Your Dallas Handyman

The first impression you make with your home is easily the most important one you’ll make to interested home buyers. That impression sets the tone for visitors and forms their expectation for what’s inside. It happens moments after they pull up in front of your house, long before they walk up to the front door. Here are some useful home staging tips that range in cost from next to nothing to a few thousand dollars, but can make a lot of impact and difference when staging your home for resale.

It’s not a bad idea to ask yourself the following questions and then determine how important each item is when selling your home or any time you want to create a favorable
impression:

VIEW FROM THE STREET:

1. Are your trees properly trimmed?
2. Is there shrubbery or bushes that need trimming or removing? How about
adding some?
3. Is the grass mowed and trimmed?
4. Are your sidewalks and driveway clean? Power-washing is not terribly
expensive and can make a huge difference.
5. Are your curb address numbers in need of repainting?
6. Is your mailbox clean, in good repair, visible and properly numbered?
7. Is your fence in need of repair or cleaning?
8. Is the paint on your house cracked, peeling or badly faded? Power-
washing might help or you can create the best impression with fresh paint.
9. Are the shingles on your roof faded? Do you know exactly how old your
roof is? Does it leak?
10. Are your windows clean and weatherproof? (in need of caulking)?
11. Are the gutters all attached properly? Are there obvious or excessive
dents or hanging pieces?

THE ENTRY:

1. Are there toys, shoes or other miscellaneous items cluttering up the entry?
2. Is your porch otherwise clean and free of dirt, dust and cobwebs?
3. Does the front door function the way it’s supposed to? Does it need
staining or painting?
4. Does the doorbell work properly?
5. Is your storm door clean? Are there fingerprints or built up grime on the
glass? Does it operate perfectly?

Next steps for getting your house to the next level:

Outdoors

• Manicure lawn, trim shrubs and clean walkways
• Repair or replace damaged screens, glass panes, and door hardware
• Remove driveway stains and eliminate exterior clutter or distracting décor
• Place flowers or potted plants by the front door
• Be sure the doorbell works

Invest in a little paint:

• Paint improves a room and makes it clean and appealing
• Use white or neutral tones that are soothing
• Check walls for split or peeling papers and replace or repair if needed
• Polish woodwork and paneling throughout your home

Let the Texas sun help you sell your home!

• Open curtains, shades or drapes on nice days
• Add sparkle to windows by washing inside and out
• Turn on lamps or accent lighting
• Replace missing light bulbs

Let your buyer see everything!

• Permit clients to see the value of your property from the attic to the basement and through to the garage
• Remove junk, cartons and unnecessary clutter
• Straighten, box and store cartons neatly
• Organize workbenches
• Lighten dark spaces with paint or additional lights
• Provide adequate lighting for stairs

Don’t let a minor flaw chase away your buyer!

• Make sure windows and doors open and close easily
• Address plumbing problems and present facilities in working order
• Check doorknobs, drawers, and sliding glass doors for ease of operation; lubricate and adjust as needed
• Clean rust and soiled areas

Kitchens sell homes!

• Clear counters of all items and make space in cabinets
• Clean cabinets inside and out
• Check and clean appliances, floors and walls
• Add green plants or bowls of  fruit
• Create a comfortable atmosphere with colorful curtains, cup towels and placemats

Create an open and bright atmosphere

• Arrange furniture to create an open effect
• Straighten bookshelves
• Clean carpets
• Polish furniture and hardwood floors
• Put logs in the fireplace
• Add magazines, books and flowers to coffee table and discard excess papers
• Place a centerpiece on the dining room table
• Store games and sports equipment or arrange them in attractive containers
• Eliminate clutter
• Turn off all entertainment units and play soft music
• Place easy chairs and sofas in conversational group
• Showcase books and magazines; aesthetics are more important than
• functionality
• Deodorize the entire house, especially pet areas

Bedrooms

• Avoid a crowded look
• Remove excess furniture and personal items
• Attractive, colorful bed linens are important
• Arrange books or plants on night stand
• Place decorative pillows and shams on beds
• Keep room light and bright

Closets

• Make closets appear larger by having them clean, neat and well organized
• Remove old clothes and cartons
• Add a cedar block or air freshener for a refreshing aroma
• Use decorative storage boxes

During showings

• If possible, arrange to be away during showings
• Set household thermostat at a comfortable level before leaving
• Make a final check of every room an if time permits, do a quick once-over straightening and light dusting
• Turn on accent lighting
• Put your pet (s) in a secured area, preferably in the yard

That should generate some added inspiration for what you can do right away to create buyer appeal. Now, then…if you want to really want to go through your entire house, you can use the following checklist.

