St Louis Handyman

Warning Signs of an Unethical Contractor!

For those of you who follow my blogs you know by now that I try to help as many people as I can. We all know that unemployment is rampant in this country right now. As a result, there are a lot of “trunk slammers” claiming to be handymen or contractors. Beware of a wolf is sheep’s clothing! Here are a few tips for weeding out the bad ones.

1) Check out the vehicle they pull up in. Is it professionally lettered? Is it kept nice and neat? Would you want someone working in your home that can’t keep their vehicle neat and in good working condition?
2) Beware if the contractor tries to pressure you for the entire amount of the job up front or tries to get you to sign a contract on the spot. There is no such thing as a “discount for today only”. Even after you sign a contract, the Federal Trade Commission allows you to cancel any construction contract within 3 days of signing it. We usually ask for only 15% be put down on a deal.
3) If the contractors name address and phone number cannot be verified they may not be running a legitimate business. Do they have a website?
4) If the contractor is slow to provide adequate references this is a giant red flag. If the references give a negative scenario run fast!
5) Ask for proof of insurance. If they have over 5 employees they should carry Workman’s Compensation according to Missouri State law. They should also carry General Liability insurance as well as Auto insurance. Do not accept a copy! This is a common mistake. Insist that the certificate of Insurance be faxed or mailed to you directly from the insurance company.
6) Finally, if the contractor asks you to pull any permits this is a big red flag as well. It may signal the the contractor is in bad standing with the local building department and is not able to do the job up to local codes.

St Louis Handyman

10 EASY WAYS TO INCREASE YOUR HOME’S CURB APPEAL

The outside of your home is the first thing to greet visitors and offer an impression of what may be inside. If it fails to inspire by the onset, it lowers expectations for the inside. Spring is the time to ramp up your curb appeal, so here is a list of 10 of the easiest things you can do to spruce up the exterior of your home on a low-budget.
1. Landscaping. Now is the time to take inventory of your homes landscaping. Visually inspect the areas needing maintenance. Prune bushes and shrubs, trees and plants. Weed flower beds and add fresh mulch. Create container gardens and use hanging baskets to add interest and dimension to an entryway.
2. Lawn Check. Reviving your lawn’s grass will instantly boost your curb appeal. Get rid of weeds sprouting in the sidewalk. Get rid of a tree that is blocking the view to your house.
3. Mailbox Makeover. A dingy, rusted or beat up mailbox is cheap to replace and makes a big difference in setting the tone for your house’s exterior. Make sure the style of your mailbox compliments the style of your house.
4. Squeaky Clean Siding. The elements take a toll on siding and it may require a good power washing to clean dirty or stained siding. Rent a power washer and hose down the exterior. You may need a ladder and some soft-scrub. Remember to spray downward as not to loosen any siding and don’t forget the gutters!
5. Perfect for Paint. It isn’t necessary to paint the entire house. Spruce it up by painting the trim and shutters if they have gotten chipped or discolored. Don’t forget the window frames, the porch and around the garage door.
6. Pay Attention to Small Details. It may seem minor, but little touches like new numbers on a house or a new light above the door improve the overall aesthetic of your home.
7. Spring Cleaning. Spring cleaning is not limited to the interior of your home. It’s time to clean out the gutters, wash the windows and move the garbage cans out of sight.
8. Welcoming Walkway. Brick or stone can create an elegant walkway leading up to your home. Try applying a colored concrete surface to an old driveway, then edging with brick or stone pavers. Using symmetry at the entrance is a simple and effective way to increase curb appeal.
9. Light it Up. Adequate lighting at night is a way to add security as well as highlight the architectural elements of your home. Landscape lighting can provide path lighting along a walkway, while porch lights should illuminate the main entrance. Coach lights on each side of the garage are an added touch.
10. Front Door. The front door is an important focal point of the home. If it has been neglected, consider refinishing, painting or replacing it. New hardware to replace rusted handles or an outdated lock set also makes a huge impact!

St Louis Handyman

New Kitchen Floor in Ferguson

St Louis Handyman

Replacement Picture Window With Single Hung Side Windows

St Louis Handyman

What You Don’t Know CAN Hurt You

Here are the facts. Radon causes lung cancer and it kills people, period. It is a Class A Carcinogen. Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer in non smokers and second only to smoking in overall cause of lung cancers. 1 in 5 Missouri homes has elevated radon levels above the EPA action level. If you smoke and are livng with elevated radon levels you are at much higher risk. Lung Cancer risk from Radon increases with both higher levels and longer exposure time. Radon is not like Carbon Monoxide poisoning. There are no symptoms of elevated Radon levels. Death or sickness is not instant from elevated radon levels, rather it is the release of Alpha Radiation from Radon, that over time can cause lung cancer. Radon kills an estimated 50-100 people everyday in the United States. These are preventable lung cancer deaths, brought on by continued exposure to elevated Radon Gas levels in the home. Please don’t fall into the “It will never happen to me” category. All radon levels can be reduced to acceptable levels with simple and well established venting techniques, and no, it’s not very expensive to mitigate if you find that your home has high radon levels. What if your home has 3 or 4 times the EPA’s action level….What if….There is no need to wonder, what if. Testing your home is the only way to know for sure and Radon Testing Kits are free. Missouri Department of Radon provides free test kits to Missouri Residents. Please visit Saintlouisradon.com for more information. Or call 314-226-5098

St Louis Handyman

Got Rot?

St Louis Handyman

Business Showcase and Family Fair March 6th!

St Louis Handyman

Who do You Know That Could Use a Lift?

St Louis Handyman

New Lighting Makes a Huge Impact

St Louis Handyman

HOME TIP

Live greener by minimizing consumption, maximizing recycling and re purposing household items. Decrease your carbon footprint by also using environmentally friendly cleaners and buying necessities in bulk.

« Previous Page — Next Page »