Being welcomed back, again and again

Two of the highest honors in this line of work are referrals and repeat clients. And when someone appreciates your work so much that they tell their friends or leave a review online, and then ask you back into their home to do more work and art, it’s beyond words how grateful I am.

One client, L, had me remodel his kitchen. We gutted it and replaced the cabinets, countertop, flooring, lights, and more. It was wonderful to be around his loving family who would be coming and going in their large house in a nice suburb of Portland.

An aspect of the project that made me particularly proud was the lighting. They had a massive 4 foot by 8 foot section of their ceiling raised to house a few fluorescent fixtures that were covered up by wood trim and plexiglass to diffuse the light, and they hated it, but they didn’t know exactly what they wanted. Just, not that! I suggested we take down the trim and plastic, and of course the fluorescents, but leave the raised area, then install crown moulding with an uplighting LED strip for indirect light. This cascaded an ambient warm glow over the kitchen, and didn’t cast shadows over the working areas.

From this point, L and his family were hooked. They loved my ideas, work, and craftsmanship, so after I finished their kitchen they wrote a 5 star review on Yelp!

And soon after that, they asked me back to help with another project, a guest bathroom remodel.

Before, hall bathroom

After of hall bathroom, replace tile shower, tile floor, and removed walls and louvered doors

After, replaced tiled shower, tiled floor, and removed walls and louvered doors

And soon after that, they asked me back to help with another project, a laundry and hall bathroom remodel.

And soon after that, they asked me back to help with another project, a ceiling refinish and painting remodel. During this project I fell off my 10 foot ladder and fractured 4 bones in my feet. I recommended that L find a new contractor to finish what I started, but he insisted that he would wait the 6 months it took me to literally get back on my feet.

During all these projects, I got to interact with the family more and more including playing ping-pong with L in their rec room, and being invited to a 4th of July pool party.

Finally, they asked me back to help with another project, a big master suite and bathroom remodel!

All of my projects with them felt special and unique, but this last bathroom took the prize for design, effort, and implementation. The tile work was creative and expressive, and included radiant heating on the floor and bench. The shower was curbless with a line drain and niche, separated from the bathroom by a gorgeous glass panel. They loved it.

Before: carpet, dated look and feel

During: waterproofed floor and shower walls using Schluter products and radiant heat on floor and bench

After: finished tile bathroom with new vanity and double sink

While doing that project, they also asked me to extend the flooring I did in the kitchen 7 years prior through the dining room, foyer, and hallway, plus address some drywall patches and replace all the baseboard trim.

After: hallway and foyer flooring extended from kitchen, with a flourish swapping directions of the planks by the front door to go down the hall.

It’s an honor to work in your home, and it’s beyond words to be invited back as family. Every day, every project, I’ll keep working to deserve that.

The First Addition

I bought my house 6 years ago with the intention to experiment and try ideas that I wouldn’t want to risk on a client’s home.

My TV with lights reacting to the music playing.

The pull down map to cover the TV when not in use.

So far I’ve tried a bunch of ideas, including vaulting the living room ceiling, adding a loft above the kitchen and family room, covered the ceiling with reclaimed pallet wood, added a secret door to a storage room, and embedded a 65” TV into a wood-clad wall with 5.1 surround sound speakers also flush in the wall.

My main living area with loft above the kitchen and family rooms, and reclaimed pallet wood covering the vaulted cathedral ceilings.

I replaced the ceiling fan blades with the reclaimed pallet wood for a matching aesthetic.

I have learned so much from all of these projects, but none more than my latest edition, the first addition.

I took the rear deck and absorbed it into the house. The roof was already covering the area, so I added a foundation, framed in the new exterior walls, moved the back door, and finished the inside with a new half bath. I’m extremely proud of the flooring where I extended the tile from the rest of the house into the bathroom, but also made walnut flooring from stock and installed in flush with the large hexagon tiles.

The bathroom has some fun and unique design elements including preserving the corrugated metal siding from the porch on the vanity wall, and installing vertical slats with walnut trim on the window wall.

I love this house.

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Thank you, Portland!

Wow, okay, first of all—thank you, Portland! I mean, we’ve all seen the kitchen and bathroom spaces around town, and it’s truly humbling to be named the Best Bathroom Remodeler and Best Kitchen Remodeler for 2024 on BestOfTheRoseCity.com. I’m so lucky to have my dream job creating spaces where people can literally sit and cook, and apparently, I’m doing it right!

BestOfTheRoseCity.com gold medal for winning Best Bathroom Remodeler and Best Kitchen Remodeler for 2024.

