Project Overview
This project involved a major transformation of a kit Victorian home originally built in the early 1990s, located on a sloped hillside lot with tight working conditions. The scope included two substantial additions — one at the front and one at the rear — totaling approximately 1,000 square feet, along with extensive interior renovations.
Over the course of nine months, the home was reconfigured to better support modern family living while preserving the ornate Victorian character that defined the original structure.
The homeowners temporarily relocated during construction, allowing the work to move efficiently — until circumstances changed.
Scope of Work
-
Front and rear additions totaling ~1,000 sq ft
-
Garage conversion to living space
-
New kitchen
-
New laundry room
-
New primary bathroom
-
Full-roof replacement
-
Large rear deck with under-deck storage and partial rooftop deck
-
Hillside excavation and exterior coordination
Key Challenges
Permitting & Late Start
Delays at the city level pushed the construction start later than planned, which meant roofing work had to be completed during November–December 2019. This required careful coordination to tie new rooflines into the existing structure while installing entirely new roofing across the home under challenging seasonal conditions.
Architectural Consistency
One of the most demanding aspects of the project was matching the home’s ornate Victorian exterior details. Trim profiles, woodwork, stains, and interior door details all had to seamlessly blend old and new — a level of precision that left no room for approximation.
Tight Site Conditions
The property’s hillside slope and limited working space added complexity throughout construction, particularly during excavation and deck framing.
Mid-Project Expansion & Design Shift
As framing for the rear deck was about to begin, the homeowners decided to add a storage room beneath the deck, which triggered a redesign of the structure. The solution included:
-
A ~600 sq ft deck
-
A rooftop deck covering roughly half of the surface
-
Additional excavation in tight hillside conditions
This change required careful structural planning and sequencing to keep the project moving forward without compromising safety or design intent.
COVID Pivot & Client-First Problem Solving
Just as the deck framing was completed, COVID-19 hit.
The homeowners — local restaurant owners — were suddenly shut down and needed to move back into the house immediately. To accommodate this unexpected shift:
-
The deck was temporarily skinned with plywood
-
Temporary safety railings were installed
-
The site was stabilized so the home was safe and livable for the family
Construction paused while the homeowners navigated reopening their business. Approximately one month later, once operations resumed, temporary materials were removed and the project continued as originally planned.
The full deck and rooftop deck were completed, and the project wrapped in late May 2020.
Final Outcome
Despite schedule disruptions, scope changes, and unprecedented external challenges, the project was completed with:
-
Cohesive architectural detailing throughout
-
Seamless integration of new and existing spaces
-
A highly functional deck and outdoor living system
-
Careful craftsmanship in a project many contractors declined due to complexity
After completion, the homeowner shared that multiple contractors had reviewed the project and chosen not to take it on — citing its level of detail and difficulty.
Conclusion
This renovation exemplifies UBS’s ability to manage complexity, adapt under pressure, and deliver thoughtful, high-quality results even when timelines, scope, and circumstances shift dramatically.
It’s not just about building, it’s about problem-solving, communication, and seeing difficult projects through with care.
