Ask Mike — Home Project &amp; Contractor Advice

Project advice

Make informed decisions before you spend. Understand your estimates, compare what is included, and spot questions to ask before hiring a contractor. Practical guidance can help you avoid costly misunderstandings and make your project budget go further.

Estimate & proposal reviews

Get a written second opinion on one contractor’s estimate or proposal, including scope, allowances, exclusions, payment schedules, and practical questions to ask before committing.

Compare review options

“Which bid should I choose?” — Bid comparisons

Compare two or three contractor proposals for included work, omissions, allowances, and payment schedules. Understand why the totals differ and which questions to ask. You can also receive a checklist of warranty questions to put to each contractor. Scope and price are confirmed individually.

Explore bid comparisons

“Why is this costing more?” — Change orders & payment questions

Compare the proposed added work with the original scope, discuss labor and material changes, and flag duplicated or unclear descriptions. Talk through the questions to ask before the next payment. Mike does not certify completed work or authorize payments. Scope and fee are confirmed first.

Explore consultation options

Planning & consultation

Talk through how to approach a job, get help preparing for contractor bids, or request a local on-site consultation. Choose the amount of guidance your project needs.

Explore inspiration and supplies at The Canterbury Creative

Furniture, crafting & DIY guidance

Furniture repair & creative DIY guidance

How do I fix the laminate on my table? Why is this cabinet drawer sticking? Is this piece worth refinishing? Bring photos and questions about damaged surfaces, loose joints, drawer alignment, repair options, and the time and materials a makeover could take.

Planning a painted, decoupaged, or decorated piece? Get help with repairs, preparation, and questions about product compatibility before you start.

Project consultation: $59 for 30 minutes, including photo review and a short written recap. For instruction, explore the virtual lessons below.

For a furniture or crafting question, prepare a photo of the whole piece, close-ups of the problem, and the names of any finishes or products you plan to use. Mike will arrange photo sharing privately after reviewing your request.

Epoxy resin & DIY home project guidance

Plan an epoxy resin project or get help with drywall repairs, interior trim, paneling, hardwood flooring, custom tile work, and other finishing projects. Discuss tools, materials, surface preparation, product instructions, and the next steps for your project.

Tools & teaching

You bring the project. Mike brings the know-how. Learn DIY skills you can use on this project and the next, with practical guidance to help avoid wasted materials and costly mistakes. Get an experienced perspective on what you can realistically tackle yourself—and when to call a pro.

Virtual project lessons

One-on-one instruction by video, tailored to a specific skill or project. Plan the work, review tools and materials, and discuss your next steps.

Carpentry 101

Beginner instruction for people interested in carpentry or the trades: measuring, layout, tool selection, materials, and the habits behind good work.

Local project lessons

In-person guidance near Youngstown, Ohio, using your own project as the lesson. Scope and suitability are agreed before booking.

Tool use lessons

Get instruction on a specific tool: suitable uses, setup, manufacturer instructions, protective equipment, controls, and common mistakes.

Future services

Tool rentals and membership enrollment are not open. Explore the plans or register your interest.

Local tool rental inquiries

Explore the proposed tool list and tell us what you need. Inventory, availability, pricing, and rental arrangements still need to be confirmed.

Learn how to use your tools

Have a tool you do not feel confident using? Request a lesson focused on that tool and the job you have in mind. Mike confirms the model, your experience, the task, and whether virtual or local instruction is appropriate before booking.

Lessons can cover selecting the right tool, reading its manual, checking condition and guards, choosing compatible accessories, planning a suitable work area, using the controls, stopping safely, and routine care. Powered operation is taught only in an appropriate setting with the required safeguards; a video lesson is not a substitute for hands-on instruction where that is needed.

Standalone tool lessons are quoted by tool, format, and session length. Every rental includes a required tool-specific orientation, disclosed as part of the agreed rental quote.

Request a tool use lesson

Lesson agreement

Local in-person project lessons

Learn on your own project with Mike there to explain the approach, help you plan, and guide a suitable task. You do the project work; the session is instruction rather than a handyman installation or repair service.

