Mike’s Guys: 5 Steps to Remove Wallpaper

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Although wallpaper seems to be making somewhat of a comeback, removing it is something we almost always do when remodeling a space that is wallpapered. In most cases, homeowners prefer to have all wallpaper removed to allow for the more modern aesthetic of paint. Unfortunately, in many older homes, wallpaper was applied on every wall of a room, so even if new wallpaper was going to be laid over one wall to provide a decorative accent, three other walls would still need to be scraped and prepped for paint! While not impossible, the task of removing wallpaper can be tedious, messy, and time-consuming. Read more

Mike’s Guys: Installing New Exterior Doors

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One of the most popular requests we receive by our handyman division, Mike’s Guys, is for exterior door replacement. Often times, exterior doors and trim need replacing due to years of wear and tear from the elements, usually including water damage. It might sound simple to take out an old door and pop in a new one, but it is actually one of the more complex handyman services we offer. There are a lot of variables when it comes to door replacements, such as the width of the jamb, the type of casing, the trim, and bore specifications. There is even more to take into consideration if the existing door is rotten because water is coming in where it shouldn’t – this requires us to determine the cause of the issue and fix it prior to installing the replacement door. Of course, there are companies out there that would install a new door without fixing any underlying issues first, but who wants to put a band-aid on something that will only cause the same problem a year or so down the road?!

Exterior door installation requests are not always in relation to damaged doors, however. We also get requests to install sliding patio doors or traditional French doors where there is not already an existing door. This request may be to install the door in place of a set of windows, or just in a desired location on an exterior wall.

Here is an example of a French door installation we did for a client that wanted to access the backyard from the master bedroom:

If you are interested in having new exterior doors installed, or if you need to replace some damaged ones, our team would be happy to help! The quickest option we offer for quoting this type of project is a virtual estimate: simply snap some photos of your existing problem doors or of the wall you’d like to install a door in and email them to us for a quote. We’ll need the approximate width and height of the doors, along with interior and exterior photos. If you’d like to proceed with the quote we provide, we’re happy to completely manage the project going forward. We’ll send one of our handymen out to take hard measurements, source and order the door, complete installation once it’s delivered, and finish out the door with painting. We’re happy to consider ourselves a ‘one-stop-shop’ for door installations, making it easier on you as the homeowner while allowing us to provide the highest level of quality workmanship!

We can also offer assistance with other types of door installations, such as interior doors, barn doors, and decorative iron doors. Contact us today for more information!

Warm Regards,

Mike’s Guys

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Mike’s Guys Tip: 3 Options for Getting Rid of Popcorn Ceilings

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One of the top requests we get from our clients – whether they are remodeling their current home or have recently moved into an older house – is to have the popcorn ceilings removed.

These textured ceilings, also known as popcorn ceilings, acoustic ceilings or even cottage cheese ceilings, were very popular in the 1970s and ’80s as a quick and easy way to hide imperfections. Unfortunately, this texture can be very difficult to match if you have cracks or holes in need of patching. The uneven surface also catches more dust, allows for cobwebs, and really makes a home’s interior look stale and dated. These reasons alone are enough to make a homeowner opt for removing the texture! This is why we include popcorn ceiling removal in just about every home remodeling project we complete. Read more

15 Tips to Keep Your Home Cool and Your Electric Bill Low!

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Late spring through the end of summer are when the temperatures in North Texas really heat up! There are a lot of good things that come with warm weather – cookouts, sporting events, family trips, and checking off those home projects you have been putting off. Unfortunately, warm weather also brings some not-so-good things, like an increase in your electric bill. In fact, according to the US Energy Information Administration, the United States used more energy last year than ever recorded before! Our guess is that the energy usage will continue to climb as the years go on. The good news is, there are a number of things (easy things!) you can do to use less energy and still keep your home cool; benefiting both the environment and your wallet! Read more

3 Benefits of Working with a Professional Handyman

If there is one thing we have learned since introducing our handyman division – Mike’s Guys – it’s that some homeowners tend to associate the term “handyman” with “inexpensive” as a means to get large projects done for less. This isn’t completely wrong; Mike’s Guys was established with the purpose of providing assistance with smaller projects that typically cost less than major remodels. Our goal is to provide professional service and high-end results for small remodels, home maintenance, and repair projects—the same great service and results that you would expect from Medford Design-Build for major remodels! Read more

Mike’s Guys: Replacing Rotten Exterior Trim & Handrails

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Exterior trim and porch railings are among the home’s exterior features that require replacement over the years. Although handrails, support columns, posts, and wooden stairs are treated to withstand the elements, years of harsh environmental extremes can cause irreparable damage. Improper sealing, poor air circulation, and poor drainage can all result in the absorption of moisture into the wood, causing rot. Rotted wood doesn’t only look bad, but it also creates a safety hazard for you and your loved ones! Read more

Prepare Your Home for Spring Storms: Mike’s Guys Can Help!

It’s hard to believe spring will be here in just a few short weeks! Although the mornings and evenings are still chilly, the days are getting warmer, which means some nasty storms will be stirring up soon. Falling in “Tornado Alley,” North Texas often experiences nature’s wrath throughout the spring and summer months with tornadoes, hail, flash floods, and damaging winds.

Although there is no way to control the weather, here are some precautionary steps you can take to prepare your home to endure Mother Nature’s fury: Read more

Mike’s Guys: Update Your Home’s Interior Walls

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If your home needs a refresh and you’re not quite sure where to start, simply updating the walls is a fairly easy task that can make a big impact. Whether you are changing colors, textures, introducing a pattern with wallpaper, or adding dimension with new crown molding, you’ll be surprised at just how much these changes influence the home’s interior as a whole. Although wall colors and finishes are typically the last thing our Interior Designer selects when we’re working on a major remodel, updating the walls is an excellent stand-alone project that can usually be done in a day or two. It’s an ideal first step if you don’t have the time or money for a full remodel, but still want to breathe new life into a lack-luster room. Fair warning, though: the impact of updating the walls can snowball into bigger projects! The satisfaction of the refreshed space can be addicting! Read more

Mike’s Guys: Replacing Interior Doors & Trim

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As many of you know, we launched a handyman division of Medford Design-Build at the end of 2017. Mike’s Guys Handyman and Construction offers quality services for small home projects, maintenance, and repairs. One of the most popular requests we have received at Mike’s Guys over the last year is to replace interior doors and trim. While many homeowners think of new paint and flooring as the primary means to update a space (short of a full remodel), we always suggest including new baseboards, window and door casings, and new interior doors to make an even bigger impact. Read more

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