CALL a HALL Handyman Service and Custom Woodworking

07/01/2026

Big update from CALL a HALL!

I’m excited to share that CALL a HALL Handyman Services & Custom Woodworking is now PA HIC Registered.
PA HIC: PA209084

I’ve also been working on some handmade items that are now available for sale, including:

Cup Holder Systems
Yard Tray Systems
Tray + Cup Holder Combos
Planters
Book Ends
Shelves
And more…

Yard Tray System options include standard, beach, and firepit-height posts, plus extra bases, posts, trays, cup holders, and custom add-ons. Whatever you need for outdoor use.

These are great for patios, decks, firepits, camping, beach trips, and backyard hangouts.

I’m also working on updating the CALL a HALL website so these handmade items can be viewed there soon. For now, feel free to stop by, take a look, or reach out for current availability, options, and pricing.

Thanks for supporting my local, veteran-owned small business as CALL a HALL keeps growing.

CALL a HALL
Handyman Services & Custom Woodworking
Camp Hill, PA
Veteran-Owned • Proven • Insured
PA HIC: PA20908

06/26/2026

🪵 Yeah... It's Been a While...
..since I've posted.

But I AM SO BACK!!! 😁 (Thanks, Hayley.)

In late April, I had a cancer scare and surgery. Shortly afterward, I ended up battling an infection that slowed me down more than I expected. Thankfully, all that's behind me now, and I'm finally back on my feet and back in the shop.

While I was laid up, I found myself researching more cost-effective, natural alternatives to some of the wood finishes sold at the big box stores.

Ever wonder why those old fences, barns, and timber buildings are still standing after all these years?

Well, that rabbit hole led me to traditional wood preservation methods used for centuries by Scandinavian craftsmen and still practiced by many Amish woodworkers.

One finish kept coming up:

✔️ Pine Tar
✔️ Boiled Linseed Oil
✔️ Citrus Solvent

After tracking down the right products online, I decided it was time to see if the old ways still work.

The pictures are of an old grill table I built years ago using reclaimed cedar boards and pressure-treated 2x4s. I recently got a new grill for my birthday, so I figured the table deserved a makeover too. It's definitely seen better days, making it the perfect candidate for my first experiment.

I'll be honest... after I applied the finish, I got a little nervous. 😄 It felt tacky at first, and I wasn't sure it would ever fully cure. And that red pine tar? Let's just say it sticks to everything. I don't think that shirt is ever making a comeback.

After several days baking in the sun, though, I was pleasantly surprised.

As you can see in the video, the finish is now completely dry to the touch with no sticky residue, and I really like the rich, natural look it brought back to the wood.

Now comes the real test. I'm leaving the table outside to see how it holds up through Pennsylvania's heat, rain, snow, and everything else Mother Nature throws at it.

The results have me excited enough that I'm already using the same pine tar finish on a set of outdoor planter boxes I'm building.

🌿 Those should be finished and available for sale early next week, so keep an eye out!

For the planter boxes, I'm also running a separate experiment by applying several coats of exterior polyurethane over the pine tar finish to cover up that lasting sticky and even greater durability and water resistance.

You'll probably see more of from me is workshop product experiments and items for sale.

Have you ever used pine tar or another traditional finish? I'd love to hear about your experience in the comments!

— Kenny Hall

CALL a HALL
Veteran-Owned • Proven • Insured

05/01/2026

)
🔨 Started as a “simple ceiling repair”…

But once we opened it up 👀

• Entire ceiling drywall was sagging
• Damaged insulation had to go
• Joists needed leveling before new drywall
• Found live wires just sitting on the old ceiling 😬

At that point—there’s only one way to do it:
Do it RIGHT.

✔️ Full ceiling removal
✔️ Strapped and leveled for a flat finish
✔️ New 5/8” drywall installed
✔️ Insulation replaced
✔️ Electrical secured safely
✔️ Finished, painted, and trimmed clean

Now it’s solid, smooth, and built to last.

Customer said it best:
“That looks fantastic. Thanks Kenny.”

If something in your home doesn’t feel right—there’s usually more going on behind the scenes.

📞 CALL a HALL
Fix it. Build it. Make it better.

04/29/2026

🔨 Clean lines. Tight fit. Big difference.

Wrapped up a couple upgrades that completely changed the look and function of this space:

➡️ Custom kitchen backsplash install
➡️ Recessed bathroom mirror install

The backsplash required precise layout and cutting—especially around outlets and edges—to keep everything aligned and balanced. Clean lines make all the difference on a job like this.

For the bathroom, we recessed the mirror into the wall for a more built-in, modern look. That meant opening the wall, framing it properly, and finishing everything clean so it looks like it’s always been there.

