Bad Tenants, Bad Cleanup and Bad Weather...

...make for very BAD damage when combined together at this clients townhouse.  Back in middle of one of the coldest winters on record, their renter failed to keep the heat on, resulting in a frozen  water line that burst in a wall of the upstairs hall bath.  Hesitating to immediately shut off the water added to the damage, and to make matters worse, the Disaster Cleanup company hired to open the walls and “Dry out” the house, used practically no protection and/or care during the demolition and handling of the personal properties.

 Their carelessness damaged cabinets, hardwood flooring, countertops, fixtures and appliances to name a few. I was appalled when first assessing the damage and requested  a meeting with the owners insurance adjuster.  The damage was undeniable, and in a short while, the adjuster agreed that almost all of the items were not salvageable and agreed to cover their full replacement.  On behalf of the owner, we negotiated with the adjuster to come to a fair cost for the rebuilding, as well as pointed out some errors to the adjusters estimate that saved the insurance company as well.

K Squared took on the task of rebuilding the home and with great satisfaction turned the home back over to the owner in less than 6 weeks.  Inspired by the restoration, the owners decided to add some upgrades and personal touches and recently put the home on the market. The Realtor feels it will sell very fast, and we hope so as well!

If you are unfortunate enough to have our home damaged by hail, rain, wind, or “burst pipes”, keep in mind that you have rights as the owner to select a contractor of your choosing. If it is K Squared, we will gladly work with you and your insurance company, to come to a fair settlement for all. 

Had or Heard of a Bad Remodeling Experience?

Had or Heard of a Bad Remodeling Experience?
Over many years of meeting with folks regarding their home-improvement needs, I hear way too many horror stories about past experiences within the construction industry. The cartoon depicts quite well how differently the "same thing" can be understood...er, misunderstood by all parties involved.
It does not have to be that way! Whether purchasing a service or commodity, the representative should be directing many questions to you about what your needs, goals, and visions are. If they don't care in the first meeting, chances are, they won't care later.
Just as important are clear specification/contract documents. You should always know exactly what it is you are purchasing , in writing, before you order/sign anything. If the salesperson balks or is defensive in anyway, politely reuse the contract and find someone willing to provide these basic things.
If hiring service work, always check that they are properly licensed and insured. In Maryland, a quick check at the MHIC website will tell you if a contractor's license is active and whether or not they have any complaints against them.
Lastly, ask for referrals and then (hard as it may be) pick up the phone and actually call them. My favorite question to ask: "What went wrong, and how did they handle it"
Do your due diligence and you might be pleasantly surprised how smoothly your homes remodeling can be.

Uncluttered Clinic

K Squared Builders, Inc. took on the task of "uncluttering" this doctors OR in Germantown. We designed and built custom cabinets to "fill in" between the existing cabinetry which was filled with stacked boxes of medical supplies. They now have easy and organized access to their supplies, thanks to 4 full extension drawers as well as a tall center cabinet with shelves. The staff was so pleased, we are now designing cabinets for 3 more areas.

 Before

 Full extension drawers provide easy access to supplies

Viola! The new custom cabinets magically fill the space.

Bath Design Final Suggestions Use Compatible Fixtures and Keep it in Proportion

Bath Design Tip 3 & 4

Bathroom Design Tips 1 of 6