Archive for November, 2009

By now most of you have probably figured out that Keith and I live in Oakville.  We love our small slice of paradise down close to the lake where we can sit out on our comfy Muskoka chairs and watch the neighbours walk by with their dogs, ride by on their bikes, or run by while we sip our coffee.  We love the vibe in this great town, love the people and make it our business to help our neighbours out every chance we get. 

We live in Oakville, but I personally have close ties to the Lorne Park area in South Mississauga, so have many clients there as well as in Mineola and Gordon Woods.  Our clients are in Burlington, Bronte, and throughout Oakville. 

We tend to stay in these areas simply because the focus of our business being the smaller jobs that few contractors will take on, means that we are usually only at your home for a short while, sometimes half a day, sometimes only an hour or so.  We have found more and more people wondering if we travel further north, or west and we are working on adressing this question by contemplating bringing someone onto our team who shares the same philosophy as us, and would like to represent us in these areas.  If you know of anyone fabulous, please let us know as we are always looking for good people.

So, in a big nutshell, Oakville, Mississauga and Burlington.  We tend to stay in the South end of Mississauga for proximity’s sake.  We want to help as many people as we can in these areas, to take care of their “to-do” lists.  Call us today at 289-242-8439.

We love this part of our job…seriously!  We just love to take your unwanted junk and garbage, load it in our truck or onto a rented bin, and watch it disappear.  What do you need us to get rid of?  We have removed some interesting pieces of garbage in Oakville in the past few years..

• Pool filter
• toilets, toilets and more toilets. (we install toilets too!)
• Raccoon poop
• Moldy insulation
• Water damaged ceiling tiles
• Really nasty ugly old lampshades
• Carpets that fall apart in our hands (and have things living in them)
• Tires, tires and more tires
• Wheelchair that had to have been 75 years old
• Stairs from a set of cedar stairs that was 50 years old
• (insert crazy thing here)

Bottom line, if you have it, and don’t want it anymore and it wont fit in your car, or you cant get to the dump, give us a call at 289-242-8439

Drywall repair in Oakville

The walls (and ceiling) around us are something we rarely think about, unless of course they are an awful shade of mint green that we cannot live with (personal story here) or they have been damaged in some way (think hockey games in the living room, or an unforseen flood in the master bathroom).  Then there is always the wall that is there, that we don’t want to be there, we can take care of that also.

Lakeshore Home Maintenance does tend to focus on the smaller jobs, the hole in the wall, the repair from the work that the plumber did, even just evening out a wall that was finished improperly.  Our services are offered in Oakville, Burlington and South Mississauga.

When faced with a drywall repair, it is important to understand the process every step of the way.  When we repair drywall, initially we remove the existing drywall up to the studs and then install a new piece to fit into the hole.  In some cases, we can actually do a smaller repair with special clips that ensure a secure fit without having to attach to the studs. 

The new piece of drywall is taped and the first coat of drywall compound (commonly referred to as “mud”) is applied.   After sufficient drying time a second coat of mud is applied.  A third coat is sometimes necessary depending on the application but usually a sanding after the second coat leaves the wall ready to prime and paint. 

This multi step process means that we often need to come back to your home at least two times, and for that reason, is part of the cost associated with this type of repair.   We have expert framers, drywallers and mudders!

The finished result is worth it however, as your wall (or ceiling!)  is back to its smooth forgettable self, and all it needs is a coat of primer and paint (which we can also do!) to once again become the backdrop for your own decorating style. 

If you live in the Oakville area, please call Lakeshore Home Maintenance today for your large or small drywall repair job.  We can be reached at 289-242-8439.

We are often asked if we provide certain electrical services, such as hanging a light, installing a new electrical outlet, or installing a hardwired appliance.  The answer is most certainly yes, we absolutely take care of this part of your “to-do” list.  Do Keith and I do the work?  Absolutely not!  We love what we do and would like to keep doing it, truth is, we are not allowed to legally do any electrical work in your home as we are not licenced electrical contractors. 

This is a bit of a sticking point for us, although we have the knowledge and skills to do this sort of work, and we are certainly allowed to take care of it in our own home with no repercussions whatsoever, we are not legally allowed to do this work in a clients home as we are not licenced to do so.  Should something happen in a clients home after an unlicenced person performs electrical work, and heaven forbid, there is a fire, the client would not be covered under their existing fire insurance, and the person who performed the work would be subject to an extremely hefty fine. 

We love what we do.  We help people by taking care of their “to-do” lists and electrical work is a big part of this.  Homeowners in the Oakville area have come to rely on us to coordinate their lists, and we plan on helping them for a long time to come. 

Call us today at 289-242-8439 for help with your electrical project or any other project you need taken care of around your home.

It is an Oakville holiday tradition.  You drive along the Lakeshore on a crisp December evening and admire the beautifully decorated homes in the Southeast Oakville area.  Winding up and down the many streets of the town you are filled with the wonder that this time of year brings, where truly it is a “Silent Night”  and miracles are possible. 

The smell of cinammon, cloves and pine fill your nose when you walk into your front hall.  Colours are deep green with burgundyand touches of cream, and the fresh cedar rope is draped over the doorways, inviting you into the warmly decorated living room.  It’s the holiday season in Oakville, and your home is the gathering place for your friends and family over the season. 

Lakeshore Home Maintenance will transform your everyday look for your Oakville home into a lush holiday statement.  Whether your style is quietly understated or over the top all out, we can help you with you with all aspects of decorating your home for the holidays.  Whether you are looking for a light display outside, or a new themed tree, garlands throughout your home or a lush display over your fireplace, let Lakeshore Home Maintenance help you with every aspect of this wonderous season and all the decorating opportunities it brings. 

LHM can even help you with your holiday entertaining, by providing staff for your next party.  Imagine entertaining in your home, knowing that at the end of the evening your kitchen and home are as clean as when you began, everything has been done for you and all you need to do is revel in the wonderful evening you had, your friends had, and there is nothing to do but retire to bed with a sense of peace.

Lakeshore Home Maintenance, in Oakville, we take care of your holiday list…inside and out.

Call us at 289-242-8439 to discuss your holiday needs.

Oakville Garden, stone and wooly thyme sitting area

At Lakeshore Home Maintenance, we believe that every home can and should have beautiful colourful gardens that enhance your enjoyment of your outdoor living space.  Many of our clients come to us with existing gardens that have become overwhelming for them to take care of, and need help to get them back under control.  Some are living in homes that have a yard that is a blank slate, looking to create their own little paradise that they can escape to after a long work day. 

Whether it is the weeds that have gotten out of control, plants that are overgrown, or just a change of design that you need, we can help you every step of the way. 

From custom planter boxes to new hedges, to ponds and waterfalls, your gardens can be the oasis that you desire, all within the budget that you set. 

Call us today at 289-242-8439 to see how we can transform your outdoor living space from plain, to simply fabulous.