The Handymen

Fence Repair

2011-12-31T17:43:00.000-07:00

The wind has been howling all day. It’s been a beautiful day but I know for those with weak fence posts, it has not been a happy day.

I do a lot of fence repair where sections of fence have fallen down or posts are weak. Many times new posts can be set next to the old rotted posts and the fence is as strong as new. The advantage of this type of repair is that it takes less time than digging out the old post and concrete.

Give me a call at 303-232-3347 and we can get your fence back together.

Philip

Frozen Pipes

2011-10-25T07:16:00.000-06:00

The phone rings; I see that it is 3:30 am. My son Tom is on the phone. I know something bad has happened. A pipe has froze and burst. I feel sick for him. We have had days of sub-zero weather and now at 3:30 am, on a Friday morning, the temperature has risen just enough that the water has started to flow. The blessings in this bad situation quickly become evident. He was up early to go to work and heard the sound of water running within seconds of the spray appearing. Second, the broken pipe is in the garage.

The water is turned off but another problem appears: the broken pipe is part of the heating system. The temperature in the house is starting to drop.

My dad was a plumber and soldered countless thousands of copper pipe fittings in his long career. I watched him as he worked like an artist. Fittings and pipe cleaned, flux applied, the right amount of heat from the torch and the solder flows into the joint. The torch is removed and in a final flourish he wipes the joint. He made it look so easy and in the ideal situation it can be. Repairs on old pipe are something else. Even for an expert they can be difficult.

I worked many summers with my Dad and picked up numerous plumbing skills. Soldering was not one of them. It wasn’t something that I had much practice at and never felt comfortable doing it especially in repair situations. It’s not something I do as a handyman for those and a few other reasons.

With my son Tom’s situation I wished it was a skill I had. I knew we needed a plumber and sooner rather than later. With his heating system shut down I worry that other pipes could be in danger of freezing.

Thankfully, a plumber is located who can come later in the morning. That is a small miracle as many other broken pipes across town are keeping plumbers swamped.

So what can be done in sub-zero times to help avoid broken pipes? Here are some tips from Garvin’s Sewer Service:

Frozen Pipes: What to do if you have them

If you find yourself with frozen pipes, here are some tips to help you out (and hopefully prevent a water emergency and/or needing a plumber).

1. Make sure your heat is turned up to 75 degrees, open cupboard doors.

2. Turn your main water off 95% of the way if you are at home. If you are away, turn it off completely. (Your main shut off valve will most likely be in your basement or crawlspace.)

3. Leave the affected faucets on to allow water to come through and thaw pipes.

4. If you have a space heater, put it under the affected areas to heat the pipes. (a hair-dryer is an alternative option)

5. If your home has a crawlspace, make sure all vents to the outside are CLOSED.

Special notes: If NONE of the water pipes in your home are producing water, than your main water line may be the affected pipe, in which case, you will need to contact a plumber.

These are great tips. Garvin’s is a good company too. I have recommended them many times for sewer cleaning and general plumbing work. I do a lot of plumbing work but there are many times an expert needs to be called.

I hope you don’t ever have to experience a frozen or broken pipe. An interesting fact is that the pipe breaks from freezing but it will usually not leak until it thaws out. Another tip is to always make sure hoses are disconnected from outside faucets in the winter.

If I can ever be of service to you please don’t hesitate to call. You can reach me at 303-232-3347.

Philip

Furnace Filter

2011-09-12T13:59:00.000-06:00

Have you changed your furnace filter lately? If you haven’t, it would be a good time to do it or get it done.

Depending on who you talk to, it’s recommended to change the filter every six months or as often as every month. I have found that it does vary depending on the house, amount of dust, animal hair, type of filter, etc.

The true way to tell is by looking at the filter when you change it. If it is heavy with dust, etc, then it might be a good idea to change it more often.

If the filter is obstructed, the furnace will not work as well and it will cost you more to operate.

Filters themselves vary in cost from fifty-cents on up. Some of the more expensive ones do work better and may last longer. Depending on what you want to accomplish, such as pollen filtering and allergy reduction the more expensive may be what you want. For those you may be looking at ten to fifteen dollars. Of course you can spend way more than that if you want to.

Some furnaces make filter changing very easy; others can be a little more complicated. I will be glad to help you decide on what you need and if it is a job that you can do yourself. Give me a call and you will breathe easier.

Philip

Sewer Line Backup

2011-06-04T06:40:00.000-06:00

One of the worst things for me is to wake up at night to a plumbing problem. That happened Tuesday. From my bleariness I hear the words that water is coming from the bottom of the basement toilet. I soon figure out that our main sewer line is backed up.

I know the history of the house we have and this is the first time since it was built in 1955 that the sewer has backed up. My dad who had it before us was a plumber. He intentionally didn’t plant trees in the front yard to avoid roots getting into the sewer line.

As a handyman I fix most of our plumbing problems around the house. At the house we moved from six years ago, tree roots caused sewer backups about every six months to a year. Cleaning the sewer was a familiar ritual that I don’t miss.

When one of my customers call with a sewer backup I refer them to Garvin’s Sewer Service. Garvin’s is also a full service plumbing company. They have been around since 1940. I decided to have Garvin’s clean our sewer line because my work day was packed and I couldn’t reschedule the job. I called them around 11:30 pm and was told they could come in about an hour. Their charge is the same night or day. I decided to wait until morning as the line, though backed up, was still draining although very slow.

I have always had good feedback when I refer Garvin’s but this would be the first time I would be using them personally. The plumber arrived around 8 am. My wife reported to me how things went and was well informed by the plumber of what he found. He even told her ahead of time that the bolts holding the toilet down may break when he removed them. Thankfully they didn’t. He even suggested that we should replace the downstairs toilet as it is a style doesn’t flush as well as other types. It was information and not a sales pitch.

When our house was built, the sewer lines were made of a clay material. My dad called it tile pipe. It is very common for the pipe to be damaged by tree roots and settling or other environmental problems can also damage the pipe. The plumber said it was possible that something like this is going on with our line. He said that if the problem persisted we could run a camera through the line to inspect it. He said we didn’t need to do that at this time. I was glad to hear that. Many other companies try to sell the camera inspection with every sewer cleaning job. It is expensive and only needed at certain times.

