Would You Like To Consult With a Handywoman?
I am now offering consultation services for all of your home repair needs and questions! Use this form to ask for help! See below for the types of services available.
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Ever wonder if you can fix that, but don’t know where to start? I can fix that.
I am offering a brand new consulting service to compliment my interior design business. This Ask A Handywoman Virtual Consulting is designed with women and folks who want to be handy in mind, but who may not have someone they can call when a problem pops up and may put off projects because hiring a pro can be cost prohibitive.
After over a year now having my own fixer upper, I want to be able to take all that I’ve learned here – and in the many years prior – to help anyone else who wants to learn how to fix things themselves in a judgement free environment where you can ask questions, learn about different ways to do things, and feel confident tackling your projects vs. knowing when it’s time to hire out.
As a petite gal, I lack the sort of brute force many handymen can apply when projects get sticky and tough, which forces me to find ways to get creative for how to accomplish things with women power instead. I also find that when I have a project I want input on, I want input not an attitude – yes I am looking at your household DIY forums you folks are mean!
Below is a non-exhaustive guide of some things I can help you with a virtual handywoman:
Emergency I Need to Call My Dad, But He’s Mean or I Don’t Have One
So your kitchen faucet fell off or the pipe came disconnected from the wall. Water is spewing out of your toilet but the shut off valve won’t budge!
Get a call with a handywoman on demand to have someone on the other line able to calmly guide you out of the emergency.
Help Me Plan a Project
Let’s go over everything needed from prep, to tools and materials, to how to approach each step of the project and how much time it’ll take!
How to… Learn to DIY This and That
From drywall to stripping paint to building an accent wall, share your idea and instead of following a Youtube video that sort of kind of has what you’re working on I can offer you the specifics for your project + answer as many questions as possible.
I Need a Second Set of Eyes
So you’ve started a project and now you’re stuck, but you can’t seem to figure out what to do next or which option is best.
Maybe you’ve tried everything to get that window out, or drill that hole through the stainless steal sink and it just won’t budge.
I’ll offer another perspective, two heads are sometimes better than one in troubleshooting or deciding which course of action will give you the results you want.
In Depth Walk Me Through It
So you’ve decided to install that window AC yourself and you could use someone to read the instructions to you.
Or you could use a little supervision in taking out those double sash windows, it might take a little time and I can’t offer you my hands but I can offer that second set of eyes and a voice to guide you.
Can I Do This Myself?
A lot of folks will tell you you can’t! Instead, I can help you understand the scope of your project and what kind of work you’re comfortable already doing and learning to decide if you want to invest your time and energy into taking care of the project yourself or invest your money in hiring someone else!
Surely You Have Some Qualifications?
I am many things, but I am not a licensed or certified contractor! I am offering you consultation services for work you will take on yourself with the understanding that you are liable and at the end of the day it is up to you to decide if you can safely take on any project or if you need a licensed and insured fella to handle it for you.
I will also always tell you if a project is beyond my scope of knowledge.
I grew up being taught general home upkeep by a master carpenter, where I not only got familiar with many types of hand and power tools but got to help with things like painting walls, building retaining walls outside, laying brick walkways, mulching garden beds, and smaller things like rebuilding the inside of a toilet, changing out light fixtures and switches, testing outlets, and broadly feeling comfortable troubleshooting and tackling projects.
I have a formal education in Architecture which has given me a foundational understanding of general construction, the way loads are carried, building codes – especially around universal design which focuses on accessibility standards, and the different systems that exist in a home.
I now am a homeowner of a century home which has kept me very busy with many different levels of repair and renovation projects.
Some projects I’ve done over the years:
- installing snap and click LVP flooring
- installing tile backsplash
- designing + building a kitchen
- minor plumbing replacement + repair
- light fixture replacement
- ceiling fan installation
- door knob replacement
- interior painting
- wood accent wall installation
- installing backed fiberglass insulation
- water and mold remediation for damaged drywall
- drywall removal and installation
- window AC installation
- exterior fascia repair + replacement
- window and door sill repair and replacement
- RO water system installation
- exterior brick walkway path building
- exterior garden expansion
And for some minor projects you may want guidance on:
- hanging something from the ceiling like a houseplant or swagged light fixture
- mounting shelves, heavy mirrors, or awkward objects
- hanging curtain rods and designing curtain rod solutions for awkward spaces
- adding weatherstripping/caulking and properly patching different materials (wood, drywall, vinyl siding)
- minor furniture repair + reupholstery
Want to get familiar with my work?
Sign up as a Patreon where you can see step by step guides for all kinds of DIY projects. Each project includes descriptions of how I completed it, tools I used, project costs, and considerations for how I may do something different.
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