Are you considering updating your space with IKEA furniture but worried that “some assembly required” could be more than you bargained for? Don’t let a complicated set of instructions stand between you and the home or business space of your dreams. Contact Fix It!^® to learn about our IKEA Assembly Services. We’ll send one of our skilled professionals to your home or office to assemble your IKEA furniture.

Fix It!^® IKEA Assembly Services Include:

• IKEA bed frame assembly
  • IKEA MALM bed
  • IKEA BRIMNES bed
  • IKEA BRUSALI bed
• IKEA desk assembly
  • IKEA EXPEDIT desk
  • IKEA MALM desk
  • IKEA MICKE desk
• IKEA chair assembly
  • IKEA PÖANG chair
  • IKEA EKTORP armchair
  • IKEA PELLO armchair
• IKEA cabinet assembly & installation
  • IKEA ALEX drawer unit
  • IKEA SEKTION cabinets
  • IKEA PAX wardrobe
• And more … Just ask!

IKEA Assembly – A Complement to Your Overall Improvement Plan

Your new furniture deserves a striking stage. Looking to install or repair a light fixture? Planning a painting project? Considering kitchen or bathroom repairs? Contact Fix It!^® to see what other repair services our professionals can provide for your home or business in tandem with the assembly and installation of your IKEA purchase.

Fix It!^® – Trustworthy. Locally Owned. Experienced.

When you call Fix It!^®, you can be confident you’re hiring a true expert. We arrive on time in a clearly marked, fully equipped van and perform workmanship that is guaranteed. Our professional handymen have an average of 10 years’ experience and are skilled at a variety of trades. You can relax knowing we back every job we do with our “2 Year Warranty”

Contact Fix It!^® Near Me Handyman to Assemble your Ikea Furniture

If assembly is required, Fix It!^® Near Me Handyman can do it. Our home improvement professionals are experts at assembling all types of furniture, toys and equipment. So, if you don’t have the time to do it yourself or want to make sure it’s assembled correctly, request service with Fix It!^® Near Me Handyman.

The post Handyman Assemble Ikea Furniture appeared first on Fix It!® - Near Me Handyman - MetroWest & Boston MA.

Key rings can get crowded (and heavy!) fast, when you consider all that you load up on them: keys for your car, front door, side door, back door, mailbox, maybe even your mother-in-law’s, and a handful of miniature rewards cards sized and punched to conveniently hang. Carrying that whole lot will cause your pockets to jingle with each step and you to waste precious minutes every day fumbling for the correct copy to the door or locker you are interested in opening. Fortunately, rekeying a few of your locks offers an easy, affordable, and even DIY solution can lighten your load. Understand when, why, and how to rekey a lock with this handy guide.

What it Means to Rekey a Lock

A pin and tumbler lock—the kind of lock found on locking doorknobs and deadbolts—contains a steel cutaway that holds a cylindrical plug and a number of springs and pins that allow a specific key shape to turn in the lock. In order for a key to turn the locking mechanism, the configuration of the pins must match the depth of the unique grooves on that key.

When you want the lock to open with a different existing key—say, so you no longer want to use separate keys to enter the front, back, and side doors—the lock must be disassembled and the pins, which are of various heights, removed and replaced by new pins that match the cuts and grooves in the new key.

Reasons to Rekey a Lock

As mentioned, rekeying makes most sense for homeowners who prefer to have a single key that opens all of their door locks to the home or apartment. This process can lighten a full key ring to a few essentials, taking up less space in your pocket or bag as well as less time spent searching for the right one.

However, rekeying a lock can also improve a building’s security measures. After a new home construction—during which a number of people might have copies of door keys, including contractors, subcontractors, and inspectors—new homeowners may want to make sure they have the only keys to their home before they take possession. Likewise, it’s also a common practice for landlords and property managers to have door locks rekeyed every time a new resident moves in. Whether you’re moving into a previously owned home or have simply misplaced a set of spare keys, rekeying is an alternative to replacing the lock altogether that provides the peace of mind that comes with knowing no one else has a key to your home.

When to Replace a Lock Versus Rekeying

Both replacing and rekeying a lock effectively change out a lock to limit access, but there are some cases in which you have to go through the motions of both processes.

• If you’ve lost the key that opens your existing lock(s), you won’t be able to disassemble the lock for rekeying. First replace the lock.

