Home Improvement Tips – Interior Painting

Welcome to the Cherry Hills Handyman Website, homeowners’ favorite resource for DIY home improvement tips.  Here is an article written by Keith Paul, founder of HandyPro Handyman Services with interior painting tips:

“I’m going to paint my living room, and I have never painted before. Any advice?”- Steve P

Taking the time to properly prepare a room for painting can make the job easier and ensure good results. Keep in mind that preparation often takes more time than actual painting.

One of the big jobs on many homeowners' “To Do” lists is interior painting. But painting is something homeowners don’t do frequently, and they may not know the tricks of the trade to ensure the job is done properly. Many first-time homeowners have never painted a room before and aren’t sure where to start.

If homeowners spend more time preparing a room for painting than actually painting it, they will find the project is easier and the results will be much better.

Here are some  basic room preparation tips before painting:

Remove what furniture you can, move what‘s left into the center of the room, and then cover with drop cloths.

Tape around moldings, doors and windows using removable safety masking tape specially made for painting.

Remove any heating and cooling air vents and cover plates from electrical outlets and light switches.
Sand or scrape loose and flaky paint with light sandpaper or a paint scraper.

Fill all nail and screw holes from pictures with a putty knife and spackling compound.

If the walls and ceiling of the room are dirty, wash them with trisodium phosphate (TSP) prior to painting. Allow walls to dry completely prior to painting.

Spread a canvas drop cloth over the floor to keep paint drips and spills from ruining your carpet.

Once the room is prepared, plan on at least two coats of paint to ensure proper coverage. Start by using a paint brush to paint trim around doors and windows, then in the corners of walls and ceilings.

After doing the trim, use a paint roller (and an extension handle if necessary) to roll the paint on the walls and ceilings. It’s best to start with the ceiling first and then proceed to the walls.

When painting with a roller, homeowners should take one section at a time, roll a “W” and then fill it in. This assures an even application of paint.

After the room is painted, make sure to mark the remaining paint cans with the name of the room it was used on. Many of us often save paint but don’t know which room it was used for; by marking the cans, it’s easy to find the right paint when you need to touch up a room a year or two later.

What’s on your to-do list?  HandyPro Handyman Services offers affordable solutions to a wide variety of home repairs and maintenance projects.  They also offer senior home modification services including kitchen and bathroom remodeling, stair lifts, wheelchair ramps, super strong grab bars, walk-intubs and showers and more.  HandyPro specializes in helping the homeowner, business or property manager have minor repairs completed professionally, in a timely manner, and guarantees 100% customer satisfaction.

Hiring a Handyman, Senior home modification, wheelchair ramps, stair rails and grab bars, stair lifts, kitchen and bathroom retrofitting, Carpentry, Plaster, Drywall, Acoustic Ceilings, Grout tub, fix leaky faucet, home warranty/maintenance, paint home, caulk bathtub, replace locks, garage doors, cabinets, countertops, fix running toilet, repair squeaky door, install molding, security services, stained glass, door repair/install, drywall repair, painting, kitchen, insulation, concrete, masonry, repair gutters, remove wallpaper, replace ceiling fan, caulk awning, siding repair, install shelves, organizers, ceramic tile, window well covers, replace bathroom fan, draperies, blinds, shades, glass, mirrors, decks, and much more…just ask!

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Home Modification Handyman in Cherry Hills Specializes in Home Renovation for the Aging and Disabled

Certified Aging in Place Specialist has his own vision for Houses for Living, Homes for Life

 

Cherry Hills CO – Todd Wortmann, owner of HandyPro Handyman Services is a home modification specialist with a passion for helping the aging and disabled enjoy independent living in their own homes. Todd Wortmann is a Certified Aging in Place Specialist who is making a difference for seniors and physically challenged residents in his community.

One of the services in high demand is bathroom conversions, including a walk in shower unit with sliding shower head and very strong grab bars to make it easy to enter and exit the shower while eliminating the trip hazard of a standard bathtub.

Another popular bathroom renovation includes an out swing full therapy tub with sliding shower nozzle. The doors swing outward to make entering easier and also allow for emergency exits without having to wait until the water is completely drained to open the unit.

The deluxe bathroom renovation project is a converted wet room solving virtually every problem that comes with cleaning the bathroom, consisting of a hanging sink and toilet with mold resistant flooring and fan ventilation in the ceiling to remove moisture very quickly. The entire bathroom is a shower with draining in the floor.

Bathroom remodeling is one of the most needed home modification services, including roll in showers and walk in tubs and sink, toilet and plumbing adjustments. HandyPro Handyman Services (http://handymancherryhillsco.blogspot.com/) will help complete an assessment of all the individual needs of the client and offer an affordable solution to improve accessibility and mobility in the home.

HandyPro of Suburban Denver and Aurora are Home Modification specialists who maintain standards of the American Disability Act, so customers can be assured their projects are completed with quality and safety first.

