BasementRemodeling.com / Basement Masters - licensed and insured, award winning Basement Remodeling and Finishing company. Highest rated basement renovation contractor in Maryland. Finished Basements are our specialty. We specialize in custom basement remodeling and finishing and other large-scale remodels. We offer free in home and over-the-phone estimate and consultation. Here at BasementRemodeling.com we believe that QUALITY AND EXCEPTIONAL CRAFTSMANSHIP must always come along with AFFORDABILITY. keywords: finished basement basements remodeling.
"Basement Remodeling just completed our basement remodeling project, on time and on budget. We couldn’t be more pleased! We investigated other remodeling companies but chose Basement Remodeling after our discussions with Eric, in part because we believed we could count on their expertise in handling the inevitable quirks of renovating a 70 year old house. Our project (and budget) was probably fairly modest when compared to many remodeling projects, and Eric offered suggestions for inexpensive problem solving (rehanging existing doors, for example) rather than trying to upsell us on other, more costly solutions. We fully renovated about one-third of the basement space which included the furnace, water heater and a small but completely unfinished laundry area. Basement Remodeling created an enclosed area for the furnace and water heater and neatly disguised the electric panel, adding a well-designed, efficient and attractive wet bar with cabinetry, appliances and a custom pantry. The renovation also included cosmetic upgrades to the rest of the basement space, adding new flooring and fresh paint. The space now looks absolutely terrific! The company took care of everything, from permitting to cleanup, and every person on the team was thoughtful, responsive and a pleasure to work with. Any concerns we had along the way were addressed immediately and quickly resolved to our satisfaction. We highly recommend Basement Remodeling!"
Tom C on June 2025
BasementRemodeling.com / Basement Masters - licensed and insured, award winning Basement Remodeling and Finishing company. Highest rated basement renovation contractor in Maryland. Finished Basements are our specialty. We specialize in custom basement remodeling and finishing and other large-scale remodels. We offer free in home and over-the-phone estimate and consultation. Here at BasementRemodeling.com we believe that QUALITY AND EXCEPTIONAL CRAFTSMANSHIP must always come along with AFFORDABILITY. keywords: finished basement basements remodeling.
"Basement Remodeling just completed our basement remodeling project, on time and on budget. We couldn’t be more pleased! We investigated other remodeling companies but chose Basement Remodeling after our discussions with Eric, in part because we believed we could count on their expertise in handling the inevitable quirks of renovating a 70 year old house. Our project (and budget) was probably fairly modest when compared to many remodeling projects, and Eric offered suggestions for inexpensive problem solving (rehanging existing doors, for example) rather than trying to upsell us on other, more costly solutions. We fully renovated about one-third of the basement space which included the furnace, water heater and a small but completely unfinished laundry area. Basement Remodeling created an enclosed area for the furnace and water heater and neatly disguised the electric panel, adding a well-designed, efficient and attractive wet bar with cabinetry, appliances and a custom pantry. The renovation also included cosmetic upgrades to the rest of the basement space, adding new flooring and fresh paint. The space now looks absolutely terrific! The company took care of everything, from permitting to cleanup, and every person on the team was thoughtful, responsive and a pleasure to work with. Any concerns we had along the way were addressed immediately and quickly resolved to our satisfaction. We highly recommend Basement Remodeling!"
Tom C on June 2025
All Renovations was started by a local graduate of George Washington University. We are fully licensed in all trade work including building, electrical and plumbing . We have always put our customers first in delivering what we promise without any gimmicks. The reputation of our company is proven through our satisfactory track record including winning the highly coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award and being selected as a Best Pick Report contractor on numerous occasions. The staff at our company values your time with prompt on site visits, quick turnaround in providing cost estimates, and a responsive attitude until job completion. We can assure you that our pricing and written warranty provides value in your investment when compared with other professionally licensed contractors. Due to our staffing requirements we are only able to take on jobs $10k or higher.
