Let's Build with Armada

Thinking about remodeling your home? Before you hire a contractor, sign a contract, or start tearing down walls, there are a few things you should know. I’m Charlie Carter, Principal Project Consultant at Armada Design & Build, and host of Let’s Build with Armada. After helping homeowners navigate kitchen remodels, bathroom renovations, additions, and whole-home transformations, I’ve seen what...

Can a beautiful kitchen actually make your life harder? In this episode, I sit down with Aya Hirunuma , Director of Design at Armada Design & Build , to talk about one of the biggest remodeling mistakes homeowners make: prioritizing aesthetics over functionality. We explore how great kitchen design goes far beyond colors and finishes. From storage and workflow to lighting, appliances, pantry s...

Why does your house still feel uncomfortable — no matter how much you adjust the thermostat? In this episode, I sit down with Karl Christensen from Legacy 1 Heating and Cooling to break down what actually affects comfort, efficiency, and long-term value when it comes to HVAC systems. We talk about the real difference between heat pumps and furnaces, when mini-splits make sense, and why ductwork is...

Most homeowners lose money before construction even starts… not because of bad design, but because of bad decisions. In this episode of Let’s Build with Armada, I sit down with Torrey Hager, our in-house architectural designer, to break down what actually determines whether your project succeeds or quietly drains your budget. The reality? Two identical homes — just a few blocks apart — can differ...

Most homeowners waste thousands on the wrong kitchen appliances — and don’t even realize it. In this episode, I sit down with appliance expert Andrew Nystrom from Metropolitan Appliance to break down what actually matters when choosing appliances — before you lock in your kitchen design. We talk about induction vs gas, why appliances should come before cabinets, and how to decide where to spend an...

Are your kitchen cabinets quietly making your home look cheap? In this episode, I sit down with Blake Rainey from Bellmont Cabinets to break down what actually matters when choosing kitchen cabinets — beyond the marketing and showroom impressions. We talk about the real drivers behind cabinet quality, cost, and durability, including the truth about plywood vs. particle board, why drawer systems ar...

What’s it really like to live through a kitchen remodel? In this episode, I sit down with Bellevue homeowner Rob Fountain to talk honestly about the real experience of renovating a kitchen while still living in the house. No highlight reel - just the homeowner perspective. We discuss what surprised him most during the process, how decision fatigue shows up during a remodel, and why details like la...

In this episode, I sit down with Michael Gardner , a licensed insurance agent with Allstate and over 14 years of industry experience, to unpack one of the most misunderstood — and most dangerous — blind spots in homeownership: insurance coverage. Most homeowners assume they’re protected… until something actually goes wrong. We talk through why so many policies quietly fall short, what “replacement...

In this episode, I sit down with Keith Dashofy , Principal and Co-Owner of Pella Windows & Doors of Western Washington , to cut through the confusion around windows, doors, and energy codes — without marketing hype or buzzwords. We talk plainly about what window materials actually make sense in the Pacific Northwest, what U-Factor really tells you (and what it doesn’t), when triple-pane window...

In this episode, I sit down with Ryan Elsos , Senior Project Consultant at Armada Design & Build and a licensed real estate agent with Armada Homes, to talk honestly about remodeling ROI — without the hype. We break down what actually drives value when you’re investing serious money into your home, why kitchens and bathrooms still matter most, and the biggest myths homeowners believe about ret...

In this episode, I sit down with renovation-financing expert Megan Safara from RenoFi to finally break down how homeowners can really fund their remodels. Most families want to upgrade their space — but very few understand how renovation loans, HELOCs, ARVs, and ADU/DADU financing actually work in 2025. We talk about the biggest mistakes people make before starting a remodel, how using your home’s...