Aaron Abott

HandyPro Handyman Services will send a Professional, Honest handyman to Provide the home improvement and repair services you need including:

• Home Inspections - With an itemized list of recommendations
• Foreclosure Repairs - Repairs to the home that sat empty with utilities off
• Board-ups - Secure recently foreclosed or fire damaged property
• Insurance Repairs - Repairs after fire damage, flood damage, or vandalism

Our list of services includes over 1600 categories including:

• Carpentry, Plaster, Drywall, Acoustic Ceilings, Interior Paint
• Home Warranty/Maintenance
• Interior Doors, Trim, Molding, Cabinets, Shelves, Bi-fold closet doors
• Bathroom Repairs: Install Tub & Shower, Fix Leaky Faucets & running toilets, Bathroom exhaust fans
• Kitchen Remodeling: Cabinets, Counter Tops, Sinks, Plumbing, Vinyl Flooring, Ceramic Tile
• Security: Replace locks, exterior doors, dead bolts, outside lighting
• Outside: Siding, Windows, Gutters, Garage Door, Exterior Paint

We do complete remodeling or handle your miscellaneous "to-do" list of minor repairs including plumbing, electrical, carpentry, switches, light fixtures, squeaky doors, holes in walls, and much more....just ask!

Our Honest, Dependable Handyman is Licensed, Bonded, Insured and a Member of the Better Business Bureau, with no reported complaints in over 12 years of service

Our Customer-Friendly Handyman cares about your needs and concerns; he will leave your home as clean, or cleaner, than it was before any services were provided. He will listen carefully to what you want and guarantee 100% satisfactory results.

HandyPro®'s Customers Receive:

• Trust - Handyman with a Written Guarantee, Better Business Bureau and Insured. In business since 1996
• Time Savings - One hour arrival time Guaranteed. Handyman can complete work at time of free estimate.
• Convenience - One call does it all - Handyman is a Painting contractor, Carpentry expert, Gutters installer, Tile and Fixture repair and replace, etc.
• http://www.handypro.com

Handyman Service area: Dallas Texas, Carrollton, Richardson, Garland, Rowlett, Mesquite, Dallas, Irving, Grand Prairie, Duncanville, Desoto, Lancaster, Seagoville

Contact:

Aaron Abbott

Handy Pro Handyman Services

1219 Abrams Rd; Ste. 119

Richardson, TX 75081

Phone: 800-942-6394

Email: handytx@handypro.com

There are many types of glues and adhesives for a multitude of repairs, including wood glues, one-part and two-part epoxies, hot melt adhesives, contact cements and more. The wide variety of glues and adhesives serve the purpose of joining different types of material. Some projects require a quick, strong set where, with others, a slower setting time is optimal for repositioning and adjustments. Here, I will share tips on using other products as an adhesive.

Auto Body Filler

Believe it or not, auto body filler is a great for a variety of wood gluing and other repairs. It's an excellent wood filler and adhesive; it is waterproof, weatherproof, it sets up quickly, bonds well and can be routed or sanded cleanly. It's a great time saver because it can be applied, sanded and painted within an hour of application.

As auto body filler sets, it gradually gets firmer and much harder than the materials you are bonding, so be sure to check it often and sand it smooth before it becomes too hard, or you will never get it smooth and flush. It is easy to cut or use a planer during earlier stages of setting, but becomes unworkable once it is completely set. Of course it's no problem to use power tools like a drill or saw when it reaches full hardness.

Auto body filler sticks well to itself, so you can add more to your patch if you need another coat to fill imperfections from the first coat. You can also use other wood or wall patching materials to create a smooth surface. There are also thinner auto body products for the final coat.

Use wood chips when filling large holes to reduce the amount of filler needed. Use screws to strengthen the repair and keep the filler in place, making sure screw heads are at least 1/8" beneath the surface filler.

Minwax is a high performance wood filler that is almost identical to auto body filler, but it is a light brown wood tone. It comes in smaller quantities and cost more, but it is convenient for smaller projects. For larger jobs, you can save money by using auto body filler.

Household Caulk

In some cases household caulk, including silicone, latex and polyurethane can be used as a waterproof adhesive. They are flexible, allowing movement for adjusting clamps and repositioning materials to be fastened, yet still maintaining an excellent waterproof seal for tubs, showers, or windows.

