Newsletter #8

It’s Definitely SUMMERTIME…. !!

Well, almost. Just a few more days and it will officially be summer. But OH MAN it has been pretty toasty outside. It may be extremely hot for some but others are enjoying it and taking advantage of the sun. Families are out at the beach, parks, or even just out in their backyard. I know school is coming to an end and a lot of your children will be home for summer. They may want to have a cool place to hang out while its warm outside, but you don’t want them cooped up in the house all day. Well why not upgrade that back porch you’ve been meaning to take care of? What about a kitchenette on the porch for those summer night dinners? Got little ones? How about a built in sandbox on the deck? Still a little warm? Misters or fans work great to cool you down. Got some ideas and want to start on it now? Give us a call for your remodeling project 425-224-2004.

Elegant Kitchen in the Magnolia residence.

List of Work We Perform:

  • Whole House Remodel
  • Additions
  • Bathroom Remodel
  • Kitchen Remodel
  • Custom Home
  • Design & Build
  • New Construction
  • Decks
  • Outdoor Living
Breath taking view from this stand alone bathtub. 

Referral Program:

There is no greater honor than having our past clients/friends recommend us to their friends, family and co-workers. To show our appreciation, we would like to invite you to participate in our exclusive client referral
program.

When you refer a friend, family member or co-worker to our company and they sign a
construction contract with us, you will receive 1% of the total project cost on a future project with our company or cash. A $100,000 project=$1,000 credit.
The people who you refer to our company will also receive 1% off of their project costs to be used with their current project.

There is no limit on how many times you can use this program, so the more you use it, the more money you can earn.
We look forward to working with you, your friends and your family.

Trivia Question:
Q: June was named after the roman goddess Juno. She was the goddess of what?

Call in correct answer for $10 Starbucks Gift Card 425-224-2004
(Two winners last two months, who wants it this month?)

Stunning 3 story home with basement and rooftop deck in the Magnolia residence
We are moving to a new office space located on 19th Ave in Everett. So, not too far from our current location. We are excited. Bigger office space for our office staff and the bosses. Easier access to the freeway and right next to the Buzz Inn Steakhouse. We are moving offices on the 21st, so end of June we will be out of our current space. Office spaces aren’t the only new things going on around here. The bosses and our managers have taken an HR Fred Pryor class this last week just to stay on top of any new laws or rules that may come about. I also had the privilege to be a guest at a Sound Publishing meeting to check out new marketing strategies and can I say there is a lot when it comes to marketing. Amazing experience it was being there. We are always learning new things and we look forward to gaining new knowledge. 

6 Backyard Fire-Pit Safety Precautions to Keep You Safe All

Summer Long
[realtor.com: Ana Durrani]

Fireflies. Backyard parties. S’mores. Warm summer nights in your yard around the fire-pit can make for wonderful memories with family and friends. And this outdoor feature is still just as popular as ever. In its Residential Landscape Architecture Trends Survey, the American Society of Landscape Architects found that fire-pits and fireplaces are the most requested outdoor design addition, according to the 800 landscape architects who were surveyed.

For many homeowners, fire-pits are a focal point of summer evening entertaining, which is why it’s so important to make safety around your fire-pit a priority. Here are some tips to ensure everyone stays safe this summer.

Get Approval From Your Local Authorities

The last thing you want to do is sink a bunch of money into a fire-pit and discover that it’s not permitted in your area. Some cities put restrictions on when – or even if – people are allowed to have open fires.

“Local weather and air quality conditions may make it dangerous to start fires at certain times, both for the potential to ignite a wildfire and the potential for worsening air quality that can impact people’s health,” says Michele Steinberg, wildfire division director for the National Fire Protection Association.

To make sure you’re in compliance and not creating a potential hazard, Steinberg advises homeowners to check with their local fire department or municipality for any restrictions before burning.

Place It In The Right Spot

Fire pits can add to the beauty and relaxing ambiance of any backyard. But finding the right spot for your fire pit(flat, spacious, not too close to the house) is the first step in safety.

“Fire pits should be at least 10 feet away from the house or any structure,” says Steinberg.

It’s also not wise to place a portable fire pit on a wooden deck. you should also consider the direction the wind blows in your yard; strong winds could create a fire hazard.

Use The Right Type Of Wood

Once you have your fire pit, you’re going to be itching to try it out. But fire pit owners should makes ure they use the right kind of wood – they’re not all the same. Experts recommend against burning pressurized wood, because it may contain toxins that, when ignited, can release noxious fumes. Using seasoned hardwood like oak, maple, cherry, or hickory is recommended. 

As for the stuff that should stay far away from your fire pit, Steinberg says you should never burn plastics, construction debris, treated lumber, or tires, because these materials contain toxins that can be harmful to people and animals when burned. 

Light It Right

Lighting a fie pit allows you to enjoy its warm glow under the twinkling stars. But, when when you fire up your pit, you should take extra precautions. you can’t just throw gasoline on it and hope for the best, because the fire could get out of control. Instead, experts recommend using a commercial fire starter stick and kindling.

“One should never, ever use gasoline, kerosene, or other flammable or combustible liquids on fires in fire pits or campfires,” says Steinberg.

Get A Screen
 
Burning any fire at home, even outside, comes with risks, but using screens can help prevent an injury from flying sparks. Some municipalities even require homeowners to use fire pit screens on top of open flames. For example, Woodridge Township in New Jersey requires fire pits to be covered with wire mesh or some other screening material. 

Fire pit owners should select cast-iron or steel fire pit screens to keep the fire contained.

Look Into Insurance
 

In some parts of the United States – particularly regions prone to wildfire – homeowners have to disclose their fire pit to their insurance company. Before you invest in an outdoor fire feature, check with your insurance agent what impact a fire pit may have on your homeowner policy and whether you need to increase your coverage limits. This also includes reviewing liability insurance, should one of your guests be injured or a neighbor’s property damaged by the fire pit.

Farmers Insurance spokesman Trevor Chapman says the possibility of costly legal action is a big reason why it’s important that a fire pit be properly installed, or built to code.

In addition, Chapman advises that fire pit owners have an easily accessible fire extinguisher on hand, and that they consider establishing rules for use of the fire pit, particularly with children in the house.

Mustardy Grilled Corn & Sausage Kabobs
(4 servings)

 

Hands On

15 Minutes

 

Total Time

23 Minutes

Ingredients:

  • 2 large ears sweet corn, cut into 2-inch pieces (about 8)
  • 1 large green sweet pepper, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
  • 1 14 ounce package kielbasa sausage, cut into 12 pieces
  • 1/3 cup bottled Italian salad dressing
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard

Directions:

  1. Prepare grill for direct cooking over medium-high heat. thread corn, kielbasa and sweet peppers on 4 long metal skewers.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the Italian dressing and mustard; brush some of the mixture on the kabobs before grilling.
  3. Grill, covered, directly over medium- to medium-high heat for 8 to 12 minutes, turning and brushing occasionally with remaining dressing mixture, until vegetables are tender and charred. 
ENJOY!!