|
|
|
Tim's Recommendations
|
|
I personally endorse and recommend the the services and items you will find on this page. My recommendation comes from personal experience with the products, services or people listed here.
|
Products
-
VetoPro Pac
Take my advice and replace your tool box with a VetoProPac. It will end your dig or dump dilemma when you are trying to find a tool in your tool box. Whether you are a do it yourselfer or a trade professional you will never regret replacing your tool box with one of the choices of VetoProPac.
-
Ultimate Performance Primer-Sealer
I always have this on hand at home. I never paint anything until I have primed with this first. You can purchase a spray can for small areas or gallon or 5 gallon containers. Follow the directions, use it in a well ventilated area and you will never have a stain leak through your final coat of paint again. Blocks burned wood charcoal stain and odor, cedar sap stain, water stains, marker or pen stains. Besides its stain blocking qualities I like it because it cleans up with household ammonia and dries in 30 minutes or less if you put a fan on it. You can prime, and in less than an hour be painting.
-
Second Use Building Materials
If you are looking for interesting or period accurate building materials put into your house like glass or brass door knobs, pedestal sinks, clawfoot tubs, paneled solid wood interior doors or if you are specifically looking for an item to match the original items and styles as you restore your home visit Second Use Building Materials. They specialize in reclaimed used building materials and regularly deconstruct commercial, school and residential buildings to salvage good usable items that are ready to be applied in their next structure reincarnation. Check them out, but give yourself plenty of time to browse around. Inventory changes weekly. Go to their website to get a taste of what is available and do not hesitate to call them to ask if they have what you are looking for.
-
Habitat for Humanity Home Improvement Outlet Store
Habitat’s Home Improvement Outlet is open to the general public. Compared with other retail building materials stores, the Outlet sells brand new materials at a savings of up to 50 percent or more. This includes appliances that are new and still in the factory wrappings. The 40,000 square foot Home Improvement Outlet is sponsored by the Seattle-South King County Habitat for Humanity affiliate.
Services
-
Puge Sound Consumers Checkbook magazine
PUGET SOUND CONSUMERS CHECKBOOK is the magazine that reviews and rates service companies in our area. Center for the Study of Services is a nonprofit consumer organization that accepts no advertising and names names of thousands of local area's best & worst service companies in their region specific Checkbook magazines.
"Each issue of CHECKBOOK is an invaluable, impartial compendium of information" ... Colston E. Warne, Founding President of Consumers Union, Publisher of Consumer Reports.
-
The Home Owners Club
If selecting the contractor to do the home repair, maintenance or improvement job of your dreams is what terrifies you the most, please call the Home Owners Club for some peace of mind. I have used their service, I have met with the owner and I trust their service and the leadership of the organization. For over 50 years, local home owners have trusted the Home Owners Club for quality home improvements and repairs at fair prices. With both its knowledgeable field inspectors and its roster of over 150 carefully screened contractors, the Club can handle virtually any home maintenance need; and satisfaction is guaranteed for all work done through the Home Owners Club.
-
Master Builders Association of King & Snohomish Counties
The members of MBA-KS are serious about their building business and are in business for the long run. If you are comfortable interviewing and screening contractors for your job this is a good place to start.
-
Blake Plumbing Inc.
This is who I call to come to my house when I need plumbing services. I contract Blake Plumbing 15 to 20 times a year for my day job, and do so for quality work at a fair price.
-
Button Plumbing & Heating
(425) 271-4289 I contract with Jim and Carole Button 15 to 20 times a year for fair priced, quick response quality plumbing work.
-
Sellars Electric Inc
Glenn Sellars is who I use when I need a quality licensed electrical contractor. His website says: "When it comes to electrical projects or problems, you should rely on licensed contractors and master electricians like Sellars Electric. We have extensive experience in handling all kinds of electrical situations.
