Home repair specials

electrical specialsl

Hi Everyone,

Burrrrr! Who would have thought it would be this cold in April. What a shocker!
Speaking of shockers, it brings to our minds all things electrical. If you need any ceiling fans hung or new light fixtures installed, we're offering 10% off on those types of jobs until April 30th. We guarantee our work for a year in writing and all our craftsmen are highly skilled, friendly, and they arrive on time for their appointments. What a shocker!!!

Have a wonderful Easter and Passover everyone.

Your friends at Handyman Connection.

Anniversary Special

Hello Everyone,
We are celebrating our 10th year in business in South Walton and to show our appreciation to our loyal clients and our future loyal clients we're offering 10% off on any work completed by the end of May. Make a list of what you need done and give us a call at 622-5262 or you can email us at hmcdestin@earthlink.net. We look forward to hearing from you.
Your fellow SoWallers at Handyman Connection.

What you need to know!

Hello SoWal,

We want to make sure that you're protected from home improvement companies whose business practices may not be on the level.
Whenever you are contemplating hiring a contractor or home repair company there are some important questions you should ask.
Are they licensed in the state of Florida? Are they insured? Are they bonded? Do they have Worker's Comp. Insurance or a Worker's Comp. exemption?
Any reputable company should be able to produce this paperwork. Also check the expiration dates on the aforementioned documents.
Do they charge by the job or by the hour? Do they guarantee their work in writing? Do they have a staff supported office to answer questions or address concerns? Do they ask for money up front? It is usual and customary for companies to ask for a small deposit to cover materials, etc. Can they produce a list of references? Call them!!! Do they give you a scheduled appointment time and will they show up on time? Will they give you a free written estimate?
Will they clean up the jobsite at the end of the day?
All of these are important issues to be covered when hiring someone to work for you. Be safe, be confident with your choice, and be happy with the finished product.
Have a great week!

advice everyone should know....well done

Thanks for the feedback

I've heard too many horror stories about unscrupulous contractors. I hope you never have that experience. I know you wouldn't with us.

In addition to Worker's Comp certificates, I would also want to see weekly rosters of covered employees and a roster of who's working on your job each day. Long story, I won't bore with details as to why the list and daily rosters unless someone asks.

Proof of current General Liability coverage is also important. I won't even start on the issues involving proper documentation of legal worker status and what the lack of same can bring on an unsuspecting homeowner should an undocumented worker be injured on the job.

And someone can guarantee their work all day long in writing, but if they're here today and gone tomorrow, that written guarantee isn't worth the paper it's printed on. I think following up on references is the best way, and even asking to see completed and current projects wouldn't be out of line for a sizeable project. Not for just a screen door, but say I'm converting an unfinished attic to a study -- I'd want to talk to at least 2-3 references, and tour the completed projects.

Older, more established firms can be more expensive, but they also have a proven track record and have demonstrated that they are here to stay over the long haul. The new guy in town may have the cheapest bid, but will he be here 3 months from now when that new porch roof is leaking like a sieve and needs warranty repairs?

Anyone doing structural work must be a licensed contractor in the state of Florida, because that sort of work requires a building permit and inspections. All roofing work, even roofing repairs, must be done by a licensed contractor, and new roofing work has to have a permit and inspections. Some types of roofing work must be done by a Florida licensed roofing contractor...

I'm not sure how or why all this got so complicated and byzantine, but it is. Hope this thread helps someone!

You get what you pay for!

Good morning SoWal,

You get what you pay for! I'm sure you have heard that expression a gazillion times over the years. There is a reason for that. It's true! As a child I watched my dear old dad buy items that you couldn't give away in order to save a few dollars. From practically bald tires for his car to mostly wilted flowers for my mother's birthdays. He was the king of cheap. When all is said and done I did learn an important lesson from him. You get what you pay for! I always look for the best quality when I spend my hard earned dollars. That doesn't have to be the most expensive, just the best value. With home repairs you have a wide range of choices for your money. Please look for licensed, insured, and bonded companies like Handyman Connection, that give you a written guarantee. The job will be done to your satisfaction with a guarantee to back it up. The choice is yours. You get what you pay for!
Have a great day!

great advice.......

Having company for the holiday?

