Spyglass Home Builders

08/26/2026

Thinking about a remodel in Seattle? Here’s where your money actually comes back to you.
We pulled the latest Cost vs. Value data for our market and the results might surprise you:
— Garage door replacement: 232% ROI
— Steel entry door: 168% ROI
— Stone veneer: 146% ROI
— Minor kitchen remodel: 129% ROI
Compare that to a major upscale kitchen remodel, which only recoups about 44%. The pattern holds across the board: small, targeted exterior upgrades consistently outperform big interior overhauls when it comes to resale value.
That doesn’t mean skip the kitchen of your dreams — it means know the numbers before you decide where to spend. If you’re weighing a remodel and want a straight answer on what pays off vs. what’s a lifestyle investment, send us a message. We’ll walk you through it.
Source: 2024 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report, Seattle market data.
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08/25/2026

6 Decking Materials, 1 Big Decision — Which One Fits Your Backyard?
Choosing a deck material isn’t just about looks — it’s about lifespan, maintenance, cost, and how it’ll hold up to Seattle’s rain. Swipe through our breakdown of the top 6 options:
🔹 Composite — near-zero maintenance, 25-30+ year lifespan, but a premium price tag
🔹 Ipe — the hardwood heavyweight (40-75 years!), just needs annual oiling
🔹 Pressure Treated — budget-friendly and widely available, shortest lifespan of the bunch
🔹 Kebony — sustainable, FSC-certified, cooler underfoot than composite or ipe
🔹 Stone Paver — built to outlast everything else (50+ years), but the heaviest investment
🔹 Urethane Waterproof Membrane — the go-to for waterproofing living space below your deck
No single “best” material — just the best fit for your budget, climate, and how much upkeep you want to sign up for.
Thinking about a deck or remodel project? Send us a message and we’ll help you pick the right system for your home.
— Spyglass Home Builders | Seattle, WA
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08/21/2026

Here is a great example of why the cheapest bid, isn’t always the best. This flooring installer cut apart this nice curved set of oak stairs in order to inlay the cheapest laminate flooring imaginable. This homeowner now faces some pretty hefty repair costs.

08/19/2026

Ever wonder where your money really goes when you build a $428K home?
Here’s the real breakdown, line by line:
🏗️ Labor — 25% ($107,000)
🌱 Land — 20% ($85,600)
🔨 Framing — 12% ($51,360)
🍳 Kitchen — 8% ($34,240)
🧱 Foundation — 8% ($34,240)
💼 Builder Profit — 8% ($34,240)
🛋️ Interior Finishes — 6% ($25,680)
🏠 Roof — 5% ($21,400)
⚡ Electrical — 5% ($21,400)
🚰 Plumbing — 4% ($17,120)
🌡️ HVAC — 4% ($17,120)
🛁 Bathrooms — 4% ($17,120)
🧊 Drywall — 3% ($12,840)
🧵 Insulation — 2% ($8,560)
📋 Permits — 1% ($4,280)
Labor and land alone make up nearly half the budget — which is why cutting corners on crew quality or site selection almost always costs more down the road.
At Spyglass Home Builders, we walk every client through numbers like these before we break ground, so there are no surprises later. Questions about your own project’s budget? Drop them below or send us a message.
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08/11/2026

Heads up: the federal tax credits for energy-efficient home upgrades are gone.
The 30% federal credits for things like heat pumps, insulation, windows, and solar ended December 31, 2025 (IRS). If your project isn’t already done, that credit isn’t coming back.
But Washington homeowners still have options:
— Up to $14,000 in rebates for income-qualified households (heat pumps, water heaters, panel upgrades, insulation)
— Up to $8,000 for whole-home efficiency upgrades, any income level
— Free weatherization help for qualifying households
— Utility rebates that often stack on top
These are run through WA Department of Commerce, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act (WA Dept of Commerce).
Not sure what you qualify for? Send us a message — we’ll help you figure it out before your project starts.

