Top 5 Tools to Get Him For Christmas

Shopping around this holiday season doesn’t have to feel hopeless when you have a man who has everything. This year, there are some great deals on some even greater tools that make the best Christmas gifts for the person who’s impossible to shop for. Continue below to review the top 5 recommended tools to get him for Christmas, and make this holiday a complete success.

Home Remodeling Service 317-454-3612
Home Remodeling Service 317-454-3612

Holiday Tool Gifts for 2019

Whether you are shopping for your dad, brother, husband, boyfriend, or cousin, these 5 tools are a gift that keeps on giving. You will be overjoyed at the reactions and responses you get when your loved ones open up one of these fantastic tools!

1. Ryobi® 40-Volt, 8-inch Pole Saw

For those who like to trim and shape their own trees, this gas-fueled pole saw will provide the power and convenience needed to get the job done! You can get this tool for as low as $119 at Home Depot.

2. Toro® PowerJet F700 Electric Leaf Blower

When trees surround your property, there is truly no better gift to give than the gift of easy leaf management and removal! You can get this tool for as low as $57 at Home Depot.

3. Gorilla® 5.5 Foot Aluminum Hybrid Ladder

For those who love DIY work, this user-friendly, easy-to-store ladder will get them the access they need to clean gutters, dust moulding, hang Christmas lights, and more! You can get this tool for as low as $80 at Home Depot.

4. Husky® 12-Volt Lithium Cordless Ratchet

Anything that used to come with a cord and now doesn’t is a gift in itself. When it comes to this ratchet, turning bolts and nut couldn’t be simpler! You can get this tool for as low as $71 at Sears.

5. Milwaukee® M18 Fuel 18ga Brad Nailer

Whether carpentry, drywall work, or standard repairs and construction, this pneumatic nail gun will cover any nail-necessary project, large or small. You can get this tool as part of a complete kit for $299 at Home Depot.

Professional Home Remodeling in Indianapolis

Call Restoration By L & B, LLC at 317-454-3612 for affordable home remodeling services in Central Indiana and its surrounding areas. Our Indianapolis general contractors provide a wide range of services for both commercial and residential properties, from general handyman services and home remodels, to full-on renovations, additions, conversions, and more. Request an estimate, today!

Residential and Commercial Remodeling

A Simple Guide to Repairing Chipped Paint

Indianapolis Painting Contractors 317-454-3612

Indianapolis Painting Contractors 317-454-3612

When trim, walls, and woodwork have several layers of old paint on them, they are more prone to chipping and peeling. And with so many layers, old paint doesn’t just chip, it leaves behind craters and pock marks. To repair such blemishes, you need more than just a paint brush and a few minutes of time for touch ups. But that doesn’t mean that you need to strip down walls, sand them smooth, and start over entirely with fresh paint.

By using the right process, you will save time and ensure that your results are even, unblemished, and long-lasting. Continue reading for a simple guide to fixing chipped paint.

Preparation and Products

When shopping for supplies, be sure to buy the proper spackling compound. You can get spackle for drywall or for wood. Ask a store attendant to point you in the right direction. Also purchase the right grip sandpaper. Too fine won’t be effective or efficient, while too course can be damaging. Stick between 120 and 150 grit sandpaper. One or two patches is all you need unless you have a large-scale project. As for the rest of your supplies, you will need them to first level out the surface surrounding the chip, and fill it back in without any visible seams. Let’s get started!

What You Need:

• Putty Knife
• Spackling Compound
• 120 – 150 Grit Sandpaper
• Latex Primer
• Paint Color
• Paint Brush
• Drop Cloth

Step 1

Lay down your drop cloths to protect surrounding floors and furnishings from paint splatter. Then clean the chipped area and the areas surrounding it with clean warm water and a little dish soap. Allow it to dry completely before moving forward with the next step.

Step 2
Using your putty knife, scoop out a moderate amount of spackling compound and smooth it over the chipped area and its outer perimeters. Be sure to slightly overfill the area (you’ll be sanding it down later) and use multiple stroke directions to fill in all the nooks and crevices.

Step 3
Once the spackle is smoothed down adequately, allow it to dry completely. Depending on the size of the area and the amount of spackle used, drying times can range anywhere between a few minutes and a few hours. Generally, smaller projects will dry within 15 to 20 minutes, while larger patches will take at least an hour.

Step 4
Check to see if the spackle has dried completely. When wet, spackle resembles a gray-like color, but when dry it is bright white. If it is dry, you can begin the sanding process. Lightly sand down the spackled area until the surface is entirely level and smooth.

Step 5
Using a small or medium-sized paint brush, apply a coat of latex primer on the patch. This will help the paint color blend perfectly into the surface.

