Why you should you consider Restoring over Replacing

Most windows and doors in older homes were designed to last lifetimes, as long as occasional maintenance is performed. Even if your features have gone neglected for some time, there is still hope! The stiles and rails of your fenestrations can be rid of wood rot, worn ropes can be rehung on their sash and weights, and broken glass can be reglazed. 

This is not the same case for most modern windows and doors. These features were not designed to be maintained, and instead designed to be replaced, which makes you fall into a perpetual cycle of replacing. Instead, you can engage in a maintenance cycle! 

Let's talk about that.. 

Replacing your Replacements

Are you sick of those replacement vinyl windows a real estate flipper installed... Or maybe you installed some and have regrets (no judgement here)? Maybe you want to add more character to your home with a beautiful quarter-sawn oak storm door that matches the style of your century home? While I love restoration and preservation, my heart is also in creating one-of-a-kind wood features for your home to shine. Sash, casement windows, storm doors, solid core or stave core doors--I might be interested in your project and would love to work with an enthusiastic client. 

You've read this far... You must be curious about how much my services cost. 

Costs & Pricing

It's very difficult to assign a cost to your project without looking at it. I have restored windows from $600 to $2600 per opening. I have restored doors from $800-$4000 per opening. Often times I have identified projects that didn't need to be restored and instead needed some Preservation work, which is on the more affordable side compared to Restoration. 

If you have a few photos of your project and send them to me in an introductory text message, this will help me gauge if this is the right project for me to work on. 

If this is in your budget range, here's information on hiring me..

Retaining My Services

If you would like to show me your project, contact me by texting me at the number at the top or bottom of this page, or e-mail me at the e-mail address at the bottom of this page. Photos and a brief description help me understand if I will be interested in your project. If I am, we can schedule a time for me to look at your project and then I can give you an estimate. If you like your estimate, I ask for a non-refundable deposit of 50% of the total of your project. The other 50% isn't due until your project is completed or if we agreed to special payment terms. I keep it simple. I keep it accessible. 

I also encourage you to 'shop around' to different woodworkers or restoration specialists in the area. You should find that my costs are the most affordable and I've been told that I'm the easiest to reach and the most personable (my wife says that I'm the most handsome one too). 

I like to reiterate that I am not a salesman. I'm a craftsman who has empathy for whatever your situation is. I will not try to upsell you anything. I'll give you options and suggestions without pressure and answer questions to the best of my abilities. 

At the same time, I cannot describe myself as a handyman or general contractor. If you're a landlord, investor, flipper, or realtor, I am probably not your man. My craft is rich with sincerity and takes time and is very meticulous, and I am typically booked out for months. 

Thank you for reading this far. I hope to hear from you about your project. -James

Helping others while maintaining Boundaries 

I love to help others, but I've come to the realization that I need to keep some boundaries in order to conserve my energy for clients who have retained my services. Here are a few things I like to touch on if you're seeking some advice instead of a traditional estimate and services: 

If you just need advice: If you are a homeowner who just wants some advice on a project and doesn't want to hire me, feel free to get ahold of me and within reason I'll help you. 

Insurance numbers: If you need an estimate for the sake of insurance numbers or for another matter than doesn't include hiring me, please inform me of your intent so we may discuss a solution. 

Consulting: If you are seeking something more intense and need me to oversee your project from a hands-off role, my consulting fee is $37.50 (rounded up to every thirty minutes). Depending on the length of the project, I will entertain a barter. 

How to Hire Me: If I am interested in your project and you have accepted my estimate, I will for require a 50% non-refundable deposit before I can schedule your work. I know that some woodworkers want a deposit of 75% or even 100%, but I like to keep my services accessible to enthusiastic and serious clients. Finally, 

Quick Fixes & Timelines: I am not a handyman. If you are looking for a quick fix type of solution, I am not your man. A set of 3 double hung windows typically take several weeks just to restore. Sometimes projects go on longer than expected because of surprises. Not only do you have to be financially invested in your restoration project, you have to also be invested in trusting the process of my labors and techniques. 

Referrals

If you are looking for an interior painter, I recommend Aimee Struble. Aimee has many years of experience and is a very talented painter, and will sometimes entertain a plastering project. She is also a genuine human who I respect greatly. 

If you are looking for a Nebraska real estate professional, I recommend John Erickson, Crystal Santamaria or Heather Tedesco. I have worked with all three professionals, and they have demonstrated to me empathy and a true caring for their clients, which can be a rarity in their field. They understand the importance of historical homes, too. If you have the time and energy, it is also possible to buy or sell your home yourself. 

Do you need a home cleaner? I recommend Nothing Butt Cleaning. 

Legal Aid of Nebraska has some resources for landlords and tenants in this handbook as well. If you're a tenant who has a landlord that isn't making repairs to your fenestrations, feel free to text message me. 

Tools & Shops

If you seek to purchase your own tools for your project or perhaps you want to jump into the trades yourself, I recommend Festool for their dust collectors and sanding devices. These two are excellent first purchases: Dust Extractor CT MIDI I HEPA and Multi-Mode Sander ROTEX RO 125 FEQ-Plus.

If you're searching for online suppliers of traditional materials and hardware, I recommend Kilian Hardware and SRS Hardware. This is the glazing I typically use. 

It is possible to make your own linseed oil glazing, too. Contact me for my recipe. 

If you're in the Omaha area, I recommend using Ideal Hardware for your tool and material needs. They are locally owned and very helpful if you have questions. They also repair windows and screens.