Working at heights

Any time you get out the old ladder, you are assuming the risk. You know, because of the pit you get in your stomach every time you get it out of the garage. You take those first few steps warily, wondering if it’s still safe. It worked for your grandfather and his before him, but maybe this time it comes out from under you. Your handyman not only has a ladder that he is comfortable on, uses, and inspects regularly, but he also has insurance to cover your property and himself in the case of an accident.

Changing out a faucet

All of the YouTube “experts” will tell you that this is an easy job that you can do yourself, and if you follow the instructions closely, you likely can. The issue is that if you miss a step, forget to put plumbers tape or put plumbers tape in the wrong spot, and you can have a leak. These leaks can hide in your cabinets undetected and cause more significant issues. If your faucet is leaking or you are tired of looking at it, let your handyman take care of it.

Changing out a fixture

This one is similar to the faucet above, and the process is pretty simple. As we have heard said it’s just “red to red, black to black, and green is ground.” While this is generally true, it gets more complicated when there are multiple switches involved, and you’re not sure if the power is off or you are on that old ladder again. A shock is not likely to kill you, but it does not feel good, and the startle and reflex it causes can be very dangerous. If you’ve got a light fixture that needs an update, is noisy, or you’re just tired of it, let us know, and we will be glad to take care of it for you.

Hanging Window Treatments

Hanging blinds, curtains, and shades is something that all of us have done. Look around your windows in your home and take note of the extra sets of holes from old treatments or screws that just didn’t hold for the long haul. Are you happy with how level they are and where you placed them on the window? A professional handyman can take care of this for you and make sure it is right the first time. Many handymen don’t want to mess with this small job, but the right one will be glad to help.

Assembling Furniture

Have you ever bought a fantastic piece of furniture, got it home, and never got around to putting it together? Maybe you opened the package, looked at the directions, and said you would do it later. The engineers who design these pieces are concerned about many things, but it seems that being able to put them together easily is not one of them. Your handyman would be glad to help with these items, and we can decipher even the worst set of directions.

The Handyman on Purpose team is here to help you check items off your to-do list! No job is too small for us to tackle, so contact us today.

Via: www.handymanonpurpose.com

Both professionals are skilled in their own right, but understanding their roles and capabilities can help you make the right choice for your specific needs. 

Read on to learn if you should hire a handyman or a plumber for your project.

How are handymen and plumbers different?

Before deciding if to hire a handyman or a plumber, you need to understand the difference between the two.

A qualified handyman is a versatile jack-of-all-trades. These professionals are skilled and experienced in a wide range of home maintenance, improvement, and repair projects. In Indiana, there are no licensing requirements for handymen or general contractors, but many are experienced in these types of jobs and are bonded and fully insured.

A plumber is a specialized professional who deals primarily with everything related to your home’s water supply and drainage systems. They have in-depth knowledge of plumbing systems and are licensed to perform more complex tasks.

Who should you hire for your project?

Due to their differing skill sets, handymen and plumbers are best suited for different projects. 

Handymen are perfect for smaller projects and general maintenance tasks— including appliance and fixture repairs and installation. They can also handle minor plumbing issues like fixing a dripping faucet. Oftentimes, hiring a handyman is a more affordable and faster option when compared to plumbers—making them ideal for these smaller plumbing jobs. 

Plumbers’ licensing and specific experience allow them to handle bigger plumbing projects. They are the best professionals for complex plumbing-related issues that involve your home’s water supply and drainage systems such as pipe leaks, sewer problems, or water heater repairs.

When it comes time to hire a handyman or a plumber, understanding their areas of expertise can help you make an informed decision. By choosing the right professional for the job, you can ensure that your home is in good hands and that your projects are completed efficiently and effectively.

Home Care & Repair’s professional handyman services keep you in control of your small home improvements and repair projects and provide a worry-free experience when it comes to quality workmanship, fair pricing, and your safety. To learn more, please visit our website or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Via: www.homecareandrepair.com

Depending on the exact layout of your kitchen, you’ll have to make decisions on base cabinets, wall cabinets, and tall cabinets. Learn more about each of these three types of cabinets and standard kitchen cabinet dimensions for each. 