Step 6
Apply just one coat of paint color onto the patch, smoothing it out until well-blended and even with the rest of the surrounding surface color.

Indianapolis Painting Contractors

Home Remodeling and Painting

Home Remodeling Contractors 317-454-3612

Call Restoration By L & B, LLC at 317-454-3612 for professional painting services in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner Lee Elliot, and his team of drywall and painting contractors, have decades of experience in the home remodeling and restoration industry. They offer a wide range of interior and exterior painting and drywall services for commercial and residential properties. Call 317-454-3612 to schedule an estimate for Indianapolis painting service, today.

Quick DIY Kitchen Makeover Tips

Indianapolis Kitchen Remodeling 317-454-3612

Indianapolis Kitchen Remodeling 317-454-3612

Kitchen remodeling is a quality investment that adds value to your home. But sometimes, no matter how desperately you want it, it isn’t always the right time to invest in kitchen upgrades and renovations. For times like these, it is great to find a budget-friendly alternative to a full kitchen remodel. There are a few simple things you can do as a homeowner to improve the function, quality, and comfort of your kitchen; and all within a reasonable budget!

Continue reading and discover a handful of easy and affordable Do-It-Yourself kitchen makeover tips for your home.

Replace Your Range Hood

The indoor air quality in your home is vital to your health and comfort. With homes being built so tightly these days, it is important to make sure your kitchen is properly ventilated at all times. This is especially true for kitchens since cooking releases heat, moisture, smoke, grease, and airborne residues that are detrimental to the indoor air quality and structural integrity of a home. For this reason, range hoods are an important kitchen appliance for every home, especially smaller ones. If you want a budget-friendly kitchen upgrade that will also save you money in the long run, consider replacing your old kitchen range hood with a newer, energy-saving range hood. Including installation and labor costs, you can budget the new upgrade within $500 or less.

Stain Your Cabinets

If you want a simple upgrade that you can afford and do yourself, consider re-staining your kitchen cabinetry. Start by removing your cabinets using the proper tools. Then remove all the cabinet hardware. At this point, you need to take the time to thoroughly clean the cabinets before applying your choice of stain. Once they are clean and free of grime, you can proceed with the staining process. You can even take it a step further by lightly sanding the cabinets after they are stained, and then applying a clear coat finish. This will drastically improve the look of your kitchen cabinetry! And if you are not a fan of staining, try priming and painting kitchen cabinets a bright white color for a fresh new look.

If you have old, outdated laminate counter tops…

You can consider applying a faux countertop resurfacing paint for a luxurious and modern look! Try Rust-Oleum® Countertop Transformations™ Countertop Resurfacing Kit – $250, available at Lowes® and other hardware stores.

Change the Light Bulbs

Changing out all your old light bulbs with LED or CFL light bulbs can save you money on your monthly energy costs. Although it may not be noticeable in an aesthetic sense, it will certainly be noticeable on your energy bill! Swap out hanging bulbs, cabinet lights, under-counter lights, and all other light fixtures in your kitchen to save energy and money.

Weather Strip Doors and Windows

You can also reduce your energy consumption and save on utility costs by weather-stripping the exterior doors and windows attached to your kitchen. Not only will this make your home much more comfortable in the cold of winter and the heat of summer, it is an Eco-conscience method of saving money! If you are not interested in weather stripping, you can consider buying a roll-on window insulating film kit that you can apply on single-pane windows yourself.

How to Get More Juicy Tips!

Check out our blog about How to Remodel a Home Without Remodeling at All to learn even more budget-friendly ways to update the look of your home!

Indianapolis Kitchen Remodeling

General Contractors Indianapolis IN

Indianapolis Painting Contractors 317-454-3612

Call Restoration By L & B, LLC at 317-454-3612 when you need Indianapolis kitchen remodeling services you can afford. Owner and general contractor, Lee Elliot, provides home remodeling and restoration services at the most competitive prices in town. In fact, we will beat any competitor’s price, guaranteed! We also offer written estimates, commercial services, in-home consultations, and more. You name it, we can do it! Call 317-454-3612 for professional-grade kitchen remodeling in Indianapolis and its surrounding area.

How to Remodel a Home Without Remodeling at All

Home Remodeling and Repair 317-454-3612

Home Remodeling and Repair 317-454-3612

If you wish to upgrade or enhance the look of your home, but can’t afford the money and time an actual remodel requires, there are some easy and affordable alternatives you may want to consider instead! Although home remodeling is a lucrative investment that increases property value, and subsequently, re-sale value, not every homeowner is ready for such an overhaul.

