raleigh: Did you know you're an expert at measuring?
- 11/29/16 12:59 PM
Did you know that you are an expert at measuring? No really, you are! I guarantee it. Now before you dismiss me as a snake oil seller, here me out. When you walk up steps, have you unexpectedly tripped on a step? Or have you been to an old stadium, and there's that ONE step that almost everyone trips on? Do you know why? Because you're an expert at measuring! At least in how high you have to lift your feet on steps. When you go up a set up steps, your brain gets feedback from your legs, and it knows how high to … (8 comments)
raleigh: How to demo a deck in no time
- 09/10/12 03:36 AM
We recently had to remove a deck that was built by others, and wasn't built to commercial code (yes, there are MANY differences between residential and commercial code). Our first preference was to bring it up to commercial code, but we figured out that wasn't doable with some major steps having been missed. So having spent so much time on investigating the issues, we thought we'd just get the deck down as quickly as possible. Mission accomplished.
… (8 comments)
raleigh: Full Time or Part Time Carpenter/Handyman Assistant Needed
- 09/10/12 01:57 AM
Wrenn Home Improvements in Wake Forest, NC (with work in Wake Forest & Raleigh area) is seeking a full time or part time Handyman Assistant to work under the supervision of a Crew Leader. Positions for both full time or part time are for immediate employment with long term potential and advancement. Some construction and carpentry experience is required, but on-the-job training will be provided. Applicant must be able to work from ladders, do heavy lifting, and have the ability to communicate effectively with customers and represent the company well. Work day will be 7:00 am-3:30 pm with 1/2 hour … (3 comments)
raleigh: Pullen Park getting ready for Grand Re-opening Nov. 19th
- 09/20/11 04:44 PM
I have SO missed this park. I grew up going to Pullen Park, and can remember my dad taking me there and riding in the little boats on the turnstile and ringing the bell. According to WRAL.com, even a now Raleigh City Councilman, Russ Stephens, remembers those: "The boats would just go round and round and round," he said. "You got to steer, and there was a string to a big bell on the front of the boat, so you got to make a big racket."
And I remember riding the merry-go-round (one of the oldest in the US!). According … (3 comments)
Here's a lovely picture of some garage trim on a house in a really nice neighborhood in Wake Forest. The house is only 10 years old, and since the house is probably worth about $500,000 or so, it's got to be good, right? I mean, they construct houses that are that expensive differently than the $100,000 homes, right?
Wrong!
Look closely at the upper left corner on the top/horizontal board. Do you see that "wavy" looking area? You may not be able to from the photo, but trust me, it's there. That, my friends, is wood rot … (14 comments)
raleigh: You know you need to repair your house when...
- 01/21/11 03:28 AM
Ok, here you are. Wondering how to know if that funky looking piece of wood is really rotted. How to know if the large crack in the trim is really an indication of a repair. So how do you know? One way is to get an expert to tell you. There are way too many contractors out there that give FREE (yes, FREE! As in no cost to you!) estimates to leave a potential repair unchecked. If you're local in the Wake Forest/Raleigh area and have the nagging itch to know if something needs to be repaired, give me a call … (16 comments)
raleigh: My First EVER White Christmas (night) in NC
- 12/26/10 04:42 AM
It started snowing here yesterday evening, on Christmas. We'd been awaiting it all day and wondering if it would make it. It did, and before we went to bed we had a white Christmas. The first one I've been a part of here in Wake Forest, and the first in this area since 1947!! Here's what it looked like shortly before I headed off to bed.
We were forecast to get about 6 inches or so, and we did! Here are some more photos of my front and back yard, respectively.
Now for fun with the kids in … (2 comments)
raleigh: Don't hire a painter to do this
- 12/23/10 05:55 AM
Ok, I like painters, at least some of them. They make your house better looking and protect all that wood and cardboard, I mean hardboard siding. (Yes, I have it on my house, too.) They caulk things and make the gaps go away and keep water out of the house. And that's a VERY GOOD THING. But hiring your painter to replace some trim or siding...not usually a good idea. At least check in front of them (get references and call them specifically about REPAIRS they have done), and certainly check behind them! A customer called us recently and had a … (5 comments)
raleigh: Bathroom subfloor repair
- 12/15/10 01:50 AM
Little leaks are really big problems! A recent client (just outside of the Wake Forest/Raleigh, NC area) contacted us after they had an inspection done that found some water damage under the hall toilet. It was pretty bad! We pulled back the vinyl...
...and there was some damage! Both to the lauan and the subfloor. Yuck! We cut out the subfloor and installed some 2x blocking (not pictured) to keep all the new subfloor level with the existing.
We replaced the subfloor with new (yes, non-rotted!) 3/4" plywood and lauan, and then cut out the hole for … (5 comments)
raleigh: Contractors--Do you hire on price or on reputation?
- 08/02/10 03:42 PM
As a home improvement contractor, I bid lots of work. Some we get, some we don't. It's to be expected. But it always bothers me when sellers or selling agents are only concerned about the price of the repairs, and not concerned about the quality of the work in addition to price. If the sellers were buying this house, they'd want the best quality repairs done. But sometimes a seller often will consider only price while completely ignoring quality. Obviously prcie should be a concern, but price as the number one factor is usually not a good way to get the … (8 comments)
You can read about Wake Forest & Raleigh Home Improvements, Repairs, & Handyman Services that we've done, seen done wrong, and about other miscellaneous things I just enjoy!
Did you know that you are an expert at measuring? No really, you are! I guarantee it. Now before you dismiss me as a snake oil seller, here me out.
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