Comments for Handyman Nuts & Bolts http://blog.myhandymannh.com Tips and tools for home owners, based on My Handymans's typical jobs, solutions used & best practices for home maintenance and repair. Tue, 16 Mar 2010 02:52:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 Comment on 2009 Remodeling Cost vs Resale Value by tina http://blog.myhandymannh.com/2010/02/23/2009-remodeling-cost-vs-resale-value/#comment-315 tina Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:41:10 +0000 http://blog.myhandymannh.com/?p=1774#comment-315 Yes Leslie, it's always best to research and adjust your budget to balance your short term lifestyle benefits vs long term growth in home value. What I'm seeing (reading) is people are focusing more on the quality of materials, fixtures, etc versus more space. Another tip I've picked up is looking at what they're adding to high end homes which introduce new trends that over time come down in price (more volume in sales) and become the standard in certain areas. The real expert is an appraiser who knows at each home price level, what is required versus what is optional. On a rehab house, I was going to convert the deck into a family room ... but the appraiser told me I had to have a deck and a family room for 3 bedroom wasn't necessary. We kept the deck and created an open concept kitchen/dining room in lieu of a family room. It was the perfect solution. Yes Leslie, it’s always best to research and adjust your budget to balance your short term lifestyle benefits vs long term growth in home value. What I’m seeing (reading) is people are focusing more on the quality of materials, fixtures, etc versus more space. Another tip I’ve picked up is looking at what they’re adding to high end homes which introduce new trends that over time come down in price (more volume in sales) and become the standard in certain areas.

The real expert is an appraiser who knows at each home price level, what is required versus what is optional. On a rehab house, I was going to convert the deck into a family room … but the appraiser told me I had to have a deck and a family room for 3 bedroom wasn’t necessary. We kept the deck and created an open concept kitchen/dining room in lieu of a family room. It was the perfect solution.

]]> Comment on 2009 Remodeling Cost vs Resale Value by Leslie Mark http://blog.myhandymannh.com/2010/02/23/2009-remodeling-cost-vs-resale-value/#comment-314 Leslie Mark Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:25:06 +0000 http://blog.myhandymannh.com/?p=1774#comment-314 Thanks for sharing this interesting information and the links. I thought that the remodel project we've been contemplating surely had a high cost/ratio value...think I'll do a little more research! Thanks for sharing this interesting information and the links. I thought that the remodel project we’ve been contemplating surely had a high cost/ratio value…think I’ll do a little more research!

]]> Comment on Garage Floors: Types of Drainage (Drain Covers) by tina http://blog.myhandymannh.com/2009/01/20/garage-floors-drain-covers/#comment-312 tina Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:11:21 +0000 http://blog.myhandymannh.com/?p=1005#comment-312 Hi Shawn, Congratulations on understanding that my links are with sites that have good information to share with home owners. I visited your site and it looks like an information only site, i.e. it doesn't appear that you are a flooring professional selling and/or installing flooring. My focus is really to build a community where home professionals can share their expertise with home owners ... so please tell me more about you, your site and how you think you would participate? Thanks Hi Shawn, Congratulations on understanding that my links are with sites that have good information to share with home owners. I visited your site and it looks like an information only site, i.e. it doesn’t appear that you are a flooring professional selling and/or installing flooring. My focus is really to build a community where home professionals can share their expertise with home owners … so please tell me more about you, your site and how you think you would participate? Thanks

]]> Comment on Garage Floors: Types of Drainage (Drain Covers) by shawn http://blog.myhandymannh.com/2009/01/20/garage-floors-drain-covers/#comment-311 shawn Tue, 09 Mar 2010 23:50:07 +0000 http://blog.myhandymannh.com/?p=1005#comment-311 Hello, My name is Shawn Higgins. I'm looking for related sites to link up with. My site (www.floors-web.com) is an informational site all about floors and rugs. I'd like to link to your site by writing a 500-600 word article that will include anchor text linking back to my site. Please let me know if this is a possibility. I enjoy reading your site and it's been very helpful over the past few years. I'm very knowledgeable about floors and rugs and I think I could provide you and your readers quality information. I look forward to hearing from you! -Shawn Hello,

My name is Shawn Higgins. I’m looking for related sites to link up with. My site (www.floors-web.com) is an informational site all about floors and rugs.

I’d like to link to your site by writing a 500-600 word article that will include anchor text linking back to my site. Please let me know if this is a possibility. I enjoy reading your site and it’s been very helpful over the past few years. I’m very knowledgeable about floors and rugs and I think I could provide you and your readers quality information.