For those who want a change but are not quite ready for a renovation, there are smaller but equally impactful changes you can make without wasting a bunch of personal time or putting a huge dent in the bank account. These ideas are inexpensive and can be done all on your own, even in just one day or over a weekend. Continue reading to learn some quick, simple, and effective ways to give your home the facelift you’ve been dreaming about.

Start with Fixtures and Accessories

Small household fixtures and accessories can quickly go out of date if you aren’t paying attention. Although they seem to get the job done and not cause any problems, changing them out can drastically change the look and feel of any room in your home. These small exchanges are not only inexpensive and easily done on your own, they provide an instantaneous upgrade! Simply visit your local hardware store or home goods store for great deals on household fixtures and decor. Here are some examples of fixtures you want to consider swapping out for newer, more modern look:

Light Switch and Outlet Covers – Get fancier with some chrome or wood-grain light switch and outlet covers. They come in endless styles, designs, and colors, so you are bound to find something you like! They cost around $3 to $4 per plate, so be sure you buy enough for the entire room or home. Definitely consider this upgrade if you still have pale-yellow or white outlet and light switch covers!

Faucets – A simple faucet upgrade can go a long way. And faucets, so long as you are not replacing the entire sink basin, are inexpensive and come in great new designs. Expect to pay anywhere from $60 to $120 for a new kitchen or bathroom faucet. The enhancement they provide is worth the extra little expense, and much cheaper than a full remodel.

Handles and Rack Bars – For bathrooms that have towel racks, hangers, bars, and other wall accessories, a quick swap for newer, modern-looking accessories will do wonders for your home. Choose a new theme, color, or design and instantly change the look of your bathroom. These fixtures, depending on quality and designer, can range in price from $10 to $50.

Rugs and Mats – There are so many fresh new designs and colors of home rugs, mats, and runners. A simple change of carpeting can change the entire feel of a room. Replace old, outdated, or dirty kitchen, dining room, and bathroom rugs to freshen up the feel and change around the design theme of a room! These items are inexpensive, but keep in mind that better-quality rugs and mats last longer and withstand wear and tear better. So don’t skimp in this area, but remember that it is still cheaper and easier than a full remodel!

Décor – Certain décor can not only enhance the look and theme of your home’s design, it can play a more technical role. For example, strategically placing a large mirror in certain areas of a room can give the illusion of a more open space. If you have a room or hallway that you wish you could open up a bit more, try buying an extra-large mirror and hanging it adjacent to the closed wall. This will give the room a more open look and feel instantly!

Other décor changes to consider include curtains, pillow, and blankets. You can buy new throw pillows and blankets for couches and chairs. And even better, you can match them to the new rugs and mats you purchase too! You can change the look of any room with some simple blanket and pillow swapping. Consider this for the bedroom too! The same idea goes for curtains. Curtains go out of style quickly, so changing them can greatly update your home’s design for a great price.

You can also consider changing out lamps, picture frames, and miscellaneous décor (i.e. ornaments, vases, faux flowers, decorative signs, etc.) for some simple and quick changes. All of these ideas can be done all on your own, maybe with some help from the rest of the family, and all within a reasonable budget!

Take it a Step Further

One of the most impactful changes you can make to a room or interior part of a home is paint. Nothing says fresh and new like a new coat of paint or a change in paint color. And with the new advancements in the paint industry, you can achieve professional results from just one paint and primer in one! So long as you do a little pre-planning and research some DIY painting tips, you can change one wall or several walls to a new color, giving your home a new look instantly.

Even if you are looking to remodel on a budget, it may still be worth your while to talk to a licensed general contractor about potential remodels that could be quick and easy to do with professional help. There may be some changes you can make to your home that are not as tedious and expensive as you think. A general contractor can discuss home remodeling options for your property that fit within your personal budget.

Restoration By L & B, LLC

General Contractors Indianapolis IN

Indianapolis Painting Contractors 317-454-3612

Call Restoration By L & B, LLC at 317-454-3612 for dependable answers to your home remodeling questions. Licensed general contractor, Lee Elliot, provides a wide range of home remodeling and renovation services in Indianapolis and throughout Central Indiana. Not only do we provide expert remodeling services, we guarantee to beat any competitor’s price! With competitive pricing and skilled workmanship, you have nothing to lose if you choose Restoration By L & B, LLC for your home remodeling needs in Indianapolis, IN.

The Basics of Concrete Staining

Many modern day homes have an abundance of exposed concrete, including patios, terraces, unfinished basements, and street-side garages. Perhaps this is why concrete staining has become such a popular choice for homeowners wishing to remodel or restore parts of their property. Not only is it a fantastic way to upgrade your home in an instant, it’s a highly cost-effective alternative to floor installation and overhaul. Continue reading to learn some basic information regarding concrete staining, and who to call for trusted services you can afford.

