Nicole Curtis On Saving Old Homes And Ransom Gillis

Nicole Curtis On Saving Old Homes And Ransom Gillis

Nicole Curtis joins Adam Helfman on Hire It Done for a conversation about saving old homes, the Ransom Gillis mansion in Detroit, and what homeowners can learn from restoration-minded renovation. In this episode, Nicole talks about why Ransom Gillis still means so much to people, what the house looked like before restoration, why she left the brick exposed, and why old-home details deserve more thought before they are covered, removed, or thrown away. Adam and Nicole also talk about the difference between fast remodeling and true restoration, the role of skilled tradespeople, and the homeowner mindset needed before making big renovation decisions. If you love old homes, Detroit architecture, historic preservation, or smart home improvement advice, this episode is worth watching. Q&A-Style Takeaways Question: Why does the Ransom Gillis house still matter? Answer: Nicole Curtis explains that Ransom Gillis is one of the homes people still talk to her about because it showed what could happen when a house many people would have written off was restored instead. Question: Why did Nicole Curtis leave the brick exposed? Answer: She said the brick was one of the only original pieces left, so leaving it visible helped preserve the story and feeling of the house. Question: What can homeowners learn from Nicole Curtis? Answer: Before tearing out old details, homeowners should ask what can be saved, what should be protected, and whether they need a restoration-minded contractor instead of a shortcut crew. Question: What does Adam Helfman add to the conversation? Answer: Adam brings the homeowner protection angle, including how to think about contractors, communication, remodeling decisions, and practical maintenance around the house. CONNECT WITH NICOLE CURTIS Website: https://www.nicolecurtis.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicolecurtisrehabaddict/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/detroitdesign/ 🔗 CONNECT WITH ADAM HELFMAN AND HIRE IT DONE 💻 Website: https://hireitdone.com/ 🎥 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/HireitDone 🤝 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamhelfman/ 🤝 https://www.linkedin.com/company/hireitdone/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hireitdone 𝕏 X: https://x.com/helfystyle #HireItDone #NicoleCurtis #RansomGillis #RehabAddict #DetroitHomes #HistoricPreservation #HomeImprovement #OldHomes #Renovation #DetroitArchitecture

Why Your Paint Job Fails So Fast | John Cox of Roost Booster Painting and Remodeling

A great paint job is not just about choosing the most expensive paint. In this episode of Hire It Done, Adam Helfman talks with John Cox of Roost Booster Painting and Remodeling and co-host Jerrad Beauchamp of Beauchamp Water Treatment Solutions about what homeowners need to know before hiring a painter, planning exterior repairs, or upgrading their drinking water. John explains why prep work should be written into the estimate, why power washing alone is not enough, why the right primer matters, and why painting over rotted wood can create bigger problems later. Jerrad also breaks down why a refrigerator filter is not the same thing as a real reverse osmosis system, why bottled water can cost more than homeowners realize, and how short-term home improvement choices can turn into long-term costs. Key Takeaways: Question: Why does paint fail even when homeowners pay for premium paint? Answer: Premium paint can still fail if it is applied over dirty, glossy, peeling, or improperly prepared surfaces. John explains that washing, scraping, caulk checks, patching, and proper primer are what give paint a real chance to last. Question: What should homeowners look for in a painting estimate? Answer: Homeowners should look for specific prep work listed in writing. If the estimate only says power wash and paint, ask what will be scraped, caulked, patched, sanded, primed, and protected. Question: Why does primer matter? Answer: Primer is not always just about blocking color. On peeling or scraped surfaces, the right bonding primer can help the new paint adhere properly and reduce the risk of future peeling. Question: Why should fascia boards be checked before replacing gutters? Answer: If rotted fascia is discovered after new gutters are installed, the gutters may need to come back off so the repair can be done correctly. John recommends checking and repairing fascia before the new gutters go up. Question: Is a refrigerator filter enough for drinking water? Answer: Jerrad explains that a refrigerator filter is only one stage of filtration. For homeowners who care about drinking water quality or are constantly buying bottled water, a reverse osmosis system may be a better long-term option. Question: Why can cheap home improvement fixes cost more later? Answer: Short-term solutions can fail faster. Whether it is paint, water filtration, or exterior repairs, choosing the cheapest fix can mean paying to solve the same problem again two or three years later. 🔗 CONNECT WITH ROOST BOOSTER PAINTING AND REMODELING Website: https://roostbooster.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-cox-5b44a75a/ 🔗 CONNECT WITH BEAUCHAMP WATER TREATMENT SOLUTIONS Website: https://www.beauchampwater.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beauchampwater/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beauchampwatersolutions/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beauchamp-water-treatment-solutions/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcdNJfc8P3J6EipXefbGwA Phone: 810-476-2907 🔗 CONNECT WITH ADAM HELFMAN AND HIRE IT DONE 💻 Website: https://hireitdone.com/ 🎥 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/HireitDone 🤝 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamhelfman/ 🤝 https://www.linkedin.com/company/hireitdone/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hireitdone 𝕏 X: https://x.com/helfystyle #HireItDone #HomeImprovement #PaintingTips #WaterTreatment #ReverseOsmosis

