Author: Michiel

So the big moment has finally come: you’ve signed the house purchase contract or lease! You’re on Cloud Nine despite the chaos and you can’t wait to move into your new home. Of course you’ve already started looking for a new floor, furniture and wallpaper or paint, but how do you get your precious furniture and other possessions moved in one piece?

You might think you (or Uber) only need to drive back and forth a few times, but once you start packing it turns out that you own a lot more stuff than you thought. Moving is quite an undertaking: you can save yourself a lot of money and stress by preparing well. We have checked the many online lists of tips for preparing removals based on our 10 years of experience in arranging moving jobs. These top tips are actually helpful:

1. Start decluttering 4 weeks before the move: sell as much as possible and give the rest to family, friends or charity

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2. Check whether your employer can reimburse (part of) your moving expenses
3. Check your new house properly and discuss with an expert which defects (see the structural survey) you want to fix and adjustments you want to make. Builders can work faster in an empty house: that saves you money and hassle! MrFix offers a Home Check: a quick overview of jobs to make your home safer, energy efficient and more comfortable

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4. Make a list of boxes & furniture (do you or the mover disassemble & assemble those?) per room of your new home 3 weeks in advance. Use that list to ask 2-3 movers for quotes. Always check their Google reviews
5. Choose a mover 2 weeks in advance. Discuss who does what at what time on the big day and confirm this in an email or WhatsApp message. Agree whom exactly you contact in what way on that day

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6. Pack a suitcase 1 week in advance for a week’s holiday, including old clothes for the moving day itself and useful items: garbage bags, cloths, toilet roll, tape, rope, gloves, sponges, knife, scissors and markers

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Need a pro? Ask us for a mover and/or Home Check. Our experts will be happy to help you make your new house into your home.

The word “sustainability” means different things to different people. For us as a home improvement service, it means above all that houses and appliances should last a long time. Many people work hard to save energy but forget that you can also make your home more sustainable simply by repairing more and replacing less!

For example, if you want both to save money and reduce your carbon footprint, you can give your household appliances a second life. That is a simple way for you to make a big difference.

Imagine that your washing machine suddenly stops working. Very annoying… and of course it breaks down at the least convenient moment. In a panic you immediately google a new washing machine. Buying something new just feels good, especially around Black Friday…

But think about the enormous environmental impact: your old appliance has to be completely dismantled in order to be recycled. The new machine not only has to be produced but often also transported halfway around the globe! The last few metres are often such a big problem that Customers need have to call MrFix for a mover or plumber. Unfortunately, sometimes the delivery is literally not in your house but on the pavement in front (with Corona as an excuse). Or the washing machine has to be hoisted to the third floor or a professional has to adjust the water connections. And then you still need to dispose properly of the old appliance…

When all that is done you still to learn how to operate your new washing machine. It may sound fun, but you soon discover that you never use those 23 special programmes or the app that allows you to control the washing machine. We understand that some Customers get attached to their appliance and others consciously choose to get it repaired, even if it costs half the price of a new one. The most durable solution is often really to have a certified white goods technician check your machine. Sometimes he can already give you an indication via the Whatsapp group and save you a lot of money, time and stress!

Customers often turn to MrFix because the repair services of most manufacturers are not only expensive but often understaffed and therefore slow. MrFix usually has a white goods mechanic within a few working days. Please always mention brand, model and age, so we can find you the right professional. We always manage with common brands such as Miele, Bosch, Samsung and Whirlpool. The white goods experts are ready to give you advice and bring your machine back to life if possible.

You can count on honest advice from our white goods experts: if your appliance is beyond repair at reasonable cost he will simply say so. MrFix stands for honest, reliable and clear service.

Now that Daylight Saving Time has gone, it is getting dark earlier and most of us find it even harder to see well indoors and outdoors. Lighting is the most important way to stay ahead of dangerous situations.

Nowadays, lighting with LED lamps and motion sensors can provide excellent protection against low energy costs. That saves not only money but the environment too.

