Mr. Handyman notes spring trends from the show

With the conclusion of the Jacksonville Home & Patio show the first weekend in March, Spring is officially here. This was our 11^th show, our 6^th Spring show, and while the calendar says Spring begins in late March – history tells me “Spring mindset” begins with the show.

It was great meeting all of you that stopped by the booth, said hello, and discussed your current projects and needs. It was great to connect with past customers, and it is also nice to begin developing new relationships.

I visited a home where my staff was working the Wednesday after the show, and the homeowner was somebody I had met at the show.

Our sister brands were across the isle in the Neighborly booth, handing out flyers and discussing the Neighborly Project. The 7 Neighborly brands in Jacksonville will come together to help a veteran with their home service needs. Please visit GetNeighborly.com/Nominate to learn more about the Neighborly brands or nominate a deserving veteran.

A few years ago at these shows consumers were looking for somebody to help them with smaller maintenance and repair projects. Each year, as the economy and consumer confidence have improved, the projects they want to discuss get bigger. Lots of folks were talking about doing something in their bathroom this year at the show. Some wanted a light refresh, maybe a new vanity, paint and some updated fixtures. Others wanted to tear their bathroom down to the studs to be rebuilt on the same footprint, but with contemporary products.

I found it interesting that many were considering tearing their garden tub and re-allocating that space. Many liked the idea of a using that space for a linen closet, which is a project we’ve done for folks. The interesting part was that nobody asked about installing a garden tub.

Fewer folks are asking about decks and more are considering a patio done with bricks or paver stones. Given wood rots, and burns, if you plan on locating your grill there, a paver-based patio is both rot free and doesn’t burn. They are also attractive.

More people than ever proudly announced they wouldn’t need any help with home maintenance and repair for a while, that they are having a new home built in one of many communities going up around town. Congratulations, but remember that the best way to keep your maintenance and repair costs low is to keep up. Don’t let a ‘new home’ mindset keep you from doing your own regular inspections so that you catch new issues while they are small.

Anyone selling their ‘old’ home will also likely have a WDO inspection as part of that transaction. The buyer may also have a home inspector review the property. Remember that Mr. Handyman can resolve reported issues on both those reports.

Spring has arrived. If you need help with your ‘to-do list’ please give Mr. Handyman a call. There’s simply no one like us!