"I am giving All Renovations 5 stars for the basement renovation in large part because of Adrian’s excellent craftsmanship and attention to detail. Our job was pretty extensive. It included moving support columns, demo and rebuild exterior stairway, adding a full bath, extending the finished/framed portion of the basement, moving the circuit-breaker panel, and re-doing our half-bath. The job took 6 months, which was about twice as long as we expected. Omar was always very responsive and provided good feedback. Adrian is very good at explaining things and soliciting your input when options/alternatives exist. He definitely does not take short-cuts if quality would suffer. He is also very considerate/careful inside your home and cleans-up after himself. Our $102k project ballooned to $125k, mostly due to nice to have add-ons and unforeseen issues. But there were several items I feel should have been caught at the contract onset. E.g. the need for a floor drain ($900), considering that we were getting rid of the utility sink basin. There was also an extra $4k to replace the drywall in the half bath since the existing paint was too textured (sponge) to paint over. But we were very pleased with the outcome and would definitely recommend All Renovations."
Shane G on March 2025
All Renovations was started by a local graduate of George Washington University. We are fully licensed in all trade work including building, electrical and plumbing . We have always put our customers first in delivering what we promise without any gimmicks. The reputation of our company is proven through our satisfactory track record including winning the highly coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award and being selected as a Best Pick Report contractor on numerous occasions. The staff at our company values your time with prompt on site visits, quick turnaround in providing cost estimates, and a responsive attitude until job completion. We can assure you that our pricing and written warranty provides value in your investment when compared with other professionally licensed contractors. Due to our staffing requirements we are only able to take on jobs $10k or higher.
"I am giving All Renovations 5 stars for the basement renovation in large part because of Adrian’s excellent craftsmanship and attention to detail. Our job was pretty extensive. It included moving support columns, demo and rebuild exterior stairway, adding a full bath, extending the finished/framed portion of the basement, moving the circuit-breaker panel, and re-doing our half-bath. The job took 6 months, which was about twice as long as we expected. Omar was always very responsive and provided good feedback. Adrian is very good at explaining things and soliciting your input when options/alternatives exist. He definitely does not take short-cuts if quality would suffer. He is also very considerate/careful inside your home and cleans-up after himself. Our $102k project ballooned to $125k, mostly due to nice to have add-ons and unforeseen issues. But there were several items I feel should have been caught at the contract onset. E.g. the need for a floor drain ($900), considering that we were getting rid of the utility sink basin. There was also an extra $4k to replace the drywall in the half bath since the existing paint was too textured (sponge) to paint over. But we were very pleased with the outcome and would definitely recommend All Renovations."
Shane G on March 2025
Increase the value of your home with a new kitchen, or even just a new look. We have been beautifying kitchens for over 40 years. We pride ourselves on the quality of our workmanship, professional business practices and our dedication to our clients’ satisfaction. We welcome input while offering our guidance to insure a cost effective and successful project. Call us to discuss your next kitchen design today! http://www.chesakitdes.com We only do complete kitchens.
"I don't think it gets any better than this. The job was in a condo with a lot of rules that Chesapeake Kitchens scrupulously followed. The workmanship was excellent, and the quality of the materials used was very high. I was a first-time remodeler, and I needed lots of guidance about what would work and what wouldn't. The only mistake they made was in occasionally assuming I knew something I didn't know, but the results were always beautiful, and within budget."
Sylvia R on December 2020
Increase the value of your home with a new kitchen, or even just a new look. We have been beautifying kitchens for over 40 years. We pride ourselves on the quality of our workmanship, professional business practices and our dedication to our clients’ satisfaction. We welcome input while offering our guidance to insure a cost effective and successful project. Call us to discuss your next kitchen design today! http://www.chesakitdes.com We only do complete kitchens.
"I don't think it gets any better than this. The job was in a condo with a lot of rules that Chesapeake Kitchens scrupulously followed. The workmanship was excellent, and the quality of the materials used was very high. I was a first-time remodeler, and I needed lots of guidance about what would work and what wouldn't. The only mistake they made was in occasionally assuming I knew something I didn't know, but the results were always beautiful, and within budget."
Sylvia R on December 2020
Home Breakthrough is a local, family owned home remodeling business. Francisco and Honika Victoriano, combine old-word craftsmanship with contemporary building techniques to create extraordinary new living spaces. They take great pride in the home renovation work they do. The remodeling contractors at Home Breakthrough have a strong reputation for delivering high quality construction and home renovation projects, working with diligence and honesty. The Victorianos have built their remodeling business & reputation over the years by providing excellent work at highly competitive prices. 14-15 workers. Cost is determined by the job. Free design consultations. No travel charges. No service charges. May contact through email. Award winning .
