My name is Kati Fishbein. I'm a transplant from Baltimore. Growing up I was always interested in doing everything myself.
In 2010 I bought my first home in upper Lawrenceville. I still have a lot of work to do on it, but I feel like I'm off to a good start having renovated the kitchen, added a laundry room, and remodeled a first floor powder room.
While I don't have a formal education in home repair or maintenance, I've been picking up bits and pieces for years. I started welding, rewiring lamps and framing walls when I was in high school.
In addition to being a handywoman-for-hire, I worked as the Exhibitions Coordinator at the Society for Contemporary Craft for 4 years. I am also a Cardiac Ultrasonography at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, of UPMC. As if that weren't enough, I am proud to be an active retired member of the Steel City Roller Derby and a coach for the Pittsburgh Derby Brats!
My practical education in home improvements and repair started when I was 8 and my parents bought a summer cottage. Each summer we chose a different room to gut and renovate. For 10 years' worth of summers I got a hands on education in demolition, hanging drywall, electric, insulation, ducting, tile, trim and painting.
It was this experience that urged me to buy a house in 2005. I gutted the first floor, expanded the kitchen, updated the flooring, painted the walls and called it home. Five years later I sold the house for 35% over the purchase price.
When I am not swinging a hammer you can find me playing with my toddler, or coaching the Steel Hurtin, a nationally ranked roller derby team.
