Tom Lopatosky – The Home Improvement Expert

Smoke Detector

The Modern Smoke Alarm

Modern smoke alarms are crucial devices that help keep us safe by detecting smoke and alerting us to potential fires. They use advanced technology to function effectively, but sometimes they can go off accidentally. Understanding how they work and how to prevent false alarms can ...
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Painting

How To Properly Paint Rusted Metal

Recently I was returning from a day out visiting job sites on Block Island, when as I was boarding onto the ferry, I almost had a heart attack! It was a simply gorgeous November day and apparently one of the ferry maintenance staff had been ...
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Shutters

Wooden Shutters – To Repair Or To Not Repair?

Anyone who may be familiar with our company knows that we specialize in many types of repairs, particularly on older homes and buildings, which may not be easy to typically find someone to help you out with. One such item that falls under this umbrella ...
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Gutters

Is The Sexiness Of Your Gutter Debris Protection System Important To You?

Recently we were asked by a Client to remove a gutter debris protection system that they had in place on their home which we had installed within the past year. The gutter debris protection system was functioning as it should, the challenge was that the ...
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Painting

Do I Have To Prime New Pre-Primed Wood Again Before Painting?

On the surface, it may seem counterintuitive. But when getting ready to paint new pre-primed wood, you should ABSOLUTELY prime it again prior to working through the rest of your prep and finish coating. Priming pre-primed wood again before painting is important for several reasons. ...
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Our Book

The Care And Maintenance Of A New England Home

New England Homes are very different from homes in other parts of the country. Though the same may be said for homes in any region, New England Homes definitely have features which are truly their own. Maybe it is the diversity in housing structures that ...
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Chimney

What Is Siloxane?

It is not unusual to hear someone reference something that sounds a bit ‘techy’ but really is industry slang for something somewhat ‘related’, but maybe not necessarily having to do with the actual definition of what may be being discussed. I’m sure every industry has ...
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Deck Care

Why It Is Important To Coat ALL SIX Sides Of Your Wood When Building A Porch Floor

When building a porch floor, it’s essential to coat all six sides of the wood. This practice is crucial for several reasons, including protecting the wood, enhancing durability, preventing moisture damage, and maintaining its appearance. Let’s break down these reasons to understand why this step ...
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Gutters

Why You Do NOT Need Larger Gutters Than You Already Have

There is an interesting phenomenon which occurs with certain types of rain. This phenomenon leads to phone calls which we field from concerned people that believe that their gutter system is not large enough to catch the water that is coming down their roof in ...
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Doors

What Is Muriatic Acid And Why Is It So Helpful?

Muriatic acid is a type of acid that is very useful for many different tasks. It is a strong and powerful liquid, often found in hardware stores, and is used for cleaning and on construction jobs, and even for balancing pH in pools. Although it’s ...
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Basement

What Is The Best Treatment For Old Rusty Foundation Windows?

Over the years I have noticed that old, rusty foundation windows are often overlooked in the maintenance processes on people’s homes. This may seem like a little detail but can add to a home looking worn out and neglected. Not only that, but if these ...
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Surface Preparation

Drylock

DRYLOK is a type of paint designed to keep water from coming through surfaces like walls and floors. It’s called a waterproofing paint because it creates a barrier that stops water from seeping in. People often use DRYLOK in basements, garages, or other places where ...
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Hardscaping

Landscaping vs. Hardscaping

Every once in a while, I hear an “incorrect” use of a given term that makes me giggle internally. One of the most prominent examples of this is when someone is referring to a ‘downspout’ on their home as a ‘gutter’. Technically when it comes ...
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Interior

The MVP Of Primer Colors

When painting anything on the exterior or the interior of your home and it has been established that a primer is necessary to use for the project, you may be surprised to learn on what my recommendation would be in terms of one specific element ...
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Crawl Space

Installing A Vapor Barrier In A Crawl Space

Recently I was meeting with a client couple of ours to review a service item that we were working to take care of for them. While meeting with them, they asked me if I could give them a price for installing a vapor barrier in ...
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OUR HISTORY

LOPCO Expert

While looking for a way to pay his way through college, Tom Lopatosky started LOPCO Contracting in 1995. Since then, when Tom began the company with less than $100 in his pocket, LOPCO has grown to become the Home Improvement Contractor of choice for a wide number of people throughout Rhode Island and Southern New England. Tom learned many valuable lessons as he grew the business while attending college. Ultimately Tom (in the year 2000) graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree with a Concentration in Marketing, a Bachelor’s Degree with a Concentration in Finance, and a Minor in Computer Information Systems from Bryant University (Bryant College at the time) in Smithfield, RI. 

