Most of us like to think we have outgrown our fears of the closet monsters. But in reality, it's the closets, garages and basements of our homes that we strive to avoid.
That's where you'll find the jumbled pieces of projects started, never finished and abandoned to the unseen areas of your home. The once-enthralling craft project buried in the hall closet. Family photos strewn throughout the house. The basement full of broken, worn furniture.
Just the thought of those projects is enough to overwhelm most of us.
Relax. For most domestic ventures that never reached completion, help is only a phone call away-- whether it's re-caning a chair, balancing a checkbook or reassembling the pieces of a dishwasher lying in the middle of the kitchen floor.
Baltimore is home to a wide range of companies that offer professional services to take that unfinished venture to completion, without breaking the bank.
Before calling for help, however, consider this: Sometimes, finishing a project is more difficult than working on a fresh one, and as a result, the cost may be higher than if you had hired help to do the job originally.
Most companies provide an estimate of the final cost and length of time to complete the project. But unseen mistakes can increase the final price and the amount of time involved.
Below are a few names to get you started. You'll want to interview them yourself and check their references before agreeing to let them finish a project dear to your heart. And be sure any firm you hire to work in your home is licensed, bonded and insured, if appropriate.
With this in mind, you're on your way to seeing those nagging projects completed.Becky Kuhn and her specialists at Finish It ([410] 529-0380) can help you realize your needle dreams. They specialize in needlepoint, cross stitch, crocheting, crewel, embroidery, knitting, sewing and quilting and have taken on some more involved projects, such as mending quilts and helping a historical re-enactment group finish a replica of a British military hat.
"We have completed many types of projects, but we usually don't do antique restorations because that's a whole different area," says Ms. Kuhn, who started her company in the White Marsh area more than eight years ago. "We also have completed pieces that someone left unfinished at their death, which often means a lot to the families."
Finish It asks that clients provide all materials and charges by how much work is required. The minimum fee is $10.
Curtains are another project that look deceptively simple -- until you try. "If you don't have the time or decide you can't do it, bring the fabric back and we can help you or we can finish it for you," says Luke Johnson of Dannemann Fabrics ([410] 252-7900) in Timonium. "We charge, based on style and measurements, to make curtains, but not if we're just providing technical assistance."
Robert E. Sabel, co-owner of Uniquities ([410] 355-3774) in Baltimore, often completes portable projects in his antiques shop. He has completed dollhouses and grandfather clock kits and has helped out those who are stymied by repairs on mechanical, wind-up toys.
"As long as it is portable and is finer work, such as carving or repairs or completing projects, I can do it," says Mr. Sabel, who avoids furniture refinishing. "Sometimes I advise people so they can finish things themselves, and other times I finish it. My prices are minimal because I have to be in my antique shop anyway."
"If you really get stuck on a project, you can come to us for therapy-- it's cheaper than a shrink and can do more for you than you ever imagined," says Deborah Bedwell, executive director of Baltimore Clayworks ([410] 578-1919) in Mount Washington. "We also can finish clay projects or even repair a clay teapot. If it's anything with clay, we can do it."
Baltimore Clayworks also does clay parties for birthdays and other events, which cost about $10-$15 per person, depending on the project, the number of people, and the materials. Children prefer figures or clay hats, while adults often opt for more useful projects, such as ice buckets or wine coolers.
Old and new
Remember the class you took to refinish or reupholster that half-finished chair in your basement? Don't let your embarrassment keep you from seeing the job done.
"When you get to the point that you throw up your hands, if you haven't ruined it, we can finish it," says Ed Rose of Hughes Furniture Service ([410] 837-2332) in Baltimore, which specializes in furniture refinishing, repairing, restoration and upholstering. "Many times people just don't have the proper tools or materials to complete a project at home."
Paul Sloane, of 83 North in Towson (828-9391), agrees. "We sometimes get pieces that were started and abandoned because it was too difficult or because they ran into trouble trying to work in small places."
Prices for refinishing, repairing and upholstering vary by the project, but Mr. Sloane estimates that repairing a plank chair seat is about $75, caning costs about $53 per chair seat, and refinishing a chest of drawers would run about $250-$310.
For a fresh face on that old chair or mantel that you've periodically been stripping or sanding, try a decorative paint design or faux finish.
"We don't mind finishing a project that has already been started. If the piece is already stripped and sanded, we can give them a better price," says Fiona Coulter, who runs the Santry and Coulter Design Group with her sister, interior designer Tracey Santry ([410] 661-3085). "We've marbleized mantels, put up fresh wall coverings, and hand-painted borders on walls."
Recently, Ms. Coulter hand-painted a border to match a family quilt that hung in the room and, for another client, created a design of five or six flowers and ivy to freshen up a bathroom. And, she says, "It's an easy way to have original artwork in your house."
The paper chase
Every house seems to have more than its share. Recycling companies have been known to say they get more than they can handle. While the paperless society is still in its infancy, you may need some professional help.