Especially in the dark winter days, lighting is a must-have to create a safe home front. The Dutch police mention good lighting as the very top priority in burglary prevention: “Don’t give burglars a chance, make sure there is light and sight!”. Good lights at the front door, driveway or garage door keep thieves at a safe distance: even more than 1.5 metres 🙂

At MrFix, the electricians like to think along with you. Not only in terms of efficient solutions for your safety but for lighting that is simply beautiful and creates a pleasant atmosphere. There is a huge range of trendy LED lamps and innovative ways to play with light, from dimmers to the Philips Hue smart ‘rainbow’ lamps.

The police mention good locks as the second point of burglary prevention, of course. Do you want to protect your house completely and update your locks too? Then MrFix will be happy to help you with a locksmith!

Do enjoy this beautiful winter period safely and don’t give burglars a chance! If you have any questions, please call 020-6750333: one of us will be on the line right away and we would be happy to help you.

Here it is: the link to the video with expert Ismail bending over backward to help our Customer out of trouble!

Ismail appeared on national television show ‘He who laughs last’ on Saturday 14 November. The team of celebrity Wendy van Dijk played a serious prank on him! Ismail’s performance starts at precisely 31 minutes and 35 seconds into the video (i.e. 30 minutes 50 to go).

Did you laugh your head off like we did or did you just feel sorry for Issy in this plight? Tell us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. He who laughs last… laughs best!

Tomorrow evening Ismail, our expert with a heart of gold, will appear on television! In the show ‘Wie het laatst lacht (He who laughs last)’ Wendy van Dijk, one of Holland’s leading TV ladies, plays daring & original candid camera pranks.

On 9 October, Kristel and Michiel of MrFix had a lot of fun with Ismail at the studio recordings. We went to Hilversum fully corona-proof and laughed our brains out. Ismail has been working via MrFix for years and we know him as a real people person with his heart in the right place who always puts the Customer first. He’s a pro but Wendy had chosen a radiator job as a starting point and Issy doesn’t normally work with radiators… Expert Ismail really cares about customer satisfaction and goes to great lengths in finding creative solutions… and under pressure from Wendy and her team he even had to make up excuses.

Curious to see how Ismail manages to talk himself out of trouble? Check out ‘Wie het Laatst Lacht’ on SBS 6 at 20:25h tomorrow evening, Saturday 14 November. Let us know via Facebook, Instagram or Twitter what you thought of the broadcast! He who laughs last… laughs best!

Because of the Corona-virus, many of you are no longer able to work from the office. At home, it’s just not possible for everyone to create an effective workplace. But we all still need to work: what now?

Since the beginning of the Corona crisis, several hotels have been renting out rooms during the day as workplaces: this was already thought up earlier by Hans Meyer of Zoku. The Zoku concept combines working and temporary living in a compact, functional space. MrFix has seriously considered Zoku as a workplace instead of our office. We were impressed by the Sleek hotel rooms that the guest can transform from dormitory to workplace with just a few movements.

If this solution does not have your preference then there are other options. Think whether you can work from a tiny house! The tiny house-movement began in the US in 2002 and has become more popular in the recent years because of the energy and cost savings. But you can not only live minimalistic, but also work minimalistic in a garden shed, barn or caravan.

With simple ‘tiny house adjustments’ you can make great use of such a small space to make it effective and comfortable. A few practical examples:
– Use multifunctional furniture, e.g. a folding wall table that you can use for both eating and working.
– Hang that wall table at the right height to work while standing: this saves the space (and costs) of a chair and is healthier than sitting!
– Hide your workplace (e.g. that wall table and shelves) behind doors or a curtain.
– Think vertically, starting with: can you create a workplace in an attic (insulation) or cellar (lighting)?
– IKEA has been offering a range of multifunctional furniture for years. The handyman from MrFix assembles all types of IKEA furniture for you.

But it can also be completely different idea! Do you have a piece of furniture in mind that you can’t find anywhere because of the dimensions? Or did you came up with a multifunctional piece of furniture yourself? Then ask our furniture specialists for design and create your unique piece of furniture. The specialist will advise and assist you in designing and making. A little bit from yourself and a little bit from the handyman!