Kitchen Base Cabinet Sizes  

The first of these three core types of kitchen cabinets are kitchen base cabinets, which are the cabinets that exist in the space between your countertop and floor. Also called under-counter cabinets, these types of cabinets need to be sturdy enough to support the weight of activity on your counter. Kitchen base cabinet dimensions can be customized to include sinks, corners, pull-out trash cans, and drawers. 

The standard height for kitchen base cabinets is 34.5 inches (36 inches including the countertop), while the standard depth is 24 inches. The width of kitchen base cabinets can vary depending on the design, but range from 12-48 inches. 

Note: In general, standard cabinet widths have the widest variety across all cabinet types. 

Kitchen Wall Cabinet Sizes 

The second of these three core types of kitchen cabinets are kitchen wall cabinets, which are the cabinets that hang on the wall above the counter. Also called upper kitchen cabinets, kitchen wall cabinets come in a wider variety of sizes and can vary greatly in terms of style. 

Kitchen wall cabinets are a common design focal point due to their visibility. They can be customized to showcase the homeowner’s unique personality with elements such as glass paneling, unique fixtures, interior lighting, a fun cabinet paint color, and more. 

The standard height for kitchen wall cabinets includes options at 12, 15, 18, 30, 36, and 42 inches, while the standard depth is 12 or 24 inches. The width of kitchen wall cabinets is 12, 15, 18, 24, or 36 inches.

It’s important to note that the depth of kitchen wall cabinets must be less than the depth of the base cabinets, otherwise you’ll have trouble working and preparing food on the countertops. 

Kitchen Tall Cabinet Sizes 

The final of these three core types of kitchen cabinets are kitchen tall cabinets, also known as pantry cabinets. These cabinets are taller than other cabinet types (hence the name), and there are typically only one to two of them in a given kitchen. They’re ideal for narrow spaces and are not exclusive to kitchens—they may also be found in laundry rooms or separate pantries. 

The standard height for kitchen tall cabinets is 84-94 inches, while the standard depth is 12 to 24 inches. The width of kitchen tall cabinets is 12, 24, or 36 inches.

How To Measure for Kitchen Cabinets: 6 Steps 

Now that you have an understanding of the standard cabinet sizes, you can determine which size options will work best for you and set your kitchen installation professional partner up for success. Follow the steps below to measure your ideal kitchen cabinet sizes.

• Sketch your floor plan: Before starting the measuring process, sketch out the ideal layout of your new kitchen, including where the cabinets will go. Factor in placement of the kitchen sink, dishwasher, range or oven, and any pantry space you may want to include. This step is especially important if you’re mapping out a brand-new kitchen.
• Measure horizontally: Using a measuring tape, measure the length of each wall in the kitchen. Be sure to factor in placement of doors, windows, storage solutions, and any existing appliances, measuring from the outer trim of any windows and doorways for the most accurate measurements. 
• Measure vertically: Measure from the ceiling to the floor in a few locations throughout the kitchen. This will inform your options for kitchen cabinet height for both base cabinets and wall cabinets. 
• Measure any segments: Be sure to also measure any trim or molding in your kitchen. 
• Measure depth: Measure the standard cabinet depth of 12-24 inches out from the wall and mark the furthest point on the floor. If your kitchen exists in an L configuration or your cabinets will wrap around your kitchen, make sure you follow this step to ensure you’re not imposing too much depth in your cabinet setup. If you have or are considering adding a kitchen island, you’ll want to take note of cabinet depth early on. 
• Contact a service professional: Now that you’ve taken all your measurements and added them to your floor plan, you’re ready to contact a professional to help you choose and install the best cabinets for your kitchen. 

Contact Mr. Handyman for Kitchen Cabinet Installation

With this understanding of standard kitchen cabinet sizes, you’re ready to take the next step in updating your cabinets! Whether you’re looking to execute a simple cabinet upgrade, an aging in place redesign, or major kitchen renovation, the team at Mr. Handyman® is here to help you with all your cabinet installation needs. 

Request service today and get started in creating the kitchen of your dreams. 

