News & Politics

2005 Guide to Home Repair: Handymen & Contractors

Here are people who do projects large and small--from handymen who can paint a room or lay tile to contractors good at remodeling.

All Around the House, Olney; 301-924-4117. Matt Dillon and his team do everything from pressure washing and interior painting to furniture moving and installation of laminate flooring. This family business is insured, licensed, and bonded and serves most of the Washington area. $65 an hour for a one-person job, $110 for two.

Case Design/Remodeling, Bethesda, Falls Church, Chantilly, and Annapolis; 800-513-2250; casedesign.com. Case gives customers set appointments (not four-hour windows) and does carpentry, electrical work, and plumbing. $89 an hour for handyman services, $95 for plumbing and electric work, plus $30 trip charge (first visit of project only); two-hour minimum.

Delbe Home Services, Northwest DC; 202-237-0187; delbe.com. For a $125 yearly membership (plus the cost of work), homeowners have access to more than 200 contractors–who are all screened for licensing and insurance–plus someone to oversee each project. Delbe is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Fisher HomeWorks, Northwest DC; 202-232-3781. Wayne Fisher completes small projects, from hanging art to fixing cabinets. Rates start at $65 an hour; two-hour minimum.

Home Solutions Connection, 703-360-8222; homesolutionsconnection.com. Debbie Farson's company provides free referrals for homeowners to contractors who have passed her screening–she checks references, licensing, and insurance. Her listings include contractors who can take on anything from small plumbing problems to major remodeling. Contractors pay a commission to Home Solutions Connection.

Minor Maintenance, Northwest DC; 800-995-0390. The workers David Huff hires can build a house from the ground up, but they mostly do smaller repairs, including carpentry, electrical work, painting, and plumbing. $39 service charge plus $78 for the first hour, then prorated every half hour.

The MowerMan, Laurel; 301-384-6290; themowerman.com. Specializes in fixing power equipment such as lawnmowers, tractors, snowblowers, generators, and pressure washers. Annual contracts–$64 a year and up–entitle customers to yearly maintenance and repairs. Serving Montgomery County and partsof Prince George's and Howard counties.

Neighborhood Handyman, Northwest DC; 202-744-3647; donalddepicts@msn.com. Donald Davidson will repair window sash cords, crown molding and trim, and decks and will trim stuck doors. He also does painting and plumbing. $75 for the first hour, then prorated every quarter hour; two-hour minimum. Works in DC only.

One Call Handyman Services, Silver Spring; 301-933-9600; marylandhandyman.com. Andrew Korzan's company will take on flooring, tiling, and painting as well as small repairs and remodeling. He charges $75 an hour; two-hour minimum.

Pro Home Care, Rockville; 301-330-4036; prohomecare@erols.com. Stan Hummer and his crew are experienced in both home repairs and yard work. From landscaping, tree removal, and driveway sealing to flooring, carpentry, and plumbing, they serve Montgomery, Prince George's, Frederick, and Howard counties. $40 to $70 per worker per hour plus $40 a visit; one hour minimum.

Urban Referrals, 202-332-0848; urbanreferrals.com. Need a chandelier cleaned? A home theater installed?This company provides free referralsto home contractors it has screened. Contractors pay a commission to Urban Referrals.