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Posted in Handyman Services on Sep 24
There are several different models and designs when it comes to bathroom cabinets, so if you are tired of your old one, you’ll have plenty to choose from. Mr-Skill stresses the fact that bathrooms and kitchens tend to sell properties, so any enhancements you make can only improve the outlook. In this article, we deal with mounting a handsome double-mirrored cabinet above your hand basin, and it will look very elegant too.
What You’ll Need: 
- The cabinet – most come as knockdown kits
- Tape measure
- Pencil for marking
- Paper template
- Screws, plugs and screwdriver
- Drill and bit
- Spirit level
Better to play safe than sorry, so if you don’t have the skills or confidence for this job, rather get a bathroom fitting quote. You can find a bathroom fitter right here on Mr-Skill, just remember to ask for the best price.
Decide on Position 
Having assembled your purchase using the manufacturers instruction, decide where you want the cabinet. In the case of our mirrored-door cabinet, centring it neatly above the bathroom hand basin is a good position. Make up a template of the back of the cupboard, and use this for precise positioning and marking. Check the tiled surface onto which you will be screwing the new cabinet – ideally, you should anchor the cupboard with four screws, one close to each corner. Be careful not to drill anywhere near water pipes, and preferably align your screw holes to the grout line.
Mock it up
One of our regular London bathroom fitters advises that it is always best for two people to hold the cabinet in its final position before drilling the holes. Get the family to agree with the location, and the height needs to be such that you can see your reflection without bending or stretching your neck.
Up She Goes!
Once you have marked your holes on the back of the cupboard, drill through the back section using a carpentry bit. Offer up the cabinet to its final position on the wall and use the pencil to mark the holes on the wall, via the holes already made on the back of the cupboard. Make a final check for correct alignment using your spirit level. Use the right masonry bit for drilling your wall holes to the correct depth, then place the plastic plugs in the holes. Ask someone to help hold the cabinet while you locate the four screws through the cupboard backing. Mr-Skill says that if you have reached this point without any incidents, you can chant these words: Mirror, mirror on the wall.
Tags: align, batroom fitting quote, cabinets, Carpentry, cupboard, find a bathroom fitter, fitting, hand basin, height, holes, location, london bathroom fitter, masonry, pencil, plugs, screwdriver, screws, skills, tape measure, template
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Many homeowners, and a number of businesses too make use of jobbing skills offered by informal tradespeople called ‘handymen’ – perhaps that should be ‘handypeople’, because there are both men and women at work out there! Mr-Skill has a number of expert members that fall into this category, and our ‘handymen’ are waiting to quote on the handyman job you need to have done. Their role is to carry out repairs and maintenance, and they could be registered to work with plumbing, electrical and construction type work too. 
How Handymen Find Work
Quite a number end up in full time employment, and have on-going contracts assigned to them by their employers. However, many prefer to remain independent and go it alone. Initially they have to advertise their services and build up a network of regular clients to get continuous work. These self-employed workers are usually multi-skilled, and may also rely largely on word of mouth referrals to fill their diaries.
What to Expect
This is one area of the trades sector where practically anything goes. The work can be small once-off quick fixes, or large projects involving several workers with different skills and experience levels. It could be labour intensive, or highly skilled project work. One of our regular London handymen tells us that to thrive in his line of business, he has to work to a consistently high standard. This not only produces the work for today and tomorrow, but well into the future too. Ideally, a handyman needs to be in great demand and highly sought-after as well.
Skills Development 
All handymen learn from the work they perform. They have to be virtually all-things-to-all-people, which suggests the need for excellent communication skills. Handymen also must possess the necessary skills to complete the mechanical and technical tasks assigned to them. In exchange, a handyman can normally negotiate his own hours of work – bearing in mind that the customer always comes first. The variety of work on offer demands that a handyman should keep a well-stocked tool box to carry out the work that comes their way.
Negotiating a Contract
Mr-Skill recommends that when you find your preferred handyman service, you should draw up a fair agreement to protect your interests. This not only avoids unnecessary squabbles, it also safeguards the interests of both parties too. When you choose one of our handymen, you can rest assured that you will not only get a good price, but that you can look forward to a great job as well!
