Bill and Kevin Burnett

Contributor

Bill Burnett, 52, lives in Oakland, California and works at the San Francisco Chronicle where he is assistant real estate editor. Along with other duties, he writes about renovation and remodeling. In 2002 his column, "Sweat Equity," was judged best in the nation by the National Association of Real Estate Editors. Bill bought his first house for $12,000 in 1974 in Spokane, Washington. Since then he has bought, renovated and eventually sold a half-dozen others. He is currently working on plans to build an 800-square-foot in-law addition to a home he owns in Boise, Idaho. Kevin Burnett, 53, lives in Eagle, Idaho and works as a paralegal for the state Department of Corrections. After receiving a master's degree in kinesiology from California State University at Hayward, Kevin's career path changed course. He started a painting company in Alameda, California, where he repainted many of the city's grand Victorian homes. Seeking a change, Kevin worked for a master builder where he learned the intricacies of trades involved in home construction and renovation. During this time, when not working with the builder, he performed small remodeling jobs for his own customers. He also bought, renovated and sold several houses - including a 100-year-old Italianate Victorian - in Alameda before moving to Idaho in 1993. He settled in Eagle, a small town west of Boise, where he built a 2,600-square-foot Federal style home in which he lives with his wife, 10-year-old daughter and three small dogs.

Worried about workers' comp

Steps to take before hiring home-improvement contractor

Apr 25

Best deck material: Douglas fir or redwood?

Both require long curing process, but one costs much less

Apr 18

Seismic retrofit of a 1970s rancher

Best ways to install plywood panels, tie-downs

Apr 11

Custom window retrofit made easy

The bricked-in window project

Apr 4

Unlicensed contractor affordable but risky

Kitchen remodel could drain finances of all parties involved

Mar 28

From dining room to bedroom in just over a weekend

How to build new wall, add door and soundproofing

Mar 21

Remodeling gone wrong

Peeling paint requires extensive overhaul

Mar 14

Bathroom leak caught in the nick of time

Why tearing out wall won't be necessary

Mar 7

Health concerns of pressure-treated deck

Are there risks in removing, disposing of wood?

Feb 28

Wallpaper-averse renter faces tough decision

Should I strip it or coat it?

Feb 21

Best way to restore redwood paneling

Unpainted surface makes job easier

Feb 14

No hope for noisy pipes

Problems after remodel may be new reality

Feb 7

Shower door installation not a place to skimp

Proper protocol eliminates safety hazards

Jan 31

Furnace ducts need full-service cleaning

Homeowner tired of dust, but worried about asbestos

Jan 24

Best floor coverings for handling mud, moisture

Why glazed ceramic tile's a wise choice

Jan 17

Recurring wall cracks mystify

Problems with homes built on clay soil

Jan 10

Environmental concerns surround deck sealer

Part 2: Brazilian tree a tough wood to stain

Jan 3

Exotic hardwood deck gives homeowner trouble

Part 1: Brazilian tree a tough wood to stain

Dec 27

Lack of chimney lining could be fire hazard

Combustion danger greater in older home

Dec 20

Weather takes a toll on concrete porches

Secret revealed about construction material

Dec 13

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