Northbay' s Home Repair and Maintenance Service
Your trusted handyman is your one-stop solution for all home repairs and minor projects, liberating you from the hassle of handling multiple contractors and ensuring peace of mind in maintaining your home.
REPAIR AND INSTALLATION SERVICES
ELECTRICAL
Your electrical panel regulates the electricity coursing through your home. If too much electricity is demanded on a circuit, a circuit breaker is tripped in the electrical panel to stop the electricity from overloading the wiring. An overload can cause a fire, so it’s the job of the electrical panel to break the circuit and regulate the electricity in the system to keep your home and family safe.
Unfortunately, as your home gets older, the electrical panel could have a hard time keeping up with the increased electrical demands on the system. Your appliances, televisions, computers, HVAC systems, lights and other electrical gadgets are increasingly energy efficient, but the average modern household uses more gadgets than ever before. If your home is more than 10 years old, your electrical system may not be able to keep up with your electrical demand. How do you know for sure?
Stay Safe, Comfortable and Secure
Schedule today a home electrical inspection. We’ll measure how much power is being used on the circuits, and we’ll thoroughly check the electrical panel to make sure it’s safe. If it’s not working properly or it needs to be expanded, we can install a new panel that will exceed your state and local regulations. Keep your home’s power system in great shape and keep your family and property safe with a healthy electrical panel.
It’s no secret that the automotive industry is slowly but surely moving away from gasoline-powered vehicles. Right now, the front runner to take their place are electric vehicles (EVs). While this is good news for the environment and our air quality overall, not everyone’s house is ready to accommodate an EV.
If you own or are interested in purchasing an electric vehicle and you’d like the convenience and safety offered by an EV home charging station, visit our Request a Quote page. We offer a selection of the most advanced, fully featured charging systems available, and provide professional residential electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) installation and service.
EVSE chargers supply electric energy to recharge electric vehicles. There are three levels of electric vehicle charging devices:
Level 1 Charger
This charger comes standard with most electric vehicles and is plugged into any normal three-prong outlet. While the Level 1 charger requires no installation, it charges vehicle batteries very slowly. Level 1 EVSE chargers are best suited for overnight use, and can take 20 hours or more to fully charge your car’s battery.
Level 2 Charger
This more advanced EVSE charger requires its own dedicated 240-volt circuit, which needs to be professionally installed in your garage. Level 2 chargers work much faster, fully charging an EV in about three hours. A growing number of EV manufacturers are now including a Level 2 charger standard with each new car purchase.
Level 3 Charger
This is the standalone device you see at public charging stations. It can add 160 miles of driving range to an EV’s batteries in about half an hour (nice!). However, they are prohibitively expensive for most EV owners. They also have an industrial-level power draw that makes them unavailable to homeowners. However, if you own or work at an industrial building, it is possible to have a Level 3 charger installed there.
Which type of EVSE charger is the right choice for you? It depends on your driving habits. Many EV owners make do with plugging in their cars for an overnight charge. But if you frequently find yourself needing to recharge your EV midday, installing a Level 2 charger is a wise investment.
Unless something is wrong with your wiring, the electricity in your home generally operates behind the scenes. We’ve become so accustomed to the modern comforts provided by electricity that it’s easy to forget that even the hidden wires in your homes require maintenance and inspection from time to time.
Despite how easy it is to forget electrical safety inspections, regular system checks are essential. In fact, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), electrical problems are the primary cause of property damage in home structure fires across the U.S.. In addition, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) also identifies small appliances plugged into inadequate or improper wiring as the leading cause of accidental electrocution. An electrical home inspection can easily address and prevent these safety hazards.
What Is an Electrical Home Inspection?
When we do an electrical home inspection, we thoroughly examine your entire electrical system to ensure that all electrical wires, systems, and components (such as appliances) meet legal safety standards.
While inspecting your home, we’ll use the National Electrical Code (NEC) as our primary guideline. The NEC is the code all electricians must operate under as it defines the parameters for minimum standards across the United States.
Upon completing your electrical home inspection, we will provide a detailed, prioritized checklist, including areas needing immediate attention, recommendations for improvements, and potential upgrade possibilities.
When Do You Need an Electrical Safety Inspection?
There are specific times when homeowners should schedule an electrical home safety inspection. The Electrical Safety Foundation recommends that homeowners make an appointment for an electrical home inspection:
♦ When purchasing a home
♦ When a home is more than 40 years old
♦ When adding an appliance
♦ When a home has had a major renovation
Benefits of an Electrical Safety Inspection
There are a few reasons why you should have a home electrical inspection. Not only is it essential for the safety of your home and everyone in it, but getting your home’s electrical system checked by a professional will also offer you peace of mind by:
♦ Ensuring the safe operation of electrical components in your home
♦ Identifying common electrical mistakes made by contractors and previous DIY homeowners
♦ Recognizing outdated wiring such as aluminum or knob-and-tube
♦ Identifying electrical wiring and components that may have degraded over time
♦ Spotting oversized fuses or breakers that could lead to a fire
♦ Allowing for the correction of fire and safety hazards
♦ Helping you save energy and reduce costs
♦ Meeting insurance risk assessment inspection requirements
♦ Letting you know the electrical system in a new home is safe before you purchase it
What Does an Electrical Home Safety Inspection Include?