This works as an exceptional general home maintenance checklist as well:

• Windows and Doors: Make sure there are no broken or cracked windows. Check weather-stripping, caulk and putty for gaps, cracks and raising. Check for smooth opening and closing operation, and faulty or hard to operate locks.

• Window Sills: Check for cleanness and paint adherence. Outside, make surethey are clean and weather resistant.

• Basement: If you have a basement, check for seal cracks and leaks in walls and floor. Look for signs of dampness and mold. Check joints between floor and walls for gaps or cracks.

• Accessible Pipes: Make sure hot water pipes are properly insulated. It is even better when the cold water pipes are properly insulated as well, which helps prevent condensation and added moisture and/or drips and droplets. Insulated cold water pipes can deliver colder water in hot weather as well.

• Wooden Porch, Patios and Decks: Check for clean, well-attached boards. Check for proper sealing of exposed wood. Check for signs of wood rot.

• Walls and ceilings: Look for cracks, holes or bulges. Look for “popping” nails.  Look for water stains in ceilings, especially in corners and along edges.  Note the general appearance of the paint.

• Floors: Inspect for loose or creaking floorboards, worn areas, cracked or chipped baseboards. Tiles should be properly sealed and none should be missing or broken. Make note of how clean or new looking the carpet is and especially if it has wrinkles or appears unevenly stretched. Pay closest attention to high traffic areas and doorways.

• Fireplace: Make sure all the pieces are there and everything is clean. Check theflue for proper operation. Make sure the brick encasement does not appear badly burned and there are no cracks. If it’s a wood-burning fireplace, make sure there is no excessive soot buildup on the chimney walls. This may require a pro to clean, but may be well worth the expense.

• Sprinkler system and exterior plumbing: Make sure the sprinkler system is operating properly and that it is buried with no exposed parts that can be broken or damaged easily. Make sure no outside water outlets are dripping.

• Interior plumbing: Look under every sink and where there is a tap, like in the
  laundry area, for dripping and/or area damage, like to walls or surfaces
  underneath or behind where it comes in. There is no good reason for a wet area
  to be moldy or show any water damage around it. If there is an odor, look
  deeper.

• Electrical outlets: Make sure that there is a GCFI outlet within 6 feet of any water valve, outlet or tap. A home will not pass a proper inspection without them. Make a visual check around all outlets for black or burn marks. It can be a sign of
  a short or possible insufficient line. If a light fixture flickers, it is probably just an
  old fixture and can easily be replaced for little cost. Consult a professional.

• Bathrooms: Check faucets and showerheads for dripping, hard water or rust stains. Check for the same things around the drains. Check the toilet for a malfunctioning water release valve. Check behind the toilet for accumulation of
  dirt, rust on or near water intake, or cobwebs, which may simply indicate the
  general lack of pest control or expose poor upkeep habits. Make sure hot water
  supply is sufficient. Check caulking around sinks, toilets, tubs and enclosures.

• Kitchen: Check all outlets for workability, making sure all plates are intact. Check wiring to stove and refrigerator to ensure code compliance. Check
  ventilator fan and filters for cleanliness. A “litmus test” for general upkeep is
  buildup of grease and dust around the stove and in corners. Check under sink for
  leaks or undue odors. Check the dishwasher for surface cuts, major stains or
  malfunctioning racks.

Okay, That should really give you a very in-depth resource for creating buyer appeal when you are putting your home up for sale. If you need help getting ready, I offer local Dallas handyman services at reasonable prices. You can check out my website at Thousand Hills Properties

Should you hire a contractor, or a handyman?

