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Avatar for OCM Services, LLC

OCM Services, LLC

5.00(
7
)
Approved Pro

OCM Services, LLC

5.00(
7
)
Approved Pro
Customers say: Quick response
Recommended by 100% of Angi customers
Recommended by 100% of HomeAdvisor customers
2009 years of experience

Hello, We’d like to take a moment to introduce ourselves—OCM Services L.L.C., a family-owned and operated remodeling company proudly serving Gloucester County and the surrounding areas for over 15 years. As a Class A licensed, insured, and bonded contractor, we bring a hands-on, personalized approach to every project we take on. Our team specializes in kitchen and bathroom remodeling, garage conversions, whole-house renovations, and water remediation. We also handle handyman services between major projects, ensuring you always have a trusted professional to call on. At OCM Services, we pride ourselves on being your one-stop solution. From design with 3D renderings to the final coat of paint, we manage every aspect of your project—so you don’t have to hire multiple contractors. Whether you're remodeling a residential home, commercial property, or multifamily unit, we have the experience to get it done right. We understand that every homeowner has a unique vision and budget. That’s why we offer custom design options, work with VA loans and insurance companies, and provide access to third-party financing. We’re here to help you make smart decisions with the right products for your goals and budget. As part of our commitment to our community, we proudly offer discounts to military personnel and first responders, along with referral bonuses for those who recommend our services. Above all, we believe in treating every client like family—with honesty, respect, and a strong work ethic that shows in everything we do. If you're ready to bring your ideas to life, we’d be honored to work with you. Warm regards, Adam Williams Owner/Manager

"It went great"

Carlton B on May 2023

Hello, We’d like to take a moment to introduce ourselves—OCM Services L.L.C., a family-owned and operated remodeling company proudly serving Gloucester County and the surrounding areas for over 15 years. As a Class A licensed, insured, and bonded contractor, we bring a hands-on, personalized approach to every project we take on. Our team specializes in kitchen and bathroom remodeling, garage conversions, whole-house renovations, and water remediation. We also handle handyman services between major projects, ensuring you always have a trusted professional to call on. At OCM Services, we pride ourselves on being your one-stop solution. From design with 3D renderings to the final coat of paint, we manage every aspect of your project—so you don’t have to hire multiple contractors. Whether you're remodeling a residential home, commercial property, or multifamily unit, we have the experience to get it done right. We understand that every homeowner has a unique vision and budget. That’s why we offer custom design options, work with VA loans and insurance companies, and provide access to third-party financing. We’re here to help you make smart decisions with the right products for your goals and budget. As part of our commitment to our community, we proudly offer discounts to military personnel and first responders, along with referral bonuses for those who recommend our services. Above all, we believe in treating every client like family—with honesty, respect, and a strong work ethic that shows in everything we do. If you're ready to bring your ideas to life, we’d be honored to work with you. Warm regards, Adam Williams Owner/Manager

"It went great"

Carlton B on May 2023


Avatar for Micho Construction

Micho Construction

5.00(
3
)
Approved Pro

Micho Construction

5.00(
3
)
Approved Pro
Super Service Award
Customers say: Quality work
Recommended by 100% of Angi customers
Recommended by 100% of HomeAdvisor customers

Wilmer is committed to excellence in every aspect of our business. We uphold a standard of integrity bound by fairness, honesty, and personal responsibility. Our distinction is the quality of service we bring to our customers. Accurate knowledge of our trade combined with ability is what makes us true professionals. Above all, we are watchful of our customers interests, and make their concerns the basis of our business.

"Job went as expected from beginning to end. We are very happy!"

Angela B on July 2025

Wilmer is committed to excellence in every aspect of our business. We uphold a standard of integrity bound by fairness, honesty, and personal responsibility. Our distinction is the quality of service we bring to our customers. Accurate knowledge of our trade combined with ability is what makes us true professionals. Above all, we are watchful of our customers interests, and make their concerns the basis of our business.

"Job went as expected from beginning to end. We are very happy!"

Angela B on July 2025


Gutter Glove of North Carolina LLC

4.80(
66
)

Gutter Glove of North Carolina LLC

4.80(
66
)
Customers say: True professional
Recommended by 93% of Angi customers
Recommended by 93% of HomeAdvisor customers

Award winning. Gutter Glove of NC LLC is the premium supplier of gutter protection system in the State of North Carolina. Additional contact names - Richard Stroup, Louis Sauer. Additional phone - (919) 696-8839. Award wining.

