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Coyle Construction
5.0(
2
)

Serving Independence, IA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2023

Free estimates

Offers commercial services

"Gabe built a mantel out of wood for my brick fireplace. He designed & built it according to my wishes. I wanted distressed wood to match the beams in an adjoining room. He was meticulous in his work, asked questions & requested input on the specifications, & built a replica to show what the finished project would look like. He also reframed my screened-in porch and installed new doors in the porch (which included realigning the frame, which was off-set & crooked. In addition he hung blinds, shelves, & pictures throughout my house. He works long hours and follows-through on completing each project he starts, at a high quality."
Response time5 days
Recommended by100%of homeowners
Avatar for Sentri Homes
Sentri Homes
2.4(
27
)

Serving Independence, IA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2023

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Everything was great from start to end. Jeanette and Brayden were easy to talk to and straight to the point, they both made sure everything was to satisfaction and met my needs. Overall great service and I would definitely be looking forward to doing business again in the future for other projects. Communication was awesome !"
26 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for Barefoot Handyman
Barefoot Handyman
4.8(
22
)

Serving Independence, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2020

Credit card accepted

"Tony and his wife did a great job planting saplings in my yard and making a garden for me. They worked hard, knew what they were doing and were fun to be around. Iâ ll definitely use Tonyâ s services again."
roof damage tear off
roof damage
basic frame
poles set
frame door windows

+60

Response time10 hrs
Recommended by93%of homeowners
Avatar for DotHome
DotHome
5.0(
12
)

Serving Independence, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2017

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Bill was very prompt at coming out and giving us an estimate we couldn't quite afford a full deck replacement but he came up with a great idea that would keep us safe and be able to utilize his safety measure in the building of Our Deck next year. I so appreciate his professionalism and letting us know that there's other options than just you have to replace the whole deck I found his honesty refreshing and he is more than fair with his prices and a wonderful personality I would definitely recommend this professional to anyone for anything."
Response time3 days
Recommended by100%of homeowners
Avatar for Arkansas Wood Doors
Arkansas Wood Doors
5.0(
8
)

Serving Independence, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 1977

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"AWD went above and beyond to make sure we had exactly what we needed. Their service was excellent. Their cabinets were made on time and of exceptional quality. I would recommend them to anyone."
Additional Photos
Additional Photos
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Additional Photos
Additional Photos

+1

Recommended by100%of homeowners
Avatar for Homemade Design
Homemade Design
3.7(
322
)

Serving Independence, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2006

Credit card accepted

"I never contacted the provider or used this service in anyway. I have to
write this review so that the request to write this review stops
popping up.
The rating is bogus as it is required to be able to submit.
"
Pennsylvania Master Bathroom
Boston Small Condo Kitchen
California Client Saves with HMD Designer Discounts
Recommended by54%of homeowners
Do it All Davis Construction
4.8(
6
)

Serving Independence, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2024

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"JD was very efficient in communication and made time for me the very next day. He thoroughly inspected the chair and had supplies with him to make a new support for the spring while creatively repairing my chair in less then an hour with the new support stronger then the manufactured one on the other side. He was reasonably priced, cleaned up after himself, was very honest and assured me if there was any issues with the chair to let him know and he would be back free of charge to reassess and fix. DEFINITELY RECOMMEND!"
Response time6 hrs
Response rate100%
Recommended by83%of homeowners
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Carpentry questions, answered by experts

Yes, you can find ceiling joists using simple tools if a stud finder isn't available.

Using a hammer requires patience and a keen ear. Gently tap the ceiling in a grid pattern, listening for sound changes. A hollow sound indicates space between joists, while a solid, dull thud suggests a joist. Mark the location with a pencil and confirm by tapping from different angles.

Alternatively, you can use a nail, but this method will leave small holes. You'll feel increased resistance when the nail hits a joist. Mark the spot and repeat the process every 16 or 24 inches to map the joist locations. This method is considered less reliable than using a stud finder.

Yes, you will need a jack for a rim joist replacement. To prevent sagging and facilitate the removal of load-bearing wood, you’ll need to relieve the pressure from this joint before beginning work. 

Due to hydraulics and other specialized equipment, a sill plate and rim joist replacement are not typically a DIY project. Hiring a professional structural engineer and experienced contractors is the best approach to replacing rotted sill plates and rim joists.

It's possible to turn your carport into a living space, but there are additional factors to address over turning it into a garage. HVAC, plumbing, and electricity won't be optional, and you'll need finished flooring, drywall, trim work, and legal ceiling height, for starters. Also, keep in mind that living space conversions may require upgrading the foundation underneath, and the permits might be more expensive as well.

The cost to convert a carport into a garage averages about $22,000, ranging from about $15,000 and $55,000. Additional cost factors to consider include size, time of year, and how much of the carport you can reuse. Other cost factors include the kinds and amounts of materials used, such as:

  • Add insulation: $1 per square foot

  • Add drywall: $1–$3 per square foot

  • Add window: $450–$2,000 per window

  • Add outlets: $75–$500

  • Add garage door: $250–$11,200

  • Enclose framing: $5–$13 per square foot

  • Replace roofing: $1,000–$2,000

Framing a house with steel generally takes less time—around five to eight weeks—than most building materials. The steel components can also be made quickly off-site and manufactured with pre-punched holes for running piping and electrical wiring, which will lessen the prep work and extra labor during construction.

The Independence, IA homeowners’ guide to carpentry services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.