Handyman and Home Maintenance in Montclair, New Jersey
Large Victorians and pre-war homes on the side of the Watchung ridge, where the houses are old, tall, ornate and genuinely demanding.
The houses in Montclair
Montclair has one of the most significant collections of Victorian and early twentieth century housing in New Jersey. Queen Annes, shingle-style houses, four-squares, center-hall Colonials and Tudors, most built before 1930, many very large, with plaster over lath, elaborate exterior and interior trim, tall ceilings, and original wood windows. Newer and smaller housing exists, particularly in the south end, but the town is defined by its old stock.
Built up the eastern face of the First Watchung Mountain, so the town climbs steadily from the south end to Upper Montclair. Steep streets, mature specimen trees, stone retaining walls and deep front yards. The elevation gives views and also more wind exposure on the upper streets.
What we see most in Montclair
Ornate exterior trim is a maintenance commitment
Brackets, spindles, dentil courses, porch balustrades and shingle patterns are what make these houses, and every one of them is a paint failure point. Annual touch-up on the worst elevations is far cheaper than a full repaint cycle driven by neglect.
Everything is high
Twelve-foot first floors, three full stories, stair halls open to the top. Bulbs, smoke detectors, high dusting, curtain rods and ceiling fixtures are all ladder work, and they are the items that stay undone for years in the biggest houses.
Plaster on a serious scale
Original plaster ceilings and walls in rooms this size crack along predictable lines. Patched correctly they last another generation. Patched like drywall they reopen by the next heating season.
Hillside water
Streets that climb a mountain face send water downhill fast. Retaining wall drainage, window wells, downspout runs and grade-level sealing need real attention here, especially on the uphill side of a house.
Where we work in Montclair
We cover the whole of Montclair, including Upper Montclair, Watchung Plaza, the South End, Frog Hollow and Estate section. Service runs Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm. We do not offer same-day or emergency work, which is what lets us keep scheduled appointments for the people who are on a plan.
Most requested here
- Exterior paint touch-ups
- Light bulb replacement
- High and hard-to-reach dusting
- Drywall repairs
- Power washing
Everything on the full service list is available in Montclair, covered by your plan hours.
Plans for Montclair homeowners
Basic Maintenance at $249/month, Premium Maintenance at $399/month, Quarterly Maintenance at $499/quarter, or a single visit at $549. Pick your first visit while you sign up, on a live calendar, with the same pro each time.
Questions? Call 866-394-4443. NJ HIC Registration #13VH14016000.
Nearby towns we serve
See the full service area , every town we cover.