Hello SoWal,

The 4th of July Holiday is almost here. If you're having guests or family in and need to get a few odds and ends taken care of before they get here, give us a call. Do you need that impressive new object d' art hung? Are your guests needing safety bars installed in the bathroom? Can't have Aunt Edna falling down in the shower. Do you have loose deck boards or railings that need tightening down or replacing altogether? Uncle Ernest has been known to lean pretty hard when he's been "celebrating". Does your exterior faucet work properly in case the grandkids shoot off bottle rockets and set the backyard a blaze?
Handyman Connection can get those items off your list in plenty of time for your holiday arrivals. If there are any "post holiday" damages to your home, we can help you out with that, as well. Call us today and get in on our "Holiday Special". We can be reached at 850-622-5262 or you can email us at hmcdestin@earthlink.net.

Have a great week and stay cool!

Hello SoWal,

The 4th of July Holiday is almost here. If you're having guests or family in and need to get a few odds and ends taken care of before they get here, give us a call. Do you need that impressive new object d' art hung? Are your guests needing safety bars installed in the bathroom? Can't have Aunt Edna falling down in the shower. Do you have loose deck boards or railings that need tightening down or replacing altogether? Uncle Ernest has been known to lean pretty hard when he's been "celebrating". Does your exterior faucet work properly in case the grandkids shoot off bottle rockets and set the backyard a blaze?
Handyman Connection can get those items off your list in plenty of time for your holiday arrivals. If there are any "post holiday" damages to your home, we can help you out with that, as well. Call us today and get in on our "Holiday Special". We can be reached at 850-622-5262 or you can email us at hmcdestin@earthlink.net.

Have a great week and stay cool!

I don't usually read the posts in this section unless there is something I'm looking for, but I have to tell you that I now read your posts just to see what creative slant you've put on your business. This post didn't let me down. Good luck to you! BTW - I used Handyman Connection after hurricane Dennis did some damage and they did a great job at a reasonable price.

Hi there,
I'm thrilled that you're enjoying my threads. I really appreciate the feedback.
Thanks soooo much!
Arlene

Have a safe holiday!

Hello SoWal,
While you are out celebrating this great country?s independence, please be mindful of the brave folks that insure our freedom. From all branches of the military to our local police and firefighters, we greatly appreciate your efforts. Safety is a concern on any holiday but especially this one. Fireworks are best handled by professionals, but not everyone holds to that philosophy. Whether you are at the beach or in your backyard, PLEASE make your family?s safety your first priority. If you or someone you know sustains an injury, Sacred Heart Hospital is close by and has a wonderful Emergency Room. If your home or rental unit you?re staying at sustains an injury, call Handyman Connection at 622-5262.
Have a happy and safe 4th of July!!!

Rental property repairs

Hello SoWal.

We?re in the midst of the summer season and from what we can tell, it?s a good year for rentals. Most every rental property is full, which is fabulous! Unfortunately, some vacationers seem to leave their common sense at the Alabama/Florida border. From our roads to our beaches there appears to be a ?no rules apply? mentality. I?ve been in rental properties that had the combination ball game/food fight/wrestling match d?cor after the vacationers departed. If you own or manage rental property, I?m sure you?ve had first hand experience with this. Handyman Connection has craftsmen with the expertise to repair damage to the floors, walls, and even put the chandeliers back in the ceiling where they belong. If you find yourself in a similar situation, give us a call at 622-5262. We will endeavor to get your repairs completed without you loosing any valuable rentals.

Have a great week!

Refreshing change of pace

Hello SoWal,

If you have had an unfortunate experience with the handymen you've hired in the past, you'll find Handyman Connection to be a refreshing change of pace. All of our craftsmen (note that I said craftsmen instead of handymen) have at the very least, 10 years of experience and have been through a rigorous background and reference check. Although they are all multiskilled, most of them have a specific area that they specialize in. One craftsman who has been with us almost since we opened in 2001, is an artist when it comes to drywall and interior painting. We call him the "Drywall King". (Don?t worry, he only wears his crown in private). There is another known as the ?Prince of Tile? and other ?knights of the realm?. We feel very fortunate to have the ?cr?me de la cr?me? working with us. That being said, if you want your home repairs and renovations handled by our consummate professionals, give us a call at 622-5262 or email us at hmcdestin@earthlink.net.

Have a great week!

