If I had a hammer, a power drill, a workshop, and a lot more free time, I just know I could get into DIY. But I live in a small city apartment, and the handiest tool I have is the phone number of Cole Hardware's home repair referral service.
This independent and beloved city hardware chain maintains a list of screened tradespeople and artisans that really runs the gamut of home handiwork: electricians, muralists, locksmiths, plumbers, upholsterers, painters, carpenters, door hangers...you get the idea. Best of all, referrals are free.
Lori at Cole Hardware will typically get back to you within 24 hours once you've shared the requisite info: your name, address, and a description of the job you need done. Lori's number is 415.753.2653 ext.3. You can also email her. Typically the tradesperson will offer to come to your home to assess the project and provide an estimate.
Cole Hardware's web site says: "Requirements for participation in our Home Repair Referral Service include expert knowledge within your trade, cleanliness and a friendly disposition...Tradespeople with our Home Repair Referral Service are "traveling ambassadors" of our stores."
Yay, you guys are up and running. And this is a great tip.
Thank you!
Jennifer P. (Hayes Valley homeowner)
I'm in the market for a glue gun and a staple gun. Any recomendations?
Get the staple gun that you plug in, so you don't have to really SQUEEZE on the trigger. You'll be happy to have one less thing to worry about when stapling difficult things together(like sisal rope to wood ladder).
I bought the most expensive Arrow glue gun at Lowe's (around $20 - 30) and was really happy I did. It was a lot easier to use then those ones that keep melting glue all over you after you've stopped pulling the trigger. If you want the exact model, I can look it up at home.
regards,
trillium
I never knew this about Cole. Thanks for the tip! I could have used them so many times!
Or if you live in Berkeley you can just use the uber cool public tool lending library.
http://berkeleypubliclibrary.org/tool/index.html