Tom Lopatosky – The Home Improvement Expert

Doors

What is a ‘Racked’ Doorframe?

There is seemingly tons of home improvement industry jargon which often sounds like a completely foreign language – even to many Contractors! One of these types of items that I think is fun to say – though VERY not fun to deal with – is ...
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Concrete

Concrete Stain

One of my favorite products on the planet is concrete stain, particularly when it is a solid stain. If you have been associated with the coatings industry for any length of time, you may very well have a favorite type of product. A number of ...
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Window Repair

What is ‘J-Channel’?

J-channel is a type of trim used in building construction, mostly with vinyl siding. It’s shaped like the letter “J” and helps give the outside of a house a neat and finished look. J-channel is used to hold the edges of siding panels in place ...
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Walkway

Why Do Some Paths Just ‘Stop’?

Have you ever noticed a masonry, brick, or stone path in front of a house that just ends suddenly? If you are anything like me, the mystery of such a feature of one’s home can lead to some intriguing ideas as to why the path ...
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Surface Prep

What To Do Next After Media Blasting A Painted Surface

In situations where a surface is media blasted due to some type of paint failure and the hope is to create longevity in terms of how long the paint coating “lasts” WITHOUT peeling, there is a certain procedure that has to be followed in order ...
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Appliances

Why It Is Important To Regularly Clean Your Dryer Vent

It is more often than any of us would like that we hear stories on the news of a devastating fire which easily could have been prevented. Cleaning your dryer vent of any lint that may have gotten trapped over time is one of these ...
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Appliances

Disinfecting The Inside Of Your Washing Machine

Recently I heard a few people talking on the radio about disinfecting the inside of their washing machine. This falls into the category of one of those things that seems SUPER good to do, but the vast majority of people just don’t happen to think ...
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Painting

How To Prime A Wall

Prior to jumping in to applying a finish coat on a wall, priming things (i.e. – getting the wall ready to receive it’s finish coat) is often a very important step. Primer helps the paint stick better and last longer. It also helps cover stains, ...
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Power Source

The Difference Between A Lithium And A Non-Lithium Battery

Recently I was on a flight in which I was attempting to bring a large speaker with me on the trip (related to my ‘other life’ as a competitive cheer gym owner!). Although I had done so numerous times in the past, this particular time, ...
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Window

Jalousie Windows

One of the reactions that I never seem to lose is my eyes opening wide upon first seeing jalousie windows on a porch at someone’s home. Literally, I think every time I have ever looked at one of these window setups, I have just shook ...
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Picture Molding

Picture Molding

When looking closely at the walls in certain older homes, libraries, or schools, you might notice a thin strip of wood running along the top part of the wall—just a few inches below the ceiling. It doesn’t look like much at first. It’s not a ...
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Plaster

What Is The Difference Between ‘Joint Compound’ & ‘Plaster’?

If you’ve ever helped with home repairs or watched someone fix a wall, you might have heard the words “joint compound” and “plaster.” While they may seem similar – and some folks do use them interchangeably – they are actually quite different. Both are used ...
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Chimney

What Is The ‘Cleanout’ On A Chimney Used For?

A chimney is an important part of a home that often has a fireplace or wood-burning stove associated with it. Chimneys help carry smoke and gases safely out of the house. Over time, ashes, soot, and debris can build up inside the chimney. That’s where ...
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Doors

Best Way To Paint A New Steel Door

If you have ever installed a new steel door, you may have noticed that the manufacturer tends to make quite clear that the warranty on the door is only good if the door is properly painted within ‘X’ time after being installed. This is great, ...
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Roof

How To Get To Hard To Reach Spots

When I started LOPCO Contracting in the 1990s, I was your typical teenager with a “no fear” mentality in approaching things. One of the more famous examples of this is a picture of me standing on my tippy toes, on one of the last rungs ...
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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!!!

Print Media Features & Published Pieces

Pro Talk Podcasts