Projects Mike can help you learn

Doors & hardware: diagnose a sticking door, adjust hinges or a strike plate, fit weatherstripping, and change suitable door hardware.
Trim & finish carpentry: plan baseboard and casing, practice miters and coping, fit shoe moulding, and improve finishing details.
Drywall repairs: patch small holes, prepare backing, tape seams, apply joint compound, sand, and prepare for painting.
Shelves & storage: plan shelves, find framing, choose suitable anchors, build simple storage, and understand mounting limits.
Furniture & cabinets: adjust hinges and drawer slides, fix a sticky drawer, tighten loose joints, and assess repair versus replacement.
Painting & finishing: surface preparation, caulking, filling, sanding, and selecting a suitable finish.
Flooring details: plan transitions, replace suitable trim pieces, and work through layout and material questions.
Creative projects: furniture makeovers, decorative finishes, and planning suitable epoxy or craft projects.
Beginner builds: a simple shelf, planter, small bench, or other practice project matched to your experience.

Topics are starting points, not a promise that every project is suitable. Mike confirms the task, format, tools, and experience needed before booking. Remote lessons cannot verify hidden conditions or supervise every action.

Local lessons are quoted above the comparable virtual lesson because they include travel and on-site time. Mike confirms your location, project, session length, travel, materials, and total fee before payment.

Request a local project lesson

Lesson agreement

Complete rental or lesson forms

Local tool rental — Proposed inventory

This is a planning list of common carpenter and drywall tools, not a confirmed rental catalog. Tell Mike the tool, project, dates, and project ZIP you have in mind. Rental bookings and deposits are not being accepted until inventory, pricing, agreements, and insurance are in place.

Measuring & layout

Tape measures, framing squares, speed squares, combination squares, levels, laser levels, chalk lines, stud finders, and marking gauges.

Carpentry hand tools

Hammers, nail sets, pry bars, chisels, hand saws, coping saws, utility knives, block planes, clamps, screwdrivers, pliers, and adjustable wrenches.

Cutting & shaping tools

Circular saws, miter saws, table saws, jigsaws, reciprocating saws, oscillating multi-tools, routers, power planers, and sanders.

Drilling & fastening

Drill/drivers, impact drivers, right-angle drills, hammer drills, countersink sets, hole-saw sets, finish and brad nailers, framing nailers, staplers, and compatible compressors and hoses.

Drywall hanging & cutting

Drywall screw guns, cut-out tools, drywall saws, T-squares, panel lifts, panel carriers, rasps, and utility knives.

Drywall finishing

Taping knives, mud pans, hawks, finishing trowels, corner tools, mixing drills and paddles, sanding blocks, pole sanders, and dust-extraction drywall sanders.

Support & cleanup equipment

Sawhorses, work tables, shop vacuums, suitable dust extractors, work lights, extension cords, and portable work platforms. Ladders and scaffolding need separate suitability and equipment review.

Blades, bits, abrasives, fasteners, batteries, chargers, and other accessories must be identified separately in each rental quote. Consumables and protective equipment may need to be purchased rather than rented.

A lesson and sign-off with every rental

Before a tool is handed over, the renter receives instruction for that specific model, including its intended use, instructions, guards, protective equipment, controls, shutdown, and agreed operating limits. The renter must demonstrate the covered steps in the appropriate supervised setting and sign the orientation record. If safe use has not been demonstrated, the tool is not released.

The orientation record identifies the renter, tool model and serial number, date, instructor, topics covered, and steps demonstrated. The renter signs to confirm receiving the instruction and understanding the covered steps and limitations. This documents the lesson; it is not trade certification, proof of mastery, or a guarantee against injury.

Before a rental can be booked

Each rental will need an itemized agreement covering the equipment and accessories, rental period, refundable security deposit or authorized hold, return inspection, deposit-release timing, and agreed late, cleaning, damage, or loss charges. The included tool-specific orientation and signed acknowledgment are required before release. Equipment condition is recorded at pickup and return.

Each rental requires a completed agreement, risk acknowledgment, equipment-condition record, and tool-specific instruction sign-off. These records do not guarantee protection from a claim or replace safe equipment practices or applicable insurance.

