I am doing a couple of reclaimation projects, one on a front porch ceiling and one for a client who wanted a plate rail. My client, lets call her Jane, has a house built circa 1900 and had doors that came from the house at least 60 years ago. Well, instead of just throwing these away, Jane wanted to use one of the doors to make a plate rail. The doors came from the house, fit the houses' style, and it is a good use of the material, so that's what I set out to do. Getting the old door apart was a J-O-B. The crafstman sure did build them to last, but with the help of a motivator, a rubber mallet, and a couple of hours of using it to beat my head, the door finally gave up the fight. Whew, not a moment to soon, my head was getting sore. Anyway, I have the pieces cut and got a few details with Jane ironed out, we decided on dental blocks for moulding, I am ready to proceed with this project. I will get more pics up as the project progresses.
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I have been asked by some to write about property management as it relates to Property Serv. As some of you know, Property Serv offers maintenance agreements that can tailored to your needs. If you want complete maintenance and upkeep, we can do that; if you want to set up to have your gutters cleaned twice a year, we can do that. It is set up in such a way that if the work is beyond what we can personally handle, then Property Serv becomes the project manager and subs out the work. You still only make one phone call and we worry about the rest. We are insured and we will make sure anyone we use is as well. Being a member of the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce gives us plenty to choose from if needed.
The idea in mind, or the thought that created this, is the busy professional or owner of multiple properties. A busy professional, doctors, lawyers, professor, business owners don't always have time to do the necessary things that need to be done or even the knowledge sometimes to complete a repair or wanted project. As far as that goes, who wants to spend vacation time or Saturdays tackling repair/remodel stuff? The owner of multiple properties is kind of in the same boat, but on a grander scale. Normally it is one person who owns a few rental properties, this is all well and good until there are multiple "fires" to put out. Upkeep on your house is hard enough, not to mention the houses you don't live in. This is where we come in. We, together, can put things in place so that upkeep and maintenance are taken care of. We can be proactive and handle problems before they arise or grow into bigger ones. Putting plaster or a coat of paint over it just doesn't fix it normally. YOU the homeowner are responsible and if there are renters involved, there must be a place that is safe and functional for people to live. If you don't care, why should the renter? I am wrting this to bring things to your attention, things you already know, but that are sometimes overlooked. There is no need in being overwhelmed or stressed, Property Serv is here for you and we are only a phone call or email or facebook message away. We don't want to take over your life, we want to make it more enjoyable for everyone involved. We want to take a good community, a good neighborhood, a good street and make it better. If you need us, here we are. I'm working on a new project that is "green" and cool and unique at the same time. I know what you're thinking, "All of that at one time in one space.....there must be a rift in the time space continuum." Well, hopefully not and yes that is alot of ways to describe one project, but it's true. It has to do with a front porch ceiling and reclaimed wood. I'll leave it at that for now. Look for pics and more blog posts about this wonderful thing happening in Richmond, Indiana.
I completed a partial chimney rebuild last week. The house was built around 1900 and I wanted to keep the character of the house and chimney. The original chimney was covered in a soft membrane that was supposed to be waterproof. Turns out it wasn't and water collected in the bricks and mortar. After years of this abuse, the bricks were spalling and crumbling and the grout was like loose sand. I was able to salvage some old bricks and I had our local brick place (Richmond Builders Supply) hand pick new bricks that matched the old as close as possible, picked up a new precast crown, new rain cap, two new liner tiles, and had custom stainless steel drip edge made. All in all a good project and very thankful for the opportunity.
Well, it's been a busy summer so far and I'm not complaining. Earlier this year things seemed uncertain, but when the weather warmed up the jobs came. Small things like replacing a pane of glass, to site clean up for construction companies, to fence replacement. Electrical work and plumbing repair, painting and drywall work, it has all shown up. The maintenance agreements we offer are catching on, a few are signed and others are in the works. Your home and property require maintenance and upkeep and your dreams may require renovation. Property Serv can help you with all of these things, no job to small and things done right. We are looking out for you.
