"One of our rental homes had a bad house fire. We had to gut it down to the studs, kept the exterior siding, but everything else had to be replaced, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, plus walls, floors, ceilings, bathroom and kitchen. The works.
Tyler from SimpleFix ran the project with his crew, kept in great communication, and stayed on it until we were satisfied with the finished work. His estimate was accurate, and we have received rave reviews from tenants about how grateful the place looks since then. We've continued to use SimpleFix for many projects since then, and we keep coming back to because they communicate promptly and get the work done right.
We highly recommend SimpleFix, and we often refer them to friends and family, too."
"Very satisfied with the end results of our project. The workers were very polite and respectful of my home. we had a 500 sf living room added, bathroom remodeled, new kitchen, new flooring all new windows, siding, roofing. Jamie the owner was very easy to work with. Thank You for a job well done. Dan and Melissa"
"They sent about 15 workers and 8 hours later we have a brand roof! They were very professional, covered my flowers and landscaping before doing the job, went through the yard after with a magnet to do all the cleaning up of the left over parts and nails. They were very careful with the job overall and did an amazing job."
"Customer service and their work was fantastic. They completed the project very timely, kept the workspace clean, and were honest and genuinely friendly to work with. We are looking forward to the next project in our home to work with them again."
"Jeff did an amazing job. He designed a gate to go across the stairs that works perfectly without taking up space. I still get compliments on the job he did. I would HIGHLY recommend him for a job."
"My house was in a need of a major face lift. In preparation for the approaching cold months, and inevitably spending more time in doors, we wanted to make sure that all of our major updates were finished before the cold Michigan weather came sweeping in to spoil the summer fun. So naturally it was decided that the time had come to remove the awful wallpaper in the den and master bathroom! I met with four contractors, Elysium's bid was admittedly higher in price. However, based on their outstanding reputation and the detail and clarity that their estimator brought to the table we signed the contract. All of the work was completed as promised and within the given time frame. There were no nasty surprises when the materials invoice came and the ghastly wallpaper is gone for good. Looking forward to spending time in my updated den this winter, thank you Elysium for doing a great job! "
"Cam and his brother did a great job. I had the parts and they used them they started at 9am and the job was done that day very friendly and answered all my questions before they started. I would recommend them to friends and family great job guys thanks."
"Paul Clark was willing to help rebuild our 1888 farmhouse! Who does that? Rocky took my plans, put them in a fancy computer and showed me what was possible and Dan and his crew changed all the framing to support our plans and wishes. Our home will be so much more than we ever imagined because we hired Paul Clark and his crew"
Unfinished 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.
If the bowing basement wall is less than 2 inches, steel or carbon fiber straps are the best solution. For bowing that is more than 2 inches, wall anchors are the most effective. A contractor can help you decide the best method of repair for your home's foundation and also address the root cause of the trouble.
Carpenters are trained to take on a wide range of home projects. You can hire a carpenter to do framing, roofing, build custom furniture, and make significant upgrades to your home. General carpenters are usually able to handle most jobs. However, you may also choose to hire a carpenter who specializes in a specific type of carpentry.
A cross brace for a fence gate should stretch from the top corner of the gate’s hinge side to the bottom corner of its latch side at a 45-degree angle to the bottom of the gate. This positioning distributes the bulk of the gate’s weight to the base of the post, taking pressure off the top hinge.
Bump-out additions can add some space to a closet without requiring any significant structural work. This entails pushing back the existing rear or side of the closet, simply moving the wall into either an adjacent room or unused space. For ground-floor closets, this could even be extended to the exterior of the home, but that has its own complications. Bump-outs are a good discussion to have with your contractor if you’re just looking to increase the space a little—not renovate the entire closet space.
The Freeland, MI homeowners’ guide to contractor services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
When you’re tackling a project or hiring a contractor, it’s helpful to know key carpentry terms. From end grain to dovetail joints, here’s a complete list.
House framing is one of the first parts of building a home. To do this, you’ll want to hire a rough or unfinished carpenter. Using this guide, you’ll know what questions to ask and where to look for your house framing contractor.
Buying unfinished cabinets can help you create the custom remodel of your dreams, but is it worth the fuss? This guide will tell you everything you need to know.