I look forward to hearing from you!

-Shawn

]]> Comment on Swing Sets: More May NOT = Better by tina http://blog.myhandymannh.com/2009/04/24/swing-sets-more-may-not-better/#comment-302 tina Sun, 28 Feb 2010 10:38:17 +0000 http://blog.myhandymannh.com/?p=1366#comment-302 I couldn't agree more, yet it's almost impossible to convince parents of this idea. They simply need to buy something equal or better than their neighbors, and satisfy their personal need to have the best based on looks versus understanding what their children needs. I wrote this article for a customer who wanted us to assemble a Mt Ranier playset. She did visit a local dealer to look at their Kid's Creation products, but didn't buy ... so I don't know what the ultimate solution was. I couldn’t agree more, yet it’s almost impossible to convince parents of this idea. They simply need to buy something equal or better than their neighbors, and satisfy their personal need to have the best based on looks versus understanding what their children needs. I wrote this article for a customer who wanted us to assemble a Mt Ranier playset. She did visit a local dealer to look at their Kid’s Creation products, but didn’t buy … so I don’t know what the ultimate solution was.

]]> Comment on Swing Sets: More May NOT = Better by Swing Set Lover http://blog.myhandymannh.com/2009/04/24/swing-sets-more-may-not-better/#comment-300 Swing Set Lover Fri, 26 Feb 2010 22:42:29 +0000 http://blog.myhandymannh.com/?p=1366#comment-300 A cogent and well thought out discussion of what is really important when choosing a swing set for your children. Many parents don't recognize the importance of providing their children with environments that foster development of imagination and problem solving skills. That's more about providing a safe space and props in which kids can be their own boss for a little while than it is about the how many bells and whistles they have to play with. A cogent and well thought out discussion of what is really important when choosing a swing set for your children. Many parents don’t recognize the importance of providing their children with environments that foster development of imagination and problem solving skills. That’s more about providing a safe space and props in which kids can be their own boss for a little while than it is about the how many bells and whistles they have to play with.

]]> Comment on Home (Handyman) Consultants by Radiant Barrier http://blog.myhandymannh.com/2010/01/22/home-handyman-consultants/#comment-296 Radiant Barrier Sun, 21 Feb 2010 03:57:39 +0000 http://blog.myhandymannh.com/?p=1764#comment-296 General contractors are invaluable to completing a project especially if you do not know how to complete 100% of it correctly yourself. Their network of connections can generally solve any problem. General contractors are invaluable to completing a project especially if you do not know how to complete 100% of it correctly yourself. Their network of connections can generally solve any problem.

]]> Comment on Home (Handyman) Consultants by Pex http://blog.myhandymannh.com/2010/01/22/home-handyman-consultants/#comment-280 Pex Fri, 22 Jan 2010 20:50:12 +0000 http://blog.myhandymannh.com/?p=1764#comment-280 Yeah! handyman indispensable right now Yeah! handyman indispensable right now

]]> Comment on Alternatives to Popcorn Ceilings by Diane http://blog.myhandymannh.com/2010/01/20/alternatives-to-popcorn-ceilings/#comment-276 Diane Thu, 21 Jan 2010 19:01:33 +0000 http://blog.myhandymannh.com/?p=1762#comment-276 I hadn't thought of why popcorn ceilings were in some rooms of my home and not in others, but you've identified the exact sites of my popcorn - bedroom and hall. I was frustrated with the look at first, but the popcorn ceiling and orange peel bumpy walls make more sense to me now. The ease of construction was likely a factor, as well as it being a trend in first half of the 20th century. Both the ceilings and the walls in our 1930 home are durable due to the special finish. The decorative ceiling tile looks like a beautiful alternative for period homes/businesses. I hadn’t thought of why popcorn ceilings were in some rooms of my home and not in others, but you’ve identified the exact sites of my popcorn - bedroom and hall. I was frustrated with the look at first, but the popcorn ceiling and orange peel bumpy walls make more sense to me now. The ease of construction was likely a factor, as well as it being a trend in first half of the 20th century. Both the ceilings and the walls in our 1930 home are durable due to the special finish. The decorative ceiling tile looks like a beautiful alternative for period homes/businesses.

