Our clients loved their neighborhood and wished to find a way to renovate their home rather than move. After awarding the project to J&M Remodel, J&M worked for months with the homeowner to meet the needs of their growing family. Together, we dialed in the details of what became a major renovation project of their home. The project included their kitchen, entry, mudroom, stairs, and lighting, and a full basement remodel on the lower level with a kitchenette, bathroom, primary suite, and laundry room.
The aesthetics of the finished renovation gave this older home new life, with a bright and open floor plan, both upstairs and down, while still incorporating existing elements, like the brick fireplace and hardwood flooring in some areas. The new open floorplan design provided a much-needed solution for this growing family with small children. By eliminating the prior compartmentalized layout upstairs that made it difficult to watch over their children, J&M transformed the over 1,200 feet of newly usable space in their lower level.
While the quality of the work is visible through the renovation, J&M's craftsmanship stands out in the extensively expanded kitchen, including raising the ceilings to open the area up further, and our craftsmanship shines in the millwork throughout the mudroom and office/den. With new flooring and lighting, the entry leads down to the lower level. Downstairs, the previously unfinished area is brand new and includes a laundry room, a large entertainment room that includes a kitchenette, and a small home gym. A primary suite finished the downstairs part of the project, including a complete closet system and a large bathroom. We spared no detail in the downstairs part of the project, and the entire area flows together seamlessly. While we encountered challenges with material lead-times, out-of-stock issues, etc., J&M and our clients quickly reached decisions to stay on track.
The completed renovation complements the style of the home and incorporates well with the existing features mentioned above. We encountered budgetary concerns with overages because this project was budgeted before material prices increased after the project was underway. We met with the homeowner and mapped out a plan to stay on track and ensure the project could be completed with budget increases while remaining on schedule. Everything tied together so nicely upon completion, and the homeowners were thrilled to move back into their brand-new space.
Update: We are very pleased to announce that the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties awarded J & M Remodel the 2022 REX Award in the Residential Remodel Excellence - Major Remodel: $350,000-$500,000 category for this project. We've posted more details about the award on our About Us page.
Ian Furness of KJR Sports Radio 950 AM contacted J & M Remodel about a kitchen remodel project for his family’s home. Not only is Ian widely known for his highly-rated radio show, but also as the popular correspondent for the Seattle Seahawks, including interviews with players for Q13 Fox News in Seattle.
Justin was excited to meet with Ian, and they hit it off right away as both Justin and Ian are proud Washington State University Alumni (Go Cougs!). Justin walked through the Furness kitchen, and after discussing their requirements, Justin provided Ian and his wife, Tammy, with J & M Remodel’s estimate. After reviewing and refining the J & M Remodel proposal for their project, Ian and Tammy decided to move ahead with J & M Remodel for their kitchen remodel project.
The Furness’s wanted a crisp and clean new look for their kitchen. They selected a distinctive glass subway tile, which the J & M Remodel team set in a stacked pattern using Schluter edging rather than bullnose. In addition, a new quartz countertop was installed, as well as under-cabinet lighting, and glass pendant lighting was installed over the island. It was essential for J & M to stay on-time with this project because as soon J & M Remodel completed our part of the project, Shearer Painting came in to paint all of the kitchen cabinets.
Thanks to the excellent coordination between the Furness family, J & M Remodel, and the painting contractor, we completed the kitchen remodel project without a hitch, and the final result turned out great!
The Furness’s are enjoying their new kitchen now, and you can hear Ian’s testimonial on his KJR radio show. Here is a portion of Tammy Furness’ Google review of J & M Remodel’s work on their kitchen remodel project:
“We recently remodeled our kitchen, and J & M Remodel installed the counter tops. It looks amazing! We are loving our new kitchen! If you have been thinking of doing any home updating, be sure to reach out to Justin and Mandy, as they will take great care of all your home remodel needs! We highly recommend J & M Remodel!
Ian and Tammy Furness.”