Be sure to use enough for a waterproof seal; do not spread too thin. Unlike wood glue, caulk is not designed to be applied thin. Most caulk does not set hard and bond firm, so it is not appropriate for all projects. Some caulks are only intended to be used as caulks. Check the label; if it doesn't say "adhesive caulk" it is most likely not to be used as an adhesive.

There is nothing wrong with being creative and innovative to save a trip to the store when you're already in the middle of a project, but use common sense and be careful. Many products are for single uses only and should not be substituted. Be sure to read labels and use caution when using any type of adhesive product. Some adhesives can be caustic when used with the wrong materials; others may emit harmful fumes and require proper ventilation or wearing a protective mask.

This article was written by Aaron Abbott of HandyPro Handyman Services. HandyPro specializes in home repairs and seasonal home maintenance projects. They can handle small repairs or do large remodeling jobs. Their pre-screened contractors are licensed and bonded, experienced and customer friendly. Always striving for 100% customer satisfaction, they do quality work and clean up when the job is complete. http://www.handypro.com services Dallas Texas, Carrollton, Richardson, Garland, Rowlett, Mesquite, Dallas, Irving, Grand Prairie, Duncanville, Desoto, Lancaster, Seagoville and neighboring cities and communities.

Selling a home is very challenging today. The supply of homes for sale is way up and values are down, leaving a wide variety of homes for buyers to choose from. Homes that need little to no work are now selling for low enough prices that people don't need to bother with a fixer-upper to get a great deal. People looking to buy a home will look at many houses before they consider making an offer. If yours is very clean and in move-in condition, a buyer will be likely to remember that when they are ready to make an offer.

Even if you are not selling your home, life is so much better when there are no loose-ends, unfinished projects and things that need fixing. Here are some tips for sprucing up your home to make it more comfortable to live in and much easier to show and sell.

There are things that are very expensive to fix in relation to the return you get upon resale. For example, plumbing, heating and electrical items are things that most people take for granted, therefore, a buyer is not likely to pay an extra $20,000 for your home because you have repaired or replaced these items. If you are living in the home, chances are likely it is functional and these things are in good working order.

Cosmetic repairs are what offer the greatest return for your investment. Paint, carpet, light fixtures and cabinets are what the buyer sees. Updating these items gives your home a clean, well-cared for look. Caring for your home shows how you loved living there and you're confident that your buyer will love it as well.

You can do this yourself, but it would probably take months. Hire a handyman service to complete this in 10 days or less. Yes, it will cost a little more, but your home will be ready to list, show and sell more quickly. The way real estate values are dropping, you won't be saving anything by taking the extra time to do this work yourself. A handyman service will be less costly than a general contractor. There is no need for a general contractor if your home is functional and there are no structural defects. Like the general contractor, the handyman is qualified, licensed and bonded. He is also more likely to be customer friendly. He will listen to your concerns and clean up after himself, leaving you more satisfied with the job once is it completed. General contractors are better suited for new construction, or working in homes that are not occupied.

Start with paint, choosing a high quality paint that is durable and washable. The price difference is minimal compared to the quality of the finished job. Most of what you spend for the paint job is labor; you won't be saving anything by using cheap paint.

The same thing applies to carpet. Cheap carpet will wear quickly, especially in the traffic areas. If it takes 6 months to sell your home, cheap carpet will already start to show some wear. Using a good quality padding will help maintain the quality of the carpet.

Lighting is another great investment. Updated light fixtures add a nice touch to a home. Many new fixtures are also energy efficient, another plus in today's economy. Dimmer switches add a very nice touch. Rocker switches are much nicer than the old fashioned switches too. Older fixtures are heavy and cumbersome. Newer fixtures give a nice clean look and many are designed so that it is much easier to change light bulbs.

Kitchen cabinets can be refaced if they are not in too bad of shape. Sometimes just cleaning them up and replacing the handles will make a huge difference. The same applies to the bathroom vanity. Or, if your bathroom is very small, consider a nice pedestal type of sink, with no cabinet for a nice look. A large canvas shoe holder comes in handy for all the items that are usually kept under the sink. Simply hang it on the door for a unique, space saving place to keep your powders, lotions, hair dryer and all the other items that clutter up the cabinet.

