Hands On Idaho

08/24/2026

Not every install comes with perfect before-and-after photos 😅
Recent Eufy camera + video doorbell project.
The exterior camera install was pretty clean, but whoever left the original doorbell wiring apparently decided I only needed about 3 millimeters of wire to work with 😂
Had to fish the cable back out, get enough conductor exposed to make a solid connection, then finish mounting and setting everything up.
Small detail, but exactly the kind of thing that can turn a quick install into a little troubleshooting session.
📍 Treasure Valley, Idaho

08/18/2026

A quick update from Hands On Idaho:

I’m scaling back the general handyman side of the business and will be taking on far fewer miscellaneous home-repair and household projects going forward.

I’m very grateful to everyone who has hired me, referred me, left a review, or trusted me with work around their home. I’ve learned a lot through Hands On Idaho, but I need to be more selective with the projects I take on and with how I spend my time outside of my full-time work.

If we’ve already discussed or scheduled a project, I’ll still be following through and communicating directly with you. For new general handyman requests, though, I may not be accepting additional work for the foreseeable future.

Thank you to everyone who has supported Hands On Idaho

06/17/2026

Before approving an expensive A/C repair, it helps to understand what your system is actually doing.

After troubleshooting a no-cooling problem at my own house, I turned the experience into a free Homeowner’s A/C Survival Guide.

It includes:

✅ Safe checks homeowners can do before calling for service
✅ Common A/C symptoms and what they may indicate
✅ Seasonal maintenance tips
✅ Questions to ask before approving repairs
✅ Repair-versus-replace guidance
✅ Information for homes with older R-22 systems
✅ Idaho utility rebate and financing resources
✅ Printable maintenance and quote-comparison worksheets

The goal is not to encourage homeowners to work around dangerous voltage or refrigerant equipment. It’s to help you understand your system, ask better questions and make more informed decisions.

Download it free here:
https://payhip.com/b/6CjV7

Save this for the next time your house is getting warmer but your A/C isn’t doing its job.

Your air conditioner is not magic - but it does contain high voltage, stored energy, refrigerant, and components that should only be handled by qualified professionals. This free guide shows homeowners where the safe boundary is while giving you enou...

06/17/2026

A/C repair quotes can get expensive fast—especially when you don’t understand what every recommended part actually does.

I created a free Homeowner’s A/C Survival Guide covering:

• No-cooling checks
• Preventive maintenance
• Common symptoms
• Repair quote questions
• Older R-22 systems
• Repair versus replacement
• Idaho rebates and financing resources

This came from troubleshooting my own 31-year-old A/C after the thermostat started rebooting and the outdoor unit stopped responding.

The immediate problem ended up being one damaged low-voltage wire—not a completely dead system.

This guide isn’t telling everyone to open up their condenser. It’s designed to help homeowners understand the basics, recognize warning signs and make more informed decisions.

Free download: https://payhip.com/b/6CjV7

06/16/2026

🏠 Homeowner Tip Tuesday

One of the easiest habits homeowners can build:

Take pictures before, during, and after projects.

Whether it’s a repair, install, remodel, or simple maintenance item, photos can help you remember how things were assembled, track progress, and document details you may need later.

They can also come in handy for warranties, insurance claims, or future repairs.

A few photos today can save a lot of guessing later.

—
Hands On Idaho

06/09/2026

🏠 Homeowner Tip Tuesday

With summer trips starting, here’s a simple reminder:

Try to make your home look lived-in while you’re away.

A few easy steps can help:

• Use light timers
• Have mail and packages picked up
• Lock gates, side doors, and garage access points
• Avoid posting vacation photos in real time

A house that looks occupied is less likely to attract unwanted attention.

Small steps before you leave can prevent bigger headaches when you get home.

—
Hands On Idaho

06/02/2026

🏠 Homeowner Tip Tuesday

With watering season here, this is a great time to check your irrigation system.

Run each zone for a couple minutes and look for:

• Broken sprinkler heads
• Water spraying sidewalks, fences, or the house
• Leaks around valve boxes
• Dry patches in the lawn
• Overspray where it shouldn’t be going

Most issues are easy to spot once the system is running.

A quick check now can save water, money, and landscaping headaches later.

—
Hands On Idaho

05/30/2026

Facebook

Fireplace refresh wrapped up 🔥

This project started as an older gas fireplace setup and was converted to a cleaner electric insert. We removed the old components, prepped the existing opening, installed the new fireplace, and built a custom removable stained wood trim surround to tie it into the stone.

Need help finishing up a project around the house? Hands-On Idaho can help with handyman and home improvement projects around the Treasure Valley.

05/29/2026

Wi-Fi is convenient… but hardwired Ethernet is hard to beat.

For this project, I added a new Ethernet line from the second story down to the first floor, then finished it off with a clean wall plate for a much more reliable setup.

Great upgrade for home offices, gaming setups, smart TVs, access points, cameras, and network equipment that needs a stronger connection.

Need help cleaning up cables or adding a better connection where you actually need it? Hands On Idaho can help.

05/27/2026

30 minutes of drywall repair sped up to 26 seconds.

Cut out the damaged section, squared up the opening, added a new patch, secured it, taped it, and got the first coat started.

Drywall is one of those repairs that looks quick in a timelapse but takes a few steps to fully finish — patch, mud, dry time, sanding, texture, and paint.

Not glamorous, but definitely satisfying when it starts coming back together.

Hands-On Idaho
Boise / Meridian / Treasure Valley
handsonidaho.com