Sometimes inspiration just strikes you. You see clearly that your home is in need of change. But what should you tackle: the furniture, the colours, the layout? You are pretty satisfied with your house but want a modest change that livens it up. Then the penny drops: you’re going to paper a wall!

Wallpaper is a creative but simple solution to add a playful touch to your interior. There are lots of options: fleece, duplex, fibre or vinyl wallpaper. Before you apply wallpaper it is key to ensure the surface is flat and even, otherwise you will see the spots through the wallpaper and of course you don’t want that. If your wall is not yet ready to be papered, you can first use MrFix to get you a plasterer. The expert will make your wall smooth and even so that you will soon be able to enjoy your wallpaper to the full. Most plasterers are specialists, but there are a few in our network who both plaster and apply wallpaper. So, if possible we ask one expert to do both, of course.

Is your wall ready for papering? Then you’re ready to order a wallpaperer. The best thing about outsourcing is that you don’t have to worry about the number of wallpaper rolls, which wall glue, planning the job etcetera. You simply discuss with the wallpaperer what you have in mind. Then the wallpaper will do it according to your wishes. Without spaces between the pieces of wallpaper and without those lumps underneath…

Are you ready to give your house a playful touch with a new wallpaper? We are eager to hear your ideas, help you get a wallpaper and help you both get the job done quickly & smoothly.

Who wouldn’t want their own home cinema? Enjoy watching the latest films and series in your cosy home, whenever you want and on a big screen. TV’s are getting bigger and bigger and more and more people are using a projector with a white wall or roll-up screen, but a cinewall is really the highlight. In fact, a cinewall is a TV wall in which the speakers can also be mounted.

Because of the construction, the cinewall looks like a cinema screen: it neatly hides the cables of your electronic devices. A cinewall also offers storage without the need for excessive furniture. You can also incorporate an electric fire beautifully into the cinewall (in many Dutch cities, traditional open fireplaces are no longer allowed to be installed). You can also use the space in front of the electric fire to store books, statues or other eye-catchers.

Would you like to have a cinewall installed? The handymen at MrFix are ready to arrange this for you! MrFix can help you with advice and take care of your needs. Are you curious what the options might be for you? Then ask a handyman and see what beautiful cinewall he can install for you!

In these Corona times more and more people spontaneously get the bright (pun intended) idea of changing their interiors. You might simply want something different, something that can have an impact but will keep your home feeling familiar. Paint a wall, a room or your whole house in a whole new colour: that can really create a playful effect.

Now to choose a colour… at the start of 2019 we painted a house completely ochre yellow with famous DJ Mattie from radio station Q-Music, but that colour is… so 2019! Now many people say that light colours make rooms look bigger and dark ones smaller, but that really doesn’t have to be the case. Try 1 wall in your living room or bedroom in a nice dark shade such as Extra Matt Rally by Flexa Creations, which painter Miguel recommended to us. One of the latest trends is playing with coloured surfaces and many lines. Ask our expert about the countless possibilities, from painting the entire wall to artistic creations.

Next: estimate the size and choose the type and shade of paint. Those are not always easy to determine in advance. Next you need to make sure that you cover the surroundings well so that there are no stains. And finally the most difficult part: apply the paint gradually so that the layer is the same thickness everywhere and covers it well. Perhaps it’s better to outsource the paint job after all? That is the ideal way to take the pressure off yourself. Of course you can still remain involved and influence the final result.

MrFix can take care of the process for you: we get you a painter who listens to your ideas and gives honest, professional advice. Are you keen to see what is possible together with the painter? Now that painters cannot paint much outside due to the Autumn weather, the best painters are available even at short notice. And their quotes are just a bit more competitive than in spring… so request that painter via https://mrfixt.centum-test.site/painter/ and let him brighten these grey days!

Winter is coming! It looks like the Dutch Government measures against Corona will restrict the number of people with whom we can experience the upcoming holidays. But you can still make something out of the holidays at home with a glass of chocolate milk, marshmallows and good food. And who knows, we might experience another white Christmas or we might be able to skate: who wouldn’t want that?

