4 Ways to Prepare Your Home for New Shelving

Those awesome new shelves have finally arrived. At long last, you can sort that clutter that you’ve been tripping over for the past few months and make your home cozier and more functional. Now, all you have to do is find professional shelving installers and give them a call.

But wait! Before you jump and google “shelving installation near me”, there are a few things you can do to make the work much smoother for both you and them. Let’s see what those are.

How do I prepare to install new shelves?

When installing new shelving, the name of the game is “efficiency and safety”. You want the work to be as risk-free and swift as possible, without sacrificing the quality in the process. Fortunately, that can be easily accomplished with only a few steps.

Plan ahead

Shelving is more than just extra storage. Granted, this is its primary purpose, but you can make it more. Those shelves are something you’ll see every day. As such, they should enhance the space both functionally and aesthetically. Therefore, rushing the decision of which one to get or where to put it is one of the greatest mistakes you can make with new shelves

Instead, consider how it will fit in your general environment. Will the aesthetic fit? Will you be able to put your entire book collection there, without it breaking apart? If there was a shelf there already, can you reuse the existing holes, or will you need to drill new ones? If so, can your drywall handle it or will you have to monkey around to find a different solution?

These are all valid questions, and it will do you good to ask yourself them. It will save you a lot of time, energy, money, and nerves, especially in the long run.

Consider contemporary shelving solutions

In recent years, minimalistic designs are all the rage. No surprise there, really. They’re functional, open up the space, look awesome, and can fit well with virtually any decor. Of course, shelving is no exception. And, to make the deal sweeter, they are quite affordable.

Therefore, if you’re still searching for that perfect piece to go with the rest of your furniture, consider the latest shelving solutions. You may be surprised at how good a value you can get without compromising the overall looks of the room.

Clear the area 

Now we arrive at the biggest concern: safety. Whether you’re hiring someone to do the job or you’re preparing to DIY install the shelf like a pro, you’ll need a lot of space. The last thing you want is to trip over stuff while holding a drill, screwdriver, or shelf itself. Or to trip over stuff in general.

To boost safety (yours or workers’), be sure to clear the area where the new shelving job will take place. You don’t have to clear the entire room. Just make sure there’s enough space to maneuver and to put tools and materials so they are within reach, but not in the way.

Is there a reliable company for shelving installation near me?

You’ll find Handyman Connection, Fort Collins’s’ #1 home maintenance service provider, whether you live near Carter Lake or elsewhere in the area. Whether you need to mount shelves or that heavy painting on your wall, a new fire detector, or a lustrous new chandelier on the ceiling, we have the tools, expertise, and dedication to make it happen swiftly and safely. Reach out to us today and we’ll make your home improvement project effortless.

Tips for an Expert Shelving Installation

If you’ve lived in one place for a while, it is only normal to accumulate lots and lots of stuff. However, the problems start when you run out of space to store all those goodies. Before long, there will be all sorts of items and boxes on the horizontal plane of your space. 

The logical solution? Go vertical! Shelves are an amazing way to keep your home neat and tidy and have all your stuff within reach. It’s just that you need to install them first. Here’s some useful advice that will teach you how to install your new shelves like you’re a shelving installation services pro from Loveland.

How do I install my shelves like a pro?

Before we start, it is important to note that this won’t be a step-by-step guide on shelving installation. You can easily find all those instructions in an installation manual. Rather, we’ll give you some advice that will make your work easier and safer.

With that out of the way, the two key factors to installing shelving without hassle are:

  • Mindful preparation, and;
  • Careful execution. 

If you thought that the former is more important than the latter, you’re exactly right! Execution simply means following the instructions, since modern shelving systems are super easy to assemble. Therefore, let’s dive into the preparation part.

A bit of planning goes a long way

Yes, detailed planning takes a lot of time. However, it saves much more in the long run. So don’t just buy shelving and get down to business. Instead, consider your exact needs and the overall aesthetics of your surroundings. After all, the point of installing shelves isn’t just to get more space but to make that space pleasing as well.

