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Mar 17 2021

Tips for Converting Unfinished Basement to Bedrooms and What to Avoid

For homeowners who aren’t actively using all their basement space, the possibilities are endless when deciding how to renovate. For most people, the natural choice is to convert unfinished basements into bedrooms. Why? There are lots of reasons: adding an extra room can increase the home’s value, provide another private room for visitors or relatives, and can even allow you to rent out space for a bonus source of income.

However, a few tips are essential to keep in mind before setting off on a renovation adventure with your unfinished basement. Below, we’re going to outline some relevant info for home improvers to check out. Plus, we’ll discuss what you should avoid.

Tip: Add Insulation and Moisture Protection

Odds are, the existing wall and floor insulation in your unfinished basement are not up to par with the currently occupied bedrooms upstairs.

If you want to create an aura of comfort and refuge from the elements, it’s essential to install insulation and moisture protection in your new bedroom. Insulation provides extra warmth as well as sound-dampening properties. And since your new bedroom will be below the rest of the house, foot traffic noise can be an issue.

Tip: Lighting

Improving the lighting in basement spaces might seem like a challenge. However, one simple solution is to open up window wells if you have them. Replacing fogged glass with new UV-protective windows will allow daylight to fill your bedroom space.

If window wells aren’t an option, you can invest in high-quality indoor lighting. Warm lights that cover spaces with a diffused glow are generally the best types of lights to install to brighten up gloomy basements.

Avoid: Adding New Walls

Most two or three-bedroom homes built today have basements without extra walls. Adding new walls to a basement can be a challenge, even though you might think it’s necessary to cut up the basement floorplan with walls to give visitors or renters privacy.

Instead of installing new walls, we have found that an open floor plan is preferable. As long as there is a secure lock to the basement space, you’ll save thousands by not putting up extra walls. Use bookshelves, blinds, and other rigid items to partition the area instead. Check out curtain systems too. You can change the curtains to match the season or add warmth with heavier textiles.

Avoid: Hastily Placed Outlets

Whoever is going to be using your newly renovated bedroom is bound to have electronic equipment. Since the outlet connections are probably scarce in your unfinished basement, you’ll want to avoid putting in outlets at random. Sketching out the floor plan is always a good first step before locating your electrical lines.

Are You Ready to Renovate?

Converting your unfinished basement to a bedroom is an excellent way to improve your home value and free up some space. By trying out the simple tips above and avoiding some common errors, you’ll see how easy (and fun!) it is to open up a new space in your home for your friends and family to enjoy.

If you need some help with this potentially daunting task, contact our team at One Man and a Toolbox today. We can help you with whatever project you may have.

Mar 03 2021

Creating Storage Space in Your Garage and Enjoying It Now and Later

If you’re like many homeowners, you might find your garage a little less organized than you’d prefer. In the summer, you might throw your bicycles, lawnmower, and pool accessories in there, while in the winter, you have to fetch snow shovels and salt. Every year, your materials get harder to find, spill, age, or simply seem to disappear. How do you create garage storage space so you can enjoy it?

Proper storage in your garage doesn’t have to be a month-long project. Most homeowners can organize odds and ends piled up in their garage in a weekend. So, let’s take a look at some of the simple solutions you can employ today to improve your garage storage.

Use Vertical Shelves to Take Advantage of Unused Space

Installing vertical organizing systems is a simple solution to cramped floor space in your garage. There are a lot of options to get your items off the floor.

Pegboard can be customized and cut to fit your garage walls. Many large home improvement retailers will trim the pegboard for you. You simply mount the pegboard to your walls and install the included hangers, shelves, and hooks to suit your needs.

Traditional shelf standards are also useful in garages, plus they can withstand heavier loads. Simply screw in the standards—making sure they’re level—and install the shelves. One thing to keep in mind: track-based shelves like these generally take more time to put up and are a little pricier.

Stackable translucent bins are also available, generally at a lower price than traditional standards and pegboard. However, bins offer lots of advantages. You can buy lids for them, allowing for perishables to last longer. Another bonus: no installation process is needed!

Take Advantage of Overhead Space

Odds are, if you look up to your garage ceiling, you’ll find a large unused space. Take advantage of the top two to three feet of overhead space by hanging wider, horizontal shelves to store the materials you don’t use very much. Packing material, seasonal sports equipment, and ladders are all perfect for overhead storage.

Store Small or Irregular-Shaped Items in the Corner

Here’s a simple solution to make use of every inch of your garage space. Hang triangular shelves in the corners of the garage. Since there’s a guaranteed stud in the corner, you can be sure that these nifty shelves will hold smaller items like scrap wood or spray paint.

Try Storage Tubes

For all your cumbersome, long garage items like garden tools and baseball bats, you can buy concrete-forming tubes to store them all in one easy-to-access space. A bonus: with all your outdoor tools in one place, you’ll reduce the amount of dirt and mud that you might track into the garage.