The gallery below contains four images taken after the kitchen remodel project was complete, and two taken prior to the start of the kitchen remodel project. Please click on any of the images to view the image in its full size, then use the left and right arrows to advance through the images.
J & M Remodel Earned This Customer’s Repeat Business Based on Trust and Experience
J & M Remodel worked with the owners of their Newcastle home on two home remodel projects previously. Recently, our customers contacted J & M Remodel when they were ready to tackle their kitchen remodel. An additional requirement: work carefully to provide kitchen access during the project for our clients and their six month old baby.
The clients’ kitchen already had great quality cabinets, but the finish on the cabinets was dated. J & M Remodel contracted with our preferred painting subcontractor to bring the existing cabinets up to date and completed the look by installing new cabinet hardware throughout. Our clients selected two quartz countertops, deciding on a lighter Carrera look for the island and a dark quartz for the surround. J & M Remodel installed under cabinet lighting as well as all new appliances and fixtures. A bright white subway tile backsplash was installed that covers the area up to the ceiling around the sink. New paint and the installation of five-panel doors completed the renovation.
Our Customers Say it Best
We've reposted our clients’ review about their experience with their kitchen remodel and satisfaction with the results from our Reviews page below:
“Our kitchen remodel was our third project with J&M. With a 6-month old in the house, it was important to have access to parts of the kitchen throughout the project and for the project to finish on time. Having worked with Justin and Russ in the past, we knew they would deliver. We’ve definitely found a partner with J&M, and we will continue using them for future projects.”
J & M Remodel recently completed a kitchen renovation in the Belvidere neighborhood of West Seattle. Our customer decided that it was time to update the kitchen into a beautiful place their family would enjoy spending time in, complimented by a stunning Puget Sound view from the kitchen window.
The footprint of the kitchen remained the same. Justin suggested that J & M Remodel could extend the peninsula that separated the kitchen work area and the kitchen table. The extended peninsula provides additional cabinetry and counterspace. We also installed a dry bar using custom cabinetry that matches those J & M Remodel installed in the kitchen that ties the whole room together.
As you view the photos of the kitchen remodel project, you’ll take note of the soft gray custom cabinets with brass hardware that are a key feature of the project. The cabinets are top quality, and include built-in organizers, a wine cabinet, and a glass display cabinet in the dry bar area. The under cabinet lighting that J & M Remodel installed beautifully illuminates the white quartz countertop. The use of white subway tiles throughout the entire kitchen tastefully blends with the striking light fixtures and hardware. Power outlets were installed vertically to flow with the tile layout.
The large dark gray floor tiles, with contrasting white grout, flow seamlessly into the adjacent hall which features another brass accented light fixture. The new kitchen appliances include matching wine and beverage refrigeration.
The completed kitchen remodel project is both functional and classically stylish, resulting in a cohesive update that will stand the test of time (and trends) that our delighted clients will enjoy for years to come.
Click to view each image in the gallery below in its full size, then use the arrows to advance through the images.
As you can see from the before pictures in the gallery below, prior to the completion of the kitchen remodel project, the original kitchen was truly dated. Our client wanted an updated look that was not too modern while retaining warmth.
The glass tile that you'll see in the after pictures of this kitchen remodel project is truly a show stopper. The kitchen features quartz countertops with blue specks that are brought out by the tile accent wall. The pendant lights continue the blue theme as well. The open wood shelving also features matching blue ground-up glass filler.
The built-in entertainment shelves feature a custom birch wood countertop and plenty of storage. The cabinets used in both the kitchen and entertainment area feature soft-close hinges and drawers with dovetail joints.
Our customer was pleased by the results. Here is a portion of the review on Houzz:
“I was pleasantly surprised at how well the remodel went over all. Brandon was a champ at the house every day. Cleaned up so we could live with the mess each night. He was helpful with design ideas and his carpentry skills are awesome (see shelves!) Justin and Mandy kept us on task with the needed supplies and directed me what to get next. It turned out great. I would use them again!”
