Fat Boy Construction

A couple weeks ago, we shared that we’d started an extensive roofing remodel of a Lakewood home. The previous roof was completely flat, so our plan included adding trusses to provide dimension and street appeal.

Once most of the roof was in place, we began construction on the attached carport, which is situated in front of the house.

Given the span of the carport, we selected steel fabrication to ensure the structure is heavily anchored. Constructing the frame with steel versus wood will prevent the roof from sagging or creating a hazardous situation. Now that the steel frame is in place, we will begin to cover it withwood for asthetic purposes.

Below is an interior view of the carport. Note we’ve added metal roofing and new venting.

And here is a view of the roofing from the back of the property:

We will shortly be installing this beautiful cedar vent:

Last week, we shared that we’d started constructing a new roof for a Lakewood home . Before we start any construction, a lot of careful planning takes place. During this phase, we can clarify the needs and desires of the homeowner more fully. Additionally, we can begin to formulate a schedule and timeframe.

For this particular project, we started by diagramming the “before” view of the home:

We ultimately agreed upon the “after” diagram shown below. Note how giving the roof some dimension really changes the overall effect of the house!

We then rendered a model of the completed project to give the homeowner the best idea of what his home would look like.

At Fat Boy, it’s our pleasure to include our homeowners in the planning process as much as possible. It’s important to us that you are confident in our ability to turn your dreams into a reality!

We recently shared how Fat Boy started work on a Spanaway home that had been destroyed by fire. The project has gone very well and we’re actually in the finishing stages of construction! For this project, we’ve been responsible for demolition, framing, siding, and interior trim.

The first thing you now notice when you walk up to the home is that new egress windows have been installed. Egress windows provide a means of emergency exit based on their location. We’re pleased to make modifications to leave this house safer and bring it up to current fire code.

In our last update, we still had a lot of work to do in restoring and replacing the framing. Thanks to the hard work of our team, we’ve nearly completed this phase. Shellac, a type of thick varnish, was applied as necessary on the framing. This will seal in the odor caused by the smoke damage during the fire.

During the framing process, we were able to make some design changes to the house. For instance, we brightened up a bathroom situated in the middle of the house by installing a skylight. We also reworked the layout of the master suite to include an extra large walk in closet. A wall was removed to create openness between the main living area and kitchen.

Subcontractors are rapidly completing the heating, electrical, and plumbing, and soon the house will be ready to turn back over to the homeowner.

At Fat Boy Construction, we provide construction solutions tailored to your unique lifestyle. If you’re thinking about creating a space in your home dedicated to work, here are a few questions to ask yourself:

1. Would you benefit from a separate entrance?

If clients will be paying visits to your home office, consider having a separate entrance to your home office. Not only will this give you added privacy, it establishes a clear distinction from home and business.

2. What image do you need your space to convey?

This will differ depending on your field. An accountant’s office might be professional and conservative in design, whereas a photographer’s space might have an entirely different feel. We can work with you to determine which materials would work best for your work situation.

3. What furniture and electrical needs do you anticipate?

It’s important to consider the placement of desks, chairs, sofas, computers, and bookcases in order to make sure that the design elements harmonize. For instance, you will not want to have your desk placed where windows will leave a glare on your computer monitor screen. And you do not want unsightly wires stringing across walls or floors. Your space should be both beautiful and functional.

4. What expansion needs do you anticipate?

Do you plan on adding employees? How about a reception area? Do you anticipate your storage needs growing? You do not want to outgrow your business space anytime soon, so try to consider your business plan while you’re also considering your design plan.

We’re here to help you make sense of your home office space. Our team will take the time to assess your unique needs and walk you through all phases of the project. If you’re wondering if a home office is right for you, call us at 253.576.8333 to see what we can do for you.

Pictured: beautifully detailed door frames give this home office a professional, formal appearance.

You’ve finally decided to move ahead on that home addition or kitchen remodel you’ve been dreaming about. While you’re excited, you’re understandably nervous.

With your dreams and hard-earned money on the line, what should you consider when hiring a general contractor? Here are six questions you should find the answers to before signing that contract:

1. Is this contractor licensed and insured?

Make sure your contractor is currently licensed and bonded. Additionally, make sure they have adequate insurance coverage. You can do this by contacting the Labor & Industries Department and the Better Business Bureau. Failure to have these pieces in place leaves you vulnerable and also suggests the contractor could have financial troubles.

2. Is this business financially stable?

Look for a general contractor that has been in business for a minimum of 5 years, ideally 10 or more. Longevity is important! Much of a general contractor’s work comes through referrals. Therefore, the longer the contractor has been in business, the better the chances they’ve created a history of positive clients and built a financially stable business.

3. Can this contractor handle my project?

Make sure to clearly communicate your needs with your prospective contractor. Be sure to ask if they can show you past work that demonstrates their proficiency to handle your project. Don’t hesitate to ask for a half dozen references, and then call them! Ask them if the job was done timely, well, and according to budget.

4. How does this contractor hire out subcontractors?

The subcontractors are responsible to execute the many steps to complete an overall project. Therefore it’s critical that your general contractor is a reliable project manager. At Fat Boy Construction, we have a team of dependable, talented subcontractors we work with regularly. Having established relationships means we can more readily meet your needs and ensure a quality project.

5. Does the contractor’s bid seem reasonable?

Of course you want a price you feel is fair and within your budget. However, beware if a quote seems too low. You may end up with cheap materials or unskilled (or unfairly paid) laborers. Sometimes inexperienced general contractors may not fully account for the time and products needed to do the job right. You do not want to find out halfway into your project that the general contractor severely underestimated costs. Make sure the bid has properly accounted for the materials you want included into your project and that enough time has been allotted to ensure completion.

6. Will this contractor care about me through the process?

Often price and the ability to get the job done are the major considerations when choosing a general contractor. But remember, this is your home, your dream, your money. It is essential you feel you can connect with your general contractor. At Fat Boy Construction, we understand how important this process is to you. We’ve even added a client login to our webpage so you can get a calendar update of your project at any time you wish. Our goal is to be accessible to you, from start to finish.

We believe you should feel good about the general contractor you’ve selected! To learn more about choosing Fat Boy Construction for your project, please call us at (253) 576-8333.