Robs Home Maintenance Service

Going......Going.......Gone Not everything I do for my clients involves building things or making someones yard look better. Sometimes it just involves removing something. In this case I removed some aging playground equipment that hadnt really been used in years. As I found out while I was removing some of the upper deck boards it was a good decision to remove this now as opposed to doing it later as most of the wood was rotting. All the client needs to do now is decide what to do with this space.

Here are pictures from two recent jobs.

Heres a project that wrapped up the finish of a larger project. The client had a wall mounted sink, but wanted a small counter top added along with tile as a backsplash.

I have just finished another project involving the installation of cabinetry and a wall covered in subway-style tiles. As the weather cools down Im doing more work like this.

I have just completed a new job with a familiar look. The reception desk is a copy of a desk I built for another client about 2 years ago. This most recent version is half the size of the original desk.

Heres a landscaping job recently completed. Completely weeded a clients backyard garden beds, then installed much needed mulch. It was quite the transformation - the pictures speak for themselves.

Now that the warmer weather is here we want to enjoy getting out into our yards - but not when your back deck feels "spongy". Heres a deck replacement I did recently. I did another deck replacement at the same complex last year, but this deck had far more rot than the first.

Not all my jobs involve painting or carpentry - some are as simple as assembling an examination table. Going from two boxes to an examination table in two hours.

Heres a job I did recently. I upgraded a clients back gate to something more interesting. The original gate was too low and was more an invitation for strangers who might happen to be in the back field. My client asked for a taller more solid gate with a viewing window and a roof. On the other side of her yard is a trellis that spans an opening to another section of lawn. She asked me if I could take my design cues from that structure and incorporate that in the new design. She loved what I came up with.

Heres a very interesting project I just finished (and I hope the pictures do it justice). I was asked to build some walls to separate two UV units in a clients office. Only one of the UV units is currently operating while the other is currently unassembled ready to be assembled when the walls get built. The client didnt want walls built with drywall, but something "lighter". Since there would be two separate rooms within a larger room the client didnt want the patients feeling closed in. I thought about it for a while then came up with the perfect solution. How about walls that seemed solid, but would allow light to filter through while giving patients privacy? The solution was corrugated light panels.

A new client of mine asked me to install a drop down ladder in the ceiling of her garage. She has storage above her garage, but wanted something permanent and safer to climb than a standard lean-to ladder. The installation of this ladder took about 4 hours. I was advised to watch a video before installing the ladder. In the video it all seemed so easy and fast to install. They failed to mention in the video that the ceiling opening had already been cut to the correct size - in my clients case I had to cut the ceiling to enlarge the opening and put in new bridging between the joists. Despite that the job went well and I can add another notch to my toolbelt.

Heres a recent landscaping job that was done for a local client. I originally put in an estimate for regular landscaping maintenance in February 2018. I got the call early this month (July) to clean up the property. Take a look at what happens when you dont weed, cut the grass or prune bushes for 6 months. I was very happy with the outcome.

Heres a project I just completed that was about 3 months in length - not due to the work, but because the unit I installed was damaged - twice - in delivery. Even with the damage I managed to get this TV wall unit built and the result is beautiful.

Heres a quick, little project I did for a client recently. I was asked to build shelving in his basement for an assortment of plastic storage bins and the usual storage items. The shelving uprights were made from 2 by 2s that were screwed and glued. The shelving itself was made from 2 by 4s with a slight space between each 2 by 4. The uprights were attached to the walls and the shelving 2 by 4s were attached to the horizontal members of the uprights. In total, just over 12 hours of work (the uprights were assembled off site the day before the installation). These shelves will be able to hold most anything.

Here is a recent project I did designing and building a reception desk for a client of mine who was opening a new office. This is the first time I have done anything like this and I was thrilled with the outcome. Everyone who has seen the desk is blown away with how it turned out. Just to be clear - I designed and built the desk (from a picture the client sent me), but did not paint the desk (a covering company came in to do the painting portion).

Ive been quite busy over the last month with several large painting jobs. The most recent was a large house that is being put on the market. The client decided to have the entire interior repainted with a neutral tone - very wise choice. Check out the before and after pictures.

Heres a painting job that really changed the mood of a kitchen and dining room. Darker colour replaced with lighter colour - just in time for Christmas.

Heres a project for the rainy days of November - installing an alleyway fence with access gates for vehicles. The client has vehicles that are being worked on in the backyard, so he needs access to the alleyway from the backyard. Nice job. I also replaced the fence on the west side of the property before installing this alleyway fence.

Heres a recent job where I added a set of stairs to a clients backyard deck. The client told me that she wasnt interested in matching the new railing and pickets to the existing deck - just plain and simple treated lumber that would be painted. Beautiful results!!

Heres a job that initially looked like a quick fix to a deck that had some water damage. Upon removal of some of the decking boards I quickly found out that not only were some of the decking boards rotten, but so were several of the structural joists supporting the deck. Everything rotten had to be removed. Since I had to replace one of the side joists I added a post under the corner for added strength. After replacing everything I gave it a coat of paint and everything looked good as new.

Here is a true "Drab to Fab" renovation. A client of mine asked me to remove...wait for it....indoor-outdoor carpet from his kitchen (I kid you not!!) and install some shiny, new white tiles. Now in all fairness the carpet had been installed by the previous owner, but my client said he had lived with this for too long and it was time to remove the carpet. I had to remove the carpet and glue underneath before the big job at hand could begin. I had to install an uncoupling membrane to the concrete before any tiles could be installed. End result - the client loved the tiles.

I had a client who needed to create a quiet and private room for his clients in a work space he operates. His clients mentioned that they needed this room to make private phone calls or meet with clients in private away from the hustle and bustle of the main work space. He showed me the area where he wanted the room and provided me with the door to the room. Heres the result (the client told me he would paint the finished walls - normally I would complete it myself).

Heres a recent project that took a tired and dirty carpeted staircase to an engineered hardwood beauty. The client actually had 2 staircases exactly the same. He completely got a modern and updated look to his home - and it was easier than you think.

This is a hanging umbrella installation at a clients house. The umbrella was attached to the pergola overhead and the umbrella opens with a cord attached to the upright of the pergola. Youll have to forgive the darkness of the pictures. They were taken in broad daylight, but apparently we were having an eclipse at the time I was taking the pictures - haha

Heres a simple and quick fix for a very sad side gate.

Heres a before and after pic of a small reno job I did a while back. I had to level off the original floor under the vanity, but the new floor installation went beautifully. There were actually several layers of linoleum on the old floor. The new floor covering - vinyl (believe it or not) and absolutely PERFECT for a bathroom.

Heres a few before and after pics of a simple hedge trimming I did recently. It really helps to tidy up a yard.

Here is another dramatic before and after of a basement renovation. 70s wood panelling replaced with drywall and paint.

These are dramatic before and after pictures of a basement renovation I did. Say goodbye to the 70s.

Here are some photos of a recent painting job - both before and after.