When you handyman service applies a fresh coat of paint to the new home you just purchased, you probably prefer they use a latex or water-based paint. There are certain rules painting contractors use when preparing the pre-painted surface before applying fresh paint, to ensure proper adhesion, good coverage and a long-lasting finished project. Before applying fresh paint to an already painted surface, a good handyman will determine whether it was previously painted with latex or oil-based paint. The handyman knows he could experience problems when painting with latex, if he is painting over a surface with oil-based paint, without first using a primer. Some people just go ahead and prime when in doubt; however, painting contractors advise that it is better to minimize the number of paint coats on a surface.
Is it Latex or Oil Base?
There are several ways painting contractors will use to determine if an existing paint is latex or oil. Oil paints are smooth while latex paints have a more rubbery feel; this is easier to see with glossier paints than with flat or matte finish paints. Another method is to rub an area of the painted surface with alcohol or a paint de-glosser or liquid sandpaper. If the surface becomes slightly tacky or a small amount of the paint is removed then the existing paint is latex. This should not happen with oil-based paint.
Prep the Surface First
Your painting contractor should use a de-glosser or liquid sandpaper to remove the gloss and clean the surface before painting on a surface previously painted with latex paint. This will make the next coat of paint adhere more firmly to the surface with minimal, if any, sanding required. The tackiness will normally disappear within an hour. A surface where oil-based paint was used should be lightly sanded and primed with a quality primer like Kilz, before applying a fresh coat of latex paint.
If there are holes to be filled, the handyman should use proper filler. The old-time spackle is fine for walls of plaster, but today’s softer walls of paper-coated drywall are better filled with a softer product. Spackle works best when the container is new; it dries out over time. Attempting to renew it by adding moist spackle to it is like adding sand to new spackle. It also causes it to lose strength, go on the wall lumpy and it’s hard to smooth with the trowel. A newer, lightweight spackle is a workable product that dries quickly and can be painted over within 30 minutes. This is great if you’re in the middle of painting and you notice a small hole that was missed in preparation.
Proper preparation is important before applying a fresh coat of paint; an unprepared surface will result in an unsatisfactory finished project. The rewards of a durable finish are well worth the extra effort in preparation of the surface.
Paul Doughty owns HandyPro Handyman Services, a one-stop, professional, honest handyman service that does a wide variety of jobs with high-quality workmanship. Paul Doughty serves consumers and businesses in Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs, Fountain, Monument, and neighboring cities and communities in El Paso County, Colorado.
80829, 80817, 80132, 80902, 80903, 80904, 80905, 80906, 80907, 80908, 80909, 80910, 80911, 80912, 80913, 80915, 80916, 80917, 80918, 80919, 80920, 80921, 80922, 80923, 80924
HandyPro Handyman Services completes everything on your to-do list; in over 1600 service categories including Carpentry, Plaster & Drywall, Acoustic Ceilings, Grout Tub, Fix Leaky Faucet, Home Warranty/Maintenance, Paint Home, Caulk Bathtub, Replace Locks, Garage Doors, Cabinets & Countertops, Fix Running Toilet, Repair Squeaky door, Install Molding and Trim, Security Services, Stained Glass, Door Repair/Install, Wall Repair, Painting Kitchen, Insulation, Concrete & Masonry, Repair Gutters, Remove Wallpaper, Replace Ceiling Fan, Caulk Awnings and Siding, Install Shelves, Organizers, Ceramic Tile, Window Well Covers, Replace Bathroom Fan, Draperies, Blinds and Shades, Glass & Mirror, Decks, and much more just ask!!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Handyman Service and Home Improvement Tips form your Local Colorado Springs Handyman
With the condition of today’s market and declining home values, homeowners are asking themselves how home improvement will affect the resale value of their home. The most important thing to consider if you are making improvements to sell your home is: Would the average homebuyer be likely to do the same if they buy your home? If the answer is yes, then you would be more likely to recover the cost; if the answer is no, then you are not increasing the resale value with the improvement.
Home Repair Tips from your Local Colorado Springs Handyman Service
An important factor to consider when making home improvements is the area the home is located in. For example, it would not be cost effective at all to build a large back yard deck surrounding a built-in swimming pool if you live in a cool climate area. A gazebo and hot tub might not be the best idea for a home in an area of lower-end houses where people do not typically have these things.
On the other hand, though some improvements may not generate the return of your investment by adding resale value to your home, they can add to your enjoyment of the home. If you plan to stay in your home for 5 – 10 years and you can afford to make the improvements then why not? If you really like the idea of a gazebo and hot tub and the yard is large enough to accommodate, then perhaps it will be money well spent. Just ask yourself if you could be content with only a 50% return on the investment in exchange for the years of enjoyment.
