The typical mindset of the homeowner is to keep expenses as cheap as possible. An understandable need as the economy ebb and flows. When it comes time to repair your home, you would like a speedy, quality, repair. In the painting industry, you will be quoted various prices, all of which depend on quality and speed. Since this article is about painting your home, we are going to delve into what a fast job looks like, and what a quality job looks like. Hopefully, you will gain understanding of why you may get different prices from various professionals, and ultimately hire the professional that best fits you. The Fastest Paint Method Let us begin with a fast job. A fast paint job entails this scope, usually done with a paint sprayer machine: The professional masks off doors, windows, walkways, and anything that may be affected by overspray (overspray meaning the fine particulates of the paint that bounce off the painted surface, like spraying with a spray bottle). The professional may fill noticeable cracks in wood, stucco, baseboard, drywall, depending on exterior or interior paint jobs. If the work is outside, a good professional should recommend pressure washing and scraping your walls. Doing so will remove loose and chalky paint, ensuring the new paint coat has maximum adhesion. The professional takes a day or two at most to spray the entire home, again, depending on exterior or interior jobs. This fast job, across the board, is the cheapest you will find because it spits the paint rapidly, covering the previous paint lickety-split. However, spraying does not allow the paint to seep into wood grain, hairline stucco cracks and holes; all of which are areas for water to build up, and rot away over the years. Horton Remodeling has seen spray painted homes, and in only a few years the paint begins to fade because the method only “blankets” the substrate. This is good for clients who need a quick maintenance coat, but not good for clients who need a long-lasting job. The Best Paint Job Let's finally talk about a high-quality paint job. A good paint professional recommends roll-n-brush method: The professional follows proper preparation practices listed above, except it requires less masking and drop clothes, and more time is spent brushing and rolling. The professional begins brushing the paint close around windows, doors, light fixtures, etc.; also known as cut in work. The professional begins rolling the paint on all required surfaces. This process can take up to a week and more, and uses more paint, depending on the square footage in question. As you can see, this job takes longer for a good reason. This is because you are physically pushing paint into every crevice, which gives a deeper and more durable hold. It provides better coverage and leaves the paint drying denser than the spraying method. It also takes more time for the paint job to fade away. The bottom line here is that this finish costs you more. More time spent is equivalent to more money necessary to complete. Additional Considerations As the saying goes, you get what you pay for. When making a hiring decision ask yourself these questions: Will they adequately cover and mask off? Will they leave spots where old paint is showing through? Will they leave paint drops on landscaping or other property? Do they work efficiently? Do they communicate effectively? Do they dress neatly, and uphold a tidy work environment? Will they keep track of your requests? Also consider their paint methods (spray vs. roll – n – brush). The items discussed in this article are all variables that hold potential in price differences between different pros. As a customer you will run into all kinds of people. Some people may show up, and the project manager has shared zero information to the professionals, so time ends up being wasted there. Sometimes you will have people who just show up one day to say “we are here to work now! Ready or not here I come!” Typically, these are situations for companies who charge less than others. But if you factor in what has been written in this page, you will hopefully have a better chance of getting what you need.