Garvin’s motto is: We Clean Drains NOT Bank Accounts! I appreciate that in a company. Many sewer cleaning companies have all kinds of hidden charges and are always trying to make the job more expensive. You won’t get that with Garvin’s. I was very happy with their service.

Here is a link to Garvin’s.

Please keep me in mind for your home maintenance and repair jobs. I am fair in my pricing and will never do a job beyond my ability. Call me at 303-232-3347.

I also appreciate referrals. If you like my work, please tell your friends.

Philip

Defective Parts

2011-03-05T07:44:00.000-07:00

My kitchen faucet was dripping. It's the Delta brand classic with a single handle. I think it is one of the best faucets available. Parts are readily available and it is easy to repair.

With a lifetime warranty I can get free parts from the manufacturer. For most repair jobs this isn't done because it's easier and quicker to pick up new ones at the local hardware.

I carry Delta parts in my inventory. I prefer the name brand ones but sometimes Home Depot is out of those. Such was the case the last time I replenished my supply.

I used the ones I had and planned to call Delta to get warranty parts to replace them. After a simple repair, the faucet still leaked. I made some adjustments and the problem persisted. I wondered what I was doing wrong.

Finally it dawns on me that it might be a defective replacement part; that has happened before. Well, after the Delta brand parts arrived in the mail the problem was solved. The defective part was returned to Home Depot and a lesson was learned.

In the future I will not settle for off-brand parts when precision is required. If this had been a customer's faucet, it would have required a return trip to repair and would have called my competency into question.

My son who is a mechanic has had similar problems. I remember a recent repair where a cooling system part leaked after being replaced. It looked the same as the old part but the o-ring seal was apparently out of spec. To complete the repair the system had to be disassembled again and a new part installed.

The lesson learned is to watch out for off-brand replacement parts. There are times they may work but many times they are not manufactured with the precision required. A problem with them may present immediately or may show up in a premature failure.

Philip

The Work of a Handyman

2011-02-21T19:12:00.000-07:00

The voice on the other end of the phone was sad, but resolute. Her beloved dog had “died a year ago.” It was buried in the back yard in a plastic tote box, “the kind with the snap-on lid,” she said. The family had to move and “naturally,” she blustered, “Ben needed to go with us.”

As a regular customer of mine she knew that I was very versatile. She called, hopeful. After all, a handyman can do anything, right?

I actually thought about this for a while. I called her back, thankful for an answering machine pickup. I explained that I would have to pass. I tried to be sensitive, knowing the emotions involved. For the record, I realize that exhuming animals is not something I do – ever.

And that’s a big part of my challenge – knowing my limitations. Certain things are better left to someone else. I have a simple business plan and I stick to it.

I didn’t start off my life intending to do this for a living. But my janitorial company forced me to work nights, and with a wife and a couple of young children, I knew something had to change.

“Officially” I began to work in the business when a close friend of mine who owned a busy handyman company invited me to join him. But after a couple of years, he left to pastor a church and the company was mine. I missed the friendship and companionship, but contentedly fell into the solitary role. There’s a Latin word for what I do – sola repaira.

Satisfaction in the fulfillment

My days are spent helping customers cross items off of their home maintenance and repair to-do list. I help single moms, busy couples, and overwhelmed customers with a variety of home tasks. One of the most satisfying things I have been able to do is help senior citizens to stay in their homes. The help I provide them enables them to be able to enjoy their home without having to worry about repairs or maintenance that needs to be done.

After all these years, most repairs are fairly routine, but some require the ability of a magician and the inventory of a junk collector. It’s a good feeling to have customers express their appreciation -- and sometimes amazement -- regarding the finished job.

Many times the task I am working on requires heavy concentration but on many occasions I am able to think about other things. Lately I’ve been reading – and then thinking – about the book of Proverbs.

It’s applicable to what I do every day. Look at Pr. 22:29. “Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.” This tells me when I’m skillful in my work, then I’ll be able to actually command a higher price and have a solid, devoted customer base. I can’t sacrifice the quality of my work just to satisfy those who are looking for the lowest price.

Faith in my workplace

I make my daily work a matter of prayer. It might sound funny to pray before a porcelain throne, but that’s what I do. I’m not afraid to ask for God’s help and the wisdom and knowledge I will need to accomplish what I have to do that day.

As I look back over 26 years in the business, I’ve ridden along with the economy. In just a couple of short years I went from my best year to my worst year. But the one constant has been God as provider. Even in the leanest of times my family and I have been abundantly blessed. With eight children, that has been a lot of food and clothing. God has given me the aptitude to be a handyman and has given me the ability to make a good living.

What more can a man ask for?

Philip Faustin

This story was originally published at The High Calling

Washing Machine Hose Failure

2011-01-26T18:18:00.000-07:00

Washing machine fill hose failure could flood your house and cause thousands of dollars in damage. State Farm says about 150 million dollars damage in the US and Canada every year.

Do you know the condition of the hoses behind your washing machine? Many people don’t and have never thought about it. If your hoses are the old black rubber type or are more than five years old, it’s time to get some new ones. Inspect them regularly for leaking, bulging or cracking. Also make sure there are no kinks.

You can get a new set of braided stainless steel hoses for around twenty dollars. It’s usually easy to replace them.

For very little cost, you will gain peace of mind. Imagine what it would be like to come home and find water spraying from the back of your washer. Think about the damage it would cause. New hoses installed properly will make those thoughts unnecessary.

If you need new hoses or are not sure, give me a call and I will be glad to help you.

Philip
303-232-3347

Is Your Toilet Running?

2010-12-19T16:41:00.000-07:00

Denver Water is reminding customers to check their toilets to see if they are running. They say that between 100-250 gallons of water can be wasted daily by one toilet.

Sometimes you can hear the water running constantly, sometimes you hear it refill every once in a while and sometimes a slow leak can’t be heard.

A way to check is to put some food coloring in the tank and don’t flush it for a thirty minutes. If the color appears in the bowl, you have a leak.

So what should you do? Don’t ignore it as that will cost you more in the long run. I have been called on occasion where a customer had a clogged toilet and it was running at the same time. Water is flowing onto the floor and you have an emergency. That doesn’t happen too often. Most of the time the leak get’s worse until you have a constant stream going down the drain.

