A handyman is someone who gets paid
to do various household chores and
repairs. The range of skills a
handyman has varies greatly from
person to person. A handyman can do
odd jobs such as lawn work or raking
leaves. They can also do minor home
repair or improvements such as
painting. The search for the right
handyman starts with you.
Decide what needs to be done and
make a detailed list. Do not expect
every handyman to have all the
skills necessary to do everything
around the house. Handymen are
typically used for smaller projects
or one-time jobs. Handymen with a
wide range of skills are typically
more expensive and you might be able
to save money by finding one who
specializes in just your particular
needs. If you simply need someone to
paint a room, hiring a professional
who has woodworking skills and
electrical knowledge might prove to
be more costly. If you have a
laundry list of items that need work
however, choosing one who has a
range of skills well suited to your
list may save time and money. Ask
detailed questions about their
experience.
Getting references is important.
There are many stories of disastrous
labor experiences from shoddy work
to outright theft. Ensuring your
handyman is trustworthy and well
respected is essential in ensuring a
good job. The best way to find a
quality worker is by referral. Many
handymen stay busy simply on word of
mouth referrals from happy
customers. Talk to neighbors,
family, and friends to see if they
have had positive experiences.
Get a written estimate that includes
the price and time for completion.
Unscrupulous handymen may give a
verbal estimate and when it’s time
to pay come up with a list of things
that raised the price higher than
expected. Know up- front what the
work will cost be and any variables
that may affect a change.
Get a contract in writing. This will
protect you if anything goes wrong.
A handyman who is willing to put it
in writing is typically more
trustworthy also. If they aren’t
willing to do this, they are not the
person to be trusted with your job.
Check to see if they have valid
liability insurance and get proof.
Although you may opt to forego this
for smaller jobs, there can be
damage if things go awry and you
want to be covered.
Hiring a handyman can be very useful
in getting a lot of smaller tasks
accomplished. They can also be a
much more affordable option then
hiring a licensed contractor. Check
references and skill levels before
making a final decision and be sure
you are comfortable with the person.
Remember that this person will have
access to your home so you want to
feel secure in your choice.
About the Author:
Gray Rollins is a featured writer
for
HandymanHire.com. To learn about
commonly asked handyman questions
and for hire a handyman, visit us.
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