Golf Course Utility Shed

This utility shed was an eyesore right in front of the clubhouse at the Apple Creek Golf Course. The owners wanted to make it match the log clubhouse. I demolished the flat roof, tore off the steel siding, built a new sloped roof, installed shingles, soffit and fascia. Then I cladded the building with log slabs that they had laying around, after a pressure washing and wood stain, this shed turned out amazing!

Custom Pantry

This customer was tired with the lack of functionality in her pantry. It was dark and had the original builder-grade wire shelving. We planned this pantry together to be functional, light and to fit her specific storage needs; including places for her kitchen appliances and cool containers. After demolition of the old shelving and pulling new electrical wires, I got an electrician friend to inspect and tie the new circuit in to the breaker panel in the mechanical room below. I fabricated/painted the custom MDF shelving, cabinets and drawers in my garage then installed them. I wired in the new outlets and a switch for the LED lighting hidden in the bottom shelf. Then I painted the walls and installed an Ikea butcher block counter. The customer was very happy and I am proud of how this one turned out.

Roof Access Repair

The property manager of a downtown apartment building called me because there was water damage around the roof access hatch in the third floor hallway. When I climbed up to inspect I found what looked like an old temporary wooden cover… no wonder it was leaking! After pricing out commercial roof access panels we decided it would be more cost effective for me to build one. I built one to fit out of pressure treated lumber, with rigid insulation, sealed it with blueskin and covered it with a custom black flashing cap. I also replaced the damaged insulation, drywall and trim, painted and matched the ceiling texture.

Basement Fireplace Buildout

On this basement renovation the customer wanted a focal point at the end of the room. We decided on this buildout with an electric fireplace and TV. Also dark blue cabinets with gold hardware and golden oak floating shelves. Once the fireplace finally came in, it turned out great!

Round Arbour

After helping build this dome for a healing retreat, the customer asked me to clear the dead trees from the nearby forest. She also wanted a kind of entrance, like a threshold where, when on the path, you exit the forest and enter into the field and see the dome. We came up with the idea to use a steel frame from a broken bench swing as a frame. I buried the frame and smoothed out the path. Then I fastened the dead trees to it, keeping them as natural as possible, to make a sort of tunnel arbour. When walking through it, from the forest into the wide open field with beautiful mountain views, it really did feel like you were all of a sudden somewhere very different. It was an honour and a privilege to work on this amazing property for wonderful down-to-earth people, I had a lot of fun!

Structural Deck Repair

I repaired this large deck for a customer in Tuscany. When walking on the deck it would sway back and forth, also the deck was sloped toward the house and the concrete slab below had quite a lot of seasonal movement. The slab was poured on top of the concrete piles used to support the posts and when the slab moved and the piles didn’t it was damaging the slab and moving the deck up and down. I temporarily supported the beam while removing the existing posts, then cut and jackhammered the concrete slab to free it from the structural piles, installed new posts directly bearing on the piles and lowered the beam/deck so it was sitting on the new posts and sloping away from the home. I added a ply to the beam, screwed it together with structural fasteners, attached it to the posts with brackets and added large diagonal supports. Then to hide the ugly concrete at the bottom I added a floating, mitred 6×6 base that can slide up and down the post with the movement of the slab. This deck now does not even wiggle, has a proper slope if they want to add vinyl in the future and will last for years to come!

Bathtub Faucet Replacement

These customers are successful entrepreneurs who really wanted a hand shower option on their Jacuzzi tub. They bought the new 4-Hole Roman tub faucet with hand shower, then I just had to figure out the access. I managed to take off the tile below without damage by removing all the grout, taping the edges and using suction cups and flat bars to pop it out (lucky for me it wasn’t installed very well). Then I cut an access hole in the plywood between the studs and removed the old 3-hole faucet. After consulting with the customer I cut the forth hole in the tub and installed the new rough-in valve and hardware. Then I tested for leaks, installed backing, screwed the plywood back in, installed the tile (back-buttered this time) and came back the next day for grout. Although this job was quite expensive, it is a perfect example of how my services can save money and headaches. It is incredibly hard even to find a plumber and tile setter to do these small jobs, but if you do find them, then you have to get two separate quotes, coordinate schedules, pay large minimum call out fees and pay two invoices. All of this would have end up costing them almost double, not to mention the lost opportunity costs of taking them away from what they are good at… But I didn’t have to explain this to entrepreneurs!

Horizontal Wooden Railing

When I arrived at this home in Kensington someone else had installed a small railing with horizontal 2×2 balusters. The problem was they were just screwed on to the posts and were spinning around and falling off because the homeowners small children were climbing on them (the rest of the workmanship on the railing was also questionable). I told them the only way to make this design safe (aside from kids not climbing on it) was to mortise the horizontal balusters into the posts. After purchasing the new lumber required, I mortised square holes using an oscillating tool, forstner bit and chisel, then glued the 2×2’s in with construction adhesive (no fasteners), mounting the posts as I went. Once complete I mounted a 2×6 top rail to lock it all together. I think this little railing turned out quite cool and no kids hurt so far… knock on wood.

Wainscotting

This family had an awesome huge dog (RIP) who was destroying the drywall in their entrance hallway. They wanted to protect it with wainscotting to match their existing bench. I installed 1/4″ MDF on the walls with trim to match the baseboards and a chair-rail moulding on top (note the 1/8″ round over at the joints to control cracking and ugly uneven joints). I filled and sanded all the nail holes but the owners opted to paint it themselves, so I do not have completed photos.

Hood Fan Install

I installed this really cool hood fan for a couple in a unique NW bungalow. The electrical and ductwork were already roughed-in and they had a “make-up” air fan so the high CFM hood fan would not cause negative air pressure in the home. When I inspected the attic I found that the duct was not insulated, which causes condensation in colder weather, so I ran to the hardware store and crawled into the 40 degree attic and insulated it. Then I installed the fan, flipped on the breaker and tested it… done!

Mmmm, I bet they make delicious meals on that awesome gas range!

Custom Shower

I renovated this entire bathroom including tiling this custom shower. Although I probably wouldn’t take a job like this now, I am proud of this shower and I now have the tools, knowledge and confidence to take care of any tile repair.

Damaged Hardwood Repair

This family had a kitchen accident that burnt their hardwood in several places. They did not have any extra pre-finished hardwood which basically left them with two very invasive and expensive options from flooring companies; sand and refinish the entire main floor or install new vinyl plank over top of the existing hardwood. What we ended up doing is removing hardwood from a small closet, replacing it with vinyl plank and transition strip of similar colour, then used the salvaged closet pieces to replace the damaged kitchen ones. Although this job was not easy, it saved this family a lot of time and money!