Newsletter No. 7 - September 2019
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You're receiving this brief newsletter because you have used Handy Work previously. We send updates rarely, so as not to bother. It is however, a good way to remind you that we are still here, doing quality work for more and more regular clients every year.
This update starts by showcasing a couple of less than usual jobs, talks about the newest team member, Roger, who helps us stay on top of things, so you are not waiting too long, reminds you that we have an automated booking service on our website, and gives you a sneak preview at a few gate styles we have created recently.
Less than usual - We get asked to do many jobs which are by no means usual. Maybe it is because our clients immediately realise how capable we are at grasping their specific needs and recognise the extensive skill and experience behind our work.
Hanging Artwork - Light
This golden piece of art, doubling as the dining room light hung from the ceiling in the central stairwell, 3 storeys above the dining area. Unfortunately this adored centrepiece was initially installed into plaster only, by the original installer and a while later it dropped to the floor, hanging from the power cable.
I was engaged to install suitable structure in the ceiling from which it would hang safely, by removing a section of plaster, installing structural timber support and then reinstating the plaster and the artwork light. A 6m high scaffolding platform was assembled inside the stairwell to reach the attachment point, to get it repaired ready for the electrician to reconnect the lighting power.
Landscape Steps to a Hidden Garden
These clients were not keen on risking the climb down the steep incline to the bottom garden but could not justify the high cost of building normal outdoor stairs for the sake of a little gardening. Handy Work suggested a more landscape oriented design using sleepers and existing pavers they owned for the top three platform stairs and joining a set of stairs made entirely from sleepers to the lowest platform. As a last minute request the clients requested a simple handrail. Overall a much more cost effective solution to the alternative.
Roger, has been working with Handy Work since the beginning of this year. He has over 35 years experience in construction, is a qualified bricklayer, a qualified and talented Carpentry and has his Builders License. Much of his career has involved managing building sites, big and small. So you do not come more qualified to help our Handy Work clients. Like Bruce, he never stops moving, is highly efficient while carrying out quality work and is a great communicator with clients. Roger is a highly valued asset for Handy Work and the clients we serve.
What it means is we can broaden our scope of work for our clients and perhaps, even more important, for some, we can get to your work complete pronto. When it must be done even quicker, we simply schedule 2 men to get it finished even faster.
Automated Booking of Jobs online - Handy Work has had an automated booking service on our website for some time. Interestingly, it is more commonly used by new clients but I would have thought existing clients may find this a highly efficient and therefore an attractive way to book in new work, because you already know how we operate and you can just slot in new jobs for a time that suits you. I may, on occasions need to contact you to vary the actual start date but at the very least it allows you to add new work into our schedule at any time of day or night, whenever you relise it needs doing. You will find a black box saying Book In A New Job on most pages of our website, along with lots of photos of completed jobs. You may also like to refresh your memory of the full range of work we do and perhaps get new ideas, by looking at the photos of completed work, extending over almost 40 categorised webpages, by revisiting our Handy Work website again. The website is updated regularly.
How many gate styles are there? Well, thousands really, but there are probably 3 main styles : Contemporary, Federation & Budget and three main material types 1. H3 Treated Pine of which the subgroups are a) primed ready for painting or b) CCA for non-painted gates. 2. Hardwood for when it is to be a stained or varnished timber grain finish, 3. Metal gates.
Some recent variations are shown below
A more contemporary, privacy-oriented gate, utilising self-closing hinges and a key-lockable magnetic latch.
A Federation style gate, which utilises more advanced joinery techniques. The first photo shows how it left our workshop and the second shot shows it after I installed it and the client painted it.
Another contemporary gate fitted with high quality fire-resistant key-lockable latches and 316 grade stainless steel hinges, to resist the salt air. Four gates were installed. One for each of the street-facing townhouses in this desirable strata development, across the road from a golf course and 50m from the beach.
Picket fence, matching gate and a new letterbox were built and installed across the front yard so as to be of a similar style to the pergola and handrail at the front of the house, which we installed a couple of years earlier.
Another contemporary-style gate which is more budget-oriented.
Below is an even more budget-oriented gate, most commonly used to safely keep in a pet. H3 CCA Treated Pine with dog mesh stapled to the timber gate frame.
Well, that's all for now. Feel free to drop me an email. We would love to hear any feedback.
Thanks all..
Contact Bruce by:
Phone: That is the fastest way: 0418 26 46 49
Email: bruce@handywork.com.au
Send a message from the website: https://www.handywork.com.au/booked/
You can even book a job at any time of day or night by clicking the "Book A New Job" button found on many pages of the website.