An electrical home inspection from covers:
♦ Verification of proper light bulb wattage
♦ Switch and wall outlet operation and condition
♦ Shock or electrocution hazards
♦ Verification that arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) are operating properly
♦ A check of all safety and security lighting
♦ Confirmation of grounding systems
♦ Validation of appropriate surge protection
♦ Verification of the proper placement of smoke detectors
♦ Testing of smoke detectors
♦ Testing of carbon monoxide detectors
♦ Inspection of the electrical panel for appropriate labels, amps, and operation
♦ An examination of outdoor electrical systems
♦ A detailed, prioritized report on all areas of attention concerning the electrical system of your home
Schedule Your Home Electrical Safety Inspection Today
Is your family prepared for emergencies resulting in a loss of power to your home? Without a home generator, you may be left in the dark. Here’s what you need to know about home backup generators and what they can do for your family during emergencies.
If you’re ready for in-person generator advice, sizing, and installation help now, contact
How Does a Backup Generator Work?
Working much like the engine in your car, home generators create mechanical energy by converting fuel (gasoline, diesel, or natural gas) into electrical power with the help of a heavy-duty, recharging battery. In a power outage, home generators allow you to stay safe and comfortable more easily until power is restored. A generator can keep your refrigerator, freezer, sump pump, furnace, stove, lights, fans, and more operational when you experience a power loss.
Home generators are handy in a variety of situations:
Blackouts
Temperature extremes can prevent the power grid from generating enough energy to meet demand.
Inclement Weather
Lightning, hurricanes, tornadoes, snowstorms, and heavy wind can knock down power lines and damage transformers.
Damage from Animals
Destruction of power equipment by animals is second only to severe weather as a leading cause of power loss.
Natural Disasters
Earthquakes, floods, and fires cause widespread power outages for millions of consumers yearly.
Auto Accidents
Cars colliding with power poles cause unexpected interruptions in service by damaging electrical equipment.
Types of Home Generators
Portable Home Generators
Portable home generators power a few essentials in your home until power is restored. They must be manually started and connected to necessary appliances. Portable models cost less than standby models, typically around $500 to $1,500, but they can only operate a few appliances simultaneously. They also come with the added danger of carbon monoxide poisoning if operated in the wrong locations.
Home Standby Generators
Home standby generators are typically powered with natural gas or propane. Used with an automatic transfer switches, they turn on automatically when the power goes out to prevent an interruption in service. But that convenience and peace of mind can be a substantial investment. The investment may be worth it when most of your home’s electrical devices seamlessly transition to backup power whenever your electricity goes out.
The Right Size Is Essential
It is essential to correctly calculate the total wattage of the devices you wish to run with your home backup generator. This will tell you what size of generator you need to meet your needs. We’ll help you prevent undersized generators and overloading at startup.
No electrical installation is too big or too small for us. We routinely install ceiling fans, smoke detectors, and light fixtures. These kinds of electrical installations and repairs make your home safe and comfortable.
♦ Flat Screen Installation
♦ Lighting Fixture Replacements
♦ Outlet Upgrades
♦ Light Switches
♦ Ceiling Fans
♦ Smart Home Upgrades
♦ Smoke Detectors
CARPENTRY
Installing or repairing your kitchen or bath cabinets can bring new life into the design of your home, and we offer convenient services for cabinet installation and cabinet repair. We can repair cabinets you already have or install brand-new ones that you have ordered.
Imagine what your kitchen would look like if you finally made those nagging repairs or added brand-new cabinets that truly suited your home needs. So whether you want cabinet repairs or a new installation, we will get them working and looking as good as new.
Cabinet Repair – Broken hinges? Are drawers not working properly? We can get them looking and working as well as new without replacing them entirely.
Cabinet Refacing – Update the look of your kitchen without adding new cabinets by just refacing them. Pick out the door styles, pulls, or knobs, and we will take care of the rest.
Cabinet Installation – Do you want new cabinets? We can install them and ensure they are level, plumb, and square.
If your staircase handrail is broken, it poses a hazard to your family. Quick fixes may not be enough to guarantee your safety.
The balusters act as the support system for the handrail. They’re also called spindles: the short posts that run from the handrail to the stair. Any problem with the balusters threatens the structural integrity of the whole handrail (the balustrade).
