The House Surgeon

Description of Work: WARNING! This is NOT a handyman service. Read on for a full explanation.This contractor did no work for me due to what I felt was an inappropriate estimate. I left a message for him on Sunday. He returned my call on Mon. I described my work which included repairs to two toilets. He told me that he would need to replace both toilets. I told him that I wanted replacement parts for the toilets. I know that can be done with success, since I have done it myself when I was younger. He said that he could not guarantee his work unless he replaced the toilets. I also asked about replacement of a water line to my ice maker and the replacement of a drain pop-up in the bathroom. For these four tasks, he gave me a ballpark estimate of $800. Then he said he could not get to my work for two or three weeks because, as a full-service contractor, he had too many big jobs. He recommended that I call a plumbing company. He gave me the name of a well-known company. I asked how his company's prices would compare to those of a plumbing company. He said a plumber would probably be less expense. He further explained that he was a contractor, so therefore, he subcontracted plumbers. Because of having to pay the sub-contractor plus make a profit, he would have to charge more. I think a handy man service should cost less than a plumber, be willing to replace parts, and be able to respond in a timely fashion to the needs of a customer with small jobs. For these reasons, I think The House Surgeon should be removed from the handyman category on Angie's list.

Description of Work: Fixed non working sliding screen door and installed a new screen door. Also fixed several non latching inside doors. Outside new screen required much work to install properly because door frame was out of square. I have used Jamie before and have always found him to be excellent. He is a perfectionist and wont stop until he gets it right. He can do almost anything. He has loads of equipment kept neatly in a modern van. He is very reliable, always answers an initial call the same day. I strongly recommend him.

Description of Work: We recently had granite countertops installed in our home and in the process of installing them the contractor damaged some drywall and some molding underneath a counter. Some repair to the drywall needed to be done and molding needed to be cut and installed. The drywall needed to be sanded and primed.

Description of Work: CALLED TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT FOR AN ESTIMATE.

Description of Work: Jamie repaired termite damage around 2 windows on the interior and exterior of my house. He also repaired the drain pipe connected to a sump pump that was responsible for draining water out of my basement.

Description of Work: Numerous projects including repairing water damaged ceilings, planing ill fitting doors, installing "hotel shower rods", repairing gutter downspout, secured bookcases to wall and running cable TV wire so that it is out of sight.

Description of Work: We hired Jamie to re-screen our porch, which had deteriorated in the nearly 20 years we've owned our home. The job was more involved than a simple re-screening, because we decided to enhance the look and stability of the porch at the same time, with new waist-high lattice work and rails. It involved some carpentry, screen repair and painting.

Description of Work: Our house is almost 100 years old, with "do-it-yourself" plumbing work done by prior owners. What seemed like a simple problem with a leaking bathtub faucet turned into a bigger job than we expected. However, Jamie not only explained the problem, in detail, and different options, but showed us how things were working (or not) with worn out fixtures and pipes, and gave us some options. The bathtub faucet is not leaking, various fixtures were replaced, an access panel for water shut off was put in, and some leaking pipe between the first and second floors was replaced. He also fixed this exceedingly slow drainage problem we have had for years.

Description of Work: I had broken in a door between our garage and house when I locked myself out. After starting to repair it myself, I realized the door frame was single complex piece of milled wood and that repairing it was beyond my skills. Jamie cut the frame and fitted a patch board, attached it to the frame with glue and screws, and blended it into the existing frame to make it look like a part of the original. He then replaced the broken trim and painted the whole to make it look like it did before it was broken in.

Description of Work: Jamie built a 5X10 wall to cover recessed area of wall with extensive water damage, weather stripped 4 doors, shimmed down door frame to eliminate gaps caused by warped door, replaced damaged screen panels on porch, constructed and painted hand rail on steps, replaced door knob, hung mini blinds and installed curtain rods, replaced wall receptacle, installed and painted floor molding and door threshold, caulked windows, repaired damaged window stop, constructed plywood platform for bed.

Description of Work: I had drywall replaced. This was a tricky project because it was a project involving a ceiling as well as plumbing that was too low for the drywall. Jamie came up with a creative solution. He is very committed to doing the job right, as opposed to any quick fixes. He also did some plumbing work, electrical work, and installed a bathtub door set.

Description of Work: We had a new refrigerator that was about 1/2 inch too large to slide back into the space where the previous one had fit. Jamie removed a cabinet from the wall, sliding it over about two inches and then reattaching to the wall to provide room to fit the refrigerator into the original space and give it the "breathing" space it needed to circulate the warm air given off from the back of the unit. He cut and fit a molding piece and stained it to match the surrounding cabinets.

Description of Work: Jamie stabilized our front storm door that was pulling out of the sash by reconstructing new wood pieces, drilling, sanding, and painting using longer wood screws. He also repaired about 10 wood stairs on my side porch. He hung a bathroom vanity light fixture and secured a lose awning to the house.