Toilet repairs are usually easy and inexpensive. You may have $20.00 in parts and around 15 minutes to an hour of labor. It’s not something to put off because of cost.

While you are checking out your toilets, look at your faucets too. Are they dripping? If so, I can guarantee that they will not get better on their own but the drip will soon turn to a steady stream. Faucets can usually be repaired with a new washer or cartridge. If they are left too long then other parts may need to be replaced.

If you have any of these problems, give me a call and I will try to give you an idea over the phone of what it will cost to repair. You may find that it will be easier and less expensive that you thought.

Philip

Time to Winterize

2010-09-21T20:36:00.000-06:00

It’s hard to believe, with the record warm temperatures we have been enjoying, that in a few weeks we may have pipes bursting because of freezing. As winter approaches it’s time to prepare for the cold and snow.

If you have a sprinkler system, it needs to be turned off and drained before the temperatures dip below freezing.

If you have an evaporative cooler, the water line needs to be disconnected and drained. A cover over the cooler will help keep the winter cold out.

Outside faucets need to have hoses disconnected and some need to have the water turned off and drained.

It’s time to have the furnace filter changed and it may be good to have a professional do a check-up on the furnace.

Gutters need to be cleaned so that accumulated leaves don’t keep them from draining.

Spending a little time on these items will prevent repair bills later.

I would be glad to help you get your home ready for winter. You can reach me at 303-232-3347.

Philip

Spring - Time to Clean Gutters

2010-04-12T13:14:00.000-06:00

Did you clean your gutters last fall? Have they been cleaned in the last year?

Unless you live in an area where there are no trees around, gutter cleaning is a very important part of home maintenance. The purpose of the gutters is to collect water that falls on our roofs and to divert it away from the home foundation.

When the gutters are not cleaned, two main problems can occur. One is that the water can’t drain out so it backs up into the fascia and soffit (the wood behind and below the gutters). When that happens, the wood starts to rot and in some cases the wall inside the house can be damaged. A second problem is when the water overflows the front of the gutter and instead of being diverted away from the house, it ends up running down the foundation. This can result in flooding in the basement.

It’s a good idea to clean your gutters at least once a year and more often if you have trees in your yard. It’s usually not very expensive and keeps you from having damage to your home that can be very costly to repair.

I do most gutter cleaning jobs although there are some I don’t such as full two story homes and steep roofs. In any case if I can’t do it I can refer you to a company who can.

Give me a call at 303-232-3347 and we can discuss your need.

Philip

Sewer Gas Smell

2010-03-21T13:37:00.000-06:00

I received a phone call from a friend about a smell in the basement. They were sure it was sewer gas. There had been some maintenance done in the street; could have it resulted from that?

The first question is to make sure you know the difference between the smell of sewer gas and natural gas. Natural gas has a very distinctive “rotten egg” smell. If you have never smelled either you may need someone with an experienced nose to point out the difference. Otherwise what you smell may be a pair of stinky sneakers.

You really should know what natural gas smells like so that if you ever smell it you know to get out of the house and call the fire department. It isn’t something you want to mess with.

It you do smell sewer gas, the most likely culprit is a drain trap that has dried out. Places to check are floor drains, tub and shower drains, sink drains and toilets. If these are not used regularly they can dry out and let the sewer gas into the house. Make sure to run water in them every few months. You can pour a bucket of water into the floor drains. Another possibility is if the wax seal at the base of a toilet has been compromised and is allowing the gas to escape.

There are other possibilities that allow sewer gas to escape such as a broken vent pipe but that’s less common. In those cases it may require a plumber with specialized equipment to locate the source.

After I talked to my friend I found out that there was a bathroom in the basement that was rarely used. They ran water in all the drains and the smell went away. They were relieved that their fears of a much larger job didn’t come to pass.

Philip

Carbon Monoxide Alarms Save Lives

2010-02-10T18:29:00.001-07:00

A bill was signed into law in Colorado last year that mandated carbon monoxide alarms beginning July 1, 2009. Here are the basics of the law: it applies to new homes, homes that are sold, homes that are remodeled, and rental homes or apartments where a change of tenancy occurs after July 1, 2009. The alarms need to be installed within 15 feet of sleeping areas.

Here is a link to House Bill 09-1091, see it for complete details.

So what is carbon monoxide and why should we be concerned about it? Here are some facts from the article, Carbon Monoxide Questions and Answers.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a deadly, colorless, odorless, poisonous gas. It is produced by the incomplete burning of various fuels, including coal, wood, charcoal, oil, kerosene, propane, and natural gas. These products include malfunctioning fuel-burning appliances such as furnaces, ranges, water heaters and room heaters; engine-powered equipment such as portable generators; fireplaces; and charcoal that is burned in homes and other enclosed areas.

Because CO is odorless, colorless, and otherwise undetectable to the human senses, people may not know that they are being exposed. The initial symptoms of low to moderate CO poisoning are similar to the flu (but without the fever). They include:

Headache
Fatigue
Shortness of breath
Nausea
Dizziness

High level CO poisoning results in progressively more severe symptoms, including:

Mental confusion
Vomiting
Loss of muscular coordination
Loss of consciousness
Ultimately death

Symptom severity is related to both the CO level and the duration of exposure. For slowly developing residential CO problems, occupants and/or physicians can mistake mild to moderate CO poisoning symptoms for the flu, which sometimes results in tragic deaths. For rapidly developing, high level CO exposures (e.g., associated with use of generators in residential spaces), victims can rapidly become mentally confused, and can lose muscle control without having first experienced milder symptoms; they will likely die if not rescued.

As you can see, carbon monoxide can be very serious. I advise that even if this law doesn’t apply to you that you install alarms in your home. Some simply plug in to a wall outlet. A basic battery operated model can be had for less than twenty dollars. That’s a small price to pay for safety and peace of mind.