"I have been using the team at home breakthrough for years. At this point they fully remodeled my basement including adding a new bathroom/wet bar. As well as a huge overhaul of my main floor bath and laundry room. The quality of their work is outstanding. I also love their quote structure. They start with a labor number and give you an idea of what materials will cost but it’s essentially a chose your own adventure on how high end you want to go on features etc and they are very helpful to guide you on the way as well as have great experts to point you to on cabinets, fixtures, tile, countertops etc to help you achieve your vision. Look forward to having them back for my next project!"
Scott A on March 2025
Home Breakthrough is a local, family owned home remodeling business. Francisco and Honika Victoriano, combine old-word craftsmanship with contemporary building techniques to create extraordinary new living spaces. They take great pride in the home renovation work they do. The remodeling contractors at Home Breakthrough have a strong reputation for delivering high quality construction and home renovation projects, working with diligence and honesty. The Victorianos have built their remodeling business & reputation over the years by providing excellent work at highly competitive prices. 14-15 workers. Cost is determined by the job. Free design consultations. No travel charges. No service charges. May contact through email. Award winning .
"I have been using the team at home breakthrough for years. At this point they fully remodeled my basement including adding a new bathroom/wet bar. As well as a huge overhaul of my main floor bath and laundry room. The quality of their work is outstanding. I also love their quote structure. They start with a labor number and give you an idea of what materials will cost but it’s essentially a chose your own adventure on how high end you want to go on features etc and they are very helpful to guide you on the way as well as have great experts to point you to on cabinets, fixtures, tile, countertops etc to help you achieve your vision. Look forward to having them back for my next project!"
Scott A on March 2025
WITH OVER 30 YEARS OF BUILDING EXPERIENCE AND FULLY INSURED OUR DEDICATION TO OUR CUSTOMERS AND COMPLIANCE IS OUR MOST IMPORTANT PRIORITY. WE SPECIALIZE IN THE FOLLOWING SERVICES. KITCHENS, BATHROOMS FULL OR PARTIAL, BASEMENT REMODELING. INTERIOR WALL REMOVALS AND ROOM EXPANSIONS. WE CARRY ALL TYPES OF FLOORING FROM TILE TO HARDWOOD. WE ALSO DO DECKS, SCREENED PORCHES AND EXTERIOR TRIM AND A FULL LINE OF SIDING PRODUCTS. OUR REPLACEMENT WINDOW AND DOOR DIVISION OFFERS OVER 20 BRAND NAME REPLACEMENT WINDOWS AND WE ARE A DEALER FOR PROVIA DOORS. IF YOU DON'T SEE THE SERVICE YOU NEED PLEASE CALL AND ASK. OUR HANDYMAN SERVICE OFFERS HALF AND FULL DAY RATES. CLICK CONSTRUCTION, ALWAYS IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
"Click did a great job updating our kitchen and sunroom. Both rooms were last renovated in the 1970's and definitely needed some attention. Alan listened to our requests, made recommendations, and brought the whole thing together. My family left town for duration of the work and Alan did a good job communicating and sending pictures. Work was completed on schedule and within budget even with the unexpected things you find in an older home. Highly recommended."
Steven Q on December 2020
WITH OVER 30 YEARS OF BUILDING EXPERIENCE AND FULLY INSURED OUR DEDICATION TO OUR CUSTOMERS AND COMPLIANCE IS OUR MOST IMPORTANT PRIORITY. WE SPECIALIZE IN THE FOLLOWING SERVICES. KITCHENS, BATHROOMS FULL OR PARTIAL, BASEMENT REMODELING. INTERIOR WALL REMOVALS AND ROOM EXPANSIONS. WE CARRY ALL TYPES OF FLOORING FROM TILE TO HARDWOOD. WE ALSO DO DECKS, SCREENED PORCHES AND EXTERIOR TRIM AND A FULL LINE OF SIDING PRODUCTS. OUR REPLACEMENT WINDOW AND DOOR DIVISION OFFERS OVER 20 BRAND NAME REPLACEMENT WINDOWS AND WE ARE A DEALER FOR PROVIA DOORS. IF YOU DON'T SEE THE SERVICE YOU NEED PLEASE CALL AND ASK. OUR HANDYMAN SERVICE OFFERS HALF AND FULL DAY RATES. CLICK CONSTRUCTION, ALWAYS IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
"Click did a great job updating our kitchen and sunroom. Both rooms were last renovated in the 1970's and definitely needed some attention. Alan listened to our requests, made recommendations, and brought the whole thing together. My family left town for duration of the work and Alan did a good job communicating and sending pictures. Work was completed on schedule and within budget even with the unexpected things you find in an older home. Highly recommended."