• Rekeying won’t fix a worn or damaged lock. You’ll probably have to replace the lock with a cracked or warped locking mechanism soon, anyway, so consider doing so first. Then, if your goal was to change the locks so that you have the only key, you’re set; you only need to rekey if you want multiple locks to share one key.

• When rekeying multiple locks to fit a single key, all locks must first have been made by the same manufacturer. For example, if your front door lock is a Schlage, the other locks you want rekeyed to match must also be made by Schlage. You cannot rekey a Kwikset or Sargeant lock to open with the same key as a Schlage lock, because different brands of locks have different size keyholes that only accept their own keys. If you’re dealing with multiple lock brands, you’ll need to decide on one and replace the others to match this brand before rekeying.

Get Help

Call or Text Fix It!® Handyman at (508) 305-2055 if You need help. You may also use our online form to let us know specifically what you need and even request special projects in the notes section.

The post How to Rekey a Door Lock appeared first on Fix It!® - Near Me Handyman - MetroWest & Boston MA.

Every home is different. Use this home energy efficiency checklist as a starting point. Add tasks that are specific to your home as needed.

• Clean/replace filters: In the winter months, changing your furnace filter every 30-60 days is an easy way to cut down on heating costs. To test whether your filter needs a change, hold it up to a light. If light does not shine through, it’s time to change it. Cleaning air conditioning filters in the warmer months is just as easy and should be done just as often – simply flush it with water!
• Stop air leaks: Even the tiniest air leak can lead to large energy inefficiencies. To test for air leaks, burn incense and carefully move it around the perimeter of windows and doors. Where smoke wavers, cold air is entering your house and heat is escaping. Seal gaps with caulking or weather stripping. While a cool breeze is refreshing in the summer, in the winter it can mean you’re wasting up to 30 percent of your energy use. To rid your entryway of air drafts, try using a draft snake or rolled towel under a drafty door. Better yet, get your door fixed!
• Upgrade your thermostat: Making the switch to a programmable thermostat gives you control over the temperature in your home when you’re not there, making it easy to reduce energy waste. Simply schedule a programmable thermostat once, and it will do the rest, keeping your home comfortable when it counts and more energy efficient during overnights and when the house is unoccupied. There are several Wi-Fi enabled thermostats that give you the ability to adjust your home’s temperature, even if you are not home.
• Unplug & save energy: Be sure to unplug any “vampire power” devices that suck power from your outlets when you’re not using them. DVD players, computers, standby coffee makers and video game consoles all suck energy when not in use. If you can’t remember to unplug your electronics, use a smart power strip to cut power automatically when they’re not in use.
• Treat your windows right: Curtains, drapes and blinds form a great defense against cold winter air. Beyond that, if your home has older windows, shrink film window insulation is effective and easy to install.
• Reverse your fan in the winter: Don’t let the hot air you’re paying for just hang out above your head. Setting your ceiling fan to move slowly in a clockwise direction in the winter keeps hot air circulating and heats your home more efficiently.
• Cut back on water use: Small changes in water use can create big efficiencies. Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth or shaving. Opt for showers over baths. Wash full loads of laundry rather than half loads. Install a low-flow shower-head. All these strategies save water and reduce the energy used by your water heater.
• Water heater insulation: When it’s cold outside you put a coat on to keep warm. Do the same for your water heater! Insulating your water heater can save you up to 16 percent in water heating costs annually.
• Lighten up: Replacing old bulbs with LED bulbs saves electricity year-round.
• Attic insulation: Insulation can make or break your home’s energy efficiency. With the right type and amount of insulation, you can avoid spikes in energy bills during both the coldest period of the year and the hottest. Keep a consistently comfortable temperature in your home from top to bottom with proper insulation.
• Avoid washing on hot: Avoid washing dishes and clothes on hot. Ninety percent of the energy used during these processes is used to heat the water while the remaining ten percent is used to run the machine. Using cool water saves a large amount of energy.

Get Help

Call or Text Fix It!® Near Me Handyman at (508) 305-2055 if You need help. You may also use our online form to let us know specifically what you need and even request special projects in the notes section.

The post Home Energy Efficiency Checklist appeared first on Fix It!® - Near Me Handyman - MetroWest & Boston MA.

