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- First Time Home Buyer - Find a real estate agent that is willing to pay you the next time you are looking for a home.
- Driver's License - You must make sure you change your address with your State's department of motor vehicles (DMV).
- Magazine Address Changes - We have collected some great information on how to change your address to keep getting the magazines you love at your new home.
- Name Change Checklist - If you have recently gotten married, divorced, or changed your name for any other reason, then this list of resources will help you make sure you notify organizations that need to know your new name.
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- Driver's License - You must make sure you change your address with your State's department of motor vehicles (DMV).
- USPS COA Site - You can pay a small fee to change your address here OR you can use our FREE service.
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- Call to Change Your Address - This is an FAQ entry on how to change your address over the telephone.
- USPS State Abbreviations - This is a real quick table for looking up State abbreviations.
10 Projects You Need a Handyman to Do For You
Inside all of us there is a great sense of accomplishment that comes from doing our own home repairs. It’s generally fun and always feels good to finish the project and realize that you are capable of far more than you give yourself credit for (or others give you credit for). However, there are some projects that you really need a handyman or certified professional to do for you. Not because you can’t necessarily do the work yourself (nice double negative), but that it generally isn’t a good idea for you to do it. Please keep in mind that this information is coming from someone that uses a handyman on a regular basis so there is some bias infused. It’s particularly a good idea to use a handyman for these if you have several small projects that need to get done. Without further ado, here are 10 projects you need a handyman to do for you:
- Installing a new shower/tub (including small plumbing repairs) – If you are looking to add a shower to an existing tub or even put up a shower in your basement, you can use a handyman to make sure the job gets done right. Any type of work that involves plumbing or electrical wiring are generally things that I recommend that only the most avid and skilled people attempt DIY. I have had a handyman build out multiple showers in the past and it was much less expensive than a traditional contractor in all cases (and the job was done right the first time, every time). Common DIY problems: broken water pipes, damage to the water pipes, drainage issues, etc.
- Adding electrical outlets to a room – As mentioned above, I am a big believer of not messing with electricity unless you really know what you are doing as you can easily overload a circuit if you aren’t careful which is dangerous on multiple levels. So it’s not just the possible risk of electrocution (which shouldn’t happen), but it’s also risk of fires and other problems down the road. I use a handyman over an electrician for these types of tasks because I generally have additional work for them to do at the same time. Common DIY problems: blown circuits, electrical fires, improper voltage for the intended use, etc.
- Built-in cabinet work – I also have used a handyman to build out multiple custom cabinets for me. In some cases just converting an open closet or cubby into a cabinet and in other cases building out a vanity in the bathroom or kitchen cabinet replacements/repairs. You would be surprised the good ideas that a skilled handyman can come up with to maximize storage space. Common DIY problems: cabinet doors don’t line up, cabinet breaks easily, cabinet cannot sustain the weight or is not anchored properly.
- Small roofing repairs – Working on the roof can be dangerous as it is relatively easy to fall especially if you have a steep incline. In addition, it’s really important to make sure you know how to properly apply the shingles in order to have a good seal and to protect your home from water damage and the elements in general. You can easily use a handyman service to fully re-shingle a roof as well. Common DIY problems: leaky roofs, injuries from trying to repair the roof, inability to re-shingle after an improper repair.
- Building a deck or repairing a deck – If you have bad steps on your desk or portions of the wood has rotted, then a handyman is perfect for making a safe repair to the deck (making sure that the deck will still be able to bear the load placed on it, etc.). Common DIY problems: collapsed decks due to improper load, posts not anchored deep enough, etc.
- Garage door repair or replacement – If you have ever tried to replace a garage door yourself you will almost immediately appreciate having a handyman do this task for you the next time. Especially in the case that you are both installing a door and a garage door opener. Common DIY Problems: garage door is not calibrated to stay open if something or someone is under it, garage opener fails to work, etc.
- Washer or Dryer installation – Installing a washer or dryer can be a very simple task if the proper hookups are already in place. If they are then you should definitely do it yourself. But if you have a gas dryer and want an electrical one or if for any other reason the hookups are wrong, then a handyman is a good idea. You also need to make sure the venting is adequate, not obstructed, and done properly. Common DIY Problems: wrong connections, improper venting (fire hazard), and damaging the washer/dryer due to improper connections.
- Sprinkler system repairs – This has a similar problem as doing any interior plumbing work (no surprise there). It’s really easy to have leaks in sprinkler systems and improper drainage if repairs are not done properly (in fact this is usually why they need to be repaired). We aren’t talking about changing sprinkler heads you can and should do that yourself. We are talking about a break in the PVC pipe or some other more significant issue. Common DIY Problems: no backflow preventer, leaks persist or get worse, etc.
- Gas line work (gas fireplaces, stove lines, other gas lines). This is a lot like electrical and plumbing work, it’s not something that the average DIY person should tackle. It’s really easy to end up with gas leaks that could be devastating and are just not worth the risk. Common DIY Problems: improper seals causing gas leaks, improper and unsafe connections, improper placement of gas lines, etc.
- Mold removal and cleaning services – If you have mold problems with drywall and/or even the exterior of your home you should have a handyman or other professional take care of the problem. One of the biggest reasons this is important is that mold can be dangerous and you also need to identify the source of the mold to take preventative measures. Common DIY Problems: improper handling of mold and repeat problems due to just covering up the mold.
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Change of Address: 10 Projects You Need a Handyman to Do For You…
I found your entry interesting do I’ve added a Trackback to it on my weblog
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11. Pretty much any project requiring a concrete delivery truck. I spent over a decade as a cement finisher, and you would not BELIEVE how difficult concrete work is. Not only is wet cement heavy, nearly a ton per cubic yard, it has to be done right the first time, and if you think it is expensive to use it once, try tearing it out, resetting forms, and doing it again. Sidewalks and such have to fall right or water may puddle, if the surface is not finished correctly water can get in and the freeze thaw cycle take over, if it is not to code the inspector will (not can, but WILL) require it to be torn out. If it begins to rain or snow, you need to know what to do.
I once watched a young foreman of a heavy equipment company which had destroyed a sidewalk try to rebuild it, over $30,000 of concrete had to be torn out and replaced because he thought he knew what he was doing. Once I was on a residential site, and watched 35 members of a church lose an entire nave floor of 100×200 feet. After they realized they were in trouble they came over and asked for advice, and our employer, a born-again Christian, had the five of us save their bacon. It wasn’t easy, but it was fun and satisfying, plus they paid us our individual fees (the boss took no money) and a $100 bonus each, and we were invited to the closing and got a standing ovation from the congregation, plus a nice feed but no booze. At the time concrete was about $60 a yard, and a yard will do 81 square feet, you can do the math.
In regards to #2, “Adding electrical outlets to a room”…
I’m pretty sure the handyman needs to be a licensed electrician to make changes to a house’s electrical system. This makes sense, as it can easily cause a fire down the road if the contractor doesn’t do it according to code.
does Handyman Matters have licensed contractors?
interesting indeed. thanks for sharing this insights, can be very useful in clientele explanation and information resource option. well, licensed and insured is what you must be aware and alert for before hiring their service.