It's about time

Hello Sowal,

Time is an interesting concept particular to humans (well, some humans anyway) that was developed so that we might define ?When?. There are certain tribes worldwide that have no concept of time and don?t need it. In truth, there is only one time and that is that one precious moment of Now. If you think about it, no other time really exists. Being human myself (though some may beg to differ) I admit to being addicted to time. It?s very important to my business. Handyman Connection endeavors to keep appointments on time, we expect the job to be completed on time and we hope you?ll call us time and time again for your home improvement needs.

Have a great week and a great time right now!

One of my favorite quotes about time:
?Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michaelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein.?

H. Jackson Brown Jr

G

Trust is all important!


Trust is, according to the dictionary, defined as firm reliance, confident belief, and faith. That’s a tall order, especially in the construction industry. It can be difficult, especially as a woman to let a stranger into your home and trust that he’ll to do your repairs properly. You also, have to be able to trust the company you’re working with. Handyman Connection is very aware of this issue. That’s why we go to great lengths to provide our customers with craftsmen that have passed our extentive screening process. Along with multiple interviews, and reference checks, we do nationwide background checks that go back over a decade. As a woman myself I feel safe having any of the gentleman that work with us in my home whether I’m there or not. When you call Handyman Connection, you can have a firm reliance, a confident belief, and faith that we will meet or exceed your expectations when it comes to your home improvement needs. Give us a call at 850-622-5262 and we trust you’ll be happy with the results.

Have a great week!

Storm season protection

Hello SoWal,

We are getting into the time of year when the possibility of tropical storms and hurricanes increases. If you have small window leaks or fences that might be ?listing to port? you may want to consider having someone take care of them for you. If you chose to have plywood covering your windows and doors instead of the pricey hurricane shutters and films available, please don?t wait till the last minute. It takes time to have someone come out to measure, purchase, and custom cut them for you. Handyman Connection offers our clients this service. We have a ?Hurricane List? of clients that we send teams out to in the event a storm is approaching. They retrieve your protection of choice, install them, and return after the event to remove and place back in storage for you. If you choose to be on our list, we?ll call you when a storm enters the Gulf and you will have first priority on getting your home cared for. If you?re not on our list we will still endeavor to help those who call for assistance. Unfortunately, it?s first come first serve. Our estimates are free, so you have nothing to lose. Call Handyman Connection at 622-5262 or email us at hmcdestin@earthlink.net and take some of the worry out of hurricane season.

Back to School Special

Hello SoWal,

School is starting back up next week. I?m sure there are a lot of unhappy faces on kids and huge smiles on parents at the prospect. It can be difficult to keep kids busy during the summer. When you get a chance to take a breath, look around the house for things that might have gone unnoticed. Drywall and paint can only stand up to so much bouncing off the walls.
Those rainy day indoor ballgames or the ?how many handprints can fit on the living room wall? game (a favorite of my son?s) are par for the summer break course. Handyman Connection is offering a ?thank goodness they?re back in school? special discount to help you get your home back in order. Anything your kids can damage (except for their body parts) we should be able to repair. Give us a call at 622-5262 or email us at hmcdestin@earthlink.net and we?ll make it look like summer break never happened.

Have a great week!

End of the Season

Hello SoWal,

We?re quickly approaching the end of the tourist season and the beaches and the roads reflect that fact. From what I could tell it looks like we had a bountiful 2009. Rental agencies were slammed and we had our share of gridlock (without too much slamming) on Highways 98 and 30-A. Even though it looks like our economy is on the mend, Handyman Connection will keep the same pricing that we have maintained for the last 4 years. That?s right, we have not raised our prices since 2005. Some businesses will advertise the same prices but lower the quantity and/or quality of their product. We endeavor to maintain the highest standards in our quality of workmanship and amount of time we spend to make it right. If this sounds like what you?re looking for in a home improvement service, then give us a call at 622-5262 or toll free at 1-866-650-3287 and we?ll give you a free estimate and our best efforts.
Have a great week!!!

Hppy Labor Day!