• Hire a Cleaning Service — As we mentioned before, you’ve got plenty on your holiday plate already. Throw cleaning the oven, dusting off the ceiling fans, waxing the kitchen floor and vacuuming behind the couch into the mix, and it’s not unusual for homeowners to find they’ve bit off more than they can chew. Set a date just before your company is going to arrive to hire a professional cleaning service to come in and knock all those dreaded cleaning chores off your to-do list.
• Have Your Heating System Serviced — Nothing puts a damper on holiday fun like a sub-zero abode. If you didn’t have your heating system serviced in the fall, there’s no better time than the present to make sure it’s in tip-top shape.
• Have Your Chimney Sweeped — In many a home Christmas is incomplete without a cozy fire burning. Unfortunately, the creosote buildup found in poorly maintained chimneys is a leading cause of dangerous house fires. If it’s been a while since you checked it, you owe it to your guests to get the chimney cleaned.
• Seal Door and Window Drafts — If you’ve been noticing your home is a little drafty, be sure to seal things up before your guests arrive. Caulking, sealing and weather-stripping windows and doors is inexpensive and an effective way to improve your home’s overall comfort level and energy efficiency.
• Check Snow Shovel and Snow Blower Status — If you live in a cold climate where snow is likely, be sure you’ve got a good snow shovel or a working snowblower in the garage. Remember, you might not mind tramping through a foot of snow, but you’ll need to have your walks and driveway free of ice and snow when grandma and grandpa arrive.

Preparing Your Home if You’re Eating Out

If you’re on the other side of the holiday dinner pilgrimage, and you’ll be leaving your house idle for an extended period of time, here are a few other suggestions that are worth looking into:

• Insulate Pipes — Coming home to busted or frozen pipes tops the list of cold weather homeowner nightmares. In most homes you’ll probably be okay, provided that you leave the furnace on at a lower temperature while you’re gone. If your pipes have a history of freezing, consider insulating them against the cold or installing heat tape that a friend or neighbor can plug in if a serious cold spell hits while you’re away.
• Seal Door and Window Drafts — The less your furnace has to run while you’re away, the lower that January utility is going to be.
• Unplug Christmas Lights and Unnecessary Appliances — Leaving unused appliances plugged in while you’re away isn’t just a fire hazard, it’s costing you money. According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s EERE website, the phantom loads created by unused, but plugged in, electrical appliances can account for as much as 10% of your monthly utility bill.
• Install a Security System — With so many homes left vacant for the holidays, the Christmas season is just as popular with intruders and thieves as holiday well-wishers. Before you leave your home, consider installing a security system to protect your belongings. Remote monitored systems are ideal, though it’s a proven fact that the presence of any security system is often enough to deter a thief. At the very least, make sure that you hold your mail and newspaper deliveries, and consider purchasing an inexpensive light timer at your local hardware store to give the impression that somebody’s still at home.
• Arrange to Have Your Walks Shoveled — Most municipalities have laws in the books that require homeowners to shovel their walks within 24 hours of a major snowfall. If you are taking a vacation and there’s a chance of bad weather, make sure that a friend or neighbor has your walks covered so that a nasty fine isn’t waiting for you when you get home.

Get Help

Call or Text Fix It!® Near Me Handyman at (508) 305-2055 if You need help. You may also use our online form to let us know specifically what you need and even request special projects in the notes section.

The post Home Maintenance Recipe for an Enjoyable Holiday Season appeared first on Fix It!® - Near Me Handyman - MetroWest & Boston MA.

Bathrooms: Lots of guests mean your bathrooms will get a good workout, so make sure they are ready for the extra activity. First, get your drains working properly by using a product like Hair Clog Blaster, to clean out the hair and soap scum that builds up and causes clogs.

Then clean your sinks, bathtubs and shower stalls with Works Tub and Shower Cleaner or X-14 Mildew Stain Remover. If mold and mildew on your shower tiles is a problem, use X-14 Mildew Stain Remover or Concrobium Mold Control.

Flooring: Your floors get a lot of use and abuse, so getting them clean may take a little work. For carpets, I always recommend having them professionally cleaned instead of trying to do it yourself. The professionals with truck-mounted cleaners can do a better job than you can with a rented carpet-cleaning machine or one of those portable home versions.

