How to Pick the Right Handyman

Why Is Important to Pick the Right Handyman?

Having a long list of home repair and maintenance projects that you need to tend to is a common predicament for many homeowners. It may be because their busy schedules don’t give them the time needed to resolve these issues themselves. If you find yourself with the same problem, you may want to consider hiring a professional to handle these for you. By hiring a handyman, you won’t have to worry about your home repair and maintenance projects. A handyman is someone who is skilled and knowledgeable in most home repair and maintenance projects including carpentry, masonry, roofing, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC.

However, you must ensure that the handyman you’ll work with is qualified, licensed, and reputable. This is to ensure that they have the proper skills and equipment needed to do the job properly and efficiently. Otherwise, you may end up with more headaches and problems than what you started out with.

What Handyman Certifications Should I Look For?

Although finding a handyman seems easy, ensuring that the one you’ll entrust your home to can be quite a challenge. To make sure that the handyman you hire is reputable, ask them the following.

• Are they licensed? Licensed handymen are most likely to be more experienced in handling home repair and maintenance projects. Furthermore, they have the skills, training, and equipment needed to perform the job.
• Are they insured? Insurance provides you protection in case of an accident on the job site.

Take note, however, that handymen certifications may vary by state. There are some handyman companies that aren’t licensed and insured, because the state where they operate doesn’t require them to be. If you can’t find a licensed and insured business, it would be best to ask from your neighbors or loved ones about their experience working with unlicensed handyman companies to have a better idea of what to expect from them. Furthermore, you should do your homework and read customer reviews online and ask for your potential handyman for a list of references. Call these people up and find out what their overall experience was like.

What Are the Different Types of Handyman Work That I Should Consider?

Since handyman companies perform most home repair and maintenance services, they can help you out with multiple projects. Among the services they perform are general home repair jobs, including fixing kitchen and bathroom fixtures, drywall, windows and doors, and others. They also handle installation of appliances, lighting fixtures, and the like, and they may also offer cleaning services.

But before you hire a handyman, it’s advisable to make a list of all the things you want done, so that the handyman can give you an estimate on how much it would cost to get everything done. However, bear in mind that more complicated issues such as installing and repairing electrical wires, structural repairs, and plumbing projects require the expertise of a specialist, as these issues require more technical knowledge and permits.

How Much Should I Expect to Pay a Quality Handyman?

Most handymen charge by the hour, but there are also those who charge by the job. On average, independent handymen charge around $55 to $75 an hour, depending on where you live. Those who work for large companies can charge more than $100. Some may also charge you for their travel time and for the parts and materials they need for the job. To ensure that you’ll get the most bang for your buck, it’s a good idea to ask at least three handymen for written estimates so that you’ll have a better idea on how much your projects will cost. Remember that a handyman’s rate isn’t the most important factor, but the quality of their work is. In the end, the quality of service they provide trumps the cost. 

For the best idea of what price you can expect to pay, download an app like Contractors.com (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/contractors.com/id1078704337 for iOS or https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.contractorsapp for Android devices) to connect with the best handymen near you and get a free quote.

Everything You Need to Know About a Handyman

Performing home repair and upkeep jobs can be tiring and stressful. Luckily, you can hire someone to get the job done right and save you from the stress and hassle of addressing these yourself, especially if you have a busy schedule. Hiring a handyman won’t just solve your home repair and maintenance issues, but it will also help prevent further problems and save you a great deal of money in the long run. Just keep in mind that the handyman you’ll work with should be professional and reputable to ensure quality workmanship and the best service.

To find a handyman near you, enter your zip code above to start searching.