Location, location, location!

Now that you know what you want and where you want it, it is time to do a test run. For this, you’ll need:

  • A measuring tape;
  • A leveling tool;
  • Painter’s tape. 

When you’ve got your tools ready, it’s time to make your shelves fit perfectly on your wall. 

Cut a piece of painter’s tape to the length of the shelf. Then, use the level to make it well, level, and trace the line with the painter’s tape.

Doing this will give you a pretty good idea of how your shelves will fit. And since they’re not in place yet, you can remove the tape and repeat the process until you hit that sweet spot. 

Extra tip: If possible, attach your shelves’ brackets to the studs inside the wall. You’ll need a stud finder tool for this, but the shelving will be much more stable.

Prepare the premises

The last point of the order is to prepare your home for shelving. Fortunately, this is the easiest part of the job. The logic to follow here is:

  • Make room: Move all the stuff and furniture out of your way. You’ll be doing a lot of back-and-forths and the last thing you need is to trip every time you move.
  • Designate a tool space: Efficiency is the name of the game here. With all the tools within reach, you’ll save a lot of time (and even more nerves) when installing shelves.

Doing this ensures you can install your new shelves swiftly and, more importantly, safely. 

Make shelving installation super-safe and mistake-free

Shelving installation is not an impossible task. Still, there are some nuances that can cause you trouble, aside from being messy and time-consuming. Therefore, if you’re at all uncertain about your skills or if you want to avoid common mistakes when installing shelves, don’t risk it.

Hire pros to do the job for you, and rest easy. Not only they’ll do a fine job, but they’ll also leave your weekend free for that fishing trip to Gateway Pond you’ve been planning for a while.

Which shelving installation services in Loveland should I go for?

If you need a skilled and experienced team to install your shelving or repair anything in your home, Handyman Connection of Fort Collins is the right choice. Our technicians are trained to assist you with any home improvement project or to take it off of your hands and mind entirely, no matter if you live near Big Thompson Parks or in the region. From plumbing to repainting your house, you can rely on us to do a quality job and do it efficiently. Give us a call or request a free estimate today, and you’ll have a masterful handymen team at your disposal.

4 Tips on Choosing the Right Home Maintenance Company

As a homeowner, sooner or later you’ll find yourself looking for a local handyman to handle a series of small home repairs, as well as a few more challenging projects. Choosing a reliable home maintenance service in Fort Collins that you can depend on is extremely important since your home is your most valuable asset.

But what should you do if you don’t have any recommendations for a good handyman? How to find a pro that performs high-quality work while keeping your home and belongings in mind? Read on, as we’re about to provide you with a few tips on how to find a company that fits your needs.

How to choose the right home maintenance company?

How to choose the right home maintenance company

Regular home maintenance requires a serious and responsible approach. Follow these steps to optimize your search for a faster, more informed decision.

  1. Assess your needs

To start your search, you need to determine what your needs are. Take the time to write up a checklist of everything you want done around your home, and check that your chosen service provider can handle it all.

If you have no idea what to expect from an experienced home maintenance company, keep in mind that the following options should be available to you:

  • Keeping older homes in good condition
  • Carpentry services
  • Deck repair and installation options
  • Electrical services
  • Fence installation, repair, and replacement
  • Energy efficiency improvement procedures
  • Plumbing repairs and replacements
  • Tiling and flooring installation
  • Drywall installation, repair, and maintenance
  • Painting your interior and exterior walls, wallpaper installation, etc.
  • Home remodeling services 
  1. Ask about their experience

It’s important to remember that experience does not always equate to good performance. However, more experience means more customers served and a broader range of tasks performed. For this reason, the team you choose should be able to complete a variety of maintenance and remodeling tasks, including both simple and complex ones. Also, don’t make one of the biggest mistakes and shy away from inquiring about their licenses and certifications before hiring them.

  1. Perform a background check

Once you have narrowed your search to companies that meet your specific needs, evaluate them based on their reliability. First, set aside the ones that screen their employees thoroughly. Then, prioritize those with extensive training if you want quality results every time.