"Owner Ricky Stroup was infinitely patient with us, as after our initial meeting it took us over a year to hire his company to do this work. During that year, we had multiple conversations with him regarding the scope of our project, and he was as willing to contract the scope as to expand it. He wrote several proposals for us, so we could see the financial impacts of our different scope options. Our indecision on scope, and delay in scheduling, never caused any frustration or ill will on his part. Mr. Stroup was helpful, friendly, and patient throughout! His team installed everything in one day, and all who worked on our project were extremely courteous and professional. We have been very impressed with the quality of the work. Working with Gutter Glove of North Carolina was an enjoyable experience, and I recommend this company!"

Elizabeth H on October 2018

Award winning. Gutter Glove of NC LLC is the premium supplier of gutter protection system in the State of North Carolina. Additional contact names - Richard Stroup, Louis Sauer. Additional phone - (919) 696-8839. Award wining.

"Owner Ricky Stroup was infinitely patient with us, as after our initial meeting it took us over a year to hire his company to do this work. During that year, we had multiple conversations with him regarding the scope of our project, and he was as willing to contract the scope as to expand it. He wrote several proposals for us, so we could see the financial impacts of our different scope options. Our indecision on scope, and delay in scheduling, never caused any frustration or ill will on his part. Mr. Stroup was helpful, friendly, and patient throughout! His team installed everything in one day, and all who worked on our project were extremely courteous and professional. We have been very impressed with the quality of the work. Working with Gutter Glove of North Carolina was an enjoyable experience, and I recommend this company!"

Elizabeth H on October 2018


Avatar for Tough Builders Inc

Tough Builders Inc

5.00(
21
)

Tough Builders Inc

5.00(
21
)
Customers say: True professional
Recommended by 100% of Angi customers
Recommended by 100% of HomeAdvisor customers

Founded by Hector Vasquez back in 2005, Tough Builders, Inc. has established itself as one of the greatest and prestigious providers of construction focused interior renovation services and building. We provide a professional renovation and installation services with a real focus on customer satisfaction. Our construction Services is a multi-task company. Additional email - [email protected].

"Honestly couldn't be happier. The crew was awesome - they showed up when they said they were going to show up, did what they said they were going to do, and fixed a few little things that we requested without any fuss. They were in and out in 2 weeks when the other contractors said 1-2 months. Literally our only regret was that we wasted so much time with flaky contractors before finding these guys. We'll definitely be repeat customers!"

Kellie M on March 2025

Founded by Hector Vasquez back in 2005, Tough Builders, Inc. has established itself as one of the greatest and prestigious providers of construction focused interior renovation services and building. We provide a professional renovation and installation services with a real focus on customer satisfaction. Our construction Services is a multi-task company. Additional email - [email protected].

"Honestly couldn't be happier. The crew was awesome - they showed up when they said they were going to show up, did what they said they were going to do, and fixed a few little things that we requested without any fuss. They were in and out in 2 weeks when the other contractors said 1-2 months. Literally our only regret was that we wasted so much time with flaky contractors before finding these guys. We'll definitely be repeat customers!"

Kellie M on March 2025


Avatar for H R Stairs & Rails

H R Stairs & Rails

4.94(
34
)

H R Stairs & Rails

4.94(
34
)
Customers say: Super punctual
Recommended by 97% of Angi customers
Recommended by 97% of HomeAdvisor customers

Over the past 30 years, H R Stairs & Rails has completed more than two thousand stair and railing projects under the direction of master craftsman Hooshang Rashidi. We take pride in our work and strive to exceed our client's expectations. We are "Staircase and Railing Builders". Our craftsmanship & attention to detail positively impacts the delivery of H R Stairs & Rails finished products, from complex staircase designs to small stair repair and baluster replacement. By concentrating all our efforts on staircases and railings in the Washington DC Metropolitan area we are able to provide our clients with specialized expertise, allowing us to provide superior workmanship and service. We look forward to being your staircase contractor. Cost is determined by the job.

"I can only reiterate the many positive Angi reviews discussing the high standard of work produced by Mr. Rashidi and his assistant. Mr. Rashidi was able to begin work one week after providing an estimate and completed the job in four days after working steadily throughout that time. We are more than satisfied with the result and would highly recommend this company. Real craftsmanship at a reasonable price."

