Small-town charm, waterfront living, and homes worth investing in. We build and remodel throughout Little Norway and North Kitsap.
There's something about Poulsbo that makes people care about how things are built. Maybe it's the Scandinavian heritage — that practical, quality-first mindset baked into the town's identity. The murals on Front Street, the wooden storefronts, the attention to detail in the old downtown buildings. When you live in a place that values craft, you want your home to reflect that too.
Poulsbo's housing ranges widely. Along the Viking Way corridor and in the established neighborhoods around town, you'll find a solid base of 1970s through 1990s homes — split-levels, tri-levels, and ramblers with cedar siding and shake roofs. Many of these are on their second or third roof by now, and the interiors haven't kept pace. Bathrooms with original tile in colors nobody would pick today. Windows that fog between the panes. Kitchens with layouts designed before islands became standard.
Newer developments in north Poulsbo and out toward the Lemolo area offer larger lots and more modern construction, but even homes from the early 2000s are hitting the age where decks need replacing, paint is peeling, and families who bought when their kids were small now need more space. Additions — a bedroom wing, a family room, a home office — are some of our most requested projects in this part of Kitsap County.
Waterfront properties near Liberty Bay and toward Keyport present their own set of challenges. Salt air, wind exposure, and moisture demand materials and techniques that hold up. We use galvanized fasteners and hardware throughout our exterior work, and we spec materials rated for coastal conditions. The Suquamish area, just south of Poulsbo, has a similar mix of older homes and rural properties where restoration and weatherproofing are critical.
Bell & Hammer is licensed, bonded & insured and pulls permits through the City of Poulsbo for projects within city limits. For homes in unincorporated North Kitsap County, we work with Kitsap County DCD. Either way, you get a contractor who knows the local process, respects your property, and communicates like an adult. That's the baseline. The work itself is where we really show up.
We do. Waterfront properties in Poulsbo require specific attention to moisture, salt exposure, and wind. We use galvanized hardware and coastal-rated materials on all exterior work. Permits for waterfront projects may involve additional shoreline regulations, which we navigate as part of the process.
Split-levels are very common in Poulsbo and we've added onto many of them. The key is tying the new space into the existing roofline and foundation so everything looks and feels intentional. We match siding, roofing, and trim to create a seamless result.
We work with several quality manufacturers and help you choose based on your budget, style, and energy goals. Every window we install is properly flashed and sealed for the Pacific Northwest climate — because a great window installed poorly is still a leak waiting to happen.
City of Poulsbo permit timelines vary by project scope. Simple permits can turn around in a couple of weeks; larger additions and new structures take longer for plan review. We submit complete, accurate applications to avoid delays and keep you informed throughout the process.
Let's talk about your home. No sales pitch — just a conversation about what you need and how we can help.