Rental agreement Tool instruction sign-off Equipment return

Ask about a tool rental

Furniture & DIY

Meet Canterbury Creative

Canterbury Creative is our family-run craft supply business based in Canfield, Ohio, focused on furniture makeovers, home décor, and creative projects.

The shop offers furniture paints, decorative transfers, decoupage papers, moulds, brushes, and mixed media supplies to help you personalize a piece or try a new technique.

Ask Mike provides project guidance and instruction. Canterbury Creative is where you can explore creative supplies and inspiration. Purchases from that shop are separate from Ask Mike consultations and lessons.

Visit Canterbury Creative Ask about a furniture or creative-project lesson

Project safety & service limits

Tools, materials, and DIY work can cause serious injury or property damage. Advice or a lesson does not make a task risk-free or confirm that your site and equipment are safe.

Follow the tool manufacturer’s instructions, use the required protective equipment, and keep guards and safety devices in place. Stop if you are unsure of the task, conditions, or tool operation. Use a qualified professional for work beyond your ability or the agreed lesson scope.

Remote guidance relies on the photos, video, and details you provide. Mike cannot verify concealed conditions, inspect every tool, or provide continuous on-site supervision. Guidance is not an engineering assessment, code certification, or guarantee of a particular result.

The lesson scope and applicable service terms are confirmed before booking. Electrical, gas, structural, roofing, and other high-risk work require separate assessment and appropriate professionals rather than a general beginner lesson.

Rental and lesson forms

Choose the form for the step you are completing. Each form is separate. Use the same rental or lesson reference to connect the records; equipment and agreed pricing are entered on the original agreement only.

Rental agreement

Complete the equipment details, agreed task, location, and exact rental quote before signing. This form does not confirm that tool instruction has already taken place.

Tool instruction sign-off

Complete this separate acknowledgment after the tool instruction and demonstration. Use the rental or lesson reference from your original agreement; do not re-enter the tool model or serial number.

Equipment return

Record the returned equipment’s condition and any missing items or faults. Use your original rental reference; Mike will compare this record with the pickup inspection.

Lesson agreement

Complete the agreed lesson scope, format, location, and exact quote before signing. For a rental, use the rental agreement instead.

Rental agreement

Complete the equipment details, agreed task, location, and exact rental quote before signing. This form does not confirm that tool instruction has already taken place.

Full legal name

Email address

Quote or rental reference supplied by Mike

Project or use location

Agreed project, activity, and operating limits

Exact quote and terms supplied by Mike

Paste the confirmed quote from Mike, including the applicable format or equipment, dates and times, fees, taxes, deposit, return deadline, deposit refund period, and cancellation terms. Do not sign until all applicable commercial terms are agreed.

Equipment details — enter once

Tool make and model

Tool serial number

Included accessories and protective equipment

Terms for the selected record

Canterbury Construction LLC, operating the Ask Mike service (Company), rents only the equipment and task stated in your confirmed quote. Only the named adult renter may operate it unless another adult is approved, instructed, and separately documented. No sub-rental, unauthorized repairs, altered guards, or use outside the agreed scope. The Company checks condition and manufacturer safety features before release, supplies the manual, and requires instruction and observed demonstration. The renter follows the manual, keeps required safeguards in place, uses appropriate protective equipment, and stops and reports faults or unsafe conditions.

Return every listed item at the agreed time and location. The agreed deposit or hold is separate from the rental fee. Documented damage beyond ordinary wear, loss, missing items, and agreed late or cleaning charges may be deducted or charged as permitted by the agreement and law. Ordinary wear and pre-existing defects are not charged. The Company provides an itemized account and returns the undisputed deposit balance within the agreed period. The deposit does not automatically cap responsibility for proven equipment-related loss. Cancellation, payment, travel, and consumable terms must be confirmed in the quote before signing; no unagreed charge is added without both parties’ agreement. A deposit is not injury insurance.

