Rich Escallier, a Portage Park resident since 1988 and home handyman since 1978, offers a large range of indoor/ outdoor repairs and improvements. Because he is a self-employed, independent handyman, he can perform services at prices far below those of franchised handyman services. Rich brings over 25 years of experience in the home repair field.
As a former owner of several apartment buildings, he is largely self-taught, learning the ins and outs of repairing and refurbishing buildings since 1978. Rich has taught home repair and maintenance classes since 2006 as part of adult continuing education programs at the City Colleges of Chicago. Watch the Truman College course catalog for his upcoming classes beginning in Summer 2012.
As a former owner of several apartment buildings, he is largely self-taught, learning the ins and outs of repairing and refurbishing buildings since 1978. Rich has taught home repair and maintenance classes since 2006 as part of adult continuing education programs at the City Colleges of Chicago. Watch the Truman College course catalog for his upcoming classes beginning in Summer 2012.
Services
We appreciate your considering us for your services, but have retired and are not doing any of the actual work. We are hoping to sell the business, at which point your request will go to the new owners. For now, we are not able to help with service requests. For our established customers, we are willing to offer advice, recommendations, or brainstorming sessions.
We've been in business for more than ten years, with over 1,000 satisfied customers. We don't try to do everything, but we enjoy doing the work we accept and are confident in our ability to make things better for our customers. Judy is very organized. Her spice cabinet is alphabetized, and she always knows where things are.
Would you like to enhance your curb appeal, the enjoyment of your garden, and increasing your property value? It's the #2 home improvement that pays off. Let Gardens by Portage Park Services help. We offer a variety of services for you to choose from. Give us a call today. This option is for gardens in need of a design and/or installation, whether you're starting with a blank canvas or in need of renovation.
It won't take much room in a closet, and will fit in the average purse (although this is not a purse tool). A built-in light goes on when you pull the trigger. Initially I thought this was just a cute gimmick. I used the light, and it works well. It made the drill easy to use. One day I needed to drill something in a cabinet, and the light truly went on.
I love hardware stores and happily visit them while on vacation or at a convention. A recent vacation to Las Vegas for the National Hardware Show was a deductible way to learn about new products and techniques. A quality tool with a unique feature will get a trial. Those that are at the top of their class have a life on a basement or garage workbench.
Reviews (12)
Jenny D.
Sep 08, 2016
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Thank you so much, Rich! Your knowledge and guidance with our windows helped so much and we were able to fix our problem. No more leaky windows and now we know what to do to handle the problem in the future!
We have a 1920's brick bungalow with original wood window interiors, wood window wells, and triple-track storms on the outside which had begun to leak very badly and overflow into the window wells whenever it would rain. We had no idea how to begin fixing the problem or if we'd have to have our windows replaced. We were fearing we'd have to spend thousands of dollars.
It
We have a 1920's brick bungalow with original wood window interiors, wood window wells, and triple-track storms on the outside which had begun to leak very badly and overflow into the window wells whenever it would rain. We had no idea how to begin fixing the problem or if we'd have to have our windows replaced. We were fearing we'd have to spend thousands of dollars.
It
Amanda L.
Apr 27, 2016
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Rich was responsive and professional when I inquired about hiring a handyman for our new condo. He set me up with Craig, who called me right away and we talked through the projects I was hoping to accomplish. Craig arrived on time and got to work right away. He ended up staying almost 11 hours even though we had only booked him for 8 -- he was so wonderful! We had him do a number of things -- add new light fixtures in our bathrooms, hang mirrors in our bathrooms, hang a very heavy large mirror in our dining room, hang our TV wall mount and TV, re-wire our dining room light fixture, hang curtain
Stephanie C.
Jun 19, 2015
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Michael S.
Apr 04, 2015
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Updated update: Rich immediately took care of this.. This level of commitment is certainly welcomed and appreciated. I resume my high recommendation of Rich and his crew!!!!
Update: The basement hand railing we had installed in December is starting to come lose. After tightening it twice, I see that instead of a masonry screw a wood screw was used to secure the railing. We made it clear that the basement railing was in masonry and that we wanted it secured to the wall. (Even compromising design if needed). The fact that a wood screw was used for a masonry job gives me pause. I am attempting to
Update: The basement hand railing we had installed in December is starting to come lose. After tightening it twice, I see that instead of a masonry screw a wood screw was used to secure the railing. We made it clear that the basement railing was in masonry and that we wanted it secured to the wall. (Even compromising design if needed). The fact that a wood screw was used for a masonry job gives me pause. I am attempting to
Paul P.
Jul 18, 2014
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Gwen M.
Jun 09, 2014
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The job was 9 months ago, and Rich wrote me the following email this week: "Marshall Field said 'give the lady what she wants' and guaranteed customer satisfaction. The man was a genius, and among my personal heroes. They are standards we strive for.
Gwen,The 'issue' or a price increase has been refunded.
We consider 3 star reviews our failure to provide customer satisfaction.
Is it possible to bring satisfaction (for both of us) to the work I did at your home?"
I have already put this matter behind me, but apparently my review still bothers Rich. Yes, he did refund
Gwen,The 'issue' or a price increase has been refunded.
