In the Know

It’s not unusual to find Craig Russell, founder and CEO of The English Contractor, on a job site, swinging a hammer or using his eagle eye to make sure each and every detail meets his impossibly high standards. He leads his crew by example, not afraid to get his hands dirty. Craig’s a frequent resource for those looking for some DIY advice or how to tackle their next big home improvement project. Keep reading to see guidance that Craig and The English Contractor team have given to others. Do you have a question about home building, maintenance or improvement? Ask away!

Forbes Advisor

these 9 landscaping ideas will inspire you

Pavers can be used in both large and small areas, creating a multi-purpose space that is perfect for entertaining, washing the car, playing with the kids or even working on DIY projects. Concerned about drainage? This problem is easily solved by choosing permeable—rather than concrete—pavers.

GC Magazine

The best general contractors in the village of Indian hill, ohio

The Village of Indian Hill is home to some of Ohio’s wealthiest communities. It has been named “The Best Place to Raise a Family” in Robb Report’s annual rankings.  It’s not surprising that the city is also home to some of the most beautiful residences in the region. Maintaining, building, designing, and transforming these homes are the best general contractors in the Village of Indian Hill. These professionals have years of multi-awarded practice and are affiliated with the industry’s leading institutions. The companies listed here hold the highest review and testimonial ratings from their mid-range and luxury residential clients.  

Family Handyman

Best Practices for Communicating With Customers

“Our projects are managed by project directors, who keep in constant contact with homeowners during the building process, keeping them informed every step of the way,” explains Fiorenza. “A home improvement project can be disruptive and stressful. We like to do all we can to make sure our homeowners feel comfortable. At the end of each week, each homeowner receives an update email that includes all work completed that week, outstanding issues, and next steps.”

Cincinnati Magazine

A local contractor & tv Personality is transforming this Hyde Park street

We dig holes and build castles. We will do anything from a bathroom remodel to [constructing] a whole new home. I use the word home instead of house, because I am trying to build a home for someone, not a house. On Broadview—[we are] petitioning to change the name of it to call it English Contractor Way—we started the first home about two years ago. [Another home we did] around the corner, [included a] very large garage with car lifts in it. We also demoed a house on Broadview, and we are building a new two-story home from the ground up.

Realtor.com

Tiny home quirks that can stop a sale in its tracks

“A noisy toilet often just needs a new toilet flapper,” says Craig Russell, CEO of The English Contractor, a contracting and building firm in Cincinnati.

For under $10, you can ensure your toilet flushes well, because inevitably, someone will use the restroom at your open house.

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"Putty, caulk, and paint make the carpenter what he ain't," says Russell, referencing the liberal use of these materials by some sellers to put cosmetic bandages over imperfections in a home.

He’s seen holes filled with caulk instead of being properly patched, cardboard wedged into doors to keep them closed instead of having the lock adjusted, or painted-over water spots on walls or ceilings instead of repairing the source of the leak.

Have leaks and damage repaired properly, and make sure any cosmetic work looks like it was never done.

Yahoo! Finance

House flipping rules you should never break

“Home improvement and DIY shows sometimes give people a false sense of the time, skill and money that are needed to renovate a house,” said Craig Russell, the CEO of The English Contractor & Remodeling Service, a contracting and building firm based in Cincinnati. “In flipping a house, time and money are everything, since the investment made in the purchase of the home and its improvements lead to the total return. Shiny new appliances, wood flooring and special details cost money, so those investments should only come after the flipper is certain that the roof and foundation are sound.”

Ownerly.com

Tips for home foundation repair

It’s also important to keep in mind that regular preventative maintenance for your home can help preserve your foundation, said Craig Russell, founder and CEO of The English Contractor, a contracting firm in Cincinnati. “We recommend that our clients keep landscaping away from the foundation of the home, which can help protect from termites, water and vegetation damage,” he said. Keeping gutters clear and making sure that downspouts are directed away from the house can also keep the foundation dry.

MSN.com

Could your house be falling down?

While all homes settle over time, which can cause changes in how the odd door or window fits in its frame, it shouldn’t be happening throughout your house. When this becomes an issue with multiple doors or windows, “it likely means that the support holding up the home’s foundation or the soil beneath a slab foundation is no longer strong enough to hold up the weight of the home,” says to Craig Russell, CEO of The English Contractor, a contracting and building firm in Cincinnati, Ohio.

HSH.com

When DIY projects go awry

Case in point: Craig Russell, founder/CEO of The English Contractor, says his firm recently remodeled a kitchen where big surprises were found behind the walls.

"We found a spaghetti-like mass of wiring left behind by a well-intentioned but ill-informed DIYer. Problem is, doing electrical work yourself can cause a fire or appliance damage," cautions Russell.

Incorrect installation of wallpaper is a further example of a project that a homeowner can bungle.

"This can be a perfect DIY project. But it requires the right tools and preparation," notes Russell. "We've seen a lot of wallpaper glued to unprimed walls. That destroys the drywall, making its removal a messy undertaking."

Poor tile installation is another project that the experts get called in to fix.

"It seems like an easy enough job to install sheets of tile and grout. But many homeowners fail to realize the careful prep and planning it requires," adds Russell. "We recently worked on a tile shower that had tile applied directly to drywall without a waterproof backboard."

Apartment Therapy

6 things every renter should have under their kitchen sink

“Not only can vodka be used to clean glass, but it can also disinfect a bathroom and remove grease stains from a carpet, which, for a renter who intends to get his or her rental deposit back, might be an essential item.” —Craig Russell, founder and CEO, The English Contractor in Cincinnati, Ohio

American Institute of Architects Cincinnati

Meet Craig Russell, Founder & CEO of The English Contractor

Over the past 8 years, I have assembled a best-in-class crew of professional remodelers, with a thriving apprenticeship program of my own for those who want to learn the trade like I did and have transformed my business into a building and remodeling firm. My team of 40+ includes specialty trades, including our own plumber and electrician, so we really have everything we need to build a home from the ground up—from the foundation and mechanicals to the small, bespoke details. I spend most of my time in the field, where I still am happiest when I can get my hands dirty.

HOMELIGHT

How to remove paint from wood trim for a classic restoration

Older or historic homes are known for being loaded with character — and that often takes the form of ornate woodwork and trim. In addition to the obvious (baseboards, window frames, crown molding), that might also include built-in bookcases, fireplace mantels, and chair rails. But if the wood trim has been covered by paint, that can sometimes detract from its natural beauty and charm, leading you to pursue a paint removal project.

FOX 19 WXIX

Is it Fact or “Flip”tion?

Most flippers really are good at their jobs and pay attention to both the larger structural elements of the home, as well as some more cosmetic details as budget and timing allow. But here are some things to look for as a home buyer.