NEW YEARS HOME MAINTENANCE/REPAIR CHECKLIST

Has the New Year heightened your desire to start making improvements around your home wherever possible?

Someone once said that “little things after a while get to be bigger things, so now is a time to start a Home Maintenance Checklist”.  Once you have your list together, it enables you, the homeowner, to plan out repair, maintenance and improvements for the coming year.

Here are some basic repairs/improvements to include on your home maintenance and improvement checklist:

1    Change out your light bulbs for some energy-saving light bulbs.  They really aren’t that much more expensive and they will save you on your energy bill.

Energy Saving Light Bulbs

2      Do something about your clutter…I admit, I am guilty here.  We tend to have a lot of clutter around the house and garage.  Start going through your stuff, throw out what you don’t need and maybe have a garage storage system installed, pull-down attic stairs, or another type of storage unit installed in your house/garage to organize what you plan on keeping. 

3     Get your gutters cleaned and have some gutter shields installed so there won’t be so much buildup the next time around.

4    Seal windows, doors and cracks with caulking.  Weatherstripping is inexpensive and easy to use and a way to help keep the cool air outside and the warm air inside and yet another way to help you save on your energy bill.

5    Updating a room at a time…whether you decide to apply a fresh coat of paint or some simple trim around the window, this is a cost-effective way to spruce up your home…one room at a time.

Dirty and clean filter

6    Change your filters – these should be cleaned or replaced every three months.  If your filter is dirty, not only are you breathing in the dust and other particles that can’t come through the filter, but it is making your furnace run harder which makes it less energy efficient.

 7   Check the batteries in your smoke and CO detectors.  I like to do this at the begi
nning of every year as it’s an easy way to remember when the last time it was done. 

 8    Popcorn Ceilings are stale…not much more dates a house than having a popcorn ceiling.  Removing popcorn from your ceiling not only updates your home but adds value as well.

Before and After Popcorn Removal

 9   Check all your faucets and toilets for leaks and replace as necessary.

10  With all the damp weather we are having, have you noticed some green buildup on your sidewalk, decks, siding?  Having your decks and other areas of your home power washed will not only remove all the grime and dirt, but will make these areas of your home look newer.

So, what is at the top of your home improvement/maintenance checklist?  If you need some help crossing some of these items off, give Steve’s Handyman Service a call.  I would love to help out…and remember, No Job is Too Small!!!

Happy New Year!!

PULL DOWN ATTIC STAIRS

Many of us have attics in our houses.  Some may be large enough to turn into another room and some are basically crawl spaces but can be used to store decorations, small pieces of furniture, items that you don’t use too often, etc.  Having this space is a valuable commodity, so why not utilize it to its fullest potential.

One of the first home improvements I did when we moved into our home was to install pull down attic stairs in our garage.  It has been an awesome and convenient space saver for us and comes in handy every Christmas to store our decorations and other items we only use occasionally.  These pull down stairs can also be installed anywhere in your home that has easy access to the space above.

You can choose between wooden and aluminum pull-down and fold away stairs, some support more weight than others. 

Once the stairs are installed you can put trim up around the door opening and paint the panel to match the ceiling.  Once everything is completed, these stairs will blend in with the feel of your home, looking perfectly in place when closed.

You are now ready to start re-organizing…maybe even start Spring Cleaning!

If you are interested in having more storage in your home and the convenience it adds, please give me a call.  I would love to help get you clutter free this coming New Year!!

A CREATIVE IDEA....LABELING YOUR POWER CABLES

Instead of throwing away your old bread clips...why not recycle them and use them to label things such as your power/computer cables and such.  Let me know what else you might use these for!  You can contact me here!

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN HIRING A HANDYMAN

     
Not all homeowners are good at fixing things around the house. Some work all day and don't want to deal with doing repairs and maintenance tasks in the evening or on weekends.  The best solution for this problem is the hiring of a  local handyman or home improvement specialist.

      Here are a few things to consider when you finally make the decision to hire someone to help you around the house.

       DEFINE THE PROJECT:  Compile a list of repairs that you’re looking to have completed.   Walk through your home and write down some of the things you would like crossed off your “honey-do” list….i.e., dripping faucets, painting, dry wall repairs, ceiling fans, trim installation, etc...

Decide if you will be able to afford all the repairs at once or if you want them done in phases. If you want them in phases, prioritize what you want done first. 

      MAKE A LIST OF POTENTIAL HANDYMEN:  One of the best ways to find a handyman is to receive a trusted referral from a friend, relative or business associate.  A referral from someone you trust is always the best.  

       ASK QUESTIONS:   Three very important questions that must be asked are: 

A.   References – ask for at least three references and check them out.  Remember, you are inviting this person into your home…find out as much information as you can.

B.   Experience – ask direct questions about the handyman’s experience and ability when performing the tasks that are on your list.

C.   Insurance – Make sure the person you hire has General Liability Insurance.  If someone working on your property should become injured, unless they have their own liability insurance you will be fully liable. Reputable handymen carry insurance for this purpose.  It’s OK to ask for a copy of their insurance policy.

PRICING, FREE ESTIMATES, MINIMUM CHARGES:  Some things to consider when hiring a handyman are:) hourly rates…remember that the lowest price is not always the best.  b) Do they have a minimum charge? c) Do they offer free estimates? d) Do they up charge for materials? 

 Remember A good handyman is:

• Reliable - They show up when they say they will.
• Safe - They pay attention to the details of the project from the very beginning, asking questions and examining all of the aspects of your project, no matter the size.
• Skilled – They know what they are doing and can prove it by example as well as their references.
• Equipped – They will have quality tools and a solid vehicle.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions and research your local professional handyman.   Remember, there is nothing wrong with playing it safe!

If you find that you are in need of a handyman.....I would love to help out.  Check out my testimonial page on my website.  You won't be disappointed!!!

GREEN LIVING TIP - HIGH EFFICIENCY, LOW FLOW TOILETS

Are you looking for a way that can help save the environment as well as save you money?

Another tip you can add to your list of "Going Green" besides Water Barrels is having a high efficiency, low flow toilet installed in your home or business.

Low Flow Toilets can significantly reduce the water wasted every time you visit the loo.

According to statistics, on average, you might flush 140,000 times throughout your life.  If your toilet was made before 1995, it can use as much as 5 gallons of water every time you flush.  Toilets made after 1996 use much less water at no more than 1.6 gallons per flush.  Just think about the amount of water that is saved by having a newer commode installed.

If you were to install a high-efficiency, low flow toilet, less than 1.3 gallons of water is used per flush.  Also available is the dual-flush toilet, which has two buttons instead of one handle,  One button lets you flush liquid waste using less than 1 gallon of water and the other button uses a full 1.6 gallons of water to flush solid waste.

If you are interested in switching out your old toilet for a newer, efficient model, please give me a call or email me.  I look forward to hearing from you.

Check back soon for other Green Living Tips!