Summer is a great time of the year to enjoy outdoor recreational activities. So don't waste it by staying indoors fixing up the house. Hire  handyman services  and have fun doing one of the summer time activities below instead. Go Swimming With the days getting warmer, it's nice to get in the water for a swim. So drive out to the beach with your family, and get a little wet. Or if you prefer, spend the day frolicking in the swimming pool; it's a great way to relax while cooling off from the heat. Take a Hike Many people are intimidated by the thought of going hiking. That's because they incorrectly assume that hiking is a strenuous activity that requires lots of uphill climbing. And while that might be the case with some of the harder hiking trails, there are plenty of easy ones that are barely any harder than walking....

Nothing is more beautiful than a fully restored hardwood floor. Seeing all of your hard work come to fruition is about as satisfying of a feeling you can think of. So if you've got a hardwood floor hiding under your carpet, perhaps it's time to dive-in and revitalize your home. Here are 5 tips on refinishing your hardwood floor from your Maryland  general contractor . 1. Know your finishes. Finishes for a hardwood floor range, but not by much. So to soothe your hardwood floor desires, choose between 3 types of finishes: polyurethane, varnish, and sealer. Each one serves a different purpose, so discuss what is right before you buy. 2. Talk to a professional. Refinishing a hardwood floor might seem like a DIY job. However, to do it right, you might need a professional. Because when you think about it, the amount of time you put into it might even out in the end....

No matter how long you have been a homeowner, you probably know when something just doesn’t feel right in your home. Next time you suspect that any of these problems could be occurring, consider  home repair  ASAP. These are the problems that lead to additional expenses later down the road. Don’t wait to find out! 1. Your Toilet Won’t Stop Running You might not realize it, but that running toilet is more than just a noise nuisance. It could actually lead to a huge water bill that you are responsible for. Fix that running toilet ASAP! Treat it the same way you would treat a leak. Each bit of water wasted is costing you money. 2. You see ants, mice, termites or other pests. The fact that you are seeing signs of pests is indicative of a major problem. For every pest that you see, there are dozens that you do...

It is understandable why homeowners may want to invest in remodeling their home over taking care of home repairs and performing routine maintenance because the latter is not as exciting. However, there are substantial benefits to investing in  home repair  before remodeling. Avoid Spending More Money due to Procrastination When you decide to wait on repairs and spend thousands of dollars on a renovation, you may not have the funds to take care of the maintenance and repairs that need to be done. In this case, you could have existing problems becoming worse or potential issues becoming issues. Prioritizing preventive maintenance is the smartest financial choice as a homeowner. Fewer Complications when it is Time to Remodel Once it comes time to remodel, when you focus on home repair, you will not have to worry about additional expenses getting tacked on the initial quote for remodeling. Without surprise costs, you will...

When you decide to rent out a home, the home does not have to be perfect. Ideally, you should provide your tenants with properly working appliances and a functioning home, but there is no reason to think that you need to invest thousands of dollars into major renovations to rent a home successfully. Using  handyman services  should normally be enough to get what you need done to your rental home before you start marketing the property and scheduling open houses. Take Care of Expected Maintenance In most situations, the maintenance required should not be anything substantial, especially if you take the time to screen your applicants thoroughly. If you recently purchased the property, you should know exactly what needs to be done to the property beforehand, which will help you determine whether handyman services are sufficient enough to get the rental property in renting shape. Handle Minor Repairs While the list...

In any one house, on any given day, problems exist.  Home repair  and DIY jobs aren't an unfamiliar activity for homeowners who love to get things done without spending money they don't have. In this post, we'll explore the many problems associated with those oft used (though least thought about) objects in our homes: Doors.  So from fixing scratches and dents, to adjusting mobility and swing, here are 5 DIY repairs for common door problems. 1. Hard to open doors are a headache.  But fixing them is easy. First, check to see if the door is rubbing on the frame. If that's not the problem, adjust the hinges. Try to find the problem by sliding a thin sheet of paper between the door and the jamb, and look for spots that rubbed. It may need shaved down. 2. A rattling frame can rattle the nerves.  As the strike plate sees years...

