Let's Build with Armada

Armada Design & Build
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Home & Garden

Welcome to Let’s Build with Armada, the podcast where Washington homeowners learn how to remodel with clarity, strategy, and confidence—on a schedule that follows real projects, not a rigid calendar. I’m Charlie Carter from Armada Design & Build. After years of working across the greater Seattle area, I’ve learned that successful remodeling isn’t about luck. It’s about planning, transparent conversations, and understanding how every decision—from windows to insurance to material selections—affects long-term value. In each episode, I sit down with experts to answer the questions homeowners genuinely care about: - Why your PNW windows cry every winter - Financing options that actually make sense in 2026 - How to not get burned by a cheap insurance quote - What adds value in Seattle… and what just burns cash - How to plan a DADU without turning your backyard into a 2-year construction zone Whether you’re preparing for a kitchen or bathroom remodel, planning a full-home upgrade, or exploring a backyard DADU for equity or rental income, this podcast gives you the clarity you need to move forward confidently. Listen here, watch more real projects on our YouTube channel, and visit us when you’re ready to build with confidence. And don’t forget to follow the show—so you never miss an episode that could save you time, money, and stress. Visit the Armada Design Center in Bellevue when you’re ready to start planning your own home transformation! 📍 15600 NE 8th St. Suite O2, Bellevue, WA 98008 📞 425-587-8286 🌐 https://armadabuild.com/?utm_source=transistor

  1. 4d ago

    The Truth About Quartz Countertops: Cost, Durability & Design Mistakes

    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 with why not all quartz countertops are created equal. Rebekah also shares insights into current countertop trends, finishes, waterfall edges, vein matching, and why choosing a slab based on a tiny showroom sample can be a costly mistake. Whether you’re planning a kitchen remodel or simply exploring countertop options, this conversation will help you understand where quality matters, what affects the price, and how to choose a surface that looks great and works for your lifestyle. 🎥 You can also watch the full video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel — Let’s Build with Armada. 👉 Planning a kitchen remodel in Bellevue, Seattle, or the Greater Seattle Area? Visit our showroom, explore countertop materials in person, and let our team help you make the right choice for your home. Learn more and start your project here: https://armadabuild.com/?utm_source=podcast

    The Truth About Quartz Countertops: Cost, Durability & Design Mistakes

  2. Oct 14

    Why We Built Armada Differently: The Story Behind Our Design-Build Company

    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 design-build company in the Greater Seattle Area. We talk about the turning points along the way, why Armada adopted the design-build model, and how people, systems, planning, and transparency became central to the way we work. We also get into the realities homeowners care about most: budgets, pricing, change orders, our showroom model, and why bringing design and construction together can make a complex renovation more predictable. This is the story of where Armada came from, but more importantly, why we operate the way we do today and what that means for our clients. 🎥 You can also watch the full video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel - Let’s Build with Armada. 👉 Planning a kitchen, bathroom, addition, ADU, or whole-home renovation? Learn more about our process and start a conversation with our team: https://armadabuild.com/?utm_source=podcast

    Why We Built Armada Differently: The Story Behind Our Design-Build Company

  3. Sep 9

    Septic Systems Explained: What Every Homeowner Should Know

    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 conditions matter, and why bedrooms - not bathrooms - can be a critical factor when remodeling. We also cover pumping and maintenance, advanced treatment systems, warning signs of failure, inspections, costs, and what you should know before buying or renovating a home with septic. If you own a septic system or are considering a remodel, addition, or home purchase in Western Washington, understanding your system now could help you avoid expensive surprises later. 🎥 You can also watch the full video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel - Let’s Build with Armada. 👉 Planning a remodel or addition? Make sure you understand what your property can support before you start. Talk with our team: https://armadabuild.com/?utm_source=podcast

    Septic Systems Explained: What Every Homeowner Should Know

  4. Aug 26

    Bathroom Design Trends Every Homeowner Should Know Designers Recommend

    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, curbless showers, floating vanities, smarter storage, lighting, and large-format tile. We also tackle questions like whether you really need a bathtub for resale, when one sink can be better than two, and how to create a spa-like bathroom without sacrificing function or easy maintenance. The biggest takeaway? Great bathroom design should fit the way you actually live, not a checklist of features you think you’re supposed to have. 🎥 You can also watch the full video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel - Let’s Build with Armada. 👉 Planning a bathroom remodel? Let’s create a space that works beautifully for you today and for years to come: https://armadabuild.com/?utm_source=podcast

    Bathroom Design Trends Every Homeowner Should Know Designers Recommend

  5. Aug 10

    Outdoor Living Trends! How to Design a Backyard That Actually Works

    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 artificial turf, irrigation, and low-maintenance landscaping. Jim also explains the less glamorous details that can make or break a project, including drainage, grading, retaining walls, soil conditions, and why landscaping often costs more than homeowners initially expect. If you’re planning a backyard renovation in Seattle, Bellevue, or the Pacific Northwest, this conversation will help you understand where to invest and how to create an outdoor space that works for the way you actually live. 🎥 You can also watch the full video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel - Armada Design & Build. 👉 Thinking about transforming your home or outdoor living space? Start the conversation with our team here: https://armadabuild.com/?utm_source=podcast

    Outdoor Living Trends! How to Design a Backyard That Actually Works

  6. Jul 28

    Home Integration vs Smart Home | What’s the Difference?

