Family properties, with his father
John's construction knowledge started with his father's guidance. He went along when his father maintained the family properties, so the first houses he repaired were the ones his own family owned.
John Blakemore's work record, in the order he worked it
The man who answers the phone at I'm Your Handyman has been on job sites since he was a boy following his father around the family properties. Here is the record, from the first job to the Knoxville handyman work he does now.
After high school: the coal industry
From high school he went into the coal industry, where he learned industrial electrical, hydraulic and other mechanical systems. Wiring, moving water and moving parts are most of what goes wrong in a house too, which is why the electrical and plumbing work on his list comes with a trade behind it.
A general contracting firm: site work and layout
He then started with a general contracting firm and moved quickly into site work and the layout of buildings. Getting a building square and level before anything is framed is the same habit that puts a new fence post plumb or a pre-hung door true in its frame.
His own firm, from the late 1980s
In the late 1980s John started his own general contracting firm in Southwestern Virginia. It began in residential construction and grew into commercial construction.
Master Electrical, State of Virginia, 1994
In 1994 he earned his Master Electrical Credential with the State of Virginia. By his own count he has been an electrician for 35 years. Small electrical projects, like ceiling fans, recessed lights and dimmers, are routine for him.
Construction management
Next came a career in construction management, from tradesman up to senior construction project manager. In John's own words:
My name is John Blakemore. Prior to a career in Construction Management, I was a General Contractor in Southwestern Virginia. Being involved in many different types of large commercial and residential construction projects gave me a thorough and comprehensive repair background and the depth of knowledge to resolve difficult problems and situations.
Knoxville, near family
John moved to Knoxville, TN to be near family and found people here who needed a handyman they could rely on. He started I'm Your Handyman Knoxville after years of working on his own properties, and he now takes the small and mid-sized jobs across five trades. Closed jobs are on the gallery.
After relocating to Knoxville, TN to be near family, I found there was a great need for people to have a reliable, knowledgeable, and affordable Handyman to call on. I started I'm Your Handyman after many years of working on my own properties. I enjoy meeting people and helping them with all manner of small projects.
SIGN-OFF
Paid in full when the work is right
My Promise: I'll only work with the best materials available and provide a 1 year guarantee on all labor. I never compromise quality for time and always give my clients realistic schedules that accommodate their lives. I strive for honest customer service, so contracts are only paid in full when the finished work is to your complete satisfaction.
Estimates are always free, and the guarantee covers labor for a full year. Read what customers wrote on the testimonials page, or look at the work itself in the gallery.
Tell John what needs fixing
Call or text any time. He covers Knoxville and Anderson, Union, Grainger, Jefferson, Blount, Loudon and Roane counties.