Maryland and D.C. Home Improvement and Home Inspection discussion and Repair Advice

Have you seen the pictures of the tv installer doing pull ups on their tv mount? This is a really great marketing scheme which we do but lately it seems to have taken on a new life, even another company took it as their name. It all started when I took my 4 year old daughter on an tv installation on a weekend. I spoke to the owner and she had a small girl as well, so we thought it would be fun.  After I installed the tvs, my daughter asked if she could hang on it. It was funny, we did it, and everyone laughed. The homeowner said she was surprised it would hold my daughter so I actually hung from the tv mount myself, doing a few pull ups to show her how strong it was.  From this, I noticed the reaction and went home and installed a tv mount on my own wall, then re-enacted the pull up and took some pictures. This is the picture you now see on my website- the original PULL UP TV MOUNT .  But there is some danger in this and you should not let your tv installer do pull ups on...

 There are many reasons why you should hire a licensed professional to perform any home improvement work in your home and mounting your tv’s are not exception. Here is a video from Baltimore TV Mount and Maryland TV mount going over the reason why.  Hope this helps all those homeowners and tenants looking to prepare for the big game on Sunday with a new big screen tv!  Remember, we are also starting to help those in Salt Lake City and Denver .

  When mounting a tv, it is important to get it right. After all, that new flat screen is a big investment and no matter if it is on drywall, brick, above your fireplace, on plaster, or even outside, strict care and professionalism is needed to make sure you have it mounted right. Each flat screen tv is different depending on the manufacturer and each mount is different.  All of these factors add together and make a little bit of a Tetris game when installing your tv on the wall. And guess what? One wrong move and you might have something that does not fit perfectly on your wall. . . And do you want that with your brand new installed tv? Many homeowner and tenants (for apartments) have a lot to think about and consider when mounting your tv on the wall.  For example: in Maryland installing a tv does not require a license. So if you are installing that TV in Bowie , are you going to trust a tv installer who might not be able to cover the cost if your tv falls and breaks? ...

9/9/2020 Laurel, Maryland: The papers are signed, the checks have been exchanged, and you are a new homeowner with keys in hand. This is an exciting and often scary time for homeowners because in the back of your mind, you know you are now responsible for home repairs, and maintenance.  When it comes to keeping your home in proper condition, it’s time to perform an inspection and make sure that all repairs are kept up to date. It is also time to customize your new home and make improvements that can make the place “yours”.  Here is our advice on the first home improvement steps a new homeowner should consider.  1. Think about your technology. Before moving furniture in, think about the technology and which rooms might require electrical/ wiring. Install cable cable lines, running power/ hdmi in walls is much easier when the house is empty. Mounting a tv is usually a big thing, we recommend contacting Baltimore TV Mount , or Maryland TV Mount if in the MD/DC/VA area. 2. ...

Moving into a new home? Why you should consider mounting your TV and what you need to know before you install.  When you are arranging your furniture and setting up your living room, where to put the tv is always an important question.  As TVs have grown larger, this question grows even more importance.  Should you mount your tv, and what should you consider when paying hiring someone to perform the tv installation. Should you mount- the benefits: The benefits of mounting your tv is a personal preference. But, being on a wall, it is less likely to be knocked over or get smudge marks on the tv screen from young kids. A tv also looks good hanging on a wall and with samsung options like the frameless TV, your entertainment center is now equal to a peace of art! What you need to know before hiring: Mounting your tv can be a daunting task. It is more than simply finding a stud and screwing it in. We asked to professional tv installers that are considered the best in their reg...

Washington D.C.: When it comes to preparing your home for sale, this Pre-Sale Home Improvement Contractor gives great advice on items you should never overlook.  When selling your home, there are two factors your should consider before making any decisions. These are the “gold rules” for what renovation or repair contracts you should make. 1. Will this project add value to my home? 2. Will this project reduce the marketing time of my home? Here are the 5 best home improvement projects to undergo when a homeseller is prepare to hit the market. 1. Paint: It updates rooms, neutralized odors, and can make your home brighter. 2. Clean: Get under furniture & appliances, behind the toilet, dust fixtures. These are hidden areas often overlooked and where odors might be hiding. 3. Declutter: Simple and well knows, a homeseller should declutter EVERYTHING (even storage rooms). Put items in storage (we like CubeSmart - but not an endorsement). Remember to al...

By: Teris Pantazes, co-founder Settle Rite Home Repairs Also published by Settle Rite at their blog, Pre-Sale Home Improvement Tips (Baltimore, MD) If you think getting your home ready for Thanksgiving Dinner is stressful, have you tried getting your home ready for sale? This is why we created Settle Rite. Using my 25+ years experience of preparing homes for market, we designed a service that takes the stress out of home improvement and prepping your home for sale (or performing repairs based on home inspection reports). One of our main features is our deferred payment program (currently available in Maryland, expanding to other states soon). Here is a rundown of when/ how Settle Rite can help. First: All of Settle Rite’s services offer deferred payment options, with nothing due until closing or settlement of your home. There are no finance charges/ fees and when you get an estimate, your flat rate is provided up front. Plus, we know you are likely buying a new home ...