Thank you to my wife, for pushing me to be my best. I’m honored to have had so many great mentors over my career teaching me the importance of cleaning my paintbrush and to make the unseen areas as complete and beautiful as the seen places.

To my amazing clients, you guys are the real MVPs. We turned up the creativity, put in a lot of elbow grease (especially when we were chiseling out that stubborn backsplash), and made sure every project had just the right blend of function and fabulousness. And let’s not forget the countless hours of picking out the perfect shade of gray. (Who knew there were so many grays? But we did it. We found the one!)

Portland, you’ve spoken, and I hear you loud and clear: you want bathrooms that make you feel like you’re in a spa and kitchens that inspire you to become the next Food Network star. Well, we’re honored to have delivered both.

So here's to the city that knows good design, great food, and fabulous home renovations. Thanks for making us a part of your everyday life! We promise to keep making your spaces so awesome that even your houseplants will be jealous. Keep on voting, keep on remodeling, and remember: if it’s not fun, it’s probably not Portland!

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The Improbable Range Hood Fan

As I ascend Mt. Scott in southeast Portland, I curve around a tight bend, dip down, and then make my way up a driveway that feels like a 45° incline, covered in autumn leaves. I wonder if I can even make it to the house.

When I arrive, I’m greeted by a kind and attentive homeowner who needs help with a kitchen remodel. Specifically, the kitchen in their basement rental requires modification to allow for a range hood fan after weeks of smoke alarms blaring from their new gas stove. My client was convinced this would be a difficult job, considering the unique way the previous homeowner or contractor installed the upper cabinets.

As a kitchen remodeler in Portland, OR, I’ve seen my fair share of unusual designs, but this one was truly a puzzle. Rather than using standard prebuilt or custom upper cabinets mounted on the same wall as the lower cabinets, this kitchen featured a wide bookcase with custom doors and face trim. This bookcase was installed into the wall so that the doors were flush with the wall, instead of a typical 12” depth, where the back of the cabinet would be against the kitchen wall.

Before.

A Custom Kitchen Remodel Challenge

In a typical kitchen, upper cabinets are mounted about a foot away from the wall, providing ample space to open the cabinet doors and access the contents inside. However, in this kitchen, the front of the cabinet was at the wall, making it difficult to reach inside the cabinet. The cabinet face also covered the range width-wise, and there was a small duct register, typically found on the floor for HVAC systems, with an inline fan installed in the wall.

This unique setup meant that mounting the new range hood fan directly above the range wasn’t feasible because of the uneven surface. My client expected this to be a big ordeal, but as a professional kitchen remodeler in Portland, OR, I saw an exciting challenge ahead.

Finding a Solution: Kitchen Remodeler Creativity at Work

I started by carefully opening the cabinet face covering the fan above the range and removed the existing inline fan. Next, I redirected the ductwork to the location where I needed it for the new range hood fan.

To match the unique cabinetry style, I sourced wood that closely resembled the existing doors, then cut and stained new face trim. The trim was wide enough to span the entire range width, providing a stable mounting surface for the new hood fan. Once the trim was installed, I mounted the range hood, connected the ductwork, and called in the client.

The Result: A Happy Client and a Smooth Kitchen Remodel in Portland, OR

When my client saw the finished product, he was blown away. Not only was he impressed with the speed and quality of the new range hood fan installation, but he was also amazed at how quickly I completed the project. He said, “It would have taken my previous handyman two weeks to finish this, but you got it done in just three partial days.”

After.

After.

As a kitchen remodeler in Portland, OR, I thrive on solving unique challenges like this one. I love taking on complicated projects and delighting my clients with creative, high-quality solutions.

If you’re facing a kitchen remodeling challenge that seems impossible or you're not sure where to begin but want to make your space better, I’d love to help. Reach out to me through my contact form today to get started on your own kitchen renovation!

After.

Serving the Portland, OR Area Since 2009: Quality Kitchen Remodeling That Delights

Happy remodeling, and keep rocking your home!

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How to Hire the Best Bathroom Remodeler in Portland, Oregon

When it comes to renovating your bathroom, hiring the right contractor can make all the difference. Here’s a step-by-step guide to ensure you find the best bathroom remodeler in Portland, Oregon.

Steps to Hire a Contractor

  1. Define Your Project Scope

    • What’s on your wish list? Layout changes, new fixtures, fresh flooring?

    • Set a realistic budget that makes sense for your remodel dreams.

  2. Research Local Bathroom Remodelers

    • Search for bathroom remodelers in Portland, Oregon, with good reviews.