Hello SoWal,

Labor Day is this coming Monday, September 7th. In commemoration of that, here’s a bit of trivia for you. The Labor Day holiday dates back to September of 1883, when an Irish cabinetmaker named Peter McGuire staged a parade as a tribute to American industry workers. Few if any workers had the day off and most were warned against marching and threatened with termination if they chose to do so. Despite the warnings, more than 10,000 workers showed up for the march. Led by mounted police, bricklayers wearing white aprons paraded down Broadway in New York City, accompanied by a band playing “Killarney”.
Twelve years later, President Grover Cleveland, who was not really a supporter of the movement, caved to voter pressure and officially signed Labor Day into existence. So here we are 126 years later, celebrating with “White Sales” instead of aprons and in fact frowning on wearing white altogether. Take a moment, this Labor Day to reach back to the original reason for this holiday and celebrate the many accomplishments of the American Worker. Be safe and have a great holiday!

Happy Labor Day!

Hello SoWal,

Labor Day is this coming Monday, September 7th. In commemoration of that, here?s a bit of trivia for you. The Labor Day holiday dates back to September of 1883, when an Irish cabinetmaker named Peter McGuire staged a parade as a tribute to American industry workers. Few if any workers had the day off and most were warned against marching and threatened with termination if they chose to do so. Despite the warnings, more than 10,000 workers showed up for the march. Led by mounted police, bricklayers wearing white aprons paraded down Broadway in New York City, accompanied by a band playing ?Killarney?.
Twelve years later, President Grover Cleveland, who was not really a supporter of the movement, caved to voter pressure and officially signed Labor Day into existence. So here we are 126 years later, celebrating with ?White Sales? instead of aprons and in fact frowning on wearing white altogether. Take a moment, this Labor Day to reach back to the original reason for this holiday and celebrate the many accomplishments of the American Worker. Be safe and have a great holiday!

Feedback appreciated!

Hello SoWal,

We here at Handyman Connection would like to know what you are looking for in a home improvement company. Besides the obvious, licensed, bonded, and insured, what do you expect? Correct me if I?m mistaken, but I know that price is an issue. It?s a ?gimme? if the price is out of your budget, but what if the price is below the usual and customary. Does that make you think ?Boy! I can get this done really cheap? or are you concerned that the job won?t be completed to your satisfaction or completed at all. Do you like the fact that a large company is going to stand behind their craftsmen and their work? I?m sure you expect them to show up (being on time is a nice touch, don?t you think?). We have an excellent business model, but we would like to ?fine tune? it so we can offer you the best home improvement company around. So our question to you is, what would it take to be the one you call for all your home repairs and remodeling needs?
We would really appreciate to your feedback. You can call 622-5262, email us at hmcdestin@earthlink.net or just reply to this thread. We?re looking forward to your response.

Have a great week!

Rain rain go away

Hello SoWal,

We certainly have had our share of rain and them some here lately. It?s a good time to test how well the caulk around your windows and doors is working. It?s also a good time to check your ceilings for signs of water leaks in your roofing system or skylights. Any slight discoloration in areas can be due to mild to moderate roof leaks. If a leak surpasses the moderate stage you might notice a bulge in the ceiling or worse. Standing under the bulge and poking it with a stick is not recommended. If you do see any telltale signs, please call a reputable roofer and then let us know when the leak is repaired. We?ll come out and give you a free estimate on returning your ceilings and/or walls to their pre-leak state or better. Call 622-5262 or email us at hmcdestin@earthlink.net and we?ll give you an appointment for a free estimate. To our Jewish friends we wish you a sweet and prosperous New Year.

The Great Outdoors

Hello SoWal,

Isn?t the weather beautiful? Now is one of the best times of year to enjoy the great outdoors in our area. There is an abundance of wonderful activities to experience in the coming weeks. The list is too lengthy for this thread, so we highly recommend checking out the ?Walton Outdoors? website. If you are thinking about enhancing your outdoor experience in your own backyard, Handyman Connection can definitely help you with that. Would you like to spruce up your existing deck or maybe add to it? How about adding a beautiful new arbor or pergola. There is an exciting, ?state of the art? product that is new to our area. Arbors and Pergolas made from fiberglass. They?re weather resistant, have extraordinary strength, and can be custom designed to meet your specifications. Given the fact that wood and metal tend to breakdown so quickly in our climate, these products have a limited lifetime guarantee! For more info about these, call A&A Arbors at 850-865-5255. For anything else call Handyman Connection at 850-622-5262.

Have a great week!