Collin Dickey

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: Hennepin County, Minneapolis, Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, Roseville, Osseo, St. Louis Park, Richfield, Brooklyn Center, Deephaven, Crystal Bay, New Hope, Chaska, Hamel, Long Lake, Greenwood, West St. Paul, and neighboring cities and communities.

Contact:

Collin Dickey, President

HandyPro Professional Handyman Service

Phone: 612-823-8128

Email: cdickey@handypro.com

Home repairs and remodeling projects can be very expensive. In today's declining market people are concerned about getting a return on their investment. Some realtors advise homeowners to sell their home as-is and list it at a competitive price for a quick sale. Others are saying it is still better to do some cosmetic repairs and clean up to leave less room for negotiating your asking price down. Many people will buy a fixer-upper to decorate according to their personal taste, but there still people who would much prefer a great deal on a turn-key home.

Even in today's economy, there are still several good reasons to remodel your home. If the children have moved out and you're retiring soon, you will be home more. Retirement is a big change for some. While you're adjusting to a life with a lot of time on your hands, remodeling the home to brighten up your living space can be a very rewarding project. On the other hand, if downsizing is the plan, you will want to do some home improvement projects that will be the most profitable for selling your home.

Whatever the motivation for improvements are, you need to decide how much you can afford to have done and how much of the work you are able to do yourself. Make a list of things that absolutely have to be done to make your home functional, including plumbing, electrical and heating. Add to the list the cosmetic repairs that you would like to have done and some items that fit into your "dream" category, like a jet tub or glass block shower enclosure. Shop around, get estimates and decide what works with your budget and individual needs.

Statistics show that certain upgrades provide the best return for your money. Fortunately, the upgrades at the top of the list are the most affordable and the easiest to do. They include cleaning, painting and removing clutter by creating home storage and organization. Next on the list are premium projects that usually require the help of a handyman service, including kitchen and bathroom remodeling.

You will be surprised at the improvement a good cleaning will make. Not just soap and water, but a real cleaning with heavy-duty products specifically designed for surfaces like tile, porcelain, stainless steel, wood, siding, decks and windows to get rid of mold, mildew, rust stains and more. Visit the hardware or home improvement store, read labels and be sure to test all cleaners in an inconspicuous place first to avoid possible damage.

Removing clutter does wonders, creating space and giving the appearance of a larger home. Get rid of the items you really don't need. Throw them out, donate them to charity, recycle them or have a yard sale. For the things you just cannot part with, buy some easy to assemble shelving and cabinets or decorative containers.

Clean up the yard; remove dead trees and shrubs, broken patio stones and faded yard ornaments. Sealcoat the driveway and deck, repair or replace the old mail box, replace the old rusted porch light and the scratched up, dented storm doors, wash windows and clean the siding.

Fresh paint and new carpet are also great improvements that are affordable. Use quality paint and don't be cheap with carpet and padding. You get what you pay for and the job is labor intensive. You don't want to do all this work just to have it fade or show wear after 6 months.

Next on the list is the kitchen and bathroom. These are the most expensive and may require the help of a handyman service, but there are affordable improvements you can do yourself if complete replacement is out of the question. If you cannot replace the kitchen cabinets, just replace the doors. Adding a decorative molding, painting and replacing the hinges and handles will also make a difference. If you cannot justify the cost of a new countertop, at least replace the outdated sink and faucet. New or reconditioned appliances will be a nice improvement over the old, ugly gold or avocado ones that were fashionable back in the day.

Bathroom remodeling is next on the list of improvements. A new sink, tub, toilet and shower stall, ceramic tiles and new cabinets are a nice change. If all of this doesn't fit your budget, replace the corroded old taps, faucets and showerhead. Re-glaze the sink and tub. Clean, paint and redecorate the cabinets. Remove the bubbling wallpaper, replace the window treatments and buy new rugs.

Whether you're selling your home or making it more comfortable for your retirement years, the rewards and profits are well worth the time, energy and cost you invest in cleaning up and remodeling. Increase the long-term value of your home by making the necessary improvements.

This article was written by Collin Dickey, owner of HandyPro Handyman Services in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 Hennepin County, Minneapolis, Wayzata, Mound, Maple Plain, Rogers, Bloomington, Plymouth, Brooklyn Park, Chanhassen, Excelsior, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Orono, Shorewood, and neighboring cities and communities.