      • Check local directories and websites for contractor listings.

    • Read Reviews and Testimonials

      • Visit sites like Yelp and Google to read customer experiences.

      • Ask for recommendations from friends and family.

    • Verify Credentials

      • Ensure the contractor is licensed and insured in Oregon.

      • Check for any complaints with the Better Business Bureau.

  3. Interview Potential Contractors

    • Prepare a list of questions about their experience, process, and timelines.

    • Discuss your vision and see how they respond. A good contractor will be receptive to your ideas and goals, and they should be able to tell you what’s possible, and better yet expand on your ideas to make your home the best it can be.

    • Ask the contractor about mold prevention and moisture management. It is very easy for a contractor to follow the ANSI guidelines and still create an unsafe shower or wet area due to a lack of understanding regarding how mold grows and how water moves.

      • Be sure to ask what products they install for waterproofing, and research how those products.

  4. Request Detailed Estimates

    • Ask for itemized estimates from multiple contractors.

    • Compare pricing, but be wary of quotes that are significantly lower than others.

    • It’s said that with a contractor there are three pillars: Speed, Quality, and Cost; pick one.

      • Some bathroom remodelers focus on speed so they can get onto the next job and the next payday.

      • Some cut corners so that they can be the cheapest possible bid and get the work.

      • And the last group focuses on the quality of work so that what you live with for the rest of your time in that home is safe and long lasting, as well as beautiful and functional.

  5. Establish Communication and Review Contracts Carefully

    • Read through the contract terms, including payment schedules and warranties.

    • Ensure everything discussed is documented clearly.

    • Set clear communication expectations before the project begins.

    • Determine how often you’ll receive updates on progress.

  6. Trust Your Instincts

    • Choose a contractor you feel comfortable with and trust.

    • A good rapport can make the renovation process smoother.

    • Life can be stressful enough. A remodel doesn’t have to be.

Conclusion

Hiring a bathroom remodeler in Portland, Oregon, doesn’t have to be daunting. By following these steps, you can ensure that you select a contractor who meets your needs and can deliver the bathroom of your dreams. For professional and reliable bathroom remodeling services, consider reaching out to Rockstar Remodel.

At Rockstar Remodel, there is a focus on communication, openness, quality, safety, and craftsmanship. A bathroom requires the attention to detail of a quality bathroom remodeler like Rockstar Remodel. If you want to see more of what Rockstar Remodel can do for you with a bathroom remodel, check out our Bathroom page, or send a us message using our Contact page.

It’s an honor to be nominated

Please vote for Rockstar Remodel 2024 Best in the Rose City Bathroom Remodeler and Kitchen Remodeler at: voterosecity.com

I was nominated for best kitchen and bathroom remodeler at Best Of The Rose City 🌹 and I could use your help to win.

  1. Visit the voting site: VoteRoseCity.com

  2. Select Home & Garden, then Bathroom Remodeler, then Rockstar Remodel

  3. Select Vote In Another Home & Garden Catagory, then Kitchen Remodeler, then Rockstar Remodel.

  4. Look for any other votes you’d like to cast, and submit. Repeat daily : )

The most important thing to me is a quality, long-lasting, enjoyable space in your home.

I love home; it’s where I spend the majority of my time, and I want mine and yours to be a haven.

I’m delighted to be recognized as a contender for the top remodeler in these areas as I put so much time, effort, care, and thought into each space I’m working in. I’m happy it shows.

Voting is open Monday, August 12 at noon. You can vote ONCE A DAY in each category. Voting closes at 5pm on Friday, August 30. Please go to voterosecity.com and vote each day. Thank you so much!

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What’s the big idea?

Welcome to a showcase of the wonders that previous builders left in their wake.

I’ve been remodeling for a long time and, just when I think I’ve seen it all, I get amazed all over again at what someone will put together. This blog, amongst other things, will be a tour of surprises found inside the walls of Portland Oregon homes: sometimes delightful, sometimes hilarious, often very concerning, always in need of repair.

I’ll also be sharing the adventures of remodeling my own home, and the experiments I try, like using reclaimed pallet wood for the vaulted ceiling of my living room, or multi-zone radiant heated tile floors, or corrugated metal in my bathroom. It’ll be fun!

This blog with be mostly photos with some context, but not super long or time-consuming. If you’d like to stay up to date, hit the subscribe link below and you’ll get an update for new posts.

And if you’d like some work in the Portland area (or beyond), reach out with the contact form and we’ll see what’s in your walls.

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