Toilets can leak for various reasons. For your reference, here is a toilet diagram: Here are the typical reasons for toilet leaks, ultimately resulting in damage and a higher water bill: Supply line leaking: The line that supplies water to your toilet could be damaged or loose. Water lines can be damaged if the rubber seal ring, also known as gasket, is corroded or split, or the line is not tightened enough on the threads, faulty installation, or faulty thread sealant. Wax ring Leakage: The wax ring that seals the base of the toilet to the drainpipe could be worn out, broken or loose. Wax rings last for a very long time, only if a toilet is installed correctly with an evenly mounted toilet over the drain and wax ring. If this does not happen, wax rings will begin to let water seep through over time. For the readers information, this is also why you do not completely seal the bottom edge of the toilet to the floor all around, because you need see if it leaks on the floor as shown in the picture below. Damaged closet flange: This flange is between the drainpipe and the wax ring seal. If this flange is rusted out or cracked, you will not be able to properly tighten the toilet and wax ring to the drain. The white ring on the floor is a closet flange in the picture below: Loose flush valve: The valve that lets water into the bowl when you flush could be loose. Loose connection where the tank meets the toilet: Check the connecting bolts. If they seem loose or you can see water gathering in that area, use the screwdriver to tighten them ( suggestion: use a wide flat head screwdriver). Damaged or worn-out fill valve: If your fill valve is damaged or worn out, it can start to leak, which will cause water to constantly flow into the tank and eventually overflow into the toilet bowl. These problems can cause water to drip or seep out from the base of the toilet or the tank. If left unaddressed, these leaks can cause extensive damage to the flooring and walls. The water from a toilet base is not clean to begin with, and the excess water can create a moist environment that promotes the growth of mold and mildew. Most of these issues can be resolved without professional assistance since the repairs are typically straightforward and inexpensive. However, if you’re unsure or apprehensive about repair jobs, never hesitate to contact a professional.

Windows are an essential part of any home, but they also require regular care and maintenance to ensure they function properly and look great. Whether you have wooden, vinyl, or aluminum-framed windows, there are some simple steps you can take to keep them in good shape for a long time. In this blog post, we will share some tips on how to maintain your windows and avoid common problems. Cleaning One of the easiest things you can do for your windows is to keep them clean. Dust, dirt, insects, and moisture can accumulate on the glass and the frames, affecting the appearance and performance of your windows. To clean your windows, you will need a gentle glass cleaner, a microfiber cloth, a mild detergent, and a soft scrubbing brush. For wooden windows, wipe them down with a damp cloth regularly to remove dust and dirt. Avoid using too much water, as it can cause rotting or warping. For vinyl and aluminum-framed windows, wash them with a mild detergent and a soft scrubbing brush. Rinse them well and dry them with a cloth. For the glass panes, use a glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth to remove smudges and spots. Clean the inside of the windows once a week and the outside once a month. Inspection Another key step in window maintenance is to inspect your windows periodically for any signs of damage or deterioration. Cracks, leaks, gaps, peeling paint, and broken parts can all affect the efficiency and functionality of your windows. By spotting these issues early, you can prevent them from getting worse and causing more problems. Inspect your windows at least once a year, preferably at the start of each season. Look for any leaks or moisture around the frame, cracks in the glass or the material, sealant cracks or breaks, problems with sliding sashes or window cranks. Pay special attention to the caulking around your windows. This is the sealant that keeps your windows watertight and prevents air leakage. If you notice any cracks, breaks, or missing pieces in the caulking, you need to fix them as soon as possible. You can use a caulk gun and a suitable sealant to fill in the gaps and create a tight seal. If you notice rubber hanging out in between the windowpanes, this is a sign to replace your window soon, as it may be leaking into your home. When this happens, your windows typically fog up and retain moisture between the panes. In old single pane windows, which is common in the US, check if the glazing is cracked or too deteriorated to withstand the elements. Check the finish of your windows, especially if they are made of wood or metal. The finish or paint protects your windows from weathering and corrosion. If you see any peeling, cracking, or chipping in the finish, you need to repaint your windows every three to four years. Use a high-quality paint that is suitable for your window material and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Repair If you find any damage or defects in your windows during your inspection, you need to repair them as soon as possible. Some repairs are easy to do yourself, while others may require professional help. Here are some common window problems and how to fix them: Cracked glass: A cracked windowpane can let in cold air and moisture, as well as pose a safety hazard. You can fix a cracked windowpane by using a repair kit that contains glass adhesive and stabilizer strips. Follow the instructions carefully and apply the adhesive over the crack. Then place the stabilizer strips over the adhesive and press firmly. Let it dry for 24 hours before removing the strips. You can also cut to size a piece of plexiglass and siliconize the edges of it to the windowpane. Stuck sash: A stuck sash can make it hard to open or close your window. This can be caused by dirt buildup, warped frames, or faulty hardware. You can try to loosen the sash by cleaning the tracks with a Q-tip and vinegar. Then lubricate the tracks with a silicone-based lubricant. Avoid using products like WD-40, as they can damage the tracks. You may also be running into paint buildup; in which case you must take a putty knife and a hammer and gently chisel away the paint between the sash and the track. If this does not work, you may need to replace the hardware or adjust the frame. Damaged parts: If any part of your window is broken or missing, such as a lock, handle, hinge, or screen, you need to replace it as soon as possible. You can find replacement parts at your local hardware store or online. Make sure you get the right size and type for your window model. Then follow the instructions on how to install the new part. Windows are an important feature of any home, but they also need regular care and maintenance to keep them in top condition. By following these tips on how to clean, inspect, and repair your windows, you can ensure that they look great and perform well for years to come.

