Move-In and Move-Out Repairs: what a handyman does
Moving out, we patch wall anchors and nail holes, touch up paint, fix door and trim dings, and reinstall hardware you took down. Moving in, we mount TVs and shelves, hang mirrors and curtain rods, and assemble furniture. Renters should check their lease and ask the landlord before painting or drilling.
Jobs we take on
Tap one to add it to your list.
- Move-out: remove wall anchors and wall-mount hardware and fill the holes
- Move-out: sand, prime and touch up paint where patches show
- Move-out: repair scuffed trim, door dings and loose door hardware
- Move-out: re-hang blinds, curtain rods and towel bars the way they were found
- Move-out: photograph each room so condition is recorded before the key handoff
- Move-in: mount TVs and shelves into studs or the right anchors
- Move-in: hang mirrors, artwork and curtain rods
- Move-in: assemble beds, desks, wardrobes and bookcases
- Move-in: anchor tall furniture and fit childproofing hardware
Signs it is time to call
- Mounted items are coming down and will leave holes and scuffs
- Moving furniture has chipped trim or dented a door
- A walkthrough is coming and the wall repairs are not done
- Boxes are in and nothing is on the walls yet
- A new place has a leak or moisture problem that should be reported
What is not a handyman job
Plumbing, electrical and roofing go to licensed independent contractors. Renters should report leaks and moisture to the building owner right away, as the EPA advises. In a rental built before 1978, the EPA says the landlord or manager must comply with its lead-safe rule for work that disturbs paint, so ask before scraping or sanding. Deposit and lease questions belong to your landlord or an attorney.
Plumbing, electrical and roofing go to licensed independent contractors.
What a visit looks like
- Tell us whether you rent or own so we know who must approve the work.
- We keep a list by room and group the work to fit your moving dates.
- We cover floors where we work and take our debris with us.
- Anything needing a licensed trade is named and left for that contractor.
Common questions
Can I patch and paint a rental myself before I leave?
Check your lease and ask the landlord first, since some owners want to control repairs or paint color. We can patch and touch up if you or the landlord approve. Keep photos from move-in and move-out in one folder in case a question comes up later.
What should I do about a leak I find when I move in?
Report it right away. The EPA's guide tells renters to report plumbing leaks and moisture problems immediately to the building owner or manager, and says drying wet materials within 24 to 48 hours usually prevents mold. The repair itself goes to a licensed plumber.
Do you handle the heavy lifting of moving?
No. We repair, mount, hang and assemble. We do not move furniture between homes. We can take apart a bed or shelf for the move, and put it back together at the new place when the parts are all there.
Do you work in older Chicago-area homes?
Yes. Tell us the build year. The EPA says homes built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint, and paid work that disturbs it falls under a federal rule. If a paint job falls under that rule, ask whichever contractor you hire about lead-safe certification.