Todd Wortmann was raised in Colorado and has spent the last 16 years in the Denver area. After graduating from Colorado State he went into various business management areas including restaurants and plumbing operations. After spending the last 8 years in financial planning he saw an opportunity to help homeowners find a reliable and trustworthy home service provider. Visit http://handypro.com/codenverandaurora.html to learn more.




About HandyPro Handyman Services:
What’s on your to-do list? HandyPro Handyman Services offers affordable solutions to a wide variety of home repairs including home modification for seniors, home improvement and home remodeling, seasonal home maintenance and more. HandyPro specializes in helping the homeowner, business or property manager have building repairs completed professionally, in a timely manner, and guarantees 100% customer satisfaction. HandyPro Handyman Service has been in business since 1996, serving over 20,000 clients with zero complaints from the Better Business Bureau. HandyPro Handyman Services has been featured on Rachel Ray and Fox News.

Cherry Hills Handyman: Hiring a Handyman Service or Contractor

Handyman Service Cherry Hills:  Tips from your friendly neighborhood handyman:  What every homeowner should know before they hire a handyman service or contractor.

“I need a new roof installed in my home and am concerned about the horror stories of homeowners being ripped off by shoddy contractors, what is the best way to protect myself?”
- Jan S. Ann Arbor.

Hi Jan, you are definitely on the right track because it’s all about research. You have the right to be concerned with any home improvement contractor. Currently, contractors are seven out of the top twenty inquiries with the Better Business from January to August 2009.

I’ve being in the contracting world for 17 years and wish more homeowners would begin as you are, by asking questions. Too often I’ve seen homeowners sign a contract with a contractor they found in the Yellow Pages with the largest ad or the first listing in Google. Many of us have made the mistake of contracting with a company because of the “nice salesman”, without further investigating the company and regretted it.

Our homes are typically the largest investment and we need to take time to ensure that we are hiring reputable home improvement contractors. Otherwise we could be making repairs after the job is completed, or overpaying or even worse ending up in court. There are many “good guy” contractors who make an honest living by serving others and they are not difficult to find, but we must take our time do our homework. Below are six tips to help you find the best home improvement contractor.

1. Verify insurance. Workers Compensation insurance protects you if a worker is injured on your property. Liability Insurance protects you if any of your property is damaged. Call the insurance company to ensure it is up to date and request to have your name on the certificate. By having your name on the certificate, you will be notified if the contractor cancel’s the policy during your project.

2. Get all estimates and warranties in writing. All warranties and estimates must be detailed in writing. It will help protect you as a consumer and avoid misunderstandings. Also, does the estimate include labor and materials? Does the warrantee include labor and materials? Verify how they handle change orders?

3. Check references. Talk with past customers and ask them if they would use this contractor again? Does the company stand behind their warranties? Do they show up on time? Would you refer them to their friends and neighbors? What would be the one thing they should improve? . . . Don’t hesitate to ask, most people are glad to help.

4. How long has the company been in business? Warranties are as good as the company. If they are out of business, in many cases so is your warranty.

5. Verify license. Check with your state licensing department. If a license is applicable for your project, the state may help protect you in case of faulty workmanship. If a permit is needed, ensure the contractor picks it up, not the homeowner. Visit http://www.michigan.gov/statelicensesearch/

6. Multiple quotes. Get an estimate from multiple contractors to ensure you are comparing apples with apples. Many very low priced estimates do not include the entire project.

By asking these questions, it will help you avoid being ripped off or over charged. Any reputable home improvementcompany will gladly provide you with the information in the aforementioned list. If the contractor will not provide the information or are irritated by your questions, it will help make your decision easier - Do Not Use Them. Most home improvement contractors are “good guy’s”. Ask the right questions and you will find them.

What’s on your to-do list?  HandyPro Handyman Services offers affordable solutions to a wide variety of home repairs and maintenance projects.  They also offer senior home modification services including kitchen and bathroom remodeling, stair lifts, wheelchair ramps, super strong grab bars, walk-in tubs and showers and more.  HandyPro specializes in helping the homeowner, business or property manager have minor repairs completed professionally, in a timely manner, and guarantees 100% customer satisfaction.

Hiring a Handyman, Senior home modification, wheelchair ramps, stair rails and grab bars, stair lifts, kitchen and bathroom retrofitting, Carpentry, Plaster, Drywall, Acoustic Ceilings, Grout tub, fix leaky faucet, home warranty/maintenance, paint home, caulk bathtub, replace locks, garage doors, cabinets, countertops, fix running toilet, repair squeaky door, install molding, security services, stained glass, door repair/install, drywall repair, painting, kitchen, insulation, concrete, masonry, repair gutters, remove wallpaper, replace ceiling fan, caulk awning, siding repair, install shelves, organizers, ceramic tile, window well covers, replace bathroom fan, draperies, blinds, shades, glass, mirrors, decks, and much more…just ask!