Ellen L on May 2022

Over the past 30 years, H R Stairs & Rails has completed more than two thousand stair and railing projects under the direction of master craftsman Hooshang Rashidi. We take pride in our work and strive to exceed our client's expectations. We are "Staircase and Railing Builders". Our craftsmanship & attention to detail positively impacts the delivery of H R Stairs & Rails finished products, from complex staircase designs to small stair repair and baluster replacement. By concentrating all our efforts on staircases and railings in the Washington DC Metropolitan area we are able to provide our clients with specialized expertise, allowing us to provide superior workmanship and service. We look forward to being your staircase contractor. Cost is determined by the job.

"I can only reiterate the many positive Angi reviews discussing the high standard of work produced by Mr. Rashidi and his assistant. Mr. Rashidi was able to begin work one week after providing an estimate and completed the job in four days after working steadily throughout that time. We are more than satisfied with the result and would highly recommend this company. Real craftsmanship at a reasonable price."

Ellen L on May 2022


Avatar for Ballard & Mensua Architecture

Ballard & Mensua Architecture

4.75(
20
)

Ballard & Mensua Architecture

4.75(
20
)
Customers say: Super punctual
Recommended by 90% of Angi customers
Recommended by 90% of HomeAdvisor customers

Ballard Mensua Architecture, led by Seth Ballard, NCARB, AIA, is a boutique architecture firm with a focus on creating truly custom designs and solutions for our clients. We have very strong vendor and contractor relationships, a result of our detailed understanding of construction. Unlike many architects, who like to design and then hand over control to the builder, Ballard Mensua maintains control of management of the project throughout construction. We have a unique cost-study process that helps to put our clients in control of spending... and results in completion of projects on budget.. almost unheard of in this business. Our designs speak for themselves... see our website at www.ballardmensua.com. Our business philosophy is that all clients should be a reference and we work hard to make sure to see projects through. We also have a unique ability to do very large projects without tearing a house down... we save much of the house and build around it... saving sometimes 10 dumpsters of landfill (truly green). Finally, where many architects bring their large ego and force their designs on clients... Ballard Mensua prides ourselves on tailoring designs to each client, listening to specific needs and working hard to make sure that our designs fit what a client is looking for. Additional email - [email protected].

