As Yogi Tea says, “Self-reliance conquers any difficulty.” But for those of us who can’t sew, roof, paint or exterminate, BB has compiled a list of service- and repairmen, culled from comments on Brooklynian, Brownstoner, and Apartment Therapy, and personal recommendations from Reclaimed Home, Sustainable Flatbush, Prospect and Refuge (a k a City Dirt), Ellen Honigstock, 408 group, and longtime Brooklynites. While this is not a definitive round-up, it is a well-researched start. So bookmark this or save it in your inbox, and email us if you have anyone else to recommend (like seamstresses!). Note: neighborhoods are listed only when appropriate–so many of these services involve house calls, and others are worth a trek.

APPLIANCE REPAIR
Herb’s Appliance Service, 718-449-0795
Len’s Appliance, 718-238-3200
Servue Appliance Co., 718-859-6363

AUTO REPAIR
Alfa Motors, 718-596-3977 (Carroll Gardens)
Atros Auto Repair, 718-643-0707 (Boerum Hill)
Mitch Auto, 718-854-8074 (Boro Park)
Lee’s Auto Repair, 718-643-3774 (Carroll Gardens)
Tire repair: A&J Tire Center, 718-230-3648 (Gowanus)
Pepe’s Tire Shop, 718-349-1876 (Greenpoint)
Window repair: Joe’s Auto Glass, 718-788-3609 (Windsor Terrace)

BIKE REPAIR (that’s not performed by ex-messenger elitists)
Bicycle Station, 718-638-0300 (Prospect Heights)
Bicycle Doctor, 718-302-3145 (W-burg)
Peter, at the unmarked, cave-like place on the east side of Lorimer btwn Skillman & Jackson. No phone (that we know of yet!), but basic, friendly repairs and vintage Schwinns.
Roy’s Sheepshead Cycle, 718-648-1440 (Sheepshead Bay)

CARPENTERS
Alex Rodriguez, 917-502-2854 (Brownstone renos and small jobs too)
Jens Venemen and Michael Goodall of Vego (specializing in green renovations and restorations)

COMPUTER REPAIR
Macs: Mac Mechanix, 646-736-1769 (hourly on-site rate is $150/hour)
PCs: Brooklyn Dell Repair and Data Recovery, 718-743-0550 (hourly, on-site rate begins at $90/hour)

CUSTOM FRAMERS
Abe’s Frame Shoppe 718-648-9090/2606 (Sheepshead Bay)
Frameworks NY 718-237-1400 (Dumbo)
McCaig + Welles, 718-384-8729 (W-burg)

ELECTRICIANS
Julio Alvarez, ANS Master Electrical Works, 646-523-9296
Ceriello Electricians, 718-797-3759

EXTERMINATORS (who will rid your home of bed-bugs)
Ecology, 718-972-1040
Empire Pest Control, 718-237-0989
My Private Exterminator, 347-365-2159

HARDWOOD FLOOR REFINISHERS/INSTALLERS
Desmond Harmon, 917-642-2752
Carlington Scott, Home Experts Flooring, 347-768-4358, homeex@netzero.net

IRON WORKER (window guards, doors)
Robert Lewin, 917-892-6913

KNIFE SHARPENERS (Yes, the guy in the truck is charming, but he’ll ruin your knives. Use the pros.)
A Cook’s Companion, 718-852-6901 (Cobble Hill)
The Brooklyn Kitchen, 718-389-2982 (W-burg)
Or, Learn How to DIY here

LAMP REPAIR (including restoring vintage chandeliers)
The Lamp Warehouse, 718-436-2207 (pick up and drop off, for a fee)

MASTER PLASTERER
Michael Matson, margintrowel@gmail.com

PAINTERS
Interior: Carol Goebel, owner Dutch Girl Painters, 212-475-2291
Interior: Hughie Hunt, 718-749-2123
Exterior & Interior: Larry Ramos, 347-524-7693

PLUMBERS
James Long, 917-208-4274 (Mainly services Benhonhurst, Dyker Heights, the Slope)
John Hilad Plumbing and Heating 718-768-0689 (Primarily services Park Slope, but will venture elsewhere)
Heating/Boiler Installation: Carlo Popolano, Aurora Plumbing and Heating, 718-235-4091

ROOFER
Tom Cosentino, Payless Roofing, 718-670-3633

SHOE REPAIR (some repair handbags too)
Michael’s Shoe Repair, 718-243-0288, (Carroll Gardens)
Master Shoemaker, 718-421-2421 (Midwood)
Peerless Shoe Service, 718-855-4954 (BK Heights)
Yelena’s Shop, 718-302-1962 (inside a laundromat at 164 Bedford Avenue, W-Burg)

STAIR CONSTRUCTION/REPAIR
N.Y. Fine Circular Stairs, 718-218-9051
Alex Rodriguez, 917-502-2854

TAILORS (the kind who don’t work out of dry cleaners, alter suits and do custom work)
Aaron Lett, Object Custom Tailor, 718-596-2086 (Downtown Brooklyn)
Victor, One Stop, 718-855-3600 (Carroll Gardens)
G.O. Hussey Fashion Designs, 718-622-6223 (Prospect Heights)

UPHOLSTERERS
Barth-Tex Upholstery & Fabric, 718-853-7253
Mr. Wood, 718-857-0075 (with him, you buy your own fabric)

WALLPAPER HANGER
Dow Kowalczyk, Dow and Company, 917-414-1393, DowCompany@aol.com (he’s also a painter)

WATCH/JEWELRY REPAIR
Court Street Jewelers, 718-834-8940 (BK Heights)

Illustrations by Sara G. Levin
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