It’s springtime in Washington, DC and people are busy preparing their existing homes for warm weather entertaining or searching for a new place to call their own. So, what are the top projects on your  handyman services'  list? Do you want to build a deck or install a fence? Maybe installing outdoor lighting or repainting the house inside and out is on your agenda. Either way, it’s generally best to start with projects that will save you money in the long run. Projects that often make the top of our handyman services’ springtime list involve roof and gutter repair. After all, everyone wants to prevent water damage to their Washington, DC, or Maryland homes.  Good things to check for at this time are ice damming damage left over from the winter, pinhole leaks and tired looking shingles that may have overstayed their welcome. Spring is also a great time to consider...

A general contractor is the right person to handle almost any type of residential remodeling services. But finding the right one in the local area can require a little more work than googling “general contractor MD.” To be sure, that’s a great place to start. But once you find that your general contractor MD search spits out almost 1.9  million  results, you’ll figure out that you need to narrow down the list. Here are some interview questions you shouldn’t forget to ask as part of that process: Is Your Bid an Estimate, or a Fixed Price?  Some contractors put in bids that are only estimates -- meaning that your remodeling and construction could end up costing way more than you originally intended. If you do accept an estimate, you’ll at least want to see it itemized so you can know where money is allocated (and where you can cut some fat...

Your roof is one of the most important features of your home. It protects the rest of your house, so the highest quality is imperative. This is not a time to skimp. It's also not a good idea to delay if your roof is on its last legs. Stalling may cause wind and water damage that could result in other issues with your home. Since roofing is a difficult  home repair  task that most people don't tackle themselves, make sure you ask your contractor these questions before entering into an agreement with him. Do you have liability insurance? If something happens to your property while they are working on your roof, the contractor's insurance would cover the cost of fixing whatever damage occurs. Ask to see the insurance certificate. If questionable, contact the insurance company to confirm. Do you have workman's comp? Roofing is a dangerous job and you want to...

Homes have many things that can either last a long time, or can breakdown only years after purchase or installation. Sometimes with good reason, sometimes because of faulty manufacturing. Alongside the misery of having to replace a roof or a furnace, is the fact that the expense can run you into the tens of thousands of dollars. So how long can you expect the basics in your home to last? Let a knowledgeable and trusted  general contractor  tell you. Roofs : As mentioned in the introduction, roofs are expensive if you need it all replaced. Metal and stone roofs (like copper, slate, and tile) can last 50+ years; wood about 30 years; and asphalt/shingle 25 or so years. It's also important to consider climate when figuring longevity. AC Units : Outdoor cooling units have the worst experience working all day in the heat and sun, especially if they are left to do...

A home improvement project is a great way to tidy up your Bethesda, MD house for the spring season. Keep your home in the best looking condition possible with our home improvement services for the surrounding Bethesda, MD area.    A home improvement project is perfect for any homeowner who would like to have any general repairs done or handyman services completed at their house.  One of our home improvement customers had this to say... "Thanks, beautiful job well done – and a pleasure to work with all of you at Smith, Thomas and Smith." Home Improvement Customer - Bethesda, MD Our main objective is to meet and go beyond expectation for our home improvement customers. If your Bethesda, MD home needs any home improvement service, please feel free to  contact us !   Offering high quality home improvement services to the Bethesda, MD area!  

Whether it is a new addition to the family, a new lifestyle need or simply the desire to spruce up the old homestead,  home additions  can make the difference between increasing the functionality of your property and looking for a realtor to undertake the costly process of selling your home and buying another one. But there are some rules to the process. If you want to maximize your return on investment and also enhance the overall look and feel of your home, three cardinal rules set you up for success. Go for size.  When you are considering an addition to your home,  This Old House  experts urge consumers to add functional rooms such as master suites or family rooms. Noting that “bigger homes command higher prices,” going for an adequate square footage is a must. While it is tempting to add just a small sun room, remember that these additions do...

Your kitchen may be the center of your home, but after a few years, it can start to look dated. For this reason, thousands of homeowners hire a local handyman or kitchen remodeling service to help them improve this popular space every year. Residential remodeling services not only help these homeowners get rid of inconvenient features and add new life to tired rooms, but also benefit the home as a whole: studies show that major kitchen remodeling projects have an ROI ( or "return on investment") of 63.6%. With that kind of benefit available, it's no wonder that 69% of contractors report that their remodeling and construction clients want to focus on the kitchen. Are you interested in joining that number, but have no idea where to start? Read on to learn about some growing trends for kitchens in 2015 and start thinking about what a kitchen remodeling service could create...

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...

Flooring isn't often on the radar for many of those who have committed to a home renovation. But it should be! Choosing your flooring last is a huge mistake. As a licensed  general contractor , we have seen and installed some of the best flooring money can buy, and we always try to help the homeowner pick out what is best for their situation or family. The right flooring can make or break an entire room's motif and style, and the wrong flooring can cause major headaches. Especially when it involves pets and kids.  Here are some of the best family-friendly flooring you can install in your home. Oak Oak is classic. It is a tough and durable hardwood that outlasts many of the homes it is installed in. In fact, oak is often replaced simply for the desire of something new. A lovely, wired-brushed finished oak is highly dent-resistant, and measures near the...

While your home may feel content, what opinion do you have of your wall colors? Often, people take great time (and pride) in decorating their home, but forget one of the most important factors for creating mood:  painting and papering . In this post, we'll cover some ways for homeowners to step up and take some risks with their painting. From how to add contrast with bright colors to ways to make muted colors more vibrant with trim accents. Read on to learn more. Don't Be Afraid of Black For a log time black was off the home painter's radar. It wasn't sold in large quantities and having it mixed was a pain. But as times have changed, black has proven very useful in home decor. Use it as trim accent to make lighter colors pop. Also, with gold and brass becoming trend this year, black is perfect as a highlight....