Dubuque, Iowa563-227-0123
Practical help around the house

Small jobs matter. We treat them that way.

Safe Home Services helps with the repairs, maintenance, safety improvements and household projects that are easy to postpone but important to get done. Tell us what is on your list and we’ll help determine the simplest next step.

Small repairs & home upkeep

Doors and hardware, caulking, minor drywall repairs, screens, simple fixture replacements and other everyday home-maintenance needs within our service scope.

Mounting, hanging & assembly

Pictures, shelves, curtain rods, furniture assembly, TV and media items, and similar projects when the mounting surface and conditions are appropriate.

Safety & accessibility

Grab bars, handrails, smoke and CO devices, anti-tip straps, non-slip items and practical home-safety improvements that can make daily life easier.

Seasonal & exterior help

Gutter work and other approved seasonal home-maintenance tasks that help homeowners stay ahead of changing weather and routine upkeep.

Several small jobs at once

Have a to-do list instead of one isolated job? We can group appropriate small tasks into a larger visit so you can get more taken care of at once.

Not sure what it needs?

Some work can be quoted from a few details and photos. If the problem cannot be responsibly priced remotely, we may recommend an onsite assessment before work is quoted.

How getting help works

Clear next steps, without guessing.

1. Tell us what you need.Share the project, location and any helpful details.
2. We choose the right quote path.Some jobs can be quoted directly, some need photos, and some need an onsite assessment.
3. You know the scope before work starts.We explain what is included, what it costs and what happens next.

Need a licensed specialist? We do not perform major remodeling, structural work, new electrical systems, new plumbing systems, gas work or other work that requires specialized licensing. We’ll tell you when a request is outside our scope rather than guessing.

Sample repairs

See what we can do.

