Use a Lead Paint Test Kit Before Repairs in Older Homes

If your home was built before 1978, there’s one test you should always perform before painting, sanding, or repairing any surface — and that’s testing for lead paint.That’s why using a lead paint test kit before any renovation is one of the smartest safety steps you can take.

Why a Lead Paint Test Kit is Still Crucial in Older Homes

Lead-based paint was widely used in homes until it was banned in 1978. If your property is over 45 years old, there’s a strong possibility that lead-based paint still exists beneath layers of newer paint.

Disturbing these surfaces — through sanding, drilling, scraping, or cutting — can release toxic dust and chips that pose serious health risks, especially to:

• Children (lead can cause developmental issues)

• Pregnant women

• Pets

• Contractors and homeowners doing repairs

  
  

Why Testing for Lead Is the Smart First Step

Before starting any repairs or renovations, it's smart (and sometimes required by law) to use a simple lead test kit. These kits are affordable, fast, and can quickly identify if a surface is hazardous — or you can hire professionals like us to perform a visual inspection and test before work begins.

We recommend testing areas like:

• Peeling or cracking paint

• Window trim and sills

• Door frames

• Old baseboards

• Exterior siding and railings

Even small sanding jobs can release dangerous dust if lead is present.

How Artistic Pro G.C. Corp. Handles It Differently

At Artistic Pro G.C. Corp., we prioritize your safety and peace of mind. Here’s how we approach older homes:

• Ask important questions before starting any job

• Recommend lead testing for homes built before 1978

• Use lead-safe work practices when needed (plastic barriers, HEPA vacuums, full containment)

• Educate homeowners about what’s safe — and what isn’t

  
  

Whether you're planning interior painting, drywall repair, or window restoration, checking for lead first is a must. In some cases, it’s not just smart — it’s legally required.

Don’t take unnecessary risks with your family’s health, your home, or your peace of mind.

Need Help?

If you're in Manhattan, Westchester, or nearby areas — and your home was built before 1978 — we’re here to help. From lead testing to safe, clean repairs, we’ll guide you through every step of your project the right way.

Not sure where to start? A simple lead paint test kit can give you instant answers — and help protect your family from toxic dust and hidden hazards.

Contact us today for a professional consultation. Let’s make your home safer, smarter, and stronger — one step at a time.

Trusted Home Services Near Me: How Fake Websites & Lowballers Hurt Real Professionals

By Alfonso Annunziata — Artistic Pro G.C. Corp.

Why Finding A Trusted Home Services Near Me... Is So Hard Today

I’ve been in this field long enough to see the industry change. Not just the prices… not just the competition…But something deeper...something that hits your livelihood.

Today, the handyman and contracting world is flooded with:

• fake reviews

• AI-generated websites

• lowball amateurs

• app workers willing to take jobs for $40–$60 just to travel for one hour of service

• companies pushing handyman into poverty-level pricing

• clients who don’t know who to trust anymore

And all of this has made it harder for real professionals to survive.

I built my business with real skills, real tools, real labor, and real clients. But lately, I’ve seen the same pattern over and over:

People cancel. People change their minds. People act scared of normal prices. People don’t believe websites or reviews anymore. People go for the cheaper guy.... then regret it later.

And I don’t blame them.

When you have a hundred fake handymen on Google claiming to be “professionals”…When AI can build a website that makes anyone look like an expert…When reviews can be bought, faked, or written by bots…

Why would the average person know who to trust?

The Personal Impact... What This Does to a Real Tradesman

For someone like me...someone who mastered carpentry, painting, tile work, drywall, basic plumbing, basic electrical, mounting, assembly... this shift has been painful.

And what makes it harder is this: the world has forgotten the real work I’ve done.

Handyman jobs were never my limit... they were the doorway. They led me to bigger and more complex projects:

• full room restorations

• solarium assemblies

• deck rebuilds

• high-end interior painting

• tile installations

• repairs that other contractors walked away from

I earned every skill through real jobs, real clients, late nights, and decades of commitment.