For a professional business like ours, one that offers  home repair , remodeling, and renovations, it's difficult for us to advise that you dive into repair projects that might get you into trouble later. Larger, more complicated tasks do require licensed and bonded technicians with years of experience, but there are many things that we feel every homeowner should know how to do. Here are 5 home repair projects that you can easily do on a Saturday afternoon. 1. Repair Drywall Cracks What you'll need:  Spackle, putty knife, sandpaper, paint, and brush or roller. The job:  Scoop out Spackle and spread over hole or crack. Leave excess. Let dry. Sand with sandpaper until smooth and flush with wall. Paint over with matching wall paint. 2. Remove Plastic Laminate Stains What you'll need:  Baking soda, water, paper towels. The job:  Mix baking soda and water to make a paste. Apply to stain....

Every year, many homeowners grab the fall bull by the horns, and tackle all of their  home repairs  in one fell swoop. They work hard so that, come winter, any project they may have neglected doesn't turn into an expensive tragedy. Any why not? Many of the projects are simple and not incredibly time-consuming, but are super beneficial to every aspect of their home. Ready to take part in fall home repair? Here are 3 to get your started. Lawn Maintenance The issue:  Fall is called fall for one specific reason: leaves! Which are either beautiful or a nuisance depending on where they reside (attached to the tree or not).  How to handle:  Sure, you can rake them and bag them. A process that is time-consuming and back-breaking. But why not mulch them? Many mowers have a mulching selection (or mulching blades can be installed), a feature that can make the...

As you are reading this, there are no doubts that outside your window at this very moment are signs of autumn slowly creeping in. Which, as  general contractors , we think means is a sign to get outside and cross some "maintenance musts" off of your list before it's too cold. Here are 5 autumnal maintenance musts you should perform before it gets too cold. 1. Look for Peeling Paint:  After a long summer, the outside of your home takes a beating. The extended, hot days can really do a number on your exterior paint. Walk around your property and look for signs that your home needs a touch-up, and take care of it. Doing so now can save you lots of money down the road. 2. Examine Gutters and Downspouts:  Make sure that any area in which water requires adequate and clear flow is clean of debris and clutter. Then, as the...

Owning (or even renting) your own home means that you likely know some basic  home repair  tricks. Every homeowner knows a few things about keeping their home running. Plus, simple home repair tricks can save you a lot of money in the long run, because calling a professional for every little thing can really add up. So if you're looking for a few quick, simple projects that won't cost and arm and a leg to do, these tips are for you. #1. What's that noise?  Got a squeak, a creak, or a sharp metal-to-metal grind in a door or drawer? Then simply spray some WD-40 on the source. It'll lubricate and stop that annoying noise. Plus, it'll fix sliding doors that stick, remove decals in the bathtub, and so much more. #2. Peeled wallpaper.  If you have wallpaper that is coming up, all you need is some wallpaper paste and a...

Keeping your home in tip-top shape is no small order. There is a host of things that can go wrong in your home at any given time. So being prepared to fix a problem when it happens should be every homeowners priority (or at least until the professionals show up). Here are 10 basic tools for  home repair  that every homeowner should have. 1. A hammer.  Really, everything begins with this tool. You'd be surprised how often you need this tool if you didn't have it. It's simply indispensable. 2. Combination pliers.  Second only to a hammer, pliers come in handy in just about every application (tightening bolts, removing screws, cutting wire). They are versatile and useful. 3. Vise grips.  Need something held in place while you work on the other end, vise grips are your tool. All you have to do is adjust the screw end and vise grips can...

Keeping up with  home repair  may seem difficult while you are renting your home, but we've got some ways to make that task a bit easier. Preparation Before you leave your home, establish or confirm your trust in a contractor to care for your home when you are away. While the property manager may likely have the most contact with your renters, your contractor can ensure you have timely and cost-efficient repairs, when needed. One task you can do with a contractor before leaving is walk through your home to ensure the structure and appliances are in their top condition when you depart. The most common fix to have within the first year of having renters in your home is the garbage disposal or dishwasher. These appliances can be pricey to fix or replace, so checking all parts are functioning is worth the time. You may also consider extending the manufacturers...

Dollar signs come to mind when something breaks down.  You're not in the mood to spend more money; at the same time, the problem isn't going to get better.  What are you going to do about the situation?  Are you going to repair or replace? To determine if you are going to fix or nix you must know your appliance or product.  Determine how long you owned the appliance or product.  Look at the instructions manual to see if the problem can be fixed.  The instructions manual don't have the solutions to all problems, so call a professional to get an estimate and research prices on the appliance or product.  Be sure to call more than one as they offer varying offers on estimates.  Compare the prices of the professionals to the current price of the appliance or product.  Attach the length of time you owned the product and the warranty...