Tags: advertise, agreement, category, certified, communication, contracts, experience, find a handyman, handyman quote, homeowners, jobs, london handyman, mechanical, networks, project work, registered, services, skills development, sought skills, technical
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Posted in Handyman Services on Aug 23
New tools are always a bit of a distraction for the home handyman. You know the feeling, you are just browsing through one of your favourite hardware stores and suddenly, you are attracted to an absolute bargain that is only good for as “long as stocks last”. You simply have to buy it, even though you really don’t have a need! 
Mr-Skill calls it compulsive buying, and the retail stores are fully aware of the power of this emotion – and they know how to cash in on the situation too. If you are like one of our regular London handymen, you’ll be constantly on the lookout for bargains, especially when it comes to new-fangled gadgets and tools, but just exercise a bit of discipline before splurging!
Electric Screwdrivers
These have been on the market for a long time and they are very useful indeed. Offering the option of different screw thread attachments and even screw sizes, these tools can save a lot of time and sweat when you are pushing the clock. The rechargeable batteries have improved since the early days, but if there is one criticism, it is that battery life is still very limited and you cannot replace them cheaply when they fail. If you are not the DIY type you could find a handyman right here now.
Cordless Drills
These are getting better and better as technology improves. The great thing about this tool is that you don’t have to worry about dangling power leads waiting to trip you up. Running time is improving, although a lot depends on what you pay upfront for this beauty. You can even get them with hammer functions too.
Electric Table Saws
This is every woodworker’s dream come true. They are safe – as long as you use them properly – and they cut beautifully. As with all power tools, Mr-Skill always promotes safety first, so remember the eye protection and the gloves, and always make sure you have decent industrial footwear too. A facemask can also prove useful with all that sawdust, and a decent set of earphones will dampen the sound if you are trimming a lot of wood. If woodworking is not your scene, get a handyman quote right here on Mr-Skill.
Jig Saws 
Although we don’t use them all that often, you are sure to miss this useful tool when it comes to intricate cuts in limited space. Always begin sawing from a pre-drilled hole in a straight line towards the opposite hole.
Here at Mr-Skill, we do realise that there are many other fantastic power tools for just about every imaginable application. Those discussed above are the bare minimum and oft-used ally of the enthusiastic home fixer!
Tags: bargains, batteries, cordless screwdriver, DIY, drill holes, find a handyman, hammer, handyman services quote, hardware, jig saw, london handyman, power lead, power tools, protection, recharge, safety, safety gear, sawdust, table saw, tools, trim
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Posted in Handyman Services on Aug 06
Drill and Bit Tips
Just about every householder owns a drill, and how very useful is this power tool. Before the invention of the portable electric drill, cutting holes was a laborious exercise that involved using a hand tool such as auger. If the drill itself is important, then the bits that perform the task are vital too, so choosing the correct size and the right bit for the material you’re working with is essential.
Horses for Courses
The material you plan to drill through will indicate which bit you should use for the job.  Twist bits are the most commonly used for most drilling, while steel bits are relatively cheap and suitable for use on softer woods. At the other end of the spectrum we use cobalt-tipped bits for drilling holes in harder metals, such as stainless steel. Get advice from your local hardware store, or better still find a handyman here on Mr-Skill, and get all your drilling work done expertly with minimum fuss.
Understanding Your Options
Use a brad point bit for boring through wood as it deals effectively with stubborn chips as you drill through. For larger holes in wood – say from a half-inch diameter upwards – you should use a spade bit when drilling timber. Always consult your drill maker’s manual for guidelines on drilling through various different materials. Just like any other power tool, drills come in many different choices in terms of quality and performance. Certain drilling jobs may prove challenging for your particular drilling tool, and the manufacturer may impose torque limitations, which in turn could limit the use of some bits.
Correct Drilling Action 
One of our London handymen says that it’s all in the action when operating your drill, and that the slow and steady approach always wins the day. Apart from being potentially dangerous, pushing a drill to its limits is neither good for the tool nor the operator, whereas working in unison will achieve the objective without major stress. Most drills have variable speed settings and a normal drilling function as well as an impact, or hammer setting. More sophisticated equipment usually features a reverse switch for extracting the bit from the drilled hole. Another handy tip is to make sure that your drill is properly straight when in use – otherwise your hole may end up skew.