"We just finished a spectacular custom home project in McLean, VA and we are so very grateful to Seth Ballard and his team! If you are considering hiring his firm, look no further. There can be no better architect in the DC/VA/MD area – and his pricing is more than fair. We first picked Seth because we loved his architectural style and heard that he had a reputation for ensuring that his plans are executed with impeccable precision and attention to quality. Also, his references were stellar….without exception, his former clients offered glowing praise for his talent, diligence, and follow-through. And now that we are former clients, we understand why. We always knew we were going to have a gem of a home with Seth at the helm. What we did not fully appreciate at the beginning was his proven ability to help us STAY ON BUDGET and his deep bench of connections with first-rate contractors and subcontractors who were prepared to bend over backward to meet Seth’s exacting standards. Here are just a few highlights from our experience: CONCEPT PHASE: During the initial meetings at our home, Seth went the extra mile to learn all about our lifestyle, future needs, architectural likes/dislikes, and budget. During this stage of the process, he would effortlessly make freehand drawings to help us visualize potential styles and layouts. We ultimately elected to go with a craftsman design, with lots of wood features inside and out. PICKING THE RIGHT PROPERTY: Seth joined us for car rides through the local neighborhoods, helping us to scout out the property that was best suited for our construction plans – free of any potential HOA or permitting snafus. DESIGN: With Seth’s guidance, we iterated on different design options. The design phase was high-tech and highly visual. Lots of 2D and 3D elevations, plus 360-degree videos. At each step, Seth clearly identified the estimated construction cost, and we would make decisions about what to dial-up and what to dial-down. For example, we elected to go with a cheaper asphalt roof (rather than slate), but with a more premium window. There were literally dozens of choices like that, and Seth did a superb job of helping us to make the right trade-offs and to “value engineer” the house. PICKING THE RIGHT CONTRACTOR AND SUBS: One of the things that distinguishes Seth from the competition is that he works closely with a handful of contractors and subcontractors who have already been “pre-screened” for excellence. Seth connected us with a general contractor who was not only honest and diligent, but whose carpentry was truly “artisan grade.” Seth also drew upon a stable of outstanding subcontractors – in areas such as HVAC/plumbing, electrical/lighting, structural engineering, cabinetry, tile, drywall/paint, countertops, hardwood flooring, landscaping, etc. It was perfectly clear that these subs were striving to deliver the highest quality and exemplary service. Why? Because Seth was an important source of repeat business for them. This made them extremely responsive. BUDGETING: Seth developed detailed spreadsheets estimating costs for every aspect of the project, as well as options for “enhancements.” Once we made our choices, he was instrumental in securing a FLAT FEE CONTRACT with the builder (inclusive of subs) for everything we wanted. To provide even more control over the cost, the agreement specified that certain items would be “owner provided, contractor installed.” This meant that, regardless of whether we bought pricey appliances or tile or flooring, it would have no impact of the builder’s fees. To his credit, Seth’s estimates were quite accurate, and the project stayed on budget. ARCHITECT FEES: We negotiated a flat fee for Seth’s architectural services, and got way more than we bargained for. We had no idea Seth would stay so engaged throughout the project -- micromanaging every detail, and even offering interior design suggestions (e.g., stains and paints, cabinet and window designs, furniture layouts, etc.). It became clear that, regardless of how much we had agreed to pay in fees, Seth was “all in,” and was committed to ensuring that the end result was perfection. To be sure, in any large construction project, there will be some hiccups. But this was yet another area where Seth shined. Rather than being indifferent, or pointing the finger at those who were actually at fault, he would step up to “own the problem” and take charge until the issue was resolved. In one such case, he developed a design tweak that saved us money and produced a more beautiful result in the process. We never had to stress too much, because we knew Seth was 100% engaged and we could trust that the final work product would be a treasure of a home. One final thought. While Seth’s tremendous talent is obviously perfect for large custom projects, we have no doubt that he can deliver outstanding value for smaller home renovations too. When we did kitchen/bath renovations in our prior home, we naively thought that a “design-and-build” firm would deliver the best solution. With the benefit of hindsight, we could have done so much better hiring Seth as the independent architect and separately hiring a builder who would be accountable to the architect. The result would have been better quality construction, a better value, and far less stress. So whether you are about to embark on a modest remodel or getting ready to “dream big” with a new custom home, look no further than Ballard Mensua Architecture."

jack l on January 2019

Ballard Mensua Architecture, led by Seth Ballard, NCARB, AIA, is a boutique architecture firm with a focus on creating truly custom designs and solutions for our clients. We have very strong vendor and contractor relationships, a result of our detailed understanding of construction. Unlike many architects, who like to design and then hand over control to the builder, Ballard Mensua maintains control of management of the project throughout construction. We have a unique cost-study process that helps to put our clients in control of spending... and results in completion of projects on budget.. almost unheard of in this business. Our designs speak for themselves... see our website at www.ballardmensua.com. Our business philosophy is that all clients should be a reference and we work hard to make sure to see projects through. We also have a unique ability to do very large projects without tearing a house down... we save much of the house and build around it... saving sometimes 10 dumpsters of landfill (truly green). Finally, where many architects bring their large ego and force their designs on clients... Ballard Mensua prides ourselves on tailoring designs to each client, listening to specific needs and working hard to make sure that our designs fit what a client is looking for. Additional email - [email protected].