For dull hardwood floors, use a quality hardwood floor cleaning system such as Bruce Hardwood and Laminate floor cleaner or the Bona Pro Series Hardwood Refresher to restore the shine.

For laminate flooring such as Pergo, you can use Bruce Hardwood and Laminate floor cleaner or Quick Shine Multi-Surface Floor Cleaner.

For vinyl or linoleum flooring in the kitchen or bathroom that has lost its luster, a good deep-cleaning with Armstrong New Beginning vinyl floor stripper, followed with a coat of Armstrong Shine Keeper can restore the gloss. For basic cleaning, you can use a product like Once ‘n Done No Rinse Floor Cleaner from Armstrong or Quick Shine Floor Cleaner from Holloway House.

For tile or stone floors, consider DuPont Stone & Tile Floor Cleaner, or Marbalex from Stone Care International.

Kitchen: Your kitchen gets the most use on Thanksgiving, so make sure your sinks and appliances are sparkling. To clean a stainless steel sink, use Bar Keepers Friend or Bon Ami.

To deep clean, polish and seal Corian, Formica or similar counter tops, use Hopes Counter Top Polish. Hopes also has a glass cooktop cleaner, Perfect Cooktop, that removes those annoying burnt-on stains.

For oak kitchen cabinets, first apply Doozy Pre-Cleaner with a microfiber cloth and then finish with Doozy Polish. This combination also works well for your fine furniture.

Windows: Once you have cleaned the rest of the house, make sure your windows sparkle as well. To clean the outside of your windows (and if the temperature is above freezing) you can use my old tried and true method of mixing 1 level teaspoon of liquid dish soap and 4 ounces of vinegar to a gallon of warm water. Then sponge the solution onto the window and squeegee it off. You can do the same inside but use four ounces of ammonia instead of vinegar.

Use a microfiber cloth and products like Sprayway Glass Cleaner or Krud Kutter Window Wash on the outside, or Sprayway or Invisible Glass to clean the inside.

Handyman emergency stain kit: Odds are that someone will spill something on the carpet on Thanksgiving, but it doesn’t have to ruin your day if you have the Handyman Emergency Stain Removal Kit on hand. Buy a bottle of club soda and foam-style shaving cream. When someone spills something on the carpet, blot it with a facial tissue immediately, but don’t rub it. Then pour a small amount of club soda on the stain, let it fizz, and use the tissue to blot it dry. If it’s a food spill, pick up the excess food with tissue and apply a little foam-style shaving cream. Work the foam with your fingers, using a plucking motion. Then blot with a tissue, sprinkle club soda on the stain and blot it dry.

Get Help

Call or Text Fix It!® Near Me Handyman at (508) 305-2055 if You need help. You may also use our online form to let us know specifically what you need and even request special projects in the notes section.

The post Getting home ready for Thanksgiving appeared first on Fix It!® - Near Me Handyman - MetroWest & Boston MA.

Prepare the Outside of Your Home for Winter

Clean the patio or deck furniture and store them inside. Or you can cover it to protect fabrics from damaging winter weather.

Drain all garden hoses, roll up and remove any kinks, and store inside, as freezing temperatures can cause the hose to crack. Replace insulation on spigots as needed.

If you have trees and landscaping close to the house, trim branches back so they don’t brush against the house during storms. You also want to avoid having heavy branches fall and damage your home or car. Outsource this work if you do not have the necessary experience or equipment.

Now is also the time to fix any drainage issues you put off addressing in the summer months. Melting snow and ice should flow away from your home’s foundation, not puddle up next to it and potentially leak inside.

Inspect all gutters and drains on the property, removing any leaves and debris that has already gathered in them. You will want to do this every few weeks as the leaves fall to avoid a clog in your drainage system. Again, if you are not comfortable performing this task, as it requires ladder work and heights, assign it to a professional.

Finally, fertilize your lawn. The roots will absorb the nutrients and use them throughout the winter months.

Inside Your Home

Fall is the perfect time to replace the batteries in all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, as well as in flashlights. Save partially used batteries to use up in other less vital roles, such as in the many kid’s toys that Santa will deliver.

Clean all light fixtures and replace any burned-out bulbs. Remember to set aside any light bulbs that contain mercury for recycling. Not only will you keep the harmful substance out of the soil, but the glass, metal, and other materials can be reused.

