The TempKi is a combination of cabinets on casters, a pre-formed counter, power strips, and appliances.

Q: If we decide to commit to a kitchen remodel, how will we cook our meals during the construction period of the project?

A: You will certainly lose kitchen functionality as you’ve known it once construction begins.

If you’ve ever endured a large-scale remodel, even one with great results, you probably remember the most agonizing aspects of that experience. If you haven’t, pursuing a remodel can be still be intimidating because there are so many decisions to be made and so many factors, from budget to schedule, that affect the project.

People often overlook the fact that from the very the first step—the demolition phase—you immediately lose functional amenities. Often preparing meals means cooking outside (a difficult proposition in the Pacific Northwest) or ordering food in. Meal costs add up and diets suffer. Dishes and appliances become inaccessible. Simple tasks like pouring a drink of water or toasting bread are almost impossible.

But there is a way to keep your house running smoothly during a kitchen remodel.

Home Run Solutions co-owner Jacob Thompson recalls a recent discussion he had with a family of five in Snohomish before their much-anticipated remodel. “They expressed concern about losing the function of their kitchen for the entire duration of the remodel. We put ourselves in their shoes and realized we could do better. There was no reason that small appliances, cabinets and counter space had to be completely eliminated during the remodel.”

And so, the concept of the temporary kitchen—dubbed “TempKi” by Thompson—was born.

For this project, Home Run Solutions procured a set of stock cabinets and fitted them with casters for easy mobility. Any combination of the four cabinets can be reconfigured and reused for future projects. Next, they added a molded countertop and adequate power strips. They added select kitchen appliances such as a toaster oven, crock pot, coffee maker, and microwave, plus some basic utensils, towels, and cutlery. The temporary kitchen could be immediately rolled out for use on day one of the demolition.

Thompson says: “Once we started planning the TempKi, we had numerous ideas, which I’m sure will be integrated into setups in the future. It all depends on the homeowner’s needs and the availability of utilities that will remain in place during the remodel.”

The refrigerator, for example, often stays onsite during the renovation. If it has wheels, the remodeling crew can move it out of the way as construction begins so your family can continue to use it. If the project includes a new fridge, the old one can be temporarily replaced with a mini fridge. Home Run Solutions offers one to clients for use during projects. They plan on offering similar appliance solutions for some bathroom remodels and whole-house additions in the future.

Every remodel is unique and certain limitations and challenges will emerge once it begins. If you or your remodeler can anticipate your needs in advance, you can make the necessary temporary kitchen accommodations to ease the process.

No one should have to remodel their lives when they remodel their kitchen.

Joe Reed is co-owner of Home Run Solutions, a member of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS). If you have a home improvement, remodeling, or residential homebuilding question you’d like answered by one of MBAKS’ more than 2,900 members, write to homework@mbaks.com.

By Kimberley Martin, Cyneburg Scapes

Q: With warm weather around the corner, what are some often-forgotten outdoor projects I can get started on to improve the overall health of my home?

A: Do you have a deck? If so, now is the time to address it.

The thing parents worry about most when allowing their child out into the world for the first time is whether they will be safe. Same goes when buying a car; most of us think about the safety ratings of the vehicle first and foremost.

But what about your deck? Do you know the condition of the structure of your outdoor entertaining or lounging area? It may have been inspected when you bought your home, but have you thought about the safety of it since?

You may be asking yourself, "Why would my deck have been safe when I purchased my home but may not be now?"

There are a few reasons that immediately come to mind. First, rot or decay may have made your deck unsafe since you moved in—especially if you have a wooden deck and have not done proper yearly maintenance.

The second reason is that, over the years, the way we build decks has evolved and is dramatically different from how they were built even five years ago. As decks fail (meaning they collapse, or people fall off them), changes are made to make them safer. This means that your deck will not collapse even if you have 15 of your best friends out dancing on it. Or if your Uncle Bob has a wee bit too much to drink and stumbles heavily into the deck railing, he won't break through and fall.

What should you look for? Here are a few items that indicate that your deck may not be safe and could need repairs or an upgrade.

• It has soft spots where the deck boards give.
• The deck sways side to side with a few people on it.
• There is some rot in the railing or the railing is wobbly.
• The steps have a lot of bounce to them.
• You hear creaking, cracking or squeaking when you walk on your deck.
• The deck boards have started to come away from the structure underneath.

The next important question is: What should I do in the event I see (or feel) one or more of the above items? If you have the skills and the tools, and you have time to review the codes to repair the deck, take the time to do so as soon as possible.

If you are like most people, however, and are not qualified (or just do not have time), you can call a licensed contractor. Make sure they have experience with decks and deck repair, and have them come out and take a look at the deck. Most will do an initial consultation and estimate at no charge.

After ensuring your deck is up to standard, go ahead and give Uncle Bob a call. He misses your backyard barbecues.

Kimberley Martin is the owner of Cyneburg Scapes and a member of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS). HomeWork is the group's weekly column. If you have a home improvement, remodeling, or residential homebuilding question you'd like answered by one of the MBAKS's nearly 3,000 members, write to homework@mbaks.com.

Q: My partner and I moved into our dream home over a year ago and we still have rooms littered with boxes because we don’t have as much space as we thought. We’ve been eyeing our garage as a potential storage room, but we’re unsure how to best proceed. Any advice?

A: Rare is the home that doesn’t have a bit too much stuff in it. Many of us are blessed with tons—literally tons—of belongings. But the space to store all of it is shrinking as our population grows and more people move to urban areas.

The good news is you’re already on the right track. The garage is a very useful space that can serve many purposes other than housing cars, recyclables, and miscellaneous junk. It can potentially be a workshop, a game room, a place to hang out, or a fantastic storage space for organizing your overflow of goods.

If you’re taking on a garage storage project from scratch, start by taking inventory. What do you have and, more importantly, what do you actually need? Give away the things you don’t need and you’ll already be halfway there.

Next, prioritize the top ten or twenty things—the essentials—that you definitely need and want to organize in your garage. What are your immediate needs or everyday hobbies? Once you’ve determined what’s going in, you’ll need to determine the dimensions of the space to get a sense of its capacity.

Next, draw your garage to scale, sketching a plan that shows where the essentials will go and how much space they will use up. Make sure to look up because there is usually ample space high up in the garage that can be used to store mementos, painting supplies, and anything else that you want to keep but don’t often use. Just make sure not to store heavy objects up high, as they can be a serious pain—figuratively and literally—to get up and down. Also, don’t forget to leave room for adequate lighting.

Most garages have three walls that can be lined with cabinets and open storage areas to keep the space neat and tidy. Open storage areas are great for garden tools, as well as ladders and raw materials. They’re also perfect spots for installing bicycle racks. If you have the space for it, I recommend installing a good workbench to transform your garage into a workshop.

Cabinets can store tools, cleaning products, and other useful household items. The addition of pegboards will allow you to hang screwdrivers, pliers, and other hand tools. Shelves can hold wood and metal materials for home improvement projects. Cabinets can also store gear, supplies, and first aid. A specialized sports cabinet can be employed for hiking, skiing, and other outdoor recreation gear.

If you adequately plan and take your time to get it right, this process will be very rewarding. Once you’ve turned your garage into an organized storage solution, you will be astounded by how much room you now have in your home.

Kevin Kartak is the owner of AAA KARTAK Glass & Closet, a member of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS). If you have a home improvement, remodeling, or residential homebuilding question you’d like answered by one of MBAKS’ nearly 2,800 members, write to homework@mbaks.com.