Tools and project work can cause cuts, punctures, crushing, amputation, eye injury, electric shock, burns, hearing damage, dust exposure, property damage, serious injury, or death. Powered saws also present blade-contact, kickback, and ejected-material hazards. Risks can remain despite instruction, guards, and protective equipment. I will provide truthful information about my experience, follow the manufacturer’s instructions and agreed task limits, keep others clear, and not operate while impaired. I voluntarily accept the inherent risks of the agreed activity and risks from my own actions or misuse. This acknowledgment does not excuse the Company’s equipment inspection or instruction responsibilities or require me to use unsafe equipment.

Separate release of ordinary negligence claims

In consideration of the identified rental or lesson and related instruction, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, I release Canterbury Construction LLC and its members, employees, and instructors acting for the Company from my claims for personal injury, death, or damage to my property arising from that identified rental or lesson, related instruction, and agreed activity, including their ordinary negligence in the rental or instruction. This release excludes gross negligence, reckless, willful, or wanton misconduct, intentional wrongdoing, and claims or rights that applicable law does not allow to be waived. It does not release another person’s independent claims. No statement here guarantees enforceability in a particular case.

Questions or additional details

Type your full name as your electronic signature

Date of signing

I am at least 18 and am completing this record for myself.I have read and agree to the terms displayed in this form. The reference identifies the rental or lesson to which this record applies.

I separately acknowledge the release of my ordinary negligence claims stated above, subject to its exceptions.

I intend my typed name to be my electronic signature for this completed record and the selected terms shown above. I understand it will be emailed to the Company for review.

Keep a copy of the terms and your submitted details. This contact-form workflow sends an email record for Company review; it is not an identity-verification or tamper-proof electronic-signature service.

Tool instruction sign-off

Complete this separate acknowledgment after the tool instruction and demonstration. Use the rental or lesson reference from your original agreement; do not re-enter the tool model or serial number.

Full legal name

Email address

Quote or rental reference supplied by Mike

Completed tool instruction

Date and time of instruction

Instructor name

Topics actually taught and steps you demonstrated

Operating limits, unanswered questions, or further instruction needed

Use the reference from the original rental or lesson record. The tool model, serial number, and agreed terms remain on that record; you do not need to enter them again. If you do not have a reference, ask Mike before submitting.

Terms for the selected record

Complete this section only after the model-specific instruction and your demonstration have actually taken place. Your acknowledgment refers to the equipment listed above or in the original record identified by your rental reference. It does not replace the instructor’s separate verification or equipment-release decision.

Questions or additional details

Type your full name as your electronic signature

Date of signing

I am at least 18 and am completing this record for myself.I have read and agree to the terms displayed in this form. The reference identifies the rental or lesson to which this record applies.

The instruction listed above has actually taken place. I received the model-specific instructions, had an opportunity to ask questions, and demonstrated the taught operation to the instructor. I understand that Mike must separately verify my demonstration before releasing equipment.

I intend my typed name to be my electronic signature for this completed record and the selected terms shown above. I understand it will be emailed to the Company for review.

Equipment return

Record the returned equipment’s condition and any missing items or faults. Use your original rental reference; Mike will compare this record with the pickup inspection.

Full legal name

Email address

Quote or rental reference supplied by Mike

Return observations

Condition observations, defects, missing items, or changes

Refer to the original rental and pickup record. Mike will compare your observations with the company inspection and photos before confirming condition, deposit deductions, or refunds.

Terms for the selected record

This record captures the signer’s pickup or return observations. It does not replace the Company inspection, waive hidden defects, establish final damage charges, or authorize equipment release. The Company compares condition records and photos, excludes ordinary wear and pre-existing damage from charges, and supplies an itemized account for any agreed deduction.

Questions or additional details

Type your full name as your electronic signature

Date of signing

I am at least 18 and am completing this record for myself.I have read and agree to the terms displayed in this form. The reference identifies the rental or lesson to which this record applies.I intend my typed name to be my electronic signature for this completed record and the selected terms shown above. I understand it will be emailed to the Company for review.

Lesson agreement

Complete the agreed lesson scope, format, location, and exact quote before signing. For a rental, use the rental agreement instead.