The gallery below contains three images of the kitchen before the remodel in addition to the images after J and M Remodel completed the project. Click to view each image in its full size, then use the arrows to advance through the images:
The owners of this Capitol Hill home love to cook; in particular, they love to bake. They needed a complete kitchen renovation that would offer an open concept with exceptional functionality. Using the tile up the wall offered a great look and easy cleanup option. Top of the line appliances and a butcher-block island completed the look.
06/01/2012 – Mitch A. (Angie’s List Review)
We contacted Justin in November 2011 to bid on our project, remodeling the kitchen and both bathrooms. He came right out the next day, quickly did a thorough review of the project, and responded within a couple of days with a competitive, detailed proposal, which we selected among five other bids.Most of the work was handled by a two-man crew, Nate and James, but four other contractors came on the job at different times for extra hands or when a specialist skill was needed. The crew is great to work with; friendly, courteous, considerate, and diligent. They keep a clean job site, removing trash and debris frequently. We liked that the J and M team was small and easy to work with, but also big enough to bring on more people when required.
J and M handled everything in the remodel except for the cabinetry, countertops, painting, and shower doors, which we contracted out to others, an arrangement which saved us a considerable amount on the job. J and M’s work included all the demolition, rough carpentry, plumbing, electrical, tile, and the finish and trim work. They worked really well with the other contractors, coordinating schedules and working out dependencies as needed. They also bought all required materials with a reasonable markup, but allowed us to buy the more costly items to avoid the markup, often using their contractor discounts saving us even more money.
We worked from rough designs, which led to frequent changes, including a few major changes. They were very flexible, handling everything, working with us to get exactly what we wanted. We did find that it was important to write down changes—an email was enough—as some things were dropped when communicated verbally.
Some changes were the result of problems uncovered during the remodel. The crew always communicated things quickly as they came up, and were very creative, usually giving us several options to solve the problem. For example, we got stuck trying to work out how to install an electrical outlet on the kitchen island, and Nate worked out a way to cut down some plug mold to fit perfectly on the island trim. It looks great!
The craftsmanship was generally above average and in some cases, excellent. They will take on anything but were best with rough construction, woodwork, tile, electrical and plumbing. They had trouble with the floors and some finish details.
The oak floors required sanding, staining and sealing, and they struggled to get a consistent, smooth finish after going well over budget on the sanding. It was partly due to the challenging nature of the floor—uneven, out of level surface and grain variation—and partly limited experience on their part. I want to emphasize that they absorbed most of the cost overrun and in the end the floors look good, but this part of the job definitely pushed their limits.
They are also easy to do business with. Their invoices are timely, detailed and easy to understand. They provide receipts for all purchases, were quick to respond to billing questions and have been very reasonable in working out any issues that came up.
They started on schedule in mid-January, and finished a bit later than planned, about 10 weeks later—reasonable for the size of the job and the number of changes that we made. We were generally happy with their progress throughout but did have to push at the end to get things wrapped up.
We love all three rooms, they turned out even better than expected and really make the house beautiful.
Overall, we are very happy with J and M. They are reliable and responsive, and will provide quality contracting work at a reasonable cost, but you do need to spend time working with them on the project to get the best result. We will work with J and M again as well, already scheduling a media room project and potentially a studio/office remodel. That probably says as much as anything about our level of satisfaction.
Clicking any of the images below will display the photo in its full size.
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Our Portfolio
J&M Remodel has grown over the years thanks our customers, many of whom have returned for follow-on projects after the initial work was complete. View all of our projects on this page
Featured on Animal Planet
J & M Remodel created a spa-like bathroom and a pet friendly pool deck for a couple whose project was featured on the Animal Cribs show on cable TV’s Animal Planet channel during the 2017 season. The couple's Chocolate Lab Turf goes to work with his owner Sergio at the Seattle Seahawks training facility in Renton. Read more about the project and view the TV episode.
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We stand by the work we commit to for our customers, and when it comes to opinions about our commitment to quality and efficient project management, our customers say it best.
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