Let's Build with Armada

What if the most expensive mistake you make with your new deck is something you'll never even see? In this episode, I sit down with Kevin Callahan, President of Cobalt Exteriors , to talk about what really goes into building a deck that lasts, especially in the rainy Pacific Northwest. We break down wood vs. composite vs. PVC decking, what drives construction costs, and which materials make the mo...

s quartz really the best countertop material, or are homeowners paying more for something they don’t actually need? In this episode, I sit down with Rebekah Braddock from Cambria to break down the real differences between quartz, granite, and marble — and what you should know before investing in new countertops. We talk about durability, heat resistance, scratches, maintenance, and pricing, along...

Why did we decide that the traditional remodeling model wasn’t good enough? In this special episode, I sit down with Alex Shikhanov, Founder and CEO of Armada Design & Build , to tell the story behind Armada and explain why we built the company around a different approach to remodeling. Alex shares his journey from arriving in the U.S. and learning tile installation to building a full-service...

What’s happening underground could completely change what you’re allowed to do with your home. In this episode, I sit down with David Jensen, licensed Professional Engineer and owner of Jensen Engineering LLC , who has been working with septic systems since 1983, to explain what every homeowner should understand about septic. We break down how septic tanks and drain fields actually work, why soil...

What if the bathroom features everyone says you “need” are actually making your remodel less functional? In this episode, I sit down with Aya Hirunuma, Director of Design at Armada Design & Build , to break down the bathroom trends we’re seeing right now, what’s going out of style, and which upgrades are actually worth the investment. We talk about bigger showers, wet rooms, heated floors, cur...

What turns a backyard into a space you actually want to use every day? In this episode, I sit down with Jim Reynolds, founder of Reynolds Landscaping , who brings more than 35 years of experience designing and building outdoor spaces throughout the Seattle area. We talk about the biggest outdoor living trends homeowners are asking for, from patios, outdoor kitchens, fire pits, and lighting to arti...

Thinking about home integration, home automation, or a smart home? At Armada Design & Build, we help homeowners plan remodeling and renovation projects that are ready for today’s technology and tomorrow’s innovations. I’m Charlie Carter, Principal Project Consultant at Armada Design & Build and host of the Let’s Build with Armada Podcast. In this episode, I sit down with Daniel Peterson fr...

What if the best time to prepare your home for the future is before you ever need to? In this episode, I explore one of the most important  and most overlooked topics in home remodeling: aging in place. Whether you’re planning for retirement, helping an aging parent, or simply want a home that adapts with you over time, thoughtful design today can prevent expensive renovations and difficult decisi...

What separates a smooth remodeling project from one that turns into an expensive nightmare? In this episode, I sit down with Derek Abbott , Senior Project Manager at Armada Design & Build , to talk about the warning signs homeowners should recognize before hiring a contractor and what really happens behind the scenes once construction begins. We discuss contractor red flags, project schedules,...

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...