Spring Planting Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Yard

Spring is when homeowners start thinking about curb appeal, fresh mulch, flowers, trees, and getting the yard ready for summer. But before you start planting, there are a few mistakes that can cost you time, money, and a whole lot of frustration. In this episode of Hire It Done, I'm joined by Ashley Thomas from Sherwood Forest Garden Center in Rochester, Michigan. Ashley and her family have been helping homeowners choose the right plants, prep their yards, and build better outdoor spaces for decades. We talk about the spring planting mistakes homeowners make, why you should check your soil before buying plants, how to know whether your yard needs sun or shade plants, what to do about deer, how to avoid overwatering, and why Michigan-grown plants matter. If you are getting your yard ready for summer, this episode will help you make smarter decisions before you spend money on landscaping. In This Episode * Why homeowners should clean and prep beds before planting * How to check soil before buying plants * Why mulch does not fix grass growing into your beds * Best low-cost curb appeal plants for spring * How to tell if your yard has full sun, shade, or filtered sun * Annuals vs. perennials, and when each one makes sense * How to protect landscaping from deer * Why overwatering and planting too deep can kill trees and bushes * Why local Michigan-grown plants can be a better fit for Michigan yards * How Sherwood Forest Garden Center helps homeowners with design, delivery, and installation Q&A-Style Takeaways Question: What should homeowners do before planting in spring? Answer: Clean up the yard and planting beds first. Check the soil, remove old clutter, look for insects or roots, edge the beds, and then add mulch or new plants. Question: Can mulch fix grass growing into garden beds? Answer: No. Ashley explains that homeowners should edge the beds first. Mulch can make the bed look clean, but it will not solve the problem if grass is already growing into the bed. Question: How do I know if my yard needs sun or shade plants? Answer: Observe the area where you want to plant. A space may look sunny early in the season, but once trees leaf out, it may become filtered sun instead of full sun. Question: What are good low-cost plants for curb appeal? Answer: Ashley recommends grasses for height and structure, salvia for long-blooming perennial color, and annuals for strong seasonal color. Question: How can homeowners protect plants from deer? Answer: Choose deer-resistant plants where possible and consider perimeter-based deer repellent strategies before deer establish their seasonal path through the yard. Question: Can overwatering kill plants? Answer: Yes. Ashley explains that plants can drown, especially when soil conditions are heavy or clay-based. New trees and annuals may need more water, but homeowners still need to monitor soil and watering frequency. Question: Why do local plants matter for Michigan homeowners? Answer: Plants grown for the local environment are more likely to match the climate and conditions. Ashley recommends choosing plants that work for Michigan sun, soil, and seasonal changes instead of relying only on online inspiration. Connect With Sherwood Forest Garden Center Website: https://www.sherwoodforestgardencenter.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-thomas-2636bb62/ X: https://x.com/sherwoodForest4 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashley_thomas1217/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashley.l.thomas.77/ Phone mentioned in episode: (248) 652-4920 Location mentioned in episode: 4981 Adams Road, Rochester / Oakland Township, Michigan, corner of Adams and Silver Bell Connect With Adam Website: https://hireitdone.com/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/HireitDone LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamhelfman/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/hireitdone/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hireitdone X: https://x.com/helfystyle #HireItDone #SpringLandscaping #HomeImprovement

How Contractors Can Use AI Without Getting Left Behind | George Byers of CodeHosted

