What smart home tech do you recommend?

by Brian Huie on 9/10/2024

Lighting & security are the top areas that I recommend investing in for your home.

There are so many great areas that you can implement smart features in your home, but if you need to narrow it down to get the project off the ground, I recommend focusing on lighting and security first.

You can start by changing out your exterior lights to smart bulbs and/or install smart security lights, such as the many types available from Ring, Nest, etc (pick one brand and stick to it for all of your security needs). Smart lighting around the yard helps make a home less vulnerable to opportunistic trouble. Then, add-in a security/alarm system to your home’s interior. Many systems today are an easy DIY set-up. And, they have many add-ons available, such as smart smoke alarms that integrate into the phone app, and emergency service calling capabilities.

Smart locks can be very handy to let in house cleaners, dog walkers, etc, and you can customize when they have access. There are tons of different options available, including options that hide the smart keypad from view, provide access to delivery drivers under specific conditions, even some that offer geo settings to lock automatically when you leave a certain perimeter, so you’ll never have wonder if you forgot to lock the door. My personal favorite is the August lock, because it allows you to keep a decorative handle set when adding the smart capabilities- something I have yet to see a competitor do without sacrificing security.

In my own home, I find that a combination of smart switches and smart fans inside are very helpful. For example, if I’m away from home for longer than anticipated, I can turn on the lights for my dog from away.

What can I plant over my septic system?

by Brian Huie on 7/3/2024

A septic system should only have landscaping with minimal roots.

When planning your landscaping over and around your septic system, you should avoid anything with large, woody root systems. This means trees and shrubs should be planted away from your drain field and septic tank. The roots from trees and shrubs can be quite invasive and strong. The roots can damage the septic tank or the the pipes in your septic drainage field.

Instead, opt for low growing plants with smaller root structures. Most commonly planted over septic systems is a grass lawn. The roots of the grass will not invade any of the parts of your septic system. However, it is important to maintain your lawn. Keeping the grass short will allow the drain field to dry naturally, preventing the area from trapping the moisture evaporating form the ground.

If lawn care is too high maintenance for you, or perhaps you are interested in something with flowers there are septic safe lawn alternatives you may consider. A native perennial garden can be a beautiful way to landscape your yard, and there are many such plants that will not harm your septic system. Some native species that are considered septic safe: bunch berry, lady fern, wild ginger, miner’s lettuce, sword fern, deer fern, kinnikkinnik. A cut flower garden may also be a nice option for you- many flowers have shallow root systems, and the foliage isn’t so dense that the area will remain too moist, but be sure to select plantings that won’t require lots of water to reduce the amount of water being added to the area- drought tolerant flowers are ideal. You may consider shallow rooted perennials and flowers for a cut flower garden such as lavender, armeria, Salvia, marigold, periwinkle, calluna vulgaris (heather), coreopsis, blanket flower, and bulbs such as tulips.

Other considerations to plan for if you are creating a new landscape around your septic area: avoid anything that can compact the soil over the drainage field. This means that a patio would not be a good fit for this area. Driveways and other items that a vehicle could access should also be setup away from the septic system to prevent to prevent crushing the pipes of your system. Gardens that require mulch are not suitable for the drain field area, because they retain moisture, rather than letting the moisture evaporate.

Having a septic system shouldn’t prevent you from enjoying the outdoors, it just takes a small amount of research into the effects your plans may have on the system’s functioning, and these tips will get you pointed in the right direction.

Homebuyer question: is it possible to replace only the countertops? I love everything else in this kitchen.

by Brian Huie on 6/3/2024

Yes, usually it is often possible to change the countertops and keep most or all of the othere elements in your kitchen as-is.

In most cases, the cabinets do not need to be changed at all in order to replace the countertops. This is great news if your kitchen already has a great layout and plenty of storage, or if you want to create a focal point on your island— you can keep all of your counters on the perimeter cabinets, but change out the island countertop as a fun accent.

Depending on how delicate and intricate your backsplash is, it may be recommended to remove the backsplash as well, but that is not always necessary. That said, depending on your style, it may not cost too much more to update the backsplash too.

Typically, it takes anywhere from 2-6 weeks, depending on the specific type of countertop you are planning to install.

For more information on countertops, I’ve got a whole article comparing different countertop materials.

Homeowner Tip of the Month: Furnace Repair

by Brian Huie on 5/20/2024

Did you know that PSE will diagnose and repair most common gas furnace issues for FREE?

If your gas furnace is not running properly, call Puget Sound Energy before you contact an HVAC repair company.

Not only do they often have sooner availability, but PSE will send a technician to your house to diagnose the issue for free. For many common repairs, PSE will also quickly fix the problem at no charge. For some repairs, parts may be needed, PSE will charge for those parts at cost, keeping your repair very affordable.

Why do they offer this little known service? Puget Sound Energy’s goal is to get your home using gas again as quickly as possible, after all gas is the product they are selling. The longer your furnace is out of service, the less gas you are paying for. They want your furnace up and running as quickly as possible.

Don’t have gas in your home? We’ve got information on electric heat pump systems, click here to read on!

Homeowner question: How much will it cost to change the carpet to hardwood/lvp?

by Brian Huie on 4/21/2024

Depending on your flooring selection(s), typically $5-10 per square foot.

Updating flooring can be a great investment in both your enjoyment and your future selling potential.

If you own a home that is from the 90s or older, you may be in luck! Before you begin looking at flooring options, check what is under your carpet by pulling up a corner in a closet or other area that is not frequently walked on. You may be happily surprised to find that a prior owner of your home covered hardwood floors with carpet. If this is the case, it is very often possible to refinish the floors, giving you the upgrade you desire for a fraction of the cost. 

I recommend first selecting the flooring you want installed, and having a sample on hand to show your flooring installer when they come for a quote. There are many retailers you can select flooring from. I recommend taking a look at local showrooms for inspiration. Floor and Decor is a great option during this inspiration phase, as they carry and display thousands of flooring options. Flooring products can vary widely in price, and the product you select is likely going to be the most expensive portion of this renovation cost.

Ideally, you’ll select a flooring installation company that will handle removal and disposal of carpet in addition to the installation. Compare 2-3 companies’ quotes, and be sure each quote provides all of the same services- if one quote offers additional items that will need to be done (for example re-installing and/or repairing baseboards) and another does not, you’ll want to know this upfront. Be sure to look at their reviews online; and ask for photos of their recent projects. There are many flooring installers to choose from, and they do not all have the same expertise and quality- price may not be the most important consideration for you.

If you need a referral to a flooring specialist (or any other vendor), reach out to Brian. For more information on flooring options, click here.

I'd like to personalize my home - Where do I start in a remodeling project?

Consider whether you're aiming for a complete overhaul or a selective upgrade involving elements like counters, cabinets, appliances, fixtures, and flooring to reach your desired outcome. If it's a matter of updates, your next move might involve seeking my recommendations for skilled tradespeople or utilizing platforms such as Thumbtack and Angie's List to find the right professionals.

For a full remodeling venture, kick off by curating a Pinterest board and consider engaging a designer. Once you've precisely outlined your requirements, you'll proceed to enlist a general contractor, and in some cases, an architect or engineer. Conduct interviews with multiple contractors, prioritizing those well-versed in jurisdiction codes. This savvy choice could potentially negate the necessity of hiring extra professionals and keep your project expenses in check.

Regardless of your route, having a clear vision aligned with Seattle's real estate trends is crucial. This focused understanding will guide your renovation journey, ensuring your project resonates with Seattle's real estate market and potential buyers if you're considering selling in the future.

Click here for more information regarding finding and using contractors.