Philip

Beware of Furnace Fraud

2009-12-08T18:33:00.000-07:00

The Denver District Attorney has sent out a warning to watch out for furnace fraud. Here is some of what he has to say:

Fraudulent contractors and furnace salespersons often use scare tactics. They may insist that you must buy a new furnace immediately due to leaking as and the potential of a catastrophic explosion. They may tell you that the "heat exchanger" or "combustion chamber" is cracked or has a hole. Or they may simply say that your furnace is too small and should be replaced with a larger one. If a contractor says you need expensive work immediately, don't panic. Keep in mind the following tips:

All heating contractors are required to be licensed and to get a permit from the Building Department before doing any major work. Ask for verification of a license and the permit. To verify if a contractor is licensed in Denver call 720-865-2770 or go to www.denvergov.org/contractor_licensing

Check out all contractors with the Better Business Bureau, by calling (303)758-2100 and your city Building Department before inviting a serviceperson into your home for an estimate or service.

If you are told your furnace needs to be replaced, get a second opinion from a licensed contractor whom you have checked out with the BBB.

Remember that once the old furnace has been removed, proof of its original condition is impossible to verify, making it difficult to recover your losses or to prosecute for fraud.

RESIST if a salesperson gives you a high-pressured sales pitch, especially if you are solicited at your door or by phone by an unfamiliar contractor.

This is good advice. As a handyman I don’t repair or replace furnaces. I do know of some good companies who do though. If you need a referral, give me a call.

Philip

Window Well Scenes

2009-10-28T19:01:00.004-06:00

Recently I installed window well scenes for a customer. I was amazed how beautiful they were and how they changed the window well view. I guess anything would look better than the corrugated metal you usually see.

The scenes were easy to install. The metal had to be prepared and then Velcro was attached to the metal. The scene is then rolled out and stuck to the Velcro. There may be a little cutting to fit the window well size. A 100’ X 60” scene costs around $60. Depending on the condition of the window well and access, installation takes from 30 to 45 minutes.

The scenes are manufactured by a company called Sinergi. They are available at Lowes and I found another company in the Denver area called Window Well Art Company that also carries them.

Here are links to those companies:
Sinergi
Lowes
Window Well Art Company

If you have plain corrugated window wells, these scenes could make a huge difference in your basement view.

Philip

Procrastination

2009-10-09T21:41:00.002-06:00

Sometimes when we put things off it ends up costing us a lot more in the end. I received a call on Wednesday from a customer who put off shutting down her swamp cooler. She was reminded when a passerby noticed water spraying from the broken water line on her roof. The Good Samaritan notified her and helped shut off the water.

Today I finished the job by disconnecting the water line, draining and covering the cooler. Next spring part or all of the water line will have to be replaced.

It’s never a good idea to ignore a needed repair if it involves water. In this case freezing weather caused a break. An ignored water leak will usually lead to damage that will cost more than the basic repair would have. Many other needed repairs follow the same pattern. A small repair overlooked leads to a bigger expense later.

If there is a repair you have been ignoring? Give me a call and we can discuss it. You might find out that it will be less expensive to repair that you expected. In any case, you will know what you need to do.

Keeping these thoughts in mind will save you money in the long run.

Philip

Overcharge

2009-09-19T11:41:00.003-06:00

An elderly customer called me a couple weeks ago. She wondered if I could be with her when she met with the representative of an electrical company who had done some work for her. She felt she was being taken advantage of. She also explained that the electrician told her that she needed new smoke alarms without ever looking at the ones she already had.

The company is called Mister Sparky Electric. It’s related to One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning and Benjamin Franklin Plumbing.

The issue that had her attention was that she was being told that it was now the law that she had to have a Carbon Monoxide Detector on her furnace. She put down a deposit on the unit that was going to cost around $500. After talking to her daughter and doing some research she found out that it was not the law and the units that Mister Sparky was selling were not even ready for sale yet. This made her angry and suspicious.

The three companies mentioned above are the type that advertises "No Surprise" Straightforward Pricing. What this means is a guy comes out, looks over the job and then gives a price. If you accept it then you sign a contract. It sounds good but what I keep coming across with many companies like this is the price they give seems excessively high. That’s not to say they don’t do good work, it just costs a LOT! A way the company drums up business is by offering “free” electrical inspections.

My customer cancelled the Carbon Monoxide Detector and said she would not be using this company any longer. She showed me the bill from the previous work and I was astonished at the charges. Here is what I saw: After doing an “inspection” the electrician determined she needed her whole house surge protector replaced. Contrary to the claim of pricing being up front, he replaced it and told her after. He also replaced three circuit breakers.

The cost for the whole house surge protector was $258. You can buy the surge protector for under $100 retail. That means the labor charge was over $150. The installation consists of disconnecting and reconnecting a few wires – maybe a ten minute job. The cost for the three circuit breakers was $251. The circuit breakers probably cost under $10 dollars each and about five minutes to replace. To me that is an excessive charge.

He also told her she needed a GFI on her kitchen outlets. He was going to charge $169. The parts would have cost $15 to $25 and maybe fifteen minutes to install. She was wise to turn down the job.

The truth is that most people have no idea how long these jobs should take or what the parts actually cost. They trust the company because the “troubleshooter” recommends them.

In my Handyman business I am fair and honest with my customers. If someone wants an upfront price I will take all possibilities into consideration when I give them the price but would consider it unethical to charge them two or three times what the job is worth.

The lesson is to look beyond shiny trucks, spiffy uniforms and well-known names. Find service people who do good work for a fair price. When you call The Handymen, I guarantee you will get both.

Philip

Would You Like $1000?

2009-08-18T17:50:00.004-06:00

Would you like an extra $1000? Then be careful who you hire for service work. That’s what one of my regular customers learned today.

I received the call last Friday. Would I be willing to clean out a sump pump pit? It seemed that an odor was coming from the pit. It was located under the basement bathroom vanity that may need to be removed to get access to the pump.

When I arrived this morning I heard more of the story. They had called a plumber (AppleTree Plumbing) who told them the pit needed to be cleaned out but it seemed the plumber didn’t want to do the job. He also told them if the pump needed to be replaced it would cost $1200.

When I took a look at the sump pit I could see that it wasn’t very deep and the vanity wouldn’t have to be removed; that was good news. I removed the sump pump from the pit and found out there was a cement pad in the bottom of the pit. That was good because it keeps the pump out of the mud. There was a small amount of debris in the pit but not more than a handful.