Now is the time to make your home cosier than ever, not just by covering your façade in Christmas lights American-style but for example by making the lights in your home dimmable. Lamps with dimmable lights are back in fashion: they enable you to adapt the lighting to any situation and create different atmospheres. And all this without having to buy different lamps!

But you need to be aware… nowadays most lamps are LED and the dimmers are compatible with LED. But most older dimmers don’t work well with LED lamps! MrFix can help you find a solid electrician who will make sure your dimmer fits your lighting seamlessly.

Are you one of the lucky people with a fireplace? In many cities you’re not allowed to have a new fireplace installed anymore, but your senses can still enjoy the fireplace you have: the cheerful dancing flames, the warmth on your skin and the crackling of the wood.

Do keep it safe, though. A fire in your chimney is a lot less cosy 🙂 Before using your fireplace again first ask MrFix for a chimney sweep to check and clean your chimney. That way Santa Claus will be able to pass through your chimney without getting stuck in the soot!

Would you like to be nice and cosy, warm and safe these holidays? Then ask MrFix for an electrician, professional cleaner or other expert to make your home comfortable. Then you can enjoy yourself without worrying about short-circuits or fire hazards . MrFix takes care of it all for you!

Save energy even without Daylight Saving Time! We’re almost there: the coming Sunday, 25 October, we switch from Daylight Saving Time to regular time! This means that the clock will go back one hour and it will be light earlier in the morning and dark earlier in the evening. The idea behind Daylight Saving Time is to save energy by using less lighting on summer evenings. Now we all want to live on this Earth in a pleasant, environmentally conscious way: Daylight Saving Time is a useful tool for that.

However, the Dutch government’s corona containment measures mean the winter will be different from usual and we will be at home more. That also means consuming more electricity and gas. Can we find a balance between being at home and consuming less energy? Yes, we can!

MrFix offers the Energy Efficiency Check: a quick Home Check focused on the energy efficiency of your home. A competent professional will visit you (in accordance with Government corona containment guidelines!) and review the aspects you consider important: from solar panels to insulation and smart thermostats. The expert will give you concrete recommendations and, if you wish, a suitable quote and quick implementation.

Did you know that you can save a lot of energy with even simple modifications? Think for example of energy-efficient white goods, radiator foil to lose less heat and better insulation of your home. Saving energy means saving money so you can buy nicer gifts for your loved ones during the upcoming holidays!

Curious about the possibilities? Then request an Energy Efficiency Check here to find out with the expert which small adjustments in your home can have the greatest positive impact.

Back in the saddle! From 2016 to 2018 Danny made several MrFix Customers happy with clean furniture, carpets and curtains: a true home repair hero. Then unfortunately the company Danny worked for could not keep up with demand during more than a year.

Luckily, Danny recently started his own furniture cleaning business. We warmly recommend Danny and are happy to help him on his way as a freelancer. He is a skilled expert and makes your sofa, carpet or wood floor look spick and span again.

So Danny has been active in furniture cleaning for years. He and his team can be deployed almost anywhere in the Netherlands. What Danny likes most about his profession is: “The look on the Customers’ faces when they see the results. And also the challenge of turning an older or soiled piece of furniture into a beautiful piece again for the Customer”.

Danny and his team are concerned with the environment and Danny tells us proudly that he cleans in a sustainable way with natural cleaning products. When cleaning, many people think of chemical products, but the power of natural products works to everyone’s advantage. Effective and environmentally conscious!

To conclude, Danny has a great tip for our readers: “Want to try first to remove a stain from a piece of furniture, carpet or curtain yourself? Then use only water and/or green soap. If you use a cleaning agent there is a chance of a chemical reaction that can cause discolouration”.

Do you need a furniture cleaner throughout the Netherlands? Would you like Danny to become your home repair hero and give your furniture a second lease of life?

Then submit your job request here. If you wish, you can explicitly ask for Danny under “DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF JOB”!