When you’re hanging something on your wall, remember there are wires and pipes hidden inside your wall. Don’t just stick big screws in there or you’ll create a huge issue.
I compete against handyman franchises (I’m not a franchise) that can be very expensive. Mr. Handyman is a local franchise in Malvern. He charges $250 for the first hour (or first 20 minutes ) and $190/hour thereafter. They charge $75 to go to Lowes plus a 20% markup on purchases. They want your credit card and signature up front before they’ll consider helping you. Most other handyman franchises are at least $100/hour with a 2 hour minimum.
Other typical charges. Closet companies charge $1,500 to $5,000 for simple systems.. Many local general contractors have $1,200 to $2,000 minimums.
My rates are much more reasonable and I’m glad to discuss with you anytime at 484-682-5493. I’m licensed and insured, I don’t have a contract to sign nor do I need your credit card to get started. We can shake hands and come to an agreement.
10% discount available to all veterans and senior citizens.
When your electric goes off during a storm, make sure you unplug anything sensitive like computers and televisions. When the electric is turned back on, the surge can ruin your hardware. Doesn’t matter if you have a surge protector. Filing a claim with insurance is a hassle you can avoid by simply unplugging things.
When you purchase anything from a retailer, pay attention to the packaging. If it’s heavily taped, it was probably purchased, something was stolen from it, then returned. Very frustrating to get home to find a package with missing parts. People have no shame.
When you go on vacation, turn off your water main valve. Don’t come home to a flooded house. If your homeowners covers the damage, your house gets listed on a mold registry since the flood got water and mold in your walls, ducts and everywhere.
Why won’t your homeowners’s insurance cover? They’ll claim it wasn’t a sudden event and deny coverage.
Not only is it much more difficult to sell your house when you’re listed on a mold registry, but your policy may be cancelled forcing you to renew and buy a more expensive policy for houses listed on the mold registry. Your real estate broker has access to this datebase if you’re buying a house.
Go find the shutoff valve right now if you’re not sure where it is and show everyone in your house how to shut it off. My friend’s pipe froze last month and it took them 40 minutes to locate the shutoff valve in the basement, all the while flooding their house.
Don’t assume the breaker panel is correctly labeled. After you turn off the breaker, check the circuit is off with an electrical sniffer.
Overbuild your projects and you’ll sleep well at night.
I remove my shoes in your house. 4 reasons. It’s cleaner. It’s cultural (I’m half Italian). Many customers request it and it quiets the dogs.
Grouting is a tedious job. Make it easier on yourself by following a few rules. If you’re using the trowel and sponge method, only work on a few square feet at a time.
The other method uses a grout bag which is similar to a pastry bag. You squeeze grout into the lines between the tiles and smooth with a wet fingertip.
Recent horror story. You sold your house in a day. While you’re away for the weekend, the home inspector stops by to check out things. He forgets to plug your sump back in and the basement floods. The home inspector and the realtor both lie and won’t accept blame. What do you do?
I think seller real estate agents need to accompany anybody in the house to prevent dishonest realtors and home inspectors from creating a terrible situation.
Be careful when purchasing countertops and other products from the big-box stores. A friend purchased a granite countertop that is too heavy for the existing cabinetry underneath. Now the cabinets are cracking. The store told them the granite will crack next.
The main problem is the big-box stores hire third-party installers (from Jersey??) When there is a problem, they’re quick to tell you to call the installer who may or may not return your calls. Legally, you’re in a lot of trouble, especially with companies out of state.
Hence the expression, “tailgate warranty.” Once the tailgate disappears over the hill, there goes your warranty.
So stick with local carpenters and installers. I know a bunch to recommend. Many cost less than the big-box companies as you’re dealing direct with the installers. And you won’t have a problem with their warranty. The cabinets should’ve been shored up prior to installation of the granite.
There is only one chihuahua whisperer.
Puppy whisperer too.
Get yourself a leak alert/water detector. My customer had a pipe that froze overnight. Fortunately, I gave them a leak alert. It freaked out the dogs when it got wet and sounded a loud alarm. The dogs woke them up and saved them a lot of money.
They’re great near your sump pump, underneath the sink, next to the hot water heater. Just about anywhere there’s water. Well worth the ten bucks. Click on the detectors to get a nice deal at amazon.
Gutter Guards are questionable. On a very sunny side of your house, they may work fine. But a shady side of your house that melts and freezes, you could see ice dams back up into your house.
Click on the leak detectors above to purchase at amazon.com
Handyman Mike Ellis, Phoenixville, PA
Text your requests to 484-682-5493
