Some Jobs Around the House Are Just Matters of Detail

Thoroughly cleaning hard-to-reach places, including removing mold.

Repairing minor drywall defects and touching up wall and ceiling paint.

Adjusting poorly closing doors and door hardware.

Adjusting cabinetry door hinges and latches, as well as drawer hardware.

Removing scale (calcium salt) on and around faucets and plumbing fixtures.

Removing scale and soap residue from bathroom wall and floor tiles.

Replacing washers in leaky bath and kitchen faucet valves.

Adding insulation around electrical outlets and switches in exterior walls to reduce heat loss and air infiltration.

Replacing light bulbs in high, hard-to-reach light fixtures.

Home-detailing teams or individuals would have to be experienced jacks-of-all-trades armed with a variety of equipment and supplies: ladders, tools, strong cleaning solvents, sealants, adhesives, and a wide assortment of fasteners and light bulbs. They also would have to know where to quickly obtain supplies and materials for out-of-the-ordinary situations.

Detailers would not undertake work requiring specialized construction-trade licenses. Although they could thoroughly clean faucets and perhaps replace washers, they would not install new faucets. They would not rewire electrical circuits, but they could replace a light switch or remove and reinstall a plug on a frayed lamp cord. And they would not take on major renovation work, such as repainting or reroofing a house.

I suspect that there are thousands of homeowners who gladly would hire a qualified home detailer for a few days to help make their houses look almost as good as new. And I would be first in line.

Roger K. Lewis is a practicing architect and a professor emeritus of architecture at the University of Maryland.