Mckenzie Monroe

House Lift vs. Basement Dig Out: Two Ways to Gain Headroom in Your Seattle Basement

By Mckenzie Monroe / August 28, 2026 / Comments Off on House Lift vs. Basement Dig Out: Two Ways to Gain Headroom in Your Seattle Basement

If your Seattle home has a basement or crawl space with low ceilings, you may have wondered if there’s a way to gain more headroom without moving. One option is a basement dig out, excavating below the existing floor and reinforcing the foundation to create a deeper lower level while the house stays put. Another

Seattle URM Retrofits: What Building Owners Should Know

By Mckenzie Monroe / August 17, 2026 / Comments Off on Seattle URM Retrofits: What Building Owners Should Know

We recently sat down with Francesca Renouard, PE, SE, a Principal at Swenson Say Fagét, for a deep dive on unreinforced masonry buildings in Seattle. Francesca has worked on more than 80 URM buildings and served on the technical committee that wrote the retrofit standard the City is planning to require and the SDCI Director’s

Day in the Life of a Designer at Harjo Construction

By Mckenzie Monroe / July 31, 2026 / Comments Off on Day in the Life of a Designer at Harjo Construction

Go behind the scenes with a Harjo Designer and see how thoughtful design transforms ideas into beautiful, functional homes before construction begins.

Building a Home Remodeling Budget: Expenses Homeowners Should Plan For

By Mckenzie Monroe / June 29, 2026 / Comments Off on Building a Home Remodeling Budget: Expenses Homeowners Should Plan For

Creating a home remodeling budget? Learn about the often-overlooked costs homeowners should plan for, from permits and temporary housing to contingency funds and unexpected discoveries.

Day in the Life of a Project Manager

By Mckenzie Monroe / May 28, 2026 / Comments Off on Day in the Life of a Project Manager

If a Superintendent is the steady presence on the job site, the Project Manager is the connective thread running through every phase of a remodel — from early budgeting and pre-construction planning to field coordination and final project close-out. At Harjo Construction, Project Managers work closely with homeowners, designers, Superintendents, and trade partners to keep

Seattle Spring & Summer Home Maintenance Checklist

By Mckenzie Monroe / April 29, 2026 / Comments Off on Seattle Spring & Summer Home Maintenance Checklist

Get your home ready with our Seattle Spring and Summer Home Maintenance Checklist. Prevent repairs, improve efficiency, and stay ahead of seasonal issues.

Seattle Remodeling Permits Guide: STFI vs Full Review

By Mckenzie Monroe / March 19, 2026 / Comments Off on Seattle Remodeling Permits Guide: STFI vs Full Review

A Homeowner-friendly Guide to STFI Permits vs. Full Plan Review If you’re planning a home remodel in Seattle, one of the first questions that comes up is: Will I need a permit? The answer depends on the scope of your project. Some remodels can move forward with minimal review, while larger renovations, additions, and new

A Day in the Life of a Superintendent

By Mckenzie Monroe / February 28, 2026 / Comments Off on A Day in the Life of a Superintendent

In residential remodeling, Superintendents are the first to arrive and often the last to leave. They coordinate trades, walk homeowners through details, solve problems in real time, and ensure the vision created during design is executed with care. At Harjo Construction, the Superintendent role is both logistical and relational. To explore what that really looks

5 Questions to Ask Before Starting a Home Remodel in 2026

By Mckenzie Monroe / January 31, 2026 / Comments Off on 5 Questions to Ask Before Starting a Home Remodel in 2026

These five questions to ask before starting a home remodel will help you plan smarter, reduce stress, and choose the right remodeling partner before you begin.

Winter Construction in Seattle: How Homes Are Protected During Cold-Weather Remodeling

By Mckenzie Monroe / December 29, 2025 / Comments Off on Winter Construction in Seattle: How Homes Are Protected During Cold-Weather Remodeling

Winter construction doesn’t have to mean added risk or delays. With proper site protection, moisture control, and modern building techniques, winter remodeling in Seattle can be just as successful as work completed in any other season.