Don't forget about the outside! Clean up the yard and flower beds, cut the grass, seal coat the deck and driveway and power wash the siding. Get rid of hornet nests, wash the windows, repair or replace the mailbox. First impressions say a lot. A well-maintained yard will make a person more interested in seeing the inside of your home than one that is overgrown and littered.

Cosmetic work and repairs are what the buyer sees first. If your home is cleaned up on the outside, and has fresh paint and carpet and a few updates inside, it will give the appearance that you have loved living in your home and the new buyers will love it as well. Otherwise, you give the impression that you are tired and overwhelmed with a home that is difficult to maintain. In today's market, you may not be able to ask a whole lot more for your home by doing this work, but you will give a buyer less room for negotiating your price down.

This article was written by Aaron Abbott of HandyPro Handyman Services. HandyPro offers a home seller program, where they do the cosmetic repairs and you don't pay until you sell your home. Their pre-screened contractors are licensed and bonded, and customer friendly. They guarantee customer satisfaction with quality work and they clean up when the job is complete. http://www.handypro.com services Dallas Texas, Carrollton, Richardson, Garland, Rowlett, Mesquite, Dallas, Irving, Grand Prairie, Duncanville, Desoto, Lancaster, Seagoville and neighboring cities and communities.

Reduce Your Maintenance Expenses

Ease Your Maintenance and Building Improvement Issues

Extend the Life of Your Property Asset

With our current clients such as Starbucks, T-Mobile and McDonalds HandyPro can help you too!

With over 10 years experience, HandyPro Facility Services is an affordable, full service repair and improvement company for building owners and managers. If you're frustrated with your search to find quality contractors for the smallest repair or the largest improvement for your building, Handypro can provide a solution.

• Handyman and Maintenance Service
• Roofing
• Plumbing
• Electrical
• Carpet
• Paint
• ...and many more, just ask

Offering cost effective services to maintain or enhance your asset.

If you have a building maintenance need and would like more information or a free quote, contact us now. http://www.handypro.com

Handyman Service area: Dallas Texas, Carrollton, Richardson, Garland, Rowlett, Mesquite, Dallas, Irving, Grand Prairie, Duncanville, Desoto, Lancaster, Seagoville

Contact:

Aaron Abbott

Handy Pro Handyman Services

1219 Abrams Rd; Ste. 119

Richardson, TX 75081

Phone: 800-942-6394

Email: handytx@handypro.com

Everyone wishes they had more cabinet space. Cabinets improve the functionality and add style to your kitchen, bathroom, utility room, basement and garage. Installing cabinets isn't as tough as you might think, so gather your tools, seek the help of an assistant and make a place to hide the unsightly clutter.

Ready-made cabinets are easier for the handyman to install and less costly than you think. They come in a wide variety of styles to suit your storage needs. Maybe you're thinking of remodeling your kitchen. If so, you can always re-install your kitchen cabinets in the basement or garage to improve organization.

You will want to start with some planning and measuring before you go shopping for your cabinets. Draw your plan on graph paper or use the computer-aided design programs available at many home centers and cabinet supply stores.

Ready made cabinets come in a wide variety of styles and features. Base units are typically 34-1/2 inches tall and wall units are available in heights of 15, 18, 25, 30, and 42 inches; and widths ranging from 9 inches to 48 inches, in 3 inch increments. Filler strips can be trimmed to accommodate any spaces if you are working on a space that is not a perfect multiple of 3 inches.

Think about your storage needs and picture what you want your finished project to look like. Would a bank of drawers be easier to access, or do you prefer shelves? Think about the size of the items to be stored and place the shelves accordingly. Most cabinets are made so you can adjust the shelves depending on the height of the items to be stored.

You will need a 6 or 8 foot level for best results, a stud finder, a drill, a soft rubber mallet, some clamps, measuring tape, pencil to mark plumb lines and some basic hand tools. A small pry bar will be helpful in removing the old cabinets, especially if you plan to re-install them in the basement or garage. Use a hole saw for cutting holes for water supply lines if you're installing a sink cabinet.

Carefully remove the old cabinets, to prevent damage to them or the walls. Once you have the room ready for installing the new cabinets, set them out to inventory what you have and plan were they will be placed.

The job can be a little bit complicated if you need to disconnect plumbing or utility hook-ups, or relocate a sink. Typically, in a kitchen, the sink is centered under a window with cabinets on both sides, making this a good starting point. If you're installing a corner cabinet, some contractors will make this their starting point. Even the professional handyman will say there is more than one correct approach to this type of project.