08/10/2026

🏠 Is your home ready to stay put when the ground doesn’t?
Many older Pacific Northwest homes were built before today’s seismic standards. During an earthquake, an unanchored house can shift on its foundation, and short basement or crawlspace “cripple walls” can buckle or collapse.
A properly designed seismic retrofit can help by:
• Anchoring the home to its foundation
• Bracing vulnerable crawlspace or basement walls
• Connecting the framing so forces have a stronger path through the structure
• Reducing the risk of major structural damage and improving the odds your home remains usable after an event
In Seattle, eligible single-family homes may use the city’s streamlined Earthquake Home Retrofit Permit process. If your home does not qualify for the prescriptive plans, a structural engineer can design the right solution.
Because “we’ve never had a big one” is not a structural strategy.
Thinking about a remodel, foundation project, or improving your home’s resilience? Reach out to Spyglass Home Builders for a conversation and a quote.
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07/31/2026

Lead Carpenter – Spyglass Home Builders

Spyglass Home Builders is a family-run, high-end custom home builder and remodeler serving the greater Seattle area. We specialize in custom homes, remodels, additions, decks, and ADUs, and we treat employees with respect and dignity while valuing family and a healthy work/life balance.

Position Overview
Spyglass Home Builders is seeking an experienced Lead Carpenter to join a small, tight-knit team building high-end custom homes and residential remodels. This is a full-time, year-round position for someone who takes pride in craftsmanship, communicates well, and can confidently lead a small crew.

Requirements:

-Minimum 5 years of experience in a Lead Carpenter role.

-Excellent communication skills.

-Ability to run a small crew and manage daily jobsite activities.

-Ability to read and interpret plans.

-Working knowledge of basic residential building code.

-Must pass a background check.

-Must have a reliable truck or van.

-Must own professional-grade tools.

-Must provide at least three solid references from past employers.

-Must provide a resume with work history.

-Must be able to lift 100lbs

Pay and Benefits:
Pay is $35–$50 per hour depending on experience. Benefits include paid holidays, paid vacation, quarterly tool stipend, medical, dental, optical, merit bonuses, on-the-job training, and a 401k plan.

About Spyglass:
Spyglass Home Builders is a family-owned company focused on high-end residential construction and remodeling in the Seattle area. The company values craftsmanship, professionalism, respect, and strong work/life balance, and it believes family matters.

To apply, reply to this ad with your resume to [email protected] including work history, three references from past employers, and a brief note about your experience as a Lead Carpenter.

07/30/2026

Turn your attic into your favorite new room instead of dusty storage.

Finishing an attic starts with a solid plan: checking structure, insulation, ventilation, and code requirements so the space is safe, comfortable, and legal living area. Once framing and utilities are dialed in, adding proper insulation, drywall, skylights or windows, and quality flooring transforms it into usable square footage that feels like a natural extension of your home.

The merits? You gain a bonus bedroom, office, playroom, or media room without changing your footprint, often boosting resale value and everyday livability at the same time. A well-finished attic improves energy efficiency, cleans up clutter, and showcases craftsmanship in a space most houses overlook.

Thinking about your attic’s potential? Start by imagining how an extra quiet, light-filled space could improve your daily life—then reach out to Spyglass Home Builders for a detailed attic finishing consultation and quote tailored to your home.

07/27/2026

Thinking about a backyard cottage in Edmonds? 🏡

A DADU (detached accessory dwelling unit) is one of the smartest upgrades you can make to your property right now:

Turn unused backyard space into long‑term rental income that helps offset your mortgage and taxes.

Create a private, fully self‑contained home for aging parents, adult kids, or long‑term guests—close to family, but with their own space and entrance.

Add highly desirable, flexible square footage that can be a home office, studio, or future resale value booster in Edmonds’ tight housing market.

Edmonds has updated its ADU rules so more lots can qualify for detached backyard units, with fewer parking and permitting barriers than before.

At Spyglass Home Builders, we build DADUs that feel like a small custom home—efficient layouts, quality finishes, and thoughtful placement in your yard.

Ready to explore a backyard DADU on your Edmonds property?
📍 Serving Edmonds and the greater North End
📲 Call or message Spyglass Home Builders to schedule a site visit and feasibility review.

https://myedmondsnews.com/2026/07/interested-in-building-a-dadu-in-edmonds-heres-how-one-family-did-it-and-why/

07/16/2026