"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."
"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."
"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."
"After dealing with a lot of obstacles ( none brought on by the builder) we have a beautiful home. Clark Builders have been patient through the entire process and the home is very high quality. We made changes from the original layout and they were very accommodating and gave us exactly what we asked for. We are very happy with Clark Builders."
"I did not go with this company, they refunded my money because I didn't like their design. I've reviewed this before. Please can you stop these requests to do a review. "
"Matt did a great job. He had to go in the attic to install a bracket to secure the chandelier. Then climbed a tall ladder to install the chandelier. Matt was very knowledgeable about the job, very timely and clean. I highly recommend Matt."
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.
While some highly experienced homeowners can frame a house independently, it is not advisable. You will need ample carpentry experience, a team of helpers, and professionals to sign off on your work to meet local building codes. For the safest outcome, we recommend buying or building a house with the guidance of professionals.
Costs depend on desk size, labor, included features like drawers or motorized height adjustments, and required wall anchoring.
Stick frames, metal frames, or prefabricated concrete frames are included in framing a house, along with creating the framework and space for windows, doors, and entryways. Other aspects of developing a home—like drywall, insulation, windows, doors, and more—are not included in the cost to frame a house.
Yes, a one-story house can have a load-bearing wall. The load-bearing walls in a single-story home are usually the exterior walls. If the house has a basement with exposed walls, the arrangement of the beams can help indicate what walls are load-bearing.
The Merrill, MI homeowners’ guide to contractor services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Need to run electricity to your basement? Learn about the cost to install an outlet in an unfinished basement and what factors affect your project cost.
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.