    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 from Integrity Home Integration ( https://ihi-nw.com/ ) to talk about what a smart home really is, how home integration goes far beyond DIY technology, and why planning for technology early can completely change the way your home functions. From lighting and motorized shades to whole-home audio, security, networking, automation, AI, and luxury home technology, we explore what’s possible today and where the industry is headed next. ✨ In this episode you’ll learn:• Smart Home vs Home Integration• Why networking is the foundation of every smart home• Crestron and professional automation systems• How technology fits into remodeling and new construction• Lighting, audio, security and whole-home control• Where AI is taking home automation next 👉 Thinking about remodeling or building a home that’s ready for the future? Learn more and connect with our team here: https://armadabuild.com/?utm_source=podcastCall us: (425) 558-9400 💬 What’s the first smart home feature you’d add to your house if budget wasn’t a factor? 👍 Like, subscribe, and follow the Let’s Build with Armada Podcast for more expert conversations about remodeling, renovation, design, and building better homes. 🎥 You can also watch the full video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel - Armada Design & Build

    Home Integration vs Smart Home | What’s the Difference?

  7. Jul 15

    Aging in Place | How to Remodel Your Home for the Future

    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 decisions later. We talk about the difference between aging in place, ADA, and Universal Design, along with practical upgrades that improve comfort, safety, and accessibility. From bathrooms and kitchens to home elevators, smart home technology, wider doorways, and better lighting, I share the remodeling strategies that help homeowners stay independent while protecting the value of their homes. If you’re thinking about remodeling your home with the future in mind, this episode will help you understand where to invest, what to prioritize, and how to create a space that supports your lifestyle for years to come. 🎥 You can also watch the full video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel — Let’s Build with Armada. 👉 Thinking about future-proofing your home? We’d love to help you create a space that works for today and tomorrow. Learn more here: https://armadabuild.com/?utm_source=podcast

    Aging in Place | How to Remodel Your Home for the Future

  8. Jul 15

    Remodeling Red Flags 🚩 How to Avoid Costly Contractor Mistakes?

    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, permits, inspections, communication, change orders, and the unexpected issues that can impact both your budget and timeline. Derek also shares why experienced project management matters, how construction teams solve problems on-site, and why upgrades like electrical panels and plumbing often become necessary during a remodel. Whether you’re planning a kitchen remodel, bathroom renovation, home addition, or a custom home, this conversation will help you ask the right questions, avoid common mistakes, and choose a contractor with confidence. 🎥 You can also watch the full video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel — Let’s Build with Armada. 👉 Planning a remodel? Start with a team that believes great projects begin with great planning: https://armadabuild.com/?utm_source=podcast

    Remodeling Red Flags 🚩 How to Avoid Costly Contractor Mistakes?
See All (19)

About

Welcome to Let’s Build with Armada, the podcast where Washington homeowners learn how to remodel with clarity, strategy, and confidence—on a schedule that follows real projects, not a rigid calendar. I’m Charlie Carter from Armada Design & Build. After years of working across the greater Seattle area, I’ve learned that successful remodeling isn’t about luck. It’s about planning, transparent conversations, and understanding how every decision—from windows to insurance to material selections—affects long-term value. In each episode, I sit down with experts to answer the questions homeowners genuinely care about: - Why your PNW windows cry every winter - Financing options that actually make sense in 2026 - How to not get burned by a cheap insurance quote - What adds value in Seattle… and what just burns cash - How to plan a DADU without turning your backyard into a 2-year construction zone Whether you’re preparing for a kitchen or bathroom remodel, planning a full-home upgrade, or exploring a backyard DADU for equity or rental income, this podcast gives you the clarity you need to move forward confidently. Listen here, watch more real projects on our YouTube channel, and visit us when you’re ready to build with confidence. And don’t forget to follow the show—so you never miss an episode that could save you time, money, and stress. Visit the Armada Design Center in Bellevue when you’re ready to start planning your own home transformation! 📍 15600 NE 8th St. Suite O2, Bellevue, WA 98008 📞 425-587-8286 🌐 https://armadabuild.com/?utm_source=transistor

Information

  • Creator
    Armada Design & Build
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Armada Design & Build
  • Show Website
    Let's Build with Armada