Cocktail Hutch

I just completed a piece of furniture for a family member, using a design from This Old House Magazine. It's called a cocktail hutch and is made from solid wood. Cutting a bunch of lumber from LOWES into a nice, functional piece of furniture presented some fun challenges!

  From This:

 

 

To This!

 



Handmade vinyl storm windows for a porch

Recently, I made a dozen porch storm windows out of light weight PVC/vinyl material and plexi-glass inserts. These are not energy efficient, however, for porch use they are perfect. Easy to remove and reinstall each year, these windows provide a wind break for your enclosed area. Keep dirt and moisture from ruining your possessions. No painting and easy cleaning!

Garage opening showing it's age?

I recently helped a Harborcreek homeowner who complained that his garage door opening and the trim pieces surrounding it-- were rotting out. After shopping for the appropriate PVC trim pieces and door jambs, I completed the job. The old door jams were cut about 2' off the ground and replaced with new pressure treated lumber that was secured with both nails and masonry screws. New trim seals, and brick moldings were mitered and attached. Finally, silicon caulk and paint completed the job. If your garage needs an update, contact me and we can discuss your situation. 814-440-4737 bj.hickey@hotmail.com

Review BJ's Handyman Services on AngiesList.com

angieslist.com/review/6164622

Circular stairway project in Harborcreek

This project was challenging on a number of fronts.  Most specifically, cutting a 56" x 56" hole in someone's living room is nothing to take lightly!  The customer wanted to install steel circular stairs on his ranch style home, made by Spiral Stairs of America, based in Erie, on Franklin Avenue.  After analyzing the situation we proceeded to design two temporary support walls, installed headers and sister floor joists to ensure the missing floor area was supported properly and according to building codes.   All went well,  The stairs were built exactly to our specifications and they were installed in just under an hour.  Bringing in the 12' tall steel stairs in one piece was another challenge, since they had to be "corkscrewed" through the side door and then again as it went "down the hole" to it's final resting place on the basement floor.  Here are some photos of the stairway, the railings, and yours truly.

Again, the homeowner decided to assist in this project.  I can always use an extra hand!

Breezeway makeover in Erie

Here is a recent project I completed in Erie.  It involved re-framing an existing breezeway, adding two new windows, two new doors, and vinyl siding.  The owner wanted to get involved, so we did it together.  They bought many of the materials, and I provided additional labor, tools, and advice.  A fun project that didn't take very long.
Before:

Catastrophic event? (Fire, flood, etc.)

If you should ever have the misfortune of a fire, flood, or other calamitous event, be sure to call Erie Restoration Inc. 24/7 for immediate help.  They are locally owned, experienced professionals who will quickly restore your family's home and peace of mind.  They handle everything! 

Keep their number handy: 814-835-HELP.
2669 West 17th Street, Suite A
Erie, PA 16505

http://www.erierestorationinc.com

Hot Water Tank Advice

In case you missed it, here is a link in the Erie Times about hot water tank maintenance, and what those appliance warranties really mean:
http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2013303109983

Need help with tools? See Dave!

If you're in the market to buy tools involved with home repairs, be sure to stop by Lowes on Asbury Road in Erie and see Dave Hetrick. Dave has lots of experience, including woodworking and home repairs. He's a great employee!

Follow on Twitter!

From time to time, I will be posting interesting items on Twitter.com regarding a variety of home owner (and other) topics. 

FOLLOW me @ErieHandyman

Here's the link: http://www.twitter.com/ErieHandyman

What's the attraction to Twitter?  I'm a news junkie, and like to have the most up to date information from a variety of sources, about things that interest me.  I'll pass along many of those items.

~BJ

Ooops!

Here's a problem for a new home buyer.  The previous owner jury-rigged an incorrect plumbing shutoff (left).  (No hot water threaded connection to attach the washer hose.)  It was installed so that the previous owner could detach their washer and move out!

