Building Dreams...

Markt & Company Construction

Markt & Company Construction is a remodeling company serving the Portland Metro area of Oregon.  We can be reached at (503) 657-5557 or on our website at www.marktandcompany.com

Demolition vs. Deconstruction

In the world of remodeling, the first step is usually getting rid of what's already in the way of the new construction we want to create.  There are a couple of different approaches to making way for the remodel.  With today's emphasis on green building, more interest is being generated around reusing materials instead of buying all new. 

Demolition: Think wrecking ball.  Think "demolition parties" where each guest is handed a sledgehammer upon arrival.  Think Extreme Home Makeover, where a bulldozer drives through the house.  Demolition is a process of quickly destroying a structure and clearing it away.  Demolition is relatively inexpensive, fast, and does not require particularly specialized labor.  Most projects are done this way, but there is another option.

Deconstruction: Sometimes customers want to save and reuse materials.  The most common reason a customer would choose this route is to reduce the impact on the environment.  The production of new materials uses much more energy and has more impact on the environment than landfills do, according to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Earth Advantage.  (This means that it harms the environment more to produce a new roll of carpet than it does to put the same size roll of carpet into a landfill.)  There are several advantages to reusing materials when we are able;

• You become your own supply and demand, meaning that you are not subjected to fluctuating prices based on world events.
• You may save time later in the project by not having to wait for materials to arrive.
• The environmental impact of reusing materials rather than buying new is huge.
• Materials may not be available to match what you already have.  If you're only replacing part of the home, you want the new addition to match up with the rest of the house, not to stick out like a sore thumb.  (See photo below for an example of reusing materials to match the addition to the existing house)
• Your home may have a sentimental quality that you want to retain through the reuse of materials, perhaps even refashioned into a completely different use in the new construction.

 

In this 2008 remodel, siding for the addition off of the back of the house had to be specially milled to match the existing siding.  We had very little available for reuse because the home was being added onto rather than reconfigured - therefore, there was very little deconstruction to take advantage of.  When possible, it can be much less expensive to reuse materials than to have them custom-made.  In other areas of the home, many materials were reused, including windows, doors and lighting fixtures.
 

Deconstruction is much more involved than demolition.  It is almost a backwards construction process - taking apart a structure piece by piece.  Obviously, this takes much more time, skill and money than smashing a house apart with a wrecking ball.

We recently began a project deconstructing an A-frame house in which we will reuse as many materials as possible, both for environmental and sentimental reasons.  We took the old shingles off the roof, then took down the roof decking, one board at a time, taking care not to damage the wood too much.  Extra support boards were added to keep the bare structure from moving around.

After that, I removed the nails from each board and stacked them neatly (the stacks need to remain very straight or the boards can be warped by rain and sun, making them difficult to reuse).  These boards will be remade into floor decking and natural ceilings in the new home.

Yes, even I help on the jobsite now and then!

Glass from the windows was carefully removed via scaffolding.  Again, since we're reusing the structure of the house, we didn't want to simply break the glass, as that could result in damage to the surrounding framing.

Whether demolition, deconstruction, or a combination of both is best for your remodel, we are ready to help you make the most of your project.  We understand that there's more to building a home than the finished product.  Remodeling is a process coordinating quality new construction and maintaining the character of the home you live in.  When you're keeping part of the original home intact, it's important to make a peaceful transition between new and old.  

Wendy Markt

  

New Logo

We've updated our logo!  We feel that the new logo really encompasses what we do: Distinctive Home Remodeling with a focus on the customer's experience.  Quality craftsmanship done by people you trust, coupled with a process that features constant communication so you'll always know what's happening on your project.  We want to make your remodeling project fun!  If you want to give us feedback, we'd love to hear what you think of the change.

Our new logo:    

 

 Our old logo:

 

Master Suite - Almost Finished!

We're just finishing up the master suite remodel.  Here are updated photos:

The freestanding dual vanity looks and feels like a piece of furniture - it's hard to tell that the pipes run through the legs and into the floor. 

What a great view from the new soaking tub!  Wood paneling on the face and a granite slab surround match the tub with the vanity.

The shower has all granite-slab walls and a river rock tile floor, as well as glass block to bring in light.

 
The master closet is surrounded in built-in shelving, rods and drawers.

