The Big Project

In 2020, Carlos Home Remodeling was selected to novate the ensuite bathroom of the primary bedroom and put wood floors throughout the downstairs. In 2021, Carlos returned to remodel the upstairs bathroom and put in wood floors through that floor.

In June of 2024, the homeowner chose Carlos for a major expansion and remodel. There were numerous moving parts that Carlos had to navigate:

• Carlos recommended Kipp Flores Architect to design the addition of 232 square feet to the kitchen and a 107 square foot addition to an upstairs bedroom. Principal and architect Matt Bonnette (A.I.A., NCARB) and designer Damon Behrens (CPBD) were a delight for the homeowner to work with. They listened attentively and drew an exceptional set of plans.
• The framing, foundation and structural technical plans were done by MLAW Engineers.
• Because the kitchen addition needed a foundation, MLA Geotechnical did a soils test.
• As the lot had three historic trees on it, a topographic and tree survey was done by Waterloo Surveyors.
• The City also required a $450 Fire Hydrant Flow Test. To which the homeowner’s wife said, Shouldn’t the hydrants already have been tested in our neighborhood and in proper working order?
• The home is in Level C of the Austin Wildlife Urban Residential Zone. This added more complexity to what work by Carlos.

The work began in June of 2025, after months of delays with the City of Austin Residential Plan Review. The architect and City had significant and lengthy discussions about pervious coverage on the property, as the City recently had changed their regulations. There was also a 25 year old expired building permit, filed by a previous owner for work which was never done—creating further complications.

Before the Work Began

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Demolition of the Deck & the Pour

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The house is on a minor slope, so the new foundation required two truckloads of cement, about 15 cubic yards or 60,000 pounds.

Windows & Siding

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All the windows were 40 years old and needed to be replaced. The original cedar siding was a delight to squirrels to chew on, as well as being a fire hazard. Andersen windows were used and JamesHardie Hardie Plank for the siding.

A former contractor ten years ago replaced the cedar siding on the chimney, but never told the homeowners about wood rot (ugh). Carlos fixed the problem.