“WE GET THERE FAST” Some services Sellars Electric can provide: Electrical Contracting & Repair, New Construction, Remodel and Additions, Phone & TV Outlets, and Ceiling Fans.
No job too big or too small! Contact us for custom quotes."
-
Taff Roofing, Inc.
I use Tom Taff regularly and you can expect a well done job at a fair price from Taff Roofing.
Books and Websites
-
Technical Information on Home Building from the NAHB Research Center
Start here for home improvement answers.
-
Building Construction Illustrated by Francis D.K. Ching
My copy of this book is paper back, 11.5" by 14" with yellowed dog eared pages and was copyrighted in 1975. I have managed to keep this with me for 30 years because I think it is the best single source of conceptual, clear information on the whole structure. For twenty-five years, Building Construction Illustrated has offered an outstanding introduction to the principles of building construction. Now this Third Edition has been expertly revised and updated to address the latest advances in materials, building technology, and code requirements.
Complete with more than 1,000 illustrations, the book moves through each of the key stages of the design process, from site selection to building components, mechanical systems, and finishes. Topics within each chapter are organized according to the CSI MasterFormat(TM), making the book extremely easy to use.
Special features of this edition include integrated coverage of environmentally friendly materials, sustainable building construction strategies, and ADA requirements, as well as the inclusion of both metric and standard U.S. measurements throughout the book.
-
Renovation, 3rd Edition by Michael W. Litchfield
This book is as much concerned with what and why as it is with how to. Thus, for every topic, from foundations to finish flooring, you’ll find the tools and materials you’ll need, the problems you may encounter, and workable solutions to see you through.
I have the second edition and it is the first place I look for help when considering a project.
-
EEBA BUILDER'S GUIDE Mixed-Humid Climate
Be sure to select the one for your climate (Puget Sound is Mixed-Humid). This book considers the house as a system and has sections on framing, foundation, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, insulation, drywall and painting. Not only the hows but the whys.
-
The Woodburner's Companion
THE WOODBURNER'S COMPANION Practical Ways of Heating with Wood by Dirk Thomas
If you want to know everything about woodburing stoves you should have this book. I have read this book and after 30 years experience of heating with wood I still found helpful tips in Dirk's book. If you like to have a fire in your fireplace or are thinking about purchasing a wood stove or fireplace insert this is the book for you.
-
The Complete Photo Guide to Home Repair
This is on my desk at work. Photographs show plenty of detail to help you through the steps of 75% of all home repair projects.
-
ED HUME SEEDS
Ed's website says: "Ed Hume Seeds is a family owned and operated business located in the Pacific NW. We've been selling the highest quality seeds and garden products since 1977. Our seed line is specially selected for short season and cool climate areas. This makes our varieties perfect for high altitudes and early or late planting in warm climates.
Our main goal through the years has been, and continues to be, providing the best quality products to our customers. For this reason we use only seeds from the current crop. Seeds that are unused at the end of the year are donated to charities worldwide instead of being held over for resale the following year."
-
GARDENING WITH ED HUME
Over 400 pages of valuable gardening information written for the northwest gardener. Finally a book that says it, like it is! A book you can take into the garden with you! Each paragraph stands on it's own, so you can get the information you need without reading the entire chapter!
Completely Personal
-
Peyrassol Cafe @ Southport
You know that dual feeling about wanting to share something good and special like a secret, but you don't want to have everybody know it because maybe it won't feel so special any more. I'll risk that by telling you to go here. Just go, you will be glad you did.
-
Key Hearing
This is for you baby boomers who can't hear the TV or conversations in meetings or the radio in the car anymore. Or you can except the volume drives all the other people away.
Go see Leah. I did after living with 25% one side and 50% other side hearing loss and becoming somewhat anti-social and meeting avoidance prone because I never really knew what people were talking about. The two little Resound units I have now changed my perspective and enjoyment of my surroundings. Hearing again is like the first time you get glasses and go, wow, I have been missing a lot. Same thing, different input.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