Full legal name

Email address

Quote or rental reference supplied by Mike

Project or use location

Agreed project, activity, and operating limits

Exact quote and terms supplied by Mike

Terms for the selected record

Canterbury Construction LLC provides only the instruction, format, session length, and price stated in the confirmed lesson quote. Local lessons are quoted above comparable virtual lessons when travel and on-site time are included. Materials, follow-up, and additional sessions are included only when listed. Instruction does not promise certification, employment, an inspection, code compliance, or a particular result. Both participant and instructor may stop an unsafe or unsuitable task. Remote instruction cannot verify concealed conditions, inspect every tool, or provide continuous on-site supervision. A task needing hands-on supervision must not be attempted merely because a video session is available. Read the risk acknowledgment and limited release below separately.

Separate release of ordinary negligence claims

Questions or additional details

Type your full name as your electronic signature

Date of signing

I am at least 18 and am completing this record for myself.I have read and agree to the terms displayed in this form. The reference identifies the rental or lesson to which this record applies.

I separately acknowledge the release of my ordinary negligence claims stated above, subject to its exceptions.

I intend my typed name to be my electronic signature for this completed record and the selected terms shown above. I understand it will be emailed to the Company for review.

Services & lesson pricing

Choose a simple starting point

Send a request first. Mike confirms the fit, scope, and timing before payment.

Quick estimate review

$39

One straightforward estimate. Get a concise written summary of concerns and questions to ask.

Request this service

Focused virtual lesson

$55

30 minutes on one skill, technique, or project question, tailored to your experience.

Request this service

Project consultation

$59

30 minutes by phone or video, with photo review beforehand and a short written recap.

Request this service

“I need someone to talk this through.” — Project consultation

$59 for one 30-minute phone or video call focused on one project or issue. Includes project photo review beforehand and a short written recap. Bring a repair question, a contractor’s message, or a decision you want to understand. No membership is required.

Explore local consultations

Local on-site consultation & guidance

Local visits are subject to availability and your project location. The visit scope, travel, fee, and timing are agreed before payment. This is consultation and guidance; hands-on work and ongoing project management are not included.

Estimate & proposal reviews

Get a written second opinion on one contractor’s estimate or proposal, including scope, allowances, exclusions, payment schedules, and practical questions to ask before committing.

$39 — Quick review: one straightforward estimate for a small, clearly defined project. Includes a concise written summary of the main concerns and questions to ask.
$99 — Standard review: one estimate with several work items, allowances, or exclusions. Includes a written review of scope, payment schedules, and questions to clarify with your contractor.
$199 — Detailed review: one complex estimate for a larger renovation or project with multiple trades. Includes an expanded written review organized by work area, with key gaps and questions to resolve.

Mike confirms the review tier, documents, deliverables, and turnaround before payment. Calls and comparisons of multiple contractor bids are quoted separately.

Request a focused lesson Request a project lesson Request the three-lesson package

One-on-one virtual lessons

Honey-do list turning into a honey-don’t-know-how list? Ask Mike. Get step-by-step guidance through a live video lesson tailored to your experience and a suitable project. Whether you’re starting a furniture repair, exploring epoxy, or stuck halfway through a DIY job, build a skill you can use again.

Focused Lesson — $55 / 30 minutes: one skill, technique, or project question.
Project Lesson — $95 / 60 minutes: tools and materials guidance, photo review beforehand, time for questions, and a short written recap.
Three-Lesson Package — $270: three 60-minute sessions scheduled at different stages of your project.

Project suitability and scope are confirmed before booking. Materials, extensive research, detailed drawings, and ongoing messaging are separate if requested.

Future services — Homeowner Membership — $49/month · Coming soon

Homeowner Membership — $49/month · Coming soon

Planned support for one household: one 30-minute call each month, two small photo questions per month, one follow-up per photo question, and ongoing household notes. Extra 30-minute calls: $39 each.

A small photo question covers one issue requiring up to 10 minutes of review. Larger questions need a scheduled session. The planned reply window is within 24 hours, seven days a week. Unused calls and questions do not roll over.

Membership enrollment is not open yet. You can express interest in the request form; no subscription or recurring payment is started.

The Vascular Compression Alliance

Mike resting beside Sophia during her hospital stay

Living through Sophia’s medical journey showed our family how difficult it can be to find answers when you’re dealing with rare and poorly understood conditions.