I tested the pump and found out it wasn’t working. I picked up a new one and soon had the pit back in working order. The smell was probably coming from stagnation because the old pump didn’t work.

A new pump cost about $100 and with labor the bill was a little over $200. By calling me, my customer ended up saving $1000.

It hear this type of story on a regular basis. Companies take advantage of a customer not knowing what is involved in a job and how much it should really cost. Of course what they do is not illegal but I don’t think it’s ethical. I understand that when a job is bid there is a cushion built in for unforeseen circumstances but I think the difference between $200 and $1200 is what most of us would call a rip-off.

The lesson here is to be careful who you hire. It really means a lot to have a workman who is honest and cares more about helping you than making a quick profit.

Philip

Shower Head

2009-08-04T21:06:00.006-06:00

Are you happy with your shower head?

For very little money you can change your shower head to one you are really delighted with.

I have two types in my home. Upstairs I have the massage type with an extension hose. With a turn of the dial on the head it can be changed from a refreshing rain to a pulsating massage. The extension hose is great if you want to wash down the tub walls and even reaches down if you are sitting in the tub.

Downstairs where some of my kids take a shower I have an extreme water saving model. It only used 1.6 gallons per minute. That’s about half of a regular water saving model. That really helps to save water during long showers.

The super water saver model shower head costs about $13. The type with extension hose and massage head ranges in price from around $30 on up to $60. There are also a lot of other choices in conventional and not so conventional shower heads.

You can see many different shower head possibilities at your local home improvement store. Installation is usually very simple. I’ll be glad to give you a hand with that.

Philip
303-232-3347

Freshen Up Your Home

2009-06-17T18:28:00.003-06:00

Here are some inexpensive ideas on how to freshen up your home.

Buy new towels for the bathroom
Upgrade outdoor lighting
Install new doorknobs and cabinet handles
Make a centerpiece for your dining room table
Buy a new mailbox
Polish or replace your house numbers
Place fresh flowers or houseplants around the home
Buy color-coordinated pillows for the sofa and bed
Replace your worn doormat
Set out subtle potpourri or scented candles

A few simple touches can make your home seem like a different place.

I would be glad to help you with any of these projects or others that you may have. Give me a call and your home can be fresher, better maintained and an easier place to relax.

Philip

Thanks to Garland Thurman for the list.

What About the Warranty?

2009-05-27T18:32:00.002-06:00

I worked for a long time customer today. The job was to replace the p-trap under the bathroom sink and to replace the stems in the faucet. It was a fairly simple job although I had to make a run for some specialized parts.

After I was done, we were looking at some repairs that she wanted done in the future. One was that her kitchen faucet was loose. It wasn’t that the faucet was loose from the sink but the body was loose from the mounting plate. Sometimes there are screws that can be tightened and other times the mount has broken. We talked about seeing on the next trip if it can be repaired or if it needs to be replaced.

After I talked to her I remembered that the faucet should have a warranty as it was a good brand. I looked it up and found out that it had a lifetime warranty. I gave her a call and asked if she has her receipt or other paperwork. That will come in handy if it needs to be replaced.

This brings up the subject of warranties. Most products have them but you need the receipt or another proof of purchase for it to be honored. It’s a good idea to have a specific place where you keep paperwork like that. Even if you throw it in a box without any organization it will be there if you ever need it. In the case of this particular faucet the replacement cost is about $50.00. Of course they don’t usually cover labor charges but at least she wouldn’t have to pay for the faucet itself.

On another subject, I talked to a new customer this week about some sprinkler heads she needed moved. As we talked she told me about how she had hired someone to do various work after he came to her door giving his sad story and told her he was willing to do any work to support his family. She said he did several repairs okay and then he asked for some money upfront for some painting he was going to do. Of course you can guess the rest, the painting was never done. Another reminder to be very careful of who you hire and especially if they ask for money before the job is complete.

Philip

History Builds Trust

2009-05-20T20:20:00.002-06:00

I had similar conversations with two customers in the last week. Both recalled that when I first worked for them, their oldest children were infants. One of those kids graduated from High School last week and the other is in college.

It’s that history that enables the trust they have in me. The customer whose daughter graduated from High School left me a blank check that I filled out when I was done with her jobs. We met in the morning to go over the list and then she left for work.

While we were looking at the jobs she had, she told me that she had recently hired someone to build her a new fence. She paid him up front for the materials and after that he didn’t do the work. I could tell that she was very upset by the loss of the money but more importantly that she had trusted someone and then been ripped off.

When I work for someone it is very rare for me to ask for any money ahead of time. My custom is to complete the job and then collect for labor and material costs at that time.

If you are asked to pay money ahead of time you better be very careful. Why does the person need the money and what assurance do you have that they will buy the materials and complete the work. It seems that when many people get money up front, their motivation to do the work evaporates.

History builds trust both that the job will be done right and in so many other ways. Customers trust me in their homes when they are gone and they trust me to be honest with what I charge them.

It really meant a lot to me when I received a call from my customer who had been ripped off saying how glad she was to have someone who not only does a good job but who can be trusted. I can’t imagine doing business any other way but I know that in this day it can be very hard to find trustworthy workers.

I have been in business since 1984. I have an excellent rating with the Denver BBB and have many customers ready to vouch for my work ethic.

Let me know how I can be of service to you.

Philip

Tax Credit for Home Buyers

2009-05-06T19:24:00.002-06:00

I came across some information that I wanted to pass on to you. If you or someone you know is in the market to buy a home as a first-time homebuyer, you could get a big boost with a tax credit.

The following is courtesy of Jeff Galligan who is a realtor in the Harvey Park area.

The government stimulus package recently gave real estate a big shot in the arm with the introduction of the tax CREDIT for first-time home buyers.

The plan works like this:

Qualified First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit

Must Buy and Close on a New Residence Before 12/1/2009
Enjoy Up To $8,000 in Federal Income Tax Credits

How to Qualify:

I. If neither you nor your spouse has owned an interest in a principal residence (in the U.S.) during the last 36 months ending on the date of the purchase of your current residence (if you owned one).

a. But you do NOT buy:

i. From a related party (such as a family member)

ii. Property located outside the U.S.

