Finding a Handyman for Small Projects and Repairs

Finding a handyman is quite easy; you can check the yellow pages, craigslist or ask a neighbor or friend. While there is no shortage of people you can hire to do small jobs and projects around the home, not all are equally skilled or reliable. Therefore, you must be sure the person you hire is the right one for the job.

• Before you speak to anyone, take a pen and paper to write exactly what you want done to your home. Be as specific as possible, write down as many details as you can. If you have seen what you want in a magazine or someone's home, it is a good idea to have a picture available. This will give the handyman a clear idea about what you are hoping to achieve.


• Check references on anyone you are considering hiring. If the handyman works for a larger company, look into complaints the company has and see how long they have been in business. Ask about any pictures of work that the company has done.


• Be sure you are the one contacting the handyman, not the other way around. It is not a good idea to hire someone who happens to ring your bell one day offering to do work. 


• For electrical and plumbing work, ask about licensing. Having someone unlicensed working on your electrical system could be very dangerous, it could also lead to building code violations. Having plumbing done by someone not trained may lead to a big mess if pipes are not properly put in and connected. Many times people feel that hiring a professional electrician and plumber will be a lot more expensive than hiring a handyman; this is not always the case.


• Check laws for your state. In some states it may be illegal to hire an unlicensed handyman to do work that costs over a certain amount of money. This law varies by state and is not in every state.


• Make sure that your handyman is insured and has enough insurance. This will protect you in case of any mistakes that result in damage. Even a seemingly small and easy job can quickly turn into a big deal which may result in damage. Protect yourself and your home by being sure any who works in your home is insured.


• A handyman should not ask for total payment up front. For small jobs, it is common to pay when the job is finished. For larger jobs, many will ask for 50 percent at the beginning and the other 50 percent when the job is completed.


• Be sure you understand the fee you will be paying. Whether you will be paying an hourly rate or a flat fee, ask for the price in writing. You will have either an hourly fee or a flat rate, in addition to the cost of materials, which you will cover.