Last But Not Least
When loading a bit to the chuck, make sure that it is correctly gripped and don’t over-tighten or you may have problems removing the bit when you’re finished. Don’t forget that Mr-Skill has many pre-screened experts ready to assist your every need – get your handyman quote right here!
Tags: chuck, drill, drill bits, drill holes, drill speed, electric drill, expert, find a handyman, handyman, handyman services quote, impact, london handyman, material, metal, power drill, safety, stainless steel, tool, wood, wood chips
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Posted in Handyman Services on Jul 04
Trellis is the word we use to describe a latticework of crossing panels made from treated wood. Not only does it make for a visually pleasing experience, it also offers better privacy too. Solid pole-fences or brick garden walls are not as aesthetic and will cost a lot more too, especially when you add the price of labour. Trellis is available in standard panel sizes and many wood finishes too.
One of our regular London handymen says that if you’re not the DIY type, Mr-Skill is the best place to start your search for a skilled tradesperson. He goes on to advise that you need to visualise what you are trying to achieve, before erecting this type of fencing.
The Raw Materials
Typically, wood lattice panels are stock items, and come in 2 x 4 foot, 2 x 8 foot and 4 x 8 foot sections. The standard panel thickness starts at 3/8 inch, then 3/4 inch, and thicker. Common patterns include square, diamond and weave finishes with both large and smaller viewing gaps. Don’t forget the poles that you’ll need to plant for support. If you prefer, find a handyman here on Mr-Skill and leave the rest to him.
Steps:
- Use builder’s string and stakes to lay out your fence line. Then, you can mark your post positions along this line, allowing for a maximum gap of 8 feet between your poles. Now, dig a hole deep enough to bury the pole footing – not too shallow or the fence may bend. Plant the pole and check it is standing straight. Fill the hole around the post with concrete, being sure to keep the upright plumb. Allow the poles time to settle, and the concrete to set.
- Check that the post height above the ground does not exceed 6 feet, the normal height permitted by your local authority. Use the string to line up the poles and trim off any excess height.
- Trim top and bottom battens to fit horizontally between the poles, and secure them as supports for the lattice panels.
- Place the lattice panels in position with the right face showing, and centre between the uprights. You are now ready to secure the trellis fence to the framework, filling any left and right gaps with panels trimmed to the correct size.
If you haven’t erected a fence yourself like this before, it’s time to pat yourself on the back if you got this far. If this sounds all too difficult then check the Mr-Skill home page and get some handymen quotes instead. Then, switch on the telly and take in Match of the Day while you wait for the professionals to complete your stunning new fence.
Tags: aesthetic, concrete, fence, fencing, find handyman-services, Garden, garden walls, holes, horizontal, london handyman services, panels, poles, privacy, quote for handyman services, spacing, stake, string, trellis, trim, uprights
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Posted in Handyman Services on Jun 08
Using a handyman is something most people do when they don’t have the time or skills required themselves. Usually the work doesn’t require a licensed contractor either. The difference between the two hiring options can be barely noticeable, or conversely, alarmingly obvious depending on the skill level and the versatility of your chosen handyman. Unfortunately, you will only discover the truth once the work is done and final payment requested.
Self-Taught Can Be Good Too 
Generally speaking, handymen are self-educated in the tasks they perform, and in fact many are brilliant in what they do. But, because they are unlicensed and unregulated means problems can develop, especially when dealing with persons unknown – which goes for any job. The last thing you want, is to discover this after the event!
Check Them Out First
This makes reference-checking all-important, but this of course assumes that you ask the right questions and receive straightforward answers in exchange. In some instances, it is quite alright to go with your “feel good factor” if, after asking a few relevant inquiries you get intelligent replies from your future handyman.
Start Your Search Right Here
A visit to Mr-Skill’s website would be a good start if you are looking to find a handyman-service. We put all our tradespeople through thorough pre-screening before we allow them to use our portal. In any event, you must ask for a written quote for your handyman’s services – it protects both parties.