Got mirrors to hang? No matter the size, style, or where it’s located, mirrors are necessary. No one wants to go out the door with the chance of something unsightly distracting everyone. Invest in a mirror, but first educate yourself on your options here in this article. The Brass Tacks Some mirrors require a professional or two to hook up. Mirrors are glass, and it is ok to hire help when playing with glass. A professional knows what wall anchors hold the weight of some the heavier mirrors. The typical cost to hire someone would be about 150 to 200 per mirror, not including the mirror itself. The price does include anchors the worker may buy to install it. Remember This The only two concerns the customer should worry about is: 1. the type of wall material the mirrors will hang from. It is good to inform the professional if some of your pictures will hang off of a brick wall, just in case they need to buy specialized anchors to complete the task. 2. The size of the mirrors will also inform the professional for his/her preparation. Whatever the decision, whether it’s installing mirrors alone, or hiring someone, may the odds be in your favor, and may your house feel more at home with new stylin’ mirrors.

A fresh and new paint job in any color can be refreshing, just like the paint job we did a while ago above. Almost like taking a shower. Okay, maybe not like that, but it will make your home feel like a million dollars. Not only that, but the options to paint are endless. In this article the focus will be painting rooms, the cost thereof, and a few key items to think about. The Brass Tacks The cost for painting a typical size room of dimensions 10’ Length x 12’ Width x 8-9’ Height falls between $600-$1,000. This includes labor and materials without painting the ceilings. With ceilings the price bracket is $900-$1,500 labor and materials. This is the price per coat of paint. Remember This: For every couple feet added to the figure above, another $300-$600 is the added cost. Any furniture in the way of the project completion? Either the professional moves the furniture or the client will. Whatever is decided, it is always best to have chairs and couches moved as soon as possible so that the paint is on the walls sooner. How many rooms will be coated? Remember that the typical cost figured above is for one coat of paint. Will the new color cover the existing cover without it bleeding through? This is a determining factor in the number of coats of paint, which also determines the ultimate price paid. In some cases only one coat is needed, like a fresh and clean paint job of the same old color. Sometimes one would like an accent wall color, which could potentially lower the cost to a $100-400$ range. With every paint job, it is all about the eyes of the beholder. Hopefully, with this article, the beholder can choose what is good for their home.

Sometimes, one of the most efficient ways of sprucing up a bathroom is getting rid of that raggedy old medicine cabinet. These days, people have either found updated solutions, or have eliminated the medicine cabinet idea from their home. This article will shed light on what it costs to remove the junk and patch the wall, with some additional considerations. The Brass Tacks Whether the walls are sheetrock, brick, block, or plaster, the labor and material figure falls between $600 - $900 for a good quality job. Remember that this entails removing the medicine cabinet, installing minimal framing to hang the sheetrock, installing sheetrock, and finally finishing and texturing the wall. Remember This Before the project proceeds, it is wise to consider the following: As aforementioned, sometimes the cabinet is surrounded by dense compounds. Fixing some light framing to allow for sheetrock patching can add a $100 - $200 cost. And even though lath and plaster is wood framed behind the surface, it is a rock hard surface, which proves difficult to meddle with. Are the walls flat (no texture)? If so that can cost you a little more as well. Are the walls being painted? Remember: when you hire a professional, it is generally cheaper to get projects done in a package (removal, patching, then painting). I have come across many clients who trash the old medicine cabinet. On the rare occasion when I would use one, it would have been in old homes with the original cabinet. New-built homes generally have big or wide mirrors to elude minimal space. Bottom line: it is worth the update!