Steven Q on December 2020
Marks-Woods Construction Services is a full service general contractor serving Virginia and Washington, DC located in Historic Old Town Alexandria, VA. We have a complete array of services and project types to serve our diverse clientele, including residential and commercial construction. Teamwork is emphasized in our project management style. MW strives for positive collaboration with our clients to achieve all project goals. Customer service and successful communication contribute to our high percentage of repeat clients. Our service is what separates us from our competition. Our company's growth has been consistent, yet conservative by design. MW carefully selects projects that match our resources and skill set to ensure jobs are completed successfully, within budget, and on schedule. MW provides premium quality at a competitive cost with proven reliable performance, while maintaining a safe work environment. MW self performs the majority of its work, rather than using subcontractors. This allows MW to pass along significant cost savings to our clients, along with also providing a higher quality project, in a more aggressive time frame. Ready to discuss your project with the Marks-Woods team? We'd love to chat. For immediate assistance, please visit www.markswoods.com/contact and fill out the Contact Us form today!
"Excellent. We selected Marks-Woods Construction because they worked with us to create a proposal and contract that met our most important goals and stayed within our budget. We enjoyed working with the designers to come up with the details on what we wanted. The construction was done by the MW team of professionals. They know what they are doing, and it shows in the high quality results."
Alan S on March 2021
Marks-Woods Construction Services is a full service general contractor serving Virginia and Washington, DC located in Historic Old Town Alexandria, VA. We have a complete array of services and project types to serve our diverse clientele, including residential and commercial construction. Teamwork is emphasized in our project management style. MW strives for positive collaboration with our clients to achieve all project goals. Customer service and successful communication contribute to our high percentage of repeat clients. Our service is what separates us from our competition. Our company's growth has been consistent, yet conservative by design. MW carefully selects projects that match our resources and skill set to ensure jobs are completed successfully, within budget, and on schedule. MW provides premium quality at a competitive cost with proven reliable performance, while maintaining a safe work environment. MW self performs the majority of its work, rather than using subcontractors. This allows MW to pass along significant cost savings to our clients, along with also providing a higher quality project, in a more aggressive time frame. Ready to discuss your project with the Marks-Woods team? We'd love to chat. For immediate assistance, please visit www.markswoods.com/contact and fill out the Contact Us form today!
"Excellent. We selected Marks-Woods Construction because they worked with us to create a proposal and contract that met our most important goals and stayed within our budget. We enjoyed working with the designers to come up with the details on what we wanted. The construction was done by the MW team of professionals. They know what they are doing, and it shows in the high quality results."
Alan S on March 2021
We specialize in full home remodeling, kitchen and bathroom, interior and exterior painting, roofing and everything in-between, we are specialized with insurance claim. As an award-winning company, we deliver high-quality work tailored to your needs and budget. Communication is our priority—contact us today for a free estimate!
"I just had Potts Brothers redo my bathroom and basement, and honestly, they killed it. The whole process was super easy, and the results are amazing. Youssef and Peter were awesome to work with. Youssef helped me figure out the design and had some great ideas that made everything look even better than I imagined. Peter oversaw the work and together with omar and the rest of the team, and they made sure everything was done right and on time. The bathroom is now my favorite part of the house—it’s modern, functional, and just looks so good. The basement went from being a storage dump to a space I actually want to hang out in. The quality of the work is really solid, and you can tell they care about the little details. What I really appreciated was how communicative they were. Youssef and Peter kept me in the loop the whole time, answered all my random questions, and made sure I was happy with how things were going. If you’re thinking about a remodel, I’d definitely recommend Potts Brothers. Youssef and Peter are a great team, and they made the whole thing stress-free. 10/10!"
Therese J on January 2025
We specialize in full home remodeling, kitchen and bathroom, interior and exterior painting, roofing and everything in-between, we are specialized with insurance claim. As an award-winning company, we deliver high-quality work tailored to your needs and budget. Communication is our priority—contact us today for a free estimate!