But in this new landscape, none of that is visible anymore. People don’t see everything I’ve built.They only see a price, a category, or a profile.

And that’s the part that hits the hardest.

Not because my work is bad. Not because I’m overpriced. Not because I lack skill.

But because the market is broken.

Apps want me to work for $60 for one hour service call in the city…Where gas, congestion fees, insurance, tools, and travel already cost more than that.

Clients hesitate over a $125 service call... not knowing that:

• I pay for commercial insurance

• I pay for gas and tolls

• I bring professional tools

• I do clean, high-quality work

• I don’t cut corners

• I show up on time

• I finish what I start

Meanwhile, amateurs underbid, rush the job, leave a mess…And those clients end up paying twice.

The Shift: People Trust Referrals More Than Anything Now

This is the new reality:

People don’t trust websites. People don’t trust reviews. People don’t trust online profiles.

But they trust:

• their neighbor

• their friend

• someone who used me last month

• a real photo

• a real before-and-after

• a real voice message from a past customer

That’s how trust is rebuilt.

And that’s where my business is heading now... toward real work, real referrals, real clients.

Why I’m Staying Strong & Evolving

I refuse to be destroyed by low-priced apps or wannabe contractors.I’m shifting into what real professionals do:

Interior Painting, Tile Installation, Quality Handyman Work (Selective)

These are trades where skill matters,and clients pay for quality, not bargains.

I will not compete with the $60 per servive call crowd...I will not cheapen my value. I will not let fake professionals define my craftsmanship.

If you hire me, you get:

• strong communication

• clean prep and clean finish

• careful work

• respect for your home

• experience

• professionalism

• real results

• and peace of mind

No shortcuts. No BS. No half-done work.

A Message to Anyone Reading This

If you’re tired of being scammed, ghosted, or ripped off by fake workers…If you want a real contractor or handyman who stands behind every job…If you want honesty, real skill, and real results…

Then you’re in the right place.

My work speaks louder than any fake review ever could.And I’m here to rebuild trust — one job at a time.

Tile Install, Basic Electrical and Basic Plumbing

As a trusted home service provider near me, I’ve built my business with real skills—not shortcuts or cheap labor.

How to Save Money on Bathroom Remodeling (Without Cutting Corners)

Thinking about remodeling your bathroom in Westchester or Manhattan?You’re not alone — but if you’ve done even five minutes of research, you already know how quickly costs can skyrocket.

Here’s the good news: There’s a smarter way to renovate that can save you thousands — without sacrificing quality or style.

At Artistic Pro G.C. Corp, we’ve helped dozens of homeowners and landlords remodel their bathrooms affordably by blending handyman skills with strategic subcontracting.

Here’s how we do it:

1. You Don’t Need a Full Contractor for Every Task

Many bathroom remodels include a lot of “cosmetic” work — think tiling, painting, fixture swaps, drywall, trim, vanity installation, etc. These are jobs a licensed and insured handyman (like us) can handle without charging full GC prices.

We come in and do all the labor-intensive prep and finishes — only bringing in a plumber or electrician when required.This hybrid model saves big.

2. We Let You Stay in Control

Unlike big remodeling firms that take over the whole project (and charge for every inch of it), we work with your budget and your goals.

Want to choose your own materials or coordinate with your plumber? Great — we’ll support you, not upcharge you.

3. You Still Get Insurance and Peace of Mind

We’re fully insured and experienced — so you’re not taking any risks just to save money. Our clients love the balance we strike between professionalism and affordability.

Real Talk: You Could Be Overspending Right Now

Many people hire full GCs for jobs that could’ve been done smarter. If you only need part of the job done — or want to oversee some of it yourself — we’re the perfect match.

Let’s Talk About Your Project

Whether you’re in the middle of quotes or just getting started, we’ll give you honest feedback and help you plan a bathroom remodel that’s custom to you — and your wallet.

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