The Homeowner’s Emotional Roller Coaster, a surprisingly accurate map of how a build feels, from ‘dreaming’ to ‘last door knob’ to ‘move in. Why your remodel feels like a thrill ride, and how to keep your lunch where it belongs If you’ve ever remodeled a house, or built one from scratch, you already know the dirty little secret of residential construction, it’s not just a project, it’s an emotional endurance event with receipts. That’s what this graph is getting at. The “Home

If you own a house in Marin, or anywhere near it, you’ve probably felt the mood shift. Insurance companies are inspecting properties again, and in some cases they’re doing it with the enthusiasm of a hall monitor. The good news is this, most insurance inspection issues are not catastrophic, they’re basic maintenance, access, and documentation. The bad news is homeowners often respond by panic, spending, throwing money at the loudest problem first, not the ones the inspector w

If you live in an Eichler, or really any mid-century modern home, you’ve seen them, the bold beams that pierce through the glass and carry the roofline out into the air. They’re sculptural, honest, and entirely essential to that low-slung modern silhouette we all love. But here’s the rub: those same beams, the ones that make your house sing, are also magnets for moisture, sunlight, and time. And time always wins, unless you fight back with patience, precision, and a bit of bo

By Craig Smollen, Smollen The Builder Inc. Every now and then, a homeowner will ask, “Hey Craig, can you just give me your tile guy’s number so I can deal with him directly?” It’s a fair question. On paper, it sounds like a good way to save a few bucks or cut out the middleman. But here’s the truth, it doesn’t work that way, and if it did, you wouldn’t want it to. The Power of Relationships In construction, everything runs on relationships. I’ve spent years building a crew of

Classic Eichlers heat the house with warm water circulating through pipes buried in the slab. When those loops are intact, you get the...

Imagine walking into a 3,200-square-foot woodshop in Berkely CA. The air smells of fresh-cut lumber and sawdust (which we affectionately...

I recently found myself in Chicago for my wife's big opening night—she was directing a new play, and I was there, dutifully applauding...

Crown Hall IIT I never thought I’d be grateful to theater for giving me an excuse to indulge my architecture obsession. But there I...

Recently, the team at Smollen The Builder Inc. had the pleasure of returning to Palm Springs to capture the architectural magic of...

You ever stand in a Home Depot, pick up a 2x4, and wonder if it’s made of gold? I did. Seven bucks for a single stud. That same piece of...

Why Living Wages Matter in Construction Let’s talk about something we don’t often talk about—at least not over coffee with the architect...

Remodeling your home in Marin County is an exciting opportunity to enhance your living space, improve functionality, and boost property...

As Marin County continues to grapple with housing challenges, accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are emerging as a smart, versatile solution...

The Economic Benefits of Remodeling in Marin County and Northern California In the dynamic real estate markets of Marin County and...

When you're embarking on a home renovation or building project, one of the first questions that may arise is whether you, as a homeowner,...

The Cost of Hiring an Architect in Northern California: What to Expect and How to Plan Northern California, renowned for its diverse...

In recent years, homeowners and prospective buyers in Marin County and Northern California have faced a sharp rise in the costs...