"We just finished a spectacular custom home project in McLean, VA and we are so very grateful to Seth Ballard and his team! If you are considering hiring his firm, look no further. There can be no better architect in the DC/VA/MD area – and his pricing is more than fair. We first picked Seth because we loved his architectural style and heard that he had a reputation for ensuring that his plans are executed with impeccable precision and attention to quality. Also, his references were stellar….without exception, his former clients offered glowing praise for his talent, diligence, and follow-through. And now that we are former clients, we understand why. We always knew we were going to have a gem of a home with Seth at the helm. What we did not fully appreciate at the beginning was his proven ability to help us STAY ON BUDGET and his deep bench of connections with first-rate contractors and subcontractors who were prepared to bend over backward to meet Seth’s exacting standards. Here are just a few highlights from our experience: CONCEPT PHASE: During the initial meetings at our home, Seth went the extra mile to learn all about our lifestyle, future needs, architectural likes/dislikes, and budget. During this stage of the process, he would effortlessly make freehand drawings to help us visualize potential styles and layouts. We ultimately elected to go with a craftsman design, with lots of wood features inside and out. PICKING THE RIGHT PROPERTY: Seth joined us for car rides through the local neighborhoods, helping us to scout out the property that was best suited for our construction plans – free of any potential HOA or permitting snafus. DESIGN: With Seth’s guidance, we iterated on different design options. The design phase was high-tech and highly visual. Lots of 2D and 3D elevations, plus 360-degree videos. At each step, Seth clearly identified the estimated construction cost, and we would make decisions about what to dial-up and what to dial-down. For example, we elected to go with a cheaper asphalt roof (rather than slate), but with a more premium window. There were literally dozens of choices like that, and Seth did a superb job of helping us to make the right trade-offs and to “value engineer” the house. PICKING THE RIGHT CONTRACTOR AND SUBS: One of the things that distinguishes Seth from the competition is that he works closely with a handful of contractors and subcontractors who have already been “pre-screened” for excellence. Seth connected us with a general contractor who was not only honest and diligent, but whose carpentry was truly “artisan grade.” Seth also drew upon a stable of outstanding subcontractors – in areas such as HVAC/plumbing, electrical/lighting, structural engineering, cabinetry, tile, drywall/paint, countertops, hardwood flooring, landscaping, etc. It was perfectly clear that these subs were striving to deliver the highest quality and exemplary service. Why? Because Seth was an important source of repeat business for them. This made them extremely responsive. BUDGETING: Seth developed detailed spreadsheets estimating costs for every aspect of the project, as well as options for “enhancements.” Once we made our choices, he was instrumental in securing a FLAT FEE CONTRACT with the builder (inclusive of subs) for everything we wanted. To provide even more control over the cost, the agreement specified that certain items would be “owner provided, contractor installed.” This meant that, regardless of whether we bought pricey appliances or tile or flooring, it would have no impact of the builder’s fees. To his credit, Seth’s estimates were quite accurate, and the project stayed on budget. ARCHITECT FEES: We negotiated a flat fee for Seth’s architectural services, and got way more than we bargained for. We had no idea Seth would stay so engaged throughout the project -- micromanaging every detail, and even offering interior design suggestions (e.g., stains and paints, cabinet and window designs, furniture layouts, etc.). It became clear that, regardless of how much we had agreed to pay in fees, Seth was “all in,” and was committed to ensuring that the end result was perfection. To be sure, in any large construction project, there will be some hiccups. But this was yet another area where Seth shined. Rather than being indifferent, or pointing the finger at those who were actually at fault, he would step up to “own the problem” and take charge until the issue was resolved. In one such case, he developed a design tweak that saved us money and produced a more beautiful result in the process. We never had to stress too much, because we knew Seth was 100% engaged and we could trust that the final work product would be a treasure of a home. One final thought. While Seth’s tremendous talent is obviously perfect for large custom projects, we have no doubt that he can deliver outstanding value for smaller home renovations too. When we did kitchen/bath renovations in our prior home, we naively thought that a “design-and-build” firm would deliver the best solution. With the benefit of hindsight, we could have done so much better hiring Seth as the independent architect and separately hiring a builder who would be accountable to the architect. The result would have been better quality construction, a better value, and far less stress. So whether you are about to embark on a modest remodel or getting ready to “dream big” with a new custom home, look no further than Ballard Mensua Architecture."

jack l on January 2019


Avatar for SS Creative Concepts

SS Creative Concepts

4.94(
17
)

SS Creative Concepts

4.94(
17
)
Customers say: Quality work
Recommended by 100% of Angi customers
Recommended by 100% of HomeAdvisor customers

Quality Service at Great Prices SS Creative Concepts is an owner-operated business that takes pride in being able to provide its customers with a high-quality, honest, and fair service at low competitive prices. When you call you will be greeted by one of our friendly employees that answer any remodeling questions that you may have. We operate with pride and integrity while being conscientious and detail oriented. We use top-quality namebrand products, and our technicians work with you to make sure you get exactly what you want. So whether you are looking for cabinet installation, custom trim work, siding or a new deck, choose SS Creative Concepts.

"We live on a hill, with a set of steps to navigate the front yard, that end in a landing at the bottom. They were destroyed in an accident. Steve and his crew at SS Creative were the contractor I selected to repair the work. They did an excellent job matching the new construction to the old construction. Although I didn't expect it, they finished the job on Christmas Eve! I intend to call them for future projects. Excellent craftsmanship!"