Plexiglas is a brand name for acrylic plastic, a shatterproof glass replacement material with many uses, including skylights, fish tanks, picture frames and more. Acrylic plastic is impact resistant and only half the weight of glass. It can also withstand a temperature range of -30 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit. It cleans up easily with mild soap with lukewarm water and a soft cloth. Unlike glass, it is not wise to use window cleaners, scouring pads or abrasives for cleaning acrylic plastic.

Working with Acrylic Plastic:

Acrylic plastic generally comes with a paper masking film on the sheet to protect it from scratches or other damage when working with it. This film should not be removed until your project is finished. Use metal cutting saw blades and drills which are ground for acrylic sheet and be sure all tools are very sharp for best results. Use water or drilling oil as a coolant when cutting or drilling. Do not use saw blades with wide-set, irregular teeth; saw teeth should be of uniform height and shape.

Cutting Acrylic Plastic:

Acrylic plastic is available in different thicknesses for different uses. There are several methods and types of cutting tools that are acceptable for cutting acrylic plastic.

Knife or Scriber: Acrylic sheets up to 3/16" thick may be cut with a utility knife, scribing knife or an awl. Using a straight edge, firmly held in place, draw the scriber several times to score the sheet. Clamp it or hold it very tight along the edge of a table or workbench; apply downward pressure to snap the sheet along the scribe line. Smooth the edges and sharp corners. This method is not recommended for long breaks or thick material.

Power Saws: Special blades are available for cutting acrylic, but you may also use blades designed for aluminum or copper. These blades will have very fine teeth of the same height and evenly spaced, with little or no set.

Table saws: Use hollow ground high speed blades with no set and at least 5 teeth per inch. Carbide tips will give the smoothest cuts and reduce edge chipping.

Circular saw: Clamp the sheet to the work surface and use a strip of wood to act as a fence to guide the saw. Feed the work slowly and smoothly, lubricating the blade with soap or beeswax to minimize gumming from the masking adhesive. Be sure the saw is up to full speed before beginning the cut.

Hand Saws: It is very difficult to get good results with hand saws. Be sure the acrylic is clamped to prevent flexing which may cause cracking.

Routers and shapers: Use single fluted bits for inside circle routing and double fluted bits for edge routing.

Drilling: Use only drill bits specifically designed for use with acrylic.

Finishing Touches:

Filing and Sanding: Smooth the cut edges by scraping. File the edges to remove tool marks, filing only in one direction. Keep the teeth flat on the surface and allow the file to slide at an angle. For sanding, start with 120 grit sandpaper (dry), then use 220 grit sandpaper (dry). Finish with a 400 - 600 grit wet/dry paper, used wet. For best results, use a wooden or rubber sanding block. Remove scratches by sanding in a circular motion, using a light touch and plenty of water with wet/dry papers. If you're using a power sander, use light pressure and slower speeds.

Polishing: A final polishing will give the acrylic a luster. Power-driven buffing tools are recommended. A good buffing wheel for acrylic consists of layers of 3/16" carbonized felt or unbleached muslin. The wheel should reach a surface speed of 1200 - 4000 feet per minute.

A commercial buffing compound for silver or brass is the best for polishing acrylic. You may also use a non-silicone car polish with no cleaning solvents in it. Apply tallow to the buffing wheel first to form a base, and then quickly apply the buffing compound.

Polish by moving the acrylic back and forth along the buffing wheel. Do not apply too much pressure and keep the work moving to prevent heat build-up.

Forming and Shaping:

Acrylic can be heated to make it pliable for forming. A strip heater is the best tool for forming acrylic, but it will only form straight line bends. Start by heating the sheet until it begins to sag at the bend line, bending away from the side exposed to the heating element. Sheets thicker than 3/16" should be heated on both sides for a proper bend.

Joining:

Two techniques for joining acrylic with solvent cement are capillary and dip or soak methods. Capillary cementing is the most popular method. Make sure the parts fit properly, joining them with masking tape or clamps to hold firmly in place. Apply the cement from the inside of a box-corner joint and on both sides of a flat joint with a needle-nosed applicator bottle. The cement is very thin and it will flow into the joint through capillary action and form a strong bond in 24 to 48 hours. Soak or dip cementing is recommended for thick joints.