When to be Careful 
There are certain jobs that a handyman may not take on, and this is because the scope of the work requires a qualified and registered contractor. Plumbing, gas, and electrical disciplines are good examples. These jobs require formally trained, qualified and experienced workmen. There are fine-lines of definition though – for example, a handyman may work on a light switch, whereas a licensed electrician would be required to re-wire your home.
Last but Not Least
One of Mr-Skill’s regular London handyman-services confirms that in his own case, he works with a regular customer base that knows him well, and simply wouldn’t use anybody else. In other words, he’s developed a solid reputation and that’s definitely the proof in the pudding!
Tags: allrounder, customer base, electrical, experience, find handyman-services, gas, licensed contractor, london handyman services, Plumbing, qualified, quote for handymanservices, References, regulated, reputation, skills, tradespeople, versatile, written quote
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Apart from letting in light, the windows in our homes play an important role in energy-efficiency factors too. Over time, the seals around the window frames perish, allowing water, air and of course dust into the house. Worn window seals can also lead to fogging inside the double glazing as moisture gets in. Since replacing window seals is a moderately difficult job – rather like working with putty – this may be a job that’s best left to the experts. You can find a window and door fitting expert right here on Mr-Skill.
If you are determined to go ahead yourself, here’s how to go about it: 
- Check the glass carefully for cracks, chips or holes, and look to replacing any sheet where the outer or inner pane seems compromised. Glazing is a specialist job, so rather contact your local glass specialist, or get a handyman quote through Mr-Skill. Handling glass is inherently dangerous and is not a repair for the novice to consider.
- Before replacing rubber seals around your windows, be sure to have the right replacement gaskets (gauge and profile). As you remove the old seal, slide the replacement into the same channel and trim to the correct length.
- Older style windows, such as sash type, are likely to use putty as the anchoring agent. If the glass panes are undamaged and do not need replacing, remove all old putty and sealant around the glass, where it is held in place within the window frame. A putty knife could prove useful for cleaning out the crevices.
- Load a tube of window-glazing sealant into a caulking gun, and trim the nozzle to the required size. Engage the ratchet-mechanism, and then squeeze the trigger to get the desired amount of sealant into the channel around the pane of glass.
- Use a putty knife to neaten up the sealant, and then clear any surplus caulking immediately.
One of our London window and door fitters advises that working with glass on a window frame can be challenging if you have no experience. He certainly would not encourage the DYI angle for any window that requires a ladder or scaffolding in place. Rather use the experts in the field, since they know what they are doing, and will complete the job professionally and quickly too.
Tags: caulking, caulking gun, chips, condensation, cracks, draft, find a window-and-door-fitting expert, fogging, frame, handyman quote, holes, london window and door fitter, sash window, seal, sealant, water, window
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Posted in Handyman Services on May 07
Sometimes the bricks outside our homes take on a white powder-like appearance which does not look very nice. Technically known as “efflorescence”, it’s basically lime seeping out of the damp brick and giving it that unwanted chalky look. Of course, external bricks can also suffer staining due to airborne pollution, while everybody dreads the “artwork” of the graffiti experts.
 While lime-staining readily brushes off, the other two forms of pollution are somewhat more difficult to deal with. In this two-part article, we first explain how to remove unwanted graffiti and the effects of pollution, and then deal with lime-based staining in part two.
Removing Efflorescence Staining
Although this is a moderately easy job, you may prefer to seek professional assistance – find a handyman service right here on Mr-Skill and they will quickly resolve your brick-staining problem.
Assuming the lime powder is reasonably easy to reach using a properly secured ladder, begin by using a dry, stiff scrubbing brush. Resist the urge to wash down the brickwork after scrubbing, because wetting the wall will quickly see the staining problem return.
The next stage is to use a soft paint brush to remove the chalky deposits. You may find streaking caused by leaking downpipes or poorly positioned flashing. First repair the leak to eliminate the problem. If your water-heater tank is overflowing, it too may cause unsightly staining on the surrounding bricks. A simple adjustment to the float controlling the water level in the heater tank is probably all that is required.
Call in the Professionals
If you feel challenged by the thought of venturing up a ladder to clean your brickwork, why not get a handyman service quote instead? Then you can sit back and watch your unsightly wall being transformed to its original splendour.