Often a contractor’s fees to handle small projects can be cost prohibitive.
A handyman typically handles small jobs around the house and yard for both businesses and homeowners alike, and can provide a practical and cost effective solution. A good handyman may be hard to find, so in this article I will cover what jobs should go to your own Dallas handyman and which ones to give a contractor. If you’re ready to hire someone now, (namely, me…:) you can go to Thousand Hills Properties and fill out a contact form or call me. Either way, I’ve put together some general thoughts and ideas on how to decide which pro to hire.

Generally, If your project requires a specialized license, permits and/or inspections, or may last several days to a week or more, you should probably use a general contractor. If you really don’t know who to call, there are places youcan go on the web to find pros who are pre-screened and registered with marketing and placement companies. Service Magic is a great example. Professionals are registered with them and when you fill out a form describing your project, they locate and notify a pro in your area. They have a thorough pre-screening process and a customer rating system so you can see some feedback from other customers.

Smaller projects or ones that require less specialization may go to a professional handyman. Developing a relationship with a reliable and trustworthy handyman over the long term is a good idea for any homeowner. It’s always nice to address those home improvement projects a house needs from time to time easily and quickly. Before going out and hiring a general contractor to repair a hole in drywall or to paint a room, you can hire a handyman. A contractor’s fees to handle small projects can be discouraging.

There are a few good rules of thumb when considering a handyman. With a little investment in time compiling your projects and listing them out with a budget in mind, you can save both money and energy over the long haul. Here is a list of jobs that you can have one good handyman take care of for you:

• Minor plumbing like leaky faucets, a new sink or fixtures
• Minor electrical work like a new ceiling fan, an added plug or switch
• Fixing a leaky roof or correcting drainage problems
• Miscellaneous carpentry around the house
• Painting a room or garage area
• Siding repair
• Building shelves
• Tile repair or installation

This list could go on and on, but you get the idea. If you’re going to re-side or re-roof your home, get a reliable contractor. But if you just need to put in a new sink or faucet, or want to install a ceiling fan or a new mirror in the bath, most handyman services can handle it.

Both handyman services and general contractors should provide you with a free no obligation estimate before tackling any project. A homeowner should never hire anyone without knowing the cost of the project. A good handyman can offer time estimates and work either by the hour or by the job like a major contractor would.

If you want to work alongside your hired help, that shouldn’t pose too much of a problem. Some handymen prefer to work alone, but most will work with you if you just want some help getting something done. You’ll likely get an hourly rate if you go this route.

Tips:

• Have a list of all your projects handy before you call someone. Once your pro is on site, have him price each project separately, then together as a whole. Depending on the work involved, you may be able to save money having him tackle at least a few things all at once.
• Ask for references and don’t be afraid to call one or two of them. Handyman are a special breed. Good ones should be very open while the ones you don’t want around hold things close to the chest. It’s difficult at first to know which are which.
• Until you develop a primary handyman relationship that you are very comfortable with, don’t be afraid to get multiple bids. If you get bids, let your handyman know you are getting other bids. It’s not only polite but remember that trust is built two ways.
• Ask your handyman what he specializes in. Engage him in conversation. A good handyman should know a lot about many different things, but you can be sure he is an expert at only a few. Spending a little time up front with him can go a long way. He likely knows other handymen who can take up his slack where he needs it.

Contracting brokers are another option for you. They are like salesmen who work for a lot of different companies. When you call a good contracting broker, he will assess your need and find the right company for the job you need done. He gets paid a commission  from the contracting company as though he were on their sales force, after the job is complete. Some brokers simply point at the right company for you. Others work more like a consultant and service provider. Those really are the best kind. They know it’s in their best interest to make sure you are happy with both the level of service and the finished project and work with you in every aspect of the job. Using a broker should not cost you any extra money and can alleviate much of the task load.

I am a sole proprietor doing business as Thousand Hills Properties in the Dallas area. My expertise is in paint and light carpentry but I have a great working knowledge of plumbing and light electrical. I grew up a carpenter’s son and have worked in practically every area of home improvement. I have brokered a lot of jobs locally and work with some excellent and reasonably priced companies.