]]> Comment on Learn When & Why Your Home’s Pipes Can Burst by Pipe Freeze and Windshield Freeze - Houston - Texas (TX) - Page 2 - City-Data Forum http://blog.myhandymannh.com/2009/01/17/when-pipes-freeze/#comment-269 Pipe Freeze and Windshield Freeze - Houston - Texas (TX) - Page 2 - City-Data Forum Fri, 15 Jan 2010 05:47:35 +0000 http://blog.myhandymannh.com/?p=983#comment-269 [...] Handyman Nuts & Bolts ? Blog Archive ? Learn When & Why Your Home’s Pipes Can Burst Handyman Nuts & Bolts ? Blog Archive ? Who’s Insurance Covers Burst Pipes? Handyman Nuts & Bolts ? Blog Archive ? Protect Your Pipes from Freezing [...] [...] Handyman Nuts & Bolts ? Blog Archive ? Learn When & Why Your Home’s Pipes Can Burst Handyman Nuts & Bolts ? Blog Archive ? Who’s Insurance Covers Burst Pipes? Handyman Nuts & Bolts ? Blog Archive ? Protect Your Pipes from Freezing [...]

]]> Comment on Why & When Calling a Home Professional is Cheaper by tina http://blog.myhandymannh.com/2009/05/19/why-when-calling-a-home-professional-is-cheaper/#comment-268 tina Fri, 15 Jan 2010 01:42:16 +0000 http://blog.myhandymannh.com/?p=1406#comment-268 Nace, We're in agreement. I was at Home Depot tonight, as I wanted to see what they were teaching women in a "Do-It-Herself" class, and tonight was about bathrooms. While sharing stories, there was one where the customer came in and explained he had a leak around the gasket, between the tank and the bowl. He was looking for a wax ring so he could do the repairs. We laughed, wondered where this advice came from and agreed that customer shouldn't be trying to repair their own toilet. Nace, We’re in agreement. I was at Home Depot tonight, as I wanted to see what they were teaching women in a “Do-It-Herself” class, and tonight was about bathrooms. While sharing stories, there was one where the customer came in and explained he had a leak around the gasket, between the tank and the bowl. He was looking for a wax ring so he could do the repairs. We laughed, wondered where this advice came from and agreed that customer shouldn’t be trying to repair their own toilet.

]]> Comment on Why & When Calling a Home Professional is Cheaper by Nace Hagemann http://blog.myhandymannh.com/2009/05/19/why-when-calling-a-home-professional-is-cheaper/#comment-267 Nace Hagemann Fri, 15 Jan 2010 01:20:14 +0000 http://blog.myhandymannh.com/?p=1406#comment-267 I agree. I'm a contractor in MN and many times I have helped homeowners out after some hardware store told them they could to it themselves. Many times it ends up costing more for us to re-do their started project, than it would have if they had hired us to do it the first time. I always recommend people insured professionals. I agree. I’m a contractor in MN and many times I have helped homeowners out after some hardware store told them they could to it themselves. Many times it ends up costing more for us to re-do their started project, than it would have if they had hired us to do it the first time. I always recommend people insured professionals.

]]> Comment on A Handyman Isn’t Superman by tina http://blog.myhandymannh.com/2009/11/24/a-handyman-isnt-superman/#comment-212 tina Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:01:39 +0000 http://blog.myhandymannh.com/?p=1621#comment-212 At My Handyman we always explain to the customer that the job could be 2-3 times the visible scope and that we can't really tell until we open things up. We're careful to "peel the onion" a little bit at a time as we don't want to be the cause of unnecessary repairs. It's just hard for customers to handle the finances when they think they've got a problem that's about 10 x 10 ft ... and then it grows to residing an entire side of a house because the gable end wasn't flashed properly. Other customers when they see the extent of the repairs have asked us to reinstall things until they can afford the entire job and we'll do that because we work on a time & material basis. At My Handyman we always explain to the customer that the job could be 2-3 times the visible scope and that we can’t really tell until we open things up. We’re careful to “peel the onion” a little bit at a time as we don’t want to be the cause of unnecessary repairs. It’s just hard for customers to handle the finances when they think they’ve got a problem that’s about 10 x 10 ft … and then it grows to residing an entire side of a house because the gable end wasn’t flashed properly. Other customers when they see the extent of the repairs have asked us to reinstall things until they can afford the entire job and we’ll do that because we work on a time & material basis.

]]> Comment on A Handyman Isn’t Superman by Handyman Manchester http://blog.myhandymannh.com/2009/11/24/a-handyman-isnt-superman/#comment-211 Handyman Manchester Tue, 01 Dec 2009 12:57:38 +0000 http://blog.myhandymannh.com/?p=1621#comment-211 Estimating what you can't see if the difference between quoting a fixed price or an hourly rate. Ideally the handyman should be upfront with the customer and shouldn't take on any jobs they aren't fully confident in undertaking. Estimating what you can’t see if the difference between quoting a fixed price or an hourly rate. Ideally the handyman should be upfront with the customer and shouldn’t take on any jobs they aren’t fully confident in undertaking.

