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?

Top 5 Thanks’ Given after Maw’s Kitchen Remodeling

Top 5 Thanks’ Given after Maw’s Kitchen Remodeling
Dear Contractor, Thank you for Remodeling Maw’s’ kitchen and…
1. … adding a “con-vection” microwave in addition to her stove. Now she can cook and we can feast on turkey AND ham… all in the same sittin’!
2. …building that spacious center island which gives Maw space to whip up her special fixins’ like: “Creamy Coon Pasta w/ Tadpole Puddin’ ” and “Artery Cloggin’ Hog Mash w/ Taters.”
3. …hiding all, well most all, of her stinky garbage in them crafty pull out trash bins.
4. …protecting her precious god-fearing fingers from sure dismemberment by eliminating those dark and dangerous shadows with them newfangled L E D under-cabinet light thingy’s.
5. …saving Maw and Paw’s marriage by creating two prep areas which allow them to work in the same kitchen without even once throwing hot grease on one tuther’.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours from the K Squared Team!

Every Work with "That Guy"?

Ever work with "that guy"? 
TIP OF THE DAY: Ask your remodeler "When something goes wrong, how do you handle it?" How they answer might be a "tell" of how the job would go.

A "picture" perfect Dining Room.

"Ed and I wish to thank you so much for the wonderful work that K Squared Builders, and specifically your son, Lance, and his assistant Scott recently completed for us. Our new dining room is absolutely beautiful, and I very much look forward to having all our children and grandchildren over for Thanksgiving dinner to officially "christen" the room. Also, it is so nice to have our laundry room upstairs on the main level so I no longer have to haul clothes up and down the stairs." Ed and Janet Kilpatrick

"'Job Well Done"

"My husband and I want to thank you, Lance, and the crews for a wonderful job, well done. The list is long and I hope I haven't left something out:

-trim work in hall, kitchen, powder room and family room
-a hand rail to the second floor
-removal of wallpaper - the job turned out to be much more difficult than anticipated
-paint - most of the first floor
-renovation of the powder room from top to bottom, including a much-needed shelf in the cabinet
-helping me select a neat and different sliding patio door
-grab bars in 2 bathrooms

Not only are we pleased with the work, we can't say enough good things about how you and all the workers were on time for scheduled work and how it was done neatly, and well-cleaned up afterward.
Also, the workers were respectful of our privacy as best as possible.

Thanks to all. Can't wait to plan next project!"

Kay and Joe B.

Be prouder of your Powder...Room!

Be prouder of your Powder...Room!
Just because powder rooms typically are small, doesn't mean they have to be ugly. Removing old wallpaper usually is not an easy task, but it can dramatically change the look of any room. 
Notables - Omega custom walnut cabinet. Moen fixtures, Toto toilet, Granite top with undermount sink, taller recessed medicine cabinets, chair rail, removed recessed light and added light above vanity. 

Before

Decked Out!

K Squared Builders

designed and built this unique deck in Darnestown MD. Notables include: Dual decks provide ample entertainment areas while creating an easy way down to the back yard. Brick support columns with limestone caps compliment the deck while blending it in with the architecture of the home. Trex decking with hidden fasteners and a beautiful double border. Trex composite rail system complete with post, pier and step lighting nicely accent this space day or night. Underdeck Oasis under deck drainage system to keep you dry no matter how hard it rains This will be especially useful when the future patio is built!
Thank you Lance, Scott, Josh, Dave and George for your fine work!

K Squared does light Commercial

"I absolutely love the space. There is good flow in the work areas, great natural light and it feels relaxing and comfortable.
You and the crew did a fabulous job. Thank you again. I will certainly refer you to anyone in need!"
Kim 
Jumpstart Therapy
Gaithersburg, MD

Kim owns Jumpstart Therapy, a pediatric occupational therapy clinic which specializes in helping children ages 12 months through 7 years old We were glad to be able to help prepare their new therapy location in Gaithersburg, MD. Check out their website at http://www.jumpstart-therapy.com/

Do you Shudder to Shower?

Then shatter the shoddy shanty to shambles and shine up your shins in a new showery showplace!
I guess what I'm trying to say is. let us rip out your old leaky shower and replace it with one you are proud use.

Can't Cope?

That's OK, we can, and do!
Coping is a way of back-cutting moldings to ensure a tight fit at inside corners.
Crown molding first was used  over 2500 years ago by the Greeks and were cut from stone. Today's crown molding most commonly is made from pre-primed woods. There are some synthetic alternatives out there, but be wary as many times they give a wavy look.
A general rule of thumb is that the height of the crown be 1/14th of the wall height . A great way to further add to the look, is to add multiple pieces of trim to create a "built-up" look.
In the second picture, 3 pieces of crown are used, and then the wall between them will be painted to match the trim. This creates an even more substantial feel for these 9' ceilings.

Join the K Team.

Landon proudly displaying his K Squared shirt. He already has a great fascination of tools and building things. Looking forward to the day he joins the K Team with his daddy Lance.

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.