Sean N on December 2021

Quality Service at Great Prices SS Creative Concepts is an owner-operated business that takes pride in being able to provide its customers with a high-quality, honest, and fair service at low competitive prices. When you call you will be greeted by one of our friendly employees that answer any remodeling questions that you may have. We operate with pride and integrity while being conscientious and detail oriented. We use top-quality namebrand products, and our technicians work with you to make sure you get exactly what you want. So whether you are looking for cabinet installation, custom trim work, siding or a new deck, choose SS Creative Concepts.

"We live on a hill, with a set of steps to navigate the front yard, that end in a landing at the bottom. They were destroyed in an accident. Steve and his crew at SS Creative were the contractor I selected to repair the work. They did an excellent job matching the new construction to the old construction. Although I didn't expect it, they finished the job on Christmas Eve! I intend to call them for future projects. Excellent craftsmanship!"

Sean N on December 2021


Handy Works

4.52(
21
)

Handy Works

4.52(
21
)
Customers say: Quick response
Recommended by 90% of Angi customers
Recommended by 90% of HomeAdvisor customers

Handy Works is a one man operation dedicated to personal and profesional service. I use subcontractors only where my license will not apply but stay on site at all times. Va. license #2705131581 I am the owner and the only employee therefor can do work at very affordable rates to fit tight budgets.

Handy Works is a one man operation dedicated to personal and profesional service. I use subcontractors only where my license will not apply but stay on site at all times. Va. license #2705131581 I am the owner and the only employee therefor can do work at very affordable rates to fit tight budgets.



The Honey Do Service, Inc. - Bristol, VA

4.30(
50
)

The Honey Do Service, Inc. - Bristol, VA

4.30(
50
)
Customers say: Super punctual
2002 years of experience

Handyman Specialists - A General Contractor suited for your Home Maintenance and Improvement Needs. The Honey Do Service, Inc. is a licensed and insured contractor specializing in handyman services, small odd jobs and maintenance services. No Job Too Small, We Do It All! The Honey Do Service, Inc. has introduced a new level of professionalism to the home maintenance / handyman industry. Many homeowners have become leery of the “handyman” trade. When we arrive at the customer's home, they are greeted by professional craftsmen in uniform and driving a company vehicle. We offer a skilled, qualified tradesman, insurance, a one year warranty on work performed and a company that stands behind its work. Franchises also available. We utilize our network of licensed plumbers, electricians, and HVAC technicians to perform work not authorized under our General Contractor's license.

Handyman Specialists - A General Contractor suited for your Home Maintenance and Improvement Needs. The Honey Do Service, Inc. is a licensed and insured contractor specializing in handyman services, small odd jobs and maintenance services. No Job Too Small, We Do It All! The Honey Do Service, Inc. has introduced a new level of professionalism to the home maintenance / handyman industry. Many homeowners have become leery of the “handyman” trade. When we arrive at the customer's home, they are greeted by professional craftsmen in uniform and driving a company vehicle. We offer a skilled, qualified tradesman, insurance, a one year warranty on work performed and a company that stands behind its work. Franchises also available. We utilize our network of licensed plumbers, electricians, and HVAC technicians to perform work not authorized under our General Contractor's license.

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Unfinished Carpentry questions, answered by experts

Yes, a bowed wall can be straightened in several ways. If the bowing is minimal, it can often be straightened by installing anchors or straps. For more severe basement wall bowing, your contractor might need to excavate the soil outside the foundation and pull the wall back into its original position to straighten it.

Rotting wood, frame misalignment, or damaged seals often require attention.

Yes, ceiling joists are typically load-bearing. However, their primary function is to support the weight of the ceiling and loads applied to it, like lighting fixtures and ceiling fans. They can also help support the roof, especially if they’re part of truss systems. Remember, the load-bearing capacity of ceiling joists depends on the material, size, and space between them. 

You can use a nail to find ceiling joists, but it’s not as reliable as a stud finder, and you’ll end up with lots of small holes in your ceiling. If the nail hits a joist, you'll feel increased resistance. Mark the spot with a pencil. Repeat this process regularly along the ceiling, 16 or 24 inches apart, until you've mapped out the joist locations.

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.

The Lancaster, VA homeowners’ guide to contractor services

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

What do you need done? We’ll find top pros.
  • 🌱 "Mow a small front yard"
  • 🛠 "Fix a leaking pipe under the sink"
  • 🏠 "Repair shingles on an asphalt roof"