Viscous cements are used for joints that cannot be cemented with capillary or soak methods, either because they are hard to reach or the parts don't fit properly. Viscous cement is thick and will fill small gaps, making a strong, transparent bond where solvents can't. Apply a bead of cement to one side of the joint, then tape or clamp together until set.

Acrylic plastic has many uses, including storm door window replacement, children's bedroom windows if they are low to the floor. It is break resistant for safety and it is economical. The fact that is it light-weight also makes it great for large picture frames. Acrylic plastic is a great glass substitute that the homeowner or artist will find many uses for.

This article was written by Collin Dickey, owner of HandyPro Handyman Services in Minneapolis, Minnesota. HandyPro specializes in home repairs and seasonal home maintenance projects. They can handle small repairs or do large remodeling jobs. Our pre-screened contractors are licensed and bonded, experienced and customer friendly. We strive for 100% customer satisfaction in doing quality work and cleaning up when the job is complete. http://www.handypro.com services Hennepin County, Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, Roseville, Osseo, St. Louis Park, Richfield, Brooklyn Center, Deephaven, Crystal Bay, New Hope, Chaska, Hamel, Long Lake, Greenwood, West St. Paul, 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

Service area: Hennepin County, Minneapolis, Coon Rapids, St. Anthony Village, West St. Paul, Highland Park, Eagan, Lakeville, Otsego, Monticello, Medina, Corcoran, Dayton, Falcon Heights and neighboring cities and communities.

Contact:

Collin Dickey, President

HandyPro Professional Handyman Service

4805 Colfax Ave. S.

Minneapolis, MN 55419

Phone: 612-823-8128

Email: cdickey@handypro.com

When preparing walls to be painted or wallpapered, you might find it necessary to patch some holes. A good handyman knows the importance of using the right product on the right surface. If the walls to be repaired are plaster, then the old-time spackle is fine to use on minor holes. Painting Contractors prefer to use a softer, lighter weight product is better to use on drywall such as Durabond.

It is best to use a new container of spackle or drywall mud, but most people try to be conservative with products they pay for. Maybe you have some left over from the last time you patched some holes. Most likely, this was some time ago and you will find that the spackle has dried and thickened. The professional handyman knows to just throw this out, but the average homeowner will want to try to rejuvenate this product by adding water or mixing in some new spackling. This will be like adding sand to the new product. The product will be less effective; it will lose strength and smoothing ability. It will come off the trowel lumpy and be difficult to smooth out.

The old-time spackle isn't as workable as newer, lighter weight products that are available today. It doesn't smooth easily and it dries very hard. This is OK on plaster walls, but on paper-covered drywall, one is likely to tear the paper as they try to smooth the spackle. A newer age, lightweight spackle is a more workable product that dries quickly and can be painted within 30 minutes. Very small nail holes that you run across while painting can be filled and painted immediately.

In addition to patching holes, the rest of the surface must also be prepared. Before painting on a surface previously painted with latex paint, use a deglosser or liquid sandpaper to remove the gloss and clean the surface. This will make the next coat of paint adhere more firmly to the surface with minimal, if any, sanding required. The tackiness will normally disappear within an hour. Oil-based paints should be lightly sanded or primed with a quality primer like Kilz, before applying a fresh coat of latex paint.

Your freshly painted or newly wall papered room will look great for years if the surface is properly prepared. The extra time and effort spent on preparing the surface is well worth it in the end. The paint goes on smooth, covers evenly and adheres to the surface, for a durable finish that looks great. The same applies to wallpaper. With these tips you will be proud to have a freshly painted or newly wallpapered room that looks like it was done by a professional handyman or a painting contractor.

This article was written by Collin Dickey of HandyPro Handyman Services. Handypro's painting contractors will properly prepare and freshly paint a room or home so it looks great for years. The handyman sent to do all jobs is licensed and bonded, experienced and customer friendly. Our handyman will provide 100% customer satisfaction in doing quality work and cleaning up when the job is complete. http://www.handypro.com services Hennepin County, Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, Roseville, Osseo, St. Louis Park, Richfield, Brooklyn Center, Deephaven, Crystal Bay, New Hope, Chaska, Hamel, Long Lake, Greenwood, West St. Paul, and neighboring cities and communities.

Handyman, Commercial Maintenance, Home Seller Program, Home Inspections, Foreclosure Repairs, Board-ups, Home Repairs, Bathroom Remodeling, Kitchen Remodeling, Carpentry and more!