No shortcuts—just careful planning, solid prep, and attention to detail from start to finish.

The result? A cleaner, sharper space that feels upgraded without a full remodel.

If you’ve got a project you’ve been thinking about—this is your sign to get it done right.

📞 CALL a HALL — Fix it. Build it. Make it better.
Veteran-Owned • Proven • Insured

04/29/2026

⭐ Customer Feedback ⭐

After wrapping up a full ceiling repair that turned into a much bigger project than expected, this was the message I got:

👉 “That looks fantastic. Thanks Kenny.”

Simple. Honest. And exactly what I aim for every time.

No shortcuts. No guesswork. Just doing the job the right way and keeping the customer informed every step of the way.

If you’ve got a project that needs attention—big or small—I’m here to help.

📞 CALL a HALL — Fix it. Build it. Make it better.
Veteran-Owned • Proven • Insured

04/29/2026

From “simple fix” to full ceiling save…

This one started as a small repair—remove some old ceiling tiles and replace a couple damaged drywall sheets from a past water leak.

But once we opened things up… 👀

➡️ The entire ceiling drywall was loose and sagging
➡️ Damaged insulation had to be replaced
➡️ Ceiling joists needed to be leveled before anything new could go up
➡️ Found live electrical wires just resting on the old drywall (not safe)

At that point, there’s only one right way to do it—fix it the right way.

✔️ Full ceiling removal
✔️ Strapping and leveling to create a flat surface
✔️ New 5/8" drywall installed for strength and durability
✔️ Proper insulation replacement
✔️ Electrical secured safely in a junction box
✔️ Finished, mudded, painted, and trimmed out clean

The result? A smooth, solid, and level ceiling that completely transformed the room.

Customer reaction says it all:
👉 “That looks fantastic. Thanks Kenny.”

This is the difference between a patch job… and doing it right the first time.

If something in your home “seems small” but doesn’t feel quite right—there’s usually more going on behind the scenes.

📞 CALL a HALL — Fix it. Build it. Make it better.
Veteran-Owned • Proven • Insured

02/24/2026

If you’ve been happy with the work CALL a HALL has done for you, I’d truly appreciate you taking a minute to leave a Google review.

Your feedback helps other homeowners feel confident choosing a veteran-owned local business — and it means a lot to me personally.

Here’s the link:
https://g.page/r/CWcs3tGIb93PEBI/review

Thank you for the trust.

— Kenny

Happy HALLidays from CALL a HALL! 🎄🛠 Thanks to all the great customers I’ve helped fix it, build it, or make it better this year. If I’ve worked on your home, I’d truly appreciate a quick Google review. Honest feedback helps CALL a HALL show up on Google Maps and continue improving for o...

12/19/2025

Hi,

Here is an easy pay to post reviews on Google. I'm always looking for honest feedback, so I can service my customers better. Thanks to all my happy customers thus far.

https://g.page/r/CWcs3tGIb93PEBI/review

Happy Holidays - Kenny 😀

Post a review to our profile on Google

10/31/2025

CALL a HALL Workshop Update

Hey everyone!
Been a busy week in the shop (and backyard). Between keeping windows safe from flying lacrosse balls and turning raw wood into new creations, there’s been no shortage of sawdust.

Here’s a quick look at what’s been going on lately:

🪟 Lacrosse Ball Window Protectors

Before & After 👇
Built these out of 2x4s, painted to match the trim, and made them removable when it’s time to take them down. Inexpensive, clean, and functional — a practical fix for backyard sports that saves the glass and the wallet.

(Photos: before/after — the painted trim blends in and doesn't look like a prison or does it?)

🪚 Workshop Projects in Progress

The Sawdust Studio has been buzzing — working on a few new pieces for the Etsy lineup:
• Live-edge bookends with carved supports
• A “cookie” (log-end) clock
• A wall shelf

Lots of shaping, sanding, and mask time down in the basement shop — but it’s all part of the fun. I’ll post again once these hit Etsy.

(Photos: shop setup, carving progress, dust clouds, and the classic “helmet cam” look.)

🪵 Bench Update

Updating photo from last week's photo of... (what is that wood board picture?) This custom bench made from alder (Thanks Jim) and walnut — a mix of reclaimed and new wood. Solid, smooth, and ready for a home that appreciates craftsmanship and a good story behind it.

(Photos: top, side, and underside views — showing off the journey of old wood and contrast with new.)

From backyard problem-solving to custom furniture, it’s all part of the craft here at a HALL — where “fix it, build it, make it better” is just another day’s work.

Have another awesome week, I did!
Kenny
👉 www.callahall.com