Archive for the ‘Maintenance & Repairs’ Category

Is there a federal grant for home improvement for lower-medium income families?

Thursday, December 18th, 2008
redd_rocket asked:


I am looking to make some needed home improvements, such as new siding and insulation, new windows, new garage doors, and so on but cannot afford it on my own. I work 40+ hours a week but my line of work does not pay the best. I would be grateful for any useful information. Thank you.

How to ask people for help with home improvement?

Tuesday, December 9th, 2008
lf asked:


I know there’s something call home improvement parties or something like that, does anybody know what they are call and if you do how can I invite people (family, friends) to come over to my house and help me out with paint and small repairs around the house, it would cost me so much if I hire someone and I thought I could buy some pizza and drinks for friends, does that sound nice and if it does how do I do it, please help!!!!
I am actualy really good at doing things around the house, I’ve fixed toilets, sinks and even reulphoster my furniture. I just have to have some stuff done by the middle of next month for house insurance purposes and if I don’t fix them it could cost me a lot to get a new insurance

Need HOME IMPROVEMENT ADVICE - PLEASE?

Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008
SunnyGirl asked:


This is a followup question to my previous one. I have a basement bedroom ~200sq ft. that has a problem. My sister used to paint ceramics in that room and stupidly used to spray her sealants in the room as well. The room now smells like a toxic chemical factory. I believe that the sealant have permeated the underlay of the carpet.

NOW - I have removed the carpet and underlay and thrown them out. The smell is still there. I believe that it has soaked into the concrete.

QUESTION: Is there anything that I can do to stop the smell from coming out of the concrete or better yet can I rinse the concrete out with water several times & dry it? - suggestions please!!

Who offers certification courses for general contractors in home improvement local to Rochester NY?

Saturday, November 29th, 2008
mychoice2dy asked:


I’m starting my own home improvement business and would like as many certifications as possible local to Rochester NY.

where to find Help to finance home improvement?

Monday, October 13th, 2008
christine e asked:


Is there help for citizens to fiance home improvement?

Lawyer advice regarding home improvement contractors/brick pointing/window changing?

Friday, August 15th, 2008
chiane e asked:


I recently had brick pointing and 4 windows changed on the face of my parents’ 2 story building - 3 family w/ a store front. Contractor didn’t grind out the old cement before putting in the new cement (which I was told was the correct way to do it ). For the windows, there was a 6″ gap between the top of the window and the frame. The gap was “filled in” with pieces of wood that were covered with alumnium. I specifically asked if our new windows were going to look like our neighbors’ before the work started and I was told “yes.” When questioned about the gap, he stated that the place where he usually gets the windows from didn’t have the size that we needed and that it was going to take 4 weeks to get them, so he made the decision to get the smaller windows without asking us. My parents were on the location while the work was being done, however they were busy tending the store. My sister and I work full time. I put some $ down, but withheld remaining bal. What legal action can I take?
There were no contracts involved…only a “proposal”. The proposal listed the scope of the work…no clauses in the proposal. Only thing mentioned about pymt was $1500 down and remainder of the balance ($2000) to be paid when work is complete. I signed and he signed. On the business card that we received from him, it has his name “Sam” and a license #. When I checked the license #, it wasn’t under the name “Sam” it was a completely different name. I don’t think he got a permit from the Dept. of Buildings neither because nothing was posted on our building.

i’m making some home improvements, how many electrical outlet can i have off one electric line?

Sunday, July 27th, 2008
jennylo asked:


I’m finishing up a basement

How can I convince people to get a free estimate on home improvement? Help?

Friday, July 25th, 2008
ar asked:


I just got a job canvassing neighborhoods getting “leads” from people who agree to get a free estimate on their home improvement. Since part of my pay is by commission, I need to get as many people to get this free estimate as possible.

What things should i say to convince them to do it? What would convince you if someone came to your door? Thanks.

why do home improvement and cable people always expect you to be home during working hours?

Friday, July 4th, 2008
rockinright06 asked:


My wife and I got our kitchen remodeled and had seperate installers for flooring, cabinets, applicance install, and countertops. In every case, one of us had to take a day off work, on short notice, and endure bitching from our respective bosses about it, because the aforementioned contractors could only do 9-5 hours during the week and not pin down an exact time to boot.

Why do they do this? Why do they expect that the average working person can take off work 5 times in one month? Am I the only person that finds this to be a problem?

home improvements by friend cheated us?

Saturday, June 21st, 2008
patti h asked:


Our “friend”, proclaimed handyman, really got us for home improvements costs. During his work, he asked for $1,500. which (duh) I gave him by check written out “cash” w/comments on the bottom “home improvement.” I paid for all supplies. Long story short, 75% of work is not finished. He tried to put a sprinkler system in our yard, but had no clue. Our screens on back porch are now in place, but he never finished cutting them properly. We live in FL & Hurricane Katrina did a bit of damage. We paid for a pressure cleaner which he used 1st for his own home & charged us for the rental & $15/hr. to shoot a bit around our home. Twice he used a snake to unclog, but Draino works. He presented me w/a bill & I could not read it. All scribbles, but thinking he was a good friend of my husband, I wrote him a $1,500 check. Later we argued about the unfinished work & I fired him. Can I get any money back? Would appreciate any advice or experiences. TY — Patti H