"I just had Potts Brothers redo my bathroom and basement, and honestly, they killed it. The whole process was super easy, and the results are amazing. Youssef and Peter were awesome to work with. Youssef helped me figure out the design and had some great ideas that made everything look even better than I imagined. Peter oversaw the work and together with omar and the rest of the team, and they made sure everything was done right and on time. The bathroom is now my favorite part of the house—it’s modern, functional, and just looks so good. The basement went from being a storage dump to a space I actually want to hang out in. The quality of the work is really solid, and you can tell they care about the little details. What I really appreciated was how communicative they were. Youssef and Peter kept me in the loop the whole time, answered all my random questions, and made sure I was happy with how things were going. If you’re thinking about a remodel, I’d definitely recommend Potts Brothers. Youssef and Peter are a great team, and they made the whole thing stress-free. 10/10!"
Therese J on January 2025
General contractor servicing Montgomery County and parts of Washington DC. Willis Builders is a family owned and operated company, that specializes in additions, kitchen, bathroom and basement remodeling. Our team is skilled in all aspects of residential construction. Willis Builders has built a business on honesty, dedication and hard work. Our goal is to make your renovation dream come true! Contact us today to schedule a free estimate.
"Excellent work. Very happy with the results."
Jon A on May 2025
General contractor servicing Montgomery County and parts of Washington DC. Willis Builders is a family owned and operated company, that specializes in additions, kitchen, bathroom and basement remodeling. Our team is skilled in all aspects of residential construction. Willis Builders has built a business on honesty, dedication and hard work. Our goal is to make your renovation dream come true! Contact us today to schedule a free estimate.
"Excellent work. Very happy with the results."
Jon A on May 2025
KBA Kitchen and Bath: Transforming Homes with Excellence for Over 25 Years. Proudly Serving Fairfax County and Fauquier County.
"We would like to say thank you to KBA Kitchen & Bath Design & Build for a great job remodeling our two upstairs bathrooms. The two bathrooms were completely renovated in 5 weeks, but it could have been finished even sooner if we hadn’t selected a premium option for our shower glass enclosure. The entire project was started and finished between January 21, 2025 until February 28, 2025, which included the crew working two Saturdays, which shows their dedication in getting the job done. We were very impressed with KBA over the entire project! Specifically, we were impressed at how smooth and efficient the entire process was. It was seamless – from the initial consultation to the execution of the job. The designer, Anna, was very thorough and helpful in sketching the designs of new bathrooms and offering advice on recommended materials for the bathroom, to include going above and beyond in helping us choose just the right paint colors to perfectly blend with our newly installed bathroom accessories. Anna and Ervin both made after hour visits to provide their insight on color schemes and where bathroom accessories should be installed and look best. The lead project manager, Ervin, was always there to answer our questions, and he went out of his way to always ensure we were happy customers! Ervin also visited on many occasions to give us updates on project progress and keeping his crew updated on any changes. The installation team always showed up on time, left the work area clean, and went above and beyond to make our design a reality. Anna, Ervin and the crew were always very friendly, professional, and helpful throughout this project. We couldn’t be happier with the outcome as we absolutely love our bathrooms! We highly recommend choosing KBA for your next home project!"
Andrew R on March 2025
KBA Kitchen and Bath: Transforming Homes with Excellence for Over 25 Years. Proudly Serving Fairfax County and Fauquier County.
"We would like to say thank you to KBA Kitchen & Bath Design & Build for a great job remodeling our two upstairs bathrooms. The two bathrooms were completely renovated in 5 weeks, but it could have been finished even sooner if we hadn’t selected a premium option for our shower glass enclosure. The entire project was started and finished between January 21, 2025 until February 28, 2025, which included the crew working two Saturdays, which shows their dedication in getting the job done. We were very impressed with KBA over the entire project! Specifically, we were impressed at how smooth and efficient the entire process was. It was seamless – from the initial consultation to the execution of the job. The designer, Anna, was very thorough and helpful in sketching the designs of new bathrooms and offering advice on recommended materials for the bathroom, to include going above and beyond in helping us choose just the right paint colors to perfectly blend with our newly installed bathroom accessories. Anna and Ervin both made after hour visits to provide their insight on color schemes and where bathroom accessories should be installed and look best. The lead project manager, Ervin, was always there to answer our questions, and he went out of his way to always ensure we were happy customers! Ervin also visited on many occasions to give us updates on project progress and keeping his crew updated on any changes. The installation team always showed up on time, left the work area clean, and went above and beyond to make our design a reality. Anna, Ervin and the crew were always very friendly, professional, and helpful throughout this project. We couldn’t be happier with the outcome as we absolutely love our bathrooms! We highly recommend choosing KBA for your next home project!"
