Tim Lawless is the Housing Repair Coordinator for the City of Renton.  He has been building, remodeling and repairing homes for over 25 years.  You can contact him directly via email at: hitim@mylawless.com.

See Tim's own website at www.mylawless.com for many more informative links to help you with your home improvement projects.  If you heard Tim talk about a service, product or person on the radio you can find more detailed information about that topic or person on his website.

Four of Tim's top recommendations:

PUGET SOUND CONSUMERS CHECKBOOK MAGAZINE
This is the first place I go when I am searching for a contractor.  Published semiannually by The Center for the Study of Services.  This is an independent, nonprofit consumer organization founded in 1974.  CHECKBOOK has won the National Press Club’s prestigious First Place Award for Excellence in Consumer Journalism.  CHECKBOOK evaluates the quality and prices of local service firms and stores, such as as plumbers, electricians, roofers, hardware stores, tree care, heating & air conditioning, house cleaning firms and much more.
Phone: 800.213-7283
Website:  www.checkbook.org/

TAUNTON’S HOUSECHECK
A concise guide to the sights, surfaces, sounds -- and sometimes smells -- of your house. With this guide, you can quickly figure out what's causing those odd symptoms and what, in a nutshell, you should do to set things right. A flip chart format breaking down maintenance with charts showing “Symptom”, “Cause or Significance” and “What to do”.  For only $16.95 it's a bargain.

SECOND USE BUILDING MATERIALS
I highly recommend 2nd Use for recycled building materials.  If you are into retro or are refurbishing a period home to be as it originally was, you need to visit 2nd Use.  Many choices of solid core wood doors, alone or prehung; metal, wood, or vinyl windows, sinks, pedestal sinks, tubs (some claw foot), toilets, cabinets, counter tops, vanity sink tops, large wood beams, fence sections, appliances, glass and brass cabinet and door knobs, fireplace mantels, marble slabs, stained glass windows, and much more. 

DONATE MATERIALS: 
If you have building materials you would like to donate to Habitat for Humanity-Seattle/S. King County, please call 2nd Use and ask them if they are accepting what you have.  If they do, Habitat for Humanity will receive a portion of the selling price to help them continue their mission to build decent, affordable housing for families in need.

Second Use Building Materials, Inc.
7953 2nd Ave. S.
Seattle, WA. 98108
206.763-6929
www.seconduse.com

MCLENDON'S HARDWARE
I feel blessed to have a sponsor that I can recommend without reservation or qualification.  McLendon’s is the best hardware store with the best people you will find in the Puget Sound Area.  For tools and materials along with free accurate advice, visit McLendon's.  I have been an regular enthusiastic shopper and enthusiastic supporter of McLendon's hardware for over 25 years and I’m sure  know you will change your attitude about going to the hardware store after shopping at McLendon's.  The people who work there not only have extensive knowledge of their trade and products, they even know where it is and will take you right to it.