Mr. Handyman
3948 Ranchero Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
Contact: John Eggenberger
Phone: 800-289-4600
April 25, 2003
Media Contact: Sanderson & Associates, Ltd.
Courtney or Kelly
Phone: 773-252-3676
E-mail: scoop@sandersonpr.com
TO AVOID EXPENSIVE DAMAGE, HANDLE IMPORTANT TASKS DURING SPRING THAW
Nationwide Handyman Service Tells You What to Look For
(Ann Arbor, MI)---The snow and cold spared homeowners a few months of outside chores, but now that spring is here, that is about to change. It’s time to get out and assess the damage winter left behind and to prepare your house for warmer weather.
Mr. Handyman, based in Ann Arbor, Mich., is a nationally-branded service franchise that caters to a potential market of 100 million U.S. homeowners and commercial customers requiring property maintenance and repairs. As the sister company to Molly Maid, Inc., homeowners all over the country feel they can rely on this well-known brand to introduce only bonded and well-screened workers into their homes.
“When MOLLY MAID customers clamored for more help than just cleaning, we knew it was time to introduce handyman services,” says Greg Longe, SBI President of Home Services (MOLLY MAID and Mr. Handyman).
Outside chores such as cleaning gutters, removing storm windows, and cleaning decks have been seen on many a homeowner’s “to-do” list. These jobs are often put off for months, or done incorrectly, so more and more homeowners are turning to handyman services for help.
“Many of our customers are people who have tried to tackle spring household chores, such as taking down holiday lights or putting in a screen door themselves, which resulted in headaches, damaged materials, and/or injuries,” says John Eggenberger, vice president of operations for Mr. Handyman. “When it’s time to do those chores again, they call us. I haven’t met one person who wants to fall off a ladder more than once.”
Mr. Handyman’s service technicians visit thousands of homes across the country each day. Following is a list of the ten most requested home repairs:
1) Caulking: Caulk is a barrier that keeps out moisture. You commonly see caulk around bathtubs and windows where it keeps water from destroying walls, sills and floors. If caulking is cracked, moldy, or just plain missing, it should replaced.
2) Grout: Similar to caulk, grout keeps water from seeping between floor or wall tiles and destroying the floor or wallboard. Over time grout can crack, chip, and become discolored.
3) Doors: The new carpet is great, but now you can’t close your closet doors because it drags on the higher pile. On older homes, frames may settle resulting in doors that don’t close. Exterior doors may warp due to moisture. There are also often problems with door handles, locks, and deadbolts that are lose or tight.
4) Wall repair: Think for a moment of the abuse walls endure: Chairs are backed into them, the movers scraped a dresser against a bedroom wall, the doorstop broke and now there’s a perfectly round hole made by the door knob, shoes, skateboards, holes from the plumbing repair, water damage, and so on and so forth.
5) Trim and molding: Some molding is intended to protect walls from abuse and needs to be periodically replaced. Many homeowners need assistance installing new or replacing outdated molding.
6) Wood repair: Whether the exterior of a home is vinyl siding, brick, stucco, aluminum siding, or stone there is still a lot of wood in any home. When wood is exposed to moisture, it rots and must be replaced. Boards, soffits, and window sills are the most common problem areas.
7) Counters and cabinets: Not everyone can afford a complete overhaul of a bathroom or kitchen. Typically counters take the most abuse and are the first to be replaced. Counters and cabinets can easily be replaced without an expensive remodeling job.
8) Decks: Look for loose or rotted boards and steps. Railings should also be inspected to make certain they are solid. Decks should also be power washed and sealed annually.
9) Weatherproofing: Lower heating/cooling costs by providing a barrier between the inside of the home and the outside. Keep the warm air where it belongs and the cool air in its place. Exterior doors should seal tightly to avoid air leaks. Windows should fit snugly in their frames for the same reason. On older homes, storm windows may need to be hung at certain times of year and taken down at others. Caulking around windows and doors should also be inspected.
10) Shelving, closets, and handrails: What home in America doesn’t need more storage space? Homeowners are always looking to add shelves in an odd corner or even build a storage closet to help organize clutter. Handrails in a hallway, stairway, or bathroom can also be installed in no time.
Mr. Handyman’s services include, but are not limited to, flipping mattresses, assembling lawn furniture, trimming, sticky doors, hanging pictures, and moving furniture. To find a Mr. Handyman near you or for information on owning your own Mr. Handyman business, visit the company’s web site at www.mrhandyman.com or call 800-289-4600.