Let's Build with Armada

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

What is Let's Build with Armada?

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