite and then added a cool honed marble tile backsplash. The granite was extended in both directions for the Pizza Maestro to knead up his next saucy saucer masterpiece.



Tuesday, February 17, 2015

The great room is getting Greater!

The great room is getting Greater!
Adding pine paneling between the exposed rafters really is changing the look of the great room. Why the cable and chains? The roof was never built correctly and the back wall had bowed out over 2" We are pulling it back in, and then will add steel gussets and support beams. More to follow...




Friday, February 13, 2015

Reclaimed Barn Mantle

    The crew is doing a fine job mortising out this reclaimed timber in preparation for its new purpose as a mantle shelf.

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

An Engineer's insights:

An Engineer's insights:
“Anyone can make a building stand up, it takes an engineer to make it barely stand up”.
“We don’t build them like we used to and there is usually a reason”
“A good set of plans is a good start”
All quotes from Jeffrey Fertich, our "go to" Professional Engineer.
Jeffrey B. Fertich, PE
Structural Engineering Resources, LLC




Thursday, January 22, 2015

Remodeling tip of the day.

Tip of the Day: When remodeling a bathroom, allow adequate room to access the toilet. Code requires a minimum of 15" from the nearest wall to the
center of the toilet, and 12" to a bathtub or vanity.

Monday, January 19, 2015

Houzz awards K Squared Builders for both Design and Service.

K Squared Builders, Inc. of Keymar, MD Receives
Best Of Houzz 2015 Award

Over 25 Million Monthly Unique Users Rated Top-Rated Home Building,
Remodeling and Design Professionals in the United States and Around the World

Frederick, Md.  January 19, 2015 – K Squared Builders, Inc. has been awarded “Best Of Houzz” for Design & Customer Satisfaction by Houzz, the leading platform for home remodeling and design. The quality oriented design build remodeling firm was chosen by the more than 25 million monthly unique users that comprise the Houzz community from among more than 500,000 active home building, remodeling and design industry professionals.

The Best Of Houzz award is given in two categories: Design and Customer Satisfaction. Design award winners’ work was the most popular among the more than 25 million monthly users on Houzz, known as “Houzzers.” Customer Satisfaction honors are determined by a variety of factors, including the number and quality of client reviews a professional received in 2014. Winners will receive a “Best Of Houzz 2015” badge on their profiles, helping Houzz users around the world who discover and love a professional’s work to learn even more about that business’ popularity and satisfaction rating among their peers in the Houzz community.

“We are honored to receive both of these awards, and couldn't do it without the great clients we work with. Thank you all for trusting the “K Team” to help with your wide range of projects.” Dale Kramer


“Houzz provides homeowners with a 360 degree view of home building, remodeling and design industry professionals, empowering them to engage the right people and products for their project,” said Liza Hausman, vice president of industry marketing for Houzz. “We’re delighted to recognize K Squared Builders, Inc. among our “Best Of” professionals as judged by our community of homeowners and design enthusiasts who are actively remodeling and decorating their homes.”

Follow K Squared Builders on Houzz http://www.houzz.com/pro/ksquaredbuilders/__public

About K Squared Builders, Inc.
Professional Remodeling "The way you want it"
• We listen
• Help Visualize
• Convert dreams to a feasible plan
• Build/Remodel them to fruition

About Houzz
Houzz is the leading platform for home remodeling and design, providing people with everything they need to improve their homes from start to finish - online or from a mobile device. From decorating a room to building a custom home, Houzz connects millions of homeowners, home design enthusiasts and home improvement professionals across the country and around the world. With the largest residential design database in the world and a vibrant community powered by social tools, Houzz is the easiest way for people to find inspiration, get advice, buy products and hire the professionals they need to help turn their ideas into reality.

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Brick on brick...

Brick on brick...
...can be overkill. These owners hated their brick fireplace and asked us to come up with a solution. We designed/built a custom maple mantle shelf/surround and covered the upper portion with drywall and paint. Quite the difference, don't you think?