Blog Posts

Good-Bye Summer & Hello Autumn!

10/3/2015

Well...that was short-lived! Summer I mean. I don't know about you, but it was almost like we really never even had a summer. To me we had a few nice week-ends weather wise, but that was about it.
Hmmm...maybe I was just that busy and believe you me, I was!

From the moment April came aboard the phone, the quotes and the appointments never stopped! We are not complaining however. It's good to be busy and a good feeling being wanted and needed for work!
We're always glad to be able to help others repair or maintain their homes and truly appreciate the calls.

So what sort of work have we been so busy with you might ask?

Interior painting, exterior painting, drywall repairs and installations, eaves trough and downspout clean outs, kitchen and bathroom sink installations, faucet installations, toilet installs and rip outs, vinyl floor installations, laminate floor installs, dead bolt installs, gutter guard installations, exterior lighting, interior lighting, refinishing a wooden threshold, installing a porch swing, insulating & repairing bay (overhang) windows, bathroom and bedroom painting, caulking windows and bath tubs, building and installing pressure treated fencing, painting shutters, installing a shower trap, installing dishwashers, cleaning, stripping & sealing wooden decks, repairing foundation wall cracks, building and repair screen doors and windows, installing curtain rods, mirrors and pictures, repairing/resurfacing a chimney stack, repairing screen door latches, installing pool house doors, mounting TV's on walls, installing entrance locks and handles...I don't think this list will end anytime soon so I'll stop.

Now that Autumn, (more commonly known as Fall) is upon us, people are preparing for many of the chores to get their homes ready for the cooler weather and, of course, inevitably; the winter months that lie ahead.
But just like the spring and summer months there is a ton of stuff to be done in and around the home like insulating, caulking and weather stripping around windows and doors, baseboards, behind electrical wall plates, painting and yes, even decorating. I mean let's face it, the weather changes, we change with it.

So here is to a happy Fall everyone! Hopefully the Super El Nino the weather guys are talking about will bring back summer faster than it left.

Thanks for reading!

Cheers.

Where Did April Go?

5/21/2015

I know it's been awhile since my last blog update, but rightly so I think!

Once we began to get little bursts of warm weather our cell phone did not stop ringing for weeks! No complaints by any means! It has been busy!

During all the busy times I was amazed of how patient people were (and are) with us. It's been much appreciated - thank you!

The phone had been ringing for a multitude of things to be done around people's homes - from large exterior paint jobs, to repairing a cracked foundation wall, some landscaping, building a pressure treated fence, window cleaning, staining a jacuzzi, eaves trough clean outs, down spout repairs, deck washing, deck sealing,drywall, interior painting and much more.

So needless to say - since April it's been a little chaotic, but nothing we couldn't handle thanks to being naturally organized - you really need to be in this business.

It's a good feeling helping others get things done around their homes. The work is very gratifying and my customers are tops! No. I mean that. Wilson's Handyman Services is treated with respect and trust knowing we will get the work done in a timely and efficient manner - you can read a little about what are customers are already saying here.

Thankfully, many of our clients are previous clients whom we've worked with before - some on 3 or four occasions over the past year.

Speaking of which, we are very proud to announce Wilson's Handyman Services is celebrating its first official year in business! As of April 30th 2015 we have begun our 2nd year and could not be more happier, but it's thanks to people like yourselves who have taken the time to read this blog and who have acquired my services - again - thank you!

Getting A Handle On It

3/18/2015

The sun is shining and the skies are blue today, but looks can be deceiving - it's still quite cool, but at least it's not that deep freeze we had a few weeks ago setting all kinds of breaking weather records! Brrrr....

That brings me to this: Wilson's Handyman Services is in your area...In more ways than one.

Yes, we decided we would canvass the Westmount area by distributing our door hangers to home owners.

A door hanger is kind of like a post card with information about a company or service that hangs on your exterior front door.

We distributed about 100 of these in about an hours time.

The door hangers are there to just let you know we are in  the neighbourhood and if you need any of our  handyman services, we are just a phone call away.

The door hangers tell you a little about what we do at Wilson's Handyman Services, contact information, where to find us on the web and a photo of the Owner of the company.

Last year we distributed only 40 of these door hangers and had to stop due to bad weather approaching rather quickly.

To our delight 3 people called us up and took us up on our handyman services.

One lady & her husband asked if we could clean the interior and exterior windows of her beautiful home. I smiled and said "Absolutely!" and within a few weeks
we were  there at her home making her windows sparkle!

Yes, it was a small job compared to other companies want, but that's what we're all about at Wilson's Handyman Services - no job too small at all!

Another gentleman across the road from this lady actually kept our door hanger until the fall and then decided to call us to clean out his eaves troughs and gutters.

We were humbled when he said "I put your advertisement away in my file cabinet knowing I would eventually call you".