No, this isn't a commercial for cosmetics or eyelashes, although I do like eyes of the female persuasion. Anyway.....back to the subject. Some of us have the unique ability to fix anything we come across, whether mechanical or structural or cosmetic (really, I'm not thinking about eyes....). Are these lucky few born with a natural knowledge of exactly how things in the universe go together or exactly which screw to turn to make that d*** electrical thing to work? Maybe, but more than likely these were developed skills. "People don't live that long", you might say, I would argue that it's not about life's longevity, but about having a mind that can take a certain skill and apply it to any situation. Take a peanut butter sandwich for instance (no really, hang with me on this one), every kid has made a peanut butter sandwich, right? How can that be applied to repair of a house or completion of a project or even engine building? Well, there is an order of operations, remember that from math class (M-D-A-S), you can't exactly put the peanut butter on your hand then the bread. For the people out there who need complete and accurate instruction, try this, you can't get the butter knife in the jar if it (the jar) isn't open. So, we have order of operation, what's next? Application, one must apply the peanut butter to the spreading apparatus and then on to the edible medium, this could also be called "construction" or "building". This skill can be used in tiling a bathroom or finishing concrete or even gasket making for engines. Thin set must be "spread" onto a floor or wall for tile to adhere. Obviously houses and engines don't have to many edible parts, unless you're a bug or rust, but the concept is the same. To achieve a certain result things, lumber or pistons, must be put in their proper place and in the correct sequence of the of the project. This is where the terms "ground up" or "inside out" come from. Next you would have the Options phase. Some people like jelly or honey or syrup on their peanut butter, even without these things the sandwich is almost complete. Options might include wiring a house for sound or video or putting the high dollar copper gaskets between the heads and the block on an engine. Options are going to vary from project to project, but the same rules apply, they must be done correctly and in the right order. Finally we get to Completion, we might have been there already, but we're making a whole sandwich. After the walls are up and the house wrap is on, what's next? Siding on the outside and drywall on the inside. "But all we have to do for a sandwich is put the other piece of bread on", you might say. Really? I beg to differ. You can put the bread on, but then only the sandwich is complete not the whole project. "How"?, you ask. In order for the sandwich to benefit you, it actually has to make it to your stomach. Believe me, siding is nothing like putting on that other piece of bread, neither is finishing drywall, but the mechanics of what to look for and the stamina to complete are skills developed in sandwich making, well in the eyes of a five year old it's stamina because they are all "starving to death". Enjoy the fruits of your labor, savor the fact that you completed a project, regardless of whether it was necessary or just because you felt like it. In my line of work, if my clients are happy, I'm happy. The best way to develop a well rounded skill set is to find someone who is doing what you need to learn and volunteer your time to pick up some pointers or to hone what you already have. OJT is sometimes the best teacher. Now, I'm gonna go fix me a sandwich.....later.
Today, I received confirmation that our first maintenance agreement was signed! This is a big deal for Property Serv and a step in the right direction for the business. The maintenance agreements we offer do have no monthly fee. Why pay for something you're not using? We charge per job unless there is something that is reoccurring, then a flat rate can be set. We don't even charge by the hour, it is really by the job! If you are interested or have question about this service, call or email and we can discuss options. Property Serv is insured and believes in doing quality work. Job creation is just around the corner, the more agreements we get the closer we get to hiring new people!
Perhaps it is like reporting any public hazard—if you don’t do it, someone could be injured or killed. When an untrained worker does renovation on buildings containing lead, he exposes himself, his client, and his family to a lead hazard. He may spread lead dust throughout the home he’s working on, and he can carry lead dust home on his clothes, face, and hands. The lead safe practices used by certified RRP contractors minimize this possibility—thus protecting the residents of the building, the construction worker, and his family.
When a lead-safe certified contractor drives by a pre-1978 project that he bid on and sees the work being done by non-certified renovator, just how is he supposed to feel? He is obeying the law and doing business in safe manner, yet he is losing income needed to pay his employees and support his family to the renegade renovator. A contractor in Maine shot a video of a non-compliant renovator sanding the side of an apartment complex without containment, PPE, or any safety precautions. Then he posted the video on YouTube. Although it took several months, the non-compliant renovator was eventually cited and fined by the EPA. CONCLUSION The EPA admits that without people bringing RRP violations to their attention their enforcement efforts are diminished. They are hoping that the majority of contractors have a willingness to report misconduct by non-compliant renovators. When compliant contractors have their livelihood jeopardized by what amounts to criminal activity, reporting RRP violations is not vicarious snitching but only good corporate citizenship. Property Serv does offer home and property maintenance agreements. These are set up so that you do not pay a monthly fee, we charge by the job! Why pay for something when you don't need it. This will give you peace of mind to know that all you have to do is pick up the phone and call. From maintaining the landscape to fixing broken pipes, we've got you covered. No more shopping around trying to find someone you can trust or has your best interest in mind. Property Serv is making Richmond and the surrounding communities a better place to live. Contact us to find out more!
The iron fence is up and on the ReStore. According to the oldest person in the neighborhood, this fence has been standing for over 100 years. The iron is still solid and sound and would be a great garden or yard décor item. Plenty of life left in it, If taken care of, this will last another 100 years. Stop by and check it out, the total length of the three sections is 12 feet.
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AuthorCraig Jones, owner of Property Serv LLC. My goal is to better educate the homeowner and to make Richmond a better place to live. Archives
October 2013
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