Once the handrail gets rickety, it only takes one instance of someone putting just a little too much weight on it for the system to collapse, causing a nasty fall.
We also handle the stairs themselves.
Treat the following problems like emergencies:
♦ Snapped spindles.
♦ Wobbly or loose balusters.
♦ Loose or rickety banisters.
♦ Creaking stairs.
♦ Signs of rot on the steps.
♦ Detached handrails.
♦ Cracks or splinters on the stairs.
You can’t just reach for the glue or a screwdriver when you see these problems. In many cases, the only way to repair it correctly will be to dismantle the entire handrail system. The new balusters may then be safely replaced. All the balusters may need to be replaced if we can’t make or find a match for your existing ones.
A decorative or unique balustrade will need even more care and craftsmanship than a standard handrail system.
Ornamental molding—such as trim, crown molding, and baseboards—has been used for centuries to add visual interest and appeal to a home’s interior. Today, it’s utilized in houses of all styles to create a sense of elegance and sophistication. There are many kinds of trim to choose from in various materials, including wood, plastic, and plaster.
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Following are the types of trim you can add to enhance your home’s appearance.
Crown Molding
Crown molding is trim that runs along the ceiling where it meets the wall. It provides visual separation between the wall and the ceiling and adds a graceful touch. Profiles range from very ornate to simple. If your home is classical in style—i.e., Colonial, Georgian or Victorian—with high ceilings, you may opt for one of the more elaborate, decorative crown molding designs. You might prefer a simpler, narrower style that won’t overwhelm the room or bring the ceilings down if it’s more modern. Make sure to match your style to other moldings to ensure aesthetic consistency.
Baseboards
Baseboard trim is installed at the bottom of a wall where it meets the floor. It covers uneven edges, prevents wall damage, and provides a finished appearance to the room. If you have carpets, they’re mounted just above the subfloor, and if you have hardwood floors, they sit right on top of the flooring. As with crown molding, many profiles range from tall, ornate options to shorter, simpler styles. You can opt for a simple, smooth look if you like a minimalist approach or layer different profiles for a highly decorative touch.
Chair Rail
A chair rail is a three-dimensional molding attached around a room to protect walls from scuffs and furniture damage. While chair rails are often installed for decorative purposes, they are highly popular because they add a traditional warmth and charm to the décor. The trim used for chair rails is typically about 32″ -36″ from the floor. Homeowners usually opt to match the chair rail to the crown molding and baseboards in style, material, and color to create a charming, cohesive look.
Picture Rail
If you’re looking for a unique way to display your art without making holes in your drywall, consider installing a picture rail. Created with 1½” to 2″ thick strips of molding, picture rails run horizontally around the room about 12″ from the ceiling or just below crown molding if you prefer a more seamless look. Originally used hundreds of years ago when plaster walls were too thick for hanging pictures, picture rails have a lovely old-fashioned yet modern feel. Once the molding is installed, brass or painted hardware fits around the trim’s profile, and pictures hang, nail-free, from the hooks.
Picture Frame Molding
High-end decorators love to create focal points on a wall, and one fun way to do that is to install picture frame molding. Creating these panels is simple and easy with pre-formed wall frames or, if you prefer, a more custom shape with strips of molding affixed to the wall. You can create one accent wall or continue the design around the room. You can create large boxes, small boxes, or anything in between. When painted the same color as the wall, this unique technique can make rooms appear taller and add subtle elegance.
Panel Molding
Panel molding refers to any raised trim added to a flat surface to embellish it and add depth. This molding comes in all styles and is commonly used around doors and windows, on walls, ceilings, and around fireplaces. The decorative molding breaks up flat surfaces by creating the look of recessed panels.
Door and Window Trim
Door and window trim, otherwise known as casing, is a type of trim that creates a frame around doors and windows. It is meant to cover any space left between the frame and the drywall, providing insulation and decoration. The casing comes in various profiles, some simple and others more traditional and ornate. Mitered casings create a classic framing effect, while butted casings add a wider head to the top. Window and door casings should match, and ideally, match, the rest of the trim in the house to create uniformity.
Wainscoting
Wainscoting is paneling that lines the lower part of a wall around a room. It was originally used to help insulate rooms and protect walls from scuff marks and furniture damage. Traditionally, it is installed to chair rail height and is made of wood. However, it’s available in various heights and materials, including wood, fiberglass, or even ceramic tile. Wainscoting as a decorative wall accent can be utilized in any room and can be as simple or elaborate as you would like, depending on how formal an appearance you’re looking to create.
Bead Board
If you’ve decided to add wainscoting, there are several styles from which to choose. One of the more popular and traditional looks is beadboard. This look features narrow wood planks lined up with a recessed ridge known as a bead between the boards. This wainscoting will usually be applied about a third of the way up the wall (it is discouraged going halfway up as the eye doesn’t like the “chopped in half” appearance) and capped with a trim molding. Then, the beadboard can be painted to match the wall or in a contrasting accent color.