Prior to the the eaves trough clean out job we were up the street working for a retired Lawyer. He had us doing all kinds of work like exterior painting, erecting a bird house, cutting branches down, cleaning windows, cleaning eaves troughs and so on.

As a matter of fact, this same Gentleman continues to call on Wilson's Handyman Services for several odd jobs like sanding down the top of his front door in the middle of winter, fixing a door latch and the list goes on.

We're  just glad we could help out - he and his wife are very appreciative of our work and that is all we can ask for.

So door hangers to me, are a great way of getting the word out that we're here to help.

We're  also glad to see the door hangers are welcomed by most and we  will continue to distribute them - just to let you know we're here to help and we are only a phone call away!

Thanks for reading! Oh! ...and Happy Spring!

>Blair

Good-bye February & Helloooo March!

3/5/2015

Bet you're glad to see February gone! I know I am. We broke weather records, we hibernated, we kept our dog walks to a minimal....Ahhh, but it's almost over and now as I write I hear Mother Nature is telling Old Man Winter where to go!

Of course, February wasn't all bad.

Despite the low time of season in this handyman business we're managing to get by, but it's only because of great customers like you. I am thankful.

Now that March has kicked in it seems to be putting people's minds at ease knowing that Spring is just around the corner - thanks anyway Wiarton Willie.

Yes, there have already been a number of projects on the go like replacing badly wired or burned out GFI receptacles, installing an under cabinet florescent light fixture, keeping out nasty cold air drafts by installing weather stripping to doors, roof top snow removal, installing curtain rods, painting, sanding, priming, filling holes in walls,repairing keyboard sliding drawers, installing bathroom blinds, replacing electrical plugs...Ok. you get the picture. No job too small they say and that's true about Wilson's Handyman Services.
I recently spoke with one of my customers and she said it is hard to find someone to do small jobs. Well, she found me and I'm always glad to help where I can.

That's all for now. Feel free to comment. Until next time...

May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be always at your back, may the sun shine warm upon your face, the rain fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.

Not Just A Letter

2/25/2015

Although winter is still very much upon us with its cold, blustery, Arctic air conditions; it's comforting to know their are people out there - more specifically my former clients - who have taken the time to write me letters of reference.

I am deeply humbled by these letters in which Wilson's Handyman Services have received some great comments.

No. This is not to boast or gloat about the multitude of services I offer,but rather my way to express appreciation to those that have taken the time out of their day to write and recommend me for work.

When I read these letters, I know they're not just some scribble thrown down upon paper. They are words spoken from the heart and from people who genuinely care.

Yes. I asked some of my former clients as well as my repeat customers if they wouldn't mind jotting down a few lines about the work I've done for them this past year.

Why? A few reasons. One - So I can get a better grasp of how well this handyman is performing, how people feel about my rates and the quality of work I perform. It's also an opportunity for me to discover how I can do the job better.

Another reason is because there are people asking for references about my work. This is a clever move and appreciated.

Sure there are testimonials here on my website with the permissions of the authors to post such comments, but a letter of reference is a valuable tool for people like myself in this business.

The next potential client can read the letter of reference, email or call them to elaborate a little more and feel more confident they are hiring someone who has been recommended for good work and is building a good reputation for their work.

So, thank you all - very much - for your kind words.

> Blair

Happy New Year!

1/6/2015

Well now that 2014 is behind us, Wilson's Handyman Services is looking forward to 2015!

Yeah, I think a lot of us are not looking forward to these frigid temperatures, however we have done better than last year already. Remember? Last year the snow and deep cold temperatures began in November and never really left us until well into the spring!

While we all like to hibernate like bears during these cold Canadian winters, you may want to take a look around your homes for nasty drafts near door, windows, garages, electrical outlets and any other crevices that may not be properly insulated and robbing you of heat and ultimately money.

It's amazing what a little caulking and weather stripping will do for your home and your peace of mind.

Blocking out those nasty drafts will also add a little more peacefulness to your home.

Other ways of keeping out the cold is by adding thermal curtains to your windows or adding some material to the existing material you have currently around your windows, but don't forget to open your curtains or drapes or blinds and let the sunshine in.

Merry Christmas!

12/15/2014

Let it Snow!

11/17/2014

Okay, so you are probably not in agreement with the title of this post.

Well, guess what? Neither am I! I actually hate winter because I really don't enjoy the cold - unless of course I am active and warm :) Which brings me to this announcement...

Wilson's Handyman Services has now added a snow removal service to the mix of my handyman services!

That's right! I purchased an amazingly powerful electric snow blower that is capable of throwing the pretty white stuff 20-25 feet away!

What's more? This baby will eat up the stuff up to 725 feet per minute! And it has a powerful halogen light on the front for doing night time snow blowing'.