AI is moving fast, and contractors can no longer afford to ignore it. In this episode, I sit down with George Byers, founder of CodeHosted.com and the developer behind the Hire It Done website, to talk about how artificial intelligence, websites, SEO, online ordering, and AI agents are changing the home services industry. George breaks down AI in plain English, explains why contractors should start with practical business problems, and shows how tools like Trashed.app can help modernize old-school industries like dumpster rental and junk removal. We also talk about how contractors can upgrade outdated websites, improve their online presence, and use automation without making their business more complicated. If you are a contractor, home service business owner, dumpster rental company, or homeowner trying to understand where AI is going, this conversation is a practical starting point. What We Cover in This Episode * What AI actually is in plain English * Why AI is a "guessing machine" that uses data and patterns * How Trashed.app helps homeowners and contractors find dumpster rentals faster * Why outdated contractor websites are costing businesses opportunities * How instant storefronts can help dumpster companies take orders online * Why contractors should use the AI tools connected to their existing data * What AI agents are and why they matter for business automation * How CodeHosted helps contractors and service businesses modernize their digital presence Q&A From This Episode Question: What is AI in simple terms? Answer: George explains that AI, at its core, is a guessing machine. It looks at patterns, uses training data, and predicts the next sequence or likely response. Question: How can contractors start using AI? Answer: Start with the tools and data already in front of you. If your business is built around Google, look at Gemini. If your business is built around Microsoft, look at Copilot. The easier it is for AI to access useful data, the more helpful it becomes. Question: What is Trashed.app? Answer: Trashed.app is a platform built to make dumpster rentals and junk removal easier by helping customers find providers, compare availability, and place orders online faster. Question: How does Trashed help dumpster companies? Answer: George explains that Trashed can provide instant storefronts so dumpster rental and junk removal companies can start accepting online orders without needing a full website first. Question: What is an AI agent? Answer: An AI agent is a large language model equipped with tools. It can send emails, send texts, scan the web, collect data, and move information in and out of systems automatically. Question: Why should contractors care about websites and online presence? Answer: Even great contractors can lose opportunities if customers cannot find them, trust them, or take action online. A modern digital presence helps remove friction before the customer ever calls. Connect With George Byers and CodeHosted * Website: https://codehosted.com/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-byers-ii/ * Trashed App LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/trash-app/ 🔗 CONNECT WITH Adam 💻 Website: https://hireitdone.com/ 🎥 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/HireitDone 🤝 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamhelfman/ 🤝 https://www.linkedin.com/company/hireitdone/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hireitdone 𝕏 X: https://x.com/helfystyle

NEVER Hire a Contractor Without Asking These Questions

Hiring the wrong contractor can turn a simple home improvement project into a stressful, expensive mess. In this Hire It Done episode, I break down the questions every homeowner should ask before hiring a contractor, how to vet referrals the right way, what to ask about payment schedules, and how to handle a dispute without making the problem worse. If you are planning a home renovation, remodel, repair, or maintenance project, this episode will help you think like a smarter homeowner. I explain why the lowest price is rarely the safest choice, why contractor communication matters so much, why permits and change orders should be in writing, and why the phrase "what's not included" can protect you from surprises later. Q&A-Style Takeaways Question: What questions should I ask before hiring a contractor? Answer: Ask about licensing, insurance, project management, payment schedule, permits, change orders, warranties, what is not included, and how disputes are handled. Question: How do I vet a contractor referral? Answer: Do not just take the name and run with it. Ask the previous homeowner when the work was done, whether the quoted price matched the final price, how the crew treated the home, and whether they would hire the contractor again. Question: Why is communication so important in home improvement? Answer: Communication is what keeps a project moving and prevents small concerns from turning into fights. A good contractor should clearly explain scope, timing, changes, cleanup, and next steps. Question: What should a contractor proposal include? Answer: A strong proposal should read like a story with a beginning, middle, and end. It should also clearly explain what is included and what is not included. Question: Should homeowners always pull permits? Answer: In my experience, permits are usually worth it because they add another set of eyes and can protect you when you sell your home later. Question: What should I do if a contractor job goes wrong? Answer: Stay calm, document everything, and put the issue in writing. Give a good contractor the opportunity to make it right before escalating. The best way to handle a contractor dispute is to avoid one in the first place. Do your homework on the front end, ask better questions, and protect yourself before the job starts. CONNECT WITH Adam 💻 Website: https://hireitdone.com/ 🎥 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/HireitDone 🤝 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamhelfman/ 🤝 https://www.linkedin.com/company/hireitdone/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hireitdone 𝕏 X: https://x.com/helfystyle #HomeImprovement #TrustedContractors #HireItDone