Drain your hot water heater and check for sediment, which can build up in the tank and decrease energy efficiency and also clog water lines. Your particular water heater will have come with instructions for performing this task, or outsource this job. This is also a good time to check its pressure valve.

Remove and clean the filter in your furnace. If you’re still using disposable filters, upgrade this season and save money in the long run with a reusable one. They are also more efficient. No matter which you have, though, clean or replace it, as doing so can result in up to a 15 percent savings on your heating bill. Keeping insulation around your furnace in good shape also contributes to those savings.

Remember: Prevention costs much less than repairs.

Get Help

Call or Text Fix It!® Near Me Handyman at (508) 305-2055 if You need help. You may also use our online form to let us know specifically what you need and even request special projects in the notes section.

The post Fall Home Maintenance Tips appeared first on Fix It!® - Near Me Handyman - MetroWest & Boston MA.

One of the areas that see a lot of action during summer is the deck or patio. Such spots are the perfect place for family and friends to gather, especially while grilling some food. Yet decks and patios can become weathered over time and require maintenance. The wood in a deck can become rotten or warped, not to mention the possibility of handrails becoming loose or support posts weakening. Before using the deck as the neighborhood party spot, it behooves the responsible homeowner to contact the licensed professionals of Fix It!® – Handyman to fully check out the deck or patio and affect any needed repairs. Perhaps all a deck needs is some minor work to smooth out the wood and re-finish it, while a patio may only need some power washing or some minor repairs. Our main goal is always to get your deck or patio ready for the summer season and ensure that every party and gathering will be safe and fun.

Another summer project that is great for a handyman to do is to tackle a home’s ventilation. The season is known for days of glorious sunshine and less-than-glorious heat. Having a home’s screens cleaned will ensure proper airflow, helping the house to stay nice and cool. Perhaps you have long desired to install screen doors in order to take advantage of cooling, natural breezes. The idyllic summer season is the perfect time to hire a handyman to check that project off the list. A comprehensive check on attic fans and whole house fans can be undertaken as well, or such features can be installed if desired. Whole house fans and attic fans help cut down on air conditioning costs while maintaining a pleasant temperature within the home. Why suffer in a sweltering attic, figuring out how to install such ventilation, when you can call the licensed pros at Fix It!® – Handyman to do the job for you?

A couple of summer projects that impact the exterior of a house are gutter cleaning. The warm climate of summer is the perfect time to get such troublesome chores out of the way. The experienced personnel at Fix It!® – Handyman are old hands with such tasks. Cleaning gutters is necessary to ensure that excess rainwater continues to be safely moved away from your home, but it can be a hassle. Even worse, quite a few people injure themselves every year by falling off their ladder while attempting to remove debris from their gutters. We are often called to do this job for older homeowners who are now physically unable to perform the task.

A perfect summer project for you to contact Fix It!® – Handyman about is replacing outside faucets (also known as silcocks). Your outdoor faucets will see a ton of use during summer as the kids’ pool will need to be filled up or to set up a sprinkler for the children to run through. These outdoor faucets can take a lot of abuse, either from things banging into them or the harsh Boston winter. It’s always worthwhile to have our licensed professionals ascertain the condition of your outdoor faucet so as to nip in the bud any possible problems that may arise from a leaking pipe or joint. We’ll make sure that your outdoor spigots are ready for all the watery fun that the summer season requires.

As you can see, there are a lot of summer projects that are perfect for a handyman to tackle. From fixing the deck to maintaining/upgrading the home’s ventilation, the fully licensed and insured professionals at Fix It!® Handyman can help make your summer something truly memorable. Why attempt such tiresome projects yourself? The summer is meant for relaxation, so call us to make sure your home is ready for everything summer has to offer.

Get Help

Call or Text Fix It!® Handyman at (508) 305-2055 if You need help. You may also use our online form to let us know specifically what you need and even request special projects in the notes section.

The post Handyman Summer Projects appeared first on Fix It!® - Near Me Handyman - MetroWest & Boston MA.

Whether it’s a desk, dresser, or book shelf, assembling furniture can be a complex and time-consuming process. When you need assistance assembling furniture, you can rely on a Fix It!® Handyman to construct your furniture for you. Once on the job, a Fix It!® Handyman will put your furniture together correctly and arrange it as you please.

