Entryway and Mudroom: what a handyman does
Entryways take the most abuse: heavy coats, wet boots, slammed doors and tracked-in water. A handyman can mount hooks and benches into studs, fix sticking doors and loose locks, refresh weatherstripping, repair trim and touch up scuffed walls. Door replacement, flooring tear-outs and electrical work go to other trades.
Jobs we take on
Tap one to add it to your list.
- Mount coat hooks and racks into studs, or onto a backer board
- Install a mudroom bench, cubbies and shoe shelves
- Anchor tall lockers and shelving to the wall
- Replace or adjust door knobs, deadbolts and strike plates
- Replace weatherstripping and door sweeps
- Fix a front or storm door that sticks or will not latch
- Re-secure loose baseboard and door casing
- Patch and touch up paint on scuffed walls and trim
- Hang a mirror, key hooks and a mail organizer
Signs it is time to call
- Hooks that are pulling out of the drywall under wet winter coats
- A door that needs a shoulder to latch, or a key that sticks
- Drafts or water at the bottom of the door
- Scuffs and dents on the wall at bag height
- Baseboard that swells or paint that peels near the door
What is not a handyman job
Replacing the entry door, sidelights or frame, rotted thresholds and masonry steps belong to a door or carpentry contractor. Water entering from above the door is roofing or flashing work, and plumbing leaks are for a licensed plumber. Hardwired lighting and smart lock wiring are electrical. Tile and flooring replacement is out of scope.
Plumbing, electrical and roofing go to licensed independent contractors.
What a visit looks like
- We confirm the scope from your photos before the visit
- We confirm the current rate before work starts
- We protect floors and the doorway while we work
- We clean up dust and debris when we finish
Common questions
How do I make coat hooks hold heavy winter coats?
Hunker's guide says the best way to make a rack stable is to fasten it to studs. Where a stud is not available, it names toggle bolts or molly bolts as the strongest wall anchors. We check the wall, find the studs and choose hardware that fits the load.
How high should coat hooks go?
Hunker suggests about 44 inches from the floor as a height most people, including wheelchair users, can reach. Public-building rules set a range of 15 to 48 inches, which you do not need to follow at home. Tell us if children or tall coats are the main users and we will set the height to match.
Why is the baseboard by my front door swelling?
Trim usually swells or stains when it takes on water from wet boots, a gap at the door or a leak. The EPA says to dry water-damaged materials within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold. We replace damaged trim and seal gaps, but a roof or plumbing leak must be fixed by a licensed trade first.
Can you build a mudroom bench with storage?
We can assemble a ready-made bench or cubby unit and anchor it to the wall. Custom built-ins, which are cut and fitted to the room, are carpentry projects and may be outside our scope. Send a photo and the measurements and we will say which one yours is.