We are the founders of the Vascular Compression Alliance (VCA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing greater awareness, education, advocacy and research to vascular compression syndromes such as MALS, SMAS, Nutcracker Syndrome and May-Thurner Syndrome.

Finding experienced specialists and answers can be difficult. There is still so much we don’t understand — particularly about patients like Sophia who develop multiple compressions alongside other complex conditions.

Sophia’s Shield

One of VCA’s major initiatives is Sophia’s Shield, our patient registry. By gathering de-identified information from patients living with these conditions, our hope is to help researchers identify patterns, ask better questions and ultimately improve diagnosis and treatment.

Support for patients and families

Our goals go beyond research. We want patients and families to have better information, stronger advocacy, greater awareness and, eventually, more resources to help them access the specialized care they need.

For our family, this isn’t simply a cause we support. We live it. Sophia was a healthy little girl whose world changed at eight years old. Today, at 13, she has already faced challenges we never imagined when this journey began.

If sharing her story here helps another family discover VCA, brings more awareness to these rare conditions, or contributes in some small way to finding better answers for these patients, then it’s worth telling.

Before we talk — Common questions

How is a lesson different from a consultation?

A consultation helps you assess a project or decision. A lesson provides personalized instruction on a skill or technique. Virtual and local in-person options are available subject to suitability; local lessons are quoted separately and above comparable virtual lessons.

Do I need DIY experience?

No. Tell Mike what you’ve done before and which tools you have. Guidance starts with your comfort level and the project’s suitability for remote instruction.

Can Mike help while I work on a project?

For suitable low-risk tasks, a scheduled video session can help you understand the next step. Some repairs need more than one session or an on-site professional. A call does not guarantee project completion.

What cannot be handled remotely?

Hidden conditions cannot be verified by video. This is guidance, not an inspection, emergency service, engineering, or code approval. Live electrical work, gas systems, structural changes, roofing, and hazardous-material work are outside the service. Mike may recommend an appropriate on-site professional.

Are estimates or planning budgets a competing bid?

No. Pricing observations and planning ranges are for reference only, based on the information and assumptions available. They are not competing contractor bids or guarantees of savings, workmanship, or final cost. Location, selections, site conditions, and contractor availability affect actual prices.

How do I book and pay?

Use the project request form. Mike reviews suitability and confirms scope, price, timing, and cancellation terms. After you agree, receive a Shopify payment link. Contact and appointment details are shared privately after payment. Submitting a request does not take payment or reserve a time.

When are appointments available?

Virtual appointments may be arranged from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern, seven days a week, subject to confirmation. Report delivery dates are agreed individually after the required information is received.

Booking & payment

A clear scope, an agreed price, and secure payment before your service begins.

1. Tell Mike what you need

Choose a service and send a brief description. Include your main question, location, and timing. There is no charge to submit an inquiry, and it does not book an appointment.

2. Confirm the work and the price

Mike reviews whether remote help is suitable and requests any photos or documents needed. Before you pay, agree on the service, what is included, the fee, the appointment or delivery timing, and the cancellation or rescheduling terms.

3. Pay through your private Shopify link

After the scope is confirmed, you receive an invoice with a secure Shopify checkout link for the agreed service. Review the service and total before paying. These are remote services, so no item is shipped and no shipping charge is needed. Any applicable taxes appear at checkout.

4. Arrange your session or written review

After payment is verified, Mike shares private contact details and coordinates your appointment or report delivery. A payment confirmation is your receipt; it is not an automatic calendar booking.

Already have an invoice?

Use the private payment link supplied with your confirmed scope. Each link belongs to a specific request; this page does not collect card information. If your service or price looks wrong, reply to the scope-confirmation email before paying.

Changes, cancellations & rescheduling

Your cancellation, rescheduling, and any refund terms are confirmed with the scope before payment. If your plans change, reply to the email about your service. Do not assume a new date is reserved until Mike confirms it.

Custom projects and ongoing help

Bid comparisons, proposal reviews, change-order questions, planning packages, and Project Advisor support receive an individual quote. Homeowner Membership enrollment is coming soon; no subscription is started by this form.

Start my project request