This article is intended for general informational purposes only and may not be applicable to every situation. You are responsible for determining the proper course of action for your home and property. Mr. Handyman is not responsible for any damages that occur as a result of this blog content or your actions. For the most accurate guidance, contact your local Mr. Handyman location for a comprehensive, on-site assessment.

Standard Kitchen Cabinet Sizes FAQs

Mr. Handyman has been helping homeowners repair, maintain, and enhance their spaces for over 25 years! We are the one-stop solution for everything on your to-do list. This includes answering your questions about home repairs, maintenance, and improvements. Here are answers to some of your most frequently asked questions about kitchen cabinet sizes.

What size are upper kitchen cabinets?

Upper kitchen cabinets, or wall cabinets, have a standard kitchen cabinet height of 12-42 inches, a standard width of  12-36 inches, and standard depth of 12-24 inches. 

What is the standard spacing for kitchen cabinets? 

An important measurement to consider for kitchen cabinet sizes is the distance between the countertop or top of the base cabinets and the bottom of the wall cabinets. The ideal working space between base cabinets and upper cabinets is 15-20 inches.

What is the standard depth of base cabinets?

The standard cabinet depth of base cabinets (the cabinets underneath kitchen countertops) is 24 inches.

How deep are kitchen cabinets?

Kitchen cabinet depth varies on the type of cabinet and the size of the kitchen itself. For example, wall cabinets tend to be shallower than base cabinets—12-24 inches for wall cabinets and a standard cabinet depth of 24 inches for base cabinets.

Via: www.mrhandyman.com

Pro: It Might Be Cheaper to DIY

Cost is probably one of the first things that come to mind when considering whether or not to do a home renovation on your own. It is true that hiring contractors to do the labor of the renovation may cost you more. However, if you aren’t experienced in home renovation, DIY might end up costing you more in total.

How Much Does a Home Renovation Cost?

On average, labor costs are $15 to $60 per square footage for a house in the United States to renovate a home. The total cost depends on the scale and nature of the project. You won’t have to worry about labor costs if you choose to DIY. A DIY renovation costs around $10,000 on average, as compared to $30,000 – $100,000 for hiring a professional.

Pro: You Can Complete the Project on Your Own Schedule

One pro of doing a home renovation by yourself is that you can work at a pace that best works for you, at whatever time is convenient for you. Doing the project on your own means you get started whenever you want to, without waiting until a contractor has the time to undertake your home renovation.

Con: There Could Be Hidden Costs

While it may seem like a DIY is cheaper upfront, there could be many hidden costs associated with doing a home renovation on your own. Depending on your project, you might need to buy more tools, which a professional would already have. Additionally, if you’re not experienced, you might make a mistake that would cost you to repair. You might ultimately need to hire a professional in the end anyway, at which point it would cost more because they would need to correct any problems.

What Tools Do You Need for a DIY Home Renovation?

If you decide to renovate a home on your own, you will need to make sure you have the proper tools and equipment to get the job done. Some of the tools that you should consider if you’d like to try a DIY home renovation are:

• Wrench
• Plastic drop cloth
• N95 Mask
• Firm grip gloves
• Rotary hammer
• Cordless saw
• Ladder
• Screwdriver
• Hammer

Con: It May Take You Longer Than a Professional Would

While you can work on your own schedule with a DIY project, it also can be a big time commitment. This commitment doesn’t just involve the work itself at home, but the research, equipment shopping, YouTube tutorials, and more. Unless you’ve done many home renovations before, there will inevitably be a learning curve that takes much of your time and energy.

How Long Does a DIY Home Renovation Take?

How long a home renovation takes depends on the project, but on average, it could take around 16 hours a week stretched over 5 or 6 weeks. If you have other commitments in your life with work or family, that timeline could be even longer. Hiring a professional could end up saving you a lot of time.

A DIY Home Renovation May Not Be High Quality

The saying “you get what you pay for” applies to home renovations, too. You might save money on doing it yourself, but at the same time, unless you’re a highly skilled renovator yourself, your DIY project might not be as good as what a contractor could do for you. Consider your own skills when you’re deciding between DIY and hiring a professional.

Via: www.smithhandymanservice.com