Category: Mike’s Guys Handyman

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


Photo Source

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

Mike’s Guys: The Top Options for Exterior Siding


Photo Source

Your home’s exterior siding isn’t just for aesthetic purposes; it’s your home’s first defense against the harsh elements. Maintaining and eventually replacing your siding is an important task if you want to keep your home in good condition and prevent issues like water damage, mold, wood rot, and energy inefficiency. If left unaddressed, these issues can get out of control and become very costly to repair. This is why it’s so important to know your options when replacing your home’s siding and use the material that will be best for your home long-term. Read more

Mike’s Guys: How to Get Rid of Ceiling Condensation

    
Photo Source

Ceiling Condensation is a common problem homeowners face and should be addressed promptly; excess moisture can eventually cause mold and mildew to form — quickly escalating a small problem into a much larger and potentially dangerous ordeal. Not only will you have to pay for a mold remediation company to handle the hazardous growth, but you’ll likely need to hire a contractor to repair the affected areas afterward. What a headache! It is helpful for homeowners to understand what causes the condensation and how to get rid of it before it becomes a bigger issue. Read more

Mike’s Guys Handyman: 5 Signs it’s Time to Replace Your Windows

Replacing windows is among home maintenance projects that can make a huge impact on both the functionality and the value of your home. As with anything, it’s better to maintain properly working windows and replace them regularly, versus waiting until you have multiple failed windows on your hands! Here are 5 signs of window failure to look out for, via our handyman division, Mike’s Guys:

1. Poor Operation. A common issue with aging windows is that they stick when opening and closing. This is often caused by a balancing issue in which dust, dirt, pollen, or other buildup becomes lodged in the tracks. In some cases, cleaning out the tracks can help with sticking, but usually this is a sign that the window will need to be replaced soon. Read more

Mike’s Guys: Top 5 Home Maintenance Projects to Improve Your Home

As they say, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” While this statement can be applied to many different scenarios in life, it also rings true for home maintenance. A little investment in small repairs can go a long way in preventing major, more expensive issues down the road.

Here are 5 maintenance projects to get you started on updating and maintaining a safe, functional, and efficient home:

 

1. Adding Insulation

Insulation can help you control a number of things, such as temperature (both cool and warm), noise levels, and your monthly energy bill. If your home was built before 1980, your home could be insufficiently insulated and lacking in these areas. Simply adding insultation to your attic space could drastically impact your comfort level as well as your cooling/heating bill. Read more

3 Options for Completing a Pull-and-Replace Kitchen Remodel with Mike’s Guys Handyman

As our business continues to grow alongside our expanding client base, we have found that there are many homeowners looking to complete a kitchen remodel in which no walls or plumbing will be moved. We refer to these types of remodels as “pull-and-replace” projects, where the existing footprint stays the same. Original cabinets, countertops, backsplash, etc. are removed and replaced with new materials, but in the same location. Due to the simple nature of these types of projects, they do not require the full design package that would accompany a more complex kitchen remodel. Read more

Mike’s Guys Handyman: The Ease of a Free Virtual Estimate

If there is one common complaint we’ve heard from homeowners throughout the years, it is that they struggled to find a contractor or handyman that would follow-up after their initial conversation. Unfortunately, homeowners are often forced to deal with the frustration of waiting for an estimate that never comes. If you’ve ever experienced a disappearing contractor or non-responsive handyman service, you know how infuriating it is to be seemingly forgotten about when you’re trying to get a project done. Read more

Mike’s Guys: 3 Exterior Projects to Prep Your Home for Spring

Spring is only a few weeks away, and the weather in North Texas is already giving us a preview of what the upcoming stormy season holds. Just a few days ago, it reached nearly 80 degrees in DFW, followed by a bitter cold-front and heavy rain. The rollercoaster of high and low temperatures coupled with bouts of rain, winds, and hail can make it a harsh environment for outside structures such as your home. We say this every year, but as a team of home improvement professionals, we cannot stress enough how important it is to perform routine maintenance on your home’s exterior prior to the stormy seasons! Repairing, updating, and maintaining your home ahead of time will prevent much more serious issues down the road. Read more

Mike’s Guys: 4 Things to Know About Wall Removal


Photo Source

Open-concept floor plans have become one of the most sought-after features among home buyers and homeowners alike. As a remodeling company, the majority of the projects we do involve some extent of removing or shortening walls to create a more open, airy overall feel. Among the many before and after transformations we share, the ones that include a wall removal are by far the most impressive. It’s amazing how different a space can look and how much better the area can be utilized once unnecessary walls have been removed! Read more

6 Small Home Projects to Plan for in 2020

If you haven’t done much upkeep in your home for several years, it might feel overwhelming to know where to start. Aside from a major, full-gut remodel in a kitchen or bathroom, there are many smaller projects that can be completed to contribute to a more modern look overall.

Aesthetically speaking, minor upgrades here and there can really make a big impact in your home as a whole as time goes by. One way to go about this is to choose a handful of small projects to complete independently throughout the year, resulting in a beautifully updated home over time. For example, refreshing the interior paint in the spring and replacing dated carpet with a solid-surface flooring in the fall can provide for a modern, updated look come holiday season. It may not be realistic for you to do everything at once, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with tackling small projects individually to slowly transform your dated home! Read more