"Contractor keep appointment (even though there were 2 or 3 calls expressing confusion about time and day); installed the drywall and cleaned the area. The drywall installation was not smooth and when textured looked amateurish at best. Before I could paint I had to sand several areas and apply canned texture-not the most professional look but time was a factor. the next time the wall is painted will require extensive prep work to make it look professional. Good things: appointment keep; work was done as explained; no extra charges. Not so good: Technician was not a drywall guy. "
"Mr. Stressler was very easy to work with, and he did everything asked of him. His work met all of my expectations and specifications. Should I need any further remodeling, I would not hesitate to call Mr. Stressler. In category below asking for dates of service. But due to my travels, work was done in increments: master bath, kitchen, guest bathroom, and then in June a one day outside job in which a new door was put on a storage unit, and my security door was given a new coat of paint."
"Reule Sun did a FABULOUS job on our house, with incredible attention to detail, extremely thorough preparation, total job-site neatness and cleanliness, lightning responsiveness to any issues which arose, and a very high level of craft. The workers were polite, respectful, friendly, and very conscientious. You will pay for this. But we found it more than worth the difference. After watching our job, the neighbor across the street has hired them for a complete stucco job and also new windows. (If your windows are within shouting distance of needing replacement, do these just ahead of the stucco job.)"
"When we decided to redo our kitchen in April of 2012, we knew what we wanted fixed, our budget and that's about it. We started talking to contractors, kitchen design centers and researching ideas. We quickly realized we were in WAY over our heads. A lot of places offer free design services if you buy all of your materials through them. We didn't want to be tied down. We didn't want a complete tear down to the studs, either. Homemade Design to the rescue! First of all the price was an absolute steal for the service provided. Amanda and co. Listened to what we wanted and came up with inovative,functional and beautiful solutions. Our house is old. We wanted to keep that 1920s feel, but still have a dishwasher, granite countertops and stainless appliances! Amanda had the brilliant idea of only replacing the bottom cabinets. She also gave me excellent instructions on how to refinish my existing cabinets so they look like new. This was a perfect solution for US. Homemade Design gave us ideas for layout, cabinets, lighting, wall paint, appliances, furniture, countertops, backsplash, faucets, sink,and cusions for built in. She would have recommended flooring if we wanted,but we didn't. Now, Amanda is more like a consultant...( I actually called her my kitchen remodel therapist). You still are ultimately responsible for the plan and what works for you. If your measurements are off (like mine were) that's on you. I was adament about no island and no microwave over the stove and so she didn't put those in the design. Some suggestions were not my style. And I said so. Honestly, if I picked out my own kitchen it would be so safe: white subway tile or something. Amanda gave me the guts to mix patterns and create something spectacular! It took almost a year to complete ( contractors fault) We did a lot of work ourselves. We bought the cabinets, backsplash tile, light fixtures, table and banquette cusions through Homemade Design at a great discount, we checked!! If you try shopping for any part of your kitchen, the volume of choices can be overwhelming. We loved having Amanda narrow it down for us. Communication was through email, mostly. She never took longer than three business days to respond to my million questions or concerns. Awesome. 5 months later, my kitchen is a dream come true. And I owe it all to Homemade Design! "
"She was fine. We were working long distance and communication took place via phone and email. I would not ever hire someone long distance again for design work unless I see something on their website that is exactly what I like. She was very responsive though and she provided us with pictures of sample furniture and physical designs. I gave her a 'B' because she didn’t take a lot of time to customize the plan to our style. I expected her to adapt to our style, but instead she tried to make our living room fit her style. She seems to have a look that is her style and we actually asked her re-do the plan a few times before we got something usable. In the end, she is very good at what she does and she is very professional, but her design style doesn’t fit our way of living."
"We needed someone to install tile around the bathtub at an apartment unit we own. Joey at 2 Daughters Handyman came to the rescue. He quoted us a fair price based on what we could see. However, once he started the work other complications were discovered such as mold behind the existing wall. Joey and his crew were able to take care of each issue and charged us a fair amount for the extra work performed. We were very impressed with his willingness to get the job done in a timely manner. He even went to two or three places on his own to find the tile we wanted. We will definitely use 2 Daughters again and would recommend them to anyone needing his services.
"First of all, most contractors give you an estimate without charging, and this really was nothing more than that. When he looked at the area to be remodeled, he gave me many more options than in the final plans, and it wasn't what I needed. "
"So impressed with his immediate response, then problem solving with me through photos and outlet testing without requiring $ up front, prior to completion of job. Very knowledgeable and continuously responsive! Will post more once job complete, but am very impressed so far!"
Unfinished Carpentry questions, answered by experts
Framing is the shell of the house. It includes several steps, including studs, plumbing, and electricity. A professional will ensure the wall frame is secured for the house’s structural integrity.
Framing prices change depending on the material and whether the wall is load-bearing. Most contractors use wood to frame a home, but metal is another popular choice.
Most of the time, you’ll want to use screws on your subfloor rather than nails. Nails can actually weaken plywood, whereas screws can easily penetrate without damage. They also form a more secure connection because of their shape, preventing squeaky floors and tightly holding the subfloor in place. That said, some contractors do prefer nails depending on the type of floor covering because they allow for more flexibility.
Framing with metal studs can be significantly faster than using wooden studs, provided you have some experience working with the material. While you can use virtually instant pneumatic nailers with wood, metal requires installing screws. However, because metal is lighter, straighter, usually comes cut-to-length, and doesn't require sorting for the best pieces, you can save significant time using metal instead of wood.
Using a steel frame may raise the value of your home. Steel is more heat resistant, has better longevity, and doesn’t need any upkeep compared to traditional wood. You can also customize a steel build a little easier than other materials like brick, concrete, and vinyl—which have trouble bending and adapting to renovations.
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.
The Hurley, NM 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.