]]> Comment on Morning Dove Family in Hampton NH by tina http://blog.myhandymannh.com/2009/05/19/morning-dove-family-in-hampton-nh/#comment-179 tina Mon, 12 Oct 2009 20:21:21 +0000 http://blog.myhandymannh.com/?p=1401#comment-179 Julie, My first response to your question was ... the nest needs to be up high so ground animals can't get to them. Our nest was at least 10 ft above our deck. I often see them above doors and in trees. I'm not an expert on bird nests so I did some research for you. Here's an article, http://bit.ly/morningdoveperch. They suggest building a cone shaped object (opening on top) with wire mesh. This is consistent with the mesh on top of my nest, shown here (mesh on top of the fireplace exhaust vent). Julie, My first response to your question was … the nest needs to be up high so ground animals can’t get to them. Our nest was at least 10 ft above our deck. I often see them above doors and in trees. I’m not an expert on bird nests so I did some research for you. Here’s an article, http://bit.ly/morningdoveperch. They suggest building a cone shaped object (opening on top) with wire mesh. This is consistent with the mesh on top of my nest, shown here (mesh on top of the fireplace exhaust vent).

]]> Comment on Morning Dove Family in Hampton NH by Julie Otto http://blog.myhandymannh.com/2009/05/19/morning-dove-family-in-hampton-nh/#comment-175 Julie Otto Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:32:43 +0000 http://blog.myhandymannh.com/?p=1401#comment-175 how can i make a perch under my porch for the pair of doves at my home? how can i make a perch under my porch for the pair of doves at my home?

]]> Comment on Morning Dove Family in Hampton NH by tina http://blog.myhandymannh.com/2009/05/19/morning-dove-family-in-hampton-nh/#comment-169 tina Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:28:17 +0000 http://blog.myhandymannh.com/?p=1401#comment-169 Ellie, Thanks for sharing your story. It sounds like you're enjoying your visitors as much as we did, and in fact we had a second another mom and baby use the same nest. Ellie, Thanks for sharing your story. It sounds like you’re enjoying your visitors as much as we did, and in fact we had a second another mom and baby use the same nest.

]]> Comment on Morning Dove Family in Hampton NH by ellie http://blog.myhandymannh.com/2009/05/19/morning-dove-family-in-hampton-nh/#comment-168 ellie Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:02:28 +0000 http://blog.myhandymannh.com/?p=1401#comment-168 i have a collared doves nest in my conifer tree, this week mummy bird has brought the two babies down to perch in the apple tree when she goes off to get food, when she returns they are right in her face demanding to be fed, they are still quite chubby with dull greeny grey feathers, im enjoying seeing their progress and have taken several pictures of them, i think she is teaching them to become more independant as she doesnt always give in to their feeding demands but encourages them to forage on the grass under the trees and shrubs,,, i have a collared doves nest in my conifer tree, this week mummy bird has brought the two babies down to perch in the apple tree when she goes off to get food, when she returns they are right in her face demanding to be fed,
they are still quite chubby with dull greeny grey feathers, im enjoying seeing their progress and have taken several pictures of them, i think she is teaching them to become more independant as she doesnt always give in to their feeding demands but encourages them to forage on the grass under the trees and shrubs,,,

]]> Comment on Navy Stops Drug Smugglers at Sea by Cindy Blaney http://blog.myhandymannh.com/2009/08/28/navy-stops-drug-smugglers-at-sea/#comment-165 Cindy Blaney Wed, 09 Sep 2009 20:38:35 +0000 http://blog.myhandymannh.com/?p=1443#comment-165 Kudo's and thanks to the USCG and Tina's son! Kudo’s and thanks to the USCG and Tina’s son!

]]> Comment on Swing Sets - TOO Many Choices by Woodplay Swingsets http://blog.myhandymannh.com/2009/04/05/swing-sets-too-many-choices/#comment-162 Woodplay Swingsets Sun, 06 Sep 2009 06:59:12 +0000 http://blog.myhandymannh.com/?p=1311#comment-162 Tina, Good article! Woodplay is another company that meets the criteria you suggest. Great quality, been in business since 1975, and has a network of dealers for service & installation. Tina,
Good article! Woodplay is another company that meets the criteria you suggest. Great quality, been in business since 1975, and has a network of dealers for service & installation.

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