our specialties are bathroom and kitchen renovations, home additions, general maintenance and repairs
Her parents lived in this modest home for 35 years, until the daughter did a complete renovation into an archetectural home.
before front view
before rear view
my helpful dump trailer
start vaulted ceiling over kitchen area
Helmer on the roof
exterior framing in progress
interior framing in progress
finished vaulted ceiling over kitchen
completed renovation front view
completed renovation rear view
Here are some bathrooms we’ve recently worked on…
1 – Less tiles please
This bathroom renovation required the removal of a deep tub to be replaced with a shower tray and seat. The customer wanted to do the improvement in the bathroom with minimal expense, so just enough tile was removed to get the old tub and put in the new shower tray with seat in. The home was built in 1990 and the existing tile was no longer available, but we were able to reuse most of the existing tile, and we found a close match for the few new tiles needed to complete the project.
deep old tub
shower with seat
2 – Mom’s new shower
A spare room on the main floor was converted to a bedroom to accommodate a mother moving into her sons home. We expanded the existing small toilet and vanity bathroom into the garage area to add a shower. Waterproof panels were installed to avoid future backboard softening, and possible mold growth.
framing in garage area
existing toilet and vanity
waterproof panels
3 – Awkward corner counter
This 1990’s home en suite bathroom had an awkward ‘L-shape’ vanity so we removed and replaced it with a smaller double sink counter, allowing space for a standalone shower stall.
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4 – Tub out shower in
This home was built in the mid 1960’s with a ground level
bathroom that had a small 4 foot bathtub. As the homeowners were maturing they did not wish to use the upstairs bedrooms. A spare main floor room was converted into the master bedroom. Then we came in to remove the small tub and install an easy access shower. This project included installing new tile on the floor and walls finished with a kit of fixed glass and sliding door.
tiles and glass door kit
Excited to see our new vehicle signage!
truck window sign
dump trailer sign
trailer side panel sign
trailer back panel sign
A wheelchair ramp and new porch renovation. The old porch was stepped down and too small to turn a wheelchair.
I excavated with a small machine, put forms in for concrete footing and a small wall, repaired the the sidewalk, added plastic lattice on top of the framing and new porch wall.
The new upper porch is longer and wider making a wheelchair entrance possible. The wheelchair ramp is sloped a bit at an angle so that the sidewalk was not covered, and the staircase on the side of the property has access and could be used.
short cement wall with lattice
ramp and porch decking
before view under porch
framing new porch
form for cement wall
area dug out
framing new ramp
ramp unfinished rails
this angle shows the sidewalk
straight view up the ramp
A lower level 1 bedroom suite was added to this 1970s home, with an interior door inside the main entrance. This made the original entrance to the home very crowded and cluttered, but the budget did not allow for a more creative solution at that time.
I built a small addition to accomodate a new foyer just for the lower level suite with a separate entrance door. A grab rail was added by the door to ensure the step is comfortable and safe for the parents. The new foyer has a closet and a bench.
Two separate entrances add a new level of privacy to both the lower level suite and the upper level home.
exterior front before addition
exterior side view before addition
original crowded entrance
foyer interior progress
exterior addition
second door with grab rail
He inherited an older Home from his father and redesigned the inside for wheelchair accessible living.
He bought a new above ground pool that required a deck he can pull himself across, enter and exit the pool, and get back into his wheelchair.
I built the 5′ x 16′ frame which the homeowner will finish with decking. (will post a completed photo)
above ground pool
pool deck frame length
pool deck frame blocks
temporary plywood on top
the glass roof keeps the patio furniture dry
finished with a grey transparent stain
timber frame complete, ready for the grey stain and glass to be installed
foundation
floor joists in place
windows and insulation installed
roof framed ready for shingles
finished spice kitchen
old chimney cap
concrete form, steel added next
concrete work completed form removed
chimney cap restored
chimney complete with cladded metal on the sides
and a new concrete top
Helmer Bjørn Renovations 