2. You are buying the property to become your primary residence (not an investment property).

3. Property may be a single dwelling, condominium, houseboat, or mobile home.

How Much of a Credit:

1. Up to $8,000 (not to exceed 10% of the home price) and if your 2009 adjusted gross income (AGI) does not exceed $75,000 for single and $150,000 if you are married filing jointly.

2. No credit if your 2009 AGI exceeds $95,000 for single and $170,000 if you are married filing jointly.

3. Partial credit if your AGI is between $75,000 and $95,000 for single and between $150,000 and $170,000 if you are married filing jointly.

4. If you have no tax liability for 2009 and have a credit, the IRS will actually pay you the credit amount when your 2009 tax return is filed.

Important:

You must continue using the property as your primary residence for 3 years. If the property is sold or no longer your primary residence you are liable to compute and payback the portion of the credit that was not earned and report it on your tax return for the year of change.

Philip

Tub and Shower Caulk

2009-04-29T17:17:00.002-06:00

Tub and shower caulk is an item that is on my list of jobs to do on a fairly regular basis. That’s good because if caulk and grout is neglected it can lead to a much larger problem.

The trouble usually starts with a very small spot where a little water gets through the tile. The water will start to loosen up the tile from the wall. As a result, more water gets through. If there is a room below the tub, you may notice damage to the ceiling. Sometimes it doesn’t show up there and you may notice the problem when tile start falling off the wall. When that happens, you have a big job on your hands and it’s going to cost a lot more than regular maintenance would have.

Mold and mildew can be a problem in showers as well. Good ventilation helps prevent it but some bathrooms don’t cooperate very well. A good product to use for mildew is Tilex. It is a bleach based cleaner that kills the mildew. It’s available in most grocery and home supply stores. If you use it you want to be careful not to get any of it on carpet as it will bleach it. Provide some good ventilation as well, the fumes can be strong.

Sometimes mildew will get into the caulk and then the only option is to remove and replace the caulk. It’s usually not a huge job and the shower looks so much better after.

It’s a good idea to check the grout and caulk in your showers on a regular basis. As a handyman, I know what to look for. Give me a call and I will be glad to help you. In the long run, it will cost you less than if you ignore it. Also, having a professional doing the job will insure that the right kind of caulk is used and it will look good when it’s done

Philip

25 Years as a Handyman

2009-04-22T19:27:00.002-06:00

I worked for a long time customer this morning. She recalled that when I first worked for her, her sons were in junior high school. One of them is now 40 years old.

I remember the first job I did for her. It was rebuilding a mail box that had been hit by a car. It was made of 6x6 timbers. Today the mail box needed another repair. It had been hit by a car again. Thankfully the main post was okay and it just needed a few screws to tighten the crossbeam and put the mailbox itself back on.

Having been in business for 25 years, I have many customers that go way back. It’s interesting to think of how much has changed. Some have moved to new homes, children have grown up and left the home and some customers have passed on.

The customer I worked for this morning lives in an area where most of the older homes are being torn down and replaced by mega-mansions. It’s sad to think that someday this wonderful home, where I have done so much work will be no more. The customer feels the same way. She knows that when she and her husband sell the home it will probably meet the same fate as so many of the other beautiful homes in the neighborhood. She said that it only takes about 48 hours and the old homes are completely gone.

The new mansions sure are impressive in their size but the area seems to be losing the charm it once had. The old homes had plenty of room but they seemed to fit into the country setting better. I guess that’s progress.

Well anyway, I’m glad that I have been able to help keep this home in good repair through the years.

Philip

Do It Yourself?

2009-04-15T19:59:00.004-06:00

When it comes to home remodel and renovation, should you “do-it-yourself”?

Over the years I have had the opportunity to see a lot of do-it-yourself projects. Some look real nice and others scream amateur. If you are going to live with it and don’t care, then amateur is okay.

What about when you get ready to sell your house? That’s when the less than perfect job can become a liability. If a prospective buyer, looking at the surface sees that it wasn’t a professional who did the work, they may wonder what is going on with plumbing and electrical hidden inside the walls.

Sometimes the work doesn’t hold up very well. I have seen a lot of tile jobs, both floor and wall, suffering from premature failure. There are paint jobs that have almost as much paint on the surrounding areas as on the intended walls. In the long run, those types of jobs may end up costing you more than if you had went with a professional in the first place.

As a handyman, I do a very wide range of jobs. There are many times I turn down work because I know that it’s going to require someone else with the skill to do it right. Sometimes that may require the swallowing of pride but I would rather do that than have a job end up not being done right or not looking right. The reality is that no one can do everything.

Just today, I ended up declining some tasks for a customer I was working for. One was a drywall repair on a ceiling. If it was not done perfect, it would always show. I thought it would be better they get a drywall expert so it was done right the first time. If a repair is not done right it can be very hard to do a second time.

So there are some things to think about as you consider do-it-yourself work. Make sure you have the right skill and equipment. Speaking of equipment, there is a big difference between a $2.00 and $20.00 paint brush. Many times that bit of advice would have made the difference between a good and horrible paint job.

Philip

How to Save Money with a Handyman

2009-04-08T19:13:00.003-06:00

Have you ever been frustrated because you had to call the plumber for one small job, the electrician for another, a carpenter for a third and after paying premium rates you are still left with a list of things that need to be done?

Calling The Handymen is like one-stop shopping. Your list of needed repairs becomes a thing of the past and you can finally relax. I can help you cross those things off your list. Of course, there are times that you will need to call another specialized service person, but less frequently and the difference will translate into a major savings to you.

Almost every day I am helping someone with their repair list. The variety is one thing I really like about my job. I also enjoy the satisfaction of being able to do a wide variety of tasks.

Here is some of what I did yesterday: installed window blinds and a new range hood, repaired a dripping faucet, put closet doors back on track, replaced a light fixture, replaced broken fence pickets, reattached a loose thermostat and replaced light bulbs.

Today I removed a stuck bulb out of a light fixture, installed a hair dryer holder, removed a built-in shelf from a closet, installed a clothes line, assembled a book case, moved some garage hooks, installed peg board, repaired a porch rail, moved a gate latch, and removed lattice off a deck. I then went to another job and painted a kitchen, living room, bath room and two bedrooms.