Conclusion

With the help of a few intuitive storage tips, you’ll find it easier than ever to organize all your odds and ends for quick access. The garage is indeed a perfect place to hide away all the belongings that don’t easily fit in your home. But your garage can still be a clean and spacious refuge by investing a few hours in shelving, removing excess material, and taking advantage of vertical space.

If creating storage space in your garage is a little outside of your expertise, contact us at One Man and a Toolbox and see how we can help you.

Feb 25 2021

What’s the Difference Between a Handyman and a Contractor?

Choosing the right sort of worker to fix the problems plaguing your house is sometimes a hassle. What if you don’t quite know the problem yet. How do you know who you should call to diagnose it? If you know the differences between a contractor and a handyman, you can make that decision much easier.

A handyman or a contractor has a specific skill set that is best suited for their respective tasks. That doesn’t mean one is better than the other! Sometimes a handyman can fix a leaky pipe in half the time it would take a contractor, but you wouldn’t want a handyman framing your house.

In general, a contractor will take on larger projects, such as additions or major renovations. On the other hand, a handyman will usually take smaller jobs, such as painting or laminate floor installation. Here, you can learn more about the differences between a handyman and a contractor.

What is a Handyman?

As the name implies, a handyman is someone with general construction skills. Their skills usually vary widely, so some handymen are widely skilled while others are not. The difference in skill level is due to a lack of licensing requirements. Handymen do not need a license to work (though our team is licensed.)

Handymen usually provide their clients with solutions to a wide variety of problems. Some of the most common jobs for a handyman include:

● Gutter cleaning

● Leaf or snow clearing

● Lawn work

● Painting

● Leaky faucet or taps

● Drywall repairs

● Appliance repairs

● Other minor repairs

Since handymen aren’t always licensed, they are legally unable to take on significant projects. Usually, state laws regulate what size the project a handyman can take on.

The other main thing that most handymen lack is insurance. Construction insurance covers the client’s building or property, the workers in case of injury, and the job site’s tools for damage or theft. Without insurance, the handyman doesn’t have any responsibility for your property or their workers, so you could end up bearing that cost. It’s essential to find a company that provides both licensed and insured workers.

What is a Contractor

A contractor is a licensed professional who can perform any building activity. There are multiple types of contractors, two of which are the most common. A general contractor essentially manages all parts of a project. They hire a crew, find architects or engineers, get permits, and supervise all of the work.

The other primary type of contractor is a specialty contractor. Specialty contractors work on smaller projects than general contractors but more extensive than those given to a handyman. They install things like cabinets or house siding and usually have a single area of expertise.

Both sorts of contractors get a license from their state’s regulator. By hiring a licensed professional, you can have peace of mind regarding issues that may arise during work, like wage changes, injuries, lost equipment, or inferior construction methods. You can always report a shoddy contractor to your state’s regulatory board.

The other main benefit you get when you hire a contractor is their insurance. When you hire a contractor, they should include construction in their quote. By hiring a contractor with insurance, you know any problems on the job site won’t be your responsibility as a home or property owner.

The Main Differences Between a Handyman and a Contractor

Hiring a handyman or a contractor are both great ways to finish up those projects you’ve wanted to get to forever but just couldn’t find a way to get started. The differences between the two arise depending on the type of project you want to complete.

A contractor will help you from the very start of your project. They will organize all of the proper permits, so you don’t get a headache from all of the paperwork. They also make sure to do all of their construction to the specifics laid out by the architect or engineer. Contractors are an all-in-one solution to any project you have.

A handyman is best suited for small projects you can describe in detail. Handymen aren’t contractors, so they won’t know all the ins and outs of construction. Most handymen are as educated about building permits or blueprints as you, which means you could find someone better suited for large projects.

If you are interested in taking on smaller projects, you can rest assured that our handymen are both licensed and insured. It’s essential to find a handyman you can trust, and with over 20 years of expertise, you can count on us to get any project done, from carpentry to flooring, to minor electrical issues.

Feb 12 2021

Top 5 Reasons to Call a Local Handyman

If you want your home repairs done right the first time, your best bet is to call a local handyman. Someone local will understand all of the codes specific to your area, be able to help right away, and you will be supporting local businesses all at the same time. There are plenty of reasons to go local when you need a home repair done.

Local Handyman Have The tools That You Need

While some home repair jobs are relatively straightforward, others require a whole host of different tools. Unless you are very handy yourself, it’s unlikely that you’ll have these tools on hand. Often, people find themselves right in the middle of a massive project and need a unique tool.

If you hire a handyman from out of town, they might need to drive a substantial distance to get the job’s proper tool. Local handymen can easily head back to their shop to pick up the appropriate tools. This saves you plenty of time.

Generally speaking, you should always hire a handyman to perform more extensive jobs, simply because using the wrong tool for a job could have disastrous consequences. If you want the job done right, get a skilled local handyman to help you out.

