I get asked to help out on home improvement projects in the Sacramento area. Sometimes it is to act as a general contractor, other times it is just to do a couple of trades in which the homeowner is acting as the contractor. If this is something that the owner can do, it can save some time and money. Many get into trouble by not knowing what is involved and think that bypassing the contractor will be simple. There are many things that a good contractor will bring to the home improvement … (19 comments)
As a long time General Contractor in California there a some questions that seem to come up a lot. Many of the questions happen when I first come to give a free estimate for home improvements in Sacramento. The questions can be vary and the answers will depend on their situation.
A common question is, Can we add an outlet in this wall?
This may be a simple question but more will need to be known to give the correct answer. If it is just a matter of adding an outlet that requires … (13 comments)
Wood decking can add value and enjoyment to your backyard experience. Maintaining it can extend the life of the wood decking and even hold off the rotting and decay of the wood members. Despite our efforts, wood will one day rot and show itself. If your deck is in need of repair, contact a Placerville local general contractor for help in repairing or replacing your wood deck.
As a general contractor who has been working at removing dry rot and water damaged wood for several decades, I have seen more than my share of rotted wood in the Sacramento area. When looking for dry rot there are some common areas that this can occur. Areas of moisture, lack of circulation of air, and dark areas can all be great sources of wood rot in need of repair. These places can also be difficult to get to and check on a regular basis, so you may not be able to see the problem. In … (10 comments)
Every once in a while I come across something that just doesnt look right – something is missing! As a general rule, homes should not have openings into confined spaces. This sort of opening invites many birds, rodents and guests to use that spot to eat, nest, rest and usually create problems for the homeowner. If it looks like a piece is missing, get it covered up soon.
Many things can happen to a building after 30 years of standing. Some things are pretty obvious for all to see; things like peeling paint, water damaged siding, and rusty gutters. There is a list of things that we may not be able to see because of it's location. I walked into an apartment yesterday and noticed that there was a definite slope in the floor as I walked toward the kitchen. I was not noticeable to the eye because the floor was covered with carpeting but it sure didn't feel right. So we … (15 comments)
Many of the apartment communities build in the last 30 years in the Sacramento Region have a layer of lightweight concrete over the sub-flooring on the second story. This concrete usually will provide a solid surface to will last a very long time.
In some cases there may be movement in the framing below the concrete, this can lead to cracking. Since the concrete is covered with flooring material, this is not always detected early. We have noticed that the flooring will have a “bounce” to it, this movement should be followed … (4 comments)
I recently posted about a deck that had signs of movement and cracking in Sacramento. The cracks were in the stucco covering the wood support beam and need to be looked at. Upon opening the area of the beam support, we could see that the wood beam was rotted and needed to be replaced. So how do you remove a wood beam to is holding up a very heavy upstairs deck? Very carefully! It is important that there is enough support to hold the existing deck in place while removing … (10 comments)
As a general contractor in the Sacramento area for nearly three decades, repairing real estate for home owners and management companies, I do not make money giving estimates. The estimates are free to you, but require time and effort on my part. Before asking for a free estimate maybe you should treat it as though you were paying for it. Now it is true that giving estimates will often times be necessary in order to get a repair project in Sacramento, it’s good to know what the job will cost before … (25 comments)
There was a scheduled move-in yesterday that got flooded the night before. The tenants have traveled across several states to get to Sacramento to move in this weekend. They were given the bad news and made arrangement to stay with some relative in the area. But now what? There were other units available but the really wanted this premium location, so the water damage needs to be corrected right away and get them in ASAP. The management company contact their contractor with the same information, and is yet … (12 comments)
A slow drain leak inside the walls can do a lot of damage of the years before it is detected. The clean up of this mess can take some time. Slow plumbing leaks inside the walls and ceilings can be quite messy, you should consider getting it done by a water damage repair professional. This project was done in the Sacramento, CA area. This photo was taken after the water damaged materials were removed and thoroughly air dried. It doesn't look like much … (72 comments)
Those that work around the kitchen sink get a better understanding of how some of the features in the kitchen works. As a contractor in Sacramento, remodeling kitchens, adding appliances, and repairing homes; I get to see some things that I take for granted. When asked a question, I am reminded that not all that I do is really understood by the client. I had a homeowner ask me what does the dishwasher air gap do when it is working correctly. I never really thought about it but I know now what … (14 comments)
Remodel Contractor Can Bring Design Changes to Your Older Home in Sacramento
I got a chance to look at a home remodel in the Land Park Area of Sacramento. The home was built back in the 60’s and still had many of the fixtures, appliances, and furniture; it was definitely a step back into a slightly different way doing things. Check out this power outlet installed right in the counter backsplash, and this was before the required GFCI outlets that we have today!
I was asked to come look at a home remodel that was just purchased in the Pocket area of Sacramento. I'm excited for a couple of reasons. As a general contractor in Sacramento it is always nice to be able to bring all of my experience into a large project. I do a variety of jobs every day, but bringing it all to the same project is best. The new owners are already thinking that most of the interior needs to be renovated. At the top of the list in this Pocket Area … (8 comments)
The higher the deck is off the ground, the more lateral support it is going to need. This lateral support is used to prevent the deck from sliding from side to side. It may be minor at first but it will get worse. If these support are installed and they no longer touch, the deck will sway. This deck had several of these angled boards that no longer were in contact. You can see the gap in between, it was repeated … (6 comments)
There is a variety of methods for securing deck boards to the joists. Nails were the most common for the longest time; it was easy to do you just needed nails and a hammer. But over time the nails would begin to work their way out and needed to be corrected. Deck builders saw the value in using screws to hold the deck boards in place much more securely. This requires some additional tools but in the long run worth the effort. Recently the deck screws have become even more … (13 comments)
One of the benefits of working in apartment communities in the Sacramento area is that I have been around for quite a while. I often remember things that others did not even know. Properties go through managers, maintenance staff and residents regularly but I have been around for decades.
There are several occasions where I have insight into things that can help in making decisions about improvements to the buildings. One such incident just happened today. I had a feeling that something was taken away some 15 years ago. … (10 comments)
New counters installed in apartments can be a part of the regular maintenance of the property or a part of a renovation project. Either way it is important to find a contractor who can both install the cabinets and be able to work in an apartment environment. Along with the installation, there are other trades that may be involved. Electrical, cabinetry, and plumbing may need to be moved or altered in some way. It is good to have a contractor with an understanding of all trades when installing … (4 comments)
As a general contractor specializing in dry rot and water damage in Sacramento, we get to see all sorts of water related damage. Many of our clients are selling or buying a home and need to satisfy a pest report before the close of escrow. This usually involves doing the Section 1 items on the report. We get a lot of referrals from real estate agents who know that we can probably save their client some money by having us do the work and then … (4 comments)
Sacramento, Folsom, El Dorado Hills, Placerville, Rescue, Shingle Springs, Cameron Park El Dorado County, Sacramento County, Placer County Dry Rot Repair, Water Damage Repair, Decks, Bathroom and Kitchen Remodel … (8 comments)
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