Todd Perschke has built a successful handyman business serving the Fox Chapel area after a long career in the automotive industry.
“I show up for work,” said Perschke of his commitment to providing home improvement and fix-it solutions to both commercial and residential folks in the Fox Chapel Area School District and Oakmont.
Perschke grew up with a union plumber father and many relatives who worked in the trades.
“We never outsourced house stuff. The family would come and do it. I was blessed with that,” he said.
Perschke opened Chapel Handyman Services in 2023 and accepts jobs within the Fox Chapel Area School District and nearby communities such as Oakmont.
He credits his late ex-father-in-law’s successful home building career as a source for learning carpentry and other handyman skills that include just about every household job you can think of.
“Everyone who owns a house needs a handyman,” said Dr. Louis Martone of Fox Chapel, a retired dermatologist.
Martone hired Perschke for several household projects, including deck work, window repairs and plumbing jobs.
“He’s good with carpentry, and I know it’s done right with Todd,” said Martone, who built his Fox Chapel home in 1983.
Perschke most recently repaired a section of damaged outdoor deck at the Martone residence. Martone said he’s happy to hire a fellow Fox Chapel resident.
“He’s helped to keep my home up and that’s nice,” Martone said. “All my friends are about the same age, and I’ve referred him to several people.”
Martone praised Perschke’s work ethic and diverse handyman knowledge.
“He’s very reliable. And if he has to go buy a part or something, he doesn’t charge you for his time away,” he said.
“Most of the houses in the Fox Chapel and O’Hara footprint, they’re from the 1960s to 1970s, and there’s not a lot of new construction. So we have needs here — folks that need my services — and after this winter I’m doing a lot of drywall repair,” Perschke said. “But I like challenging projects. I have a little bit of OCD, and I just want it to be right.”
A one-man handyman business, Perschke has lived along Field Club Road for eight years. He is insured and licensed in Pennsylvania and has never had an insurance claim.
He charges $100 per hour and then every 15 minutes is prorated to $25 per 15 minutes; he never adds hidden fees or surprise costs.
Handyman services include assembly, carpentry, drywall and walls, floors, electrical, door install and repair, bathroom sink and shower install and repair, safety handrails installs, power washing, siding repair, counter top installation and repair, garbage disposal, plumbing leaks, hot water tank repair or replacement, new deck construction, deck staining and refinishing, painting and hardwood install and repair.
But no roof work, concrete work or brick pointing.
“My wife has me on a three-story limit while on a ladder,” said Perschke, referencing a fall from a ladder while rebuilding a pergola that resulted in a torn rotator cuff.
Perschke works year-round and said business is booming.
“This has been great. I have the support of my wife, and she encouraged me to do this. And I meet some wonderful people,” Perschke said.
Perschke plans to share his handyman knowledge with a course he dubbed “Home Repair 101: Gain the Confidence to Fix It Yourself” offered in four weekly sessions — $26 for the course — from 6:30 to 8 p.m., starting April 7, at Fox Chapel Area High School.
Perschke plans to teach essential home-repair skills that can help keep your home running affordably and safely with topics such as what tools to keep in the home toolbox, safety essentials, drywall repair and finishing, basic plumbing and electrical repair including troubleshooting a broken outlet and installing/replacing a light fixture and ceiling fan, contractor do’s and don’ts, painting and picture hanging, and tips for buying materials.
Mailbox jobs are frequent.
“They either rot out or get run over. I dig them up and install new ones,” Perschke said. “No job is too small.”
“I’m going to build a little wall to teach people and share ladder safety, tools you need, how to shut the water and power off, stuff like that,” Perschke said.
When not in handyman mode, Perschke enjoys his “Poppa” moniker given by his three grandchildren, attending church at Riverside Community Church in Oakmont, spending time with his wife, Kimberly, and trips to the lake.
To reach reach Chapel Handyman Services, call 412-212-3050.