Furthermore, check out online reviews and testimonials to get more information about them. When hiring a company, you want to make sure they have a good reputation, which is why you should ask their current or past clients for references. You can learn a lot about them simply by asking their past clients how good the company is.

  1. Make sure they have insurance 

It is highly recommended to hire only insured craftsmen. The onus is on you to ensure your property is covered in the event that a handyman damages your property or injures themselves. An experienced home maintenance company should at least have a general liability policy. A handyman who has other employees under him must also carry worker’s compensation.

Where in Fort Collins can I find an expert home maintenance service?

Looking for a local handyman to handle all your important home maintenance tasks? You’re at the right place! Handyman Connection of Fort Collins employs experienced craftsmen who have been carefully chosen for their skills, knowledge, and devotion. You can count on our services in all parts of Fort Collins, whether you live in Old Town Fort Collins or out in the suburbs. Our friendly technicians always arrive on time and provide prompt and effective service every time you welcome them to your home. Get in touch with us today and enjoy all the benefits of a well-maintained home!

4 Most Common Home Maintenance Mistakes

There’s nothing better than being a homeowner. Yet there is one thing people tend to forget about: maintaining your property should be a priority at all times. Otherwise, you could easily degrade your home’s value over time, which would lead to costly repairs later on. 

Even if it takes some minor steps like regular dusting or something more significant like addressing water damage, it’s vital to keep your home in good condition. That’s why we compiled a list of the most common home maintenance mistakes that can damage your home permanently and require the help of a top professional home maintenance service in Fort Collins.

What home maintenance mistakes should you avoid?

What home maintenance mistakes should you avoid

Taking care of your home properly can reduce the stress associated with home maintenance. So, here’s what to keep in mind:

Mistake #1: Neglecting minor issues

There’s a tiny drip coming from your sink. You have a running toilet. Your shelves are about to fall off. Or perhaps you notice that your lights dim whenever you turn on your dryer or even your microwave. This is the sort of thing that should worry you because they indicate a need for repair.

Leaving a small problem unattended can lead to a bigger issue that requires the services of a professional. Besides costing more money, it may damage the house to the point that it may require a complete renovation.

Mistake #2: Poorly tightening your plumbing

Most of the time, plumbing is something you don’t think much about until there’s a problem. You should regularly check it, however, to make sure that it’s tight. Also, appliances that use water are often the source of problems. For instance, your dishwasher and washing machine. As part of your regular monthly maintenance routine, check all the connections to ensure they are not loose. By doing so, you can prevent flooding and water damage in your home.

Mistake #3: Skipping resealing

There is nothing like the beauty of new tile floors or granite countertops, but they come with a hefty price tag. By regularly sealing these surfaces, you will avoid the need for expensive repairs or even replacements. One-time sealing can protect your surfaces from water damage, mold growth, warping, and sun damage, among other things. Simply put, sealants are the most effective way to extend the life of flooring, counters, driveways, patios, fences, and decks.

Mistake #4: Allowing paint to chip

When your paint chips, homeowners are faced with more than an eyesore – their exterior wood or drywall is exposed to the elements. Peeling paint is easy to spot: tiny cracks, small holes in the paint finish, and even large patches and sections of peeling paint. In the worst-case scenario, if you don’t get the problem fixed, the water can accumulate underneath the paint and further damage your walls.

Where can I book reliable home maintenance services for seniors in Fort Collins, CO?

Do you have an elderly family member who’s looking for home modifications to make the house more accessible, reduce falls, and facilitate independent living? Is there something wrong with your plumbing or electrical system? Or do you have a huge home improvement sometime soon, and you need a team of seasoned professionals to help you out? Handyman Connection of Fort Collins is a local authority in home maintenance and remodeling services that provide all of these services and more. Let us take care of all of your home renovation, repair, and maintenance needs while you enjoy an outdoor afternoon at the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery with the ones you love. Reach out to us today and get a free, no-obligation estimate!