Advice
Building advice for South Puget Sound
What things actually cost, which rules apply in your town, and how to decide between the options. Written for homeowners across Thurston, Pierce and Mason counties, from the local codes and real project numbers, and each guide shows the date it was last checked.
Decks and costs
Deck Repair or Replacement? The Signs, and What Each Costs
How to tell if your deck needs a repair or a full replacement, the warning signs to check yourself, and what deck repair and replacement cost in 2026.
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Outdoor living
Patio Cover Ideas That Actually Work in Washington Rain
Seven patio cover ideas that keep the rain off around Olympia and Tacoma, from roof extensions to clear panels and louvered pergolas, and how to choose.
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ADUs and rules
What Is an ADU? A Plain Guide for Washington Homeowners
What an ADU is, what it means in real estate, attached vs detached units, and what Washington law now lets you build, rent and sell on your lot.
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Comparisons
Tiny Homes in Washington: On a Foundation or On Wheels?
When a tiny house on wheels is an RV and when it is a legal home in Washington, plus the 400 square foot rule, loft and ladder rules, and Pierce County limits.
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Repairs and remodels
The Floor Feels Soft. What It Means and What It Costs to Fix
A soft or spongy floor in a Puget Sound house, what causes it, the crawl space rule most old homes fail, and what a repair actually costs in 2026.
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Costs
What a Home Addition Costs in Olympia in 2026
What a home addition costs in Olympia and Thurston County in 2026, why it runs more per square foot than a new house, and the costs left out of quotes.
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ADUs and rules
Thurston County ADU Rules Changed in December 2025. Here Is What Applies Now
Thurston County adopted new ADU rules in December 2025. Up to two ADUs per lot in the urban growth areas, family member units gone, and what rural lots allow.
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Decks and costs
What a Deck or Deck Cover Costs in Thurston County (2026)
What decks and deck covers cost around Olympia in 2026, why published prices disagree so much, and which covers actually work in this rain.
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Decks and permits
Deck and Deck Cover Permits in Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater (2026)
When a deck or deck cover needs a building permit in Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater, the four-part state rule, and the roof question most people get wrong.
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