Federal Hill Improvements is dedicated to providing homeowners with high quality repairs and improvements to their homes at reasonable cost.
This website is designed to help homeowners in and around Baltimore make informed decisions concerning the maintenance and improvement of their homes.
Who We Are...
Livin’ in Balmer’ Hon!
by Jon Klapper
If you live in Baltimore like I do, you most likely live in a brick and wood rowhouse—a unique structure with lots of character and lots of challenges.
I’ve lived in Federal Hill for 25 years and worked in the construction industry for more than 30. I know what it's like to care for a historical home. And I know how important it is to do it right.More......
Why Hire a Licensed Contractor?
by Jon Klapper
Every week I get flyers through my door advertising home improvement and handyman services. You’ll find hundreds of ads for such services on Craigslist. Most people advertising this way are unlicensed contractors.
Many of these advertisers are probably good guys just trying to get some work. Some have been recently laid off. They’re handy and willing to come by to fix a door or change a light switch. Many have had years of experience in the construction trades. You might think these guys will work cheaply. And you may be right. But you should know a few things before you hire someone who’s unlicensed. More......
Tin Ceilings & So Much More
by Jon Klapper
Several years ago the ceiling of our spare bedroom was a tangle of wires, ducts, and pipes.
I pondered the time and cost of trying to install a drywall ceiling below the all of the stuff and started adding up the access panels that would be required. I quickly realized we would have to install a drop-in ceiling.
Like me, you may have lived up in a house populated with those ugly acoustic tile, drop-in, ceilings and grown to really hate the way they looked. They remind me of the modern office cubical-world, florescent ceilinged horrors that pass for workplaces these days. It’s simply no way to live in a home. More....