You just bought an expensive TV. Is it worth the hassle of hanging it up by yourself? Whatever decision you make, this article informs you of the typical cost of hanging a TV and additional considerations to remember when hanging a TV. The Brass Tacks The cost to mount a TV to the wall falls between $150 and 300, which figures for labor and materials. To further understand the price range, consider the items below. Remember This Consider a few things below: Sometimes your walls are different from the typical sheetrock wall. Walls can be made of brick, plaster, or slump block, all of which are solid materials that require extra effort to hang your TV. How large is your TV? Large TV’s may require two professionals and require different anchors; even more so if it is hung off a brick wall. When you happen to purchase any mounting material before the installation, take extra time to consider the material and quality of the anchors (plastic or metal) and the quality of the TV mount. Professionals usually have a good knowledge base of which anchors stand the test of time and how to hang the TV securely. Therefore, it is recommended that you hire one that best fits your needs.

To the left is a pendant I hanged. Installing pendant lights is a fantastic way to embellish your kitchen or dining space. Pendants also bring extra light to the atmosphere as they hang, unlike a recessed light high to the ceiling. You can even adjust it to different heights. This article will show the cost of this project and provide some things to remember. The Brass Tacks Installing just one pendant light device usually ranges between $500 and $3000. One may react in shock, but if no wiring is involved, the cost can quickly compound. This figures in the material cost, running wire, installing a box to support the weight of the device, installing the pendant, and tweaking the height of the pendant. Remember This When our clients ask us to install these units, we try to get a good idea of the scope of work. Whoever is reading this, consider these things before hiring the professionals: You may not have wiring accessible to where you would install your device. However, nearby devices; like plugs, switches, and other lights; may be used to feed power to the pendant. Ultimately, finding the shortest length to run the wire is wise, so it is recommended to have a professional’s discernment here. This is because the electrical wire is made of expensive copper. Drywall repairs will be necessary after running the electrical wire to the spot of the new pendant. This is because you inevitably need access to the inner wall cavities to run new wire for the pendant. We recommend hiring someone who can do the electrical and drywall as a package because it may be cheaper to go with one person and one job. For the cost to do drywall, we have a price range of $1300-$1600. If the walls and ceilings are smooth, this could mean a couple hundred more. What if there is more than one pendant light to install? Tack on another 300-400 because an extra one potentially causes more drywall, uses more resources and uses more time. Investments, such as a pendant light, are always worth making when it adds value to your home or your properties. All it takes is a few minor changes to go from feeling like a humble abode to a place you call home.

Shut the front door! Or can you shut it without letting in wind drafts or noticing scratches? Half the time, I’m not sure my door locks shut. Whatever your reason, this article will break down the cost to replace a door. The Brass Tacks The typical price bracket for a door replacement is $400-1600. This price bracket considers labor and materials, and a bunch more following. Remember This D oor replacement either entails replacing the door (door slab) or the door and its frame (pre-hung unit with a threshold). Replacing the pre-hung unit can double the cost because the various substrates of the surrounding walls, floors, and ceilings inevitably become damaged during the installation. Sometimes it is also necessary to replace the trim if it is rotten. You may run into the trim, tile, or the doorway itself not cooperating with the profile of the door. For example, the tile may look awkward because the threshold is narrower than the last one. Ultimately, it depends on the context of the job. VS. prehung slab I t is also good to note if it is a bypass door (mirrored or wooden), bi-fold, pocket door, barn door, standard door (exterior or interior), or an exterior sliding glass door. I f you have a security screen door in the way, that can cost you a couple hundred more dollars in the price bracket. If you are having the tradesman reinstall the same old screen door after the door installation, that would also be another few hundred dollars. P ainting the door is a highly recommended option when replacing the door. Not only will it look better, but on an exterior door, it will increase the longevity of the new installation. You are usually left with nail holes and scuffs on an interior door on the fresh installation so that a paint job will blend the door with your home. Another reason to paint is that sometimes the door will have scratches that only permeate the manufacturer’s coat of primer paint. B e mindful of the poor framework of the walls around the door. Your walls and floors could be crooked enough to make the process take longer than it needs to. As simple as a door looks, there is always something off-square or plumb. Sometimes the door you purchase comes with dents and scratches, so be aware if you are purchasing on your own before the tradesman installs the door. If we are the people who pick up the door for you, we strive to secure a door with no severe defects or dents, or scratches. Our Recent Work T his job did require us to remove then replace the screen door. If you notice, the doorbell is more crooked than your wall. Yeah, we had to mend that. Busted and Rusted Brand new Cadillac

