Carpenter/Handyman

Gerhardt: Carpentry, Handyman, Landscaping, Painting, "Your fix-it guy"

I left the world of offices and databases behind. Now I am applying my skills to maintain and improve people's homes and gardens. This page shows some of the projects I have done. I am skilled in carpentry, woodwork, design, landscaping, ponds, painting and finishing and basic electrical and plumbing. When you grow up on a farm, you learn to 'figure things out'. I would be pleased to assist you with your home maintenance needs.

Design, Build, Install, Fix, Finish

A lot of thought went into the design of this garden. The pond had to fit the contours of the bedrock. The sod was used to build the berm. The huge pond filter was buried in a box in the berm behind the waterfall. There had to be an escape route for any small critter that fell into the pond. Places for fish to hide were included so that the great blue herons and racoons did not eat them all. The view from the hanging chair to Sooke Basin was maximized. Some of the sandstone slabs weighed several hundred pounds and had to be rolled up a hill. The power cord is buried in the dry stream. There was a lot to think about and discuss. There was some trial and error before it all worked.

House and garden creation in Sooke 

• Designed and built gazebo 
• Designed and built pond with rock border and waterfall
• Driftwood fence
• Bicycle shed
• Kayak rack
• Paint exterior trim
• Major landscaping
• Designed and built garden design
• Installed above-ground irrigation system

Woodworking 

• Pine kitchen table
• Morris chairs, couch and stool
• Figured maple coffee table
• Shop workbench and sanding station with dust collection
• Native carvings
• Assemble kitchen chairs from kit

Garden Design and Build on Malahat

• Above ground pond
• Gate, fence and arbour
• Sauna
• Roof over patio
• Concrete patio
• Exterior painting
• Skylight
• Replace back porch

Garden Landscaping and House Renovation in Esquimalt

• Fence design and construction
• Timber arbour
• Stone pavers
• Paint exterior of house
• Steps and railing
• Garden design and landscaping

House Refinishing - Malahat and Sooke

• Colour selection and painting
• Design and build Morris furniture
• Figured maple coffee table
• Install laminate floor
• Wainscoting
• Paint-able wallpaper
• Hand curtains
• Replace handles on cupboards. Repair cupboards.
• Build bookshelves
• Install blinds
• Install pine panelling
• Electrical upgrades

Cabin Construction - Sooke Hills

• Worked as carpenter on construction of four wilderness cabins
• Porches, railing, metal roofing, siding, interior walls and sheathing, foundations, windows, doors

Kayak Construction

• I learned to build skin-on-frame kayaks at Cape Falcon Kayaks in Oregon
• I carved my first Greenland paddle with Don Beale at SSTIKS. I have carved many paddles since then.

Kitchen and Bath Renovations

• Replacing toilets and vanities
• Basic plumbing
• Replacing caulking around bathtubs and showers
• Installing lights, switches and fans
• Tiling floors
• Wainscoting, wallpaper, painting

Solar Panel

I built a passive solar panel on an outside wall. The heat output on a sunny day was impressive. This can be a very practical way to heat a garage or shop.

Windows and Doors

I have installed exterior windows and doors including a patio door and a triangular window. The openings were cut out of a solid wall and re-framed.  

House Painting

I have painted the exterior of several houses including a steep pitch metal roof.

Garden Design

I have designed and landscaped six gardens on Vancouver Island. 

Mechanical / Electrical

I rebuilt a car engine and maintained mountain bikes while doing the research for a mountain bike guidebook. I have installed new electrical circuits, outlets and lights. 

Chainsaw and Trail Work

I worked as a faller on the construction of mountain trails in Kananakis Park. 

Decks and Stairs

I have built some very interesting decks and stairs.

Insulating

I insulated the crawlspace and floor of a house. The house was immediately warmer and cost less to heat. 

Storage Shelves

I have built simple, inexpensive storage shelves in several houses for racking bins and boxes. It is amazing how much stuff you can store in a small space this way. Each box can be labeled so it is easy to file and retrieve items. 

Drywall

I have done enough drywall to know that I will probably never be a drywall expert. I have patched some big holes in drywall successfully. I built a soundproofing wall with two layers of drywall to deaden the sound of the neighbor's stereo. Soundproofing walls really work!

Let's discuss what you need. I work with other trades as required. I am very happy to do the jobs that are too small for the folks in the yellow pages.