Kevin, he’s one of our London handymen services, advises that efflorescence can manifest itself in brickwork long after the wall was built. It’s a combination of insufficient curing, and the elements going to work in the form of damp drawing out the remaining lime. He goes on to say that streaking on walls may be the result of something more serious by way of leaking pipes or drains. In this case, you would do well to bring in the experts rather than have a go yourself. Sometimes a little knowledge can be dangerous!
Tags: cleaning, damp, efflorescence, find a handyman service, flashing, graffiti, handymen services quote, hydrochloric acid, leaks, lime, london handymen services, pipes, pollution, powder, pressure hose, protective clothing, stains, streaks, water, weather
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Posted in Handyman Services on Apr 04
Just as in any other line of business, the range of services that a Handyman offers should be competitive and reasonably priced. It is after all a fiercely contested sector of the market in virtually every corner of the UK. Competition is hot, and this sorts the good from the mediocre.
 Remember too, that Handyman Services are no longer the preserve of the male species, so wherever you see the description Handyman, read Handyperson too. Today, there are many women well up to the task of delivering excellent service while they go about fixing your problems. What should you be looking for when it comes to choosing a Handyman or Women? We’ve compiled a list of what you should consider when seeking someone competent with the prerequisite skills. Why not start right here, and find a Handyman on Mr-Skill?
Typical Range of Services
Actually, the list is virtually open-ended, but here are the more popular jobs that Handymen tackle most frequently:
- Joinery
- Electrical Work
- Painting and Decorating
- Tiling
- Flooring
- Plumbing
- Roofing
Caution: Always get a Handyman quote before appointing one.
 The Main Attributes to Look For
- Local is Good – The person you select should ideally be local or at least from around your area. Travel and transport costs can be horrendous these days and you don’t want these costs for your account. Since good news moves fast, so too does the bad version. Follow-up is far more effective in your local area, so ask around.
- How Long in the Trade – This is important, as you don’t want to end up as a guinea pig while they gain experience. However, everyone has to start somewhere so try to be reasonable.
- Guarantee – Don’t be shy to ask about the time and extent of any guarantee, otherwise it may turn out to be a verbal promise of nothing.
Other Considerations
As one of our long-standing London Handymen tells us, any good worker worth their salt should be keen to tell you about their extensive liability insurance. He goes on to recommend that you monitor how prompt they were in getting back to you with a quotation – free of course. Finally, was the service professional and were they helpful? Don’t forget to ask what forms of payment they can take – do they accept credit cards for example?
Tags: costs, credit cards, elictrical work, find a handyman, flooring, handyman quote, joinery, liability insurance, local area, london handymen, Plumbing, Roofing, services, skills, tiling, time in business
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Posted in Handyman Services on Feb 29
It’s not always a simple matter to prepare a handyman quote. Think about it from the service-person’s point of view. You ask them to quote to repair a dripping tap. How are they to know whether it’s a question of the washer, or whether the entire unit needs replacing?
 How about assembling an Ikea cupboard? Some are simple open structures while others include a complicated set of drawers. So there’s no simple answer to what either job could cost. And that’s because neither the time to do the job, nor the cost of the materials are self-evident up front.
Materials – There are two ways to deal with this. You can buy the materials yourself or you could ask your handyman to source them for you. This is not as easy as it sounds though. Many tradespeople make their money by marking up on special offers, and bypassing this can cause resentment.
On the other hand, there will always be some things that you like to choose yourself, like paint colours and bathroom fixtures. We recommend that you allow your handyman to supply the more basic materials like rendering and tile cement though. You can always negotiate if the price seems a little high.
 Labour – Many London handymen these days prefer to quote a rate per hour, which includes both themselves and their assistants. To control this, it’s always best to request an hourly estimate to do the job, on the basis that the service-person motivates the over-run before it happens.
While the above tips represent a good start towards a solid working relationship, they only really work well when you’re dealing with an honest person too. More and more people every day are finding it simpler to find a handyman on Mr-Skill. And that’s because they already come recommended.
Tags: find a handyman, handygirl, handyman, handyman quote, handyperson, london handymen, quote
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