02/16/2021
Your Home - Six Tips for Hiring a Handyman
Owning a home requires a decent amount of upkeep year-round, but not all homeowners have the time or expertise to perform the necessary fixes and maintenance duties around their property. This is where a handyman comes in handy!
Hiring a Handyman: Tips for Success
If you've never hired a handyman before, you may be unsure about what to look for. There are many things to keep in mind, including which licenses or permits are required for the work you're proposing. Here are our top six tips for successfully hiring a handyman who will provide you with quality work and a great customer experience.
1. Determine Exactly What You Need Done.
It's important to have a clear idea of what you expect from your handyman before you make a choice to hire one. That way, you won't run into any confusion during your working relationship. For example, if you're hiring a handyman to paint the exterior of your house, you should be very specific about what color and brand of paint you want, how many coats the handyman should apply, and whether or not he should include the windowsills and other exterior features within his coverage.
2. Make Sure You're Hiring the Right Person for the Job.
Before hiring your handyman, you should ask him detailed questions about his previous experience with projects that are similar to yours. If your prospective handyman has never performed the task that you're looking for, he could end up making costly mistakes. Make sure that your handyman knows what it takes to get the job done and will be able to perform the work quickly and efficiently.
Additionally, it's important to note that extremely detailed work such as plumbing, electrical wiring, or AC repair should be left in the hands of a professional who is licensed to operate in those areas, rather than a general handyman.
3. Read Reviews and Check Your Handyman's References.
If your handyman has an online presence for his business, make sure you look over any and all reviews that customers have left in order to make sure you're hiring a trustworthy person. Additionally, don't be afraid to ask your handyman for references from previous clients that you can follow up on. A quality handyman will have no problem providing those for you.
4. Don't Pay Upfront.
If your handyman is requiring payment in full before starting work, you should view this as a red flag. Some handymen will require around 10% at the start of the project or may require a percentage of the materials to be purchased upfront. Any handyman asking for more than that is likely trying to scam you.
5. Prioritize Quality Over Cost.
People have a natural tendency to want to pick the lowest price when shopping around. But when you're making choices that could affect the living quality of your home, this may not be wise. Resist the tendency to simply choose the lowest bid and make an investment in the best handyman you can find.
6. Stay Up to Date on Permit Laws.
Depending on where you live, certain home improvement jobs like remodeling or significant repair work may require a city or county permit. Make sure your repairs are done in accordance with the law. Check with your building commissioner or county board if you think the work being performed is significant or may require a permit.