 Got a mess like this?  Give me a call--let's do it right!      
~BJ

More...of recent projects completed

Reversed doors by changing out hinges
Installed new "can" (recessed) lighting in kitchen
Installed new IKEA kitchen cabinets, countertops, sink, faucet
Relocated gas line in kitchen for new layout
Removed/replaced BILGE pump and AERATOR on fishing boat
IKEA Furniture: assembled/installed
Made kitchen island into a countertop
Interior doors removed/replaced
New garbage disposal installed
New faucets for bath and kitchen
Installing new gutters/downspouts
Repair sheetrock/plaster ceilings
Remove railings for mobile home stairs

Recent projects

Recent projects completed for folks around town:

Installed new bathroom ceiling fan
Re-installed mobile home skirting
Installed laminate flooring
Installed new lighting fixtures
Repaired plumbing system
Replaced natural gas line
Installed roofing materials on small garage
Re-wired electrical connections
Removed debris; transported to dump site
Repaired storm doors
Installed door locks
Repaired plumbing for 1/2 bath; reset toilet
Repaired cement cracking around garage drains
Installed new shower fixtures; re-calked shower surround
Installed new subfloor, cement board and tile for bathroom
Installed new glass door shower unit

Give me a call! 814-440-4737


Go to 'Handyman' on Thumbtack, a website for service professionals.

Property Preservation?

Not only do banks and mortgage companies need our services, but some property owners either local or out of town, may need the following property "preservation" services which we provide:
Re-Keying
Secure Openings
Debris Removal
Demolition/damaged property removal
Hazard Removal
Lawn Maintenance
Janitorial Service
Repairs
Smoke Detector Installs
Water Heater Strap Installs
Board Up
Roof repair
Replace windows
Personal Property Removal
Rehabilitation/Construction & Repairs

Give us a call and we'll take care of your situation promptly!
BJ HICKEY HANDYMAN SERVICES
814-440-4737
bj.hickey@hotmail.com

S.O.S.--Saving Our Seniors! 814-440-4737

Hello to Seniors living in Erie, PA. Many of you may need help with the following items around your home. If so, I'd appreciate your business!

Assemble Furniture & Shelving
Attic Fan Replacement
Bathrooms
Carpentry Interior/Exterior
Caulking
Ceilings
Ceramic Tile
Decks
Doors
Drywall
Easing Doors and Windows
Electricity
Fences
Finish Basements
Flooring
Framing
Glass
Grouting
Handicap and Accessible Grab Bars and Hand Rails Installation
Insulation
Interior Finishing
Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchen Appliances
Light Fixtures
Locks and Bolts Installation/Fitting
Non Ceramic Tiles
Painting
Patios
Plumbing (copper, PEX, CPVC, PVC)
Porches
Power Washing
Re-screening
ROOFING
Sanding
Sealant
SIDING
Sinks
Smoke and CO Detectors Installation
Stairs and Stairways
Stucco
Tile
Trim (ceiling, floor)
Vanities
Vinyl Tile
Walls
Washer and Dryers
Weather stripping Windows
Windows

MOBILE HOME SERVICES TOO!

For Mobile Home owners, renters, park managers: HELP IS HERE!

For several years I have worked on and rehabbed many mobile homes.
This has included:


repairing soft or rotted floors
reparing or replacing toilets
installation of storm windows
sealing roofs
repairing decks/roofs
replacing windows
replacing wallboard/sheetrock
installing washer/dryer
repairing doors/locks
installing carpeting
installing laminate flooring
installing linoleum and vinyl flooring
installing tile floors
painting interiors
power washing exteriors
replacing broken exterior porch lights
replacing bathroom/kitchen faucets
replacing hot water tanks
rug cleaning
trash/junk removal

I can help you with your project too! Give me a call at 814-440-4737.
References available.
Insured. Reliable. ...and ON TIME!

Erie Handyman Services

Greetings Erie!

Having a reliable handyman to assist with getting your houses ready for sale or rental is a key dream team member that all real estate investors need. Let me focus on helping you get your houses ready for you while you focus on finding great deals. Call me, Brian Hickey at 814-440-4737 for more information.

I can provide the following services to assist you: Light electrical; light plumbing: hot water tanks (gas/electric), faucets, sinks, PEX, copper, PVC; garbage disposals; carpentry: interior framing; laminate flooring, floor and ceiling moldings; paneling, closet organizers, door hanging; sheet rock repairs; deck repairs; basement water abatement; insulation, ceramic tiling floors; linoleum installs; rug cleaning; exterior power washing; general cleaning; painting, staining. I have six properties of my own and 30+ years experience, but heck--if I don't know how to do something, I'm not too proud to introduce you to someone who does. I generally like smaller jobs that are less than two days in length total. But, there's always exceptions.

I'm also offering a brand new service: House watching/maintenance for "snowbirds". This is a great way to protect your property when on vacation. I will personally come on a scheduled basis, inspect your home's primary systems, send info updates/photos via email if desired, and have it ready when you return. When power outages occur in the winter/spring, this is a critical service to have!

Thanks for visiting and happy investing!!

P.S. Senior citizens receive a 10% discount.

~Brian H.
bj.hickey@hotmail.com