Post Replacement Cost When your rotted post seems to be keeping you from safely enjoying your back patio or front porch, it can be challenging to know what to do. Doing it alone can be unsafe for the homeowner. It requires a safe and secure installation of temporary support posts, while slipping the rotted member out from underneath the patio roof. It is best to hire a tradesman. This article will break down the cost and educate when you should replace a post The Brass Tacks The typical cost you could expect ranges between $500-$1000. This accounts for labor and materials. Before you hire anyone, take note of three things that can affect the cost of the project: Remember This 1. I s your post Round Rough Hewn?If you notice the picture to the right, it is cylindrical in shape. It varies between 6-12" in diameter. The post is cut roughly to size, and it looks rough for design. However, you may have a Square 4-inch by 4-inch post or a 4 by 6. Round rough-hewn is the most expensive post because it almost triples in price compared to your typical 4-by-4 post. 2. S uppose your post has foot-long bolts through the top and bottom. This makes it difficult to slip out easily and adds more work during the installation. Sometimes the previous professionals glue the bolts into the post, which again adds more difficulty. 3. I t is good to paint your post as well. The best way to prepare your post for the ruthlessness of the Arizona heat and rain combination is by applying an oil base primer, smearing latex caulking over all the open cracks, then paint with latex with one or two coats. This would cost another $100-$300. When is it Time to Replace Your Post? Take a pencil and walk to any one of your support posts and poke around the bottom of the post. If you can stick your pencil on any given side into the post with the pencil penetrating it halfway through, or even 30-40% through the wood, it is time to replace it. If you have deep rot like this, it is definitely a good time to replace it. If the rot is not so excessive, filling the wood with wood filler or Bondo product is the next option that we provide to add longevity. Below is a picture of a rotten post for reference. Note that there is sheet metal wrapped above the rotted area, which could be an easy way to temporarily keep water from further damaging your post until you are able to replace or patch the wood.

Do you have ceiling damage from roof leaks? Do you have holes punched in your walls? Do you have cracked ceilings or walls? These are obvious signs of drywall damage. This page will educate you how much a patch repair will cost and the breakdown of said cost. The Brass Tacks The price tag is the subject of utmost necessity. For a patch that is as little as an eye to a 2’ x 2’ section, we are looking at a bracket price of $200 - $650 in labor and materials. Next, for patches between 2’ x 2’ and 4’ x 8’, we are talking about $650 - $2000, also in labor and materials. Please note that this is for typical patches for most homes seen by a Horton Remodeling professional. On occasion, we come across drywall areas that are three times the size of a 4’ x 8’ area. Remember This 1. Depending on whether there is water damage, consider the fact that you will most likely replace insulation, just like the picture on the left. 2. Depending on the finishing texture of the wall or ceiling, the cost may vary. For instance, the most expensive finish is smooth finish because it requires more joint compound coats, but a hawk - and - trowel texture hides more defects with less coats. 3. Be very careful who you choose to hire to fix your drywall needs. Choose someone who is conscientious about dust and cleanliness. It can mean the difference in how much dusting and cleaning you do later. The dust can clog your AC vents as well. With all these points in mind, may you find yourself more prepared for the next drywall problem you face! Check out what we recently did for a client in Green Valley Arizona! BEFORE AFTER