Red sandstone buttes above palms and a pond at Papago Park, on the Tempe and Phoenix line

Home Remodeling and Handyman Services in Tempe, AZ

We're Jimmy Griffin and crew, and we remodel and repair Tempe homes from our base in Queen Creek, about 43 minutes from central Tempe with no traffic. If your Tempe house still has the kitchen, the bathrooms or the trim it was built with, you notice how dated it feels every time you walk in. We take on everything from handyman repairs to full kitchen and bathroom remodels, and the estimate is free.

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Tempe's Homes Are the Oldest We Work On

Of all the East Valley cities we serve, Tempe has the oldest houses. The typical home here dates to 1984, more than 60 percent went up before 1990, and about a quarter were built in the 1970s alone. A house that age often still has its original kitchen and bathrooms, along with worn trim and older windows.

That lines up with the work we do most. A kitchen remodel or a bathroom remodel, new baseboard and doors, and fresh interior paint can bring a 1970s or 80s home up to date.

Gray kitchen cabinets with under-cabinet lights over a wood-look tile floor

Tempe's Post-War Districts Look Best When the Update Fits

Tempe's designated historic districts are all post-war neighborhoods. Roosevelt Addition went up from 1946 to 1950, Borden Homes from 1947 to 1957, Tomlinson Estates from 1950 to 1953 and Date Palm Manor from 1953 to 1959. University Park, College View, Park Tract, Gage Addition, Tempe Terrace and University Estates are eligible historic subdivisions too.

Homes from this era are compact, with simple trim and small kitchens and bathrooms. That's exactly why they reward careful work. In a small room every choice shows, so an update that respects the original lines looks like it belongs, and one that fights them looks bolted on. Before anything comes out, we'll talk through what's worth keeping and what's ready to go.

Tempe Rentals Get Their Handyman Work Done in One Visit

Most Tempe households rent, and only about 42 percent of homes are lived in by their owners. With ASU's original campus in town, a lot of the houses here are rentals. If you own one, the stretch between tenants is when the repairs pile up. We handle the paint, patching, doors, fans and fixtures together, all on one visit, instead of a different person for each fix.

Double vanity bathroom with dark wood cabinets and two mirrors

Older Tempe Houses Get a Closer Look Before We Price Them

A house that's been lived in this long carries several rounds of past repairs, and not all of them were done well. That's why a Tempe estimate starts with a careful walk-through. We check for soft spots around tubs and toilets, signs of old leaks under sinks, trim and doors painted over many times, and earlier fixes that need redoing before new work goes on top.

Finding those things up front keeps the price honest. The estimate reflects the house you actually have, and you avoid surprises halfway through.

Plan Approval Comes First for a Tempe Remodel

In Tempe, a remodel needs its plans approved before the permit is issued, and the application goes through the city's online portal. The plan has to be settled before work can start, so we go over what your project needs during the estimate.

Tempe's Water Is Softer, Not Soft

In 2024, Tempe's water averaged about 11 grains per gallon of hardness. That's a little softer than its neighbors, but still enough to leave spots on shower glass and fixtures, so it's worth keeping in mind when you choose them.

Tempe's Landmarks Sit Among Well-Lived-In Homes

Tempe is a city people know by its landmarks. Tempe Town Lake opened in 1999 and runs about two miles with 220 surface acres, right beside Tempe Beach Park, the city's oldest park, built in 1931. ASU's Tempe campus, the university's original home, dates to 1885, and more than 200 of the city's buildings are listed as historic.

All that history adds up to houses that have been lived in, rented out and updated many times over.

What Tempe Customers Say About Our Crew

A customer who hired us for a two week interior painting job wrote:

