Perfectly timed thread, I’m in the same crowd, wife & I are just about to close on our first house as well and we’re excited to make the place “ours,” we’ve been renting it for the past 3 years. All good advice I’ll be checking out as well as reaching out to Sinus211 for flooring considerations! Thanks again guys, and happy damn Fridays!!

Appreciate all the suggestions!

The wife is heading up the kitchen design and liked what was on the KT website. And she’s decided on quartz countertops because of the low maintenance and high durability. And we’ll check out Judd & Black for appliances.

Oh and Sinus, we’ll reach out to you for hardwoods after the kids are older. For now we’re going to go with Pergo since the kids will likely destroy the wood.


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Seattle home appliance treated me very well. Bought a Speed Queen washer and dryer from them (the best on the market by the way). When they came to deliver and install it, it was dented. The installers didn't miss a best. They called it in and immediately went and got us a free loaner while they ordered in another machine. Friggin Amazing to get that kind of service now a days.

Edit: Looks like Seattle Home Appliance has closed and left at least one woman unhappy. As much as I hate to say it, this is a good reason to pay with a credit card. A chargeback in this situation could save your butt!

Looking like Best Buy is going to be our place for appliances. They’re having a pretty good sale now that ends today or tomorrow. The wife has a double oven picked out that she’s only seen there (which lends credibility to your theory, JuK).

Still trying to figure out cabinets...need to find time to check out GS and KT. Our realtor also recommended GS. Though both places have some pretty bad Yelp reviews, which makes me leery. Most of the bad reviews were related to shoddy installation so if our contractor installs them, we should avoid that. But he won’t do the counter top.

Our contractor wanted to use some pre built off the shelf cabinets from Home Depot but that’s a no-go with the missus. And Home Depot said that their custom cabinets are 6-8 weeks out this time of year which makes us wait longer than we want.


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Who is you contractor (I know it isn't me)

Jimenez Maintenance. My in laws used him a couple times before and they were really happy.

I forgot that you were a contractor...we have a couple bathroom remodels down the road so you’ll get a call for those.


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Thank you. I'd love to have an opportunity to bid on your jobs.

Not to pick on you or to bag unduly on your guy but since I'm the nosey, suspicious type looking at your remodel as a "fer instance" may help you and others here watching the thread (If you want me to delete this post, send me a PM)...


Here's the kinds of things you guys can find out about your contractors through L and I:

https://secure.lni.wa.gov/verify/Detail ... 887OG&SAW=

Looking into Santiago, I see he has a "specialty contractor's" license. Meaning he can perform ONE of the trade tasks in DOL's list of licensed trades....

In your contractor's case it seems like he's been fairly good at what he does in that he hasn't gotten caught doing anything untoward... except once in Seattle. Operating without a license, or while license was suspended (building a fence). It appears to be the state of WA license he was missing(?) City licenses are another matter.

City business licenses are a particular pet peeve of mine. Each CITY demands the purchase of a city business license to conduct business within their municipal borders. That means a city license for, potentially, every different job! (Now how many guys go and purchase each license.... dunno)

Food for thought:
- Which specialty license does he carry?
- What's the scope of his remodel at your house? (and how does that apply to his specialty?)
- Do you know the limits of his bond and insurance?
*Santiago appears to be carrying ample insurance ($1,000,000) as long as he stays within the limits of his licensing you should be good there. And he has posted a savings account in lieu of purchasing a bond (this is a pretty good frugal method; instead of paying $200 or so a year purchasing a bond, he is getting 1% interest on a saving account)
- Is he subbing out the parts of the job not covered by his own license? (electrical, plumbing, structural etc.?)
- Did he get his business listed on those sub's insurance as "also insured"?
- Did he provide you with lien releases for those contractors? (If that's important to you)
- Are parts of the job permitted? Did he actually get the permits?
That is a partial list of considerations.

DOR also has information on contractors.

All of you guys should read my latest post on the "what has pissed you off" thread and see what going into such a thing half informed or, in that lady's case, irrationally trusting can do to your wallet and house.

He holds a General, which means he’s a GC and can cover all specialties, correct?

Also, it looks like after he got dinged for the fence in 2012 he went right out and get licensed, and insured.

..