  The original version of this blog was published by Maryland Home Inspection Contractor’s , homeseller advice blog. If you are selling a home, the buyer will undoubtedly request a home inspection. The repairs that are required after the inspection are usually up for negotiations and often depend on the type of financing your buyer has elected to use.  The most common repairs have to do with safety. 9 out of 10 times, they have to be fixed and it is usually the responsibility of the home seller to pay for these. One Common (preventable) item:  If you are not aware, your outlets have 3 wires connecting them, which supply the right amount of (safe) power. The positive, neutral, and ground all have a specific purpose and are safest when installed correctly and in the right spot.  This is why during the home inspection, your inspector will test each/ every outlet for ”polarity”, which is a way to If you are not aware, your outlets have 3 wires conne...

When you begin thinking about selling your home (the "pre-sale" period), one of the best things you can do is to get an honest assessment of what repairs or updates should me taken. The right work, at the right time, can help home sellers earn money on the repairs, and save of costs. We believe there are 3 stages in the home selling processes and all home improvement work should be broken into these categories. 1. Pre-market: This is the period of time prior to your Realtor officially putting your home on the market or listing it for sale. It is the "prep time" and the work and updating you do in this period of time should focus on marketing. You want to update appliances, color schemes, declutter, landscape, etc. These are the things that will help attract more home sellers and bring in a higher price. More information on this can be found from our friends at EFynch, who spoke about choosing repairs the add value. ( pre-sale, home improvement tips ...

This is a phrase that sound good rolling off the tongue but, in reality, it is sign to potential contractors that you really don't know what you are talking about. No big deal, however, most pros know the reason you hire them is because you don't know how to make a repair or install "that item" so this is not New News. However, if dishonest, it might be a sign and a bad contractor uses this to take advantage of you (quick story at end of this on how). You see, in home improvement (residential, specifically here in Maryland), bonding has little to no benefit to a homeowner. In fact, only if their bond specifically names the homeowner, does it help. Further, all licensed contractors in Maryland are technically "bonded", so the "bond" as typically referenced, is kind of repetitive (even though the original bond, does not apply to homeowner).   <let me explain> The Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) has the   Guarantee Fun...

Pre sale kitchen renovation & improvement. Columbia, Maryland: Early last month (June, 2019), we received a phone call from an Agent with Long & Foster. There was a condo for sale in Central Maryland and after 2 months on the market, the property had only received 1 offer, which was below market and had multiple contingencies (aka, unacceptable). When the Agents called she had a clear direction of the issues at hand and with her guidance, we quickly developed a plan that ultimately worked-  - - better than we could have expected! The Background, the property was subject to fire/ smoke damage previously. The owners worked with their insurance company who restored 90% of the home with new carpet, painting, etc. BUT- the kitchen was left untouched with the exception of replacing the floors (which they did). So, we had a property that was partially new, partially old! As you can see below, the kitchen was in terrible shape with old wallpaper, cabinets, app...

June 5th, 2019 By: Settle Rite Pre Sale Home Improvement Arlington, VA: We live in our homes and within the beauty we see, we also recognize the practicality of what it is. Kids toys, keepsakes, and even that water glass from 2 nights ago might be overlooked, but to a potential purchaser it is C-L-U-T-T-E-R! The "For Sale Playroom" that does not exist in reality Every day we live in our rooms and it is easy to see beyond some things that are offensive to others. When we speak with Realtors, often their toughest pre sale challenge is working with homesellers to de-clutter their homes. They make lists, do a walk through, and often sellers go "back and forth" trying to decide what should be removed vs. what might add character. Clutter is a huge issue and it not only reduces the number of offers on your home, it will also reduce potential offers value. Who knew, a snow globe collection might cost your a few thousand $$$? Well we have a...

What is Pre-Sale Home Improvement? and how it helps home sellers. . . Curb appeal is obtained by the work prior to putting your home on the market. Arlington, VA: The best way to increase value in the sale of your home is to do the pre-sale home improvement work ahead of time- so when your property hits the market, it leads the competition in a specific niche. Most home sellers and new realtors believe in order to do this, the fastest way to get to the top spot of marketing your home is to reduce the price. Although reducing your listing price is one option, it is not always the easiest and is certain is not the best practice for a home seller to use. We recommend speaking with a pre-sale home improvement company which is focused on this topic. Many can offer free estimates and also offer deferred payments which can position your home for a quick start, and sell when you decide to list it. These repairs include (1) market prep (or pre-market), (2) contract contingency, o...