Concrete Contractors 317-454-3612

Concrete Contractors 317-454-3612

Acid Staining for Concrete

The process of concrete staining requires the use of acid-based stains to alter and enhance the appearance of dismal concrete flooring and pavement. It is a quick and affordable alternative to demolition and flooring installation. You don’t have to hide your concrete flooring and pavement any longer when you decide to stain your concrete!

The versatility of concrete staining is what makes it so valuable and fun. You can choose from a seemingly-endless selection of styles, colors, designs, textures, shapes, and more. You can find or customize concrete stains to fit your exact taste. And the best part is, it can be applied to much more than just basements and patios! Check out the list of areas that are excellent matches for concrete staining:

• Garages
• Balconies
• Porches
• Studios
• Workshops
• Sidewalks
• Parking Lots
• Counter Tops
• Back-Splashes
• Kitchens
• Bathrooms
• Gazebos
• Boat Ramps
• And More!

Choose from a Selection of Styles and Designs, Including:

• Marbled
• Patina
• Ombré
• Brushed
• Swirled
• Scored
• Tinted
• Patterned
• Faux Textured
• And More

There are several benefits of concrete staining. For example, the materials required for staining concrete are significantly cheaper than tile, wood, and carpet flooring. Labor costs are also lower. Also, acid stains easily cover up dark spots, blemishes, and even cracks in concrete. And it will never fade, scratch, break, or need replaced.

Restoration By L & B, LLC

General Contractors Indianapolis IN

General Contractors 317-454-3612

Call Restoration By L & B, LLC at 317-454-3612 for professional concrete staining services in Indianapolis and its surrounding areas. Owner and general contractor, Lee Elliot, offers customized concrete staining and acid staining services for both residential and commercial properties. As a trusted source for concrete staining and stamping, we guarantee to beat any competitor’s price! Call 317-454-3612 to schedule a consultation for concrete staining in Indianapolis, IN today.

Laminate Floor Care Advice

When you first install laminate flooring, the results are fantastic. You have beautiful flooring that imitates natural wood floors at a lower cost. In order to increase the longevity of laminate floors and maintain that long-lasting “just installed” look, proper and regular care will be necessary. Choose to use proper cleaning products and the right methods and techniques to maintain your laminate floors. Doing so can increase the lifespan of your laminate floors. By following simple rules and guidelines, safely cleaning your floors is easy and even inexpensive!

Laminate Floor Repair and Installation 317-454-3612

Laminate Floor Repair and Installation 317-454-3612

Use the Proper Cleaning Agents

If you use cleaning products that are not compatible with laminate flooring, the results could be severe. Floors can end up looking dull and discolored. Improper cleaning products can also strip away vinyl and anything that has been applied as an extra protectant. It can also cause swelling and bends in the panels and dangerously slippery surfaces.

It is best to check the manufacturers’ manual or any other type of literature that came with the purchase. These instructions will guide you on the best practices to use to clean your laminate floors. They will most likely suggest using cleaning products that do not contain soaps, acids, ammonia, and bleaches. They will also instruct you on what techniques to use to prevent scratches and discoloration.

One safe cleaning remedy for laminate floors is white vinegar. Use white vinegar and water mixtures to wash away dirt and germs. Apply it with a spray bottle and mop or wipe it away. It’s that simple! You can also just use water as a cleaning agent for floors, but do not use too much because extensive water accumulation can cause swelling and other types of water damage.

Use Proper Cleaning Techniques and Methods

One common and popular choice for cleaning laminate floors safely is a microfiber mop. These mops are strategically designed to pick up dirt, dust, and debris, as well as, leave behind a luminous shine. The texture of the mop and cloth is delicate but sturdy, allowing thorough cleaning without the use of moisture.

Another popular technique is the traditional “hands and knees” scrubbing method. Although this involves a litter more effort, it can help obtain that extra detail that some people look for when cleaning their floors. Using a wiping method, you can supervise the moisture and drying times, as well as, focus on heavier soiled spots with your closer look. This is a tedious and meticulous way to protect and clean laminate flooring, but it is a full-proof way to prevent scratches and moisture accumulation. Many people prefer this method.

Laminate Floor Repair and Installation

Home Repair Service 317-454-3612

Home Repair Service
317-454-3612

Call Restoration By L & B, LLC at 317-454-3612 for professional and affordable laminate floor repair and installation in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner and general contractor, Lee Elliot, provides affordable home remodeling and restoration, including a wide range of flooring services for both residential and commercial properties. We repair, replace, and install laminate flooring, as well as, hardwood, vinyl, tile, ceramic, and more! Call 317-454-3612 for laminate floor installation and repair in Indianapolis, IN today.