Starting with the higher, wall cabinets is a good idea, so you're not reaching over the lower cabinets to work. This also reduces the risk of damaging the newly installed cabinets. Work with an assistant to make the job easier. Attach a temporary ledger board to rest the back of the cabinet on and use T-Jaks to level the cabinet. The ledger board only levels the back of the cabinet. If you're working alone, you will need to use a Gillift by Telpro, available at equipment rental stores, which enables one person to maneuver, lift and support a cabinet for fastening.

You might choose to begin with the base cabinets and use them to support a shorter jack for hoisting the wall cabinets. Be sure to protect the base units with a heavy blanket or padding to prevent damage to them. Remove doors and drawers to reduce the weight of the cabinets for easier maneuverability.

Before mounting cabinets, join two or more sections together. Lay wall units on their backs on a level surface and drive screws through the face frames. Be sure the surface is level, or use shims as you join the units to be sure the ends and faces are flush with each other. Use clamps to hold them firmly; adjust as needed by tapping with a soft mallet. Keep checking the alignment as you drive screws. Drive the screws into the stile on the hinge side of the cabinet where they will be less visible. Make sure the screws are the right length, as long as possible, but at least ¼ inch short of going through the stile when countersunk.

To mount the cabinets to the wall, start by supporting them with T-Jaks. Tack the unit to the wall with one screw, then make adjustments as necessary to be sure they are level; if necessary, add shims to the back of the cabinet where you will be attaching it to the wall. For cabinets with glass doors, place the screws strategically so they are less visible. Use flathead wood screws rather than drywall screws for best results.

Every handyman knows that houses settle over time; floors and walls are rarely plumb and level, so expect to add shims to compensate for these imperfections. Level base cabinets from side-to-side and front-to back, inserting shims where necessary. Be sure to adequately support spaces under joints where two units come together. Make sure corners are square and tops and fronts of all units are flush and level to support the countertop. Use a utility knife to score and snap off the excess shims after attaching the cabinets to the wall.

Sink cabinets are a lot of fun for the handyman. Be sure to accurately measure and cut openings in the cabinets for the water supply lines. Mark the holes by making very careful measurements. A good handyman says "measure twice, cut once" to avoid error. Start by drilling a pilot hole in the center of each circle, then use a hole saw to avoid splintering. For the drainpipe, cut out an oval opening from the outside of the cabinet, so you can slide the unit in place over the two water supply lines.

Finish the job by using pre-finished toe-kick boards which are sold in 8-ft lengths or use ¼ inch plywood, cut to size and finished to match the cabinets. Attach the toe-kicks with silicone adhesive caulk and secure with finish nails. Miter the corners and touch up the ends with stain to match the finish.

There are a variety of techniques a handyman will use to hide gaps and imperfections. I've heard a handyman say "a little bit of caulk and paint makes the carpenter what he aint!" Use Minwax Color Putty on joints between components and in nail holes for a nice finished look. Simply rub the putty in with your finger and buff the area with a soft cloth. Use paintable caulk where the cabinet meets the wall, or apply a strip of scribe molding along the edge. Adding a crown molding will enhance the cabinets for a quality look. A continuous crown adds style and makes several units look like a single unit.

Careful planning and proper preparation when purchasing and installing your cabinets will ensure a great looking room for years to come. Take your time and don't cut corners and your cabinets will provide beauty and organization for your home, not to mention future re-sale value.

This article was written by Aaron Abbott of HandyPro Handyman services. HandyPro specializes in minor home repairs and remodeling, including carpentry, cabinets, trim and molding. Aaron can also take care of your to-do list, handling several small repairs and seasonal maintenance jobs that a general contractor would have no interest in taking on. Their pre-screened contractors are licensed and bonded, experienced and customer friendly. Always striving for 100% customer satisfaction they do quality work and clean up when the job is complete. http://www.handypro.com services Dallas Texas, Carrollton, Richardson, Garland, Rowlett, Mesquite, Dallas, Irving, Grand Prairie, Duncanville, Desoto, Lancaster, Seagoville and neighboring cities and communities.

Handyman Services, Commercial Maintenance, Home Seller Program, Home Inspections, Foreclosure Repairs, Board-ups, Kitchen Remodeling, Home Improvement, Minor Repairs and more.