As you can see, a lot of it is plain handyman work but other things could have required a call to a plumber, an electrician or a carpenter. Because I was able to do all of them, the customer saved a lot of money.

Give me a call and I will help make your repair list disappear.

Philip

Jammed Garbage Disposal

2009-04-01T18:33:00.002-06:00

I had two calls this week about jammed garbage disposals. One customer wanted to try to fix it herself, the other wanted me to do it as soon as possible.

I read an article last week about drains picking the worst time to get clogged. The truth is that the drain rarely contributes to the problem, it’s usually our fault. The story was somewhat humorous and recounted the worst times for the bad behavior; dinner parties, baby showers, holiday celebrations, etc. I don’t think there ever a good time. Click here to see the article.

What you do to get a disposal running again usually depends on why it is jammed. Sometimes it is just a little too much fiber at one time. Other times I have pulled glass, screws, coins and other debris out of them; this material can be a little harder to deal with. I have some long-neck needle nose pliers that help to grab the offending object. I also use a long crow bar to spin the disposal once the material is gone. If you don’t hear a sound when you flip the switch you may need to press the red reset button on the bottom of the disposal. If it is still jammed you will hear a hum. If so, it’s time to spin it again and to look in and see if there is still something inside. Make sure the switch is off before you try any of these things.

For the customer who wanted to try fixing it herself, I recommended that she take a wooden broomstick and try spinning the disposal. She called back awhile later to report that she was able to get it running. I was happy for her, the problem was resolved.

Another problem that can happen with a disposal is when the pipe under the sink gets clogged because either too much stuff was sent through at one time or the wrong kind of stuff was ground up. See the above mentioned article for some tips on that.

One last thing that happens with a disposal is it just wears out. Sometimes the motor dies and other times it rusts through and starts leaking. Once that happens, it’s time to replace it.

I can help you with your disposal problems and it is usually less expensive than you would expect. I’m also glad to talk you through it if you want to try to fix it yourself. My goal is to resolve your problem in the least expensive way.

Philip

National Procrastination Week

2009-03-12T10:38:00.006-06:00

Depending on who you talk to, either the first or second week in March is National Procrastination Week. Maybe the second week is for those who want to put things off for another week.

Here is the motto: “To promote the benefit of relaxing by putting off until tomorrow, everything that needn’t be done today.”

I have found that when I put things off, I can never really relax. So, what is it that makes us procrastinate? Here is a list that I came across:

We put off unpleasant or difficult tasks.
We procrastinate when we’re afraid.
We procrastinate when we’re swamped.
We procrastinate when we’re overwhelmed.

As a handyman I find that many people procrastinate on home repairs because they are worried about the cost. The problem with that is deferred maintenance many times gets worse and the cost goes up.

The best thing to do is find out what it is actually going to cost then you know if you can get it done right away or if you need to save for the repair. Sometimes an intermediate repair can be done to keep the problem from getting worse.

I have found through the years that my customers are usually surprised to find out that the repairs I do cost less than they expected.

If you really want to relax then put off procrastination by giving me a call. Until then, ponder these words: According to William James, "nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging-on of an uncompleted task." Ben Franklin advised not putting off until tomorrow what you can do today, warning, "You may delay, but time will not."

Philip

Screen Door Repair

2009-03-09T15:16:00.013-06:00

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Click pictures for a larger image.

I have a customer who was unhappy with the condition of her patio screen door. The handle didn’t work, the screen was rusty and the paint wasn’t in very good shape. I measured the door and found that it wasn’t a standard size. To replace it would have been very expensive.

I told her that we could fix up the old one. It was a good door except for cosmetic problems. She was happy with that idea.

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I replaced the screen and molding, put on a new handle and gave it a fresh coat of paint. As you can see, the door looks much better now and should last for many more years.

I find that many times a little maintenance and repair goes a long way. Things can be fixed up for a lot less than expected.

Philip

How much is this handyman job going to cost me?

2009-02-25T15:26:00.000-07:00

Most of the work I do is billed by the hour. Sometimes a customer wants a bid on a job. I'm glad to work either way.

I understand why people want a bid - it lets them know how much the job is going to cost.

Whenever one of my customers requests a bid, I explain that, while I am glad to do so, it will cost them more in the end.

Let me explain how a bid works. I am going to go through the job and everything is going to be figured from the high end. I'm going to consider what could take more time than normal and what could cost more. A cushion will be built in. When the job is all done, I don't want to come up short. That's how the process works.

Some people are willing to pay more for the assurance of knowing what the job is going to cost up front. I understand that.

Usually once I have worked for someone, they realize that I am very fast and efficient. They see that doing the job by the hour works in their favor. If I worked only by bid, I would make more money but that's not what I'm interested in. I would rather have a long-term relationship with a customer than to make a lot of money one time.

Another way I do business that benefits my customers is in how I charge for supplies. When I buy materials for their job I give them the receipt and that is how much they pay. I don't mark it up at all.

Recently I have heard a lot of advertising by service companies that encourage "up-front-pricing". In some cases, it is an honest and fair bid but many times the price is ridiculous.

I had a customer some years ago who didn't know that I installed garbage disposals. She called a well-known plumbing company (big orange trucks and the words apple and wood in their name). They used the "up-front-pricing" model. She was given a price of $500.00 for the job. She thought it seemed high but the plumber gave her a spiel of how expensive the disposal was, etc. She ended up approving the work and later realized she was overcharged.

The disposal she had installed retailed for about $70.00 and there could have been a few dollars in other parts. It would have taken between 15 minutes to an hour (if complications) to do the job. Add some traveling time on top of that and the job still wasn't worth half of what she was charged. I felt sorry for her.

Businesses like this are all over town. Many handyman companies, especially the big franchises operate this way. Sometimes it's hard for the consumer to know what a fair price is. That's why it's good to have a company you can trust.

I have been in business since 1984. On my website, I have a list of my satisfied customers. The pleasure I receive from those testimonials is far greater than the short-term gain of overcharging.

Philip

Home Repair Nightmares

2009-02-21T10:45:00.004-07:00

Here is a humorous look at home repair nightmares uncovered by home inspectors.