If you have furniture needing assembled, you can contact a Fix It!® Handyman to assist you. Our handyman staff knows how to assemble furniture and can do so in a timely fashion. Give Fix It!® Handyman Services a call to schedule assembly services today.

IKEA Furniture Assembly

For many, IKEA stores provide an excellent source of furniture and other ready-to-assemble items for the home. While IKEA may be a great source for such items, many homeowners have difficulty assembling and installing their purchases once they get home. Many furniture pieces can prove hard to assemble on one’s own—especially larger, more complex pieces of furniture that have several pieces to install.

When you need help with furniture construction, count on a Fix It!® handyman for assistance. Fix It!® Handyman technicians can assemble large and complex pieces of furniture that some homeowners struggle with. Call today and have your new furniture assembled and in place in no time.

Ready to Assemble Furniture

These days, furniture pieces are often sold as “ready to assemble” items, meaning they are purchased in a box and need to be constructed at home. While this makes transporting furniture from the store to home easy, constructing that furniture can be a burden. Things like desks, futons, and book shelves can be hard for some to assemble. When you need assistance with ready-to-assemble furniture you can call a Fix It!® handyman. Our technicians will construct your furniture correctly so you can be sure the furniture has been assembled as needed.

Our assembly services include but are not limited to:

• Furniture Assembly
• IKEA Furniture Assembly
• Bed Frame Assembly
• Grill Assembly
• Basketball Hoop Assembly
• Toy Assembly
• Bookcase Assembly
• Futon Assembly
• Bike Assembly
• Storage Rack Assembly
• Entertainment Center Assembly
• Deck Furniture Assembly
• Desk Assembly
• Table Assembly
• Shelving Unit Assembly
• Cabinet Assembly
• Sofa Assembly
• Fence Assembly
• Blackboard Assembly & Installation

Schedule Installation Service Online

Schedule your handyman service online today. A Fix It!® representative will contact you promptly, usually within the next business day.

Prefer To Call?

We know it’s helpful to have someone to talk to directly. If you have questions, or prefer to schedule your estimate via the phone, please call: 508-305-2055

The post Furniture Assembly appeared first on Fix It!® - Near Me Handyman - MetroWest & Boston MA.

The post Spring Home Maintenance Checklist appeared first on Fix It!® - Near Me Handyman - MetroWest & Boston MA.

While the expression may go: “It’s a poor craftsman that blames his tools,” we tend to disagree. Really, it means that being an expert handyman means having the right equipment and knowing how to use it. No matter how skilled you are at home renovation, you wouldn’t attempt to build a bench or fix a hole in the wall without having the necessary set of tools, right?

Don’t be intimidated by the hundreds, if not thousands, of tools you find at your local department store. Really, just a few basic tools will get almost any job done. Here are the top five tools every homeowner needs in their toolbox.

A hammer: A quality hammer can be used for everything from hanging a picture to small demolition projects. And while your grandfather may have sworn by his wooden handle hammer, they can actually break pretty easily. Instead, opt for one made out of something a bit stronger, like steel or iron.

A Phillips-head screwdriver: Phillips screwdrivers quickly replaced flat-head screwdrivers because its four-star point lets a user apply more pressure and torque. This is also one of the few tools that you want to have in various sizes.

A tape measure: Whether you’re building a birdhouse with your kids or putting a pool in the backyard, a good tape measure is a must. A quality, 25’ tape measure will prevent you from ever hearing those dreaded words: “it’s off by an inch.”

Needle nose pliers: If you frequently work with electrical equipment, needle nose pliers are a must-have. Their thin design makes them great for getting into those hard-to-reach spots or getting a hold of a thin wire.

A level: When you’re hanging a 60-inch plasma screen TV, you pretty much only have one chance to get it right – so while there are electronic levels and apps that claim to get the job done, a traditional level is still the most accurate.

If you don’t have the right tools for a project, have no fear! At Fix It!®, we work with top-notch products and will install, repair almost anything in your home. Each project we undertake is unique and requires special attention. By working closely with you, we gain a complete understanding of your goals and expectations and then not only meet them but exceed them! For more information on the services we offer, give us a call at 508-305-2055 or contact us online!!!

The post Handyman Toolbox appeared first on Fix It!® - Near Me Handyman - MetroWest & Boston MA.