If you find yourself without the time or the overall knowledge to handle the repairs and installation of items in your home, it may be a good idea to hire a handyman who is able to accomplish what you aren't able to do and within the budget that you have allotted for the project!
A handyman who is both trustworthy and affordable can become your best ally when it comes to maintaining your property and also increasing its value with the addition of new fixtures in and around your property. Finding your handyman is the first step towards freeing up a little bit of your time, saving you from accidently nailing your hand to your kitchen cabinets, and helping you to get the home of your dreams!
1Find a Handyman by Asking Your Friends & Family Members
Perhaps the best source of a reputable handyman is to start to make inquiries within your friend and family circles. Not only will those who know you best have an idea as to the style of work and the budget that will best appeal to you, but they are unlikely to steer you in the wrong direction by recommending someone who is less than reputable.
An added bonus to asking your friends and family members to help you find a handyman is that they will be able to show you the completed work that their handyman has done for them in their home. You will be able to determine if the quality of the work is something that will appeal to you – even if the work that was done was as simple as the installation of a ceiling fan. If the fan works correctly, doesn’t wobble or squeak – then it has been installed correctly. Whether the project is on the small scale, or leans towards the more elaborate installation of a patio or refinishing kitchen cabinets – seeing the finished project will help you to make a much more informed decision.
2Find a Handyman at a Home Improvement Store
Paying a visit to most home improvement stores will be able to put you in touch with many handyman professionals who will be able to help get the job done for you. The majority of home improvement stores will have a message board where handymen professionals can leave business cards or flyers. The home improvement stores themselves will offer referrals to professionals; however you may find that they are less than budget-friendly options.
Once you have accumulated the names of several handyman professionals, you can start to verify their credentials.
3Find a Handyman Online
In this tech-friendly world we can source everything we need via online sources – including a reputable handyman. Doing a basic Google search for a handyman in your area may simply demonstrate to you that many busy handymen simply don’t have fancy websites set up to manage their business. Instead, consider visiting Craigslist or another online business listing website; many handymen will take advantage of the free and low cost advertising that these online methods provide.
When hiring a handyman via an online source it is important that you verify his credentials, take a look at his portfolio if he offers one to you, and check out his business listing on the Better Business Bureau. The Better Business Bureau is a great resource for finding out more information about any business or service professional and can also help you to find out if your selected handyman’s rates are fair and comparable to others in his profession.
4Questions To Ask Your Handyman
Before you hire your handyman on to help you with projects in and around your home, there are several important questions that you need to discuss with your selected handyman in order to ensure that your requirements are completely met:
- Are You Insured?
A professional handyman will have taken all of the necessary steps to protect him and your property, including a comprehensive insurance policy that will help to protect you and your home while he is in your home working on the projects that you have assigned to him. Without an insurance policy in hand, if there is damage to your property, or if someone gets hurt during the project, you will not be financially responsible. Be sure to ask for a copy of the policy so that you can verify it for yourself; if your handyman can’t provide you with a copy then it is important to find out why.
- Do You Have a List of References?
A list of references is an important item to ask of your handyman; by providing you with a list of his satisfied prior customers, your handyman is allowing you the chance to find out how he measured up in the eyes of his prior clientele. Give a call to several of his references and ask them a few key questions to help you with your hiring decision, including: Did he stay within budget? Would you hire him again?
- How Many People Will Assist You on the Project?
This is a pretty important question to ask because you are unlikely to want dozens of strangers traipsing through your home during the process of working on a very large project. Your handyman should be able to provide you with a firm number of other people he may bring into your home. You should be introduced to every person who will enter your home so that you will be able to recognize them when they are in your home!!
- How Long Will the Project Take?
A professional and experienced handyman will be able to give you a clear idea as to how long he expects the projects that you assign to him to take. Try to keep in mind that there are several things that could crop up during the course of a project and cause unexpected delays. Be sure to keep communication open so that any unexpected delays can be handled.
Before you pen an agreement with your handyman professional, be sure that you are upfront with him about your budget for the projects that you need to get completed. If your handyman is a true professional then he will let you know upfront if he will be able to complete the project for you within your allotted budget. Ask to see a complete breakdown of the planned project expenses, beforehand, so that you can be sure that it not only works with your budget but so that you can see where your money is being spent.