So...you're probably wondering what my rates are. I know this because I have already had about 2 dozen people contact me and ask my to come out and give them a quote.

The rates will, of course, vary depending on what needs to be done, the size of the driveway, if you want a laneway done or the front city sidewalk, etc.

So, yeah, a lot of variables come into play. But what I can say is most typical driveways will cost about $25-$35 plus HST on an 'as needed' basis.

So what does that pay for you might ask?

Well, there are a lot of variables here too like getting to and from your home (gas), setting up, shovelling by hand, time it takes to do a good job, etc.

So...If you are in need of snow removal this winter, be sure and give me a call.

This service will operate fairly on a first call, first served basis.

Contact Wilson's Handyman Services at 226-234-9291 or email me blair@wilsonshandymanservices.ca

Thanks for reading! Enjoy the season!

Blair

Unusual Request of a Handyman

8/26/2014

It was a fairly busy week last week - but that's a good thing! I met a couple of very nice ladies who graciously allowed me into their homes to do some work.

The first job looked a little challenging at first glance. It was stripping, sanding and painting an exterior huge bay window that consisted of 20 rather large windows that were in dire need of attention - well, at least the wood surrounding them. I apologize I should have taken before and after shots in which this time I didn't. Regardless, the window came out very nice with a fresh coat of high quality natural white paint. On to the other window at the side of the home where a garage window had obvious signs of weather. The trim surrounding the perimeter had rotted away to the point the window was about to fall out, so I replaced the trim, added in some window putty, caulked all around, sanded and painted it - but not necessarily in that order :)

Another job this nice lady had on her agenda was to have 3 exterior coach lanterns removed and replaced along with the front lamp post removed. About an hour or so later - voila! On to the next job. This was merely filling in multiple holes where a front storm door had been removed and the frame painted.

I really enjoyed working at this particular home in the north end of our beautiful city of London. The woman had made me feel very comfortable as we engaged in conversation and shared stories. Her grandchildren also joined in part of the conversation and I was even invited in to join the trio for a nice lunch. Wonderful! It never ceases to amaze me of how kind people can be - Thank you!

Now getting to the unusual request... This was another job where some vinyl flooring needed to be removed from a cement floor due to a little bit of mould coming through the vinyl. I removed the baseboards and then the flooring and treated the cement floor with bleach and later cleaned the floor with TSP crystals. After a couple of days allowing the cement floor to completely dry, I picked up a carpet the lady had purchased and installed it over the cement floor and re-installed the baseboards.

The unusual request was can I build a 'Book Box'? Also known as a 'Mini Library' for the exterior of this business. Sure I could! I never built such a thing before, but with a little imagination, some pine, hinges, stain and plexi-glass and a post to mount it on...behold! The Book Box allows people to access information about the business - free. All you have to do is visit the box to take out a book or information pamphlet/brochure out...oh, but be sure to close the box with the latch after you do to prevent any of Mother Nature's elements from taking a peek herself!

Thanks for reading and feel free to comment!

Yours truly,

Wilson's Handyman Services.

Busier Than A One-Armed Paper Hanger With An Itch!

8/6/2014

Okay! So the title is quite long, but that about sums it up! June & July are gone and we are already into August! (Quite frankly I'm still waiting for summer to arrive ~) Regardless, it has been quite some time since I last updated my blog. I'm not really a blogger - I'm a Handyman.

Let me first apologize to all those reading my blog. Why? Because it has been quite a while as I said. I have been busy painting, installing baseboard, installing trim, dry walling, taping, mudding, sanding, installing curtain rods, electrical plug & switch plates, laminate flooring, installing carpeting, cleaning out eaves troughs-a many, laying patio stones/walk ways, cutting plywood sheets, stripping & painting a shed, cleaning windows and screens, installing equalizer strips, did I mention baseboards? Seems to be the season for that sort of thing, so my mitre saw has gotten a work out to the point I will be replacing the blade! But y'know, this has been great for Wilson's Handyman Services. I technically began this sole proprietor business in January, but officially launched at the end of April.

There have been 'lulls' just like any business, but for the most part, it's been fairly steady and I've been getting (thankfully) a lot of repeat business! This handyman business has also been very gratifying and I've been fortunate enough to have already met some great people kind, caring, generous, thoughtful, interesting.

I'm in the mood to write tonight, but I'm going to cut this one short (no pun intended). I've got a few things to prepare for a couple of calls tomorrow, some marketing and a little more promoting to get the word out there even further.

By the way, please keep in mind as of August 8th I will no longer be responding to emails at handyman@bell.net as I am changing my Internet Service Provider. My NEW email is Blair@wilsonshandymanservices.ca

Yes, I know it is a little long as well, but fitting don't you think? Gotta go...in the meantime enjoy the photos & video!

Cheers!