You Can Stay Safe

Home repair can be dangerous, especially if you’re working with structural elements or electricity. Local handymen have the expertise needed to keep both you and themselves safe during big home jobs. If you are at all unsure whether or not you can handle a job, it’s best to call in the experts.

Additionally, you can count on professional handymen to have access to good ladders and other materials. In the United States alone, there are 300 ladder-related deaths every year and 164,000 ladder-related emergency room visits. Why risk your life or safety? It’s far better to call in the local professionals to get the job done correctly.

You Don’t Need To Worry About Time Constraints

Depending on your job’s size and scope, you might need multiple people to work on your home simultaneously, and hiring a non-local company could take a lot more time. Understandably, people are anxious to get their work done as quickly as possible, which is why you should call a local handyman who can get to your property quickly and enlist the help of other workers if need be.

Realistically, those who try to muddle through a home repair project by themselves can expect plenty of time setbacks. If you don’t know exactly what you’re doing, it’s tough to stick to a schedule. Save yourself the stress and time by hiring a local handyman.

You Get Professional Results

One of the most compelling reasons why you should call a local handyman is that you will get professional results. Just like any other trade, handymen are uniquely skilled in their area of expertise and can help you realize your vision entirely.

Although some people think that they will save money by trying to do the work themselves, it often doesn’t usually work out that way. Buying your own materials and tools often costs a lot more in the long run. Plus, you’re far less likely to get the results that you want.

Ultimately, hiring a local handyman will allow you to save time, money and get excellent results. Local handymen are also aware of any local building codes, so if you’re erecting a structure or doing a major renovation on your house, you absolutely need to look local for the work.

Have A Local Person On Hand

When it comes down to it, having a local person on hand can help you to rest easy for the duration of your entire job because if there’s some kind of emergency or you need something immediately, they’re there.

Although we never like to think about things going wrong with home repair, sometimes there are problems. You don’t want to hire a person who can’t solve your issues quickly, and many out-of-town companies simply don’t have the bandwidth or ability to get to you as rapidly as you would like.

With a local handyman, you have the peace of mind that if a worst-case scenario happens, you will be able to make a quick phone call and have it fixed. Hiring locally makes smart sense for your wallet, time, peace of mind, and safety. It also supports your local community.

If you are in search of a local handyman that you can rely on, contact us to discuss your needs. With over 20 years of experience, we have a team you can trust to get the job done quickly and efficiently.

Jan 28 2021

When Can You Use Drywall Repair to Fix a Wall?

Drywall is a popular and affordable material for housing walls and is superior to plaster or paneling for its ease of installation and repair. However, while sturdy and durable, it’s not indestructible. Tell-tale signs that drywall needs to be repaired include deterioration, discoloration, water damage, and large holes or gouges.

Our technicians at One Man & A Toolbox are specially trained to handle even the most complex of drywall repairs. Even though drywall is installed in large sections, repairing drywall does not mean that the entire section needs to be replaced. Our team of trained professionals can quickly help you spot and repair the signs of drywall damage.

Deterioration

Drywall will inevitably show some signs of deterioration over time. Cracks and holes often pop up around windows and doors as the house ages. Also, damage from popped nails or hardware used in hanging artwork can eventually weaken the drywall’s structural integrity.

Excess moisture can also cause cracks to appear, especially around areas where the joint tape used in installing the drywall has come loose. Dents and furniture scuffs are also part of the wear and tear that can cause drywall deterioration.

Discoloration

Discoloration is often the first sign of excess moisture. Aside from that, discoloration can be caused by many things, including chemical reactions between joint compounds and paints, nail head discoloration, and accumulation of dust and dirt. Depending on the size of the stain or discoloration, odds are good that it can be repaired without replacing the entire section of drywall.

Water Damage

Water damage is an insidious and dangerous element. Once it gets into your walls, it can catalyze a host of problems. Aside from cosmetic damage, water damage can lead to mold, mildew, and weakened structural integrity. Leaky fixtures and burst pipes are common culprits, and slow leaks often go undetected until there’s visible damage.

This is one repair that’s best left to professionals. Water damage requires additional finesse to drywall repair and can be a hassle to attempt by yourself. Calling in the pros is the best course of action.

Large Holes or Gouges

Fixing large holes or gouges in drywall is tricky—sometimes a bit of drywall mud is all you need, and sometimes a reinforcement mesh is necessary. Either way, seasoned professionals have the expertise to assess and evaluate the most effective way to make the repair. Not only are functional concerns a priority, but cosmetic concerns arise even after the repair when paint needs to be matched to surrounding areas.

Call In the Pros

Our technicians at One Man & A Toolbox have been serving Alabama homeowners for over two decades. When it comes to drywall repair, leaving damage unattended will likely make the problem worse. Over time, the damage will weaken your drywall and cause additional sagging and bulging. Leave the headache and hassle to our experienced team—call today for a consultation or request service on our website to get started.