Prior to earning his degrees, Tom graduated from Classical High School in Providence, RI (where Tom won the ‘Al Morro Award’ for Football in 1994). After High School, Tom left for the University of South Carolina to pursue his dream of playing football. Soon after his mother passed away in 1997, he relocated back to RI and completed his college career at Bryant. Tom continued to play minor league football for 9 years and was part of 4 championship-playing football teams. 

As the demands of the company grew, Tom decided to retire from football in 2006 and focus on LOPCO full time.
Under Tom’s leadership, the company culture of striving to overdeliver on every project they undertake has led to much repeat business and their clients are often very happy to tell their friends and families about their experiences with LOPCO. This has helped tremendously as LOPCO has sought to further increase their customer base. Tom’s long-term goal for the company is “To lead LOPCO Contracting in continuing to paint and build the way to social consciousness while becoming the largest painting and repair company in New England.”

Tom lives in East Providence, RI with his girlfriend Leslie and his daughters Tamara & Ivelisse. Tom has held a variety of titles over the years including President of LOPCO Contracting, Regional Board Member of the PCA’s (Painting Contractors Association) Northeast Council, President of the RI Chapter of the PCA, Board Member of RIBA (Rhode Island Builders Association), and Building & Property Trades Advisory Committee Member for MTTI (MotoRing Technical Training Institute in Seekonk, MA).

Tom has been a RIBA member since 2008 and a member of PCA since 2006. In 2013 Tom received the PCA’s National “Humanitarian of the Year” Award, a “40 under 40” Award from Providence Business News, and his BNI (Business Network International) Warwick peers voted him “Member of the Year”. Tom has been involved with BNI for a number of years as well as quite a few other networking organizations.

In 2006 Tom was inducted into the Classical High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Over the years Tom has been a contributing writer and/or columnist for ExpertBeacon.com, RI Local Magazine, ShopInRI Magazine, The Jewish Voice, The Rhode Island Echo, The RI Wave, the East Providence Reporter, and The Smithfield Times and also has had weekly Home Improvement Tips that have run on the radio (630AM & 99.7FM WPRO in the RI area) and on television (WPRI 12 in the RI area). 

Tom is Roman Catholic and is a firm believer that success is often correlated with a person’s faith, not necessarily a particular religion, but faith in a greater power. 

Roman 12:12 is his favorite Bible verse which reads, “”Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.” Tom is very involved with his Church (St. Adalbert’s Church in Providence, RI) – Tom served as Chairperson of St. Adalbert’s Church’s Polish-American Festival for 6 years – and really tries to make it a point on attending service at least once per week (Tom also spends 30-45 minutes in prayer prior to beginning each day).
As a fun sidenote, Tom made it as a Semi-Finalist in the second season of “The Apprentice” (the round right before the finalists are on the show!).

Tom has been featured on the Real Estate Radio Network, the ‘Discover Rhode Island’ TV show, and on The Strongpreneur Nation Podcast. Today, Tom has his own weekly Home Improvement radio show on 630AM & 99.7FM WPRO in the RI area – ‘PROTALK Home Improvement’. Tom feels VERY fortunate to have been involved with a number of terrific community organizations over the years, such as: Amos House, Children’s Wishes, Clinica Esperanza, Goodwill Industries of Rhode Island, Habitat for Humanity of RI – Greater Providence, The Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence, The Town of Johnston, RI Police Department, Junior Achievement of RI, One Neighborhood Builders (formerly Olneyville Housing Corporation), Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, YouthBuild Providence, and YMCA of Greater Providence. Two of the biggest community initiatives that Tom has been involved with are being a lead organizer of ‘Clean Day’ on the Woonasquatucket River Greenway for nine years and a lead organizer for YouthBuild Providence’s annual ‘Build-a-Bed’ event for four years.

In addition to LOPCO, Tom also owns Cheer UP Athletics – an All-Star Cheerleading Gym located in East Providence, RI – and The Smithfield Times. Tom is an avid New York Yankee, University of South Carolina (ALL of their sports!), and Providence College Basketball fan. Tom’s extensive experience and overall industry knowledge have made Tom one of the most sought-after experts in the Home Improvement Industry. Remarkably, Tom is often even called upon by other contractors to help them through challenges in their businesses (often speaking at National Industry Conferences). Because he has made it a focus to delve into and solve problems that others in the industry simply want nothing to do with, Tom has become an invaluable resource for homeowners near and far. With all being said, it confidently is safe to say that Tom Lopatosky truly is – The Home Improvement Expert!!!

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