It’s a reminder of why you need a trustworthy, competent person to do your maintenance.

While I don’t do all of the type of repairs shown in this video, you can be sure that the work I do will be done right.

Philip

A Handyman and Knowledge of Limitations – Part 2

2009-02-11T14:35:00.001-07:00

This post should be called the dog in the backyard or better yet, the dead dog in the backyard.

In my last post, I pointed out how important it is for a handyman to know his limitations. Sometimes you know right away that you are not suited for a particular job. Other times you have to run it through your mind.

Several years ago, I received a call from a regular customer of mine. She had a job that needed to be done and wondered if I could help her. A year or so before, their dog had died. The fairly large dog was buried in the backyard in a plastic tote box, the kind with the snap on lid. Now they were moving and she wanted to take the dog to the new place.

I was glad this request was left on my phone machine so I had some time to think about it before I had to answer. My first thought was, “no way.” Then I started to think about it. I was glad my customer had thought of me. She knew that a handyman does a wide variety of jobs and she had one that needed to be done.

I started to take the job apart. A hole would need to be dug that was much larger than the tote box. Then I started thinking what would be in the hole. Did the box have drainage holes? Would there be a smell? Whose vehicle would it go in for the trip across town?

I had my answer; I was not suited for this job. I gave her a call, grateful to get her answering machine. I thanked her for offering me the job but explained that I would have to pass on it. I tried to be very sensitive, knowing the emotions involved.

Many times, I have customers who are hesitant to ask me to do certain jobs. It may seem too small, strange, or complicated to them. Recently I was able to fix a furnace cover that kept falling off, light a gas fireplace, repair the legs on an old dresser and screen a kitchen vent to keep squirrels out. All of these were jobs where the customer needed something done but didn’t know who to ask. The only bad question is the one left unasked. It’s always a pleasure to see the customers sense of relief when I am able to take care of a job that nagged at them for so long.

How can I be of service to you? I’m never too busy to help you out.

Philip

A Handyman and Knowledge of Limitations

2009-02-05T15:16:00.000-07:00

One of the things that make a handyman good or bad is whether they have a knowledge of limitations. Not everyone can do everything yet some try. I think there are a few reasons why this happens. Sometimes it is pride, “I can do anything.” Sometimes a person isn’t smart enough to know they aren’t smart enough and sometimes a person needs the work so, “fools rush in where angels fear to tread.”

I have been a professional handyman since 1984. During that time, I have had many opportunities to turn down jobs. Sometimes I know that I can’t do a certain repair and another tradesman needs to be called. Appliance repair is an example of something I usually don’t do.

Another reason I turn down a job is if the outcome isn’t certain. An example would be a plumbing repair where disturbing the pipes may lead to a leak that would require a plumber to fix. Some handymen would push forward and if disaster occurs they leave the homeowner without water while trying to find a plumber who can make an emergency visit. On a job like that, I would tell the homeowner of my concerns and recommend that they hire a plumber so that the job can be completed with minimal disruption to their home.

Recently I began working for a customer who had a previous “handyman” replace some switches and outlets in her home. He did okay on some of them but then one light switch was in a box with a junction of wires. For reasons imponderable to mere mortals he ended up pulling all the wires apart and then couldn’t get them back together properly. The result was that the homeowner had a series of lights and outlets that no longer worked. The man left saying he was going to come back but that was the last she heard of him. She hired me for a list of jobs and asked about the “light switch problem.” Over the phone I told her that it may or may not be something I could repair. When I arrived at her home, it became clear that the best solution was to call an electrician as some serious diagnostic work needed to be done by someone who could recognize how all of the wires should be connected. This is a sad example of someone being in over his head even though the job started out simple.

I have customers who have commended me because I’m not afraid to say I don’t or can’t do particular job. They know that my first concern is for their interests and not my own. They rest in the comfort of knowing that the work I do will be done right and at a fair price.

There is an old saying, “Jack of all trades, master of none.” I would add, “incompetent at some.” The lesson is to know what you can and can’t do.

I once had a regular customer who told me of her husband’s experience replacing a light bulb. As a lawyer, he was highly skilled and successful in what he did. On this occasion, he met a light fixture with a problem socket. After much trouble he finally said, “Why don’t you just call Philip.” I commend him for realizing his limitation. That’s the mark of a smart man.

Maybe next time I will tell you about the dog in the backyard. I promise it will be a story unlike any you have heard.

Philip

What is a Handyman?

2009-01-12T21:19:00.000-07:00

"A jack of all trades; a master of none." That's one definition. My dictionary says: "One who does odd jobs." That's even better because I have done some very odd jobs! Okay, I know it doesn't mean that kind of odd.

So, what is a handyman? Maybe we should first think of who is a handyman. There are some people, who finding themselves without work, decide to be a handyman. Others, needing some extra income, decide to moonlight as a handyman.

Then there is the professional. This is the individual who has chosen the vocation. It is similar to someone who becomes a plumber or an electrician.

So what are the marks of this vocation?

I think the first requirement is a natural inclination to understand how things work.
Second, is common sense.
Third, is a willingness to study how things operate and how to repair them.
Fourth, is the acquisition of the tools and supplies necessary to do a wide variety of jobs.
Fifth, and most important, is knowledge of your limitations.

A lack of knowledge of one's limits is what has given handymen a bad name. I hear many stories from my customers of their experience from a self-proclaimed handyman. They were anything but handy! In many instances, problems were made worse. The lack of tools, basic equipment and supplies is a big complaint also. Can you imagine someone coming to your home to work and asking if you have a hammer?

As a professional handyman I take my trade very seriously. I am constantly learning more, adding to my tools and supplies and am always aware of my limitations.

There are a multitude of things that I do very well and that saves you money. Have you ever been frustrated because you had to call the plumber for one small job, the electrician for another, a carpenter for a third and after paying premium rates you are still left with a list of things that need to be done?

Calling a professional handyman is like one-stop shopping. Your list of needed repairs becomes a thing of the past and you can finally relax. Let me help you cross those things off your list.

Of course, there are times that you will need to call another specialized service person, but less frequently and the difference will translate into a major savings to you.

I hope you now better understand what I do and how I can be of service to you. I look forward to your call.

Sincerely,

Philip