There are lots of products available to deter insects. Using chemicals is only part of the solution. In this article, we are going to address the most common pest problems around the Dallas area and how to get rid of household and yard pests.

1. Fire Ants: Very common problem in the area, and it seems like you have to fight them constantly. Do yourself a favor and get a tried-and-true product like Ortho® Orthene® Fire Ant Killer for applying directly to the mound. Worker ants feed the queen the bait and it’s guaranteed to work in 24-48 hours. Be patient and don’t disturb the mound. Sprinkle the mound once and leave it alone. Let the worker ants do their job. Repeat this every time you see a new mound and you’ll keep the fire ant problem to a minimum. Ortho also makes an excellent preventative product you can broadcast with a spreader.

2. Wasps: As soon as you find a wasp building a nest, sweep it away with a broom, then spray the area with Triazicide® diluted with water. Triazicide is available at Home Depot for around $10 a quart and it will go a long way. You should inspect common areas regularly, like your porch ceiling and eaves to detect the problem early. Make sure your attic ventilation is screened off.

3. Water Bugs: Getting rid of water bugs is not easy. Stop and think for a moment why they want to invade your house. There is a water source and/or food source, and they like the warmth. Take away what they want and they won’t come around. Make sure there are no water leaks and that your plumbing is all in good working condition. Keep your kitchen clean. Wipe your counters and keep them dry at all times. Take the time to clean behind your refrigerator and stove, then lay a bead of powder along the back of each appliance. Use Triazicide around the exterior foundation of your house and apply this every month for 3 months, then every two months. At first, you will see more of them. They are simply trying to escape the poison! Remember, it seems to get worse before it will get better. But all it takes to kill them is for them to come into contact with it. Be patient and don’t stop fighting! Once you have eliminated all signs of water bugs, spray the outside circumference of your house every two to three months to keep them out. Finally, you may want to inspect all the weatherstripping on your house around doors, windows and vents. I helped one home owner a couple of years ago with an infestation and the bugs simply walked in through a lot of cracks in the weatherstripping and under doors.

4. Fleas: Is it time to declare war on the flea infestation? If you have fleas you’ll have to adapt this mentality to get rid of them. And, it will take time. Only about 5% of the fleas in and around your home live on pets, so get good and ready to rid your entire home of the problem. Look for a product that contains an Insect Growth Regulator (IGR). It will help keep them from propagating. Vacuum the floors constantly. This is your best weapon! Some foggers work very well, and don’t forget to spray under rugs and carpet. Don’t be surprised when the problem persists for many weeks or even months. Flea larvae are protected in their cocoons from insecticides so you have to be prepared for months of battle! Keep up the fight and you’ll eventually win. Don’t forget to look for an IGR in whatever product you choose. Read up on IGR.

5. Termites: Termites are extremely difficult to get rid of on your own. They can destroy your home and it’s very possible you won’t know it until it’s too late. I recommend professional termite inspection and control. I know of no home remedy that I will endorse. Don’t gamble your home away on saving a few hundred dollars. Get a pro and get it done right.

7. Electronic bug zappers: Okay, think about it this way…what do these devices actually do? Answer: they attract flying insects! I have read a lot of theory that these devices really attract more than they kill. When I was a kid, we used a product called PIC. It was green and round like an electrical stove burner and smoldered and had a pleasant aroma. The smoke repelled a lot of insects, mostly mosquitoes, and worked quite well. I have not seen this product in many years though. Maybe it’s out there somewhere. For your next party or outdoor cookout you might try a yard fogger or spray the day before your event. It won’t get rid of all the critters, but it’ll certainly help.

If you want a good general pest control for your home, I highly recommend spraying around the yard and foundation about once every 3 months. You can buy good general use products at your local home improvement store that you need to dilute with water. I use a product called Triazicide. It works well and goes a long way. Don’t forget to buy a general purpose pump sprayer for applying. Both will run you under $30.

You can hire a pest control pro to do a very knowledgeable and thorough job or you can also hire a handyman to apply an over the counter pesticide for you. If your problem isn’t too severe, that could prove to be a cost-saving effective alternative.