News and Notes

Cold Weather Damage

13 January 2010
Last month Portland, OR experienced an incredible cold snap. Many homes were severely damaged by flooding when pipes burst due to freezing. One such home I looked at recently had uninsulated PVC piping running through an attic space. Another unfortunately didn't have the heat on. Normally, in a fairly mild climate like this one most of us tend not to worry or concern ourselves with these disastrous possibilities. Nonetheless, both of these homes experienced severe damage resulting in much of the drywall and insulation having to be completely torn out. An insurance agent I spoke with recently reported that sixteen homes within one subdivision she worked with had filed claims due this last cold snap! Don't let your home become the victim of such flood damage. Make sure that your home has been properly inspected by a licensed home inspector and that you've followed through on the recommendations made. Be sure to keep your heat on to at least the minimum necessary to avoid freezing. Insulate exposed pipes. Disconnect your garden hoses and cover your hose bibs with insulated covers. The freezing potential isn't over yet this winter so don't let your house be next. If you have any questions please feel free to call or e-mail me and I'll be happy to help. Also, should your home need repairs due to flooding, Dwelling Renovation is a great resource. Just give us a call. Thanks and stay warm out there this winter!

Dwelling Renovation, now a member of the HBA

31 October 2009
Dwelling Renovation has joined the HBA. The Home Builders Association of Metropolitan Portland promotes, protects and advances the building industry. They have been providing services, networking opportunities and government representation to builders, developers, remodelers, sub-contractors, suppliers and other industry service professionals since 1942.

Dwelling Renovation has joined ORA

3 July 2009
Dwelling Renovation has joined the Oregon Remodelers Association, the local chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. The "Oregon Remodelers Association's Mission is to enhance the ability of member firms to succeed financially, improve the image of the remodeling industry, provide opportunities to facilitate a unified voice and implement education and networking opportunities for member firms." Dwelling Renovation is happy to be welcomed into an outstanding group that supports the advancement of quality remodeling in Oregon.

Welcome to Dwelling Renovation

7 January 2009
Dwelling Renovation is a full-service residential remodeling and restoration company located in Portland, Oregon. From hands on custom carpentry to full-scale home makeovers, Dwelling Renovation has your home covered. Interior or exterior, large and small, we are your contractors for restoration, remodeling, additions, kitchens, bathrooms, finish carpentry, stairs, custom decks, gates, fences, flooring, rot repair, painting, you name it and we bring the quality and detail to it. Dwelling Renovation is about where you live, its unique character and your particular qualities that your home reflects about you. Let us make your home an embodiment of what your life is about! Please feel free to review the portfolio and contact us with any questions or comments you may have.

There is a difference!

2 August 2008
You've probably heard "You get what you pay for," many times, but the truth is that the quality of something really is remembered long after the price is forgotten. What may seem cheap today may not have been worth it in the long term. A deck with screw holes on the top or a framework with untreated cut ends will rot much faster than a deck that is built well. Which is less expensive, a $12k deck that lasts the rest of your life with proper maintenance or a deck you had to rebuild three times at $6-$10k each time? Quality is about the typically unseen process that goes into construction. Did your trim carpenter kerf and prime the backs of all of his fascia boards and bed them in silicone caulk, or did he slap bare wood up and slather messy vulcum over the joints? You may already be aware that Oregon has become a proving ground for lawsuits against homebuilders for shoddy workmanship. Many homes built only within the last 10 to 20 years have turned out to have major water and mold issues. When you consider the costs of having to sue your contractor, the loss of time, money and enjoyment of your home, it makes sense to hire someone you trust and someone who takes the time to make sure your project turns out right. Quick and cheap are great qualities to look for in a fast food restaurant, but when deciding to repair or alter your home it pays to take the time and make the right investment for something you are probably going to live with for the duration of your time with your home. Good work takes time, and good contractors are typically booked. Now, is a great time to be thinking about your plans for the future of your home. Contact Dwelling Renovation today and get started on the future of your home.

Your home is your investment.

31 March 2008
It's easy to be distressed by the potential costs of renovating your home. However, as disconcerting as it may seem, it's important to remember that renovation is an investment and not an expense. Your home is the best investment you ever made! While your home is appreciating in value and saving your money in the form of an asset, it also happens to be keeping the rain off of your head. So, it's important to take care of your investment and to make improvements. Homes that fall into disrepair are losing value, and the unfortunate truth about property damage is that it usually gets worse with time. Restoration and renovation are important tools for managing your most important asset, and a licensed professional who imbues all of his or her work with craftsmanship best exercises these tools. Such contractors are not going to want to see their work fail, rot, decompose or look bad. Would you trust your most important investment in anyone else's hands?

Welcome to the New Dwelling Renovation Web Site

19 February 2008

Welcome to the new Dwelling Renovation web site. We are just getting started putting up the new site. So, please be patient with us. We'll be updating the content and improving the formatting for the next few days.