Andrew R on March 2025
BEAUTIFUL OUTDOOR LIVING. East Coast creates inspiring landscapes, hardscapes, water features and drainage solutions that bring beauty, new outdoor experiences and exceptional value to your life and home. SPECIALIZING IN: Patios, walkways, driveways, landscaping, fire pits, outdoor kitchens, retaining walls, outdoor lighting, drainage and erosion control (including eco-friendly permeable pavers, dry riverbeds and rain gardens through RainScapes and RiverSmart rebate programs). TRUSTED: Employees drug tested and background checked. License #42490. Insurance #Q89-0102236-M. ADDITIONAL EMAIL: mark@eclandscapedesign.com
"that Roberto and the crew did a great job on the retaining wall and driveway. The workmanship was excellent, and Roberto accommodated my every request for alterations in the design without question. In addition, his suggestions contributed to creating the finished product that I had envisioned."
Robert R on February 2025
BEAUTIFUL OUTDOOR LIVING. East Coast creates inspiring landscapes, hardscapes, water features and drainage solutions that bring beauty, new outdoor experiences and exceptional value to your life and home. SPECIALIZING IN: Patios, walkways, driveways, landscaping, fire pits, outdoor kitchens, retaining walls, outdoor lighting, drainage and erosion control (including eco-friendly permeable pavers, dry riverbeds and rain gardens through RainScapes and RiverSmart rebate programs). TRUSTED: Employees drug tested and background checked. License #42490. Insurance #Q89-0102236-M. ADDITIONAL EMAIL: mark@eclandscapedesign.com
"that Roberto and the crew did a great job on the retaining wall and driveway. The workmanship was excellent, and Roberto accommodated my every request for alterations in the design without question. In addition, his suggestions contributed to creating the finished product that I had envisioned."
Robert R on February 2025
Regular care helps keep the wood looking good and prevents it from absorbing stains from food. Lacquered or epoxy bar top sealed countertops only require regular cleaning. For stained counters, you’ll want to stain again every three to five years.
Oil unfinished butcher block (and any wood) regularly at least once a month for the first year and then at least twice yearly after that. You can use these oils:
Food-grade mineral oil
Pure tung oil
Raw linseed oil
Walnut or almond oil
Coconut oil
Butcher block countertops do require regular upkeep to maintain their beauty and longevity, but with consistent care, they can last for decades. You'll need to clean them regularly with soap and water and apply a food-grade oil or polyurethane sealant once a month to protect against stains and damage. Occasional sanding and refinishing will help preserve a smooth, attractive surface throughout their lifespan, around 20 years.
You can buy butcher block countertops from large home improvement stores like Home Depot, Lowe's, and Menards. You can also find it at kitchen remodeling stores. You can find many online options from large sites and custom work from artisans. However, you’ll likely get the best price through your installer.
Yes, butcher block countertops can be kept sanitary with proper care. Regular cleaning with soap and water—or a mixture of vinegar and salt—helps eliminate bacteria. Applying a food-grade oil regularly preserves the surface, and sealing it with a bar top epoxy provides extra protection. With these practices, your butcher block countertop remains safe and hygienic for food preparation.
With proper maintenance, butcher block countertops can last around 20 years. This lifespan is similar to that of materials like granite and longer than the lifespan of laminate countertops. To keep them in good condition, you'll need to reseal them regularly—ideally once a month—and clean them routinely to prevent surface damage. If you notice deep scratches, stains, or dings, you can resurface them to restore their appearance.
Butcher block countertops cost less than quartz. The average butcher block countertop costs $3,750, while quartz countertops cost $4,500. This cost advantage is coupled with the natural warmth and unique appearance of wood, making butcher block a compelling choice for kitchen design when proper maintenance is applied to preserve its quality.