A professional can not only deal with your paperwork, but can organize your photos and audio and video cassettes, restructure your closet, help make sorting your recyclables easier or even help find space in small areas to set up a home office.
"I often help people create space in their home to have some type of office area," says Bonnie Blas, the Organizer ([410] 484-1069), who often charges by the project, such as $50/month to balance the checkbook, or $350-$500 a year to handle medical bills. "It's really important to have an area where all your papers can be organized."
"People these days are just too busy with work and family, so other things often pile up until they seem to be unmanageable. It's commonplace," says Mary Hash, owner of Pro-O ([410] 325-7766), who says one of her more unusual jobs was to help a woman overwhelmed with the disorganization of her household. "I realized there was just too much laundry to be done; it was scattered throughout the entire house. I took it all to an industrial laundry and helped her make space to store all their clothes."
Ms. Hash may charge as little as $25 for a simple closet reorganization or up to $20 per hour for detailed billing or paperwork.
In extreme cases, you may need to go with a hauling company such as Household Cleanout Service ([410] 435-0385). "Just identify what you want taken away and we'll come in and move out all your unwanted things," says Ted Ayd, a partner in the company. "We try to make it as economic, quick and efficient as possible for our clients."
The hauling service is usually priced by weight and volume, about $85 per van load or $200 per 14 foot truckload.
Whistle while they work
If you're more the Cliff Huxtable ("The Cosby Show") type than Mr. Goodwrench, home improvements and repairs are much more enjoyable when a professional is doing the work.
"I do find that people will buy things, but when they get them home and find 100 pieces they have to put together, they think 'Whoa, I better call someone,' " says Tony Mancuso of Homeworks Contracting Company ([410] 239-2375), which does everything from hanging pictures to building houses (except plumbing and electric). Mr. Mancuso has a minimum charge of $65 and often charges an hourly rate of $32.50/hour plus materials for handyman services.
Mark Baris of A&B; Appliance Service ([410] 998-9833), says that while most people call first, it's not unusual to get a desperate call from someone whose dishwasher is in pieces on the kitchen floor. "One man called because in trying to put his dishwasher back together, he shorted it out."
Mr. Baris, who can repair major appliances, air-conditioners, garbage disposals, central vacuums and even computers, says most repairs cost between $30 and $175.
The big event
When you're planning an event, whether it's a birthday party, a romantic dinner for two, or lunch with your boss, you want the best, but you run out of time and ideas. In these situations, the assistance of a caterer or party planner is invaluable.
Caterers can provide the full treatment -- set-up, service, flowers, linens, dinner and clean-up -- or tailor their service to your needs, such as ready-to-serve meals or a dessert tray, often on short notice. And these days, many companies will even cater for intimate dinners of two or four.
"It's one-stop shopping. We discuss your tastes -- do you like plain, gourmet or heart-healthy menus -- your budget and your needs, and then we take care of the rest," says Maria Fleischmann, vice president of Innovative Gourmet ([410] 363-1317). "We've catered dinners under tents, in garages, on boats and in situations where the power is out. We've even catered things the same day, but the menu choices were limited."
A box lunch from Innovative Gourmet costs about $9 while dinners may run from $12 to $50 per person, depending on the menu. Staff is extra, about $120 to serve and clean up.
If you're interested in picking up a party platter or a dessert tray, often restaurants such as Jeanniers' Restaurant ([410] 889-3303) Homewood can help. "We can prepare party platters with four-hours' notice, or we can prepare meals with instructions on how to bake them," says Thierry Jeanniers.
For assistance planning a big event, turn to a party planner. Pamela Gill, owner of Special Touches by Pamela ([410] 433-2389), will help plan as much or as little of your party as you like. "I've done everything from the invitations to the decorations to contracting with the caterer and finding entertainment," says Ms. Gill. "One woman was arranging an ethnic sweet-16 party for her daughter and realized she didn't have time to finish all the preparations. So I took care of the menu and the decorations for an island theme."
Ms. Gill also has organized family reunions and planned small parties for hospice patients.
Born to shop
Now all you need are gifts for that big event.
Sherrie Hamilton, co-owner of Professional Shopping Management ([410] 668-7048), will help you pick the right gift, and if necessary, will even take care of those pesky errands, such as finding a suitable dress or picking up groceries, dry cleaning or tickets.
"Once I know my client and his or her tastes, I can shop quickly and efficiently for them. I even carry a beeper so they can reach me on short notice," says Ms. Hamilton, who charges per project or a percentage (10 percent to 35 percent) of purchase price.
Gifts for clients or corporate gifts may be more difficult to find, says Lynn Tucker, co-owner of Image Gifts ([410] 356-1644), which only charges the client the purchase price of the gifts. "We tailor our gifts to meet our clients' corporate images and we can do everything from purchase to wrapping to delivery."