"Mose, was able to create the front panels for a new KitchenAid refrigerator. He also had to match the type of wood and stain to match the rest of the kitchen. The work was excellent. I would definitely hire again."
"Tim did a fantastic job with our kitchen. He worked with us through the process, coming up with solutions when we encountered unexpected challenges. His craftmanship is remarkable. Tim tore out our kitchen and drywall, installed new drywall and overhead lights, a new ceiling, installed new cabinets, and installed the tile backsplash. Everything looks better than we could have imagined! We will certainly hire him for any future projects. His estimated timeline was perfect and he started right when expected. Fantastic contractor!"
"AIS did a GREAT job on the project, finishing one half of my full basement. The work performed met all of my expectations and more. I'm very happy with the end result and would definitely hire AIS again should I have a need for another home improvement. Also, the AIS staff and all of the sub-contractors were always pleasant and easy to work with. I will highly recommend AIS to anyone whos asks."
"Very smooth install. Ed was nice, personable, and timely. He installed the solar lights efficiently and correctly. And they function perfectly. Fee was very reasonable as well. He’s agreed to install similar lights next weekend at our daughter’s home located about 10 minutes away. We’re in the market for a new handyman, so would not hesitate to contact Ed again. Thank you."
"Beautiful paint job on master suite! Jim & his crew were flexible, professional, courteous, & helpful - all of which contributed to a great experience!! Their ability to assist with some "handyman" jobs as well provided even more value."
"Great experience from start to finish! He was quick, professional, communicated well, and did a fantastic job on our paint and trim work. We would absolutely hire him again!"
Hi, my name is Jake Ortiz, and I’m the owner of Ortiz Luxebuilds & CO. We are a local, small renovation company focused on providing reliable, quality craftsmanship for homeowners looking to improve and maintain their properties.\n\nWe specialize in a variety of residential improvement projects, including deck builds and repairs, fencing, siding installation and repairs, interior and exterior painting, drywall work, framing, and other small renovation projects.\n\nAs a small business, we take pride in giving each customer personal attention, clear communication, and dependable workmanship from start to finish. Our goal is to make the renovation process as smooth as possible while delivering results that homeowners can be proud of.\n\nWhether you’re looking to update your home, repair damaged areas, or bring a new project idea to life, we’re here to help with honest service and quality work.
Unfinished Carpentry questions, answered by experts
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.
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.
Your local building code will list all the framing requirements for whatever type of structure you're building. Most exterior walls require spacing of 16 inches on-center, while many non-load-bearing interior walls only require 24 inches of spacing. However, there are also varying requirements depending on your construction material, so checking your municipality's rules is essential.
Installing a tongue-and-groove wall requires similar techniques to those associated with installing shiplap. However, because of the precision necessary to make each board fit perfectly and the increased material prices, the cost is higher than that of shiplap installations. Expect to spend between $2 and $6 more per square foot for tongue-and-groove walls versus shiplap ones.
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 Commercial Point, OH 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.