Preventative Maintenance
  • Drain ½ gallon from water heater
  • Lubricate garage/sliding doors
  • Vacuum refrigerator coils
  • Uncover/operate house attic fan
  • Inspect attic access and weather seal
  • Clean faucet aerators
  • Test sump pump
  • Clean ice maker and change filter
  • Replace lightbulbs around home
  • Verify fire extinguishers are up to date
  • Check for settlement cracks and pops
  • Service door hinges and locks
  • Check window glass and screens
  • Test gas fireplaces
  • Replace HVAC/furnace filters
  • Empty dehumidifiers
  • Empty house vacuum containers
  • Repair counter caulking
  • Add rinse agent to dishwasher
  • Clean and sharpen garbage disposal
  • Check and clean drains
  • Inspect and repair bathroom caulking
  • Inspect and repair toilets
  • Operate all interior water shutoff valves
  • Change batteries and test smoke/CO/thermostat
  • Clean dishwasher screens/airgaps
  • Turn on exterior water/attach hoses
  • Operate all windows/doors
  • Inspect/replace weather stripping
  • Install window/door screens
  • Trim reachable branches touching house
  • Inspect attic for animals and leaks
  • Visual inspection of roof from ground
  • Inspect garage hardware and clean sensors
  • Replace garage keypad batteries
  • Inspect and replace washer hoses
  • Replace drinking water filters
  • Install storm windows/doors
  • Clean HVAC return vents
  • Turn off exterior water and store hoses
  • Inspect hose bibs
  • Sweep garage floor
Plumbing
  • Fix the toilet (no more phantom flushes)
  • Fix low water pressure at a faucet or shower
  • Caulk around showers, vanities and sinks
  • Replace valves in both the hot & cold handles
  • Replace worn toilet parts (flapper, fill valve, handle)
  • Shower/tub handle won’t turn tub part on
  • Fix faucet causing leak
  • Open up, clean, and fix clog
  • Remove the old faucet and install a new one
  • Replace faucet knob that popped up
  • Clean out window well drain
  • Snake PVC drain under sink
  • Ensure salt in water softener is ¾ full
  • Replace handheld shower
  • Clamp hoses under kitchen sink
  • Fix bathroom stopper that doesn’t seal all the way
Electrical
  • Replace switches for dimmers
  • Hang sconces
  • Install motion detector light in pantry
  • Repair the breaker in the electrical panel
  • Change all clocks for daylight savings
  • Install Ring doorbell
  • Install smart lock on the front door
  • Adjust the outside garage motion sensor
  • Replace light switch faceplate
  • Fix garage door entry remote control
  • Install new fixture in dining room
  • Reset light timers after a power failure
  • Operate generator and ensure ready for winter
  • Replace all recessed light bulbs in the ceiling theater room
  • Replace LED bulbs with incandescents for dimmer compatibility
  • Label mystery switches that control… nothing
  • Troubleshoot heated towel rack
  • Fix USB plug
  • Pair speaker to TV
  • Tighten loose outlet in master bedroom
  • Fix the buzzing noise from the dimmer
  • Fix motion sensor lights that don’t properly trigger
  • Test GFCI outlets
Landscaping / Outdoors
  • Dig trench and bury repaired line for outdoor lighting
  • Set up basketball hoop, tennis, and badminton nets for usage
  • Reseed the grass
  • Remove debris and spider webs from the back porches
  • Clean front porch
  • Relocate bird feeder out back
  • Deep clean the outdoor grill
  • Power wash patio furniture
  • Clean and sharpen garden tools
  • Place pool tables and chairs out by the pool
  • Power wash front stairs
  • Inspect tree branches near the home
  • Install flag pole on porch
  • Water fruit trees
  • Apply animal repellent to vulnerable shrubs
  • Reconstruct backyard gate latches that are not closing properly
  • Fix loose fence post
  • Hang outside party lights
  • Install steel flower bed
  • Remove old swing
  • Remove the screen doors in the kitchen
  • Pull dead flowers from outside pots
  • Salt driveway
  • Program light timers
  • Swap out the hoses with anti-burst supply lines
  • Leaf blow front porch
  • Zip tie cable line to downspout
  • Wrap bushes with burlap
HVAC
  • Identify visible leaks, rust, or loose components
  • Replace HVAC air filters
  • Install or replace vent covers
  • Install or replace return air grilles
  • Adjust vent dampers for airflow
  • Install vent extenders or air deflectors
  • Install additional vent grilles
  • Seal gaps around vents
  • Secure loose duct insulation
  • Clean vent covers and registers
  • Clear obstructions around HVAC equipment
  • Install or replace basic thermostats
  • Adjust thermostat settings
  • Replace thermostat batteries
  • Install thermostat covers
  • Install dehumidifiers
  • Set up dehumidifier drain hoses
  • Install condensate pumps
  • Adjust humidifier settings
  • Adjust water heater temperature
  • Install hot water pipe insulation
  • Install water heater insulation blankets
  • Install door sweeps
  • Install weather stripping
Decor & Touch-ups
  • Touch up paint scratches and scuffs throughout the house
  • Hang shades in upstairs bedroom
  • Patch up hole where painting was taken down
  • Build new desk for kids room
  • Take down old TV & put up new one
  • Fill and finish holes in kitchen cabinets
  • Take down all of the curtains on the doors in the living room
  • Install new curtain rod and curtains
  • Touch up paint of door & door trim leading to garage
  • Level the picture in the foyer
  • Put up new painting
  • Take down/put up floating shelving in bedroom
  • Hang mobile and other small decorations in nursery
  • Refabricate and install the baseboard corner
  • Eliminate green algae and mold from concrete stairwells
  • Resecure ottoman hinges where screws had stripped the wood
  • Measure and get dimensions of living room wall
  • Replace vent covers with high-end models
  • Buff out scratches in acrylic tubs
  • Provide storage option for bikes in garage
  • Remove and replace living room rug under furniture
  • Wash out and dust the glass globes of ceiling lights
  • Spray anti-mold spray on bathroom tiles every visit
  • Replace/tighten wobbly toilet seat
  • Swap bedroom mattresses
  • Vacuum cedar closet
  • Unscrew and replace banner
  • Repair bathroom towel hook and tighten it
  • Unstick windows in the gym
  • Tighten all door knobs throughout house
  • Seal cracks around the attic door frame inside
  • Repair the basement bar stool
  • Repair bar footrest in the basement
  • Check the attic for animal intrusion and leaks
  • Tighten hinge in the kitchen cabinet
  • Tighten toilet seat in the bathroom
  • Secure metal gazebo on top of stairs
  • Replace bulb in exterior light fixture
  • Recaulk ceiling where house is settling
  • Put the sliding glass back on track and lubricate
  • Repaint wood siding damage
  • Install security pins in windows
  • Prevent bed from sagging
  • Install beadboard to hide the pipe
  • Secure railing to 2nd floor
  • Remove/replace closet door
  • Level dishwasher in the kitchen
  • Clean out grease from the vent over the stove
  • Repair broken shelf in pantry
  • Tighten all water shut-off valves
  • Replace garbage disposal under the kitchen sink
  • Purchase and install a new smoke detector
  • Straighten garage window screen
  • Investigate the gas post lamp
  • Hammer back in kids’ bathroom door hinges
  • Reinforce the bottom of chest drawers
  • Repair drawer off its track
  • Cap outdoor pipe and bury it
  • Adjust the springs on dishwasher door so it doesn’t drop too quickly
  • Repair attic exhaust fan duct causing dampness and air flow issues
  • Repair cabinet sliding brackets
  • Anchor dresser to wall
  • Install baby gates at top of steps
  • Reattach dangling skylight solar panel using heavy-duty adhesive
  • Reinstall screens for windows
Miscellaneous
  • Get rid of cobwebs in corners
  • Assemble dog kennel & put it in the car
  • Check wine room temps
  • Bring logs in for the fireplace
  • Install a second fan control for the second-floor bedroom
  • Clean out the garage
  • Charge batteries for outdoor cameras
  • Install new attic access panels
  • Disassemble bedframe
  • Discard portable heater from premises
  • Install baby proofing items
  • Assemble electric scooter
  • Clean outdoor garbage cans
  • Program television remote
  • Flatten & organize boxes for recycling
  • Make extra keys for garage door
  • Install cordless vacuum wall mount
  • Seal rodent access points in garage
  • Provide measurements for garage blinds
  • Relight pilot light for fireplace
  • Remove bike lock from son’s bike
  • Xmas tree disposal
  • Remove ice buildup in wine cellar
  • Bolt down safe
  • Fix garage door that won’t stay closed
  • Repair door handle from garage to the house
  • Fix back gate that’s not closing
  • Install bike rack on vehicle
  • Hang medicine cabinet
  • Reattach bookshelf to wall
  • Reseat wood paneling
  • Adjust door so it shuts/opens without hitting the frame

Optional Add-On Services

Pest ControlGutter CleaningHVAC Window WashingPool MaintenanceLandscaping Generator ServicesPowerwashingCleaning Service

Tell us what you want done. We’ll let you know what Safe Home Services can handle, what can be estimated separately, and what is outside our scope.

Tell us what is on your list

Send a quick description. If photos would help us quote accurately, we’ll let you know what to send.