The laundry room got all new cabinets and marmoleum flooring.

New Products Using Reclaimed Materials

Just in time for Earth Day!  I am loving these bathroom vanities made from recycled materials (from Bristol and Bath's Second Chance Collection) that I saw in this month's Remodeling Magazine!  We've never used this particular vendor, but I think it's a fabulous idea.  They've taken old oil drums, cleaned and refurbished them, and finished in copper or pewter.  A sink is then set into the top of the drum, and a mirror is made out of the old drum lid. 

They've done the same thing with old wine barrels - very chic! 

We love using reclaimed materials in our projects, like we did on this customer's house.  A great resource for salvaged architectural materials is Old Portland Hardware & Architectural (view their website here).

Spring Cleaning

Winter weather, regular use, kids, pets and other of life's joys can take a toll on our houses.  Often times, an area can be spruced up with regular painting.  This customer was getting ready to sell their home, and wanted to make a better first impression.  Here's how the front porch looked before:

And after:

A little paint goes a long way!! 

Master Suite Remodel Update

Cabinets are installed!  They need a little cleaning of course, but they're looking good!  Check back for granite pictures later.

Planning Ahead Saves Money on Remodeling

I saw this article (Remodeling in Stages Fits a Family's Budget) in last week's Oregonian newspaper's Home & Garden section about a family who is completing their remodeling project in two steps.  They wanted to add space to their home and also remodel their kitchen, but couldn't afford to do both.  Their designer came up with a plan to add on the space now, and plan for the kitchen later.  The important part of this process was that they put infrastructure in place during the first remodel to accomodate the future kitchen.  This future planning allowed them to not only save money by doing portions of the work that pertained to both projects, but also to create a space that looks cohesive, rather than looking like several independant (and non-flowing) remodels.

We've followed this same protocol several times for our clients as well.  One time, we built a two-story addition with a master bedroom on the second floor.  The first floor was an unfinished area currently used for storage, but the homeowners plan to use it for a game room in the future.  In another instance, we built an office that is pre-plumbed to be converted to an apartment for guests, aging parents or a revenue source later on.  This can also be good for resale, if the way you're using a room might be different from how someone else will want to use the room in the future.

Photo: A second story bedroom addition done several years ago -

How the EPA's New Safety Requirements Will Affect Your Remodeling Plans

The Environmental Protection Agency exists to protect our natural resources, and to protect us from natural hazards.  Many homes built before 1978 were constructed with some hazardous materials like asbestos or lead paint.  These materials are no longer in use, but we are still dealing with their effects when we remodel older homes.

When we cut into a wall that contains lead paint, dust or paint chips can be dangerous if eaten or ingested, especially for children or pregnant women.  To make remodeling these homes safe, the EPA has created new laws for the procedures we follow when making renovations in homes where lead paint is found.  Markt & Company became certified to provide these renovations by taking an 8 hour training class and registering through the EPA.

Before starting the job, we'll test the walls for the prescense of lead.  In short, we'll need to do a lot of extra protection and cleaning to make your home safe if we find lead paint.  Unfortunately, this can add some additional cost to your project, but it is worth it to us to keep you and your family safe!

Here is a photo of a job we finished recently of a master suite with a workout room:

Just completed - Bedroom fit for a princess!

We just completed this adorable bedroom addition in West Linn for a little girl's room.  The size of the addition was dictated by the size of the first floor of the house - there was a small area that didn't have a second story where this room could be added on.  The roof lines and window bumpout give architechural character to the room, and the owl motif and chandelier light fixture are extra special touches.

We also remodeled this customer's kitchen, adding bench seating in the nook and changing the island.  Here are before and after pictures of that part of the house.

 

The original kitchen had a nice-size eating area and an island with white cabinetry.

After: A new island in cherry wood with a granite slab countertop offsets the white cabinetry and butcherblock counters in the rest of the kitchen.  A new built-in seating area has benches with storage compartments, built to match the white cabinetry in the kitchen.

A close-up of the new bench seating area. 

 
 

 

Master Suite Week 9

Cabinets have been delivered!

 

Whew, that's a lot of cabinets!  It's hard to see in these photos, but paint is also completed, and the bathtub has been partially installed.  Next week, we'll be installing granite!