7 Best Apps for Home Repair

Just because we’re a tech company stocked with a bunch of computer and marketing nerds doesn’t mean we don’t appreciate a little DIY Home Repair. Those ‘Honey-Do’ lists seem only to grow (I swear, honey, I’ll pull up that avocado tree this weekend!). But what happens when the toilet breaks down? I know PHP, .Net, Design, APIs, SDKs, Software apps – and so on. Plumbing isn’t exactly my forte. But that’s what I love about apps and the world of the internet – home repair is just a few taps away. We thought we’d take a look at some of our home repair apps for iPad, Android and iPhones. Keep in mind that these are just the best on the market – none is perfect. Which brings us to the other great fear of Mobile app development: There’s always room for improvement. More to the point, it’s inexpensive. If you have a flash of inspiration while reading this post, contact us today to get your app launched in as little as 30 days.

 1. SnapGuide – iOS, Free SnapGuide is more of a general how-to guide containing all sorts of guides for everyday tasks, from recipes to home repair. This is the ultimate iPhone and iPad DIY app for those who like to do everything themselves! Even better, this is a crowdsourced guide. Users can not only comment, share, and favorite specific guides, they can also create their own guides

 2. Dream Home – Android & iOS; Look, I can paint a wall. I can build minor stuff, patch holes and the like. But, dear God, please do not ask me to pick a color or questions about decorating. I’m hopeless. You will end up with mismatched furniture and a puce-colored room, guaranteed. That’s why this app is great: it contains an immense library of a variety of room design inspirations from top interior decorators. There is both a free and paid ($3) version available.

3. RoomScan – iOS ($5); MagicPlan – Android (free) This is an Awesome app. It lets you create interior dimension layouts of your room – by simply putting your phone on each wall in the room. Yep, that’s it. In a few minutes, you will have a complete floorplan uploaded on your phone. While this isn’t on Android, I’ve got good news. The MagicPlan DIY app is basically the same thing. The difference is that you just take photos of the room’s walls instead of placing it on a wall. In my opinion, it’s the best home repair app for Android, especially moving (and arguably easier to use than RoomScan), because it takes the guessing and wasted work out of setting up a room, laying carpet, painting, etc. Plus it’s free!

Power Tools Safety- Do's & Dont's

General safety tips for hand and power tools:

• Buy quality tools. Many tools, including cutters and hammers, should be made of steel and should be heat-treated.
• Regularly inspect tools to make sure they are in good shape and fit for use.
• Be sure to maintain your tools by performing regular maintenance, like grinding or sharpening. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Dress for the job by avoiding loose clothing or articles that can get caught in a tool’s moving parts, like jewelry.
• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment, like leather gloves.
• Use the right tool for the job. In other words, don’t try to use a wrench as a hammer.
• Make sure that your feet are planted on a stable surface.
• Be aware of the people around you and make sure they stay clear of the tools you are using.
• Never carry tools up a ladder by hand. Instead, use a bucket or bag to hoist tools from the ground to the worker.
• When working at heights, never leave tools lying out in the areas where they could present a hazard to workers below.
• When appropriate, secure work with a clamp or vise to keep it from slipping.
• Never carry pointed tools in your pocket. Carry them in a toolbox or cart instead.
• Inspect your tools on a regular basis, checking for damage. Report damaged tools to your supervisor.
• Make sure to keep extra tools handy in case the tool you had planned to use is damaged.
• Make sure tools are stored in a safe place.

Why You Should Hire a Licensed Contractor

Have you ever had a contractor stop at your house uninvited and said, “Hey, I am in the area; I have some extra materials in my truck, and I see your driveway needs repair. I can do it today for half the cost.” Before you think you just got the deal of the century, you need to ask the contractor if he or she is licensed!

 Unlicensed contractors tend to give you a better deal if you pay cash, but they will disappear soon after they get your money whether the job is completed or not. The shoddy work might be done with stolen materials even though the contractor claims the supplies are brand new. An unlicensed contractor may act like you have a huge job, bigger than he or she expected, so more money is needed upfront. Do not fall for these scams! This contractor may be a friend or a friend of a friend; he or she is always very friendly at first until he or she gets your money.

The work the unlicensed contractor completes is most likely unprofessional and will need further attention. You will end up paying more for a licensed contractor to fix the damage than what you would have paid the licensed contractor to do the work to begin with! Even if you think you are getting a good deal, it is not worth the hassle to hire an unlicensed contractor. Did you know it is illegal to act as a home improvement contractor in Maryland without the proper license? Since he or she is already breaking the law, the chances are good that the unlicensed contractor already has a criminal history. You do not want to put your family at risk!

Common Issues that Lead to Construction Defect Lawsuits

Common Issues that Lead to Lawsuits Suing your contractor is generally the last thing on your mind when you hire them.  Unfortunately, construction projects, big and small, can end in a lawsuit. Let’s examine why.

Breach of Contract

When your contractor deviates from the contract’s terms, they’ve breached the agreement.

Contract breaches happen for many reasons:

• Botched craftsmanship
• Excessive delays
• Exceeding the budget without approval

How do you prove the contractor breached the contract?

1. Establish a contract exists
2. Demonstrate you met your obligations in the contract
3. Prove the contractor/handyman did not meet their duties
4. Show there are damages as a result of the breach

A breach can be difficult to prove if there isn’t a written contract.

If you breach your duties without justification, you may forfeit rights to a claim.

There’s a breach. How much money can I recover?

The amount of damages you recover depends on the nature of the breach. Is it a material or non-material breach?

A home repair checklist is something to help you recall the items that you need to do to maintain your home. The list will ensure you extend the life span of your home functions, like your roof and exterior trim. The checklist will also help you lower your utility bills, i.e. if your furnace and water heater gets a yearly tune-up.

A home repair checklist will help homeowners find the best way to protect your home and the biggest investment they represent.

Here are a few things to add when creating your checklist:

• Set a yearly maintenance budget
• Pick four to six items to focus on
• Try to finish your maintenance or repairs before Halloween

Exterior & Interior Improvement, Repair and Maintenance Services!

A&K Construction Company provides affordable, professional and trusted exterior and interior home improvement services, repair services and maintenance services.   We are fully licensed and insured serving clients in Charlotte, NC and the surrounding areas.  We take pride in the quality of our work and value our excellent reputation so you can be sure our team of professional contractors will provide you with expert assistance and give valued advice throughout every step of the construction process.  We will be with you from the estimate, design and material selection to implementation and construction process- all the way to the finishing details. 

Our excellent quality of work, close attention to detail and outstanding customer service far exceeds industry standards.  We operate with a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee and we will always do whatever we can to take care of you! If you’re looking for an experienced, professional and dedicated exterior or interior contractor, you’ve come to the right place!