We consider 3 star reviews our failure to provide customer satisfaction.
Is it possible to bring satisfaction (for both of us) to the work I did at your home?"
I have already put this matter behind me, but apparently my review still bothers Rich. Yes, he did refund
Debbie S.
Apr 27, 2014
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This husband and wife team did a million big and little things around our house over several weeks as we worked to get it ready to put on the market. We first asked Rich to install some drapery rods and hang a large mirror, and were so impressed by his work that we really piled on the jobs. When he realized we needed some help organizing, cleaning and painting, wife Judy (the Handy Ma'am) entered the picture. Between them, they transformed the place, taking care of all our messy deferred maintenance problems, much to our relief.
Judy is a top notch organizer and painter, and I don&apos
Judy is a top notch organizer and painter, and I don&apos
M. A.
Jan 09, 2014
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I considered using one of the bigger companies, but they will send someone different every time.
I'm glad I hired Rick. He made the fixes I requested (plus one I didn't, courtesy), brought all his tools with him (some other companies start the clock, then go back to their car for the tools), his price is fair and was flexible with the tasks I had waiting. He communicates quickly over email. Nice guy, too.
I will be hiring Rich again in a few months to install new track lighting.
I'm glad I hired Rick. He made the fixes I requested (plus one I didn't, courtesy), brought all his tools with him (some other companies start the clock, then go back to their car for the tools), his price is fair and was flexible with the tasks I had waiting. He communicates quickly over email. Nice guy, too.
I will be hiring Rich again in a few months to install new track lighting.
Kim J.
Jun 05, 2009
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I thought that moving in with one of those XY types would eliminate my need for a handyman. Not so much, thanks to our dumb shoddily-converted condo. (And the boyfriend's broken shoulder. Gah.)
Anywho, our closet recently committed suicide. In the middle of the night, mind you. I thought the Kool Aid man had come bursting through our wall with the loud noises and mess all over the floor and all. So we decided to replace the junky mesh dollar-store racks that had fallen off the wall with some fancy Elfa shelving from the Container Store.
Now, the Container Store claims you don&apos
Anywho, our closet recently committed suicide. In the middle of the night, mind you. I thought the Kool Aid man had come bursting through our wall with the loud noises and mess all over the floor and all. So we decided to replace the junky mesh dollar-store racks that had fallen off the wall with some fancy Elfa shelving from the Container Store.
Now, the Container Store claims you don&apos
Justin M.
Jul 17, 2008
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If you need a handyman that you can trust, then Rich is your guy!
I had some serious drywall issues recently, and I wasn't sure where to look for a reliable and dependable handyman. Then it hit me, do a local search on Yelp for a good handyman. I called a few places, and Rich stood out from the rest. Sounded very honest on the phone, and very professional.
Rich was on-time, and very prepared to work on my drywall. He is very knowledgeable about his craft, so it was easy for him to diagnose the problem and resolve the issue.
I would recommend Rich to anyone I know. It is very hard to trust
I had some serious drywall issues recently, and I wasn't sure where to look for a reliable and dependable handyman. Then it hit me, do a local search on Yelp for a good handyman. I called a few places, and Rich stood out from the rest. Sounded very honest on the phone, and very professional.
Rich was on-time, and very prepared to work on my drywall. He is very knowledgeable about his craft, so it was easy for him to diagnose the problem and resolve the issue.
I would recommend Rich to anyone I know. It is very hard to trust
Amy L.
Apr 23, 2007
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I figured by becoming a homeowner, I'd have my fair share of fix-it projects around the house, but I never, ever thought I'd have a major one happen three days after I bought the place.
Thanks to the shortcuts taken by the previous homeowner during renovations, I got to experience the gushing sound of gallons of water cascading across my kitchen floor when my sink detached itself from the counter one night.
Now, I consider myself fairly handy, but this was a job for a professional. Preferably, a professional who doesn't charge a lot, considering I wasn't planning to have
Thanks to the shortcuts taken by the previous homeowner during renovations, I got to experience the gushing sound of gallons of water cascading across my kitchen floor when my sink detached itself from the counter one night.
Now, I consider myself fairly handy, but this was a job for a professional. Preferably, a professional who doesn't charge a lot, considering I wasn't planning to have
Kathleen O.
Aug 31, 2006
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Rich Escallier is excellent.
My apartment needed some urgent repairs and my landlord said I could just hire someone instead of waiting for her guy (broken toilet seat from when I moved in and the broken window that nearly severed my index finger from my dominant hand). I called rich.
Rich was fairly booked (the week before Labor Day weekend) and I had to wait 3 days till he was free, but he arrived at the expected time, did a neat quick job, and even noticed a wasps nest and sprayed it for me while he was here. His minimum charge for coming out (in the city at least) is $75, so it's a
My apartment needed some urgent repairs and my landlord said I could just hire someone instead of waiting for her guy (broken toilet seat from when I moved in and the broken window that nearly severed my index finger from my dominant hand). I called rich.
Rich was fairly booked (the week before Labor Day weekend) and I had to wait 3 days till he was free, but he arrived at the expected time, did a neat quick job, and even noticed a wasps nest and sprayed it for me while he was here. His minimum charge for coming out (in the city at least) is $75, so it's a
