Atlanta Best Handyman
Discover professional handyman advice, home maintenance tips, and renovation insights from Atlanta's trusted experts.
Listen, I've been fixing homes in Atlanta for over a decade, and I've learned that most homeowners are just one YouTube video away from disaster. Here are 10 quick fixes that actually work - no fancy tools needed, just common sense and a little elbow grease.
Here's a secret most homeowners don't know: your kitchen cabinets can last 20+ years if you treat them right. I've seen cabinets in Buckhead homes that look brand new after 15 years, and others in Decatur that are falling apart after 5. The difference? Simple maintenance habits that take 10 minutes a month.
I'm going to be honest with you - gutter cleaning is the most boring home maintenance task ever. But here's what I tell every customer: it's also the most important. Last year, I saw a homeowner in Sandy Springs pay $8,000 for foundation repairs because his gutters were clogged. A $150 gutter cleaning would've prevented it all.
Look, I get it - bathroom remodels are expensive and messy. But here's what I've learned from fixing bathrooms across Atlanta: most people wait way too long to replace their fixtures. I've seen toilets from the 1980s that are literally falling apart, and faucets so corroded they're beyond repair. Don't be that homeowner.
Spring in Atlanta is like a wake-up call for your home. After months of winter neglect (let's be honest, who wants to climb on their roof in January?), your house needs some serious TLC. I've put together a checklist that I use with my own customers - it's saved them thousands in emergency repairs.
I've seen some truly terrifying TV mounting jobs in Atlanta homes. From TVs hanging by a thread to holes drilled into electrical wires, the DIY approach to TV mounting is a recipe for disaster. Here's the thing: mounting a TV isn't rocket science, but it's definitely not as easy as those YouTube videos make it look.
Here's a confession: I used to be a terrible painter. My first few jobs in Atlanta looked like a 5-year-old got loose with a paintbrush. But after painting hundreds of homes across Buckhead, Decatur, and Sandy Springs, I've learned the tricks that make the difference between amateur hour and professional results.
Drywall repair is one of those skills that looks easy on TV but can quickly become a nightmare. I've seen homeowners in Chamblee try to patch a small hole and end up with a wall that looks like it survived a tornado. Here's my rule: if the hole is bigger than a quarter, or you're dealing with water damage, call a pro.
Look, I get it - home maintenance feels overwhelming. But here's what I've learned after helping hundreds of Atlanta homeowners: the ones who stay on top of seasonal tasks save thousands every year. Let me break down what actually matters.
Last spring, a customer in Sandy Springs called me about a $5,000 roof repair. Turns out, his gutters had been clogged for months, and Atlanta's heavy rains did the rest. The kicker? A simple gutter cleaning would've cost him $150. That's the difference between maintenance and major repairs.
Spring (March-May): The Wake-Up Call Atlanta's pollen season is brutal - I've seen air filters so clogged they look like they're growing fur. Clean your gutters (trust me, this is non-negotiable), check your roof for winter damage, and test those smoke detectors. Oh, and replace your HVAC filter - your allergies will thank you.
Summer (June-August): The Humidity Battle Our summers are like living in a sauna. I've crawled through enough attics to know that poor ventilation leads to mold, and mold leads to expensive repairs. Check your attic vents, clean your AC coils, and for the love of all things holy, don't ignore that musty smell in your basement.
Fall (September-November): The Prep Work This is my favorite season for home maintenance. The weather's perfect, and you're not fighting Atlanta's humidity. Seal those windows and doors, clean your chimney (if you have one), and check your heating system. I always tell customers: "Fix it in fall, or freeze in winter."
Winter (December-February): The Damage Control Atlanta winters are weird - one day it's 70°, the next it's 20°. Those temperature swings can wreak havoc on unprepared homes. I've seen pipes burst in Decatur homes that weren't properly insulated. Check for drafts, maintain your heating system, and keep an eye on your pipes.
Here's the truth about light fixture installation - some jobs are totally doable yourself, while others can turn into expensive disasters. Let me share what I've learned from 15+ years of handyman work in Atlanta.
Last month, I got a call from a homeowner in Buckhead who tried to install recessed lighting himself. Long story short - he ended up with a $3,000 electrical bill and had to replace half his kitchen ceiling. That's exactly why I'm writing this guide.
DIY-Friendly Projects (Save Your Money): Swapping out old fixtures for new ones? Go for it! Changing bulbs? Piece of cake. These simple swaps don't mess with your electrical system and can save you $100-200 per fixture. Just make sure to turn off the power first - I've seen too many homeowners learn that lesson the hard way.
When to Call Me (Save Your Sanity): New wiring, electrical panels, or recessed lighting? That's when things get tricky. Atlanta's building inspectors are strict, and trust me - you don't want to deal with failed inspections. Plus, our humid climate can cause electrical issues that aren't obvious to DIYers.
Pro Tip from Experience: I always tell my customers this - if you're asking "should I call a pro?" the answer is probably yes. Electrical work isn't like painting a room. When it goes wrong, it goes really wrong. I've seen everything from fried appliances to small fires caused by DIY electrical work.
What I Bring to the Table: Besides knowing Atlanta's building codes inside and out, I can spot potential problems before they become expensive repairs. Like that time I found faulty wiring in a Sandy Springs home that could've caused a major fire. The homeowner had no idea - and that's exactly why professional expertise matters.
Let me tell you about the most frustrating call I get as a handyman - "My faucet is dripping and I can't sleep!" I've heard this from homeowners in Decatur, Chamblee, and everywhere in between. Here's what I've learned about fixing faucets the right way.
Just last week, a customer in Dunwoody called me about a dripping kitchen faucet. She'd been putting it off for months, and that tiny drip had already stained her granite countertop. We fixed it in under an hour for $85, but the lesson here is clear - small problems become expensive ones fast in Atlanta's climate.
The Usual Suspects (What I See Every Day): Dripping faucets, low water pressure, and leaky handles - these are my bread and butter. Most of the time, it's just a worn-out washer or clogged aerator. I can fix these in my sleep, and honestly, you probably could too with the right guidance.
DIY Fixes That Actually Work: Here's the thing - replacing washers and cleaning aerators? Totally doable. I've taught dozens of homeowners how to do this themselves. You'll need basic tools and about 30 minutes. But here's my rule of thumb: if you're asking "should I call a pro?" the answer is probably yes.
When to Pick Up the Phone: New water lines, complete replacements, or anything involving your home's plumbing system? That's when things get dicey. I've seen homeowners try to save money by doing it themselves, only to end up with water damage that costs 10x more to fix. Atlanta's humidity doesn't play around with water leaks.
Pro Tip from the Field: Modern faucets are amazing - they save water, look great, and last forever. But here's what most people don't know: proper installation is everything. I've seen $500 faucets ruined by poor installation, and $50 faucets that work perfectly for years because they were installed right.
What I Do That You Can't: Besides the obvious stuff like permits and insurance, I can spot problems before they become disasters. Like that time I found corroded pipes behind a customer's wall in Brookhaven. They had no idea, but that could've caused thousands in damage. That's the value of experience.