Estimated Amount of Return on Home Repairs
Interior/exterior paint 70 – 300%
New flooring/carpet 70 – 300%
Kitchen and Bath remodeling 50 – 300%
Addition to home 40 – 60%
New heating/Central Air 50%
Bathroom Addition 75 – 100%
Finished Basement 55%
Landscaping, sprinklers 50%
Patio or deck 50%
Replacement windows 30%
New siding 65%
Energy efficient items 30%
Swimming pool 50%
Garage 75 – 100%
The potential return for these investments is determined by how appropriate they are to the neighborhood. A lower to middle class neighborhood is not the place to invest in expensive landscaping or a swimming pool. The potential buyer cannot afford to buy or maintain this type of improvement. Also consider the need for the improvement. If the kitchen and bathrooms are clean and functional, but you just don’t like the colors, then your return will be minimized. If the toilet is broken and the shower enclosure is old and moldy, then by all means, repair, replace and remodel. Use common sense; consider need and location when deciding on home improvement projects to do.
Paul Doughty owns HandyPro Handyman Services, a one-stop, professional, honest handyman service that performs minor repairs and improvements for homeowners and associations, businesses, apartment complexes and condominiums in Manitou Springs, Fountain, Monument, Colorado Springs and nearby cities and communities in El Paso County, Colorado.
80829, 80817, 80132, 80902, 80903, 80904, 80905, 80906, 80907, 80908, 80909, 80910, 80911, 80912, 80913, 80915, 80916, 80917, 80918, 80919, 80920, 80921, 80922, 80923, 80924
HandyPro Handyman Services completes everything on your to-do list; in over 1600 service categories including Carpentry, Plaster & Drywall, Acoustic Ceilings, Grout Tub, Fix Leaky Faucet, Home Warranty/Maintenance, Paint Home, Caulk Bathtub, Replace Locks, Garage Doors, Cabinets & Countertops, Fix Running Toilet, Repair Squeaky door, Install Molding and Trim, Security Services, Stained Glass, Door Repair/Install, Wall Repair, Painting Kitchen, Insulation, Concrete & Masonry, Repair Gutters, Remove Wallpaper, Replace Ceiling Fan, Caulk Awnings and Siding, Install Shelves, Organizers, Ceramic Tile, Window Well Covers, Replace Bathroom Fan, Draperies, Blinds and Shades, Glass & Mirror, Decks, and much more just ask!!
Home Repair Tips from your Local Colorado Springs Handyman Service
An important factor to consider when making home improvements is the area the home is located in. For example, it would not be cost effective at all to build a large back yard deck surrounding a built-in swimming pool if you live in a cool climate area. A gazebo and hot tub might not be the best idea for a home in an area of lower-end houses where people do not typically have these things.
On the other hand, though some improvements may not generate the return of your investment by adding resale value to your home, they can add to your enjoyment of the home. If you plan to stay in your home for 5 – 10 years and you can afford to make the improvements then why not? If you really like the idea of a gazebo and hot tub and the yard is large enough to accommodate, then perhaps it will be money well spent. Just ask yourself if you could be content with only a 50% return on the investment in exchange for the years of enjoyment.
Estimated Amount of Return on Home Repairs
Interior/exterior paint 70 – 300%
New flooring/carpet 70 – 300%
Kitchen and Bath remodeling 50 – 300%
Addition to home 40 – 60%
New heating/Central Air 50%
Bathroom Addition 75 – 100%
Finished Basement 55%
Landscaping, sprinklers 50%
Patio or deck 50%
Replacement windows 30%
New siding 65%
Energy efficient items 30%
Swimming pool 50%
Garage 75 – 100%
The potential return for these investments is determined by how appropriate they are to the neighborhood. A lower to middle class neighborhood is not the place to invest in expensive landscaping or a swimming pool. The potential buyer cannot afford to buy or maintain this type of improvement. Also consider the need for the improvement. If the kitchen and bathrooms are clean and functional, but you just don’t like the colors, then your return will be minimized. If the toilet is broken and the shower enclosure is old and moldy, then by all means, repair, replace and remodel. Use common sense; consider need and location when deciding on home improvement projects to do.
Paul Doughty owns HandyPro Handyman Services, a one-stop, professional, honest handyman service that performs minor repairs and improvements for homeowners and associations, businesses, apartment complexes and condominiums in Manitou Springs, Fountain, Monument, Colorado Springs and nearby cities and communities in El Paso County, Colorado.
80829, 80817, 80132, 80902, 80903, 80904, 80905, 80906, 80907, 80908, 80909, 80910, 80911, 80912, 80913, 80915, 80916, 80917, 80918, 80919, 80920, 80921, 80922, 80923, 80924
HandyPro Handyman Services completes everything on your to-do list; in over 1600 service categories including Carpentry, Plaster & Drywall, Acoustic Ceilings, Grout Tub, Fix Leaky Faucet, Home Warranty/Maintenance, Paint Home, Caulk Bathtub, Replace Locks, Garage Doors, Cabinets & Countertops, Fix Running Toilet, Repair Squeaky door, Install Molding and Trim, Security Services, Stained Glass, Door Repair/Install, Wall Repair, Painting Kitchen, Insulation, Concrete & Masonry, Repair Gutters, Remove Wallpaper, Replace Ceiling Fan, Caulk Awnings and Siding, Install Shelves, Organizers, Ceramic Tile, Window Well Covers, Replace Bathroom Fan, Draperies, Blinds and Shades, Glass & Mirror, Decks, and much more just ask!!
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