5.0 on Google, 5 reviewsAngi Super Service Award 2024

★★★★★
“Inside painting -workers were very considerate and cleaned up at the end of each day for two week job.”
Gail S.January 2021
★★★★★
“We interviewed 3 other general contractors before deciding to sign with Jim and Joe Griffin at New England Upgrades. It turned out to be a 3.5 month total remodeling project of our 1,100 square foot 2 bedroom / 2 bathroom condo.” Read the full review
Kay CGoogle review
Google
★★★★★
“Have nothing but good things to say about New England Upgrades. What started out as a bathroom renovation became a whole house (and yard) renovation. Jimmy and Joe were able to quickly determine what I wanted and needed and were able to help guide me through choices and decisions I had to make.” Read the full review
Jill F.Google review
Google
★★★★★
“Fabulous. Jimmy and Joe were always gentlemen, kept me informed of what was going on, and their work was very meticulous. They took their time to do the job correctly and efficiently.”
Marlene H B.January 2024
Angi
★★★★★
“NEU did a fantastic job out here in Scottsdale. It was a pleasure working with their team. The communication was great and the work was amazing. I will definitely use Jimmy and Joe again for my next project.”
Jennifer P.August 2026, bathroom remodel
Angi
★★★★★
“Yes, excellent work. Finish product looks fantastic”
Bob & Cheryl H.March 2026, kitchen remodel
Angi
★★★★★
“Great they were courteous and did a good job kept me informed on their progress”
Nana E.August 2024
Angi
★★★★★
“Jimmy was awesome! Did everything so well and within a few hours! Will definitely be hiring again!”
Lexi D.July 2024
Angi
★★★★★
“Went great problem solved!”
Michael I.June 2024
Angi
★★★★★
“Excellent. My cabinets were raised and time was left, so they fixed my closet doors. Such gentlemen. The work was excellent.”
Rhonda G.February 2024
Angi
★★★★★
“Jimmy was a great communicator throughout the entire time I was speaking with him about the job. He does quality work in an efficient time frame. Great personality and easy going. Definitely will be going to him for future services.”
Vaughn V.February 2024
Angi
★★★★★
“Jimmy did everything we needed to get done, work was excellent and reasonable cost”
William F.February 2024
Angi
★★★★★
“Perfect, very professional and done correctly. Would use them as first choice.”
Raymond S.November 2023
Angi
★★★★★
“Great brother-duo. All around knowledge of fixing the home. Anything I mentioned, they were willing to complete!!! Friendly, professional! Have a need in the home? Call them!!!”
Shawn J.October 2023
Angi
★★★★★
“It when exceptionally well, would definitely use them again and would recommend them to my friend and family”
Anna A.October 2023
Angi
★★★★★
“Very productive and efficient! Courteous!”
Kristen H.August 2023
Angi
★★★★★
“Very happy with the results of their services! There were many needed repairs at a rental and they were all done quickly and completely. Thank you.”
John P.August 2023
Angi
★★★★★
“They were very professional and on time. Went above and beyond in all the work they did, even offered to help fix my running toilet! Took me five years but I finally found a handyman/contractor I trust.”
Karen C.July 2023
Angi
★★★★★
“It went very well. Jimmy G is great man.fun personality , hard worker. Nice clean work”
Sue F.May 2023
Angi
★★★★★
“James Griffin does excellent work, very attentive to details. He let us know when he was arriving and leaving and was always in a good mood, singing or whistling while he worked. He knew which experts to call in for specific work, i.e., electric, plumbing, stucco.” Read the full review
Melvin & Suzanne S.April 2023
Angi
★★★★★
“Outstanding work, polite, very clean and very professional. Thank you for all your help you are amazing.”
Richard T.February 2023
Angi
★★★★★
“Great !! Jimmy Hriffin was very proficient and knowledgeable.”
Patricia C.January 2023
Angi
★★★★★
“Promptly showed up & the mess I started he did a perfect to cover it up. Angie won't hire me! Plus found out he can do many other jobs & a definite hire he would be.”
Sharon A.January 2023
Angi
★★★★★
“Excellent. Jimmy was quick, professional and friendly. Chatted on the phone, he was in the area and came right over!”
Janet E.January 2023
Angi
★★★★★
“We are very pleased with having the interior of our cement block fence painted with elastomeric paint.”
Brian M.December 2022
Angi
★★★★★
“Does a great job. Will be doing a second bathroom for us soon”
Warren ISeptember 2020, bathroom remodel
★★★★★
“Jimmy's crew were great. They arrived on time, finished the job in one day, and left the area immaculate. They were very respectful. I would definitely hire them again.”
Melissa K.October 2022, exterior painting
★★★★★
“We had some miscommunication about the scope of work but we settled it amicably. The work was timely and very professional. I would definitely hire them again.”
Janeen H.November 2022, exterior painting
★★★★★
“They painted my whole house, replaced my kitchen floor and power washed the house. I would highly recommend them. They did a great job and were a pleasure to work with. I wouldn't hesitate to hire them again.”
Nancy F.October 2020, interior painting
★★★★★
“The gentleman who took care of the work was exceedingly professional. He showed up right on time, went to work promptly, was completed in a short amount of time and picked up after himself when the job was finished. The job itself was done exactly as we had hoped, and looked just great.”
Barbara S.January 2022, interior trim and decorative moldings
★★★★★
“His knowledge of the job is price was right on. Showed up on time completed the job. Good work”
Benardo F.January 2021, carpentry framing