As a homeowner, one of your primary responsibilities (and pleasures) is regular household maintenance and upkeep. This can range from small, odd jobs around the house to fixing more major problems like a leaking roof. Staying on top of these jobs will allow you to keep up the value and comfort of your house. However, even savvy and enthusiastic DIYers may need help with maintenance, repair or improvement projects around the house.
And, if we aren’t careful, all those little home repairs can pile up quickly. Delaying repairs can lead to more problems, which can turn your home into something more like a house of cards. So, before this happens, call in a handyman. When you are hiring a handyman, consider the following:
The jobs you need done
Do you need a contractor or a handyman? A reputable handyman will offer a wide variety of services that include everything from changing a washer to repairing damaged doors. A handyman is the perfect fit for general repairs and odd jobs around your house. However, for big and specific jobs, such as major tiling, renovating a kitchen or waterproofing against roof leaks, a building contractor would be better suited for this job. Additionally, any in-the-wall electrical and plumbing installations, where a Compliance Certificate is required, you should contact a qualified electrician or plumber.
Ask questions
Once you have contacted your handyman, don’t feel shy about asking them questions. Think of it like an interview, where you make sure you have all your questions answered. Important things you need to know include licencing, experience, reviews, costs and guarantees that your handyman can provide. Asking questions will make sure that you and your handyman are on the same page, that you feel safe and that all your jobs are being handled correctly. Once all your questions have been answered, don’t feel pressured to choose them for the job. If you are unhappy about anything, feel free to look for another handyman elsewhere.
Experience and good reviews
A handyman that has been around for a few years will have the know-how and tools to do the jobs you need done quickly and efficiently, so choose one that is well established.
One way to find a reliable and experienced handyman in your area is by asking around your community, your neighbours and family members for a handyman whose services they made use of and were satisfied with. Most handymen rely on customer referrals and word of mouth. Alternatively, if you are looking at a local handyman online, which you can do here, you can check for online reviews.
You could also ask the handyman directly for contact details of recent customers. Make sure you get their name, number, email address and place of business to ensure that it is a legitimate client and not just a friend or family member. Ask questions about how long they have made use of the handyman’s services, what services they provided, were they on time with their work, did they stick to the quote provided, was the work done well and was there anything specific they liked about this handyman? Checking references like this is also an excellent way for you to feel safe about letting someone into your home.
Reliability
You want to make sure that you hire someone who is reliable and professional and whose services you can afford.
How your handyman presents themself will speak volumes about their trustworthiness and reliability. They should be punctual, as well as clear and direct in their communication with you, and forthright with their answers to your questions. They should maintain a neat and clean appearance, and conduct themselves in a professional manner towards you and towards their staff.
Costs
Be specific about the job and about what you want done when you speak to your handyman. And go in with a budget. The more information you can provide, the more accurate the estimate will be. Make sure you know if they have a standard call out fee, and if they charge per hour or by the job.
Know the difference between an estimate and a quote – an estimate is the initial cost that a handyman may provide, which is before they have inspected the work. The quote is the official price you can expect to pay at the end of the job and is legally binding. Make sure to have a quote in hand before the start of a job; otherwise additional, not discussed extras will most likely be charged.
Having up to three quotes or estimates to compare will provide you with a good idea as to who is affordable and what a job should cost. Once they’ve provided you with a quote, make sure that all the different costs of the repair are listed for you. If there are potential variables, such as the possibility of a repair taking longer than they are quoting you, make sure that this is disclosed and discussed beforehand. A breakdown of all fees should also include materials and labour costs and a warranty. A good handyman might also provide you with alternative solutions.
Most handymen will ask for a down payment in order to buy the materials required for the job. It might be possible to bring the costs down if you purchase the materials yourself for example, so discuss this with them. Make sure you never pay more than 50% of a job in advance. Only once the job is done and you are satisfied with the work should you pay in full.
Warranty and insurance
Find out if your handyman can offer a warranty. Those that offer a warranty are confident in the quality of the work and are also willing to correct any mistakes that may occur during a job.
There is always a risk of something going wrong during a repair job, no matter the experience level or great reviews a handyman may have. Inquiring about their insurance policy is a good idea. Ask them to specify what kind of insurance they have, not just that they have insurance. You want to make sure they have a type of insurance that can cover any damage done during, or as a result of the work they performed.
Not hiring a handyman can end up costing more in the long run. Your home is your biggest financial investment and also probably the space where you spend the most time. You would not have an unqualified mechanic work on your brand-new car, and you wouldn’t have an unqualified doctor perform surgery on you or a loved one, so why make this mistake with your home?