Board and Batten
Another popular wainscoting style is board and batten. This profile features alternating wide boards with narrow wooden strips, or battens, laid over it either vertically or horizontally. The advantage of this approach is that it can add a custom appearance to any space while creating visual interest. The strips can create wide spaces in between or narrow, according to your taste, and the frames can serve as good places to hang art or hooks for clothes (i.e., in a mudroom). Traditionally seen in rustic settings, this decorative look is gaining in popularity as a siding and wall treatment.
Shiplap
Shiplap is another interior wall covering option that has been increasing in popularity, thanks mainly to home design shows. This treatment tends to have a rustic feel and is usually used to create an accent wall or focal point, like over a fireplace or in an entryway. Shiplap boards have rabbets, or grooves, cut into their edges to overlap and fit tightly together. Shiplap planks can be affixed to your walls vertically or horizontally, nailed through the drywall into wall studs. Edges can be mitered, beveled, or butt jointed, depending on the space.
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Earthquake mitigation for homes is of paramount importance, especially in seismically active regions. A house is not just a structure; it is a sanctuary for its inhabitants, a place where memories are created and where people seek refuge and comfort. Ensuring that a home is fortified against earthquakes not only protects the investment made in the property but, more crucially, safeguards the lives of those living within its walls. Without proper mitigation, earthquakes can cause catastrophic structural failures, leading to injury, loss of life, and significant financial setbacks. By implementing measures like reinforcing foundations, bracing cripple walls, and securing heavy furniture and appliances, homeowners can significantly reduce potential damage and provide a safer environment for their families. Investing in earthquake mitigation is an investment in peace of mind, knowing that one’s home stands a better chance against the unpredictable and powerful forces of nature. Benga Construction is FEMA trained and a EBB Certified contractor.
When you want some woodwork done for decorative or practical purposes, you need a carpenter’s services. Our carpentry services specialize in a wide range of home projects and installations.
♦ Closet Systems
♦ Doors, Locks, and Knobs
♦ Caulking
♦ Furniture Assembly
♦ Deck repairs
♦ Wood Rot Repair
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HOW IT WORKS
Step 1 – Request a Free Virtual Quote
Please provide as much detailed information as requested on our quote form, including photos of the area where the work is to be done so that we can give the best quote possible. The more info you share in the form, the faster you can be added to the schedule. If you prefer an In-Person Walkthrough, the fee is $175.00.
Step 2 – Review and Quote
We will review your Quote Request and contact you if we need additional information. Once we have all the relevant information, we will send a quote via email. Once you’ve accepted the quote, you’ll be added to the schedule and pay a retainer to hold the scheduled date.
Step 3 – The Work
We will arrive on the scheduled date, confirm the work you’ve requested, and get to work taking care of your home. All labor and workmanship provided by Benga Construction on all repairs are guaranteed for one year from the final invoice date.
Step 4 – Enjoy
You don’t need to spend weekends and holidays trying to complete all those repairs driving you crazy. With your home back to where you want it to be, you will have no more to-do list; you can finally sit and enjoy your space with family and friends.
FAQ's
We try to respond within 24 hours, but we will not take longer than 48 hours. If we request additional information from you before we supply a quote, we will respond with a quote within 24 hours of receiving the asked for further details.
Yes. All labor and workmanship provided by Windsor Mills Builders on all repairs are guaranteed for one year from the final invoice date. Any manufacturer’s product warranties will be passed through to you and are the manufacturer’s responsibility.
Yes. We require a $385 minimum for any repair call, which does not include the cost of materials.
We prefer to quote projects at a fixed cost. However, there are times when an hourly rate is required. Those rates are:
♦ Residential: $125/hr
♦ Commercial: $185/hr
No. Your estimate typically includes labor, materials, and disposal fees to complete your project. Please let us know if you will be supplying your materials and disposal for the project.
It depends. There is a lot of variability in each project. Our typical repairs take anywhere from 1 hour to 5 days, depending on the project’s complexity. Our goal and mission are to get you back to your home, or business, as soon as possible.
We can typically be at your home or business within seven business days. We like to start a project once all materials, products, and equipment are delivered. We consider their delivery lead times when scheduling your project.
We offer free online estimates after you fill out our online form but reserve the right to request an onsite estimate visit for $175.00. This fee will be applied to the project once you move forward with us.
Yes. We are licensed and fully insured.
Our license #’s are:
CSLB General Contractor: #998496
CSLB Electrical Contractor: #998496
We will supply a Certificate of Insurance upon request before the project starts.
Be sure to check if the other handyperson service companies you’re talking to are.
We’ve taken the time to build some fantastic relationships with some of the best professional trade teams in the industry.